AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 30, 2001
REGISTRATION NO. 333-59784
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CERES GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<Table>
DELAWARE 34-1017531 6399
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) (Primary Standard Industrial
incorporation or organization) Classification Code No.)
</Table>
17800 ROYALTON ROAD
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
(440) 572-2400
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
PETER W. NAUERT
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
17800 ROYALTON ROAD
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136
(440) 572-2400
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(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
WITH COPIES TO:
<Table>
KATHLEEN L. MESEL, ESQ. MARC C. KRANTZ, ESQ. SUSAN J. SUTHERLAND, ESQ.
GENERAL COUNSEL KOHRMAN JACKSON & KRANTZ P.L.L. SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER
17800 ROYALTON ROAD ONE CLEVELAND CENTER, 20TH FLOOR & FLOM LLP
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44136 1375 EAST NINTH STREET FOUR TIMES SQUARE
(440) 878-2953 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44114 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036
(216) 736-7204 (212) 735-2388
</Table>
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)
------------------------
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act,
check the following box: [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
------------------------
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 30, 2001
PROSPECTUS
14,000,000 SHARES
[CERES GROUP, INC. LOGO]
COMMON STOCK
------------------------------------
We are selling 14,000,000 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is
quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "CERG." On November 29,
2001, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $3.25 per share.
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. YOU SHOULD
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION UNDER THE HEADING "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON
PAGE 9 OF THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE BUYING SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
------------------------------------
<Table>
<Caption>
PER SHARE TOTAL
Public offering price................................
Underwriting discounts and commissions...............
Proceeds, before expenses, to us.....................
</Table>
------------------------------------
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF
THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------------------
We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to
purchase up to 2,100,000 additional shares of our common stock at the public
offering price to cover over-allotments if any.
We expect the shares of our common stock will be ready for delivery to
purchasers on or about December , 2001.
FRIEDMAN BILLINGS RAMSEY
SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
INCORPORATED
The date of this Prospectus is , 2001.
CERES
GROUP, INC.
[PICTURE OF SENIOR COUPLE] [PICTURE OF FAMILY]
PROTECTING OUR NATION'S GROWING SENIOR MARKET- PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH AND LIFE
AGE 55 AND OVER-WITH HEALTH INSURANCE, INSURANCE PRODUCTS FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES
LIFE INSURANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL COVERAGE, AND SMALL BUSINESSES.
PRODUCTS: PRODUCTS:
- Medicare supplement - Catastrophic medical
- Medicare select - Comprehensive and basic major medical
- Long-term care - Short-term major medical
- Home health care - Small group coverage
- Senior life insurance - Employer partially self-funded plans
- Annuities - Hospital-only coverage
- Supplemental insurance
DISTRIBUTED THROUGH: - Life insurance and annuities
- Senior career agents
- QQLink electronic distribution DISTRIBUTED THROUGH:
- Individual and small group brokers
- Health insurance career agents
- Specialty health marketing organizations
- QQLink electronic distribution
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE HAVE
NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE ARE OFFERING TO SELL, AND SEEKING OFFERS TO
BUY, SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK ONLY IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE OFFERS AND SALES ARE
PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS OR OF ANY SALE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
OUR NAME AND LOGO AND THE NAMES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED BY US ARE
OUR TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES OR SERVICE MARKS. EACH TRADEMARK, TRADE NAME OR
SERVICE MARK OF ANOTHER COMPANY APPEARING IN THIS PROSPECTUS BELONGS TO ITS
HOLDER AND DOES NOT BELONG TO US.
------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE
----
Prospectus Summary.......................................... 1
The Offering................................................ 4
Selected Financial Data..................................... 5
Forward-Looking Statements.................................. 7
Risk Factors................................................ 9
Use of Proceeds............................................. 20
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy............. 21
Capitalization.............................................. 22
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations.... 23
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 25
and Results of Operations.................................
Business.................................................... 43
Management.................................................. 64
Principal Stockholders...................................... 75
Certain Related Transactions................................ 80
Description of Capital Stock................................ 82
Shares Eligible for Future Sale............................. 86
Underwriting................................................ 88
Legal Matters............................................... 89
Experts..................................................... 89
Available Information....................................... 89
Index to Financial Statements............................... F-1
</Table>
i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus. To understand Ceres and this offering fully, you should read the
entire prospectus carefully, including the risk factors beginning on page 9 and
our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in
this prospectus. Except where indicated, the information in this prospectus
assumes no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares
from us. Unless the context indicates otherwise, "we," "our" and "us" refers to
Ceres Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
CERES GROUP, INC.
OVERVIEW
Ceres provides a wide array of health and life insurance products to
approximately 560,000 insureds through two primary business segments. Our senior
segment includes senior health, life and annuity products for Americans age 55
and over. The medical segment includes catastrophic and major medical health
insurance for individuals, associations and small businesses. To help control
medical costs, we also provide medical cost management services to our insureds.
Our nationwide distribution channels include approximately 48,000 independent
and exclusive agents and QQLink.com, our proprietary, patent pending electronic
distribution system.
In 1998, a new management team led by Peter W. Nauert took control of Ceres
and its then only insurance subsidiary, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company.
The management team implemented a complete restructuring of the company and its
operations by initiating a series of remedial actions designed to stabilize our
operating performance, including repricing and eliminating unprofitable
products, improving underwriting and reducing administrative expenses.
Throughout the restructuring, we added experienced management personnel to our
financial, actuarial, underwriting, claims, marketing and operations areas. We
also initiated a growth strategy that included expanded distribution channels
and product offerings and a series of strategic acquisitions, which included our
entry into the senior market.
We acquired Continental General Insurance Company, Provident American Life
& Health Insurance Company and United Benefit Life Insurance Company to
supplement our major medical platform at Central Reserve Life. In addition, we
acquired selected major medical insureds of Central Benefits Mutual Insurance
Company and a block of individual and small group health insurance written by
American Chambers Life Insurance Company. We entered into the senior market by
acquiring Continental General, with its significant senior health insurance
business, and Pyramid Life Insurance Company, a company primarily in the senior
market.
The strategic acquisitions completed since 1998 have given us sufficient
size and scope to compete in our markets. Since 1998, we increased our
distribution channels from one to six, expanded our agent force from 16,000 to
approximately 48,000 and increased our product offerings from five to
approximately 40 in our major medical and senior markets. Assets increased from
$135.8 million at December 31, 1997 to $906.3 million at September 30, 2001, and
our gross premiums increased from $253.0 million for 1997 to $625.3 million for
the first nine months of 2001.
Our operating results have been negatively impacted by the results of
United Benefit Life and Provident American Life. These companies have not met
our expectations due to significantly higher than anticipated claims and benefit
utilization and losses from unanticipated litigation. However, we limited our
losses by reinsuring portions of these businesses under various reinsurance
agreements and by halting new sales in these subsidiaries in July 2000. In
addition, in July 2001, we implemented a program to mitigate future losses of
these subsidiaries by notifying policyholders that their policies would be
terminated or replaced. We expect the business in these two subsidiaries to
substantially wind down by the early part of 2002.
1
In addition, our operating results have been adversely impacted by
industry-wide and historically high medical inflation. This environment has
caused us to enhance and accelerate a number of programs to lessen the
inflationary impact, including:
- premium rate increases;
- modified product lines for new sales;
- target marketing;
- proactive medical cost management; and
- lowered administrative and sales expenses.
Our senior segment continued to produce increasing profits for the first
nine months of 2001, totaling $17.3 million in pre-tax segment profits for the
first nine months of 2001. Our medical segment improved from the first half of
2001 and returned to profitability in the third quarter following the
implementation of the above programs earlier in the year. However, our
acquisitions and internal growth have strained our capital levels. We have
shifted our focus to achieving internal growth while controlling our costs,
although we will still be open to selected strategic acquisitions. Additional
capital from this offering will allow us to take advantage of internal growth
opportunities.
This offering will significantly strengthen our balance sheet. We believe
our focus on internal growth, along with increased capital, will lead to more
predictable earnings, enhanced profitability and higher financial agency ratings
of our insurance subsidiaries, which in turn will support greater internal
growth capacity and enable us to enter into more favorable reinsurance
agreements.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
We continue to develop and expand our senior products to take advantage of
the growing senior population and to allow us to market our senior products to
our major medical insureds as they age. We also believe that we can successfully
compete in the major medical insurance business by continuing to concentrate on
the initiatives we implemented since 1998. With increasingly stringent federal
and state restrictions on small group insurance, we now emphasize the sale of
individual and association products, which offer greater flexibility in both
underwriting and design compared to small group products.
Principal elements of our strategy include:
INCREASING SENIOR MARKET FOCUS -- Because of favorable demographics and
higher profit potential in the senior segment, we are focusing more of our
capital and sales efforts on this part of our business. Our senior health
products, as well as life insurance and annuity products, are designed with
higher profit margins and premium payments that produce a longer-term flow of
premiums and are not as subject to medical inflation as major medical products.
ENHANCING MEDICAL COST MANAGEMENT -- Our approach is to manage the cost of
healthcare. With historically high medical inflation and utilization rates, we
focus on reducing medical costs for our insureds by actively managing these
costs through a variety of techniques, including favorable preferred provider
contracts, per diem provider arrangements, multi-level pharmacy coverage, and
earlier case management screening techniques.
IMPROVING UNDERWRITING AND PRODUCT DESIGN -- We improve our underwriting
through consistent and rigorous risk evaluation that reflects current medical
practices and treatment patterns. To anticipate and respond to regulatory
changes and actual market and profitability experience, we closely monitor and
manage premium rate adjustments and provide our policyholders opportunities to
adjust their co-insurance and deductible provisions. We actively pursue product
redesign and curtailment of unprofitable product offerings in selected markets.
REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS -- We benefit from efficiencies obtained
through our growth by streamlining management and consolidating administrative
operations and services. Our areas of focus
2
include reductions in facility management costs, printing and supply costs and
consolidation of corporate activities, including accounting, marketing and
distribution.
EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS -- We have six distribution channels,
including independent agents, exclusive agents and electronic distribution.
Through compensation incentives, we encourage our agents to cross-sell our
complementary, supplemental and non-insurance products that typically have
higher profit margins.
INCREASING FEE REVENUE -- We enhance our revenue by charging fees for
medical care coordination, claims processing and other administrative services.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We market the following products and services:
- CATASTROPHIC AND MAJOR MEDICAL -- Catastrophic, comprehensive and basic
coverage options from preferred provider organization (PPO) benefit plans
to traditional indemnity plans
- SHORT-TERM MAJOR MEDICAL -- Major medical coverage for people who are
between jobs or are recent graduates
- SMALL GROUP PRODUCTS -- Major medical plans for small businesses with
2-100 employees, including employer self-funded plans in which we share a
portion of the medical cost risk with the employer
- LIFE AND ANNUITY -- Life insurance and annuity plans offered as
supplements to major medical coverage
- SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS -- Wide range of comprehensive and
supplemental medical benefit products, including Medicare supplement,
long-term care, home healthcare, extended convalescent care, cancer
coverage and acute recovery care
- SENIOR LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES -- Life insurance policies for
individuals over age 55 with smaller face amount coverage of up to
$50,000 and annuity plans with first-year bonus interest or interest rate
guarantees
- SPECIALTY AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PRODUCTS -- Complementary products,
such as dental, critical illness coverage, first diagnosis cancer
coverage, accidental injury coverage and accidental death benefit
- SERVICES AND NON-INSURANCE PRODUCTS -- A non-insurance benefit package
that provides discounts on travel, extended care/home healthcare
services, prescription medicine, hearing aids and other health-related
products and services; and a program designed to lower medical costs for
our insureds, including case management, 24-hour access to medical
information and out-of-network fee reductions.
------------------------------------
Our principal executive offices are located at 17800 Royalton Road,
Cleveland, Ohio 44136, and our telephone number is (440) 572-2400.
3
THE OFFERING
Common stock offered by Ceres.... 14,000,000 shares
Common stock outstanding after
the offering..................... 31,664,847 shares
Use of proceeds.................. For contribution to capital of our
insurance subsidiaries, repayment of a
portion of our debt pursuant to our credit
agreement, repurchase of our convertible
voting preferred stock and working capital
Nasdaq National Market Symbol.... CERG
We calculated the outstanding shares of common stock after the offering
assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase an additional
2,100,000 shares and based on the number of shares outstanding as of November 1,
2001, excluding:
- 9,627,241 shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plans,
stock purchase plans, non-qualified stock options and warrants; and
- 1,379,521 shares reserved for issuance upon the conversion of our
convertible voting preferred stock.
4
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of and for each
of the five years ended December 31, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996 have been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The data for the
nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 are derived from our unaudited
financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The acquisitions of Provident American Life, Continental General and Pyramid
Life occurred on December 31, 1998, February 17, 1999 and July 26, 2000,
respectively. These acquisitions had no impact on our results of operations in
1998. Results for United Benefit Life are included from August 1, 1998 to July
20, 1999 under a reinsurance agreement and thereafter as an acquired entity. The
financial information for the year ended December 31, 1999 includes the
operations of Continental General since February 1, 1999 and for Provident
American Life for the entire period, and the financial information for the year
ended December 31, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 2000 includes
the operations of Pyramid Life since July 26, 2000. The financial information
for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 includes the operations of all
these subsidiaries for the entire period. This data should be read in
conjunction with the more detailed information contained in the consolidated
financial statements and accompanying notes, "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other financial
information included elsewhere in this prospectus.
<Table>
<Caption>
FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Premiums (net of
reinsurance)............. $471,320 $364,504 $511,542 $327,746 $154,188 $249,707 $258,175
Net investment income...... 24,274 19,322 26,871 21,362 7,454 6,528 6,701
Net realized gains
(losses)................. 5,215 35 (98) 107 211 146 9
Fee and other income....... 27,568 23,417 31,540 17,410 7,694 9,152 --
Amortization of deferred
reinsurance gain......... 3,301 4,495 6,093 5,468 600 -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues......... $531,678 $411,773 $575,948 $372,093 $170,147 $265,533 $264,885
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Income (loss) before
federal income taxes,
minority interest and
preferred stock
dividends................ $ 257 $ 18,966 $ 24,804 $ 18,006 $ (2,769) $(21,089) $(12,134)
Federal income tax expense
(benefit)................ 1,122 6,638 8,380 6,302 1,067 (133) (2,846)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) after tax,
before minority interest
and preferred stock
dividends................ (865) 12,328 16,424 11,704 (3,836) (20,956) (9,288)
Minority interest.......... (37) --...... (26) -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss).......... (828) 12,328 16,450 11,704 (3,836) (20,956) (9,288)
Convertible voting
preferred stock
dividends................ 579 138 327 -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income (loss)
attributable to common
stockholders............. $ (1,407) $ 12,190 $ 16,123 $ 11,704 $ (3,836) $(20,956) $ (9,288)
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Basic earnings (loss) per
share(1)................. $ (0.08) 0.84 $ 1.06 $ 0.88 $ (0.49) $ (5.01) $ (2.29)
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share(1)................. $ (0.08)(2) 0.79 1.00 0.77 (0.49)(2) (5.01)(2) (2.29)(2)
Cash dividends per share... -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.52
</Table>
5
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
------------------- ------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Investments................... $474,791 $395,512 $426,111 $309,952 $ 89,826 $ 79,957 $ 79,613
Reinsurance receivable........ 216,627 249,261 238,185 263,289 41,417 26,216 312
Total assets.................. 906,282 866,633 880,529 717,868 180,233 135,804 119,389
Debt.......................... 42,500 58,054 57,018 48,157 8,284 8,399 8,504
Note payable.................. -- -- -- -- -- 20,000 --
Future policy benefits and
claims payable.............. 653,521 632,458 627,156 538,732 97,113 81,090 76,651
Retained earnings (accumulated
deficit).................... 17,265 14,739 18,672 2,549 (9,155) (5,319) 15,637
Stockholders' equity(4)....... 115,295 87,211 103,283 44,661 35,836 1,512 21,468
Equity per common share:
After accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)(3)............... 6.06 4.63 5.52 3.26 3.12 0.36 5.18
Before accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)(3)............... 5.81 5.50 5.88 4.59 3.02 0.21 5.24
</Table>
- ---------------
(1) Loss per share amounts for 1997 and 1996 have been restated to comply with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share."
(2) The exercise of options and warrants is not assumed when a loss from
operations is reported and the result would be antidilutive.
(3) "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" relates primarily to the net
unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.
(4) We received proceeds from private placement offerings in 2000, 1999 and
1998. For more information, see "Certain Related Transactions."
6
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on
estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which, with
respect to future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties
and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made
by, or on behalf of, us.
In particular, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"continue" or similar words. In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in
all future projections, the inclusion of forward-looking statements in this
prospectus should not be considered as a representation by us or any other
person that our objectives or plans will be achieved. Numerous factors could
cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those in the
forward-looking statements, including the following:
- rising healthcare costs, especially the rising costs of prescription drug
costs that are rising faster than other medical costs, and rising
utilization rates;
- unforeseen losses with respect to loss and settlement expense reserves
for unreported and reported claims or adverse changes in persistency or
profitability of insurance contracts that would accelerate the
amortization of our deferred acquisition costs;
- developments in healthcare reform and other regulatory issues, including
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and
increased privacy regulation, and changes in laws and regulations in key
states in which we operate;
- our ability to implement increases in premium rates and to develop,
distribute and administer competitive products and services in a timely,
cost-effective manner;
- our ability to maintain our current PPO network arrangements;
- the performance of others on whom we rely for reinsurance, particularly
Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America upon whom we have relied for
substantially all of our reinsurance;
- our ability to meet risk-based capital requirements;
- the adequacy of funds, including fee income, received from our
non-regulated subsidiaries to meet Ceres' debt obligations;
- the risk of material adverse outcomes in litigation;
- dependence on senior management and key personnel;
- the failure to successfully manage our expanding operations and integrate
future acquisitions, if any, including the failure to achieve cost
savings;
- our financial and claims paying ratings, including any potential
downgrades;
- the performance of others on whom we rely for administrative and
operations services;
- restrictions on our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to
Ceres;
- the failure to comply with financial and other covenants in our loan
agreements;
- payments to state assessment funds;
- business conditions and competition in the healthcare industry;
- changes in tax laws;
7
- the risk of selling investments to meet liquidity requirements;
- the risk that issuers of securities owned by Ceres will default or that
other parties will not pay or perform;
- changes in accounting and reporting practices;
- our ability to fully collect all agent advances; and
- our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing on terms
favorable to us to facilitate our long-term growth.
The factors listed above should not be construed as exhaustive. We
undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions
we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
8
RISK FACTORS
This offering involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty. You should
carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other
information in this prospectus before deciding to invest in shares of our common
stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. This
could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, and you may lose
part or all of your investment.
OUR PROFITABILITY DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON OUR ABILITY TO ACCURATELY PREDICT AND
EFFECTIVELY MANAGE RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS AND TO IMPLEMENT INCREASES IN PREMIUM
RATES.
Our operating results for the first half of 2001 were adversely impacted by
industry-wide and historically high medical inflation. Healthcare costs have
increased over the last few years for several reasons. The aging of the
population and other demographic characteristics, increasing use of medical
services and advances in medical technology contributed to rising healthcare
costs. The increased use and costs of pharmaceutical products and services,
which increased faster than the costs of other medical products and services,
also continued to contribute significantly to rising healthcare costs.
Government-imposed limitations on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements have
caused the private sector to bear a greater share of increasing healthcare
costs. These factors, which are beyond our control, could adversely affect our
ability to accurately predict and effectively manage healthcare costs, resulting
in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
In addition to the challenge of managing healthcare costs, we face pressure
to contain premium prices. Our policyholders may select our more restricted
benefit packages to lower their premium costs. Alternatively, our customers may
move to a competitor to obtain more favorable premiums. Furthermore, our ability
to raise our premiums is subject to regulatory constraints. Limitations on our
ability to increase or maintain our premium levels could adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
OUR PROFITABILITY DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO ACCURATELY PREDICT CLAIMS
LIABILITIES WHEN PRICING OUR PRODUCTS, MAKING ACQUISITIONS AND ESTABLISHING OUR
LIABILITIES FOR FUTURE POLICY BENEFITS AND CLAIMS.
If actual claims experience is less favorable than our underlying
assumptions used in setting the prices for our products and establishing our
liabilities, the required change in our claims reserves could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Reserves are only actuarial estimates and it is possible that our claims
experience may be worse than anticipated.
When we acquire blocks of insurance policies or insurers owning blocks of
policies, our assessment of the adequacy of transferred policy liabilities is
subject to similar uncertainties and risks. United Benefit Life had a shortfall
in reserves of approximately $19.4 million that we subsequently discovered in
connection with our August 1, 1998 reinsurance agreement. We foreclosed on the
stock of United Benefit Life on July 21, 1999. As of December 31, 1999, we had
recovered approximately $17.8 million of this shortfall, including $4.6 million
from real and personal property, $5.3 million from commissions due Insurance
Advisors of America, Inc., United Benefit Life's agents, and $7.9 million from
our reinsurance agreement. Of the portion not recovered, we recorded an expense
of $0.7 million in 1998 and $0.9 million in 1999.
With acquired and existing businesses, we may, from time to time, need to
increase our loss projections for claims reserves significantly in excess of our
original estimates. In addition, we review on a regular basis the loss ratios of
our business segments and record a premium deficiency reserve, if necessary. Any
increase in claims reserves could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, in connection with the sale of our insurance policies, we
defer and amortize a portion of the policy acquisition costs over the related
premium paying periods of the life of the policy. Deferred acquisition costs are
affected by unanticipated termination of policies because, upon such
termination, we
9
expense fully the unamortized deferred acquisition costs associated with the
terminated policies. For example, in connection with the termination or
replacement of the United Benefit Life and Provident American Life policies, we
expensed $5.9 million in the first quarter of 2001 relating to the unamortized
deferred acquisition costs associated with those policies. In addition, when we
determine that a specific block of our business is unprofitable and therefore
the deferred acquisition costs are not recoverable, we expense fully the
unamortized deferred acquisition costs associated with that business. For
example, in the third quarter of 2001, we expensed $4.9 million of unamortized
deferred acquisition costs relating to Central Reserve's business in two states
due to the continuing unprofitability of the business in those states.
Therefore, the unanticipated termination of a significant number of policies or
the determination that deferred acquisition costs are unrecoverable could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Increased policy termination by our policyholders, or lapsation, will also
result in reduced premium collection and a greater percentage of higher-risk
insureds. Increased claims in future periods and unfavorable loss ratios are
usually associated with blocks of business which have greater percentages of
higher-risk insureds, and, therefore, lapsation may also adversely impact our
future earnings.
CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT REGULATION MAY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY AND INCREASE OUR
COSTS TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE.
We are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and compliance
with future laws and regulations could increase our operating costs. Our
insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulation and supervision in each of the
states in which they are admitted. This supervision and regulation is largely
for the benefit and protection of policyholders and not stockholders.
Supervision and regulation by the insurance departments extends, among other
things, to:
- the declaration and payment of dividends;
- the setting of rates to be charged for our products;
- the granting and revocation of licenses to conduct business;
- the approval of forms;
- the establishment of reserve requirements;
- the timely payment of claims;
- the regulation of maximum commissions payable; and
- the form and content of financial statements required by statute.
In addition, federal and state legislative proposals relating to healthcare
reform contain features that would severely limit or eliminate our ability to
vary our pricing terms or apply medical underwriting standards with respect to
individuals. These proposals, if enacted, may have the effect of increasing our
loss ratios and decreasing our profitability.
A failure to comply with legal or regulatory restrictions may subject us to
a loss or suspension of a right to engage in certain businesses or business
practices, criminal or civil fines, an obligation to make restitution or pay
refunds or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition, many states, including states in which we do business, have
enacted, or are considering, various healthcare reform statutes.
We have decided, and may continue to decide in the future, to discontinue
selling certain products in states where, due to these healthcare reform
measures, we cannot function profitably.
Some of the new federal and state regulations promulgated under the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) are currently
unsettled, making certainty of compliance impossible at this time. Due to this
uncertainty, we cannot be sure that the systems and programs that we plan to
implement will comply with the regulations that are ultimately approved.
Implementation of
10
additional systems and programs may be required, the cost of which is unknown to
us at this time. Further, compliance with these regulations could require
changes to many of the procedures we currently use to conduct our business,
which may lead to additional costs that we have not yet identified.
In addition, in December 2000, the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) promulgated regulations under HIPAA related to privacy of individually
identifiable health information. These regulations establish significant
criminal penalties and civil sanctions for noncompliance. In addition, the
regulations could expose us to additional liability for, among other things,
violations by our business associates. We must comply with the new privacy
regulations by April 14, 2003. We have not quantified the costs required to
comply with these regulations, but they may be material.
Statutory and regulatory changes may significantly alter our ability to
manage pharmaceutical costs through restricted formularies of products available
to our members. In addition, Congress and various states are considering some
form of a "Patients' Bill of Rights." Although this legislation was originally
conceived to regulate HMOs, it will affect all facets of the nation's healthcare
delivery system, including medical providers, PPOs, exclusive provider
organizations (EPOs), community-based healthcare organizations, and indemnity
insurance plans. These changes are expected to result in higher total medical
costs, that could encourage more partnerships and associations between medical
providers and insurers to control costs, more community-based health
organizations, and greater use of higher deductibles to lower insurance costs
and reduce administrative expenses of smaller claims. We cannot predict what
federal reforms, if any, may be enacted or how these federal reforms would
affect our business.
Additional regulatory initiatives may be undertaken in the future, either
at the federal or state level, to engage in structural reform of the insurance
or healthcare industry in order to reduce the escalation of insurance or
healthcare costs or to make insurance or healthcare more accessible. These
future regulatory initiatives and any form of the Patients' Bill of Rights could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. In addition, as we continue to implement our e-business
initiatives, uncertainty surrounding the regulatory authority and requirements
in this area may make it difficult to ensure compliance.
OUR COMMON STOCK HAS HAD LOW TRADING VOLUME AND ITS PRICE MAY CONTINUE TO BE
SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT FLUCTUATIONS.
Our common stock has had low trading volume prior to this offering. The
average daily trading volume of our common stock for the first nine months of
2001 was 11,112 shares per day. This low trading volume may have had a
significant effect on the market price of our common stock and, accordingly,
historical prices of our common stock may not necessarily be indicative of
market prices in a more liquid market. The trading volume in our common stock
may not increase after the offering even though we are selling a significant
number of shares in this offering. Investors in this offering may be unable to
resell their shares at prices equal to or greater than the offering price.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to significant
fluctuations due to a limited trading volume, variations in our quarterly
financial results and other factors, such as changes in earnings estimates by
analysts or our ability to meet these estimates, conditions in the overall
economy and the financial markets and other developments affecting us and our
competitors.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR SALE IN THE FUTURE COULD AFFECT THE MARKET PRICES FOR OUR
COMMON STOCK.
No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, future sales of shares,
or the availability of shares for future sales, will have on the market price of
our common stock prevailing from time to time. Our directors, officers and
certain of our other stockholders have agreed not to offer, sell, contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of their equity securities (or any securities
exercisable for or convertible into such equity securities) until 180 days after
the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the underwriters. After that date, all of these shares may be
sold subject to the limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Upon the
closing of this offering, we will have 31,664,847 shares of our common stock
outstanding, of which 12,918,783 are "restricted shares" within the meaning
11
of Rule 144. In addition, we have warrants and options outstanding to purchase
7,507,636 shares of our common stock, 5,715,034 of which were exercisable at
November 1, 2001. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with some
of our stockholders granting them rights to have their restricted shares
registered under the Securities Act. The agreement provides "demand" and
"piggyback" registration rights for 13,186,766 of the outstanding shares of our
common stock and 5,486,857 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise
of warrants and options that were exercisable at November 1, 2001. We anticipate
that each of these holders will waive his, her or its rights under the
registration rights agreement in connection with this offering. Sales of
substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that
such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for our
common stock, as well as our ability to raise additional capital through an
offering of our securities.
OUR PROFITABILITY MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR
CURRENT PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO) ARRANGEMENTS AND TO ENTER INTO
OTHER APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS.
Our profitability is dependent upon our ability to reach favorable
arrangements with PPO networks that contract with hospitals, physicians and
other health benefits providers. The failure to maintain our largest network
arrangements or to secure new cost-effective PPO network contracts may result in
a loss of policyholders or higher medical costs that could adversely affect our
business. As of September 30, 2001, our largest network, First Health Group
Corporation, accounted for 29.3% of our PPO certificates and policies in force.
A REDUCTION IN NEW SALES OR THE LOSS OF POLICYHOLDERS COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE
EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
A reduction in new sales or in the number of our policyholders could reduce
our fee income. Fees are charged for services such as medical care coordination
programs, claims processing, administration for direct billing, reinsurance
management and management services for associations. Fees received from our
non-regulated subsidiaries are used by Ceres to meet our debt obligations. For
more information on our debt obligations, see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources." A reduction in our fee income could cause us to default on
our debt obligations which could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS THAT RESPOND TO
CHANGES IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to develop and provide new
products that meet consumers' changing health insurance needs and changes in
government requirements. During recent years, the health insurance industry has
experienced substantial changes, primarily caused by healthcare legislation. The
introduction of managed care organizations has also affected the health
insurance industry. In addition, over the past several years, the rapid growth
of HMOs and PPOs and the organization of healthcare providers in new ways, such
as physician hospital organizations, have dramatically changed health insurance
sales. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to effectively
enhance our current products and claims processing capabilities and to develop
new products in the changing healthcare environment on a timely and
cost-effective basis.
In addition, our products must be approved by the various states in which
those products are offered. We could be adversely affected if we are unable to
obtain approval for the products that we plan to offer.
FAILURE BY OUR REINSURERS TO TIMELY AND FULLY MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR
REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR PROFITABILITY AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION.
We have been able to write insurance risks beyond the level that the
capital and surplus of our insurance subsidiaries would support by transferring
substantial portions of these risks to other, larger insurers through
reinsurance contracts. We reinsure portions of the health and life insurance
policies we
12
write and portions of policies we reinsure from other companies. Reinsurance
does not discharge us from our primary liability to our insureds. Our growth may
be dependent on our ability to obtain reinsurance in the future. We may be
unable to obtain reinsurance in the future, if necessary, at competitive rates
or at all.
Failure by reinsurers to continue to pay in full and in a timely manner the
claims made against them in accordance with the terms of our reinsurance
agreements could expose our insurance subsidiaries to liabilities in excess of
their reserves and surplus and could subject each of them to insolvency
proceedings. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, 24.6% of our total
premiums were ceded to our reinsurers, of which approximately 94% was ceded to a
single reinsurance company, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America. The
inability of Hannover and other reinsurers to satisfy their obligations could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. For more information on our reinsurance arrangements, see
"Business -- Reinsurance."
OUR INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES ARE SUBJECT TO RISK-BASED OR STATUTORY CAPITAL
REQUIREMENTS. OUR FAILURE TO MEET THESE STANDARDS COULD SUBJECT US TO REGULATORY
ACTIONS.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to risk-based capital (RBC)
standards imposed by their states of domicile. These laws, based on the RBC
Model Act adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC),
require our regulated subsidiaries to report their results of risk-based capital
calculations to the departments of insurance and the NAIC.
Prior to the third quarter of 1998, we experienced ten consecutive quarters
of net losses. In 1996 and 1997, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, our
then-principal subsidiary, experienced substantial losses. At December 31, 1996,
Central Reserve's statutory capital levels fell to an amount that subjected it
to mandatory examination by the State of Ohio Department of Insurance and
possible corrective action. In addition, the auditors' report for the periods
ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 expressed substantial doubt about our ability
to continue as a going concern. However, beginning in 1997 and continuing with
the change of control in 1998, we affected a series of transactions that
increased statutory capital levels.
In the first quarter of 2001 and for the nine months ended September 30,
2001, we again experienced net losses. These losses have affected our statutory
capital levels at our insurance subsidiaries. Without additional capital or
reinsurance, the statutory capital levels at Central Reserve may be below
"company action level" at December 31, 2001. At this level, we must submit a
comprehensive plan to the Ohio Department of Insurance which discusses proposed
corrective actions to improve Central Reserve's capital position.
Failure to meet minimum risk-based capital requirements or statutory
capital requirements could subject our insurance subsidiaries to further
examination or corrective action, including state supervision or liquidation,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations. For more information, see "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE FREQUENTLY THE TARGETS OF LITIGATION, INCLUDING CLASS
ACTION LITIGATION, THAT COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL JUDGMENTS.
We are and may become a party to a variety of legal actions that affect our
business, such as employment and employment discrimination-related suits,
employee benefit claims, breach of contract actions, tort claims and
intellectual property related litigation. In addition, because we are in the
health insurance business, we are subject to a variety of legal actions relating
to our business operations, including claims relating to the denial of
healthcare benefits.
A number of civil jury verdicts have been returned against insurers in the
jurisdictions in which we do business involving the insurers' sales practices,
alleged agent misconduct, discrimination and other matters. Increasingly these
lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments against the insurer
that are disproportionate to the actual damages, including material amounts of
punitive damages. In some states,
13
juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive and non-economic
compensatory damages which creates the potential for unpredictable material
adverse judgments in any given lawsuit. In addition, in some class actions and
other lawsuits involving insurers' sales practices, insurers have made material
settlement payments. We, in the ordinary course of business, are involved in
such litigation or alternatively, in arbitration. We cannot predict the outcome
of any such litigation or arbitration.
We have recently been sued for compensatory damages and, in some cases,
unspecified punitive damages in a number of actions pertaining to the insureds
of United Benefit Life arising from claims payment issues. We cannot predict the
outcome of these lawsuits, including the award of punitive damages and,
therefore, we cannot predict the financial impact on us of these actions.
OUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY DEPENDENT ON THE CONTINUED SERVICES AND
PERFORMANCE OF OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND OTHER KEY PERSONNEL.
Our performance depends on our ability to retain and motivate our officers
and key employees. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers or
other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. We have existing employment
agreements with each of our executive officers, most of which expire on June 30,
2003. We do not maintain "key person" life insurance policies on any key
personnel.
Our future success also will depend on our ability to identify, attract,
hire, train, retain and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial,
marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for these employees is
intense and we may not be able to successfully attract, integrate or retain
sufficiently qualified personnel. Our future success also depends on our ability
to attract, retain and motivate our agents. Our failure to attract and retain
the necessary personnel and agents could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. For more information,
see "Management."
A GROUP OF OUR EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS HAS THE ABILITY TO APPROVE ALL MATTERS
REQUIRING THE VOTE OF OUR STOCKHOLDERS INCLUDING THE ELECTION OF OUR BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.
A group of our stockholders has entered into a voting agreement. Prior to
this offering, these stockholders owned approximately 73.6% of our outstanding
common stock, assuming exercise of their warrants and options and no others.
Upon completion of this offering, the parties to the voting agreement will own
approximately 42.8% of the outstanding common stock, assuming exercise of their
warrants and options and no others, or 40.4% if the underwriters elect to
purchase an additional 2,100,000 shares. These stockholders, acting together,
will continue to be able to elect all of our directors and to determine the
outcome of all corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including
approving or preventing a change of control of the company, a business
combination involving the company, the incurrence of indebtedness, the issuance
of equity securities and the payment of dividends on our common stock.
The voting agreement provides that the stockholders that are parties to the
agreement will cause our board of directors to consist of nine directors, some
or all of whom are designated by a few of these stockholders. For more
information, see "Principal Stockholders -- Voting Agreement."
International Managed Care, LLC, formerly Insurance Partners, L.P., and
International Managed Care (Bermuda), L.P., formerly Insurance Partners Offshore
(Bermuda), L.P., together owned 39.2% of our outstanding common stock prior to
this offering, assuming the exercise of their warrants and no others. Upon
completion of this offering, the International Managed Care funds together will
own 23.0% of our outstanding common stock, assuming the exercise of their
warrants and no others, or 21.6% if the underwriters elect to purchase an
additional 2,100,000 shares. Peter W. Nauert, our Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer, owned 16.4% of our outstanding common
stock prior to this offering, assuming the exercise of his warrants and options
and no others. Upon completion of this offering, Mr. Nauert will own 9.5% of our
outstanding common stock, assuming the exercise of his warrants and options and
no others, or 8.9% if the underwriters elect to purchase an additional 2,100,000
shares.
14
The concentration of ownership and control by these stockholders could
delay or prevent a change of control of the company or have a depressive effect
on the trading market for our common stock.
APPLICABLE LAWS RESTRICT THE ACQUISITION OF MORE THAN 10% OF OUR OUTSTANDING
VOTING SECURITIES.
Ceres is regulated as an insurance holding company by the jurisdictions in
which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled. These laws require prior
approval by the state insurance regulators of changes in control of an insurer.
Generally, these laws require notice to the insurer and prior written approval
by the state insurance regulator of the jurisdiction in which the insurance
company is domiciled. Under these laws, anyone acquiring a specified percentage
of our outstanding voting securities would be presumed to have acquired control
of Ceres, unless such presumption is rebutted. The specified percentage is 10%
under the insurance laws of the relevant jurisdictions.
WE MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY MANAGING OUR EXPANDING OPERATIONS AND WE MAY NOT BE
SUCCESSFUL IN ACQUIRING NEW BUSINESSES.
Since July 1998, we significantly expanded our operations through several
acquisitions, including Pyramid Life, Continental General, Provident American
Life and United Benefit Life, and several blocks of business, including Central
Benefits Mutual Insurance Company and American Chambers Life Insurance Company.
We are experiencing and may continue to experience significant growth. Our rapid
growth in size and complexity of our operations has placed, and will continue to
place, significant demands on our management, operations, systems, accounting,
internal controls and financial resources. To the extent that we continue to
grow rapidly, we will be faced with risks, including risks associated with
identifying, hiring and assimilating new personnel, marketing new products or
continuing new and existing products, and our ability to obtain additional debt
or equity financing on favorable terms, or at all, to facilitate growth.
Our ability to manage any future growth depends on our ability to continue
to implement and improve our operational, financial and management information
systems on a timely basis and to expand, train, motivate and manage our work
force and, when appropriate, to cost-effectively outsource certain
administrative and claims functions. Our ability to compete effectively will
depend, in part, upon our ability to overcome these growth-related risks and to
revise, improve and effectively use our operational, management, marketing and
technical systems. Any failure by us to effectively manage our growth and to
respond to changes in our business could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although we are not actively seeking new acquisitions, we remain open to
strategic acquisition opportunities. Future acquisitions may require significant
amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of our common stock or other
equity securities or the incurrence of debt or amortization expenses related to
goodwill and other intangible assets. Any of these events could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquisitions also involve numerous risks, some of which we have experienced
with our prior acquisitions, including:
- difficulties in assimilating the operations, technologies, products and
personnel of the acquired company, including accounting and internal
control systems;
- diversion of financial and management resources from existing operations;
- risks of entering markets in which we have no or limited prior
experience;
- potential increase in policy lapses;
- potential losses from unanticipated litigation;
- potential loss of key employees of the acquired company; and
- inability to generate sufficient revenues to offset acquisition costs.
15
We may be unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates, obtain
financing necessary to complete acquisitions, acquire businesses on satisfactory
terms or enter into any definitive acquisition agreements. If entered into,
future acquisitions may not be profitable.
OUR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IS SUBJECT TO THE CYCLICAL PATTERNS OF THE HEALTH
INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
The availability of health insurance is determined principally by the
insurance industry's level of capitalization, historical underwriting results,
returns on investments and perceived premium rate adequacy. Historically, the
cycles of the health insurance industry have tended to fluctuate in patterns
characterized by periods of greater competition in pricing and underwriting
terms and conditions followed by periods of capital shortage and lesser
competition. During periods of greater competition, premium rates may be below
profitable levels. These industry-related conditions could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR DIRECT AND ASSUMED PREMIUMS AND ANNUITY
CONSIDERATIONS ARE RECEIVED FROM THREE STATES.
The states of Ohio, Texas and Florida accounted for a total of $205.8
million, or 30.6%, of our total direct and assumed premiums, before reinsurance
ceded, and annuity considerations received for the first nine months of 2001.
The states of Ohio, Florida and Texas accounted for a total of $249.0 million,
or 31.1%, of our total direct and assumed premiums, before reinsurance ceded,
and annuity considerations received for the year ended December 31, 2000. Any
changes in the managed care or health insurance laws or regulations of these
states, a general decline in the economy of these states, the occurrence of a
natural disaster, such as an earthquake, or the occurrence of a major terrorist
attack in these states could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
EAGLE ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF ALL OF OUR CERTIFICATES
AND INDIVIDUAL POLICIES IN FORCE.
Eagle Association, an association that was formed for the purpose of
offering discounts on certain goods, services and information, including
pharmaceuticals, vision products, hearing aids, vitamins, restaurants, travel
and health insurance, to individuals who pay dues to be members, accounted for
11.8% of all of our certificates and individual policies in force as of
September 30, 2001. Eagle Association is not contractually obligated to do
business with us. We face the risk of termination of our relationship with Eagle
or the promotion by Eagle of competing products. If any of these risks
materialize, we will need to develop alternative methods of marketing and until
we did, our sales may decline. A significant lapse in part or all of the
business from Eagle Association or its members could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A DECLINE IN OUR FINANCIAL AGENCY RATINGS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS.
Our ratings assigned by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and other nationally
recognized rating agencies are important in evaluating our competitive position.
Best ratings reflect their opinions of our insurance subsidiaries' financial
strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet our
obligations to our policyholders, and are not evaluations directed to investors.
Our ratings are subject to periodic review by Best and the continued retention
of those ratings cannot be assured.
In August 2001, the Best ratings of each of our insurance subsidiaries were
downgraded, all with negative outlooks, due primarily to the losses at United
Benefit Life and our need to raise capital. Central Reserve's rating was
downgraded from a B+(very good) to a B(fair) rating. Continental General's and
Pyramid Life's ratings were downgraded from A-(excellent) to B+(very good)
ratings. Provident American Life's and United Benefit Life's ratings were
affirmed NR-3(rating procedure inapplicable). This rating is defined by Best to
mean that normal rating procedures do not apply due to unique or unusual
business features. Provident American Life and United Benefit Life fall into
this category because, due to reinsurance, they both retain only a small portion
of their gross premiums. Also, in August 2001,
16
Fitch downgraded Continental General's rating from A-(high credit quality) to
BBB(good credit quality) with "rating watch evolving" and downgraded Central
Reserve's rating from BBB+(good credit quality) to BB(speculative credit
quality) with a negative outlook. In addition, Standard & Poor's recently
downgraded the ratings of Provident American Life, Continental General and
Pyramid Life.
Any further downgrading of any of our ratings by Best or other rating
companies could materially affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations. While most of the considered factors relate to the rated company,
some of the factors relate to general economic conditions and circumstances
outside the control of the rated company. For the past several years, rating
downgrades in the industry have exceeded upgrades.
WE ARE DEPENDENT ON OUTSIDE COMPANIES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONS
SERVICES.
We outsource our information and telephone systems at our Cleveland, Ohio
headquarters to Antares Management Solutions, a division of Medical Mutual
Services, which is a subsidiary of Medical Mutual of Ohio. We also outsource
claims processing for our Central Reserve Ohio insureds to Antares. HealthPlan
Services Corporation provides claims processing and other administrative
services for our Provident American Life and United Benefit Life subsidiaries.
Our operating history with Antares and HealthPlan Services is limited, and these
companies may be unable to provide these same services in the future in a manner
that meets our quality standards or that is cost-effective. Because we could
have difficulty in finding another third party vendor, in hiring qualified
internal personnel to perform the same functions or in acquiring appropriate
information systems, any discontinuance of this outsourcing, failure by our
outsourcing partners to meet our quality standards or financial reporting
standards or cost increases could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
OUR FAILURE OR THE FAILURE OF OUR THIRD PARTY VENDORS TO EFFECTIVELY MAINTAIN
AND MODERNIZE OUR OPERATIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
Our business depends significantly on effective information systems,
including the use of our third party vendors' systems, for our various
businesses. Our many disparate information systems require an ongoing commitment
of significant resources to maintain and enhance existing systems and develop
new systems or relationships with third party vendors in order to keep pace with
continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving industry and
regulatory standards, and changing customer preferences. A significant portion
of our systems is obtained from third party vendors, which makes us vulnerable
to such party's failure to perform adequately. Our failure to maintain or obtain
effective and efficient information systems, or our failure to efficiently and
effectively consolidate our information systems, could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
CERES IS AN INSURANCE HOLDING COMPANY AND, THEREFORE, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE
DIVIDENDS FROM ITS SUBSIDIARIES IN AMOUNTS NEEDED TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS.
Ceres' principal assets are the shares of capital stock of its
subsidiaries. We rely on funds and dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our
obligations on our outstanding debt obligations, dividends to stockholders and
corporate expenses. The payment of dividends by our non-regulated subsidiaries
is not restricted by state insurance regulatory restrictions but the payment of
dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is subject to regulatory restrictions
and will depend on the surplus and future earnings of these subsidiaries, as
well as these regulatory restrictions. As of September 30, 2001, none of our
insurance subsidiaries could pay a dividend to Ceres without prior approval of
their respective state regulators as a result of their respective statutory
deficits in unassigned surplus. As a result, we may be unable to receive
dividends from these insurance subsidiaries at times and in amounts necessary to
meet our obligations.
We believe that current funds will not be sufficient to meet all our debt
obligations over the next 12 months. Funds to meet our debt obligations are
generated from fee income from non-regulated subsidiaries and from dividends by
our insurance subsidiaries, if available. Ceres' ability to make scheduled
payments of the principal of, or interest on, its indebtedness, including our
credit agreement with The
17
Chase Manhattan Bank, depends on its future performance and the future
performance of its non-regulated subsidiaries, which are subject to economic,
financial, competitive and other factors beyond their control. Without any
restructuring or refinancing of our current debt obligations, we will require
additional funds to meet our debt obligations. We will use $10.0 million of the
proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of our tranche A term loan. We are
currently in discussions with Chase regarding an amendment to our credit
agreement to restructure our debt concurrently with this offering. See "Use of
Proceeds" for a description of the use of proceeds from this offering. The banks
may not agree to any further restructuring, and additional financing may not be
available on terms favorable to us or at all. If we are not able to raise
capital, our business could be materially adversely affected, including our
ability to meet our obligations.
CERES HAS PLEDGED THE STOCK OF ITS INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
CREDIT AGREEMENT WITH CHASE.
If Ceres fails to make the required payments, does not meet the financial
covenants or otherwise defaults in the terms of its credit agreement, the stock
of its insurance subsidiaries and several other non-regulated subsidiaries could
be transferred to its lenders pursuant to the pledge agreement with respect to
the credit agreement. Any such transfer would have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations, and would have a
significant adverse effect on the market value of our common stock. Some of our
competitors may operate on a less leveraged basis, which gives them greater
operating and financing flexibility. For more information on our credit
agreement and debt obligations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
MOST STATES ASSESS OUR INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR FAILING
INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THOSE ASSESSMENTS COULD BE MATERIAL.
Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to assessments in most states where
we are licensed for the provision of funds necessary for the settlement of
covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed
insurance companies. Maximum contributions required by law in any one year vary
by state, and have historically been less than 1% of annual premiums written. We
cannot predict with certainty the amount of future assessments. Significant
assessments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
WE OPERATE IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET.
We compete with large national, regional and specialty health and life
insurers, many of whom have substantially greater financial resources, broader
product lines and greater experience than we do. We compete on the basis of
price, the diversity of product offerings and flexibility of coverage, the
ability to attract and retain agents and the quality and level of agent and
policyholder services provided.
We also face competition from a trend among healthcare providers and
insurance companies to combine and form networks to contract directly with small
businesses and other prospective customers to provide healthcare services.
Pending federal and state legislation may result in increased competition in our
business. In addition, competition may also be affected by agents who sell our
products as well as our competitors' products. Increased competition may exert
strong pressures upon our profitability and our ability to successfully grow.
TAX LAW CHANGES AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
We sell deferred annuities and some forms of life insurance products that
are attractive to purchasers, in part, because policyholders generally are not
subject to federal income tax on increases in policy values until some form of
distribution is made. From time to time, Congress has considered proposals to
reduce or eliminate the tax advantages of annuities and life insurance that, if
enacted, might have an adverse
18
effect on our ability to sell the affected products. To the best of our
knowledge, Congress is not now actively considering any legislation that would
reduce or eliminate the tax advantages of annuities and life insurance. However,
it is possible that the tax treatment of annuities or life insurance could
change by legislation, Internal Revenue Service regulations or judicial
decisions. Such changes might reduce our sale of life and annuity products and
their profitability.
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
This Statement addresses how intangible assets should be accounted for in
financial statements upon their acquisition and in periods subsequent to their
initial recognition in the financial statements. The Statement requires that
goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives will not be
amortized but rather will be tested at least annually for impairment. The
effective date of this Statement is for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2001. Impairment losses are to be reported as resulting from a change in
accounting principles. We are in the process of evaluating the potential impact
of this Statement on our results of operations, financial position and
liquidity. There can be no assurance that we will not experience an impairment
loss upon adoption of this Statement or in subsequent periods.
WE COULD BE FORCED TO SELL INVESTMENTS TO MEET OUR LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS.
We make both long-term and short-term investments to achieve the best
investment returns consistent with the preservation of capital and the
maintenance of liquidity adequate to meet payment of policy benefits and claims.
We believe that we maintain adequate amounts of cash and short-term
investments to fund expected policy benefits and surrenders, and do not expect
to have to sell securities prematurely for such purposes. We may, however,
decide to sell securities as a result of changes in interest rates, credit
quality, the rate of repayment or other similar factors. A significant increase
in market interest rates could result in a situation in which we are required to
sell securities at depressed prices to fund payments to our insureds. Since we
carry bonds at fair value, we expect that these securities would be sold with no
material impact on our net equity, but such sales might reduce profitability.
OUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO INVOLVES RISKS THAT ARE COMMON WITH FIXED MATURITY
SECURITIES.
Our investment portfolio primarily consists of fixed maturity securities,
such as investment grade publicly-traded debt securities and mortgage and asset
backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations, which are
known as CMOs. At September 30, 2001, approximately 97.7% of our invested assets
were fixed maturity securities. There are risks inherent in connection with the
ownership of bonds, including loss upon default and price volatility in reaction
to changes in interest rates and general market factors. Additional risks are
also inherent with CMOs, including the risks associated with reinvestment of
proceeds due to prepayments of these obligations.
19
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to Ceres from the offering of 14,000,000 shares of common
stock (based on an assumed public offering price of $3.25 per share) are
estimated to be $40.9 million ($47.3 million if the underwriters' option to
purchase additional shares is exercised in full) after deduction of the
estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses of this offering.
The following table sets forth the estimated sources and uses of the net
proceeds to Ceres from the sale of our common stock in the offering.
<Table>
<Caption>
AMOUNT
--------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
SOURCES
The offering................................................ $40,915
USES
Contribution to capital of insurance subsidiaries........... 23,000
Repayment of a portion of our debt pursuant to our credit
agreement*................................................ 12,500**
Repurchase of all our convertible voting preferred stock.... 5,000
Working capital............................................. 415
-------
Total uses........................................ $40,915
=======
</Table>
- ---------------
* At November 1, 2001, the outstanding balance under our credit agreement with
Chase was $42.5 million with a weighted average interest rate of 6.06%. Our
credit agreement matures March 17, 2006. For a discussion of our credit
agreement with Chase, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
**Includes $10.0 million to be used to repay a portion of our $30.0 million
tranche A term loan under our credit agreement and $2.5 million to be set
aside for payment of the remaining $2.5 million of our revolver due February
17, 2002, if necessary.
20
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Our common stock has traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
CERG since December 1998 and under the symbol CRLC before that. The following
table shows the high and low closing prices of our common stock for the quarters
listed. These prices were taken from the Nasdaq Monthly Statistical Reports. On
November 29, 2001, our common stock closed at $3.25 per share.
<Table>
<Caption>
HIGH LOW
------ -----
2001
First Quarter.......................................... $ 6.88 $5.44
Second Quarter......................................... 5.45 4.70
Third Quarter.......................................... 5.44 2.90
Fourth Quarter to November 29, 2001.................... 3.69 2.90
2000
First Quarter.......................................... $ 7.25 $6.00
Second Quarter......................................... 6.63 5.75
Third Quarter.......................................... 7.25 5.81
Fourth Quarter......................................... 7.00 5.50
1999
First Quarter.......................................... $11.50 $8.25
Second Quarter......................................... 11.00 8.50
Third Quarter.......................................... 10.25 6.56
Fourth Quarter......................................... 8.00 5.94
1998
First Quarter.......................................... $ 7.75 $4.88
Second Quarter......................................... 7.75 6.50
Third Quarter.......................................... 8.88 6.00
Fourth Quarter......................................... 10.50 6.75
</Table>
As of November 1, 2001, we had 2,186 record holders.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock since the end of
1996, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
Our credit agreement with The Chase Manhattan Bank, dated February 17, 1999, as
amended, contains financial and other covenants that, among other matters,
prohibit the payment of cash dividends on our common stock. For more information
on our credit agreement with Chase, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
Dividends paid by our insurance subsidiaries to us are limited by state
insurance regulations. The insurance regulator in the insurer's state of
domicile may disapprove any dividend which, together with other dividends paid
by an insurance company in the prior 12 months, exceeds the regulatory maximum
as computed for the insurance company based on its statutory surplus and net
income. As of September 30, 2001, none of our insurance subsidiaries could pay a
dividend to Ceres without prior approval of their respective state insurance
regulators as a result of their respective statutory deficits in unassigned
surplus.
21
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization at September
30, 2001, as adjusted to reflect the sale of 14,000,000 shares of common stock
offered by us in this offering (at an assumed public offering price of $3.25 per
share) and the application of the net proceeds from the offering as described
under "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in conjunction with our
historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes, included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
-----------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
-------- -----------
(dollars in thousands)
Debt (including current portion)
Debt...................................................... $ 42,500 $ 32,500**
Stockholders' equity
Non-voting preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
1,900,000 shares authorized, none issued............... -- --
Convertible voting preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
100,000 shares authorized, 81,986 issued and
outstanding........................................... 8,199 --
Common stock, $0.001 par value:
50,000,000 shares authorized, 17,636,444 issued and
outstanding:
(actual), 31,636,444 issued and outstanding:
(as adjusted)*......................................... 18 32
Additional paid-in-capital................................ 85,176 126,077
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock.................................................. 207 --
Retained earnings......................................... 17,265 20,671
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 4,430 4,430
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity............................. 115,295 151,210
-------- --------
Total capitalization................................. $157,795 $183,710
======== ========
</Table>
- ---------------
* Excludes, as of November 1, 2001, 9,627,241 shares reserved for issuance
under our stock option plans, stock purchase plans, non-qualified stock
options and warrants, and 1,379,521 shares reserved for issuance upon the
conversion of our convertible voting preferred stock.
**Excludes $2.5 million of the proceeds that will be set aside for payment of
the remaining amount of our revolver under our Chase credit agreement due
February 17, 2002, if necessary.
22
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for
the year ended December 31, 2000 includes our historical operations and presents
our results as if the acquisition of Pyramid Life on July 26, 2000 and the
private placement offering and bank financing consummated in connection with the
acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2000. This unaudited pro forma
consolidated statement of operations has been prepared by Ceres management. The
unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations does not purport to
represent our financial position or the operating results that would have been
achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of January 1, 2000 and should
not be construed as projecting our future financial position or operating
results. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and
certain assumptions that we currently believe are reasonable under the
circumstances. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations
should be read in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in
the historical financial statements and the notes thereto and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
beginning on page 25.
23
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
<Table>
<Caption>
HISTORICAL PYRAMID LIFE ADJUSTMENTS
CERES GROUP, INC. ACQUISITION FOR ACQUISITION PRO FORMA
----------------- ------------ --------------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
REVENUES
Total premiums, net........................... $511,542 $38,667 $ -- $550,209
Net investment income......................... 26,871 4,441 (1,425)(1a) 29,887
155(1b) 155
Net realized losses........................... (98) -- -- (98)
Fee and other income.......................... 31,540 160 -- 31,700
Amortization of deferred reinsurance gain..... 6,093 -- -- 6,093
-------- ------- ------- --------
575,948 43,268 (1,270) 617,946
-------- ------- ------- --------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Total benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses.................................... 389,811 27,826 -- 417,637
Selling, general and administrative
expenses.................................... 185,211 12,659 -- 197,870
Net (deferral) amortization and change in
acquisition costs and value of business
acquired.................................... (30,513) (525) (1,594)(2a) (32,632)
-- -- (1,391)(2b) (1,391)
Amortization of goodwill...................... 1,069 -- 250(3) 1,319
Interest expense and financing costs.......... 5,566 -- 422(4a) 5,988
-- -- 68(4b) 68
-------- ------- ------- --------
551,144 39,960 (2,245) 588,859
-------- ------- ------- --------
Income before federal income taxes, minority
interest and preferred stock dividend....... 24,804 3,308 975 29,087
Federal income tax expense.................... 8,380 1,168 429(5) 9,977
-------- ------- ------- --------
INCOME AFTER TAX, BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND.................... 16,424 2,140 546 19,110
Minority interest............................. (26) -- -- (26)
-------- ------- ------- --------
NET INCOME.................................... 16,450 2,140 546 19,136
Convertible voting preferred stock
dividends................................... 327 -- 423 750
-------- ------- ------- --------
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS................................ $ 16,123 $ 2,140 $ 123 $ 18,386
======== ======= ======= ========
NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS
Basic..................................... 1.06 1.07
Diluted................................... 1.00 1.00
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic..................................... 15,260,160(6) 1,881,279(7) 17,141,439
Diluted................................... 16,425,355(6) 2,637,143(7) 19,062,498
</Table>
- ---------------
(1) (a) Decrease in investment income due to net cash decrease of $9,873,000 at
Ceres and $25,000,000 extraordinary dividend paid by Pyramid Life to
United Insurance Company ($34,873,000 x 7%).
(b) Reverses accrual of discount of $155,000 based upon revaluation of
investment portfolio to current market value for the period from January
1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(2) (a) Eliminates prior amortization of deferred acquisition costs of $525,000
for the period from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000. Records net
capitalization of expenses for new business of $2,119,000 for the period
from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(b) Records net capitalization of adjusted value of business acquired of
$1,391,000 for the period from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(3) Records the net amortization of goodwill over 25 years of $250,000 for the
period from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(4) (a) Records interest expense of $422,0000 on bank financing used to fund the
acquisition for the period from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(b) Records the amortization of deferred loan fees of $68,000 for the period
from January 1, 2000 to July 26, 2000.
(5) Records income tax expense (benefit) of the pro forma adjustments.
(6) Includes on a weighted average basis basic shares of 3,333,334 and fully
diluted of 4,672,607 issued in connection with the acquisition of Pyramid
Life on July 26, 2000. Fully diluted shares include the issuance of
3,333,334 shares of common stock in a private placement offering for $6.00
per share; the issuance of 75,000 shares of convertible voting preferred
stock, initially convertible into 1,220,505 shares of common stock, to
United Insurance Company of $7,500,000; and the issuance of 57,743
additional warrants pursuant to the anti-dilution adjustment provision
contained in the existing warrants.
(7) Records on a weighted average basis additional shares issued in connection
with the acquisition of Pyramid Life as if the shares were issued on January
1, 2000.
24
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this report.
Management's discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that
are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial
performance. However, future performance involves risks and uncertainties which
may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements."
OVERVIEW
Since January 1, 1998, we:
- restructured the company and its operations and initiated a growth
strategy that included expanded distribution channels and product
offerings and a series of strategic acquisitions, including our entry
into the senior market;
- entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement with Hannover, effective
January 1, 1997, under which Hannover reinsured 50% of certain group
health policies in force at Central Reserve and written during 1997;
- underwent a change of control in July 1998;
- completed a private placement of our common stock in July 1998 in which
we issued and sold 7,300,000 shares of common stock at $5.50 per share
and warrants to purchase an additional 3,650,000 shares of common stock
at an exercise price of $5.50 per share for total proceeds of
approximately $40.2 million, or $37.7 million net of expenses;
- entered into an agreement with United Benefit Life Insurance Company as
of August 1, 1998 to reinsure 100% of the major medical policies of
United Benefit Life and entered into a reinsurance agreement with
Hannover in which we ceded 80% of the risk for United Benefit Life
policies in force before August 1, 1998 and 50% of the risk for United
Benefit Life policies in force after August 1, 1998;
- acquired Provident American Life and Health Insurance Company from
Provident American Corporation on December 31, 1998 for $5.5 million in
cash and, immediately prior to the sale, Provident American Life ceded
100% of its policies in force to Provident Indemnity Life Insurance
Company while in turn Hannover assumed from Provident Indemnity 100% of
its health block of business with Central Reserve assuming 10% from
Hannover;
- entered into a reinsurance agreement with Hannover, in which Hannover
reinsured 50% of Provident American Life's direct business written after
December 31, 1998 and 50% of the business reinsured from Provident
Indemnity;
- acquired Continental General Insurance Company from The Western &
Southern Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 17, 1999
for $84.5 million including $40.0 million from a credit facility with
Chase, $15.0 million from a private placement of 2,000,000 shares of our
common stock, $22.5 million from a special pre-closing dividend to
Western & Southern from Continental General, and the balance in cash;
- entered into a reinsurance agreement with Hannover, under which Hannover
reinsured 50% of all insurance business in force at Continental General
on February 1, 1999;
- acquired United Benefit Life in July 1999 through foreclosure in order to
satisfy, in part, a $19.4 million reserve shortfall at December 31, 1999,
of which $17.8 million was recovered and $1.6 million was expensed by us;
- acquired selected major medical insureds of Central Benefits Mutual
Insurance Company beginning in January 2000;
25
- discontinued new sales activities for United Benefit Life and Provident
American Life, except for Internet sales of Provident American Life, in
July 2000;
- acquired a block of individual and small group health insurance written
by American Chambers Life Insurance Company effective May 1, 2000;
- acquired Pyramid Life Insurance Company from United Insurance Company of
America, a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc., on July 26, 2000 for $67.5
million including $25.0 million from a special pre-closing dividend from
Pyramid Life to Unitrin, $20.0 million from a private placement offering
of 3,333,334 shares of our common stock, $15.0 million from cash at
Continental General and financing provided by Chase, and $7.5 million
from the sale of our convertible voting preferred stock to United
Insurance Company; and
- implemented a program in July 2001 to mitigate losses at United Benefit
Life and Provident American Life by notifying their policyholders that
their policies would be terminated or replaced and we expect the business
in these two subsidiaries to substantially wind down by the early part of
2002.
All of our acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. The acquisitions of Provident American Life and Continental General
had no impact on our results of operations in 1998. Results for United Benefit
Life are included from August 1, 1998 to July 20, 1999 under a reinsurance
agreement and thereafter as an acquired entity. The financial information for
the year ended December 31, 1999 includes the operations of Continental General
since February 1, 1999 and of Provident American Life for the entire year. The
financial information for the year ended December 31, 2000 and for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 includes the operations of Pyramid Life
subsequent to its acquisition on July 26, 2000. The financial information for
the nine months ended September 30, 2001 includes the operation of all our
subsidiaries for the entire period.
Our results of operations are affected by the following accounting and
insurance business factors:
Level of required reserves for policies in force. The amount of reserves
relating to reported and unreported claims incurred is determined by
periodically evaluating historical claims experience and statistical information
with respect to the probable number and nature of such claims. Claim reserves
reflect actual experience through the most recent time period and policy
reserves reflect expectations of claims related to a block of business over its
entire life. We compare actual experience with estimates and adjust our reserves
on the basis of such comparisons. Revisions to reserves are reflected in our
current results of operations through benefits to insured's expense.
In addition to the reserves discussed above, we also maintain reserves for
policies that are not currently in claim based upon actuarial expectations that
a policy may go on claim in the future. These reserves are calculated based on
factors that include estimates for mortality, morbidity, interest rates and
persistency. Factor components generally include assumptions that are consistent
with both our experience and industry practices.
Revenue Recognition. Life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue
when they become due. Health premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms
of the policies. Amounts received from interest sensitive contracts, principally
universal life and annuity products, are not reflected in premium revenue;
rather, such amounts are accounted for as deposits with the related liabilities
included in future policy benefits, losses and claims.
Deferred acquisition costs. In connection with the sale of our insurance
policies, we defer and amortize a portion of the policy acquisition costs over
the related premium paying periods of the life of the policy. These costs
include all expenses directly related to the acquisition of the policy,
including commissions, underwriting and other policy issue expenses. The
amortization of deferred acquisition costs is determined using the same
projected actuarial assumptions used in computing policy reserves. Deferred
acquisition costs associated with traditional life and accident and health
contracts are charged to expense over the premium-paying period or as premiums
are earned over the life of the contract. Deferred
26
acquisition costs associated with interest-sensitive life and annuity products
are charged to expense over the estimated duration of the policies in relation
to the present value of the estimated gross profits from surrender charges and
investments, mortality, and expense margins. Deferred acquisition costs are
affected by unanticipated termination of policies because, upon such
unanticipated termination, we expense fully the unamortized deferred acquisition
costs associated with the terminated policy.
Value of business acquired. A portion of the purchase price paid for
Pyramid Life and Continental General Corporation was allocated to the value of
business acquired based on the actuarially-determined present value of the
expected pre-tax future profits from the business assuming a discount rate of
15%. Interest is accrued on the balance annually at a rate consistent with the
rate credited on the acquired policies on the acquisition date, which ranges
from 4.75% to 8.75%. Recoverability of the value of business acquired is
evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of
expected pre-tax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If the current
estimate is less than the existing asset balance, the difference would be
charged to expense, and if the current estimate is higher than the existing
asset balance, the difference will emerge into profits as earned.
For accident and health and ordinary life business, the value of business
acquired is amortized over the estimated life of the in force business using
assumptions consistent with those in computing reserves. Interest of 6% for
Continental General and 7% for Pyramid Life is credited to the unamortized
balance. For interest sensitive products such as universal life and deferred
annuities, the value of business acquired is amortized over the expected profit
stream of the in force business. The expected profit stream is based upon
actuarial assumptions as to mortality, lapses and expenses. Earned interest was
assumed to be 6% for Continental General and 7% for Pyramid Life, the market
rate at the time of acquisition.
The number of years a policy has been in effect. Claims costs tend to be
higher on policies that have been in force for a longer period of time. As the
policy ages, it is more likely that the insured will need services covered by
the policy. However, generally, the longer the policy is in effect, the more
premium we will receive for major medical and Medicare supplement policies. For
other health, life and annuity policies/contracts, reserve liabilities are
established for policy benefits expected to be paid for in future years.
Lapsation and persistency. Factors that affect our results of operations
are lapsation and persistency, both of which relate to the renewal of insurance
policies and certificates in force. Lapsation is the termination of a policy for
nonrenewal and, pursuant to our practice, is automatic if and when premiums
become more than 31 days overdue; however, policies may be reinstated, if
approved, within six months after the policy lapses. Persistency represents the
percentage of total certificates in force at the end of a period less any
newly-issued certificates divided by the total certificates in force at the
beginning of the period.
Policies renew or lapse for a variety of reasons, due both to internal and
external causes. We believe that our efforts to address any concerns or
questions of our insureds in an expedient fashion help to ensure ongoing policy
renewal. We also believe that we enjoy a favorable reputation with our insureds
for providing desirable policy benefits and efficient claims processing. We work
closely with our licensed agents, who play an integral role in obtaining policy
renewals and communicating with our insureds.
External factors also contribute to policy renewal or lapsation. Economic
cycles can influence an insured's ability to continue the payment of insurance
premiums when due. New government initiatives have raised public awareness of
the escalating costs of healthcare, which we believe boosts new sales and
promotes renewal payments.
Lapsation and persistency may positively or adversely impact future
earnings. Higher persistency generally results in higher renewal premium.
However, higher persistency may lead to increased claims in future periods.
Additionally, increased lapsation can result in reduced premium collection,
accelerated deferred acquisition cost amortization and anti-selection of
higher-risk insureds.
27
RECENT EVENTS
As previously reported, on May 8, 2001, Central Reserve entered into an
agreement to sell the stock of United Benefit Life, including United Benefit
Life's licenses and certain liabilities, to Pelagian, LLC, a Texas limited
liability company. The sale was subject to approval by the State of Ohio
Department of Insurance and other customary terms and conditions. Based on
recent discussions with the Ohio Department of Insurance, we believe that
approval of this transaction is unlikely. We expect that the parties will
mutually terminate the stock purchase agreement within the next several days. In
July 2001, we implemented a program to mitigate future losses of United Benefit
Life by notifying policyholders that their policies would be terminated or
replaced. We expect the business in United Benefit Life to substantially wind
down by the early part of 2002.
In August 2001, the A.M. Best ratings of our insurance subsidiaries were
downgraded, all with negative outlooks, due primarily to the losses at United
Benefit Life and our need to raise capital. Central Reserve's rating was
downgraded from B+(very good) to B(fair). Continental General's and Pyramid
Life's ratings were downgraded from A-(excellent) to B+(very good). Also, in
August 2001, Fitch downgraded Continental General from A-(high credit quality)
to BBB(good credit quality) with "rating watch evolving" and downgraded Central
Reserve from BBB+(good credit quality) to BB(speculative credit quality) with a
negative outlook. In addition, Standard & Poor's recently downgraded the ratings
of Provident American Life, Continental General and Pyramid Life.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year-to-year financial results must be viewed in light of the change in
control, reinsurance, acquisitions, changes to our equity and debt and the other
factors described above.
We have three reportable segments:
- medical -- includes major medical plans;
- senior and other -- includes Medicare supplement, long-term care, dental,
life insurance and annuities; and
- corporate and other -- includes primarily interest income, interest
expense and corporate expenses.
28
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
<Table>
<Caption>
INCREASE
NINE MONTHS NINE MONTHS (DECREASE) FROM
ENDED % OF ENDED % OF PREVIOUS YEAR
SEPTEMBER 30, CONSOLIDATED SEPTEMBER 30, CONSOLIDATED ----------------
2001 REVENUES 2000 REVENUES DOLLARS %
------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ -------- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Premiums, net
Medical................ $305,278 57.4% $275,891 67.0% $ 29,387 10.7%
Senior and other....... 166,042 31.2% 88,613 21.5% 77,429 87.4%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total............... 471,320 88.6% 364,504 88.5% 106,816 29.3%
Net investment income.... 24,274 4.6% 19,322 4.7% 4,952 25.6%
Net realized gains....... 5,215 1.0% 35 -- 5,180 N/M
Fee and other income..... 27,568 5.2% 23,417 5.7% 4,151 17.7%
Amortization of deferred
reinsurance gain....... 3,301 0.6% 4,495 1.1% (1,194) (26.6)%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Consolidated
revenues.......... 531,678 100.0% 411,773 100.0% 119,905 29.1%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Benefits, claims, losses
and settlement expenses
Medical................ 248,638 46.8% 206,523 50.1% 42,115 20.4%
Senior and other....... 125,951 23.7% 69,076 16.8% 56,875 82.3%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total............... 374,589 70.5% 275,599 66.9% 98,990 35.9%
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses............... 165,265 31.1% 134,013 32.5% 31,252 23.3%
Net (deferral)
amortization and change
in acquisition costs
and value of business
acquired............... (20,288) (3.8)% (21,570) (5.2)% 1,282 5.9%
Amortization of
goodwill............... 824 0.2% 782 0.2% 42 5.4%
Interest expense and
financing costs........ 3,934 0.7% 3,983 1.0% (49) (1.2)%
Special charges.......... 7,097 1.3% -- -- 7,097 --
Federal income tax
expense................ 1,122 0.2% 6,638 1.6% (5,516) (83.1)%
Minority interest........ (37) -- -- -- (37) --
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Net income (loss)........ (828) (0.2)% 12,328 3.0% (13,156) N/M
Convertible voting
preferred stock
dividends.............. 579 0.1% 138 -- 441 N/M
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Net income (loss)
attributable to common
stockholders........... $ (1,407) (0.3)% $ 12,190 3.0% $(13,597) N/M
======== ===== ======== ===== ========
Net income (loss) per
share attributable to
common stockholders
Basic............... $ (0.08) $ 0.84 $ (0.92) N/M
Diluted............. (0.08) 0.79 (0.87) N/M
</Table>
- ---------------
N/M = not meaningful
29
NET PREMIUMS (NET OF REINSURANCE CEDED)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, total net premiums were
$471.3 million, an increase of 29.3% from $364.5 million for the same period in
2000.
Medical premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 were $305.3
million compared to $275.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2000,
an increase of 10.7%. The increase in medical premiums was primarily the result
of premium rate increases and reduced premiums ceded under reinsurance
agreements.
Senior and other premiums were $166.0 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2001 compared to $88.6 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2000, an increase of 87.4%. The increase in senior and other premiums was
primarily the result of $43.6 million attributable to Pyramid Life premiums,
increased new sales and premium rate increases.
OTHER REVENUES
Net investment income increased to $24.3 million for the first nine months
of 2001 from $19.3 million for the first nine months of 2000, an increase of
25.6%, due primarily to an increased investment base from the addition of
Pyramid Life.
Net realized gains increased to $5.2 million for the first nine months of
2001 from zero for the first nine months of 2000 as a result of the sale of
30-year mortgage pass-through securities which reduced prepayment risk, and the
sale of callable agency bonds which reduced call risk. Portfolio durations were
also shortened to reduce the impact on bond values in a potentially rising
interest rate environment. Cash was reinvested in corporate bonds and planned
amortization class non-agency mortgage securities, which provide average life
protection in a fluctuating interest rate environment.
Fee and other income increased to $27.6 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2001 compared to $23.4 million for the same period in 2000, an
increase of 17.7%. This increase was attributable to new administrative fees
introduced at Continental General in May 2000 and fees received on a larger
volume of business in force.
The amortization of deferred reinsurance gain of $3.3 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2001 represented the recognition of the ceding
commission allowances received under our reinsurance agreements. The unamortized
amount of $15.5 million at September 30, 2001 was accounted for as a deferred
reinsurance gain on the consolidated condensed balance sheet.
BENEFITS, CLAIMS, LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES
Total benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased to $374.6
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $275.6 million
for the same period in 2000, an increase of 35.9%.
Medical benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses were $248.6
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $206.5 million
for the same period in 2000, an increase of 20.4%. The increase was a result of
higher than anticipated benefit utilization in the first nine months of 2001
versus the same period in 2000 on a larger volume of business in force, $8.4
million in pre-tax operating losses for the first nine months of 2001 with
respect to United Benefit Life and Provident American Life, increased medical
costs, and $2.5 million attributable to Pyramid Life. The medical loss ratio was
81.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to 74.9% for the
same period in 2000. The increase was due to increased medical inflation in the
first half of 2001 and higher than anticipated medical benefit utilization,
particularly with respect to United Benefit Life and Provident American Life, as
well as higher claims utilization in selected states on specific product lines
that were terminated in 2000.
Senior and other benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses were
$126.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to $69.1
million for the same period in 2000, an increase of 82.3%. The increase was a
result of $31.5 million attributable to Pyramid Life and claims and benefits
paid
30
on a larger volume of business in force. The senior and other loss ratio
decreased to 75.9% for the first nine months of 2001 compared to 78.0% for the
first nine months of 2000, primarily attributable to increased volume of new
premiums and lower benefit utilization.
OTHER EXPENSES AND NET INCOME
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $165.3 million in
the first nine months of 2001 compared to $134.0 million in the first nine
months of 2000, an increase of 23.3%. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses represented a $3.2 million increase in commissions, a
$12.3 million increase in other operating and reinsurance expenses attributable
to our increased business base, and reduced reinsurance allowances of $15.8
million resulting from a lower volume of ceded premiums. Pyramid Life accounted
for $16.0 million of the $31.3 million increase. As a percentage of revenues,
selling, general and administrative expenses have decreased to 32.1% for the
first nine months of 2001 compared to 32.5% for the same period in 2000.
The net (deferral) amortization and change in acquisition costs and value
of business acquired resulted in a net deferral of $20.3 million for the first
nine months of 2001 compared to a net deferral of $21.6 million for the first
nine months of 2000. Pyramid Life accounted for $4.7 million of the net
deferral. The decrease was primarily attributable to the write-off of Central
Reserve's DAC of approximately $5.9 million in four states due to the continuing
unprofitability of the business in those states.
Interest expense and financing costs decreased to $3.9 million in the first
nine months of 2001 compared to $4.0 million in the first nine months of 2000 as
a result of lower interest rates.
Special charges of $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2001 represented a
$5.9 million write-off of the DAC asset for United Benefit Life and Provident
American Life and a $1.2 million write-off of costs associated with United
Benefit Life (see Note D, Special Charges, to the Notes to our unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information), including
the write-off of United Benefit Life's deferred tax costs. The DAC asset was
written off due to the planned termination of the business.
A federal income tax expense of $1.1 million, or 35.0% of the income before
federal taxes (excluding losses at United Benefit Life where no federal income
tax benefit was realized) was established for the first nine months of 2001. A
similar effective rate was used for 2000.
As a result of the foregoing, for the first nine months of 2001, the net
loss was $0.8 million and the net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$1.4 million, or $(0.08) basic and diluted earnings per share of common stock,
compared to net income of $12.3 million, or $0.84 basic and $0.79 diluted
earnings per share of common stock, for the first nine months of 2000. Net
income attributable to common stockholders excluding the United Benefit Life and
Provident American Life operating losses totaling $8.4 million, including legal
expenses, and the special charges of $7.1 million was $9.7 million, or $0.54 per
diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2001.
31
2000 COMPARED TO 1999
<Table>
<Caption>
INCREASE
(DECREASE) FROM
% OF % OF PREVIOUS YEAR
CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED ----------------
2000 REVENUES 1999 REVENUES DOLLARS %
-------- ------------ -------- ------------ -------- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Premiums, net
Medical.......................... $375,804 65.2% $251,876 67.7% $123,928 49.2%
Senior and other................. 135,738 23.6% 75,870 20.4% 59,868 78.9%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total......................... 511,542 88.8% 327,746 88.1% 183,796 56.1%
Net investment income.............. 26,871 4.7% 21,362 5.7% 5,509 25.8%
Net realized (losses) gains........ (98) -- 107 -- (205) N/M
Fee and other income............... 31,540 5.5% 17,410 4.7% 14,130 81.2%
Amortization of deferred
reinsurance gain................. 6,093 1.0% 5,468 1.5% 625 11.4%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Consolidated Revenues.............. 575,948 100.0% 372,093 100.0% 203,855 54.8%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Benefits, claims, losses and
settlement expenses
Medical.......................... 288,260 50.1% 176,531 47.5% 111,729 63.3%
Senior and other................. 101,551 17.6% 56,572 15.2% 44,979 79.5%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total......................... 389,811 67.7% 233,103 62.7% 156,708 67.2%
Selling, general and administrative
expenses......................... 185,211 32.1% 137,932 37.1% 47,279 34.3%
Net amortization and change in
deferral of acquisition costs and
value of business acquired....... (30,513) (5.3)% (21,892) (5.9)% (8,621) (39.4)%
Amortization of goodwill........... 1,069 0.2% 854 0.2% 215 25.2%
Interest expense and financing
costs............................ 5,566 1.0% 4,090 1.1% 1,476 36.1%
Federal income tax expense......... 8,380 1.4% 6,302 1.7% 2,078 33.0%
Minority interest.................. (26) -- -- -- (26) N/M
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Net income......................... $ 16,450 2.9% $ 11,704 3.1% $ 4,746 40.6%
======== ===== ======== ===== ========
</Table>
- ---------------
N/M = not meaningful
NET PREMIUMS (NET OF REINSURANCE CEDED)
For the year ended December 31, 2000, total net premiums were $511.5
million, an increase of 56.1%, from $327.7 million for 1999.
Medical premiums for 2000 were $375.8 million compared to $251.9 million
for 1999, an increase of 49.2%. The increase in medical premiums was primarily
the result of increased new sales including sales arising from the selected
major medical insureds of Central Benefits, premium rate increases, additional
reinsurance assumed from American Chambers and the inclusion of Continental
General's results for twelve months in 2000 compared to eleven months in 1999.
Senior and other premiums were $135.7 million for 2000 compared to $75.9
million for 1999, an increase of 78.9%. The increase in senior and other
premiums was primarily the result of increased Medicare supplement sales,
premium rate increases, $26.2 million attributable to Pyramid Life, and the
inclusion of Continental General's results for twelve months in 2000 compared to
eleven months in 1999.
32
OTHER REVENUES
Net investment income increased to $26.9 million for 2000 from $21.4
million for 1999, an increase of 25.8%, due primarily to an increased investment
base from the addition of Pyramid Life and the inclusion of Continental
General's results for twelve months in 2000 compared to eleven months in 1999.
Fee and other income increased to $31.5 million for 2000 compared to $17.4
million for 1999, an increase of 81.2%, primarily attributable to additional
fees charged for new services, such as care coordination fees, as well as fees
received on a larger volume of business. Fee and other income from non-
regulated subsidiaries accounted for $10.4 million in 2000.
The amortization of deferred reinsurance gain of $6.1 million for 2000
represented the recognition and amortization of the ceding commission allowances
received on our reinsurance agreements. The unamortized amount of $18.8 million
at December 31, 2000 was accounted for as a deferred reinsurance gain on our
consolidated balance sheet.
BENEFITS, CLAIMS, LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES
Total benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses increased to $389.8
million for 2000 compared to $233.1 million for 1999, an increase of 67.2%.
Medical benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses were $288.3
million for 2000 compared to $176.5 million for 1999, an increase of 63.3%. The
increase was primarily a result of higher benefit utilization in 2000 versus
1999 on a larger volume of business and increased medical costs. The medical
loss ratio was 76.7% for the year ended December 31, 2000 compared to 70.1% for
1999. Our loss ratios are defined as policy benefits, claims, losses and
settlement expenses as a percentage of net premiums for each segment.
Senior and other benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses were
$101.6 million for 2000 compared to $56.6 million for 1999, an increase of
79.5%. The increase was a result of $17.4 million attributable to Pyramid Life,
claims and benefits paid on a larger volume of business and the inclusion of
Continental General's results for twelve months in 2000 compared to eleven
months in 1999. The senior loss ratio was 74.8% for 2000 compared to 74.6% for
1999.
OTHER EXPENSES AND NET INCOME
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $47.3 million to
$185.2 million in 2000 compared to $137.9 million in 1999, an increase of 34.3%.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses resulted from a
$42.6 million increase in commissions and a $12.6 million increase in other
operating expenses and a $5.4 million increase in premium taxes, licenses and
fees attributable to our increased business base. This increase was partially
offset by a net change in reinsurance expenses and allowances of $13.3 million.
Pyramid Life accounted for $10.0 million of the $47.3 million increase. As a
percentage of consolidated revenues, selling, general and administrative
expenses decreased to 32.1% in 2000 compared to 37.1% in 1999.
The net amortization and change in deferral of acquisition costs and value
of business acquired resulted in a net deferral of $30.5 million for 2000
compared to a net deferral of $21.9 million for 1999. Pyramid Life accounted for
$2.5 million of the net deferral in 2000. The remaining increase in the deferral
was a result of capitalized acquisition expenses on new business, including
Continental General's new business for twelve months in 2000 versus eleven
months in 1999.
Interest expense and financing costs increased to $5.6 million in 2000
compared to $4.1 million in 1999 as a result of the interest expense incurred
under our credit agreement for twelve months in 2000 compared to interest
expense for 1999 which did not begin to accrue until February 17, 1999, the
closing date of the purchase of Continental General, and a higher outstanding
balance. Interest rates charged under the credit agreement in 2000 were also
higher than those charged in 1999.
33
For the year ended December 31, 2000, the provision for federal income
taxes was $8.4 million, or 33.8% of income before federal income taxes of $24.8
million. The 1999 effective rate was 35%.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2000 was $16.5 million, or $1.06
basic earnings per share and $1.00 diluted earnings per share, compared to $11.7
million, or $0.88 basic earnings per share and $0.77 diluted earnings per share,
for 1999. Our net income for 2000 was adversely affected by a net loss of $4.9
million at United Benefit Life due to high benefit and claims loss ratios and
other related expenses. New sales activities for United Benefit Life were
discontinued in July 2000. In addition, new sales activities for Provident
American Life, except for Internet sales, also were discontinued in July 2000.
1999 COMPARED TO 1998
<Table>
<Caption>
INCREASE
(DECREASE) FROM
% OF % OF PREVIOUS YEAR
CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED ----------------
1999 REVENUES 1998 REVENUES DOLLARS %
-------- ------------ -------- ------------ -------- -----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Premiums, net
Medical.......................... $251,876 67.7% $143,064 84.1% $108,812 76.1%
Senior and other................. 75,870 20.4% 11,124 6.5% 64,746 582.0%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total......................... 327,746 88.1% 154,188 90.6% 173,558 112.6%
Net investment income.............. 21,362 5.7% 7,454 4.4% 13,908 186.6%
Net realized gains................. 107 -- 211 0.1% (104) (49.3)%
Fee and other income............... 17,410 4.7% 7,694 4.5% 9,716 126.3%
Amortization of deferred
reinsurance gain................. 5,468 1.5% 600 0.4% 4,868 811.3%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Consolidated revenues.............. 372,093 100.0% 170,147 100.0% 201,946 118.7%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Benefits, claims, losses and
settlement expenses
Medical.......................... 176,531 47.5% 108,439 63.7% 68,092 62.8%
Senior and other................. 56,572 15.2% 7,620 4.5% 48,952 642.4%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Total......................... 233,103 62.7% 116,059 68.2% 117,044 100.8%
Selling, general and administrative
expenses......................... 137,932 37.1% 54,368 32.0% 83,564 153.7%
Net amortization and change in
deferral of acquisition costs and
value of business acquired....... (21,892) (5.9)% 647 0.4% (22,539) N/M
Amortization of goodwill........... 854 0.2% -- -- 854 N/M
Interest expense and financing
costs............................ 4,090 1.1% 1,842 1.1% 2,248 122.0%
Federal income tax expense......... 6,302 1.7% 1,067 0.6% 5,235 490.6%
-------- ----- -------- ----- --------
Net income (loss).................. $ 11,704 3.1% $ (3,836) (2.3)% $ 15,540 N/M
======== ===== ======== ===== ========
</Table>
- ---------------
N/M = not meaningful
NET PREMIUMS
For the year ended December 31, 1999, total net premiums were $327.7
million, an increase of 112.6%, from $154.2 million for 1998.
Medical premiums for 1999 were $251.9 million compared to $143.1 million
for 1998, an increase of 76.1%. The increase in medical premiums was the result
of $49.4 million attributable to Provident American Life and Continental
General, $25.8 million reinsurance assumed, and $33.6 million from rate
increases and new business, net of lapses, at Central Reserve.
34
Senior and other premiums were $75.9 million for 1999 compared to $11.1
million for 1998, an increase of 582.0%. The increase in senior and other
premiums was primarily the result of $63.3 million attributable to Continental
General and Provident American Life.
OTHER REVENUES
Net investment income increased to $21.4 million for 1999 from $7.5 million
for 1998, an increase of 186.6%. Continental General accounted for $14.4 million
of the increase. Central Reserve's net investment income decreased approximately
$1.8 million during the year from 1998. The decrease was directly related to the
decrease in invested assets from $89.8 million at December 31, 1998 to $67.2
million at December 31, 1999. The decrease in invested assets was primarily a
result of acquiring Provident American and payment of claims under the United
Benefit Life reinsurance agreement.
Fee and other income increased to $17.4 million for 1999 compared to $7.7
million for 1998, an increase of 126.3%. This increase was primarily attributed
to $4.0 million in administrative fees for business reinsured through Provident
American Life and United Benefit Life. The balance represents association fees
and a partial recovery of $1.6 million from a fraud committed by a former
employee in connection with claims administration at United Benefit Life prior
to our 1998 reinsurance agreement.
The amortization of deferred reinsurance gain of $5.5 million for 1999
represented the recognition of the ceding commission allowances received on our
reinsurance agreements. The unamortized amount of $20.9 million at December 31,
1999 was accounted for as a deferred reinsurance gain on the consolidated
balance sheet.
BENEFITS, CLAIMS, LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES
Total benefits, claims and settlement expenses increased to $233.1 million
for 1999 compared to $116.1 million for 1998, an increase of 100.8%. Provident
American Life and Continental General accounted for $78.7 million of the total
increase of $117.0 million. The remaining $38.3 million was primarily
attributable to Central Reserve's portion of the increase in benefits at United
Benefit Life, reflecting 12 months of operational activity in 1999 compared to
five months in 1998. Medical benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
were $176.5 million for 1999 compared to $108.4 million for 1998, an increase of
62.8%. The medical loss ratio was 70.1% for the year ended December 31, 1999
compared to 75.8% for 1998. Cost reduction and benefit program modifications
implemented beginning in 1998, such as rate increases, improved underwriting,
enhanced claim procedures, and medical cost management techniques, in addition
to reduced loss ratios on increased new sales, led to the reduction in the
medical loss ratio. Senior and other benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses were $56.6 million for 1999 compared to $7.6 million for 1998, an
increase of 642.4%. The senior loss ratio was 74.6% for 1999 compared to 68.5%
for 1998. The increase was primarily attributable to the inclusion of
Continental General's Medicare supplement business and interest sensitive life
and annuity benefits and reserves, which traditionally support a higher benefit
ratio, in addition to adverse claims of Continental General's long-term care
business.
OTHER EXPENSES AND NET INCOME
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $137.9 million
compared to $54.4 million in 1998, an increase of 153.7%. Of this amount, agent
commissions in 1999 were $85.1 million compared to $36.9 million in 1998.
Included in the 1999 commissions was $44.3 million for Provident American Life
and Continental General. The remaining increase represented the increase in
commissions for Central Reserve due to higher commissions that were paid on the
increase in new business sold in 1999. Other expenses, consisting of employee
salaries and benefits, taxes, licenses and fees, and administrative expenses,
increased to $99.8 million for 1999 compared to $44.6 million in 1998.
Continental General accounted for $32.8 million of the $55.2 million increase.
We also incurred costs of $9.7 million for the operations of Provident American
Life in 1999. Central Reserve accounted for approximately $7.6 million of the
increase consisting of $6.0 million for increased costs of administration,
information systems services, and
35
medical cost management and $1.6 million for personnel and premium tax costs
related to the increase in sales. The balance of $5.1 million represents the
increased expenses in 1999 over 1998, including $3.4 million for employee
contracts, severance and other expenses, $1.3 million for bonuses and
professional fees, and a one time charge of $0.4 million for professional
services in connection with the postponement of a secondary public offering of
our common stock.
As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased to 37.1% in 1999 compared to 31.9% in 1998, primarily as a result of
higher commission payments as a result of increased new business, hiring
additional employees, consulting support, acquisitions, product development to
help support our increased growth, and actions necessary to complete Year 2000
compliance conversions.
The net amortization and change in deferral of acquisition costs and value
of business acquired resulted in a net deferral of $21.9 million for 1999
compared to a net amortization of $0.6 million for 1998. Continental General and
Provident American Life accounted for $13.5 million of the deferral. The
deferral of first year excess expenses associated with the significant increase
in sales of new products written by Central Reserve and United Benefit Life
accounted for the remaining balance.
Interest expense and financing costs increased to $4.1 million in 1999
compared to $1.8 million in 1998 as a result of the interest expense on the
$40.0 million loan under our credit facility, which began to accrue on February
17, 1999, the closing date of the purchase of Continental General.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 1999 was $11.7 million, or $0.88
basic earnings per share and $0.77 diluted earnings per share, compared to a net
loss of $3.8 million, or $0.49 loss per share on both a basic and diluted basis,
for 1998. Our net income for 1999 was adversely affected by a net loss of $4.7
million at United Benefit Life due to high benefit and claims loss ratios and
other related expenses.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is our ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet our
financial commitments. Our major needs for cash are to enable our insurance
subsidiaries to pay claims and expenses as they come due and for Ceres to pay
interest on, and to repay principal of, its indebtedness. The primary sources of
cash are premiums, investment income, fee income, equity and debt financings,
and reimbursements from reinsurers. Payments consist of current claim payments
to insureds, medical cost management expenses, operating expenses such as
salaries, employee benefits, commissions, taxes and interest on debts.
Assets increased 2.9% to $906.3 million at September 30, 2001 from $880.5
million at December 31, 2000. Assets of $474.8 million, or 52.4% of the total
assets, were in investments at September 30, 2001. Fixed maturities, our primary
investment, were $463.9 million or 97.7% of total investments, at September 30,
2001. Other investments consist of surplus notes, policy loans and mortgage
loans. We have classified all of our fixed maturities as "available-for-sale"
and accordingly have reported them at estimated fair value at September 30,
2001.
Approximately 94.8% of our bonds were of investment grade quality at
September 30, 2001. In addition to the fixed maturities, we also had $56.8
million in cash and cash equivalents, and a $2.5 million revolver, at September
30, 2001. At September 30, 2001, there was no amount available for additional
borrowings under the revolver.
The total reinsurance receivable was $216.6 million at September 30, 2001.
Of this amount, $205.7 million represents reserves held by our reinsurers under
our various reinsurance treaties in place. Hannover holds most of these
reserves.
The total policy liabilities and accruals (reserves) were 82.6% of the
total liabilities at September 30, 2001 compared to 80.7% at December 31, 2000.
On May 25, 2001, we entered into an agreement with Royalton Investors, LLC
and Big T Investments, LLC to sell our Cleveland headquarters. The transaction
was effective July 31, 2001. The building was sold to Royalton Investors, LLC
and Big T Investments, LLC for $16.0 million and concurrently we leased it back
for a term of 15 years with four optional five-year extensions. Monthly rent
36
payments began in August 2001 and annually total $1.7 million through July 2003,
$1.8 million through July 2006, $2.0 million through July 2011, and $2.1 million
through July 2016. The net proceeds were used to:
- prepay in full the outstanding $7.9 million mortgage note on our
Cleveland headquarters on August 3, 2001;
- permanently reduce our revolving line of credit by $2.5 million on August
6, 2001; and
- contribute $5.0 million to the capital of Central Reserve.
To provide funds for the acquisition of Continental General in February
1999, we incurred debt of $40.0 million, the tranche A term loan, under a credit
agreement. Under the terms of the credit agreement, dated as of February 17,
1999, among Ceres, various lending institutions and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent, quarterly principal payments of $1.5 million through
February 17, 2002 and $2.25 million thereafter are due through February 2005.
Interest on the outstanding balance will be determined based on our
selection each quarter of either a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan. Under
the Base Rate Loan, the interest rate will be 2.5% per annum plus the higher of
(a) the rate which is 0.50% of 1.0% in excess of a federal funds rate or (b)
Chase's prime rate as in effect from time to time. Under the Eurodollar Loan,
the interest rate will be 3.5% per annum plus a Eurodollar rate, which is the
arithmetic average of the offered quotation to first-class banks in the
interbank Eurodollar market by Chase, adjusted for certain reserve requirements.
The credit agreement was amended on July 25, 2000 to increase the revolver
from $10.0 million to $15.0 million in connection with the acquisition of
Pyramid Life. Any amount outstanding on the revolver must be repaid on February
17, 2002. The revolver bears interest at the same rate choices as the $40.0
million tranche A term loan. At September 30, 2001, the interest rate on the
revolver was 7.0% on the outstanding balance of $2.5 million.
On March 30, 2001, our credit agreement was again amended to enter into a
new $10.0 million term loan with CIT Equipment Financing, Inc. The proceeds of
this term loan, the tranche B term loan, were used to permanently pay down $10.0
million of our then fully-drawn $15.0 million revolver under the credit
agreement. The terms of the amendment provide for CIT to participate equally
with the syndicate of banks and Chase under the credit agreement. The $10.0
million CIT tranche B term loan bears interest at the same rate choices as our
tranche A term loan. At September 30, 2001, the interest rate on our tranche A
term loan balance of $30.0 million and our $10.0 million CIT tranche B term loan
was 7.2% per annum. The first principal payment on the CIT tranche B term loan
of $0.3 million will be due on June 17, 2002. Quarterly principal payments will
be due thereafter as follows: $0.3 million through March 17, 2004; $0.6 million
thereafter through March 17, 2005; and $1.2 million thereafter through March 17,
2006.
Our credit agreement, as amended, contains financial and other covenants
that, among other matters:
- prohibit the payment of cash dividends on our shares of common stock;
- restrict the creation of liens and sales of assets; and
- require that we, at a minimum, maintain:
- a leverage ratio (consolidated debt to consolidated total capital)
of 0.35 to 1.00 through December 31, 2001, and 0.30 to 1.00
thereafter;
- an interest coverage ratio (consolidated earnings before interest,
income taxes, depreciation, and amortization to consolidated interest
expense) of 3.00 to 1.00;
- a risk-based capital (RBC) ratio for any of our regulated insurance
company subsidiaries of not less than 125.0% of the RBC Company
Action Level;
37
- consolidated net worth of $110.0 million through December 31, 2001,
$160.0 million thereafter through December 31, 2002, and $200.0
million thereafter; and
- a fixed charge coverage ratio (borrower cash flow to the sum of
consolidated interest expense and scheduled repayments) of not less
than 1.10 to 1.00 through June 30, 2002, 1.20 to 1.00 thereafter
through June 30, 2003, and 1.30 to 1.00 thereafter.
In addition, we pledged the common stock of Central Reserve, Continental
General, and most of our non-regulated subsidiaries as security for the credit
agreement. At September 30, 2001, we were in compliance with our credit
agreement, as amended.
We believe that cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to
meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements
over the next 12 months. However, we believe that funds will not be sufficient
to meet all our bank debt obligations over the next 12 months. Funds to meet our
debt obligations are generated from fee income from our non-regulated
subsidiaries and from dividends of our insurance subsidiaries, if available. Our
ability to make scheduled payments of the principal and interest on our
indebtedness depends on our future performance and the future performance of our
non-regulated subsidiaries. Dividends from our regulated insurance subsidiaries
are subject to, and limited by, state insurance regulations. As of September 30,
2001, none of our insurance subsidiaries could pay a dividend to Ceres Group,
the parent company, without prior approval of their respective state regulators
as a result of their respective statutory deficits in unassigned surplus.
Without any restructuring or refinancing of our current debt obligations, we
will require additional funds to meet our obligations. We will use $10.0 million
of the proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of our tranche A term loan.
We are currently in discussions with Chase regarding an amendment to our credit
agreement to restructure our debt concurrently with this offering. See "Use of
Proceeds" for a description of the use of proceeds from this offering. However,
our banks may not agree to any further restructuring, and additional financing
may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all. If we are not able to
raise capital, our business could be materially adversely affected, including
our ability to meet all our debt obligations.
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARD
At September 30, 2001, we had a tax net operating loss, or NOL,
carryforward of approximately $18.8 million for federal income tax purposes,
which expires through 2013. Changes in ownership, as defined by Sections 382 and
383 of the Internal Revenue Code, could limit the amount of NOL carryforwards
used in any one year.
We determine a valuation allowance of our deferred tax asset based on an
analysis of amounts recoverable in the statutory carryback period and available
tax planning strategies. In assessing the valuation allowance established at
September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, estimates were made as to the
potential financial impact of recent NOLs and our financial condition.
Management believes that we will generate sufficient future taxable income to
realize the $1.0 million net deferred tax asset, recorded as of September 30,
2001, prior to the expiration of any NOLs.
We believe this offering will result in an "ownership change" of our
company, as defined in Section 382 of the Code and the regulations issued
thereunder. Pursuant to Section 382, our ability to use our NOLs originating
prior to this offering, accounting for approximately $18.8 million, is subject
to certain restrictions, including an annual limitation of approximately $5.0
million. Losses incurred subsequent to this offering are available without
annual limitation to offset future income.
38
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
The following tables present the revenues, expenses and profit (loss)
before federal income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and
2000 and for the last three years attributable to our industry segments. We do
not separately allocate investment assets or other identifiable assets by
industry segment, nor are income tax (benefit) expenses allocated by industry
segment.
<Table>
<Caption>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------- ------------------------------
2001 2000 2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
MEDICAL
Revenues
Net premiums $305,278 $275,891 $375,804 $251,876 $143,064
Investment income, realized gains 9,435 6,623 9,101 6,985 5,682
Other income 28,603 26,176 34,925 21,307 8,294
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
343,316 308,690 419,830 280,168 157,040
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Benefits and claims $248,638 $206,523 $288,260 $176,531 $108,439
Other operating expenses 98,366 86,142 121,345 96,357 49,143
Special charges 7,097 -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
354,101 292,665 409,605 272,888 157,582
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Segment profit (loss) before federal
income taxes, minority interest and
preferred stock dividends $(10,785) $ 16,025 $ 10,225 $ 7,280 $ (542)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
SENIOR AND OTHER
Revenues
Net premiums $166,042 $ 88,613 $135,738 $ 75,870 $ 11,124
Investment income, realized gains 19,580 12,234 16,615 14,233 1,498
Other income 2,266 1,736 2,686 1,364 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
187,888 102,583 155,039 91,467 12,622
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Benefits and claims 125,951 69,076 101,551 56,572 7,620
Other operating expenses 44,603 24,560 32,225 18,510 3,986
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
170,554 93,636 133,776 75,082 11,606
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Segment profit before federal income
taxes, minority interest and
preferred stock dividends $ 17,334 $ 8,947 $ 21,263 $ 16,385 $ 1,016
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
CORPORATE AND OTHER
Revenues
Investment income, realized gains $ 474 $ 500 $ 1,057 $ 251 $ 485
Other income -- -- 22 207 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
474 500 1,079 458 485
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Interest and financing expenses 3,934 3,983 5,566 4,090 1,842
Other operating expenses 2,832 2,523 2,197 2,027 1,886
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
6,766 6,506 7,763 6,117 3,728
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Segment loss before federal income
taxes, minority interest and
preferred stock dividends $ (6,292) $ (6,006) $ (6,684) $ (5,659) $ (3,243)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME
TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND PREFERRED
STOCK DIVIDENDS $ 257 $ 18,966 $ 24,804 $ 18,006 $ (2,769)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</Table>
39
MARKET RISK AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The following is a description of certain risks facing health and life
insurers and how we mitigate those risks:
Legal/Regulatory Risk is the risk that changes in the legal or regulatory
environment in which an insurer operates will create additional expenses not
anticipated by the insurer in pricing its products. For example, regulatory
initiatives designed to reduce insurer profits or otherwise affecting the
industry in which the insurer operates, new legal theories or insurance company
insolvencies through guaranty fund assessments, may create costs for the insurer
beyond those recorded in the financial statements. We attempt to mitigate this
risk by offering a wide range of products and by operating in many states, thus
reducing our exposure to any single product and by employing underwriting
practices that identify and minimize the adverse impact of this risk.
In addition, insurance companies are subject to extensive federal and state
regulation and compliance with these regulations could increase the insurance
companies' operating costs. In some circumstances, failure to comply with
certain insurance regulations could subject an insurance company to regulatory
actions by such insurance company's state of domicile. For example, states have
statutory risk-based capital, or RBC, requirements for health and other
insurance companies based on the RBC Model Act. These RBC requirements are
intended to assess the capital adequacy of life and health insurers, taking into
account the risk characteristics of an issuer's investments and products. In
general, under these laws, an insurance company must submit a report of its RBC
level to the insurance department of its state of domicile as of the end of the
previous calendar year. These laws provide for four different levels of
regulatory attention depending on the ratio of an insurance company's total
adjusted capital (defined as the total of its statutory capital, surplus and
asset valuation reserve) to its risk-based capital. As of December 31, 2000, our
risk-based capital levels for each of our insurance subsidiaries exceeded the
levels required by regulatory authorities. However, without additional capital
or reinsurance, the statutory capital levels at Central Reserve may be below
"Company Action Level" at December 31, 2001, requiring it to submit a
comprehensive plan to the Ohio Department of Insurance that discusses proposed
corrective actions to improve Central Reserve's capital position.
Inadequate Pricing Risk is the risk that the premium charged for insurance
and insurance related products is insufficient to cover the costs associated
with the distribution of such products, including benefits, claims and losses,
settlement expenses, acquisition expenses and other corporate expenses. We
utilize a variety of actuarial and qualitative methods to set such pricing
levels. Recent increased medical inflation and higher than anticipated
utilization had the effect in the nine months ended September 30, 2001 of
exceeding premium rate increases.
Credit Risk is the risk that issuers of securities owned by us will default
or that other parties, including reinsurers that have obligations to us, will
not pay or perform. We attempt to minimize this risk by adhering to a
conservative investment strategy and by maintaining sound reinsurance and credit
and collection policies.
Interest Rate Risk is the risk that interest rates will change and cause a
decrease in the value of an insurer's investments. This change in rates may
cause certain interest-sensitive products to become uncompetitive or may cause
disintermediation if we attempt to mitigate this risk by charging fees for non-
conformance with certain policy provisions and/or by attempting to match the
maturity schedule of our assets with the expected payouts of our liabilities. To
the extent that liabilities come due more quickly than assets mature, we would
have to sell assets prior to maturity and recognize a gain or loss. Assuming an
immediate increase of 100 basis points in interest rates, the net hypothetical
decline in fair value of stockholders' equity was estimated to be $19.0 million
after-tax at September 30, 2001. This amount represented approximately 16.5% of
our stockholders' equity at such date.
We also have long-term debt that bears interest at variable rates.
Therefore, our results of operations would be affected by interest rate changes.
We do not expect a significant rate change in the near future that would have a
material effect on our near-term results of operations.
40
Seasonality is the risk of fluctuations in revenues and operating results.
Historically, our revenues and operating results have varied from quarter to
quarter and are expected to continue to fluctuate in the future. These
fluctuations have been due to a number of factors, including higher benefit
utilization by our insureds during the winter months and the use of deductibles.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Inflation rates impact our financial condition and operating results in
several areas. Changes in inflation rates impact the market value of the
investment portfolio and yields on new investments.
Inflation has had an impact on claim costs and overall operating costs and
although it has been lower in the last few years, hospital and medical costs
have still increased at a higher rate than general inflation, especially
prescription drug costs. New, more expensive and wider use of pharmaceuticals is
inflating health care costs. We will continue to establish premium rates in
accordance with trends in hospital and medical costs along with concentrating on
various cost containment programs. However, as evidenced by the nine months
ended September 30, 2001, there can be no assurance that these efforts by us
will fully offset the impact of inflation or that premiums will equal or exceed
increasing healthcare costs.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 144, Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. This Statement supersedes SFAS
No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of, and the accounting and reporting provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion, or APB Opinion No. 30, Reporting the
Results of Operations -- Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a
Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and
Transactions, for the disposal of a segment of a business. This Statement also
amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements.
This Statement requires that "one accounting model be used for long-lived
assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly
acquired, and by broadening the presentation of discontinued operations to
include more disposal transactions." Additionally, this Statement resolves
"significant implementation issues... which will improve compliance."
The effective date of this Statement is for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early
application encouraged. The provisions of this Statement generally are to be
applied prospectively. We anticipate that the adoption of this standard will not
have a significant effect on our results of operations, financial position or
liquidity.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, which "addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated
asset retirement costs." This Statement is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. We anticipate that the
adoption of this standard will not have a significant effect on our results of
operations, financial position or liquidity.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets, which replaces APB Opinion No. 17, Intangible Assets. The Statement,
"addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group
of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination) should be
accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition. This Statement
also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for
after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements." This
Statement:
- specifies that "goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite
useful lives will not be amortized but rather will be tested at least
annually for impairment";
- "provides specific guidance for testing goodwill for impairment"; and
- requires additional disclosures not previously required.
41
The effective date of this Statement is for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. Impairment losses are to be reported as resulting from a
change in accounting principle. We are in the process of evaluating the
potential impact of this Statement on our results of operations, financial
position, and liquidity. There can be no assurance that we will not experience
an impairment loss upon adoption of this Statement or in subsequent periods.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, which
addresses the accounting and reporting for business combinations and broadens
the criteria for recording intangible assets separate from goodwill. On July 1,
2001, we adopted this Statement which requires us to use the purchase method of
accounting for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001.
In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which
replaces SFAS No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial
Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. This statement revises the methods
for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and
collateral as outlined in SFAS No. 125, and requires certain additional
disclosures. For transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments
of liabilities, this statement is effective for our June 30, 2001 financial
statements. However, for disclosures regarding securitizations and collateral,
as well as the accounting for recognition and reclassification of collateral,
this statement is effective for our December 31, 2000 financial statements. The
adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on our financial
position or results of operations as of December 31, 2000. In addition, the
provisions that will be effective June 30, 2001 are not expected to have a
material effect on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended by SFAS No. 137, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities -- Deferral of the Effective Date
of FASB Statement No. 133. We adopted the new statement effective January 1,
2001. If in the future we have derivative instruments, this Statement will
require us to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.
Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income.
If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the
fair value of the derivative will either be offset against the change in fair
value of the hedged asset, liability, or firm commitment through earnings, or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in
earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be
immediately recognized in earnings. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have a
significant effect on our results of operations, financial position or
liquidity.
In March 2000, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for
Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of the
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, which clarifies the application of
APB Opinion No. 25 for some issues including:
- the definition of an employee for purposes of applying APB Opinion No.
25;
- the criteria for determining whether a plan qualifies as a
noncompensatory plan;
- the accounting consequences of various modifications to the terms of a
previously fixed stock option or award; and
- the accounting for an exchange of stock compensation awards in a business
combination.
Interpretation No. 44 became effective July 1, 2000, but some of the conclusions
were retroactive. The adoption of this guidance on July 1, 2000 did not have a
material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
42
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Ceres provides a wide array of health and life insurance products to
approximately 560,000 insureds through two primary business segments. Our senior
segment includes senior health, life and annuity products for Americans age 55
and over. The medical segment includes catastrophic and major medical health
insurance for individuals, associations and small businesses. To help control
medical costs, we also provide medical cost management services to our insureds.
Our nationwide distribution channels include approximately 48,000 independent
and exclusive agents and QQLink.com, our proprietary, patent pending electronic
distribution system.
In 1998, a new management team led by Peter W. Nauert took control of Ceres
and its then only insurance subsidiary, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company.
The management team implemented a complete restructuring of the company and its
operations by initiating a series of remedial actions designed to stabilize our
operating performance, including repricing and eliminating unprofitable
products, improving underwriting and reducing administrative expenses. Beginning
with the restructuring, we have added experienced management personnel to our
financial, actuarial, underwriting, claims, marketing and operations areas. We
also initiated a growth strategy that includes expanded distribution channels
and product offerings and a series of strategic acquisitions, which included our
entry into the senior market.
We acquired Continental General Insurance Company, Provident American Life
& Health Insurance Company and United Benefit Life Insurance Company to
supplement our major medical platform at Central Reserve. In addition, we
acquired selected major medical insureds of Central Benefits Mutual Insurance
Company and a block of individual and small group health insurance written by
American Chambers Life Insurance Company. We entered into the senior market by
acquiring Continental General, with its significant senior health insurance
business, and Pyramid Life Insurance Company, a company primarily in the senior
market.
The strategic acquisitions completed since 1998 have given us sufficient
size and scope to compete in our markets. Since 1998, we increased our
distribution channels from one to six, expanded our agent force from 16,000 to
approximately 48,000 and increased our product offerings from five products to
approximately 40 in our major medical and senior markets. Assets increased from
$135.8 million at December 31, 1997 to $906.3 million at September 30, 2001, and
our gross premiums increased from $253.0 million for 1997 to $625.3 million for
the first nine months of 2001.
Our operating results have been negatively impacted by the results of
United Benefit Life and Provident American Life. These companies have not met
our expectations due to significantly higher than anticipated claims and benefit
utilization and losses from unanticipated litigation. However, we limited our
losses by reinsuring portions of these businesses under various reinsurance
agreements and by halting new sales in these subsidiaries in July 2000. In
addition, in July 2001, we implemented a program to mitigate future losses of
these subsidiaries by notifying policyholders that their policies would be
terminated or replaced. We expect the business in these two subsidiaries to
substantially wind down by the early part of 2002.
In addition, our operating results have been adversely impacted by
industry-wide and historically high medical inflation. This environment has
caused us to enhance and accelerate a number of programs to lessen the
inflationary impact, including:
- premium rate increases;
- modified product lines for new sales;
- target marketing;
- proactive medical cost management; and
- lowered administrative and sales expenses.
43
Our senior segment continued to produce increasing profits for the first
nine months of 2001, totaling $17.3 million in pre-tax segment profits for the
first nine months of 2001. Our medical segment improved from the first half of
2001 and returned to profitability in the third quarter following the
implementation of the above programs earlier in the year. However, our
acquisitions and internal growth have strained our capital levels. We have
shifted our focus to achieving internal growth while controlling our costs,
although we will still be open to selected strategic acquisitions. Additional
capital from this offering will allow us to take advantage of internal growth
opportunities.
This offering will significantly strengthen our balance sheet. We believe
our focus on internal growth, along with increased capital, will lead to more
predictable earnings, enhanced profitability and higher financial agency ratings
of our insurance subsidiaries, which in turn will support greater internal
growth capacity and enable us to enter into more favorable reinsurance
agreements.
OUR CORE BUSINESSES
SENIOR HEALTH, LIFE AND ANNUITY PRODUCTS. We increasingly focus on the
senior segment because we believe this market has the potential for greater
revenue growth and higher profit potential than our medical segment. In the
first nine months of 2001, new sales of our senior health, life and annuity
products rose 43% to $78.1 million of annualized new premiums from $54.7 million
in 2000.
These products are designed specifically for Americans age 55 and over, one
of the country's fastest growing age segments that is projected to increase to
103 million people by 2025. Our senior products supplement other programs, such
as Medicare, and also include specialty supplemental coverages and life
insurance. According to the Health Care Financing Administrating (HCFA), the
number of Medicare enrollees, age 65 and over, nearly doubled between 1967 and
1999, growing to 33.9 million from 19.5 million. By 2007, the Medicare
population is expected to exceed 44 million.
CATASTROPHIC AND MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCE. Historically, major medical
insurance has been our core business, accounting for a greater percentage of our
revenue than our senior segment. Our major medical segment includes insurance
for individuals under age 65, associations and small businesses. With
increasingly stringent federal and state restrictions on small group insurance,
we now emphasize the sale of individual and association products, which offer
greater flexibility in both underwriting and design compared to small group
products. The associations we market to are groups that are formed for the
purpose of providing certain goods, services and information to individuals who
pay dues to be members in the association. Individual and association products,
which are individually underwritten for each applicant, offer greater regulatory
latitude in adjusting future premium rates, establishing premium rates based on
individual risk factors and rejecting applicants with risk factors that exceed
our pricing parameters.
We market and administer preferred provider organization (PPO) and
traditional indemnity medical plans. We believe that increased costs and
consumer dissatisfaction with limitations on choice of doctors and treatment
have caused health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollments to decrease.
Approximately 40% of U.S. workers have PPO coverage, providing them with greater
freedom of choice of doctors and opportunity to seek care from doctors and
facilities within networks to deliver healthcare at favorable rates compared to
HMOs and traditional indemnity plans. PPO members generally are charged periodic
prepaid premiums, co-payments and deductibles. Traditional indemnity insurance
usually allows policyholders substantial freedom of choice in selecting
healthcare providers but without the financial incentives or cost-control
measures typical of managed care plans.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Principal elements of our business strategy include:
INCREASING SENIOR MARKET FOCUS. Because of favorable demographics and
higher profit potential in the senior segment, we are focusing more of our
capital and sales efforts on this part of our business. We believe the senior
market will continue to produce more predictable earnings, particularly since
these products are designed to generate higher profit margins and are not as
subject to medical inflation as major
44
medical products. With the July 2000 acquisition of Pyramid Life, we
significantly increased our senior business. We have been concentrating more of
our agent recruiting and a significant amount of our product development efforts
on the senior market. We also intend to transition our major medical insureds
into our senior products as they age. For the first nine months of 2001, our
senior segment comprised 35% of our total net premium revenues, compared to 24%
for the first nine months of 2000 and 37% of total new sales in the first nine
months of 2001 compared to 22% in the first nine months of 2000.
With our growing focus on the senior market, we have expanded our marketing
for this segment. In addition, in October, we consolidated all administrative
service functions for our senior segment into our Kansas City facility to
enhance service as well as help reduce administrative expenses in 2002.
Previously, part of our senior business was administered at our Omaha facility.
ENHANCING MEDICAL COST MANAGEMENT. Our approach is to manage the cost of
healthcare. We focus on reducing medical costs for our insureds by actively
managing medical inflation and utilization rate costs. National health
expenditures have grown from $41.0 billion, or $205 per capita, in 1965 to $1.1
trillion, or $4,164 per capita, in 1998, according to statistics complied by
HCFA. Several factors have contributed to the dramatic increase in healthcare
expenditures, including increased costs and utilization of high-technology
diagnostic testing and treatments, the rising cost of malpractice insurance,
higher operating costs for hospitals and physicians, changes in federal and
state healthcare regulations, increased utilization and cost of pharmaceuticals
and the aging of the population.
In addition to monthly reviews of premium rate adequacy and taking actions
to adjust rates on a product and state basis as needed, we also have numerous
programs designed to lower medical costs for our insureds. Some of these
programs include:
- ongoing activities to secure more favorable preferred provider network
contracts and discounts;
- use of a "Centers of Excellence" network providing our insureds access to
transplant and other necessary high-risk procedures at approximately 50
renowned medical institutions that have the staff, experience and volume
of patients to produce higher recovery rates while offering discounted
costs;
- a multiple benefit level pharmacy coverage to promote use of generic
drugs when possible;
- screening techniques to identify and move high-cost and high-risk
insureds as early as possible into case management programs to enhance
treatment programs and lower the long-term total medical expenses;
- strengthening of our program to detect fraud and abuse by medical
providers, policyholders or agents;
- limitation of medical fees to reasonable and customary standards;
- per diem arrangements through some networks;
- medical protocol use to avoid claims for unnecessary procedures;
- claims cost negotiation for long-term care expenses;
- product design geared to encourage use of PPOs; and
- enhanced communication to insureds on the features and benefits of these
programs, emphasizing how they can reduce their total healthcare costs.
The purpose of these programs is to provide quality care and improved treatment
outcomes while reducing total costs. We also offer insureds opportunities to
make changes in their benefits to lower their premium payments. Our benefit
design department works with our insureds to structure benefit packages to meet
their budgets.
Our "Personal Healthcare Management" program provides our insureds with
24-hour access to medical information, case management early intervention
programs and non-network negotiation processes
45
to lower medical expenses, as well as additional services to help them extend
and make better use of insurance benefits.
In 2000, we also developed new medical provider network discount programs
to help our insureds maximize their insurance benefits. In 2001, we reduced our
PPO networks from 51 to 23, without significantly reducing the number of
insureds. We expect this reduction to result in network access fee savings and
additional provider discounts, along with quicker claims processing for our
insureds.
IMPROVING UNDERWRITING AND PRODUCT DESIGN. We have improved our
underwriting through more consistent and rigorous risk evaluation and controls
that reflect current medical practices and treatment patterns. To anticipate and
respond to regulatory changes and actual market and profitability experience, we
closely monitor and manage premium rate adjustments and provide our
policyholders opportunities to adjust their co-insurance and deductible
provisions. We actively pursue product redesign and curtailment of unprofitable
product offerings, where necessary.
We have made material changes to our underwriting process to improve
quality, timeliness and customer service. Changes in risk selection have been
made to improve profitability. An underwriting philosophy based on rational
selection of risks has produced a number of changes to our underwriting
guidelines. We have aligned our pricing decisions to more accurately reflect the
associated morbidity. Through review of claim charges, we have also made general
enhancements to our underwriting guidelines to better reflect current medical
practices and treatment patterns.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has
placed major restrictions on the sale of group insurance for small businesses
with two to 50 employees. In effect, the Act requires guaranteed issuance of
major medical insurance for small groups that meet continuing coverage and
participation guidelines. The act also includes specific rules on underwriting
and coverage of pre-existing conditions. See "Government
Regulation -- Healthcare Regulations."
Within our current small group business, we are more strictly enforcing
group participation and eligibility requirements to maintain profitability
targets. HIPAA allows insurance companies to require specific levels of employee
participation in group health insurance plans offered by their employers. If
participation falls below these levels, a group policy can be terminated after a
required notification period. In addition, participants must be full-time
employees of the group. Through a re-certification process, we have improved
compliance with these requirements.
Because of HIPAA and state regulatory restrictions, we place greater
emphasis on the sale of the individual and association major medical products.
For the first nine months of 2001, our major medical premium revenues included
76.5% for individual and association products and 23.5% for small group products
compared to 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 2000,
and 61.5% and 38.5%, respectively, in the year ended December 31, 1999.
One advantage of marketing individual and association products is greater
flexibility in underwriting. We can accept, reject or apply higher premium rates
to specific individuals with higher health risks. We can restrict or limit
coverage for pre-existing conditions. We also have greater ability to raise
future premium rates, if necessary, based on medical inflation and actual claims
experience of our products.
We have developed "Ceres Standards," a guideline of our best practices for
underwriting of new business. These standards are implemented for all major
medical business processed at our insurance subsidiaries, and include
standardization of organizational design, business rules, risk selection and
processing requirements.
We selectively pursue geographic markets, products and sales agencies that
provide us the greatest potential for profitability. This strategy includes
exiting markets that are unprofitable for specific products. In addition, our
ongoing product design efforts in both of our business segments keeps our
product portfolio attractive to our sales force. In our medical segment, we are
emphasizing new product lines that provide consumers with lower monthly premiums
offset by greater out-of-pocket payments for routine and elective cases.
46
REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. We are committed to reducing administrative
costs through increases in efficiency, streamlined procedures and consolidation
of operations and services. Our areas of focus include reductions in facility
management costs, printing and supply costs, travel expenses and consolidation
of corporate services, such as accounting, marketing, and distribution.
Administrative changes in 2002 will involve the utilization of new electronic
technology. We expect to improve our efficiency and service as we move closer to
a paperless environment. Our COAST (Ceres Online Access SysTem) program was
implemented in 2000 to provide direct online communication for our agents who
are able to check the status of business they submit via their computers 24
hours a day. By 2002, we plan to allow our policyholders to access policy,
payment and claims information online at any time via COAST.
We review expense variances to budgets on a monthly basis and make needed
adjustments. If cost-effective, we outsource certain functions to independent
third parties. We outsource all information and telephone systems at our
Cleveland headquarters, the claims processing for our Central Reserve Ohio
insureds, and the claims processing and other administrative services for the
Chambers business and for our insurance subsidiaries, Provident American Life
and United Benefit Life. We believe this outsourcing offers us the following
advantages:
- predictable operational, administrative and systems costs;
- variable expenses based upon volume of business;
- the benefits of the vendors' expertise in specialized areas;
- freeing our capital to be used for other aspects of growth strategy;
- efficiency and economies of scale; and
- system consolidation and integration.
We are implementing a strong expense reduction program. In the fourth
quarter of 2001 and for 2002, we expect to streamline operations and reduce our
general and administrative expenses through efficiency improvements and
elimination of functions that do not support our core businesses.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, our selling, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of consolidated revenue decreased to
31.1% compared to 32.5% in the same period of 2000.
EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. We have six distribution channels with
approximately 48,000 independent agents. We believe that multiple distribution
channels provide the greatest sales opportunities for our products. We are
continuing to expand our marketing reach by recruiting new agents for our
existing distribution systems. Beginning in 2001, we initiated a systematic
program to focus our marketing expenses on more productive agents. We have also
implemented tighter controls of agent sales activities which are designed to
enhance the quality of business they generate for us.
Our six distribution channels are:
- individual and small group medical brokerage;
- senior health and life brokerage;
- senior health and life primary agents;
- specialty health agents;
- exclusive health agents; and
- electronic distribution.
Our distribution channels are discussed in greater detail in "Marketing and
Sales." Through compensation incentives, we encourage our agents to cross-sell
our complementary, supplemental and non-insurance products that typically have
higher profit margins.
47
As part of our growth during the last few years, when we acquired companies
or blocks of insurance business, we sought to retain the existing agency force.
This strategy was intended to increase our new sales going forward and improve
our ability to retain the business we have acquired. We communicate with these
agents to illustrate the benefits and rewards of our products and programs. We
also emphasize our cross-selling opportunities and encourage agents to be
licensed by our other insurance subsidiaries to expand the portfolio of products
they can offer to clients.
We believe that health and other insurance products increasingly will be
marketed on the Internet. Other companies have launched a number of insurance
e-commerce initiatives, including health insurance, with and without agent
involvement in sales. Due to the complexity of health insurance and some life
insurance products, we believe agent involvement is critical to the success of
these ventures both for consumers and the insurance company. We believe our
proprietary, patent pending QQLink.com electronic distribution system, which
includes an agent interface to explain the complexity of many health and life
products, should be favorably positioned for this emerging trend.
INCREASING FEE REVENUE. We enhance our revenue by charging fees for
services such as:
- medical care coordination programs;
- claims processing on certain products;
- administration for direct billing;
- reinsurance management; and
- management services for associations.
Our fee revenue generates higher margins because fees are not generally
subject to premium tax or commission payments. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2001, our fee and other income increased 18% to $27.6 million
compared to $23.4 million for the same period of 2000. Fee and other income from
our non-regulated subsidiaries accounted for $8.7 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2001. Fees from our non-regulated subsidiaries, such as
medical care coordination and management services, are used by Ceres to meet our
debt obligations.
In addition, QQLink generates revenue from fees and is expected to generate
revenue from sales commissions. Fee income for QQLink includes:
- monthly website hosting fees charged to participating agents for use of
QQLink;
- agent support service fees for training and certification programs; and
- marketing fees from unaffiliated vendor companies.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We primarily market health, life and annuity insurance products tailored to
meet the needs of individuals, associations and small businesses, and senior
Americans. We have specialized teams that focus on new product development for
each of our markets. These teams review our current product offerings and
compare them with our competitors' products and changing insured needs. We
systematically review our individual and small group major medical plans to help
us further develop our product mix.
MAJOR MEDICAL. Our major medical products include catastrophic,
comprehensive and basic coverage options from PPO benefit plans to traditional
indemnity health insurance plans. Our major medical plans can also be configured
as medical savings account plans.
Because our PPO products provide for healthcare delivery at lower premium
costs than traditional indemnity plans, we emphasize our PPO products and
encourage our insureds to purchase or convert from traditional indemnity health
insurance. Our medical networks provide favorable rates and include other cost
control measures to save money for our insureds.
48
Our traditional indemnity health insurance products provide coverage for
services from any qualified medical provider. Like our PPO products, our
traditional indemnity health insurance products offer access to our negotiated
network savings. Although our indemnity insureds are not required to use our
network providers, we have established programs that reduce claims costs and
out-of-pocket expenses for our insureds that do use network providers. We
communicate these cost saving methods to our insureds.
In July 1999, we also implemented a program to reduce claims costs for
prescription drugs on our medical products that include prescription drug
coverage. We developed a system with varying levels of co-payment amounts to
encourage insureds to use generic drugs and a money-saving mail-order program
for all maintenance prescription drugs.
Our new Simplicity Series catastrophic products, released in the fourth
quarter of 2001, are designed with higher profit margins. These products provide
higher deductibles and co-payments and are designed to shift to consumers a
greater portion of the risk for discretionary medical and brand-name
pharmaceutical benefits. This benefit structure reduces premium payments for
consumers and is designed to lower the level of future premium rate adjustments.
SHORT-TERM MAJOR MEDICAL. This product provides major medical coverage for
a limited amount of time for people who, for example, are between jobs or are
recent graduates.
SMALL GROUP PRODUCTS. Our new Employer's Choice product provides higher
deductibles and co-payments and lower premium payments for our small business
customers. In addition, we offer small businesses with 2-100 employees a major
medical plan in which we share the medical cost risk with the employer. This
alternate funding mechanism allows the employer to limit expense and risk by
self-insuring part of the coverage. This product can produce a year-end refund
or carryover feature for low claims experience that is attractive to businesses
with healthy employees. The savings generated with this plan can be used to
provide other employee benefits, including coverage for vision care, dental,
critical illness coverage or supplemental life insurance.
LIFE AND ANNUITY. We also market group life insurance and annuity plans.
We offer term life insurance as an ancillary product to our major medical
insureds. We also offer various single premium deferred annuities.
SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE PRODUCTS. Our senior market products include a
wide range of comprehensive and supplemental major medical benefit products. In
2000, we began releasing our new "Senior Power Portfolio," featuring 12 health,
life and annuity products for Americans age 55 and over. The medical benefit
products in this package include Medicare supplement, long-term care, home
healthcare, extended convalescent care, cancer coverage and acute recovery care
that includes shorter length facility care.
We are focusing more product development attention in our senior segment on
long-term care insurance and Medicare Select products. Long-term care products
provide needed benefits to supplement Medicare and Medicare Supplement coverage
for nursing home and home healthcare expenses. Medicare Select is a specific
type of Medicare Supplement plan that provides lower premiums for consumers
through hospitals that have agreed to waive the Medicare Part A deductible
amount.
SENIOR LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES. The life insurance and annuity
products in our "Senior Power Portfolio" include lower face amount life
insurance policies offering coverages up to $50,000 and annuity plans with
first-year bonus interest or interest rate guarantees.
SPECIALTY AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PRODUCTS. We enhance our base medical
insurance products with a select group of complementary supplemental products.
These products provide increased protection for our insureds and additional
commission income for our agents, and are designed with higher profit margins
for us. We provide compensation and marketing support programs to encourage our
agents to use these products for cross-selling purposes. These supplemental
products include:
- dental coverage;
- critical illness coverage which provides a one-time cash payment when an
insured is diagnosed with a specified illness or when undergoing a
specified surgery;
49
- first diagnosis cancer coverage which provides a one-time cash payment
when an insured is diagnosed with cancer;
- accidental injury coverage which provides replacement income when an
insured becomes disabled due to a covered off-the-job accident; and
- accidental death benefit which provides payment directly to the insured's
beneficiary in the event of accidental death.
SERVICES AND NON-INSURANCE PRODUCTS. In 1999, we developed the Ceres
Savers Plan as a non-insurance annual fee benefit package that provides
discounts on travel, prescription medicine, hearing aids and other
health-related products and services. In 2000, this product was changed to the
Senior Savers Plus Plan, which provides discounts on extended care and home
healthcare services in addition to the other product and service discounts. We
also added our Personal Healthcare Management Services program to most of our
major medical products to provide service enhancements for our insureds.
MARKETING AND SALES
Our distribution channels are critical for our continued growth. We market
our products through approximately 48,000 agents in 49 states, the District of
Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the first nine months of 2001, we
recruited approximately 11,300 new agents. Our total number of agents has
remained approximately the same as at the beginning of 2001 because we initiated
a systematic program to focus our marketing expenses on more productive agents
by reducing the number of low and non-producing agents.
We compensate our agents for business produced by them on a commission
basis at rates that we believe to be competitive with those of other life and
health insurance companies. Through training and incentive programs, we
encourage our agents to cross-sell our select group of complementary,
supplemental and non-insurance products. In addition, we have implemented
compensation structures that are designed to reward agents for multi-product
sales. We believe that these products and programs combine to enhance the value
and productivity of our agents.
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. We use a variety of distribution systems in
marketing our products, including independent agents, exclusive agents and
electronic distribution. Because product lines vary among many of these
distribution systems, we have some overlap of agents between channels. Some of
our agents are licensed and contracted with more than one of our distribution
channels.
We base our six distribution channels on organization of the agents and
specific markets or products:
1. INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL GROUP MEDICAL BROKERAGE. This distribution system
concentrates on individuals, associations and small business owners. The
product portfolio creates cross-selling and package-selling
opportunities and includes catastrophic medical coverage, individual
medical plans, small group medical plans, medical savings account plans,
basic medical coverage, short-term major medical, dental and
supplemental products, including life insurance and annuities.
2. SENIOR HEALTH AND LIFE BROKERAGE. Agents in this distribution channel
target the 58 million Americans age 55 and over with a comprehensive
product line, including Medicare supplement, long-term care, home
healthcare, convalescent and acute recovery care, and senior life and
annuities.
3. SENIOR HEALTH AND LIFE PRIMARY AGENTS. With our acquisition of Pyramid
Life, we gained a distribution system of agents who sell primarily for
Pyramid Life. This distribution channel targets the 58 million Americans
age 55 and over, with a product line similar to the senior health and
life brokerage channel.
4. SPECIALTY HEALTH AGENTS. Agents in this channel are part of an
independent marketing organization that has elected to market our
individual and small group medical plans.
50
5. EXCLUSIVE HEALTH AGENTS. Our newly-developed exclusive agent
distribution channel for this market is called HealthMark Sales, LLC.
This operation concentrates on individual catastrophic health insurance
and supplemental health insurance sales of specially designed products
primarily in rural markets. At September 30, 2001, HealthMark had
approximately 780 dedicated agents.
6. ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION. In addition to the traditional agent
distribution channels, in the fall of 2000, we began enrolling agents to
participate in our proprietary, patent pending electronic distribution
system, QQLink. QQLink is 94% owned by Ceres with most of the remaining
6% primarily owned by 16 of our agents.
QQLink combines a traditional agent distribution system with direct
online sales of insurance and other financial service products. Consumers
are able to review and receive premium quotes and apply for insurance
online, with or without the assistance of an agent. We believe that
QQLink will enable agents to substantially increase the client base they
serve.
QQLink has established marketing alliances with unaffiliated insurance,
financial service and other vendors of products and services. We are
continuing to pursue additional alliances in order to position QQLink as
a distributor of many products from a growing number of companies.
MARKETING SUPPORT. We compete with other insurance companies and other
sales operations for our agents. In addition, we compete with other companies
that our independent agents represent. Our marketing systems concentrate on
broad product portfolios and sales support to agents. Our strategy is to provide
the tools and resources needed by the sales force, so that our agents can devote
their time to selling.
We provide comprehensive support programs to attract and retain agents,
including:
- competitive products and commission structures;
- advanced commissions on selected products for agents who qualify;
- lead generation programs;
- ongoing product development;
- cross-selling opportunities;
- special incentive awards to new agents;
- website development for QQLink participating agents;
- user-friendly proposal software;
- training seminars to introduce new products and sales material for our
agents; and
- consistent agent communication and quality sales materials.
CUSTOMER BASE
We had approximately 409,000 certificates and individual policies in force
as of September 30, 2001, representing approximately 560,000 insureds. One
association, Eagle Association, had approximately 48,000 certificate holders, or
11.8% of all our certificates and individual policies in force as of September
30, 2001. Each group certificate represents an insured and any spouse, children
and other
51
dependents. The following table reflects the breakdown by product of the group
certificates and individual policies for the nine months ended September 30,
2001 and the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999.
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2000 DECEMBER 31, 1999
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
INDEMNITY PPO INDEMNITY PPO INDEMNITY PPO
--------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------
Major Medical...................... 36,111 147,727 45,539 174,982 46,180 162,301
Senior and Supplemental
Products........................... 161,875 173,137 102,138
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Health..................... 197,986 147,727 218,676 174,982 148,318 162,301
Life and Annuity Products.......... 63,876 68,703 47,277
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total............................ 261,862 147,727 287,379 174,982 195,595 162,301
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
</Table>
The geographic distribution of direct and assumed premiums, before
reinsurance ceded, and annuity considerations on a statutory basis of all of our
subsidiaries in 2001 and 2000, including only five months for Pyramid Life, is
presented in the table below. The presentation on a statutory basis differs from
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in that our fee income and
annuity considerations are considered premiums for statutory purposes.
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2000
--------------------- ---------------------
(IN (IN
THOUSANDS) PERCENT THOUSANDS) PERCENT
STATE AMOUNT OF TOTAL STATE AMOUNT OF TOTAL
- ----- ---------- -------- ----- ---------- --------
Ohio..................... $ 77,180 11.5% Ohio..................... $104,179 13.0%
Texas.................... 71,334 10.6 Florida.................. 77,490 9.7
Florida.................. 57,293 8.5 Texas.................... 67,306 8.4
Indiana.................. 44,185 6.5 Indiana.................. 54,555 6.8
Pennsylvania............. 32,872 4.9 Georgia.................. 35,576 4.5
Tennessee................ 27,285 4.1 North Carolina........... 34,988 4.4
Georgia.................. 26,898 4.0 Tennessee................ 29,896 3.7
Missouri................. 23,811 3.5 Missouri................. 28,424 3.6
Illinois................. 21,787 3.2 South Carolina........... 28,356 3.6
Nebraska................. 21,388 3.2 Kansas................... 27,711 3.5
Other.................... 269,351 40.0 Other.................... 310,082 38.8
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total.................... $673,384 100.0% Total.................... $798,563 100.0%
======== ===== ======== =====
</Table>
PRICING AND UNDERWRITING
Effective, consistent and accurate underwriting is an important element of
our profitability and depends on our ability to adequately predict claims
liability when determining the prices for our products. Premiums charged on
insurance products are based, in part, on assumptions about expected mortality
and morbidity experience and competitive factors. We have adopted and follow
"Ceres Standards," a guideline for underwriting of new business. These detailed
uniform underwriting procedures are designed to assess and quantify certain
insurance risks before issuing individual life insurance, certain health
insurance policies and certain annuity policies to individuals. These procedures
are generally based on industry practices, reinsurer underwriting manuals and
our prior underwriting experience. To implement these procedures, we employ an
experienced professional underwriting staff.
In most circumstances, our pricing and underwriting decisions follow a
prospective rating process. A fixed premium rate is determined at the beginning
of the policy period. Unanticipated increases in medical costs may not be able
to be recovered in the current policy year. However, prior experience, in the
aggregate, is considered in determining premium rates for future periods.
Applications for insurance are reviewed on the basis of answers to
application questions. Where appropriate based on the type and amount of
insurance applied for and the applicant's age and medical history, additional
information is required, such as medical examinations, statements from doctors
who
52
have treated the applicant in the past and, where indicated, special medical
tests. For certain coverages, we may verify information with the applicant by
telephone. After reviewing the information collected, we either issue the policy
as applied for, issue the policy with an extra premium charge due to unfavorable
factors, issue the policy excluding benefits for certain conditions, either
permanently or for a period of time, or reject the application. For some of our
products, we have adopted simplified policy issue procedures in which the
applicant submits an application for coverage typically containing only a few
health-related questions instead of a complete medical history.
Our profitability depends on our ability to adequately increase rates for
both new business and at renewal. We have implemented procedures that permit us
to apply to regulatory authorities for corrective rate actions on a timely basis
with respect to both new business rates and the current market rates to analyze
whether these rates sufficiently cover benefits, expenses and commissions. For
renewal business, we analyze our loss ratios and compare them to our target loss
ratios. When this analysis is complete, we immediately implement any necessary
corrective action, including rate increases.
CLAIMS
All claims for policy benefits are currently either processed by our claims
department or outsourced to third party administrators. We outsource claims
processing for our Central Reserve Ohio insureds and claims processing and other
administrative services for the Chambers business to Antares Management
Solutions, a division of Medical Mutual Services, which is a subsidiary of
Medical Mutual of Ohio, and claims processing for Provident American Life and
United Benefit Life policies prior to their termination or replacement to
HealthPlan Services Corporation. In 2001, as part of the termination or
replacement of United Benefit Life's and Provident American Life's policies, we
also outsource claims processing for the replacement product, HealthEdge, to
Antares.
We periodically utilize the services of personnel from our medical cost
management subsidiary to review certain claims. When a claim is filed, we may
engage medical cost management personnel to review the claim, including the
specific health problem of the insured and the nature and extent of health care
services being provided. Medical cost management personnel often assist the
insured by determining that the services provided to the insured, and the
corresponding benefits paid, are appropriate under the circumstances.
In 2001, we also expanded our claims review process by establishing a unit
that focuses on potential cases of fraud or abuse, including investigating fraud
or misrepresentation by medical providers, policyholders or agents. Claims that
exceed a certain dollar amount or fit a certain profile based on diagnosis or
time period following policy issuance are subject to detailed review.
All of our claims processing, including the claims that are outsourced,
must apply the same claims management standards. In addition, we perform random
audits of both our internal and outsourced claims processing. Although from
time-to-time we experience backlogs in claims inventory, we, together with our
vendors, work actively to meet our goals of:
- processing claims within ten days of receipt;
- minimizing claims inventory through consistent turnaround time and
control of backlogs;
- processing claims with an accuracy rate of not less than 99%; and
- answering customer service calls in less than two minutes and with an
abandon, or hang-up, rate less than 5%.
SYSTEMS
Our ability to continue providing quality service to our insureds and
agents, including policy issuance, billing, claims processing, commission
reports and accounting functions is critical to our ongoing success. We believe
that our overall systems are an integral part in delivering that service. We
regularly evaluate, upgrade and enhance the information systems that support our
operations.
53
Our business depends significantly on effective information systems, and we
have many different information systems, including the use of our third party
vendors' systems, for our various businesses. Our information systems require an
ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain and enhance existing
systems and develop new systems or relationships with third party vendors in
order to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology,
evolving industry and regulatory standards, and changing customer preferences. A
significant portion of our systems is obtained through third party vendors.
We outsource all information and telephone systems at our Cleveland
headquarters, as well as claims processing for our Central Reserve Ohio
insureds, to Antares Management Solutions, pursuant to an administrative
services agreement. In addition, we outsource claims processing and other
administrative services for the Chambers business to Antares. The claims
processing and other administrative services for our insurance subsidiaries,
Provident American Life and United Benefit Life, are outsourced to HealthPlan
Services. We receive regular reports from our third party vendors that enable us
to closely monitor our business on those systems.
INVESTMENTS
We attempt to minimize our business risk through conservative investment
policies. Our investment objectives are to maximize yields, preserve principal
and maintain liquidity. Investments for insurance companies must comply with the
insurance laws of the state of domicile. These laws prescribe the kind, quality,
and concentration of investments that may be made. Due to the restrictive nature
of these laws, there may be occasions when we may be precluded from making
certain otherwise attractive investments. We periodically evaluate these
securities. The effective durations of our investments vary from subsidiary to
subsidiary with the life insurance subsidiaries between four and five years and
the health companies between two and three years.
At September 30, 2001, approximately 97.7% of our invested assets were
fixed maturity securities, including mortgage-backed securities. At September
30, 2001, 94.8% of our fixed maturity securities were of investment grade
quality with 81.0% in National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) I
(typically A or better) rated securities and 13.8% in NAIC II (typically BBB)
rated securities. We do not invest in derivatives, such as futures, forwards,
swaps, option contracts or other financial instruments with similar
characteristics.
At September 30, 2001, our investments in mortgage-backed securities
totaled $135.5 million, or 28.5% of total investments. The majority of our
mortgage-backed securities are issued by agencies of the U.S. Government, which
minimizes the credit risk for us. Among the agency mortgaged-backed securities,
approximately 40% are in 30-year pass-through securities, while the rest are
planned amortization class collateralized mortgage obligations. These planned
amortization class collateralized mortgage obligations provide average life
protection in a fluctuating interest rate environment. The non-agency
mortgage-backed securities, consisting of both commercial and jumbo residential
mortgages, include features such as prepayment lockout and yield maintenance
provisions to reduce call risk.
We realized capital gains of $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2001 as a
result of the sale of 30-year mortgage pass-through securities which reduced
prepayment risk and the sale of callable agency bonds which reduced call risk.
Portfolio durations were also shortened to reduce the impact on bond values in a
potentially rising interest rate environment. Cash was reinvested in corporate
bonds and planned amortization class non-agency mortgage securities.
54
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
available-for-sale as of September 30, 2001, were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
GROSS UNREALIZED
------------------------------------------
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
--------- ------- ------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Available-for-sale
Fixed Maturities
U.S. Treasury securities........................ $ 30,598 $ 752 $ (1) $ 31,349
U.S. Agencies................................... 11,389 732 -- 12,121
State and political subdivisions................ 261,292 5,695 (3,402) 263,585
Corporate bonds................................. 133,174 3,566 (1,257) 135,483
Mortgage-backed securities...................... 19,132 552 (44) 19,640
Preferred stock................................. 1,520 179 -- 1,699
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total available-for-sale...................... 457,105 11,476 (4,704) 463,877
Surplus notes...................................... 4,994 -- -- 4,994
-------- ------- ------- --------
Total......................................... $462,099 $11,476 $(4,704) $468,871
======== ======= ======= ========
</Table>
RESERVES
We establish and report liabilities or reserves on our balance sheet for
unpaid healthcare costs by estimating the ultimate cost of incurred claims that
have not yet been reported to us by our policyholders or their providers and
reported claims that we have not yet paid. Since these reserves represent our
estimates, the process requires a degree of judgment. Reserves are established
according to Actuarial Standards of Practice and generally accepted actuarial
principles and are based on a number of factors, including experience derived
from historical claims payments and actuarial assumptions to arrive at loss
development factors. Such assumptions and other factors include:
- healthcare cost trends;
- the incidence of incurred claims;
- the extent to which all claims have been reported; and
- internal claims processing charges.
Due to the variability inherent in these estimates, reserves are sensitive to
changes in medical claims payment patterns and changes in medical cost trends. A
worsening, or improvement, of the medical cost trend or changes in claims
payment patterns from the trends and patterns assumed in estimating reserves
would trigger a change.
The majority of Central Reserve's, Provident American Life's and United
Benefit Life's reserves and liabilities for claims are for the health insurance
business. The majority of Continental General's and Pyramid Life's reserves and
liabilities for claims are for the life and annuity business. For our individual
and group accident and health business, we establish an active life reserve plus
a liability for due and unpaid claims, claims in course of settlement and
incurred but not yet reported claims, as well as a reserve for the present value
of amounts not yet due on claims. These reserves and liabilities also are
impacted by many factors, such as economic and social conditions, inflation,
hospital and pharmaceutical costs, changes in doctrines of legal liability and
damage awards for pain and suffering. Therefore, the reserves and liabilities
established are necessarily based on extensive estimates and prior years'
statistics.
Liabilities for future policy reserves on ordinary life insurance have
generally been provided on a net level premium method based upon estimates of
future investment yield, mortality, and withdrawals using our experience and
actuarial judgment with an allowance for possible unfavorable deviation from the
55
expected experience. The various actuarial factors are determined from mortality
tables and interest rates in effect when the policy is issued.
Liabilities for interest sensitive contracts such as deferred annuities and
universal life-type contracts are based on the retrospective deposit method.
This is the full account value before any surrender charges are applied.
We may from time to time need to increase our claims reserves significantly
in excess of our estimates. For example, in the first quarter of 2001, we
increased claims reserves for our medical segment, including the establishment
of an additional $7.5 million in reserves at Central Reserve, to provide for an
increase in medical benefit utilization and increased medical inflation which
emerged during the quarter. An inadequate estimate in reserves could have a
material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
REINSURANCE
GENERAL. Consistent with the general practice of the insurance industry,
we reinsure portions of the coverage provided by our insurance products to
unaffiliated insurance companies under reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance
provides a greater diversification of underwriting risk, minimizes our aggregate
exposure on major risks and limits our potential losses on reinsured business.
Reinsurance involves one or more insurance companies participating in the
liabilities or risks of another insurance company in exchange for a portion of
the premiums. Although the effect of reinsurance is to lessen our risks, it may
lower net income. We have entered into a variety of reinsurance arrangements
under which we cede business to other insurance companies to mitigate risk. We
also have assumed risk on a "quota share" basis from other insurance companies.
Under quota share reinsurance, the reinsurer assumes or cedes an agreed
percentage of certain risks insured by the ceding insurer and shares premium
revenue and losses proportionately. When we cede business to others, reinsurance
does not discharge us from our primary liability to our insureds. However, the
reinsurance company that provides the reinsurance coverage agrees to become the
ultimate source of payment for the portion of the liability it is reinsuring and
indemnifies us for that portion. However, we remain liable to our insureds with
respect to ceded reinsurance if any reinsurer fails to meet its obligations to
us.
EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS. In the ordinary course of business, we maintain
reinsurance arrangements designed to limit the maximum amount of exposure that
we retain on a given policy. For ordinary and group life claims, Continental
General's maximum retention is $125,000, Pyramid Life's maximum retention is
$100,000, and Central Reserve's maximum retention is $50,000 with no retention
maintained over age 70. For accident and health claims, maximum retention on
individual claims is $500,000. For a complete discussion of our material
reinsurance agreements, see Note K, Reinsurance Arrangements, to our
consolidated financial statements.
A significant portion of our risks are reinsured with a single reinsurance
company, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, a health and life
reinsurance company. Hannover accounted for 94% of the total premiums ceded by
our subsidiaries. Hannover has entered into reinsurance agreements with several
of our subsidiaries, including Central Reserve Life, Provident American Life,
United Benefit Life and Continental General. Our reinsurance agreements with
Hannover are not cancellable or terminable by Hannover. In recent years, we have
reduced our reliance on reinsurance. Our arrangements are generally for closed
blocks of business which means that Hannover, since we discontinued sales
activities of United Benefit Life and Provident American Life in July 2000, is
not reinsuring any new sales or business of any of our subsidiaries under these
reinsurance agreements, except for the new HealthEdge product as explained
below. Hannover is reinsuring the business under the reinsurance agreements
until those policies lapse or are terminated by us.
In July 2001, we implemented a program to terminate or replace the United
Benefit Life and Provident American Life policies. Some policyholders in some
states were offered a replacement product,
56
HealthEdge, underwritten by Provident American Life. Hannover reinsures the
HealthEdge product on the same basis as the reinsurance under the old policy.
United Benefit Life has no sales activities, and, other than the HealthEdge
replacement product, Provident American Life has no sales activities. The
business of United Benefit Life and Provident American Life, other than
HealthEdge, should be substantially wound down by the early part of 2002.
To evaluate the claims paying ability and financial strength of Hannover,
we review financial information provided to us by Hannover, and hold quarterly
meetings with its management to review operations, marketing, reinsurance and
financial issues. Hannover has suffered significant losses as a result of our
reinsurance agreements with respect to United Benefit Life and Provident
American Life.
The total premiums ceded by our subsidiaries in the first nine months of
2001 to unaffiliated reinsurers amounted to $153.9 million, of which Hannover
represented approximately 94%. Our gross reinsurance receivables from
unaffiliated reinsurers amounted to $216.6 million as of September 30, 2001, of
which approximately 95% was attributable to Hannover.
Hannover is a subsidiary of Hannover Ruckversicherungs, a German
corporation, which had assets of $22.1 billion and total stockholders' equity of
$1.5 billion at December 31, 2000. Moody's has assigned Hannover
Ruckversicherungs a financial strength rating of Aa3(excellent). Hannover
maintains an A(excellent) rating from A.M. Best Company, Inc. Other rating
agencies have maintained similar ratings of Hannover. At December 31, 2000,
Standard & Poor's has assigned Hannover a financial strength rating of Api
(rated strong). There can be no assurance that Hannover will continue to pay in
full and in a timely manner the claims made against them in accordance with
terms of our reinsurance agreements. Hannover's failure to pay our claims in
full, or on a timely basis, could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
No new sales or business of any of our subsidiaries is currently reinsured,
except for the HealthEdge product of Provident American Life, stop-loss coverage
in which we limit the maximum amount of exposure we retain on a given policy,
and a reinsurance agreement relating to Central Reserve's group term life
insurance and individual deferred annuities. Our future growth may be dependent
on our ability to obtain reinsurance in the future. While we expect to continue
our relationship with Hannover in the future, we will continue to seek out new
companies with respect to new reinsurance agreements. The amount and cost of
reinsurance available to us would be subject, in large part, to prevailing
market conditions beyond our control. We may be unable to obtain reinsurance in
the future, if necessary, at competitive rates or at all.
COMPETITION
The insurance business is highly competitive. In our major medical
business, we compete with large national, regional and specialty health
insurers, including Golden Rule Resources Ltd., Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.,
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, American Medical Security Group, Inc.,
various Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies and United Healthcare Corporation. In
our senior business, we compete with other national, regional and specialty
insurers, including Universal American Financial Corp., Penn Treaty American
Corp., Mutual of Omaha and Conseco, Inc. Many of our competitors have
substantially greater financial resources, broader product lines, or greater
experience than we do. In addition to claims paying ratings, we compete on the
basis of price, reputation, diversity of product offerings and flexibility of
coverage, ability to attract and retain agents and the quality and level of
services provided to agents and insureds.
We face competition from a trend among healthcare providers and insurance
companies to combine and form networks in order to contract directly with small
businesses and other prospective customers to provide healthcare services. In
addition, because our products are marketed through independent agents, most of
which represent more than one company, we experience competition with other
companies for the marketing focus of each agent.
57
RATINGS
Our ratings assigned by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and other nationally
recognized rating agencies are important in evaluating our competitive position.
Best ratings are based on an analysis of the financial condition of the
companies rated. Best ratings are primarily based upon factors of concern to
policyholders and insurance agents. In August 2001, the Best ratings of our
insurance subsidiaries were downgraded, all with negative outlooks, due
primarily to the losses of United Benefit Life and our need to raise capital.
Central Reserve's rating is a B(fair) rating. Continental General's and Pyramid
Life's ratings are B+(very good). Provident American Life's and United Benefit
Life's ratings for 2001 were affirmed NR-3 (rating procedure inapplicable). This
rating is defined by Best to mean that normal rating procedures do not apply due
to unique or unusual business features. Provident American Life and United
Benefit Life fall into this category because, due to reinsurance, they both
retain only a small portion of their gross premiums. In August 2001, Fitch also
downgraded Continental General to BBB(good credit quality) with "rating watch
evolving" and downgraded Central Reserve to BB(speculative credit quality) with
a negative outlook. In addition, Standard & Poor's recently downgraded the
ratings of Provident American Life, Continental General and Pyramid Life.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Government regulation of health and life insurance, annuities and
healthcare coverage and health plans is a changing area of law and varies from
state to state. We strive to maintain compliance with the various federal and
state regulations applicable to our operations. To maintain compliance with
these changing regulations, we may need to make changes occasionally to our
services, products, structure or operations. We are unable to predict what
additional government regulations affecting our business may be enacted in the
future or how existing or future regulations might be interpreted. Additional
governmental regulation or future interpretation of existing regulations could
increase the cost of our compliance or materially affect our operations,
products or profitability. We carefully monitor state and federal legislative
and regulatory activity as it affects our business. We believe that we are
compliant in all material respects with all applicable federal and state
regulations.
INSURANCE REGULATION. We are subject to regulation and supervision by
state insurance regulatory agencies. This regulation is primarily intended to
protect insureds rather than investors. These regulatory bodies have broad
administrative powers relating to standards of solvency which must be met on a
continuing basis, granting and revoking of licenses, licensing of agents,
approval of policy forms, approval of rate increases, maintenance of adequate
reserves, claims payment practices, form and content of financial statements,
types of investments permitted, issuance and sale of stock, payment of dividends
and other matters pertaining to insurance. We are required to file detailed
annual statements with the state insurance regulatory bodies and are subject to
periodic examination. The most recent completed regulatory examination for
Central Reserve, Provident American Life and United Benefit Life was performed
by the State of Ohio as of December 31, 1999. For Continental General and
Pyramid Life, the examinations were performed by the States of Nebraska and
Kansas, respectively, as of December 31, 1997. Continental General is currently
being examined by the State of Nebraska for the three year period ended December
31, 2000. Additionally, because of the losses experienced early in 2001, Central
Reserve, Provident American Life and United Benefit Life are currently under
examination by the State of Ohio. State insurance departments have also
periodically conducted market conduct examinations of our insurance
subsidiaries.
Prior to our foreclosure on its stock in July 1999, United Benefit Life was
under supervision by the State of Texas and State of Indiana Departments of
Insurance. Both states have now released United Benefit Life from their
supervision. New sales activities for United Benefit Life were discontinued in
July 2000.
At December 31, 1996, Central Reserve's statutory capital levels fell to an
amount that subjected it to mandatory examination by the State of Ohio
Department of Insurance. This condition was abated by the change of control and
capital infusion in July 1998. In the first quarter of 2001 and for the nine
months ended September 30, 2001, we again experienced net losses. These losses
have affected our statutory capital levels at our insurance subsidiaries.
58
Although many states' insurance laws and regulations are based on models
developed by the NAIC and are therefore similar, variations among the laws and
regulations of different states are common. The NAIC is a voluntary association
of all of the state insurance commissioners in the United States. The primary
function of the NAIC is to develop model laws on key insurance regulatory issues
that can be used as guidelines for individual states in adopting or enacting
insurance legislation. While the NAIC model laws are accorded substantial
deference within the insurance industry, these laws are not binding on insurance
companies unless adopted by state, and variation from the model laws within the
state is common.
In 1998, the NAIC adopted the Codification of Statutory Accounting
Principles guidance that replaces the current Accounting Practices and
Procedures manual as the NAIC's primary guidance on statutory accounting as of
January 1, 2001. The Codification provides guidance for areas where statutory
accounting practices had been silent and changes current statutory accounting
practices in some areas. The Codification will result in changes to the
accounting practices that we use to prepare our statutory-basis financial
statements. We believe the impact of these changes to our statutory-basis
capital and surplus as of January 1, 2001 will not be significant.
The NAIC has also adopted Risk-Based Capital (RBC) requirements for life
and health insurers to evaluate the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus in
relation to investment and insurance risks associated with asset quality,
mortality and morbidity, asset and liability matching and other business
factors. The RBC formula is used by state insurance regulators to monitor trends
in statutory capital and surplus for the purpose of initiating regulatory
action. In general, under these laws, an insurance company must submit a report
of its RBC level to the insurance department of its state of domicile as of the
end of the previous calendar year. These laws require increasing degrees of
regulatory oversight and intervention as an insurance company's RBC declines.
The level of regulatory oversight ranges from requiring the insurance company to
inform and obtain approval from the domiciliary insurance commissioner of a
comprehensive financial plan for increasing its RBC to mandatory regulatory
intervention requiring an insurance company to be placed under regulatory
control in a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding.
The RBC Model Act provides for four different levels of regulatory
attention depending on the ratio of a company's total adjusted capital, defined
as the total of its statutory capital, surplus and asset valuation reserve, to
its risk-based capital.
- The "Company Action Level" is triggered if a company's total adjusted
capital is less than 200% but greater than or equal to 150% of its
risk-based capital. At the "Company Action Level," a company must submit a
comprehensive plan to the regulatory authority that discusses proposed
corrective actions to improve its capital position. A company whose total
adjusted capital is between 250% and 200% of its risk-based capital is
subject to a trend test. The trend test calculates the greater of any
decrease in the margin (i.e., the amount in dollars by which a company's
adjusted capital exceeds its risk-based capital) between the current year
and the prior year and between the current year and the average of the
past three years, and assumes that the decrease could occur again in the
coming year. If a similar decrease in margin in the coming year would
result in a risk-based capital ratio of less than 190%, then "Company
Action Level" regulatory action would be triggered.
- The "Regulatory Action Level" is triggered if a company's total adjusted
capital is less than 150% but greater than or equal to 100% of its
risk-based capital. At the "Regulatory Action Level," the regulatory
authority will perform a special examination of the company and issue an
order specifying corrective actions that must be followed.
- The "Authorized Control Level" is triggered if a company's total adjusted
capital is less than 100% but greater than or equal to 70% of its
risk-based capital, at which level the regulatory authority may take any
action it deems necessary, including placing the company under regulatory
control.
59
- The "Mandatory Control Level" is triggered if a company's total adjusted
capital is less than 70% of its risk-based capital, at which level the
regulatory authority is mandated to place the company under its control.
We calculated the risk-based capital for our insurance subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2000, using the applicable RBC formula. Based on these
calculations, our risk-based capital levels for each of our subsidiaries
exceeded the levels required by regulatory authorities. However, without
additional capital or reinsurance, the capital levels at Central Reserve may be
below "Company Action Level" at year end 2001, requiring it to submit a
comprehensive plan to the Ohio Department of Insurance that discusses proposed
corrective actions to improve Central Reserve's capital position.
Dividends paid by our insurance subsidiaries to Ceres are limited by state
insurance regulations. The insurance regulator in the insurer's state of
domicile may disapprove any dividend which, together with other dividends paid
by an insurance company in the prior 12 months, exceeds the regulatory maximum
as computed for the insurance company based on its statutory surplus and net
income. As of September 30, 2001, none of our insurance subsidiaries could pay a
dividend to Ceres without prior approval of their respective state regulators as
a result of their respective statutory deficits in unassigned surplus.
Many states have also enacted insurance holding company laws, which require
registration and periodic reporting by insurance companies controlled by other
corporations. These laws vary from state to state but typically require periodic
disclosure concerning the corporation which controls the insurer and prior
notice to, or approval by, the applicable regulator of inter-company transfers
of assets and other transactions, including payments of dividends in excess of
specified amounts by the insurer, within the holding company system. These laws
often also require the prior approval for the acquisition of a significant
direct or indirect ownership interest (for example, 10% or more) in an insurance
company. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to these laws and we believe
they are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable insurance
holding company laws and regulations.
Additional regulatory initiatives may be undertaken in the future, either
at the federal or state level, to engage in structural reform of the insurance
industry in order to reduce the escalation of insurance costs or to make
insurance more accessible. These future regulatory initiatives could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
HEALTHCARE REGULATION. Government regulation of the healthcare industry
also affects the manner in which we conduct our business. HIPAA mandates the
adoption of standards for the exchange of electronic health information in an
effort to encourage overall administrative simplification and enhance the
effectiveness and the efficiency of the healthcare industry. Ensuring privacy
and security of patient information -- "accountability" -- is one of the key
factors driving the legislation. The other factor -- "portability" -- refers to
Congress' intention to ensure that individuals may transfer insurability and
waiting periods for coverage if they change employers.
Among other things, HIPAA:
- addresses group and individual market reforms increasing the
transferability of health insurance;
- permits medical savings accounts on a trial basis; and
- increases the deductibility of health insurance for self-employed
persons.
Compliance with HIPAA's simplification mandate is required within the next
two to three years. We must comply with the following:
- standards for electronic transmission and medical procedure code sets;
- national standard healthcare provider identifier; and
- national standard employer identifier.
We have recently developed an electronic data interface (EDI) system with
one of our network providers to expedite our claims processing. Using the EDI
system, claims handled through the system for many of our insureds will be sent
directly from the medical providers to our network provider, who will
60
image and automatically adjust the claims to network rates. These re-priced
claims will then be electronically transmitted to our administrative facilities
for processing and payment according to policy benefits.
HIPAA's privacy requirements will govern who within our organization can
receive protected information, the manner in which it will be maintained, the
responsibility of third parties with whom we contract, and appropriate
identification at time of receipt of protected information so that it may be
appropriately controlled, maintained and retrieved as required. The new
standards:
- limit the routine and non-routine non-consensual use and release of
private health information;
- give patients new rights to access their medical records and to know who
else has accessed them;
- limit most disclosure of health information to the minimum needed for the
intended purpose;
- establish procedures to ensure the protection of private health
information;
- establish new criminal and civil sanctions for improper use or
disclosure; and
- establish new requirements for access to records by researcher and
others.
We are evaluating the effect of HIPAA and have formed a HIPAA task force to
begin systematic implementation of HIPAA's requirements and to ensure
compliance. The new federal and state regulations promulgated under HIPAA are
currently unsettled, making certainty of compliance impossible at this time. Due
to the uncertainty surrounding the regulatory requirements, we cannot be sure
that the systems and programs that we plan to implement will comply adequately
with the regulations that are ultimately approved. Implementation of additional
systems and programs may be required, the cost of which is unknown to us at this
time. Further, compliance with these regulations would require changes to many
of the procedures we currently use to conduct our business, which may lead to
additional costs that we have not yet identified. We do not know whether, or the
extent to which, we will be able to recover our costs of complying with these
new regulations.
In addition to federal regulation, many states have enacted, or are
considering, various healthcare reform statutes. These reforms relate to, among
other things, managed care practices, such as requirements with respect to
maternity stays, waiting period restrictions on pre-existing conditions, credit
for certain prior coverage, and limitations on rate increases and guaranteed
renewability for small business plans and policies for individuals. Most states
have also enacted patient confidentiality laws that prohibit the disclosure of
confidential medical information. The federal privacy rule will establish
minimum standards and preempt conflicting state laws that are less restrictive
than HIPAA regarding health information privacy but will allow state laws that
are more restrictive than HIPAA. These laws or regulations may limit our
operations and our ability to control which providers are part of our networks
and may hinder our ability to effectively manage utilization and costs. We are
unable to predict what state reforms will be enacted or how they would affect
our business.
Some states have also enacted small group insurance and rating reforms,
which generally limit the ability of insurers and health plans to use risk
selection as a method of controlling costs for small group businesses. These
laws may generally limit or eliminate use of pre-existing condition exclusions,
experience rating, and industry class rating and limit the amount of rate
increases from year to year. We have discontinued selling certain policies in
states where, due to these healthcare reform measures, we cannot function
profitably. We may discontinue sales in other states in the future. Our
operations also may be subject to PPO or managed care laws and regulations in
certain states. PPO and managed care regulations generally contain requirements
pertaining to provider networks, provider contracting, and reporting
requirements that vary from state to state.
One of the significant techniques we use to manage healthcare costs and
facilitate care delivery is contracting with physicians, hospitals and other
providers. As of September 30, 2001, our largest network, First Health Group
Corporation, accounted for 29.3% of our PPO certificates and policies in force.
A number of organizations are advocating for legislation that would exempt some
providers from federal and
61
state antitrust laws. In any particular market, providers could refuse to
contract, demand higher payments or take actions that could result in higher
healthcare costs, less desirable products for insureds or difficulty meeting
regulatory or accreditation requirements. In some markets, some providers,
particularly hospitals, physician/hospital organizations or multi-specialty
physician groups, may have significant market positions or near monopolies. In
addition, physician or practice management companies, that aggregate physician
practices for administrative efficiency and marketing leverage, continue to
expand. These providers may compete directly with us. If these providers refuse
to contract with us, use their market position to negotiate favorable contracts
or place us at a competitive disadvantage, those activities could adversely
affect our ability to market products or to be profitable in those areas.
Congress and various states are considering some form of a "Patients' Bill
of Rights." This legislation, if enacted, is designed to provide consumers more
freedom of choice in the selection of doctors, facilities, and treatments.
Although the bill was originally conceived to regulate HMOs, it will affect all
facets of the nation's healthcare delivery system, including medical providers,
PPOs, exclusive provider organizations, community-based healthcare organizations
and indemnity insurance plans. This pending federal legislation, currently known
as the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001:
- requires a more stringent timeframe for claims review and processing,
utilization review and internal and external appeals processes;
- provides that insureds have greater access to non-formulary drugs,
clinical trials, physicians, specialists and emergency care; and
- allows insureds to bring suit after exhaustion of the appeals process.
These changes, if enacted, are expected to result in higher total medical costs,
which could encourage more partnerships and associations between medical
providers and insurers to control costs, more community-based health
organizations, and greater use of higher deductibles to lower insurance costs
and reduce administrative expenses of smaller claims.
Statutory and regulatory changes may also significantly alter our ability
to manage pharmaceutical costs through restricted formularies of products
available to our members.
E-COMMERCE REGULATION. We may be subject to additional federal and state
statutes and regulations in connection with our changing product strategy, which
includes Internet services and products. On an increasingly frequent basis,
federal and state legislators are proposing laws and regulations that apply to
Internet based commerce and communications. Areas being affected by this
regulation include user privacy, pricing, content, taxation, copyright
protection, distribution and quality of products and services. To the extent
that our products and services would be subject to these laws and regulations,
the sale of our products and our business could be harmed.
EMPLOYEES
We had approximately 1,035 employees at September 30, 2001. We consider our
employee relations to be good. Our approximately 48,000 agents are independent
contractors and not employees.
PROPERTIES
Since August 1, 2001, we have leased our headquarters building in
Cleveland, Ohio, consisting of 121,625 square feet. Since April 11, 2000, we
have leased a 19,484 square foot facility in Cleveland, Ohio that houses our new
business and underwriting operations. Continental General owns and occupies a
building in Omaha, Nebraska, consisting of approximately 61,400 square feet.
Pyramid Life owns and occupies a building in Mission, Kansas, which consists of
approximately 45,000 square feet. Since August 1, 2000, we have also leased a
1,977 square foot office in Chicago, Illinois. Since January 10, 2001, we have
also leased a 4,365 square foot office in Dallas, Texas.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On July 19, 2001, the previously disclosed litigation, including the
countersuits, entitled Insurance Advisors of America, Inc., Transcend Group,
Inc. and Jimmy K. Walker vs. Ceres Group, Inc., Ceres Financial Services, Inc.,
Peter W. Nauert, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, Hannover Life
Reassurance Company of America (f/k/a Reassurance Company of Hannover),
Provident American Life and Health Insurance Company and Health Plan Services,
Inc., United Benefit Life Insurance Company and Billy B. Hill, Jr., case no.
17-184-65-00, in State District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, was settled. All
cases regarding this matter, including the Ohio countersuit, were dismissed with
prejudice. The settlement did not have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition or results of operations.
We have recently been sued for compensatory damages and, in some cases,
unspecified punitive damages in a number of actions pertaining to the insureds
of United Benefit Life arising from claims payment issues. While we do not
believe that United Benefit Life has harmed any of the plaintiffs in these
lawsuits and we believe our reserves are adequate, we cannot predict the outcome
of the lawsuits, including the award of punitive damages and, therefore, we
cannot predict the financial impact on us of these lawsuits. We intend to
vigorously contest these actions.
In addition to the above, we are also involved in litigation arising in the
ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the effects, if any, of such
litigation are not expected to be material to our consolidated financial
condition.
63
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following are our directors and executive officers:
<Table>
<Caption>
DIRECTOR OR
NAME AGE POSITION OFFICER SINCE
---- --- ------------------------------- -------------
Peter W. Nauert 58 Chairman of the Board, 1998
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Andrew A. Boemi 56 Director 1997
Michael A. Cavataio 58 Director 1997
Bradley E. Cooper 35 Director 1998
Susan S. Fleming 31 Director 2000
Rodney L. Hale 61 Director 2000
Bruce M. Henry 42 Chief Marketing Officer and 2000
President of Ceres Sales, LLC
Robert J. Lunn 51 Director 2001
Charles E. Miller, Jr. 51 Executive Vice President and 1998
Chief Financial Officer
Mark A. Nielsen 49 Executive Vice 2000
President -- Senior Health
Operations
Anthony J. Pino 53 Executive Vice President 1999
William J. Ruh 41 Director 2000
Robert A. Spass 45 Director 1998
</Table>
The following describes the business background and experience of each of
our directors and executive officers.
Mr. Nauert has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a director
of Ceres since July 3, 1998 and Chairman of the Board since June 10, 1999. Mr.
Nauert joined Ceres in July 1998 after the expiration of his non-compete
agreement with Conseco, Inc., which in 1997 purchased Pioneer Financial
Services, Inc., an underwriter and marketer of health insurance, life insurance
and annuities throughout the United States. Mr. Nauert served as Chief Executive
Officer of Pioneer Financial Services from 1982 to 1997, and as Chairman from
1988 to 1997. Mr. Nauert had been employed in an executive capacity by one or
more of the insurance subsidiaries of Pioneer Financial Services from 1968 to
1997.
Mr. Boemi has been managing director of Turnaround Capital Partners, L.P.,
a company engaged in investing in small to mid-sized public and private
companies in the early turnaround stages, since 1997. In 1997, Mr. Boemi served
as the managing director of Marietta Capital Partners, a company engaged in
private investment banking and corporate restructuring. From 1990 to 1996, Mr.
Boemi was a partner of S-K Partners, Ltd., where he specialized in financial and
operational turnarounds of small to mid-sized companies and crisis management.
Mr. Cavataio is a real estate developer in northern Illinois and southern
Wisconsin. He served as a director of Pioneer Financial Services from 1986 to
1997 and served as Vice Chairman from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Cavataio has served as a
director of Firstar Bank of Northern Illinois since 1988 and as a director of
AON Funds, Inc., a subsidiary of AON Corp., a multi-line insurance and brokerage
company, since 1994.
Mr. Cooper has been a partner and co-founder of Capital Z Partners since
1998. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of SNTL Group, Inc.,
Highlands Insurance Group, American Capital Access Holdings and Universal
American Finance Corp. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Cooper served as a partner of
Insurance Partners, L.P. that executed investments in property and casualty
insurers, life and health
64
insurers, healthcare services firms, and related insurance businesses. Prior to
the formation of Insurance Partners, L.P., he was a vice president of
International Insurance Advisors, Inc., the management company of International
Insurance Investors, L.P. Prior to joining International Insurance Advisors,
Inc., Mr. Cooper was an investment banker in the Financial Institutions Group at
Salomon Brothers, Inc.
Ms. Fleming has been a principal of Capital Z since 1998. She serves on the
Board of Directors of Universal American Financial Corp. and Access Coverage
Corp. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Fleming served as a vice president of Insurance
Partners I, L.P., where she assisted in the successful completion of numerous
investments. Ms. Fleming also was an investment banking analyst with Morgan
Stanley & Co., working in the financial institutions M&A group and in firm
management from 1992 to 1994.
Mr. Hale has been the president of International Insurance Investment
Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in strategic alternatives for the
life insurance industry, since 1993. Since 1995, he has owned Sterling Investors
Life Insurance Company, a life and accident and health insurance company.
Mr. Henry has been our Chief Marketing Officer of Ceres since June 2000 and
President of Ceres Sales, LLC since March 2001. He was our Chief Sales Officer
since joining us in July 1998. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Henry was National Sales
Director for Design Benefit Plans, a marketing subsidiary of Pioneer Financial
Services. Prior to 1996, Mr. Henry was regional sales manager for a subsidiary
of Pioneer Financial Services.
Mr. Lunn is the founder of Lunn Partners, LLC, a private investment banking
firm established in 1994. He is the firm's managing partner and chief investment
officer, overseeing all investment activities. Prior to establishing Lunn
Partners, Mr. Lunn was a managing director at Lehman Brothers and a member of
Lehman Brokers' Operating Committee. He was head of the Financial Services
Division, which included Private Client Services, Global Management, Performance
Based Funds Management, and Securities Lending. Mr. Lunn was with Morgan Stanley
& Co. from 1977-1994. Mr. Lunn serves on the board of Shaw Industries.
Mr. Miller has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer since October 1998. From 1996 to 1998, he was a principal and president
of Wellington Partners, Inc., an insurance acquisition company. Mr. Miller was
also a consultant to Insurance Partners' funds. Before 1996, Mr. Miller was
executive vice president, chief financial officer and a director of Harcourt
General Insurance Companies.
Mr. Nielsen has served as Executive Vice President -- Senior Health
Operations since March 2001. Since July 2000, he has served as President of
Continental General. He has served as President of Pyramid Life since 1996 and
in various vice president capacities for Pyramid Life since 1978.
Mr. Pino has served as Executive Vice President of Ceres since February
2000 and was Senior Vice President of Ceres from August 1999 to February 2000.
From June to August 1999, he was a consultant to Ceres. From 1996 to 1999, Mr.
Pino was president of National Health Services, Inc., a managed care subsidiary
of United Payors & United Providers, an intermediary between health care payors
and health care providers. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Pino was executive vice
president of Pioneer Financial Services, Inc. and president of National Group
Life Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Pioneer.
Mr. Ruh has been a principal and co-founder of Castle Creek Capital, an
investment management company, since 1995. He is also a co-founder and has been
a principal of Belle Plaine Financial, a registered broker/dealer that conducts
financial advisory services and places private equity investments, since 1995.
Mr. Ruh worked for Bank One Corporation and Mabon Securities prior to founding
Castle Creek and Belle Plaine. Mr. Ruh presently serves as a director of
Veristar Corporation and First Community Bank of the Desert.
Mr. Spass has been a partner and co-founder of Capital Z Partners, an
investment management company, since 1998. Prior to co-founding Capital Z, Mr.
Spass was the Managing Partner and co-founder of Insurance Partners I, L.P. Mr.
Spass served as president and chief executive officer of International Insurance
Advisors, Inc., an investment management company, from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Spass
is a director
65
of USI Insurance Services, Universal American Financial Corporation, SNTL Group,
Highlands Insurance Group and Aames Financial Corp.
Our executive officers serve at the discretion of the board of directors,
although we have entered into employment agreements with our executive officers.
For more information on these agreements, see the section of this prospectus
called "Employment Agreements."
COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our board of directors has nine members. The directors are elected by our
stockholders at the annual meeting and each director holds office until the next
annual meeting and until his successor is properly elected. Certain of our
stockholders have entered into a voting agreement that governs who they will
vote for as directors of Ceres. For more information on this voting agreement,
see the section of this prospectus called "Principal Stockholders -- Voting
Agreement."
BOARD COMMITTEES
Our board of directors has standing executive, audit, investment and
compensation committees.
Executive Committee. Our executive committee has all powers of the board of
directors in the management of our business and affairs between board meetings
except the power to fill vacancies on the board or its committees. The executive
committee also functions as a nominating committee. As a nominating committee,
the executive committee seeks qualified persons to serve as directors and makes
recommendations to the Board of Directors. Currently, the members of the
executive committee are Mr. Nauert (chairman), Mr. Cavataio, Mr. Ruh and Mr.
Spass.
Audit Committee. Our audit committee recommends to the board of directors
the firm of independent accountants to serve us and reviews the scope,
performance and results of the annual audit. Currently, the members of the audit
committee are Mr. Boemi (chairman), Mr. Cavataio and Ms. Fleming.
Investment Committee. Our investment committee establishes policies for our
investments and monitors their management. Currently, the members of the
investment committee are Mr. Cavataio (chairman), Mr. Boemi and Mr. Hale.
Compensation Committee. Our compensation committee is responsible for
determining the compensation of our executive officers. Currently, the members
of the compensation committee are Mr. Ruh (chairman), Mr. Cooper and Mr. Hale.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During part of the year ended December 31, 2000, the members of the
compensation committee included Messrs. Cavataio, Cooper and Ruh. For a
discussion of transactions between Ceres and Messrs. Cavataio, Cooper and Ruh,
see the section of this prospectus called "Certain Related Transactions."
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
In 2000, our directors, with the exception of Messrs. Cooper, Nauert, and
Spass and Ms. Fleming, received a $2,500 quarterly retainer and each chairman of
a committee received a $5,000 annual fee for serving as a chairman of a
committee. In 2001, each director, except for Mr. Nauert, received a $2,500
quarterly retainer, non-qualified stock options to purchase 5,000 shares of our
common stock and each chairman of a committee will receive a $5,000 annual fee
for serving as a chairman of a committee.
66
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the annual compensation paid with respect to
the calendar years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, to our Chief
Executive Officer and our five most highly-compensated executive officers during
2000.
<Table>
<Caption>
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
---------------------------------------- ------------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) COMPENSATION(2) OPTIONS COMPENSATION(3)
--------------------------- ---- -------- -------- --------------- ------------ ---------------
PETER W. NAUERT................ 2000 -0- -0- $1,236,777(4) -- --
Chairman of the Board, 1999 -0- -0- 993,243(4) -- --
President and Chief 1998 -0- -0- -- 500,000 --
Executive Officer
BRUCE M. HENRY................. 2000 $226,500 $25,476 24,115 34,262 $ 33,873(5)
Chief Marketing Officer and 1999 176,900 -- -- 15,000 --
President of Ceres Sales, LLC 1998 103,800 -- -- 25,000 --
BILLY B. HILL, JR.(6).......... 2000 -0- 30,570 166,352(7) 29,114 305,000
Former General Counsel 1999 -0- -- 200,004(7) -- 240,000
1998 -0- -- -- 125,000 230,580
GLEN A. LAFFOON................ 2000 100,300 7,165 6,784 6,824 163,564(8)
Former Executive Vice 1999 215,200 -- -- 15,000 4,562
President and Assistant 1998 180,000 -- -- 25,000 1,000
Secretary of Ceres
CHARLES E. MILLER, JR. ........ 2000 248,300 28,660 27,123 27,294 49,242(10)
Executive Vice President 1999 211,900 -- -- 25,000 145,810(10)
and Chief Financial Officer 1998 93,000(9) -- -- 100,000 12,000(10)
ANTHONY J. PINO................ 2000 234,400 19,106 18,086 43,196 1,242
Executive Vice President 1999 98,200 -- -- 25,000 414
</Table>
- ---------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts in this column represent the bonus
paid to each officer under the 1999 officer bonus plan. These amounts were
earned in 1999 but paid in 2000. For more information on our 1999 officer
bonus plan, see "Officer Bonus Programs."
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts in this column represent the fair
market value on the date of grant of the stock award paid to each officer
under the 1999 officer bonus plan. These amounts were earned in 1999 but
paid in 2000. For more information on our 1999 officer bonus plan, see
"Officer Bonus Programs."
(3) For the year 2000, $1,000 represents the contribution payable by us in
stock to each of Messrs. Laffoon, Henry, Miller and Pino under our 401(k)
plan, and for the year 1999, to each of Messrs. Laffoon and Miller under
our 401(k) plan. For the year 1998, $1,000 represents the contribution
payable by us to Mr. Laffoon under our 401(k) plan.
(4) In 2000, 1999 and 1998, Mr. Nauert received no cash salary. Under his
current employment agreement, Mr. Nauert is entitled to a stock award
payable in shares of our common stock and a cash payment equal to the
amount of taxes payable on the stock award. In 2000, pursuant to his
employment agreement, Mr. Nauert received 130,040 shares of our common
stock valued at $883,412, and in 1999, Mr. Nauert received 108,108 shares
of our common stock valued at $709,459. He is also entitled to an amount
equal to the taxes payable on such awards which amounted to $353,365 in
2000 and $283,784 in 1999. For information regarding Mr. Nauert's current
employment agreement and his new employment agreement, see "Employment
Agreements." Mr. Nauert received no payment in 2000 under our 1999 officer
bonus plan.
(5) Includes $33,333 in connection with the forgiveness of 1/3 of a $100,000
loan from Ceres to Mr. Henry. An additional 1/3 of the loan will be
forgiven in each of 2001 and 2002.
(6) Mr. Hill served as our General Counsel until September 30, 2001 pursuant to
a retainer agreement under which he was paid an annual retainer. See
"Employment Agreements."
(7) In 2000, pursuant to his retainer agreement and the 1999 officer bonus
plan, Mr. Hill received 18,816 shares of our common stock, valued at
$127,089, and $39,263 in cash equal to the taxes payable on the stock
award, and
67
in 1999, pursuant to his retainer agreement, Mr. Hill received 16,667
shares of our common stock, valued at $133,336, and $66,668 in cash equal
to the taxes payable on the stock award.
(8) Includes $160,000 paid to Mr. Laffoon in connection with his retirement.
Mr. Laffoon retired on May 31, 2000.
(9) Includes a one-time payment of $50,000 to induce Mr. Miller to enter into
his employment agreement.
(10) Represents (i) payment of $4,000 per month for expenses relating to his
residence in Cleveland, Ohio, and (ii) in 1999, $96,000 related to
non-recurring expenses related to Mr. Miller's relocation from Florida to
Ohio. See "Employment Agreements."
OPTION GRANTS IN 2000
The following table summarizes information concerning options granted
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 to each of our executive officers
listed in the compensation table.
<Table>
<Caption>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
PERCENT OF ANNUAL RATES OF
TOTAL STOCK PRICE
NUMBER OF OPTIONS APPRECIATION
SHARES GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM*
UNDERLYING EMPLOYEES IN PRICE PER ---------------------
NAME OPTIONS 2000 SHARE EXPIRATION DATE 5% 10%
---- ---------- ------------ --------- ------------------ --------- ---------
Peter W. Nauert............ -0- -- -- -- -- --
Bruce M. Henry............. 10,000 1.7% $6.81 February 3, 2010 $ 42,815 $108,518
24,262 4.1% 7.00 September 13, 2010 106,795 270,556
Billy B. Hill, Jr.......... 29,114 5.0% 7.00 September 13, 2010 128,155 324,786
Glen A. Laffoon............ 6,824 1.2% 7.00 September 13, 2010 30,028 76,114
Charles E. Miller, Jr...... 27,294 4.7% 7.00 September 13, 2010 120,143 304,481
Anthony J. Pino............ 25,000 4.3% 6.81 February 3, 2010 107,057 271,319
18,196 3.1% 7.00 September 13, 2010 80,091 202,982
</Table>
- ---------------
* Assumes a ten-year term of the options.
Note: Each of the above options was granted under the 1998 Key Employee Share
Incentive Plan and each vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant
of such option. Mr. Laffoon's options were forfeited upon his retirement.
For more information on the 1998 Key Employee Share Incentive Plan, see
"Stock Option Plans" below.
OPTION VALUES AT YEAR-END 2000
The following table summarizes information with respect to the number of
unexercised options held by the executive officers listed in the compensation
table as of December 31, 2000. None of these executive officers exercised any
options in 2000.
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF
UNDERLYING OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
DECEMBER 31, 2000 DECEMBER 31, 2000*
------------------------- -------------------------
NAME EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
---- ------------------------- -------------------------
Peter W. Nauert.......................... 350,000/150,000 --/--
Bruce M. Henry........................... 0/74,262 --/--
Billy B. Hill, Jr........................ 25,000/129,114 $12,500/--
Glen A. Laffoon.......................... 0/46,824 --/--
Charles E. Miller, Jr.................... 70,000/82,294 --/--
Anthony J. Pino.......................... 0/68,196 --/--
</Table>
- ---------------
* Valued at $6.00 per share, the closing price per share of our common stock on
December 31, 2000.
68
OFFICER BONUS PROGRAMS
2000 Officer Bonus Plan. In February 2000, our Board of Directors, based on
the recommendation of our compensation committee, adopted the 2000 officer bonus
plan. The plan provided for two equal bonus pools for selected senior officers
and for Messrs. Henry, Hill, Miller and Pino. Bonuses were distributed out of
each pool pro rata based on the base salary of the individual officer. Both
pools were based on the achievement of pre-tax earnings targets. Bonuses were
paid 50% by a formula and 50% by discretion. The formula bonuses were paid 50%
in cash and 50% in shares of our common stock.
1999 Officer Bonus Plan. The 1999 bonus program for our executive officers
and other key employees became effective with the achievement of a minimum
pre-tax profit of $16 million. Eligibility for the 1999 bonus program was based
on 1999 salary and level of corporate responsibility. The bonus pool for
eligible officers was 10% of the 1999 net after-tax income. The bonus was paid
50% by formula and 50% by discretion. The discretionary payment was based on the
officer's performance, length of tenure and corporate expectations for 1999. The
bonus was paid 25% in our stock, 25% in cash and 50% in options. The bonus was
earned in 1999 but was paid in the second and third quarters of 2000.
STOCK OPTION PLANS
1998 KEY EMPLOYEE SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
Our 1998 Key Employee Share Incentive Plan was adopted by our stockholders
in 1999 and provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options or incentive
stock options to purchase our stock and the grant of options to receive payments
based on the appreciation of our common stock. As of November 1, 2001, there
were options granted under the plan to purchase 1,718,187 shares.
The plan was adopted to provide incentives to our key employees by
encouraging them to acquire a larger share ownership in our company, increasing
their proprietary interest in our business and enhancing their personal
financial interest in our success. The plan has 1,000,000 shares available for
grant to key employees and an additional 1,000,000 shares have been approved by
our board of directors and our stockholders at our June 2001 annual meeting. The
plan provides for the grant to employees (including officers and directors who
are employees) of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code, for the grant of non-qualified stock options to
eligible employees (including officers and directors who are employees), and for
the grant of stock appreciation rights. Incentive stock options may be
exercisable for up to ten years at an option price of not less than the fair
market value of our common stock on the date that the option is granted, or for
up to five years at an option price of not less than 110% of the fair market
value of the shares in the case of an officer or other key employee who owns, at
the time the option is granted, more than 10% of our common stock. Holders of
incentive stock options qualify for certain favorable tax treatment.
Non-qualified stock options may be exercisable for up to ten years at the
exercise price and upon the terms and conditions that our compensation committee
of our board of directors determines.
The plan is administered by our compensation committee, which designates
employees to whom options or stock appreciation rights are to be granted and
determines the terms of the awards, including the exercise price of options, the
number of shares subject to an option, the time when an option or stock
appreciation right may be exercised, and whether stock appreciation rights will
be made part of any options.
Options granted under the plan are subject to the following restrictions,
among others:
- the per share exercise price for incentive stock options must be
equal to or greater than 100% of the fair market value of a share on
the date of grant of the option;
- no option may be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from
the date of its grant; and
69
- options granted under the plan are subject to transfer restrictions
as follows:
- no option or stock appreciation right can be transferred by the
option or right holder other than by will or the laws of descent
and distribution; and
- no option can be pledged or used as collateral, nor can it be
subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
The compensation committee may condition the exercise of any option upon
the continued employment of the option holder with us and the committee will
require that from the date of grant of any incentive option until three months
prior to the date the option is exercised, the option holder must be an
employee.
If an option holder's employment by us is terminated because of his or her
permanent and total disability or death, then his or her options or stock
appreciation rights will expire one year after the date of termination. If an
option holder's employment is terminated for any other reason, then his or her
options or stock appreciation rights will terminate on the effective date of
termination. Options and stock appreciation rights become immediately
exercisable if there is a change in control (as defined in the plan).
An option holder may pay for the exercise of an option in cash or by check
or, with the consent of the compensation committee, with the surrender of shares
of our common stock having a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to
that portion of the purchase price for which payment in cash or check is not
made. The committee may also approve other methods of exercise for an option or
payment of an option price, provided that the payment method may not cause any
incentive stock option to not qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code or cause any share issued in connection with the exercise of an option not
to be fully paid and non-assessable.
Stock appreciation rights may be granted by the compensation committee to
key employees in tandem with options or on a stand-alone basis. No option
recipient is entitled to a grant of a stock appreciation right solely because he
or she receives an option. A stock appreciation right gives the holder the right
to receive payment per share of the stock appreciation right exercised in
shares, in cash (or check) or a combination of cash (or check) and shares equal
to the excess of our common stock's fair market value on the date of exercise
over its fair market value on the date the stock appreciation right was granted.
Exercise of an appreciation right issued in tandem with an option will result in
the reduction of the number of shares underlying the related option to the
extent of the stock appreciation right exercise. After the grant of a stock
appreciation right, an option holder intending to rely on an exemption from
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is required to hold the
stock appreciation right for six months from the date the price for the
appreciation right is fixed to the date of cash settlement. Additionally, in
order to remain exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, a stock
appreciation right must be exercised by a person subject to Section 16(b) only
during the period beginning on the third business day following the release of a
summary statement of our quarterly or annual sales and earnings and ending on
the twelfth business day following that date.
Our compensation committee, subject to the approval of the board of
directors, has the authority to amend, modify, suspend or terminate the plan,
provided that the committee's action does not impair the rights of any holder of
outstanding options or stock appreciation rights without the written consent of
that holder. In addition, certain amendments to the plan are subject to
stockholder approval. Unless terminated sooner, the plan will terminate on
September 30, 2008.
1998 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
We adopted the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan effective December 31, 1998.
The plan was amended in February 1999. The plan provided for the grant of
options to purchase 1,000 shares of our common stock to each full-time employee
of Central Reserve on December 31, 1998 who had not received any of our options
under any other option plan. In addition, eligible employees who had not
previously received options under the plan would receive an option to purchase
1,000 shares on December 31 of each year beginning in December 1999. The plan
provided for the grant of options to purchase up to a
70
maximum of 500,000 shares. The options are subject to certain restrictions and
vest three years after grant. The options terminate if the employee ceases to be
employed by Central Reserve before the option is vested and ten years after the
grant date. The purpose of the plan was to attract, retain and reward the full
time employees of Central Reserve and strengthen the mutuality of interest
between these employees and our stockholders. As of November 1, 2001, there were
outstanding under the plan options to purchase 338,000 shares. The plan was
terminated by our board of directors as of December 31, 2000 and no future
grants will be made. The outstanding grants under the plan were not affected by
the termination.
2000 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AND AGENT STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by our stockholders on
June 27, 2000. The employee stock purchase plan is administered by our
compensation committee. The compensation committee has all of the powers of our
board of directors with respect to the plan. The compensation committee may
adopt rules and regulations for purposes of the plan. We will make six-month
offerings beginning on May 1 and November 1 of each year.
All of our employees, including officers, who work more than 20 hours a
week are eligible to participate in the employee stock purchase plan. Temporary
employees are not eligible. As of December 31, 2000, we had approximately 1,100
employees eligible to participate in the employee stock purchase plan. However,
no employee is eligible to participate in the plan, if immediately after the
purchase, the employee would own shares possessing at least 5% of the total
combined voting power of Ceres or any of its subsidiaries. In addition, no
employee may purchase more than $25,000 worth of our common stock, determined at
the fair market value of the shares at the time the right to purchase is
granted, under all our employee stock purchase plans in any calendar year.
The employee stock purchase plan permits us to offer our common stock for
purchase by eligible employees at a price equal to 85% of the lesser of the
market value of the stock on the first day of the offering period, or the market
value of the stock on the last day of the offering period.
Eligible employees may accumulate savings through payroll deductions over
an offering period in order to purchase common stock at the end of the period.
Purchases of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan may only be
made with accumulated savings from payroll deductions, and an employee cannot
complete the purchases using other resources. The accumulated payroll deductions
for an offering are automatically applied at the end of the offering period to
purchase as many shares of common stock as feasible, and the unused balance will
be carried over to the next offering.
The rate, ranging from 1% to 15%, of an employee's payroll deduction must
be established before the offering. An employee's payroll deduction
authorization for one offering will apply to successive offerings unless the
employee changes the authorization. An employee may reduce, but not increase,
his or her rate of payroll deductions during an offering or withdraw from an
offering at any time. Upon withdrawal from any offering, the employee's
accumulated savings for the offering will be returned to the employee without
interest.
While each participant in the employee stock purchase plan is required to
sign an agreement authorizing payroll deductions, the participant may withdraw
from an offering by terminating his or her payroll deductions and by delivering
to us a notice of withdrawal from the plan. A participant may withdraw at any
time at least ten days prior to the end of the applicable offering period.
Upon any withdrawal from an offering by the employee, we will distribute to
the employee his or her accumulated payroll deductions without interest and no
further payroll deductions will be made from his or her pay. The employee's
interest in the offering will be automatically terminated. The employee would be
eligible to participate in the next offering by re-enrolling in the plan.
Any individual whose employment with us is terminated for any reason, other
than disability, death or retirement, before the end of an offering will become
ineligible to purchase common stock under the employee stock purchase plan.
71
Rights granted under the stock purchase plan are not transferable and may
be exercised only by the person to whom the rights are granted.
The employee stock purchase plan is intended to comply with Section 423 of
the Code. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the stock purchase plan
at any time. However, any increase in the number of shares of common stock
reserved for issuance under the employee stock purchase plan or material
modification of the eligibility requirements would require stockholder approval.
In addition, the employee stock purchase plan will terminate when all the shares
reserved for issuance under the plan have been purchased.
There are 1,000,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance in the
aggregate under the employee stock purchase plan and the 2000 Agent Stock
Purchase Plan.
Our 2000 Agent Stock Purchase Plan, which is similar to the employee plan,
allows some of our agents to purchase shares of our common stock at the same
discount from fair value. The agent stock purchase plan does not qualify as an
employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code.
In the event of a dissolution, liquidation or specified type of merger of
Ceres, the employee and agent stock purchase plans will terminate and the
compensation committee may accelerate the exercise date of the offering so that
the outstanding options may be exercised immediately prior to any such event.
BENEFIT PLANS
Effective January 1, 1998, our noncontributory pension plan was converted
into a defined contribution 401(k) savings plan. Employees become eligible to
participate in the 401(k) plan after six months of service. Based on the
provisions of the plan, participants may contribute up to 10% of their pretax
annual compensation. The plan provides for a 100% employer matching contribution
only for that portion of participant contributions made to a fund that holds
principally our shares of common stock, up to $1,000 annually. Our total
matching contributions were approximately $376,000 for 2000, $133,000 for 1999
and $52,000 for 1998.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Peter W. Nauert. July 1, 1998 Agreement. Mr. Nauert serves as our Chairman
of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Effective July 1, 1998, we
entered into an employment agreement, as amended, with Mr. Nauert under which he
served as Chief Executive Officer until June 30, 2001. Mr. Nauert received no
annual salary under the agreement. Rather, his compensation was composed of
three components:
- awards of our common stock or "stock awards";
- stock options; and
- incentive pay,
all designed to induce Mr. Nauert to enter into the agreement and to remain with
us for the three-year term of the agreement. These three components are
explained below:
Stock Award. Mr. Nauert received stock awards equal to 108,108
shares of our common stock on July 1, 1999, 26,722 shares of our common
stock on January 1, 2000, 32,421 shares of our common stock on April 1,
2000, 33,988 shares of our common stock on July 1, 2000, 36,909 shares
of our common stock on October 2, 2000, 34,626 shares of our common
stock on January 2, 2001, 37,166 shares of our common stock on April 2,
2001 and 103,412 shares of our common stock on July 1, 2001. The July 1,
2001 stock award included the stock awards for the quarters ending March
31, 2001 and June 30, 2001 and an additional payment of 25,225 shares.
Mr. Nauert also received a cash payment equal to the amount of taxes
payable on the stock award before the time these taxes became due.
72
Stock Options. Mr. Nauert was granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 500,000 shares of our common stock. The exercise prices of
the options are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE
- ----------------- --------------
100,000 $ 6.50
100,000 $ 7.50
100,000 $ 8.50
100,000 $ 9.50
100,000 $10.50
</Table>
Thirty percent (30%) of the options vested immediately upon issuance on
July 3, 1998, 20% vested on July 1, 1999, 20% vested on July 1, 2000,
and the remaining 30% vested on July 1, 2001. The vesting of all options
occurred pro rata among the various exercise price levels.
Incentive Pay. For each year of employment, Mr. Nauert would
receive an amount equal to 5% of the amount by which our pre-tax income
for such year exceeds the following targets: $14,544,000 in 1998;
$30,597,000 in 1999; and $30,093,000 in 2000. For 2000, 1999 and 1998,
Mr. Nauert did not qualify for any compensation under this component of
his agreement.
Under the agreement, Mr. Nauert was obligated to retain ownership of at
least 900,000 shares of our common stock unless we release him from this
obligation. Additionally, Mr. Nauert could have received cash bonuses or other
incentive compensation as our board of directors approved.
July 1, 2001 Agreement. On April 10, 2001, we entered into a new
employment agreement with Mr. Nauert, effective July 1, 2001, for a term of
two years. The new agreement is automatically renewable at the end of the
initial two year term for successive one year terms unless either party
gives written notice of termination. The terms of the new agreement are as
follows:
Salary and Stock Award. Under the new agreement, Mr. Nauert will
receive an annual base salary of $750,000 in cash. In addition, Mr. Nauert
is entitled to quarterly stock awards on the first day of each calendar
quarter in shares of our common stock equal to $125,000 divided by the
average closing price of our common stock for the calendar quarter
immediately preceding the payment. On October 1, 2001, Mr. Nauert received
a stock award equal to 28,403 shares of our common stock. Mr. Nauert will
also receive a cash payment equal to the federal, state and local taxes
payable by Mr. Nauert on the stock awards.
Stock Options. Mr. Nauert was granted options to purchase 250,000
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $5.12 per share. All
250,000 options vest on April 10, 2003. However, all of the options vest
upon the occurrence of a "Severenceable Event." A "Severenceable Event"
means any of the following:
- termination by the company for any reason other than for "Cause,"
as defined by the agreement,
- termination upon a "Change of Control" as defined by the
agreement,
- termination by Mr. Nauert for "Good Reason" as defined by the
agreement, or
- termination due to the death or total or partial disability of
Mr. Nauert.
Mr. Nauert will forfeit any unvested options if his employment is
terminated for any reason other than a "Severenceable Event" as set forth
above.
Incentive Pay. Mr. Nauert will participate in our officer bonus plan
based on specified target performance levels of the company. Mr. Nauert's
incentive pay could range from 0% of his cash salary to 100% of his cash
salary in any given year.
73
In the event that we terminate Mr. Nauert without "cause" or there
occurs a "qualifying termination" following a "change of control," Mr.
Nauert is entitled to two years' severance equal to his base salary and
stock awards, including the tax payments, and any incentive pay to which he
would have been entitled assuming the target level performance was met;
provided that after July 1, 2003, the incentive pay would be reduced to a
one year payment.
Bruce M. Henry. Mr. Henry serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Ceres and
President of Ceres Sales, LLC. On April 10, 2001, we entered into an employment
agreement with Mr. Henry under which he will serve as Chief Marketing Officer
until June 30, 2003. The agreement is automatically renewable at the end of the
initial term for successive one year terms unless we give prior written notice
of termination. If we terminate Mr. Henry's employment other than for cause, Mr.
Henry will be entitled to severance pay equal to 18 month's salary. In addition,
he will be entitled to severance pay equal to two years' salary in the event of
a "change of control" as defined in his employment agreement. The agreement also
provides for reimbursement of business expenses and certain other fringe
benefit. Under the agreement, Mr. Henry will receive bonuses under the officer
bonus plan.
Billy B. Hill, Jr. Mr. Hill served as our General Counsel pursuant to a
retainer agreement dated as of June 30, 1998 for a term of three years under
which Mr. Hill received a retainer of $240,000 per year. Effective January 1,
2000, Mr. Hill's retainer was increased to $300,000. Under the agreement, Mr.
Hill received stock options to purchase 125,000 shares of our common stock.
Twenty-five thousand of the options vested immediately at an exercise price of
$5.50 per share. The remainder vested on July 1, 2001. The exercise price of the
other options is as follows: $6.50 -- 25,000 options; $7.50 -- 25,000 options;
$8.50 -- 25,000 options; and $9.50 -- 25,000 options. Mr. Hill could have also
received cash bonuses or other cash incentive compensation as our board of
directors approved. The agreement provided for the reimbursement of reasonable
business expenses. Under the agreement, Mr. Hill was not required to devote all
of his time to Ceres. On April 10, 2001, we amended Mr. Hill's retainer
agreement to extend the term of the agreement until June 30, 2003. The agreement
was automatically renewable at the end of the term for successive one year terms
unless we gave prior written notice of termination. On September 30, 2001, Mr.
Hill resigned his position and his retainer agreement was terminated.
Glen A. Laffoon. Mr. Laffoon served as Executive Vice President and
Assistant Secretary of Ceres and as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Central Reserve until his retirement on May 31, 2000. Pursuant to his retirement
agreement, Mr. Laffoon was paid $160,000 on or before July 1, 2000 and an
additional $160,000 on January 31, 2001.
Charles E. Miller, Jr. Mr. Miller joined Ceres on October 1, 1998 as
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. On December 7, 1998, Mr.
Miller was also elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Central Reserve. He became Treasurer of Central Reserve in January 1999. On
October 1, 1998, we entered into a three-year employment agreement with Mr.
Miller that provides for a base salary of $175,000 and a one-time payment of
$50,000 to induce Mr. Miller to enter into the agreement. On April 1, 1999, Mr.
Miller's salary was increased to $225,000 per year. Effective January 1, 2000,
Mr. Miller's salary was increased to $250,000 for the remainder of the term. If
we terminated Mr. Miller's employment other than for cause, Mr. Miller was
entitled to severance pay equivalent to one year's salary. Additionally, Mr.
Miller was granted options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock at an
exercise price of $6.50. Of these, 40,000 vested immediately; 30,000 vested
October 1, 2000; and the remaining 30,000 vested on October 1, 2001. The
agreement also provides for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses of
relocation. Under the agreement, Mr. Miller may receive cash bonuses or other
cash-incentive compensation as the Board of Directors may approve. On April 10,
2001, we amended Mr. Miller's employment agreement to extend the term of his
employment until June 30, 2003. Mr. Miller's employment agreement is
automatically renewable at the end of the term for successive one year terms
unless we give prior written notice of termination. Pursuant to the amendment,
Mr. Miller will be entitled to severance pay equal to 18 months' salary if we
terminate him without cause. In addition, he will be entitled to severance pay
equal to two years' salary in the event of a "change of control" as defined in
the amendment. Mr. Miller will receive bonuses under the officer bonus plan.
74
Anthony J. Pino. Mr. Pino serves as Executive Vice President of Ceres. He
served as Senior Vice President of Claims from August 1999 until his promotion
to Executive Vice President in February 2000. Mr. Pino and Central Reserve
entered into an employment agreement effective October 1, 1999 under which Mr.
Pino will receive a salary of $150,000 for the period of October 1, 1999 through
October 1, 2000 and each renewal year. Effective January 1, 2000, his salary was
increased to $200,000 for the remainder of the term. His salary was increased
again to $250,000. The agreement automatically renews for succeeding one-year
terms unless we provide 60 days' advance notice. If we terminated Mr. Pino's
employment other than for cause, Mr. Pino was entitled to severance pay
equivalent to one year's salary. His agreement also provides for reimbursement
of business expenses and certain other fringe benefits. On April 10, 2001, we
amended Mr. Pino's employment agreement to extend the term of his employment
until June 30, 2003. Mr. Pino's employment agreement is automatically renewable
at the end of the term for successive one year terms unless we give prior
written notice of termination. Pursuant to the amendment, Mr. Pino will be
entitled to severance pay equal to 18 months' salary if we terminate him without
cause. In addition, he will be entitled to severance pay equal to two years'
salary in the event of a "change of control" as defined in the amendment. Mr.
Pino will receive bonuses under the officer bonus plan.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of November 1, 2001, information
regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock prior to this offering of
14,000,000 shares and the percentage ownership prior to this offering based on
17,664,847 shares outstanding and the percentage ownership after this offering
by:
- each stockholder known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than
5% of our common stock,
- each director,
- each executive officer included in our 2000 executive compensation
table, and
- our directors and executive officers as a group.
The information contained in this table does not include:
- 2,100,000 shares of our common stock issuable pursuant to the
underwriters' over-allotment option;
- 15,000 shares of our common stock issuable under non-qualified stock
options not pursuant to any plan that are outstanding but not
presently exercisable,
- 1,439,602 shares of our common stock issuable under stock options
that are outstanding but not presently exercisable pursuant to the
1998 Key Employee Share Incentive Plan,
- 338,000 shares of our common stock issuable under stock options that
are outstanding but not presently exercisable pursuant to the 1998
Employee Stock Option Plan,
- 78,706 shares of our common stock issuable under stock options that
are outstanding and presently exercisable pursuant to the 1999
Special Agents' Stock Option Plan; and
- shares issuable upon the exercise by the QQLink stockholders of
their put option, as described in "Description of Capital Stock --
Common Stock -- Put Option of QQLink Stockholders."
<Table>
<Caption>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT
PRIOR PERCENT
EQUITY GUARANTEE TO AFTER
NAMES AND ADDRESS(2) SHARES WARRANTS(3) WARRANTS(4) OPTIONS(5) TOTAL OFFERING OFFERING
-------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
International Managed Care,
LLC(6)............................. 3,749,285 1,422,184 -- -- 5,171,469 27.1% 15.6%
54 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
</Table>
75
<Table>
<Caption>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT
PRIOR PERCENT
EQUITY GUARANTEE TO AFTER
NAMES AND ADDRESS(2) SHARES WARRANTS(3) WARRANTS(4) OPTIONS(5) TOTAL OFFERING OFFERING
-------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
International Managed Care
(Bermuda), L.P.(6)................. 1,826,171 785,393 -- -- 2,611,564 14.2% 8.0%
54 Thompson Street
New York, New York 10012
Peter W. Nauert(6)(7).............. 1,592,938 569,036 500,000 500,000 3,161,974 16.4% 9.5%
Lunn-Ceres II, LLC(6).............. 1,434,000 -- -- -- 1,434,000 8.1% 4.5%
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Lunn-Ceres, LLC(6)(8).............. 400,000 -- -- -- 400,000 2.3% 1.3%
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Lunn Partners Small Cap Value
Equity Fund L.P.(6)................ 25,000 -- -- -- 25,000 * *
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Lunn Partners Micro Cap Value
Equity Fund L.P.(6)................ 16,666 -- -- -- 16,666 * *
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Richard M. Osborne(6)(9)........... 778,210 366,236 300,000 -- 1,444,446 7.9% 4.5%
8500 Station Street, Suite 113
Mentor, Ohio 44060
United Insurance Company of
America(10)........................ 1,379,521 -- -- -- 1,379,521 7.8% 0.0%
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Castle Creek Capital Partners
Fund IIa, LP(6).................... 1,171,725 -- -- -- 1,171,725 6.6% 3.7%
6051 El Tordo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Castle Creek Capital Partners
Fund IIb, LP(6).................... 494,942 -- -- -- 494,942 2.8% 1.6%
6051 El Tordo
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Medical Mutual of Ohio(6).......... 480,009 184,735 -- -- 664,744 3.7% 2.1%
1200 Huron Road, Tenth Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Billy B. Hill, Jr.(6)(12).......... 114,489 23,841 100,000 199,114 437,444 2.4% 1.4%
LEG Partners SBIC, L.P.(6)......... 240,003 92,367 -- -- 332,370 1.9% 1.0%
230 Park Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10169
Michael A. Cavataio(6)(11)......... 231,818 92,367 -- -- 324,185 1.8% 1.0%
3125 Ramsgate Road
Rockford, Illinois 61114
Joseph Cusimano IRA(6)............. 131,912 46,183 -- -- 178,095 1.0% *
c/o Lunn Partners
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Howard R. Conant(6)................ 90,909 46,184 -- -- 137,093 * *
c/o Lunn Partners
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Charles E. Miller, Jr.(6)(13)...... 20,006 3,016 -- 100,000 123,022 * *
Glen A. Laffoon(6)(14)............. 80,978 -- -- -- 80,978 * *
Val Rajic(6)....................... -- -- -- 75,000 75,000 * *
</Table>
76
<Table>
<Caption>
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENT
PRIOR PERCENT
EQUITY GUARANTEE TO AFTER
NAMES AND ADDRESS(2) SHARES WARRANTS(3) WARRANTS(4) OPTIONS(5) TOTAL OFFERING OFFERING
-------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- -------- --------
Carramore Limited(6)............... 66,666 -- -- -- 66,666 * *
c/o Lunn Partners
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Bruce M. Henry(6).................. 31,905 7,239 -- 25,000 64,144 * *
Alfa Laval, Inc.(6)................ 41,666 -- -- -- 41,666 * *
c/o The Northern Trust Co.
40 Broad Street, 8(th) Floor
New York, New York 10004
Michael A. Crowe(6)................ 41,666 -- -- -- 41,666 * *
c/o Lunn Partners
One North Franklin, Suite 750
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Anthony J. Pino(6)................. 24,076 2,681 -- -- 26,757 * *
Sally J. Krogh(6).................. 25,000 -- -- -- 25,000 * *
c/o Stifel, Nicolaus and Co.,
Inc.
4343 E. State Street
Rockford, Illinois 61108
Kenneth A. Mannino(6)(15).......... 25,000 -- -- -- 25,000 * *
c/o Stifel, Nicolaus and Co.,
Inc.
4343 E. State Street
Rockford, Illinois 61108
Ralph Alexander(6)(16)............. 8,947 8,177 -- -- 17,124 * *
Richard Kusnic(6).................. 5,502 1,340 -- 10,000 16,842 * *
Ronald Kotowski(6)................. 4,928 134 -- 10,000 15,062 * *
John Kertis(6)..................... 3,101 1,340 -- 10,000 14,441 * *
Marc C. Krantz(6).................. 6,967 2,310 -- -- 9,277 * *
1375 E. Ninth Street, 20th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Krantz Family Limited
Partnership(6)..................... 5,965 2,309 -- -- 8,274 * *
1375 E. Ninth Street, 20th Floor
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
George Gehringer(6)................ 6,316 671 -- -- 6,987 * *
John Cochrane(6)................... 6,000 -- -- -- 6,000 * *
209 S. LaSalle #205
Chicago, IL 60604
Mark A. Nielsen.................... 5,331 -- -- -- 5,331 * *
Andrew A. Boemi(6)(17)............. 4,000 -- -- -- 4,000 * *
Robert Lunn(18).................... 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
Bradley E. Cooper.................. 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
Susan S. Fleming................... 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
Rodney L. Hale..................... 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
William J. Ruh(19)................. 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
Robert A. Spass(20)................ 0 -- -- -- 0 0.0% 0.0%
All directors and executive
officers as a group (13
individuals)..................... 1,910,074 674,339 500,000 625,000 3,709,413 19.1% 11.1%
Voting and stockholders agreements
group(6)......................... 13,186,766 3,657,743 900,000 929,114 18,673,623 80.7% 42.8%
</Table>
- ---------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table
have sole investment and voting power over the warrants, options and/or
shares of stock owned.
77
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the beneficial owners
identified is c/o Ceres Group, Inc., 17800 Royalton Road, Cleveland, Ohio
44136.
(3) Warrants to purchase shares at $5.41 per share exercisable any time until
July 2, 2005. These warrants are known as the equity warrants. The number
of shares issuable upon the exercise of the equity warrants and the
original exercise price of $5.50 per share was adjusted on July 25 and July
26, 2000 in connection with the acquisition of Pyramid Life. These equity
warrants may be subject to further adjustment in connection with this
offering or otherwise pursuant to the warrants' anti-dilution provision.
(4) Warrants to purchase shares at $6.00 per share exercisable any time until
five years from the date of issuance (December 16, 1997 and July 3, 1998).
These warrants are known as the guarantee warrants.
(5) Options to purchase shares that are presently or will become exercisable
within 60 days.
(6) All of these shares, equity warrants, guarantee warrants and options,
totaling 18,673,623 or 80.7%, are subject to a voting agreement and/or a
stockholders agreement. Shares, equity warrants, guarantee warrants and
options, totaling 17,047,959 or 73.6%, are subject to a voting agreement
and shares, equity warrants, guarantee warrants and options, totaling
17,006,956 or 73.5%, are subject to a stockholders agreement. As a result,
each of these persons may be deemed to beneficially own, as a part of a
group, all of these shares. Each of these persons disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares beneficially owned by the other persons who are
parties to the voting and stockholders agreements, except that the Castle
Creek funds are not subject to the stockholders agreement and each of
Lunn-Ceres II, Alfa Laval, Mr. Crowe, Lunn Partners Micro Cap, Lunn
Partners Small Cap and Carramore Limited are not subject to the voting
agreement. In addition, Mr. Osborne and Turkey Vulture Fund will not be
subject to the voting agreement after this offering.
(7) Includes 1,287,694 shares, 569,036 equity warrants and 500,000 guarantee
warrants held by the Peter W. Nauert Revocable Trust, of which Mr. Nauert
is the trustee.
(8) On December 14, 2000, Lunn-Ceres, LLC distributed its shares to its members
on a prorata basis as follows: Peter H. Huizenga -- 66,668; Kevin F. Flynn
June, 1992 Non-exempt Trust -- 40,000; KMK & Associates -- 33,334; Howard
Conant, Jr. -- 33,333; Howard R. Conant -- 33,333; Joseph Cusimano
IRA -- 33,333; Peer Pedersen -- 33,333; Richard A. Forsythe Revocable
Trust -- 33,333; Arthur A. Watson III Trust -- 20,000; Michael L.
Keiser -- 13,334; Cedar Stone, LLC -- 13,333; J. Douglas Gray -- 13,333;
Colleen Megan Watson Trust -- 13,333; Eva Losacco & Michael
Losacco -- 13,333; and Mark Molloy -- 6,667.
(9) Includes 778,210 shares and 366,236 equity warrants held by Turkey Vulture
Fund XIII, Ltd., an Ohio limited liability company, of which Mr. Osborne is
the sole Manager.
(10) Represents $7.5 million of our convertible voting preferred stock at the
initial conversion price of $6.145 per share, plus paid and accrued but
unpaid dividends at November 1, 2001. The convertible voting preferred
stock is convertible at any time. Dividends are payable annually in shares
of the convertible voting preferred stock. For more information on the
convertible voting preferred stock, see "Description of Capital
Stock -- Convertible Voting Preferred Stock."
(11) Includes 54,682 shares and 26,164 equity warrants held by the Mercantile
Bank of Northern Illinois, Trustee of the Conseco Deferred Compensation
Plan F/B/O Michael Cavataio and 5,385 shares held by Stifel, Nicolaus and
Co., Custodian for Michael A. Cavataio IRA.
(12) Includes 50,455 shares and 23,841 equity warrants held by Karon Hill, Mr.
Hill's wife.
(13) Includes 2,600 shares and 3,016 equity warrants held by First Union
National Bank C/F Charles E. Miller, Jr. R/O IRA.
(14) Includes 41,150 shares held by Mr. Laffoon's wife and 3,000 shares held
jointly with his wife.
(15) Shares held by Stifel, Nicolaus and Co., Custodian for Kenneth A. Mannino
IRA.
(16) Includes 8,177 equity warrants held by First Clearing Corp. Custodian Ralph
Alexander IRA.
(17) Includes 3,000 shares held in trust for Mr. Boemi's children.
78
(18) Mr. Lunn is the beneficial owner of 227 shares held through his limited
partnership interests in limited partnerships that invested in Lunn-Ceres
II, LLC.
(19) Mr. Ruh is a managing member of Castle Creek Capital LLC, general partner
of Castle Creek Capital Partners Fund IIa, LP and Castle Creek Capital
Partners Fund IIb, LP. Mr. Ruh disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares
owned by the Castle Creek funds.
(20) Mr. Spass is a managing partner of an indirect general partner of each of
the International Managed Care funds. Mr. Spass disclaims beneficial
ownership of all shares and equity warrants owned by the International
Managed Care funds.
VOTING AGREEMENT
We are a party to an Amended and Restated Voting Agreement, originally
dated as of July 1, 1998 and amended on July 1, 2000. The voting agreement was
amended and restated in connection with the acquisition of Pyramid Life to
provide the Castle Creek funds a board seat designation. The voting agreement
will remain in effect until July 2, 2003, unless earlier terminated. The voting
agreement, as amended, provides that the parties to the agreement will cause our
board of directors to consist of nine directors, some or all, as applicable, of
whom will be the following individuals:
- four individuals designated by the International Managed Care funds,
so long as the International Managed Care funds and their officers,
directors, employees and affiliates own shares equal to at least
3,259,092 shares of our common stock, three individuals designated
by the International Managed Care funds, so long as the
International Managed Care funds own at least 2,172,728 shares of
our common stock, but less than 3,259,092 shares, two individuals
designated by the International Managed Care funds, so long as the
International Managed Care funds own at least 1,086,364 shares of
our common stock, but less than 2,172,728 shares, and one individual
designated by the International Managed Care funds, so long as the
International Managed Care funds own at least 434,545 shares of our
common stock, but less than 1,086,364 shares;
- two individuals designated by Strategic Acquisition Partners, LLC,
so long as Strategic Partners and its affiliates own at least
631,976 shares of our common stock, and one individual designated by
Strategic Partners, so long as Strategic Partners and its affiliates
own at least 126,395 shares of our common stock, but less than
631,976 shares; and
- one individual designated by the Castle Creek funds so long as the
Castle Creek funds and their affiliates own at least 416,667 shares
of our common stock.
Currently, the International Managed Care funds have the right to designate four
directors, Strategic Partners has the right to designate two, and each of the
Castle Creek funds and Turkey Vulture Fund has the right to designate one
director. The director(s) designated by:
- the International Managed Care funds are Messrs. Cooper, Spass and
Lunn and Ms. Fleming;
- Strategic Partners are Messrs. Cavataio and Nauert; and
- Castle Creek is Mr. Ruh.
In addition, the voting agreement prohibits the transfer of any shares of
our common stock owned by the parties to the agreement except for transfers:
- pursuant to an effective registration statement;
- pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
- where the purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of the
agreement.
However, the voting agreement does not prohibit the transfer of the equity
warrants or the guarantee warrants or the shares issuable upon their exercise.
This agreement may render more difficult or tend to discourage mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers or proxy contests. More than two-thirds of the
holders under
79
the voting agreement have agreed that they would be in favor of terminating the
agreement if our stockholders vote at our 2002 annual meeting to divide our
board of directors into three classes, each with three directors, serving
staggered terms of office of three years. These holders also have indicated that
they would vote for such a staggered board. However, there can be no assurance
that our stockholders will approve a staggered board at the 2002 annual meeting.
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
We and some of our stockholders have entered into a stockholders agreement,
dated as of July 1, 1998, as amended on February 17, 1999 and July 25, 2000,
that provides that each of these stockholders will have certain rights in
connection with certain sales of shares by the other parties to the
stockholders' agreement. Specifically, if the International Managed Care funds
sell shares representing more than 20% of our outstanding common stock, the
International Managed Care funds have the right to require each of the other
parties to sell a portion of his, her or its shares which represents the same
percentage of the fully diluted shares held by that stockholder as the shares
being sold by the International Managed Care funds represent of the fully
diluted shares it holds. For example, if the International Managed Care funds
were selling 75% of its fully diluted stock, it could require each of the other
parties to also sell 75% of their fully diluted stock. All shares transferred
pursuant to this provision of the stockholders agreement will be sold at the
same price and time, and otherwise be treated identically with, the shares being
sold by the International Managed Care funds.
The stockholders agreement also provides that if any party desires to sell
shares, other than a sale in an underwritten public offering pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, representing more
than 20% of our outstanding common stock, then the selling stockholder must make
an offer to each of the other parties to the stockholders' agreement to include
in the proposed sale a portion of that stockholder's shares which represents the
same percentage of that stockholder's fully diluted shares as the shares being
sold by the selling stockholder represents of its fully diluted shares.
All of the parties to the stockholders and voting agreements are also
parties to a registration rights agreement. For more information on this
registration rights agreement, see "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
CERTAIN RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In connection in this offering, we will repurchase all of our convertible
voting preferred stock, which is owned by United Insurance, for an agreed upon
discounted price of $5.0 million.
In 2000, we reimbursed Geneva Capital, Inc., a company owned by Peter
Nauert, approximately $253,000 in connection with our proportionate share of the
use of a plane leased by Geneva Capital. In 1999, we reimbursed Geneva Capital
approximately $104,000 in connection with our use of the plane.
Effective July 26, 2000, we acquired The Pyramid Life Insurance Company
from United Insurance Company of America, a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. Of the
$67.5 million purchase price, $20 million was obtained from the proceeds of the
sale of 3,333,334 shares of our common stock in a private placement offering to
Castle Creek Capital Partners Fund IIa, LP, Castle Creek Capital Partners Fund
IIb, LP, and Lunn-Ceres II, LLC or its designees for $6.00 per share. Mr. Ruh,
one of our directors, has been a principal of Castle Creek Capital, an
investment management company, since 1995. Mr. Lunn, one of our directors, has
been the managing partner of Lunn Partners, LLC since its formation in 1994.
Lunn Partners is the managing member of Lunn-Ceres II, LLC. In addition, we paid
Lunn Partners a $500,000 placement fee in connection with the Pyramid Life
offering.
On February 17, 1999, we acquired Continental General Corporation and its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental General Insurance Company, from the Western
and Southern Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, for $84.5 million in
cash. We sold 2,000,000 shares of our newly-issued common stock for $15.0
million, or $7.50 per share, in a private placement offering to raise a portion
of the purchase price. The $7.50 per share price was based on the market price
of our common stock at the time the
80
private placement transaction was being negotiated. The investors that purchased
shares in February 1999 were primarily the same investors that participated in
our equity financing in July 1998 described below.
Mr. Nauert, Mr. Cavataio, Mr. Miller, Mr. Laffoon, Mr. Boemi, Karon Hill
(Mr. Hill's wife), and the International Managed Care funds were investors in
the February 1999 private placement offering. Mr. Nauert purchased 62,000 shares
for $465,000; Mr. Cavataio purchased 50,000 shares for $375,000; Mr. Rajic
purchased 5,000 shares for $37,500; Mr. Miller purchased 2,600 shares for
$19,500; Mr. Laffoon purchased 4,000 shares for $30,000; Mr. Boemi purchased
3,000 shares for $22,500; Ms. Hill purchased 5,000 shares for $37,500;
International Managed Care, LLC purchased 949,819 shares for $7,123,642.50; and
International Managed Care (Bermuda), L.P. purchased 280,181 shares for
$2,101,357.50. Mr. Cooper is a partner and Mr. Spass is the managing partner of
Insurance Partners Advisors, L.P., an investment management company which
performs investment banking services for the International Managed Care funds
and their portfolio companies. In addition, Mr. Spass is a managing partner of
an indirect general partner of each of the International Managed Care funds. All
of the investors in the February 1999 private placement offering are parties to
voting, stockholders and registration rights agreements. For more information on
these agreements, see "Principal Stockholders -- Voting Agreement,"
"-- Stockholders Agreement" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
On March 30, 1998, we entered into an amended and restated stock purchase
agreement with Strategic Partners and the International Managed Care funds. The
March 30, 1998 agreement amended and restated an agreement entered into on
November 26, 1997 between Ceres and Strategic Partners. Following the receipt of
stockholder approval, the transaction closed on July 3, 1998, at which time we
issued and sold, in a private placement offering, 7,300,000 shares of common
stock at $5.50 per share and 3,650,000 equity warrants for an aggregate purchase
price of $40.2 million, or $37.7 million net of expenses.
At the same time we signed the original agreement with Strategic Partners
in November 1997, Strategic Partners arranged for an interim loan of $20.0
million to us. In consideration for the arrangement of this bridge loan, we
issued 800,000 guarantee warrants and an additional 200,000 guarantee warrants
upon receipt of stockholder approval in July 1998. The guarantee warrants were
issued to Mr. Nauert (500,000), Mr. Osborne (300,000) and Mr. Hill (100,000).
Val Rajic exercised his guarantee warrant (100,000 shares) in August 2000. The
bridge loan was paid in full on July 3, 1998 in connection with the closing of
the July 1998 private placement offering. The proceeds of the July 1998 private
placement offering were used to:
- pay off the Strategic Partners bridge loan, plus interest,
- pay related transaction expenses, such as legal, printing,
accounting and investment banking fees, and
- to make a $5.0 million contribution to the surplus of Central
Reserve.
The remaining $13.0 million was used for working capital at Ceres. The July 1998
private placement offering resulted in a change of control of Ceres.
Mr. Nauert, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Cavataio, Ms. Hill, and the International
Managed Care funds were investors in the July 1998 private placement offering.
Mr. Nauert purchased 933,636 shares of common stock and 466,818 equity warrants
for $5,134,998; Mr. Osborne purchased 720,910 shares and 360,455 equity warrants
for $3,965,005; Mr. Cavataio purchased 181,818 shares and 90,909 equity warrants
for $999,999; Ms. Hill purchased 100,000 shares and 50,000 equity warrants for
$550,000; International Managed Care, LLC purchased 2,799,466 shares and
1,399,733 equity warrants for $15,397,063; and International Managed Care
(Bermuda), L.P. purchased 1,545,990 shares and 772,995 equity warrants for
$8,502,945. Mr. Cooper is a partner and Mr. Spass is the managing partner of
Insurance Partners Advisors, L.P., an investment management company which
performs investment banking services for the International Managed Care funds
and their portfolio companies. In addition, Mr. Spass is a managing partner of
an indirect general partner of each of the International Managed Care funds. Mr.
Nauert is the principal investor in Strategic Partners. Ms. Hill was also an
investor in Strategic Partners. All of the
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investors in the July 1998 private placement offering are parties to voting,
stockholder and registration rights agreements. For more information regarding
these agreements, see "Principal Stockholders -- Voting Agreement,"
"-- Stockholders Agreement" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale."
In order to comply with certain state insurance regulatory requirements
that prohibit providing group life insurance unless at least ten lives are
insured, we formed CRL Preferred Group, Inc., International Professional Group,
Inc., North America Preferred Employers, Inc., and Keystone Employers Group,
Inc. to serve as trustees of trusts established to provide group life insurance
to employers with less than ten employees. In compliance with state regulations
that require that the stockholders of these "trustee corporations" be natural
persons, certain individuals hold, for our benefit, all of the outstanding
shares of these trustee corporations and are directors of the corporations. None
of the officers or directors of these corporations receives any compensation for
serving in that capacity.
For a discussion of the employment agreements we have with Messrs. Nauert,
Miller, Laffoon and Hill, see "Management -- Employment Agreements."
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
As of November 1, 2001, our authorized capital stock consisted of
50,000,000 authorized shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share,
17,664,847 shares of which were outstanding, 1,900,000 authorized shares of
non-voting preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, none of which were
outstanding, and 100,000 authorized shares of convertible voting preferred
stock, par value $0.001 per share, 81,986.3 shares of which were outstanding.
The following description of our capital stock is not complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
and Bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC and are available as
described in "Available Information."
COMMON STOCK
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share owned as of
the date of the vote on all matters presented to a vote of the stockholders,
including the election of directors. For more information on the election of
directors, see the section of this prospectus called "Principal
Stockholders -- Voting Agreement." Except as may otherwise be required by
Delaware General Corporation Law and our Certificate of Incorporation, the
holders of non-voting preferred stock are not entitled to vote on any matters to
be voted on by our stockholders. For more information on our non-voting
preferred stock, see the section below called "Non-Voting Preferred Stock."
However, the holders of our convertible voting preferred stock are entitled to
vote on all matters presented to a vote of our common stockholders, including
the election of directors. For more information on our convertible voting
preferred stock, see "Convertible Voting Preferred Stock."
Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding preferred stock,
each holder of common stock is entitled to receive any dividends that are
declared by our board of directors out of legally available funds. Upon our
liquidation or dissolution, each holder of common stock will be entitled to a
pro rata share in any distribution of our assets after the payment of all debts
and other liabilities, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding
preferred stock. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights to
purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no
conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the
common stock.
All outstanding shares of our common stock, including those issued in this
offering, will be fully paid and nonassessable.
PUT OPTION OF QQLINK STOCKHOLDERS. In November 2000, we sold 150,000 shares
of Class A common stock of QQLink at $1.00 per share to 17 investors in a
private placement offering for an aggregate purchase price of $2.55 million. We
sold an additional 150,000 shares of Class A common stock at $1.00 per share to
one of our agents in May 2001. The purchasers in these private placement
offerings were primarily agents. Ceres owns 40,000,000 shares of Class B common
stock of QQLink, or 94% of QQLink's
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outstanding shares. The Class B common stock is convertible into Class A common
stock at Ceres' option. Beginning on November 3, 2002, pursuant to a
stockholders' agreement between QQLink, Ceres and the QQLink investors, the
QQLink investors will have the right to exchange each share of their QQLink
Class A common stock for shares of our common stock but only if at least
two-thirds of the QQLink Class A common stock are voted in favor of exercising
this put option. If at least two-thirds of the shares are voted in favor of
exercising the put option, all holders will be required to put their QQLink
shares to Ceres. Each share may be put for the number of shares of our common
stock equal to an exchange rate on November 3, 2002. The exchange rate means a
fraction having a numerator equal to the fair market value of each share of
QQLink Class A common stock determined by an investment banker appointed by our
board of directors, and a denominator equal to the average closing price per
share of our common stock for each trading day during the 30 calendar days
immediately preceding November 3, 2002. The shares of our common stock received
after exercise of the put option will be unregistered with the SEC. Until such
time as the Class A common stock of QQLink is exchanged for our common stock,
the holders of the Class A common stock will have no rights with respect to our
common stock other than to exchange their shares.
In addition, beginning on November 3, 2002, we will have the right to
purchase for cash all, but not less than all, of these shares of QQLink Class A
common stock. The purchase price per share will be the fair market value of each
share on the purchase date, as determined by an investment banker appointed by
our board of directors.
NON-VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Our board of directors has the authority (without action by the
stockholders) to issue the authorized and unissued non-voting preferred stock in
one or more series, to designate the number of shares constituting any series,
and to fix, by resolution, the preferences, rights, privileges, restrictions and
other rights associated with the preferred stock, including liquidation
preferences, dividend rights and conversion and redemption rights of that
series. Under certain circumstances we could issue this non-voting preferred
stock to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control. We do not currently
intend to issue any shares of preferred stock.
CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
The holder of our convertible voting preferred stock, United Insurance
Company of America, is entitled to vote on all matters presented for a vote of
our common stockholders. Each holder of the convertible voting preferred stock
has the number of votes equal to the largest number of whole shares of our
common stock into which the holders' convertible voting preferred stock can then
be converted. The holders of the convertible voting preferred stock and the
holders of our common stock vote together as one class on all matters presented
for a vote.
The holders of our convertible voting preferred stock are entitled to
receive dividends prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any
dividend on our common stock at the rate of 10% per year. These dividends are
cumulative and are payable annually in additional shares of convertible voting
preferred stock without a declaration of a dividend by our board of directors.
As of November 1, 2001, we had paid a dividend of 6,986.3 shares of convertible
voting preferred stock and have also accrued a dividend equal to 2,785 shares of
convertible voting preferred stock, or 1,379,521 shares of our common stock
assuming conversion. In addition, as long as any shares of the convertible
voting preferred stock are outstanding, we cannot declare or pay any dividend on
our common stock, nor can we purchase or redeem any shares of our common stock
unless all previous dividends on the convertible voting preferred stock have
been paid.
The holders of our convertible voting preferred stock have the right to
convert each share into shares of our common stock at any time and are obligated
to convert all shares by July 26, 2003. The number of shares of our common stock
into which each share of convertible voting preferred stock is convertible shall
be determined by dividing the $100 per share purchase price, plus any accrued
and unpaid dividends, by
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$6.145, the average market price of our common stock at the time the convertible
voting preferred stock was issued, subject to adjustment for reclassification,
stock splits, and other events with respect to our common stock. Any shares of
convertible preferred stock that remain outstanding on July 26, 2003 will be
automatically converted into common stock in accordance with the calculation
described in the preceding sentence.
We may redeem all or any part of the convertible voting preferred stock
equal to the following percentage of the sum of the aggregate amount of shares
multiplied by $100, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon: one year
after issuance -- 120%; two years after issuance -- 115%; and three years after
issuance -- 110%. However, the holders of the convertible voting preferred stock
have the right, upon notice to us, to convert any of their shares of convertible
voting preferred stock into our common stock at any time up to 20 days prior to
the date of redemption.
If at any time we issue or sell any of our equity securities in a single or
continuous offering for an aggregate purchase price of more than $20.0 million,
then we must repurchase all of the outstanding shares of the convertible voting
preferred stock at a price equal to $100 per share, plus any accrued and unpaid
dividends. However, the holders of the convertible voting preferred stock have
the right, upon notice to us, to convert any of their shares of convertible
voting preferred stock into our common stock at any time up to 20 days prior to
the date of repurchase. We will use proceeds from this offering to repurchase
all of the outstanding shares of convertible voting preferred stock at an agreed
upon discounted price of $5.0 million. For additional discussion of our plan to
repurchase these shares, see "Use of Proceeds."
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
Generally, Section 203 of the Delaware law prohibits a publicly-held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a broad range of "business combinations"
with an "interested stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% of
more of a corporation's outstanding voting stock) for three years following the
date that person became an interested stockholder unless:
- before the person becomes an interested stockholder, the board of
directors of the corporation approves either the transaction
resulting in that person becoming an interested stockholder or the
business combination;
- upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the person
becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns
85% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation
(excluding shares owned by directors who are also officers of the
corporation or shares held by employee stock plans that do not
provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether
shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or
exchange offer); or
- following the date on which that person became an interested
stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special
meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the corporation's
outstanding voting stock, excluding shares owned by the interested
stockholder.
In our Certificate of Incorporation, we have opted not to be governed by
the provisions of Section 203.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may have
an anti-takeover effect and may delay, discourage or prevent a change of
control. In addition to the ability of our board of directors to issue
non-voting preferred stock and the effects of the voting agreement described in
"Principal Stockholders -- Voting Agreement," these provisions include the
following:
Special Meetings of Stockholders. The Bylaws provide that special
meetings of stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of
directors, the chairman of the board or holders of a
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majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. This provision will
make it more difficult for stockholders to take actions opposed by our
board of directors.
Vacancies on Board of Directors. The Bylaws provide that only our
board of directors may fill vacant directorships. As a result, a
stockholder interested in gaining control of Ceres will be precluded from
removing incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of our
board of directors by filling the vacancies created by the removal with his
or her own nominees.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors and officers
will be indemnified against liabilities arising from their service as directors
or officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including payment in advance
of a final disposition of a director's or officer's expenses and attorneys' fees
incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding. Except in the case of an
action, suit or proceeding brought by or in the right of Ceres against an
officer or director, a court must approve any indemnification if the officer or
director is adjudged liable. Presently, Delaware law provides that to be
entitled to indemnification an individual must have acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to a company's best
interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful.
Delaware law permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance or
furnish similar protection on behalf of any officer or director against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in his capacity, or arising
out of the status, as an officer or director, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against this liability under Delaware law.
We maintain a directors' and officers' liability insurance policy.
There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director or
officer of the company as to which indemnification is being sought, nor is Ceres
aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification
by any director or officer.
LIMITATION ON DIRECTOR LIABILITY
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide that, to the
fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our directors will not be liable to us
or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director. Delaware law presently limits a director's liability except where a
director:
- breaches his or her duty of loyalty to a company or its
stockholders;
- fails to act in good faith or engages in intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law;
- authorizes payment of an unlawful dividend or stock repurchase or
redemption; or
- obtains an improper personal benefit.
This provision is consistent with Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware law,
which is designed, among other things, to encourage qualified individuals to
serve as directors of Delaware corporations. We believe this provision will
assist us in maintaining and securing the services of qualified directors who
are not employees. This provision has no effect on the availability of
non-monetary equitable remedies, such as injunction or rescission. If equitable
remedies are found not to be available to stockholders for any particular case,
stockholders may not have any effective remedy against actions taken by
directors that constitute negligence or gross negligence.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is National City
Bank.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of the offering, we will have 31,664,847 shares of common
stock outstanding, or 33,764,847 shares of common stock if the underwriters
exercise their over-allotment option. All of the shares sold in this offering
plus any shares sold if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase
additional shares and 4,746,064 of the presently outstanding shares of our
common stock will be freely tradeable without restriction or registration under
the Securities Act unless purchased by our affiliates which generally include
our officers, directors and members of our voting group. The remaining
12,918,783 outstanding shares of our common stock will be "restricted
securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Restricted
securities may be sold in the public market only if they are registered under
the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under
Rule 144.
Our directors, executive officers, the International Managed Care funds and
their affiliates and certain other stockholders have agreed that for a period of
180 days after the date of this prospectus they will not, without the prior
written consent of Friedman Billings Ramsey offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any equity securities (or any securities exercisable for or
convertible into such securities). Given these contractual restrictions,
beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus, the 11,066,206 shares of
our common stock and 4,191,651 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants and
presently exercisable options held by our directors, executive officers, the
International Managed Care funds and their affiliates and certain other
stockholders would be available for sale in the public market subject to the
limitations of Rule 144 and the limitations of the voting agreement.
As of November 1, 2001, the equity warrants and guarantee warrants were
exercisable for 4,557,743 shares of our common stock. The equity warrants may be
subject to adjustment in connection with this offering or otherwise pursuant to
the warrants' anti-dilution provision. In addition, there are various non-
qualified options, issued pursuant to employment agreements, outstanding to
purchase 815,000 shares. For more information, see "Certain Related
Transactions" and "Management -- Employment Agreements." The shares issuable
upon exercise of the equity warrants, guarantee warrants and non-qualified
options will be restricted securities under Rule 144. However, the holders of
these warrants and options have the right to require us to register their shares
in certain situations, as described below.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, if one year has elapsed
since the later of the date of acquisition of restricted shares from us or any
of our "affiliate[s]," as that term is defined under the Securities Act, the
acquiror or subsequent holder is entitled to sell within any three-month period
a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then
outstanding shares of our common stock (approximately 316,648 shares immediately
after the offering, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase
an additional 2,100,000 shares) or the average weekly trading volume of our
common stock on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the date on
which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC. Sales under Rule 144 are also
subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the
availability of current public information about us. If two years have elapsed
since the later of the date of acquisition of restricted shares from us or from
any of our affiliates, and the acquiror or subsequent holder of the shares is
deemed not to have been one of our affiliates at any time during the 90 days
preceding a sale, that person would be entitled to sell the shares in the public
market under Rule 144 without regard to the volume limitations, manner of sale
provisions, public information requirements or notice requirements.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement with some of our
stockholders granting them rights to have their restricted shares of Ceres
registered under the Securities Act. The registration rights agreement provides
for:
- "demand" registration rights -- if requested by the parties holding
at least $5.0 million in market value of our common stock, we are
obligated to use our best efforts to cause those shares to be
registered, subject to certain restrictions; and
- "piggyback" registration rights -- if we register any of our shares
for a public offering, we will use our best efforts to register any
shares subject to the registration rights agreement, if the holder
so requests.
86
We are required to pay for two demand registrations requested by the
International Managed Care funds, one demand registration for Turkey Vulture
Fund and one demand registration for Strategic Partners. On July 26, 2000, the
registration rights agreement, dated as of July 3, 1998, was amended and
restated, whereby purchasers of our common stock in the Pyramid Life private
placement offering are entitled to a "demand" registration right if requested by
the holders of at least $10.0 million in market value of shares sold during that
offering. These purchasers are also entitled to "piggyback" registration rights.
As of November 1, 2001, there were 13,186,766 outstanding shares of our common
stock subject to the registration rights agreement, and an additional 5,486,857
shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants and
exercisable options are also subject to this agreement. We anticipate that each
of these holders will waive his, her or its rights under the registration rights
agreement in connection with this offering.
We have also entered into a registration rights agreement with United
Insurance, the holder of our convertible voting preferred stock. Pursuant to
this agreement, after July 26, 2003, if requested by holders of all the shares
of our common stock issued upon conversion of the convertible voting preferred
stock, we are obligated to use our best efforts to cause all the shares of
common stock so issued to be registered. Additionally, United Insurance also has
"piggyback" registration rights, whereby if we propose to register any of our
shares in a public offer, we will use our best efforts to register any shares
subject to the agreement. We will repurchase all of the outstanding shares of
convertible voting preferred stock with the proceeds of this offering and the
United registration rights agreement will terminate.
We filed registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to
register shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 1998 Key
Employee Share Incentive Plan and the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. The
2,056,187 shares issued upon exercise of options granted under the 1998 Key
Employee Share Incentive Plan and the 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan, as of
November 1, 2001, will be eligible for sale in the public market subject to the
restrictions in the voting agreement, described above in "Management -- Voting
Agreement," and, in the case of options exercised by affiliates, the Rule 144
volume limitations applicable to affiliates. The 78,706 shares issuable upon the
exercise of the options granted under the 1999 Special Agents' Stock Option
Plan, as of November 1, 2001, will be restricted securities within the meaning
of Rule 144, and therefore, subject to a one year holding period after exercise
of the options. We filed a registration statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act to register an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock
reserved for issuance under the Ceres Group, Inc. 2000 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan and the Ceres Group, Inc. 2000 Agent Stock Purchase Plan. As of November 1,
2001, 167,988 shares of our common stock had been issued under both stock
purchase plans. We filed a registration statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act to register an aggregate of 500,000 shares of our common stock
reserved for issuance under the Retirement Plan for Employees (401(k)) of Ceres
Group, Inc. As of November 1, 2001, 77,514 shares of our common stock had been
issued under the 401(k) plan. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock
in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock, as well as our
ability to raise additional capital through an offering of our securities.
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UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
by and among Ceres, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., Sandler O'Neill &
Partners, L.P. and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, as representatives
of the underwriters named herein, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters,
and the underwriters have severally agreed to purchase from us, the number of
shares of common stock set forth opposite their names below:
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
NAME SHARES
---- ----------
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.,.....................
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.............................
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated....................
----------
Total............................................. 14,000,000
==========
</Table>
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
underwriters are committed to take and pay for all the shares of common stock
offered hereby, if any are taken.
The underwriters propose to offer the common stock directly to the public
at $ per share and to certain securities dealers at such price
less a concession of $ per share. The underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $ per
share to certain brokers and dealers. After the common stock is released for
sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to
time be varied by the underwriters.
We have granted the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days after
the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,100,000
additional shares of common stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell
shares of our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include
over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate
short positions created in connection with this offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the shares of common stock than
they are required to purchase from us in this offering. The underwriters also
may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate
members or other broker-dealers in respect of the securities sold in the
offering for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such shares of
common stock are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering
transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of the shares of common stock, which may be higher than the price
that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these activities, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected
in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
Neither Ceres nor the underwriters makes any representation or prediction
as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described
above may have on the price of the common stock. In addition, neither Ceres nor
the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in
such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, will not be
discontinued without notice.
Friedman Billings Ramsey, Sandler O'Neill and Stifel, Nicolaus may provide
in the future investment banking services to Ceres and its affiliates for which
Friedman Billings Ramsey, Sandler O'Neill and Stifel, Nicolaus will receive
customary fees and commissions.
Except for common stock sold in this offering, we have agreed in the
Underwriting Agreement and our directors, executive officers and certain of our
other stockholders have otherwise agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any of our equity securities (or any securities exercisable
for or
88
convertible into such equity securities) for a period of 180 days after the
consummation of this offering without the prior written consent of Friedman
Billings Ramsey.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters with respect to the shares of our common stock to be
sold in this offering will be passed upon for us by Kohrman Jackson & Krantz
P.L.L., Cleveland, Ohio. Marc C. Krantz, the managing partner of Kohrman Jackson
& Krantz, owns shares of our common stock and is a party to our voting,
stockholders and registration rights agreements. Certain legal matters will be
passed upon for the underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
New York, New York.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements and schedules as of December 31, 2000
and 1999 and for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 included in
this prospectus and the related registration statement have been audited by
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given
on the authority of Ernst & Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Continental General Corporation
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statements of
operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years
ended December 31, 1998, included in this prospectus and the related
registration statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and
are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of Ernst &
Young LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of The Pyramid Life Insurance Company as of
December 31, 1999, and for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been included
herein and in the related registration statement in reliance upon the report of
KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein,
and upon the authority of KPMG LLP as experts in accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are currently subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance with those requirements, file reports, statements, and
other information with the SEC. The reports, statements and other information
that we have filed may be inspected and copied at the SEC's principal office at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and the SEC's
Regional Offices located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of all or any part of our filings may be
obtained from the SEC's Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 upon payment of fees prescribed by the SEC. You may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a web site at
http://www.sec.gov containing reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC,
including Ceres.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (together
with all related amendments, exhibits, schedules and supplements) under the
Securities Act with respect to the offering. This prospectus, which constitutes
a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information
included in the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus
as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not
necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of the
contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each
statement being qualified in all respects by reference to that exhibit. For
further information with respect to Ceres and the offering, reference is made to
the registration statement, which may be inspected at the office of the SEC
without charge and copies of which may be obtained from and upon request of the
SEC and payment of the prescribed fee.
89
CERES GROUP, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<Table>
<Caption>
PAGE
----
CERES GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30,
2001 (unaudited) and December 31, 2000................. F-2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited) for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2001 and 2000............................ F-3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30,
2001................................................... F-4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30,
2001 and 2000.......................................... F-5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)............................................ F-6
Report of Independent Auditors............................ F-14
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2000 and
1999................................................... F-15
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998....................... F-16
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998........... F-17
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998....................... F-18
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-19
Schedule II -- Condensed Financial Information of
Registrant Ceres Group, Inc. (Parent Only)............. F-49
Schedule III -- Supplementary Insurance Information....... F-52
Schedule IV -- Reinsurance................................ F-53
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION
Report of Independent Auditors............................ F-54
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and
1998................................................... F-55
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998....................... F-56
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998... F-57
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998....................... F-58
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-59
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Independent Auditor's Report.............................. F-72
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999 and June 30, 2000
(Unaudited)............................................ F-73
Statements of Income for the year ended December 31, 1999
and the six months ended June 30, 2000 (Unaudited)..... F-74
Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31,
1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000
(Unaudited)............................................ F-75
Statements of Stockholder's Equity and Comprehensive
Income for the year ended December 31, 1999 and the six
months ended June 30, 2000 (Unaudited)................. F-76
Notes to the Financial Statements......................... F-77
</Table>
F-1
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
------------- ------------
(UNAUDITED) (NOTE A)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value........ $463,877 $415,287
Surplus notes............................................. 4,994 4,995
Policy and mortgage loans................................. 5,920 5,829
-------- --------
Total investments................................. 474,791 426,111
Cash and cash equivalents (of which $7,172 and $9,397 is
restricted, respectively)................................. 56,847 59,512
Accrued investment income................................... 6,387 7,496
Premiums receivable......................................... 5,136 5,852
Reinsurance receivable...................................... 216,627 238,185
Property and equipment, net................................. 8,344 17,531
Deferred federal income taxes............................... 1,007 3,797
Deferred acquisition costs.................................. 68,288 55,989
Value of business acquired.................................. 33,505 32,254
Goodwill.................................................... 24,723 25,425
Other assets................................................ 10,627 8,377
-------- --------
Total assets...................................... $906,282 $880,529
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Policy liabilities and accrual
Future policy benefits, losses and claims................. $411,561 $408,169
Unearned premiums......................................... 46,938 42,751
Other policy claims and benefits payable.................. 195,022 176,236
-------- --------
653,521 627,156
Deferred reinsurance gain................................... 15,538 18,839
Other policyholders' funds.................................. 25,334 24,246
Federal income taxes payable................................ 923 1,464
Mortgage note payable....................................... -- 8,018
Debt........................................................ 42,500 49,000
Other liabilities........................................... 53,171 48,523
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 790,987 777,246
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity
Non-voting preferred stock, $.001 par value, 1,900,000
shares authorized, none issued......................... -- --
Convertible voting preferred stock, $.001 par value, at
stated value, 100,000 shares authorized, 81,986 and
75,000 shares issued and outstanding................... 8,199 7,500
Common stock, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares
authorized, 17,636,444 and 17,278,704 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively.............................. 18 17
Additional paid-in capital................................ 85,176 82,943
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock.................................................. 207 327
Retained earnings......................................... 17,265 18,672
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)............. 4,430 (6,176)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 115,295 103,283
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........ $906,282 $880,529
======== ========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-2
CERES GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- --------
UNAUDITED
REVENUES
Premiums, net
Medical...................................... $103,987 $102,402 $305,278 $275,891
Senior and other............................. 58,568 38,438 166,042 88,613
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total premiums, net.................. 162,555 140,840 471,320 364,504
Net investment income.......................... 8,124 7,707 24,274 19,322
Net realized gains............................. 3,616 99 5,215 35
Fee and other income........................... 9,885 8,077 27,568 23,417
Amortization of deferred reinsurance gain...... 646 1,298 3,301 4,495
-------- -------- -------- --------
184,826 158,021 531,678 411,773
-------- -------- -------- --------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses
Medical...................................... 79,385 74,506 248,638 206,523
Senior and other............................. 42,946 29,512 125,951 69,076
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total benefits, claims, losses and
settlement expenses................ 122,331 104,018 374,589 275,599
Selling, general and administrative expenses... 54,167 52,615 165,265 134,013
Net (deferral) amortization and change in
acquisition costs and value of business
acquired..................................... (1,839) (6,633) (20,288) (21,570)
Amortization of goodwill....................... 274 306 824 782
Interest expense and financing costs........... 1,170 1,605 3,934 3,983
Special charges -- Note D...................... -- -- 7,097 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
176,103 151,911 531,421 392,807
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before federal income taxes, minority
interest, and preferred stock dividends...... 8,723 6,110 257 18,966
Federal income tax expense..................... 3,179 2,138 1,122 6,638
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) after tax, before minority
interest and preferred stock dividends....... 5,544 3,972 (865) 12,328
Minority interest.............................. (14) -- (37) --
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME (LOSS).............................. 5,558 3,972 (828) 12,328
Convertible voting preferred stock dividends... 207 138 579 138
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS................................. $ 5,351 $ 3,834 $ (1,407) $ 12,190
======== ======== ======== ========
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
Basic........................................ $ 0.30 $ 0.23 $ (0.08) $ 0.84
Diluted...................................... 0.29 0.21 (0.08) 0.79
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-3
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
<Table>
<Caption>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
------------------
UNAUDITED
CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ 7,500
Issuance of stock:
Dividends distributed..................................... 699
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 8,199
===========
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ 17
Issuance of shares:
Employee benefit plans.................................... 1
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 18
===========
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ 82,943
Issuance of stock:
Employee benefit plans.................................... 2,233
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 85,176
===========
DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTABLE, CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ 327
Dividends distributable..................................... 579
Dividends distributed....................................... (699)
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 207
===========
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ 18,672
Net loss.................................................... (828)
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock..................................................... (579)
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 17,265
===========
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Balance at beginning of year................................ $ (6,176)
Unrealized gain on securities, net of tax of $1,466......... 11,173
Other....................................................... (567)
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... $ 4,430
===========
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY.................................. $ 115,295
===========
NUMBER OF SHARES OF CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of year................................ 75,000
Issuance of stock:
Dividends distributed..................................... 6,986
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... 81,986
===========
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year................................ 17,278,704
Issuance of stock:
Employee benefit plans.................................... 357,740
-----------
Balance at September 30, 2001..................... 17,636,444
===========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-4
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------
2001 2000
--------- --------
UNAUDITED
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)......................................... $ (828) $ 12,328
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization......................... 2,495 2,053
Net realized gains.................................... (5,215) (35)
Deferred federal income tax expense................... 1,630 8,273
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance and premiums receivable................ 22,274 15,215
Value of business acquired......................... (1,251) (1,516)
Goodwill........................................... 702 1,943
Federal income taxes payable/recoverable........... (541) (3,062)
Accrued investment income.......................... 1,109 998
Other assets....................................... (2,250) 941
Future policy benefits, claims and funds payable... 21,752 14,679
Unearned premium................................... 4,187 10,451
Other liabilities.................................. (2,530) 3,857
Deferred acquisition costs......................... (13,171) (20,054)
Deferred reinsurance gain.......................... (3,301) (4,495)
--------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities................... 25,062 41,576
--------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net purchases of furniture and equipment.................. (597) (1,376)
Purchase of fixed maturities available-for-sale........... (193,986) (40,846)
Proceeds from sale of Cleveland headquarters.............. 15,586 --
Acquisition of Pyramid Life Insurance Company, net of
$7,159 cash acquired.................................... -- (37,339)
Decrease (increase) in mortgage and policy loans, net..... (91) 321
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
available-for-sale...................................... 104,822 11,527
Proceeds from calls and maturities of fixed maturities
available-for sale...................................... 57,309 27,462
Proceeds from sale of property held for sale.............. -- 2,115
--------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (16,957) (38,136)
--------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in annuity account balances...................... 20,297 12,408
Decrease in annuity account balances...................... (18,783) (23,160)
Principal payments on mortgage note payable............... (8,018) (103)
Increase in debt borrowings............................... 10,000 15,000
Principal payments on debt................................ (16,500) (5,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock related to employee
benefit plans........................................... 2,234 1,094
Proceeds from private placement of common stock, net of
acquisition costs....................................... -- 18,400
Proceeds from private placement of preferred stock........ -- 7,500
--------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities......... (10,770) 26,139
--------- --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH............................. (2,665) 29,579
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 59,512 42,921
--------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD.................. $ 56,847 $ 72,500
========= ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest.................. $ 3,659 $ 4,031
Cash paid during the period for federal income taxes...... 500 1,000
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
F-5
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
UNAUDITED
A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of
Ceres Group, Inc. and subsidiaries included herein have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation
S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included. Operating results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2001
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year
ended December 31, 2001.
The condensed consolidated financial statements for September 30, 2001
include the accounts of Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, Provident
American Life and Health Insurance Company, Continental General Corporation and
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental General Insurance Company, United
Benefit Life Insurance Company, and Pyramid Life Insurance Company acquired on
July 26, 2000.
The balance sheet at December 31, 2000 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated
financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Ceres' Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2000.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
current year presentation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all liquid securities with
maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. At September 30, 2001 and December
31, 2000, the Company had approximately $7.2 million and $9.4 million,
respectively, in cash and cash equivalents that were not available due to
restrictions on the cash held for self-funded accident and health accounts. The
Company is entitled to the investment income from these funds. A corresponding
liability is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial
statements.
Investments
The Company's insurance subsidiaries had certificates of deposit and fixed
maturity securities on deposit with various state insurance departments to
satisfy regulatory requirements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 144, Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. This Statement supercedes SFAS
No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of, and the accounting and reporting provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion, or APB Opinion, No. 30, Reporting the
Results of Operations -- Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a
Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring
F-6
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Events and Transactions, for the disposal of a segment of a business. This
Statement also amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated
Financial Statements.
This Statement requires that "one accounting model be used for long-lived
assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly
acquired, and by broadening the presentation of discontinued operations to
include more disposal transactions." Additionally, this Statement resolves
"significant implementation issues . . . which will improve compliance."
The effective date of this Statement is for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early
application encouraged. The provisions of this Statement generally are to be
applied prospectively. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this
standard will not have a significant effect on its results of operations,
financial position or liquidity.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, which "addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations
associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated
asset retirement costs." This Statement is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company anticipates
that the adoption of this standard will not have a significant effect on its
results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets, which replaces APB Opinion No. 17, Intangible Assets. The Statement,
"addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group
of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination) should be
accounted for in financial statements upon their acquisition. This Statement
also addresses how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for
after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements." This
Statement:
- specifies that "goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite
useful lives will not be amortized but rather will be tested at least
annually for impairment";
- "provides specific guidance for testing goodwill for impairment"; and
- requires additional disclosures not previously required.
The effective date of this Statement is for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. Impairment losses are to be reported as resulting from a
change in accounting principle. The Company is in the process of evaluating the
potential impact of this Statement on its results of operations, financial
position, and liquidity.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, which
addresses the accounting and reporting for business combinations and broadens
the criteria for recording intangible assets separate from goodwill. On July 1,
2001, the Company adopted this Statement which requires us to use the purchase
method of accounting for all business combinations initiated after June 30,
2001.
In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers
and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities, which
replaces SFAS No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial
Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. This Statement revises the methods
for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and
collateral as outlined in SFAS No. 125, and requires certain additional
disclosures. For transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments
of liabilities, this Statement was effective for the Company's June 30, 2001
financial statements. However, for disclosures regarding securitizations and
collateral, as well as the accounting for recognition and reclassification of
collateral, this Statement was effective for our December 31, 2000 financial
statements. The adoption of this Statement did not have a material effect on our
financial
F-7
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
position or results of operations as of December 31, 2000. In addition, the
provisions effective June 30, 2001 did not have a material effect on our results
of operations, financial position or liquidity.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended by SFAS No. 137, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities -- Deferral of the Effective Date
of FASB Statement No. 133. We adopted the new statement effective January 1,
2001. If in the future we have derivative instruments, this Statement will
require us to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value.
Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income.
If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the
fair value of the derivative will either be offset against the change in fair
value of the hedged asset, liability, or firm commitment through earnings, or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in
earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be
immediately recognized in earnings. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have a
significant effect on our results of operations, financial position or
liquidity.
B. DEBT
<Table>
<Caption>
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
2001 2000
------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Mortgage note payable............................... $ -- $ 8,018
======= =======
Bank credit facility................................ $40,000 $34,000
Revolver............................................ 2,500 15,000
------- -------
$42,500 $49,000
======= =======
</Table>
On May 25, 2001, we entered into an agreement with Royalton Investors, LLC
and Big T Investments, LLC to sell our Cleveland headquarters. The transaction
was effective July 31, 2001. The building was sold to Royalton Investors, LLC
and Big T Investments, LLC for $16.0 million and concurrently we leased it back
for a term of 15 years with four optional five-year extensions. Monthly rent
payments began in August 2001 and annually total $1.7 million through July 2003,
$1.8 million through July 2006, $2.0 million through July 2011, and $2.1 million
through July 2016. The net proceeds were used to:
- prepay in full the outstanding $7.9 million mortgage note on our
Cleveland headquarters on August 3, 2001;
- permanently reduce our revolving line of credit by $2.5 million on August
6, 2001; and
- contribute $5.0 million to the capital of Central Reserve.
To provide funds for the acquisition of Continental General in February
1999, we incurred debt of $40.0 million, the tranche A term loan, under a credit
agreement. Under the terms of the credit agreement, dated as of February 17,
1999, among Ceres, various lending institutions and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent, quarterly principal payments of $1.5 million are due
through February 17, 2002 and $2.25 million thereafter through February 2005.
Interest on the outstanding balance will be determined based on our
selection each quarter of either a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan. Under
the Base Rate Loan, the interest rate will be 2.5% per annum plus the higher of
(a) the rate which is 0.50% of 1.0% in excess of a federal funds rate and (b)
Chase's prime rate as in effect from time to time. Under the Eurodollar Loan,
the interest rate will be
F-8
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
3.5% per annum plus a Eurodollar rate, which is the arithmetic average of the
offered quotation to first-class banks in the interbank Eurodollar market by
Chase, adjusted for certain reserve requirements.
The credit agreement was amended on July 25, 2000 to increase the revolver
from $10.0 million to $15.0 million in connection with the acquisition of
Pyramid Life. Any amount outstanding on the revolver must be repaid on February
17, 2002. The revolver bears interest at the same rate choices as the $40.0
million tranche A term loan. At September 30, 2001, the interest rate on the
revolver was 7.0% on the outstanding balance of $2.5 million.
On March 30, 2001, our credit agreement was again amended to enter into a
new $10.0 million term loan with CIT Equipment Financing, Inc. The proceeds of
this term loan, the tranche B term loan, were used to permanently pay down $10.0
million of our then fully-drawn $15.0 million revolver under the credit
agreement. The terms of the amendment provide for CIT to participate equally
with the syndicate of banks and Chase under the credit agreement. The $10.0
million CIT tranche B term loan bears interest at the same rate choices as our
tranche A term loan. At September 30, 2001, the interest rate on our tranche A
term loan balance of $30.0 million and our $10.0 million CIT tranche B term loan
was 7.2% per annum. The first principal payment on the CIT tranche B term loan
of $0.3 million will be due on June 17, 2002. Quarterly principal payments will
be due thereafter as follows: $0.3 million through March 17, 2004; $0.6 million
thereafter through March 17, 2005; and $1.2 million thereafter through March 17,
2006.
The common stock of Central Reserve, Continental General, and most of our
non-regulated subsidiaries are pledged as security for the credit agreement. At
September 30, 2001, we were in compliance with our credit agreement, as amended.
We believe that cash flow from operating activities will be sufficient to
meet our currently anticipated operating and capital expenditure requirements
over the next 12 months. However, we believe that funds will not be sufficient
to meet all our bank debt obligations over the next 12 months. Funds to meet our
debt obligations are generated from fee income from our non-regulated
subsidiaries and from dividends of our insurance subsidiaries, if available. Our
ability to make scheduled payments of the principal and interest on our
indebtedness depends on our future performance and the future performance of our
non-regulated subsidiaries. Dividends from our regulated insurance subsidiaries
are subject to, and limited by, state insurance regulations. As of September 30,
2001, none of our insurance subsidiaries could pay a dividend to Ceres Group,
the parent company, without prior approval of their respective state regulators
as a result of their respective statutory deficits in unassigned surplus.
Without any restructuring or refinancing of our current debt obligations, we
will require additional funds to meet our obligations. We currently are in
discussions with our banks with respect to such restructuring or refinancing.
However, our banks may not agree to any restructuring, and additional financing
may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all. If we are not able to
raise capital, our business could be materially adversely affected, including
our ability to meet all our debt obligations.
C. REINSURANCE
The Company has entered into several quota-share reinsurance treaties,
including treaties with Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America, on various
blocks of business of its subsidiaries. Under the provisions of the treaties,
the Company cedes between 50% and 100% of the premiums for these policies and in
return receives reimbursement, for the same percentage, of the claims. In
addition, the Company receives a commission and expense allowance. In another
reinsurance arrangement, the Company also assumes certain policies, in which it
paid certain commission and expense allowances, which are classified as
reinsurance expenses below.
F-9
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
The following table summarizes the net impact of reinsurance arrangements
on premiums and benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, commissions,
and other operating expenses:
<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Premiums, net
Direct....................................... $207,742 $201,127 $619,146 $546,812
Assumed...................................... 2,045 2,728 6,114 14,374
Ceded........................................ (47,232) (63,015) (153,940) (196,682)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total premiums, net.................. $162,555 $140,840 $471,320 $364,504
======== ======== ======== ========
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement
expenses..................................... $157,255 $152,465 $504,972 $429,333
Reinsurance recoveries......................... (34,924) (48,447) (130,383) (153,734)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total benefits, claims, losses and
settlement expenses................ $122,331 $104,018 $374,589 $275,599
======== ======== ======== ========
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Commissions.................................. $ 32,119 $ 33,195 $ 98,036 $ 94,846
Other operating expenses..................... 31,610 33,721 100,023 86,413
Reinsurance expenses......................... 395 794 1,349 2,699
Reinsurance allowances....................... (9,957) (15,095) (34,143) (49,945)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total selling, general and
administrative expenses............ $ 54,167 $ 52,615 $165,265 $134,013
======== ======== ======== ========
</Table>
The insurance companies remain obligated for amounts ceded in the event
that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations. Initial ceding allowances
received from reinsurers are accounted for as deferred reinsurance gain and are
amortized into income over the estimated remaining life of the underlying
policies reinsured, except for interest sensitive products, which are amortized
over the expected profit stream of the in force business.
We have reclassified certain prior period amounts in accordance with
current year treatment.
D. SPECIAL CHARGES
The Company reported special charges of $7.1 million in the first quarter
of 2001 related to:
- the elimination of $5.9 million deferred acquisition cost (DAC) asset on
all products of United Benefit Life and Provident American Life; and
- $1.2 million loss on United Benefit Life.
The Company has experienced excessive losses at United Benefit Life and
Provident American Life due to high benefit utilization and higher than
anticipated claims costs. These blocks had $0.3 million pre-tax income for the
third quarter of 2001 compared to a $2.3 million pre-tax loss for the third
quarter of 2000, in each case including legal expenses. Consequently, for the
nine months of 2001, these blocks had a $8.4 million pre-tax loss compared to a
$4.2 million pre-tax loss for the same period in 2000, in each case including
legal expenses.
As previously reported, on May 8, 2001, Central Reserve entered into an
agreement to sell the stock of United Benefit Life, including United Benefit
Life's licenses and certain liabilities, to Pelagian, LLC, a Texas limited
liability company. The sale was subject to approval by the State of Ohio
Department of
F-10
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Insurance and other customary terms and conditions. On November 5, 2001, the
parties mutually terminated the stock purchase agreement primarily because the
conditions to closing, including approval by the Ohio Department of Insurance,
had not been met. In July 2001, we implemented a program to mitigate future
losses of United Benefit Life by notifying policyholders that their policies
would be terminated or replaced. We expect the business in United Benefit Life
to wind down by the early part of 2002.
E. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------- ------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- ------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Net income (loss)................................... $ 5,558 $3,972 $ (828) $12,328
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax
of $1,466 for 2001 and $0 for 2000(1).......... 6,418 4,592 11,173 3,292
Other............................................... 33 228 (567) (64)
------- ------ ------- -------
Comprehensive income.............................. $12,009 $8,792 $ 9,778 $15,556
======= ====== ======= =======
</Table>
- ---------------
(1)Net of reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net
income.
F. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated in accordance with SFAS
No. 128, Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by
dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted
average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per
common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during the period including the effect of the
assumed exercise of dilutive stock options under the treasury stock method.
Stock options are antidilutive for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and
therefore are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Basic
and diluted weighted average shares of common stock are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------- -----------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Weighted average shares:
BASIC...................................... 17,623,758 16,301,049 17,474,004 14,595,057
Convertible voting preferred stock......... 1,334,195 888,845 -- 298,444
Stock awards and incremental shares from
assumed exercise of stock options....... 28,403 801,972 -- 683,736
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
DILUTED.................................... 18,986,356 17,991,866 17,474,004 15,577,237
========== ========== ========== ==========
</Table>
G. CONTINGENT MATTERS
The Company has been sued for compensatory damages and, in some cases,
unspecified punitive damages in a number of actions pertaining to the insureds
of United Benefit Life arising from claims payment issues. While we do not
believe that United Benefit Life has harmed any of the plaintiffs in these
F-11
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
lawsuits and we believe our reserves are adequate, we cannot predict the outcome
of the lawsuits, including the award of punitive damages and, therefore, we
cannot predict the financial impact on us of these lawsuits. We intend to
vigorously contest these actions.
In addition to the above, the Company is also involved in litigation
arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the
effects, if any, of such litigation are not expected to be material to the
Company's consolidated financial condition.
H. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company has three distinct operating segments based upon product types:
medical, senior and other, and corporate and other. Products in the medical
segment include catastrophic and comprehensive major medical plans. Significant
products in the senior and other segment include Medicare supplement, long-term
care, dental, life insurance, and annuities. The corporate and other segment
encompasses all other activities of the Company, including interest income,
interest expense, and corporate expenses of the parent company.
F-12
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Revenues from each segment are primarily generated from premiums charged to
policyholders and interest earned on cash and investments, and are summarized in
the following table:
<Table>
<Caption>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
MEDICAL
Revenues
Net premiums.............................. $103,987 $102,402 $305,278 $275,891
Investment income, realized gains......... 3,688 2,806 9,435 6,623
Other income.............................. 10,133 8,809 28,603 26,176
-------- -------- -------- --------
117,808 114,017 343,316 308,690
-------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Benefits and claims....................... 79,385 74,506 248,638 206,523
Other operating expenses.................. 36,996 32,956 98,366 86,142
Special charges........................... -- -- 7,097 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
116,381 107,462 354,101 292,665
-------- -------- -------- --------
Segment profit (loss) before federal income
taxes, minority interest and preferred
stock dividends........................... $ 1,427 $ 6,555 $(10,785) $ 16,025
======== ======== ======== ========
SENIOR AND OTHER
Revenues
Net premiums.............................. $ 58,568 $ 38,438 $166,042 $ 88,613
Investment income, realized gains......... 7,878 4,662 19,580 12,234
Other income.............................. 398 566 2,266 1,736
-------- -------- -------- --------
66,844 43,666 187,888 102,583
-------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Benefits and claims....................... 42,946 29,512 125,951 69,076
Other operating expenses.................. 14,850 10,774 44,603 24,560
-------- -------- -------- --------
57,796 40,286 170,554 93,636
-------- -------- -------- --------
Segment profit before federal income taxes,
minority interest and preferred stock
dividends................................. $ 9,048 $ 3,380 $ 17,334 $ 8,947
======== ======== ======== ========
CORPORATE AND OTHER
Revenues
Investment income, realized gains......... $ 174 $ 338 $ 474 $ 500
-------- -------- -------- --------
Expenses
Interest and financing costs.............. 1,170 1,605 3,934 3,983
Other operating expenses.................. 756 2,558 2,832 2,523
-------- -------- -------- --------
1,926 4,163 6,766 6,506
-------- -------- -------- --------
Segment loss before federal income taxes,
minority interest and preferred stock
dividends................................. $ (1,752) $ (3,825) $ (6,292) $ (6,006)
======== ======== ======== ========
INCOME BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAXES, MINORITY
INTEREST AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS....... $ 8,723 $ 6,110 $ 257 $ 18,966
======== ======== ======== ========
</Table>
The Company does not separately allocate investments or other identifiable
assets by industry segment, nor are income tax (benefit) expenses allocated by
industry segment.
F-13
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Ceres Group, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ceres
Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000. We also have audited the
information presented in the financial statement schedules listed in the Index
at Item 14(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedules are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
Since the date of completion of our audit of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and initial issuance of our report thereon dated March 8,
2001, the Company as discussed in Note X has determined that it will not have
sufficient funds to meet all bank debt obligations due in 2002. Note X describes
management's plans regarding these matters.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ceres Group,
Inc,. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States. Also in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedules when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
March 8, 2001, except for Note X, as to
which the date is November 12, 2001
F-14
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
2000 1999
-------- --------
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value -- Note
D...................................................... $415,287 $300,986
Surplus notes............................................. 4,995 5,043
Policy and mortgage loans................................. 5,829 3,923
-------- --------
Total investments................................. 426,111 309,952
Cash and cash equivalents (of which $9,397 and $4,763 is
restricted, respectively) -- Note D....................... 59,512 42,921
Accrued investment income................................... 7,496 5,234
Premiums receivable......................................... 5,852 4,905
Reinsurance receivable -- Note K............................ 238,185 263,289
Property held for sale -- Note E............................ -- 2,177
Property and equipment, net -- Note F....................... 17,531 15,091
Deferred federal income taxes -- Note I..................... 3,797 1,792
Deferred acquisition costs -- Note G........................ 55,989 26,650
Value of business acquired -- Note H........................ 32,254 16,731
Goodwill.................................................... 25,425 21,696
Other assets................................................ 8,377 7,430
-------- --------
Total assets...................................... $880,529 $717,868
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Policy liabilities and accrual
Future policy benefits, losses and claims................. $408,169 $357,149
Unearned premiums......................................... 42,751 32,045
Other policy claims and benefits payable -- Note J........ 176,236 149,538
-------- --------
627,156 538,732
Deferred reinsurance gain -- Note K......................... 18,839 20,932
Other policyholders' funds.................................. 24,246 22,365
Federal income taxes payable -- Note I...................... 1,464 1,449
Mortgage note payable -- Note M............................. 8,018 8,157
Debt -- Note M.............................................. 49,000 40,000
Other liabilities........................................... 48,523 41,572
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 777,246 673,207
Stockholders' Equity
Non-voting preferred stock, $.001 par value, 1,900,000 and
2,000,000 shares authorized, respectively, none
issued -- Note O....................................... -- --
Convertible voting preferred stock, $.001 par value, at
stated value, 100,000 and 0 shares authorized, 75,000
and 0 shares issued and outstanding, respectively...... 7,500 --
Common stock, $.001 par value, 50,000,000 and 30,000,000
shares authorized, 17,278,704 and 13,706,726 shares
issued and outstanding respectively.................... 17 14
Additional paid-in capital................................ 82,943 60,290
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock -- Note B........................................ 327 --
Retained earnings......................................... 18,672 2,549
Accumulated other comprehensive loss...................... (6,176) (18,192)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 103,283 44,661
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........ $880,529 $717,868
======== ========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-15
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
REVENUES
Premiums, net -- Note K
Medical................................................. $375,804 $251,876 $143,064
Senior and other........................................ 135,738 75,870 11,124
-------- -------- --------
Total premiums, net............................. 511,542 327,746 154,188
Net investment income -- Note D........................... 26,871 21,362 7,454
Net realized (losses) gains............................... (98) 107 211
Fee and other income...................................... 31,540 17,410 7,694
Amortization of deferred reinsurance gain -- Note K....... 6,093 5,468 600
-------- -------- --------
575,948 372,093 170,147
-------- -------- --------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses -- Note K
Medical................................................. 288,260 176,531 108,439
Senior and other........................................ 101,551 56,572 7,620
-------- -------- --------
Total benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses...................................... 389,811 233,103 116,059
Selling, general and administrative expenses -- Note K.... 185,211 137,932 54,368
Net (deferral) amortization and change in acquisition
costs and value of business acquired -- Notes G and H... (30,513) (21,892) 647
Amortization of goodwill.................................. 1,069 854 --
Interest expense and financing costs...................... 5,566 4,090 1,842
-------- -------- --------
551,144 354,087 172,916
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before federal income taxes, minority
interest, and preferred stock dividends................. 24,804 18,006 (2,769)
Federal income tax expense -- Note I...................... 8,380 6,302 1,067
-------- -------- --------
Income (loss) after tax, before minority interest and
preferred stock dividends............................... 16,424 11,704 (3,836)
Minority interest......................................... (26) -- --
-------- -------- --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)......................................... 16,450 11,704 (3,836)
Convertible voting preferred stock dividends.............. 327 -- --
-------- -------- --------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS..... $ 16,123 $ 11,704 $ (3,836)
======== ======== ========
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON
STOCKHOLDERS
Basic................................................... $ 1.06 $ 0.88 $ (0.49)
Diluted................................................. 1.00 0.77 (0.49)
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-16
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ----------
CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ -- $ -- $ --
Issuance of stock..................................... 7,500 -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ 7,500 $ -- $ --
========== ========== ==========
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ 14 $ 12 $ 2,098
Issuance of common stock.............................. 3 2 3,650
Change to $.001 par value............................. -- -- (5,736)
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ 17 $ 14 $ 12
========== ========== ==========
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ 60,290 $ 43,883 $ 4,122
Issuance of stock:
Private placement................................... 21,093 14,998 34,025
Employee benefit plans.............................. 1,560 1,409 --
Change to $.001 par value............................. -- -- 5,736
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ 82,943 $ 60,290 $ 43,883
========== ========== ==========
DIVIDENDS DISTRIBUTABLE, CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED
STOCK
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ -- $ -- $ --
Dividends distributable............................... 327 -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ 327 $ -- $ --
========== ========== ==========
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ 2,549 $ (9,155) $ (5,319)
Net income (loss)..................................... 16,450 11,704 (3,836)
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock............................................... (327) -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ 18,672 $ 2,549 $ (9,155)
========== ========== ==========
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Balance at beginning of year.......................... $ (18,192) $ 1,096 $ 611
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of
$0, $0 and $565, respectively....................... 11,806 (19,650) 485
Other................................................. 210 362 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... $ (6,176) $ (18,192) $ 1,096
========== ========== ==========
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY............................ $ 103,283 $ 44,661 $ 35,836
========== ========== ==========
NUMBER OF SHARES OF CONVERTIBLE VOTING PREFERRED STOCK
Balance at beginning of year.......................... -- -- --
Issuance of shares.................................... 75,000 -- --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... 75,000 -- --
========== ========== ==========
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year.......................... 13,706,726 11,495,172 4,195,172
Issuance of shares:
Private placement................................... 3,333,334 2,000,000 7,300,000
Employee benefit plans.............................. 238,644 211,554 --
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance at end of year...................... 17,278,704 13,706,726 11,495,172
========== ========== ==========
</Table>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-17
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- --------- --------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)......................................... $ 16,450 $ 11,704 $ (3,836)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization......................... 2,418 2,395 513
Net realized losses (gains)........................... 98 (107) (211)
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)......... 1,573 5,587 (382)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable................................ (724) 85 (105)
Reinsurance receivable............................. 28,350 (221,744) (15,201)
Value of business acquired......................... (2,841) (902) --
Goodwill........................................... 6,495 (423) --
Federal income taxes payable/recoverable........... 15 (6,256) 720
Accrued investment income.......................... (350) 250 (219)
Other assets....................................... 627 (1,376) (1,191)
Future policy benefits, claims and funds payable... 11,998 248,382 21,939
Unearned premium................................... 9,530 17,525 --
Other liabilities.................................. 4,861 8,454 8,708
Deferred acquisition costs......................... (27,672) (22,283) 3,484
Deferred reinsurance gain.......................... (2,093) (5,468) (3,400)
-------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities................... 48,735 35,823 10,819
-------- --------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net (purchases) disposals of furniture and equipment...... (1,909) (739) 302
Purchase of fixed maturities available-for-sale........... (66,337) (30,323) (33,100)
Acquisition of Continental General Corporation, net of
$2,212 cash acquired.................................... -- (59,788) --
Acquisition of Pyramid Life Insurance Company, net of
$7,159 cash acquired.................................... (37,339) -- --
Increase in surplus notes................................. -- (5,042) --
Decrease (increase) in mortgage and policy loans, net..... 366 (20) (2)
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
available-for-sale...................................... 11,569 29,811 7,926
Proceeds from calls and maturities of fixed maturities
available-for-sale...................................... 31,258 12,991 13,318
Proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of fixed
maturities held-to-maturity............................. -- 3,923 3,023
Proceeds from sale of property held for sale.............. 2,115 -- --
-------- --------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (60,277) (49,187) (8,533)
-------- --------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in annuity account balances...................... 23,223 18,446 482
Decrease in annuity account balances...................... (34,107) (37,819) (5,118)
Increase in note receivable............................... -- -- (7,368)
Principal payments on mortgage note payable............... (139) (127) (115)
Repayment of notes payable................................ -- -- (20,000)
Increase in debt borrowings............................... 15,000 40,000 --
Principal payments on debt................................ (6,000) -- --
Proceeds from issuance of common stock related to employee
benefit plans........................................... 1,560 1,409 --
Proceeds from private placement of common stock, net of
acquisition costs....................................... 21,096 15,000 37,675
Proceeds from private placement of preferred stock........ 7,500 -- --
-------- --------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities................... 28,133 36,909 5,556
-------- --------- --------
NET INCREASE IN CASH........................................ 16,591 23,545 7,842
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 42,921 19,376 11,534
-------- --------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR.................... $ 59,512 $ 42,921 $ 19,376
======== ========= ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the year for interest.................... $ 6,051 $ 2,940 $ 1,662
Cash paid during the year for income taxes................ 1,100 2,078 650
</Table>
These accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-18
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
A. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS
Ceres Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, known as Central Reserve Life
Corporation prior to December 8, 1998, operated in 1998 and prior periods
primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary, Central Reserve Life Insurance
Company. As of December 31, 1999, the Company's consolidated statements also
include the accounts of Provident American Life & Health Insurance Company
acquired on December 31, 1998, Continental General Corporation and its
wholly-owned subsidiary Continental General Insurance Company acquired on
February 17, 1999 and United Benefit Life Insurance Company under a reinsurance
arrangement effective August 1, 1998 and acquired on July 21, 1999 (through
foreclosure). As of December 31, 2000, the Company's consolidated statements
also include the accounts of Pyramid Life Insurance Company acquired on July 26,
2000. These acquisitions are discussed further in Note C, Business Combinations
and Note K, Reinsurance Arrangements.
The Company provides through its wholly-owned subsidiaries a wide array of
health and life insurance products to over 700,000 insureds. While the Company
through its subsidiaries is licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia and
the U.S. Virgin Islands, approximately 67% of premium volume is generated from
twelve states: Ohio, Florida, Texas, Indiana, Georgia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Ceres and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The consolidated statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 reflects the results of
operations for Pyramid Life for the period subsequent to its acquisition on July
26, 2000. The consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December
31, 1999 reflects the results of operations for Continental General Corporation
for the period subsequent to its acquisition on February 17, 1999 and United
Benefit Life for the period subsequent to its acquisition on July 21, 1999. All
intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, which differ from accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by the various state departments of insurance in which
the insurance subsidiaries are domiciled. See Note P, Statutory Financial
Information for further discussion.
A summary of significant accounting policies is as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all liquid securities with
maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. See Note D, Cash and Investments
for further information.
Investments
Investments in bonds and mandatorily redeemable preferred stocks are
designated at purchase as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale.
Held-to-maturity investments are securities which management has the positive
intent and ability to hold until maturity, and are reported at amortized cost.
Available-for-sale investments are reported at fair value, with unrealized
holding gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
(losses), net of deferred federal income taxes. All investments as of December
31, 2000 are designated as available-for-sale.
F-19
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
Investments in surplus notes, policy loans, and mortgage loans are reported
at cost which approximates fair value.
Premiums and discounts arising from the purchase of mortgage-backed
securities are amortized using the interest method over the estimated remaining
term of the securities, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Premiums and
discounts on other debt instruments are amortized using the interest method over
the remaining term of the security.
Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using
the specific-identification method, and are credited or charged to income.
The estimated fair value of investments is based upon quoted market prices,
where available, or on values obtained from independent pricing services.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets
acquired. Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of
25 years or less. On a periodic basis, management reviews goodwill to determine
if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of such assets
is not recoverable, in which case an impairment charge would be recorded in
current operations. Management believes that no impairment of goodwill exists at
December 31, 2000.
Property and Equipment and Property Held for Sale
Property and equipment are carried at cost less allowances for depreciation
and amortization. Office buildings are depreciated on the straight-line method
over 31.5 years, except for certain components, which are depreciated over 15
years. Depreciation for other property and equipment is computed on the
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the equipment,
principally five and seven years. Property held for sale is stated at estimated
fair value less cost to sell. No depreciation or amortization is provided for
property held for sale.
Management periodically reviews the carrying value of property and
equipment for impairment. Any impaired property and equipment is valued using an
undiscounted cash flow methodology.
Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Claims
Liabilities for future policy reserves for accident and health and ordinary
life business are based on the net level premium basis and estimates of future
claims, investment yield, lapses using the Company's experience and actuarial
judgment with an allowance for possible future adverse deviations from expected
experience. Interest rates used range from 4.5% to 6.0%. Liabilities for
interest sensitive products such as deferred annuities and universal life are
based on the retrospective deposit method. This is the policyholder fund balance
before adjusting for any surrender charges. Guaranteed minimum rates for
universal life contracts are 4.0% to 4.5%. At December 31, 2000, credited rates
ranged from 5.5% to 7.0%. Guaranteed base minimum rates for deferred annuities
range from 3.0% to 5.75% depending on the duration of the contract. Current
rates credited range from 5.0% to 8.6%.
Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable
Liabilities for unpaid life and accident and health claims, which include a
provision for estimated costs to investigate and settle claims, are estimated
based upon past experience for pending, incurred but not reported, and reopened
claims. Accident and health claims incurred but not reported are computed using
actuarially-determined factors based on a combination of claim completion and
projected claim cost
F-20
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
methods, utilizing durational experience, seasonal cycle, changes in health care
practice, changes in inflation rates, and the claims backlog.
Claim liabilities with a long pay out period, such as long term care and
disability income claims, are discounted at interest rates ranging from 3.0% to
6.0%. Although considerable variability is inherent in such computations,
management believes that the liabilities for unpaid life and accident and health
claims are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as
necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known with such
adjustments included in current operations.
Deferred Reinsurance Gain
Deferred reinsurance gain consists of initial ceding allowances received
from reinsurers, less amounts amortized into income over the estimated remaining
life of the underlying policies reinsured, except for interest sensitive
products that are amortized over the expected profit stream of the in force
business.
Other Policyholders' Funds
Other policyholders' funds consist of supplementary contracts without life
contingencies, premiums, and annuity considerations received in advance and
remittance and items not allocated.
Insurance Related Assessments
Statement of Position 97-3, Accounting by Insurance and Other Enterprises
for Insurance-Related Assessments provides guidance for determining when an
insurance or other enterprise should recognize a liability for guaranty-fund and
other insurance-related assessments and guidance for measuring the liability.
The adoption of this statement effective January 1, 1999 resulted in a $0.2
million charge to general operating expenses.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income in 2000, 1999 and 1998 includes a change in unrealized
gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, in addition to reported net
income. See Note Q, Comprehensive Income (Loss) for further information.
Premium Revenue
Life premiums are recognized as revenue when they become due. Accident and
health premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the policies.
Amounts received from interest sensitive contracts, principally universal life
and annuity products, are not reflected in premium revenue; rather, such amounts
are accounted for as deposits with the related liabilities included in future
policy benefits, losses and claims.
Fee and Other Income
Fee and other income consist of association, collection, management and
administrative fees, and are recognized when earned.
Federal Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to
F-21
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date.
Stock-Based Compensation
The intrinsic value method of accounting is used for stock-based
compensation plans. In accordance with the intrinsic value method, compensation
cost is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the equity
instrument awarded at the measurement date over the amount an employee must pay
to acquire the equity instrument. Stock-based compensation costs are recognized
over the period in which employees render services associated with the awards.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the income available to
common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if common stock equivalents were exercised and shared in the
earnings of the Company. Only those potential common shares, which are dilutive,
are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Related Party Transactions
We outsource all information and telephone systems at our Cleveland
headquarters, as well as claims processing for our Central Reserve Ohio
insureds, to Antares Management Solutions, pursuant to an administrative
services agreement. Antares is a division of Medical Mutual Services, which is a
subsidiary of Medical Mutual of Ohio, a 3.8% stockholder of the Company on a
diluted basis and a party to the Company's voting agreement. Under the
administrative services agreement, we have paid $21.4 million in 2000, $18.8
million in 1999 and $6.6 million in 1998.
Use of Estimates
The consolidated financial statements reflect estimates and judgments made
by management that affect the amounts reported herein and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ significantly
from those estimates.
Reclassification
Certain amounts presented in the prior years' financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the current year's method of presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB,
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140, Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities
which replaces FASB Statement No. 125, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. This standard revises the
methods for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial
assets and collateral as outlined in FASB Statement No. 125, and requires
certain additional disclosures. For transfers and servicing of financial assets
and extinguishments of liabilities, this standard will be effective for the
Company's June 30, 2001 financial statements. However, for disclosures regarding
securitizations and collateral, as well as the accounting for recognition and
reclassification of collateral, this standard is effective for our December 31,
F-22
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
2000 financial statements. The adoption of this standard did not have a material
effect on our financial position or results of operations as of December 31,
2000. In addition, the provisions, that will be effective June 30, 2001, are not
expected to have a material effect on our financial position or results of
operations.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended
by FASB Statement No. 137, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities -- Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133, which
was required to be adopted for all fiscal quarters of all fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2000. We adopted the new statement effective January 1, 2001. If
in the future we have derivative instruments, this Statement will require us to
recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that
are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. If a derivative is
a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the
derivative will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged
asset, liability, or firm commitment through earnings, or recognized in other
comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The
ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value will be immediately
recognized in earnings. The adoption of FASB Statement No. 133 did not have a
significant effect on our results of operations or financial position.
In March 2000, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for
Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of the
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, which clarifies the application of
APB Opinion No. 25 for some issues including:
- the definition of an employee for purposes of applying APB Opinion No.
25;
- the criteria for determining whether a plan qualifies as a
noncompensatory plan;
- the accounting consequences of various modifications to the terms of a
previously fixed stock option or award; and
- the accounting for an exchange of stock compensation awards in a business
combination.
Interpretation No. 44 became effective July 1, 2000, but some of the conclusions
are retroactive. The adoption of this guidance on July 1, 2000 did not have a
material impact on our results of operations or financial position.
B. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS
On July 25, 2000, we sold 3,333,334 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per
share in a private placement offering, and, on July 26, 2000, we sold 75,000
shares of our convertible voting preferred stock at $100.00 per share to United
Insurance Company of America in a private placement offering. The $27.5 million
proceeds from these sales were used for the purchase of Pyramid Life from United
Insurance, a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. See Note C, Business Combinations, for
further information.
On February 17, 1999, the Company entered into a series of stock
subscription agreements with a group of investors, principally Peter W. Nauert
and Insurance Partners, wherein the Company issued 2,000,000 common shares at
$7.50 per share for $15.0 million. The $15.0 million proceeds from these sales
were used for the purchase of Continental General Corporation from the Western &
Southern Life Insurance Company. See Note C, Business Combinations, for further
information.
In November 1997, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, or
Original Stock Purchase Agreement, with Strategic Acquisition Partners, LLC, or
Strategic, wherein the Company agreed to issue and sell 5,000,000 common shares
and warrants to purchase an additional 2,500,000 common shares at an exercise
price of $6.50 per share, for aggregate proceeds of $27.5 million. On March 30,
1998, the Company entered into an amended and restated Stock Purchase Agreement,
or New Stock Purchase
F-23
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
Agreement, with Strategic and two additional investors: Insurance Partners, L.P.
and Insurance Partners Offshore (Bermuda), L.P., collectively, Insurance
Partners. The New Stock Purchase Agreement was subsequently approved by
stockholders, and accordingly, in July 1998 the Company issued and sold
7,300,000 common shares at $5.50 per share and warrants to purchase an
additional 3,650,000 common shares at an exercise price of $5.50 per share,
which expire July 2, 2005, and received proceeds of $37.7 million, which are net
of transaction expenses.
In connection with the Original Stock Purchase Agreement, Strategic
arranged an interim loan, or the Bridge Loan of $20.0 million to the Company.
The Bridge Loan was due June 30, 1998, and bore interest at the prime rate of a
major commercial bank. As consideration for the arrangement, the Company issued
Strategic and Richard M. Osborne warrants to purchase 800,000 common shares at
$6.00 per share on December 1997, which expire December 17, 2002, and additional
warrants to purchase 200,000 common shares at $6.00 per share on July 3, 1998,
which expire on December 17, 2002. Proceeds from the Bridge Loan were used as
follows:
- $5.2 million was used to repay outstanding bank debt;
- $14.0 million was used by the Company to invest in the statutory surplus
of Central Reserve, and was evidenced by a surplus note in favor of the
Company from Central Reserve; and
- $0.8 million was used to establish an interest reserve at the Company and
to pay transaction expenses.
The Bridge Loan was repaid in full by the Company in July 1998 from the proceeds
received in accordance with the New Stock Purchase Agreement.
C. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Pyramid Life Insurance Company Acquisition
On July 26, 2000, the Company, through Continental General Corporation,
completed the purchase of Pyramid Life from United Insurance. Pyramid Life,
based in Mission, Kansas, provides health and life insurance primarily for the
senior market, including Medicare supplement, long-term care, home health care,
and senior life insurance products. At June 30, 2000 (prior to payment of the
$25.0 million pre-closing dividend), Pyramid Life had assets of $140.9 million
and total revenues of $37.0 million for the first six months of 2000. Pyramid
Life markets senior insurance products through approximately 2,500 independent
agents in 40 states.
The $67.5 million purchase price was financed as follows:
- $20.0 million from the sale of 3,333,334 newly-issued shares of our
common stock at $6.00 per share, in a private placement offering;
- $7.5 million from the sale to United of 75,000 newly-issued shares of our
convertible voting preferred stock, which shares (1) are entitled to vote
on all matters presented to our stockholders as if conversion has
occurred, (2) are convertible into our common stock by dividing the
$100.00 per share purchase price, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends,
by the initial conversion price of $6.145 (the average market price of
our common stock at the time of issuance), (3) receive cumulative stock
dividends of 10% per annum in additional shares of convertible voting
preferred stock, (4) prohibit the payment of dividends on shares of our
common stock unless all previous dividends on the convertible voting
preferred stock have been paid, and (5) as of December 31, 2000, we have
accrued $0.3 million in dividends or $4.36 per convertible voting
preferred share;
F-24
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
- $25.0 million from a special pre-closing dividend paid by Pyramid Life to
United in connection with the acquisition; and
- $15.0 million from a combination of funds from Continental General and
financing provided by The Chase Manhattan Bank and associated banks.
In connection with purchase accounting rules, the total purchase cost for
the acquisition has been allocated to the assets and liabilities of Pyramid Life
based on their fair values. Allocations are subject to valuations as of the date
of the acquisition based on appraisals and other studies which are not yet fully
completed. Accordingly, the final allocations may be different from the amounts
reflected herein. Although the final allocations may differ, the unaudited pro
forma financial statements reflect management's best estimates based on
currently available information as of the date of this filing.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the consolidated
results of operations of the Company assuming the acquisition of Pyramid Life
was completed on January 1, 2000 and 1999:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2000 1999
---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues.................................................... $617,946 $440,672
Income before federal income taxes.......................... 29,113 26,104
Federal income tax expense.................................. 9,977 9,293
Net income.................................................. 19,136 16,811
Net income attributable to common stockholders.............. 18,386 16,061
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic..................................................... 1.07 0.96
Diluted................................................... 1.00 0.84
</Table>
The pro forma results of operations are not indicative of the actual
results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions been made on
the dates indicated, or the results that may be obtained in the future.
Continental General Corporation
Effective February 1, 1999, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding
common stock of Continental General Corporation from The Western & Southern Life
Insurance Company. Continental General Corporation is a holding company that
primarily conducts business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental
General, a life and accident and health insurer domiciled in Nebraska, which is
licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Continental General offers Medicare supplement and individual major medical
products, distributed through independent agents. Continental General also
offers long-term care, Medicare supplement, ordinary life, universal life, and
annuity policies. Total consideration paid by the Company for the common stock
was $84.5 million, and was financed through reinsurance, debt, cash, an equity
offering as described further below and a pre-closing dividend of $22.5 million
paid to Western & Southern. This transaction was accounted for in accordance
with the purchase method, and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to
assets and liabilities acquired based upon estimates of their fair value.
The acquisition was partially funded by a reinsurance treaty with Hannover
Life Reassurance Company of America (formerly Reassurance Company of Hannover),
whereby Continental General ceded 50% of its in force life, accident and health,
and annuity policies to Hannover, and retained the remaining
F-25
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
risk. The treaty provided an initial ceding allowance of $13.0 million, which
was accounted for as a deferred reinsurance gain.
Other fundings were provided by a $40.0 million credit facility with a
syndicate of major commercial banks led by The Chase Manhattan Bank. The Company
has pledged the common stock of Continental General Corporation and Central
Reserve as security for the loan. See Note M, Debt for further discussion of the
credit facility. In addition, effective February 17, 1999, the Company entered
into a series of stock subscription agreements with a group of investors,
principally Peter Nauert and Insurance Partners whereby the Company issued
2,000,000 common shares at $7.50 per share for $15.0 million.
Provident American Life & Health Insurance Company
On December 31, 1998, Central Reserve acquired 100% of the outstanding
common stock of Provident American Life from Provident American Corporation for
$5.5 million. Provident American Life is a life and accident and health insurer,
domiciled in Ohio, licensed in 40 states and the District of Columbia, that
markets managed care health insurance products to individuals and small
businesses, and critical illness coverage. Funds for the acquisition were
provided from Central Reserve's working capital. This transaction was accounted
for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with the
purchase method and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to assets and
liabilities acquired based upon estimates of their fair values. There was no
impact on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for 1998 as a
result of this transaction.
Immediately prior to the completion of this transaction, Provident American
Life ceded 100% of its insurance in force to Provident Indemnity Life Insurance
Company, a subsidiary of Provident American Corporation.
Effective January 1, 1999, Hannover assumed from Provident Indemnity 100%
of its accident and health block of business. As of January 1, 1999, Central
Reserve entered into a separate reinsurance agreement with Hannover, wherein
Central Reserve assumed from Hannover 10% of the block acquired by Hannover from
Provident Indemnity. Also, at January 1, 1999, Provident American Life ceded 50%
of all business written after December 31, 1998 to Hannover.
F-26
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
D. CASH AND INVESTMENTS
The amortized cost and estimated fair market value of securities
available-for-sale as of December 31, 2000 were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
GROSS UNREALIZED
AMORTIZED ------------------ ESTIMATED
COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
--------- ------ -------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed Maturities
U.S. Treasury securities................ $ 35,996 $ 347 $ (37) $ 36,306
U.S. Agencies........................... 37,619 1,634 (7) 39,246
State and political subdivisions........ 3,672 20 (16) 3,676
Corporate bonds......................... 268,239 2,652 (10,746) 260,145
Mortgage-backed securities.............. 72,082 847 (533) 72,396
Preferred stock......................... 3,470 135 (87) 3,518
-------- ------ -------- --------
Total available-for-sale........ 421,078 5,635 (11,426) 415,287
Surplus notes............................. 5,071 -- (76) 4,995
-------- ------ -------- --------
Total........................... $426,149 $5,635 $(11,502) $420,282
======== ====== ======== ========
</Table>
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
available-for-sale as of December 31, 1999 were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
GROSS UNREALIZED
AMORTIZED ----------------- ESTIMATED
COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
--------- ----- -------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed Maturities
U.S. Treasury securities................. $ 16,140 $ 41 $ (282) $ 15,899
U.S. Agencies............................ 6,670 -- (160) 6,510
State and political subdivisions......... 4,225 -- (145) 4,080
Corporate bonds.......................... 232,229 692 (17,353) 215,568
Mortgage-backed securities............... 60,355 138 (1,564) 58,929
-------- ---- -------- --------
Total available-for-sale......... 319,619 871 (19,504) 300,986
Surplus notes.............................. 4,964 79 -- 5,043
-------- ---- -------- --------
Total............................ $324,583 $950 $(19,504) $306,029
======== ==== ======== ========
</Table>
Except for bonds and notes of the U.S. Government or of a U.S. Government
agency or authority, no investment of the Company exceeds 10% of total
stockholders' equity at December 31, 2000. At December 31, 1999, the Company
held a bond of Petroliam Nasional Berhad with an estimated fair value of $4.8
million that exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity.
In June 1999, the Company sold approximately $4.0 million of securities
from its held-to-maturity portfolio to meet a significant and unanticipated
increase in claim payments. The securities sold represented 44% of the
held-to-maturity portfolio and generated a realized gain of $2,000. Due to that
sale and the acquisition of Continental General, management changed its intent
to hold the remaining held-to-maturity portfolio, of approximately $5.0 million,
and transferred the balance to available-for-sale and recorded an unrealized
loss of $9,000 in 1999.
F-27
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities and surplus
notes at December 31, 2000 by contractual maturity were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
COST FAIR VALUE
--------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Due in one year or less................................... $ 21,511 $ 21,543
Due after one year through five years..................... 131,783 130,820
Due after five years through ten years.................... 129,865 127,291
Due after ten years....................................... 70,908 68,232
-------- --------
354,067 347,886
Mortgage-backed securities................................ 72,082 72,396
-------- --------
Total available-for-sale.................................. $426,149 $420,282
======== ========
</Table>
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because
borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without
penalties.
Proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses from the sales
(excluding calls, maturities and pay downs) of fixed maturities
available-for-sale during each year were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Proceeds............................................... $11,569 $29,811 $7,926
Gross realized gains................................... 161 27 165
Gross realized losses.................................. 80 74 29
</Table>
The following is a summary of net investment income by category of
investment:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fixed maturities....................................... $23,390 $19,359 $5,433
Policy loans........................................... 356 244 5
Cash equivalents....................................... 3,378 1,637 1,182
Other.................................................. 831 1,345 1,033
------- ------- ------
Investment income...................................... 27,955 22,585 7,653
Investment expenses.................................... (1,084) (1,223) (199)
------- ------- ------
Net investment income.................................. $26,871 $21,362 $7,454
======= ======= ======
</Table>
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, the Company's insurance subsidiaries had
certificates of deposit and fixed maturity securities with a carrying value of
$32.6 million and $21.6 million, respectively, on deposit with various state
insurance departments to satisfy regulatory requirements.
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, $9.4 million and $4.8 million, respectively,
of cash was held for self-funded accident and health accounts, which is
restricted to use. Ceres Group is entitled to investment income from these
funds. A corresponding liability is included in the accompanying consolidated
financial statements.
F-28
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
At December 31, 2000, the Company held no unrated bonds, but held two
less-than-investment grade bonds that were downgraded as a result of litigation
against the bond issuers. The ultimate disposition of these investments is not
expected to have a material effect on our results of operations and financial
position. At December 31, 1999, the Company held no unrated or
less-than-investment grade bonds. The Company performs periodic evaluations of
the relative credit standings of the issuers of the bonds held in the Company's
portfolio. The Company considers these evaluations in its overall investment
strategy.
E. PROPERTY HELD FOR SALE
During the fourth quarter of 1999, management committed to a plan to
consolidate the operations of United Benefit Life into the Company's other
administrative facilities and to sell United Benefit Life's home office
property. At December 31, 1999, the Company recorded the property at its
estimated fair value less the estimated incremental direct costs to transact a
sale. On March 31, 2000, the property was sold for $3.7 million. A loss of $0.1
million was recognized on the sale of the property in the first quarter 2000. In
the second quarter, the Company sold the remaining vacant land parcel located
next to United Benefit Life's home office for $177,000 resulting in a gain on
sale of $12,000.
F. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are summarized by category as
follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Home office building........................................ $16,153 $15,251
Land........................................................ 2,871 2,100
Furniture and fixtures...................................... 2,499 2,255
EDP equipment............................................... 3,705 3,128
Other property and equipment................................ 3,229 1,769
------- -------
28,457 24,503
Less: Accumulated depreciation.............................. 10,926 9,412
------- -------
Total............................................. $17,531 $15,091
======= =======
</Table>
Other property and equipment consists principally of software, leasehold
improvements and office equipment. Depreciation expense for the years ended
December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $1.5 million, $1.1 million, and $0.9
million, respectively.
G. DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS
Certain costs of writing an insurance policy, including commissions and
underwriting, all of which vary with and are primarily related to the production
of new business, have been deferred and reported as deferred acquisition costs.
Deferred acquisition costs associated with traditional life and accident and
health contracts are charged to expense over the premium-paying period or as
premiums are earned over the life of the contract. Deferred acquisition costs
associated with interest-sensitive life and annuity products are charged to
expense over the estimated duration of the policies in relation to the present
value of the estimated gross profits from surrender charges and investments,
mortality, and expense margins.
F-29
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
Unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Balance at beginning of year........................... $26,650 $ 3,810 $ 326
Current year's costs deferred.......................... 46,171 27,379 4,131
------- ------- ------
72,821 31,189 4,457
Less: Amortization for the year........................ 16,832 4,539 647
------- ------- ------
Balance at end of the year............................. $55,989 $26,650 $3,810
======= ======= ======
</Table>
The Company has evaluated the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs on a
quarterly basis and determined that these amounts are recoverable.
H. VALUE OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED
A portion of the purchase price paid by the Company for Pyramid Life and
Continental General Corporation was allocated to the value of business acquired
based on the actuarially-determined present value of the expected pre-tax future
profits from the business assuming a discount rate of 15%. Interest is accrued
on the balance annually at a rate consistent with the rate credited on the
acquired policies on the acquisition date, which ranges from 4.75% to 8.75%.
Recoverability of the value of business acquired is evaluated periodically by
comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pre-tax future
profits to the unamoritized asset balance. If such current estimate is less than
the existing asset balance, the difference would be charged to expense.
For accident and health and ordinary life business, the value of business
acquired is amortized over the estimated life of the in force business using
assumptions consistent with those in computing reserves. Interest of 6% and 7%
is credited to the unamortized balance for Continental General Corporation and
Pyramid Life, respectively. For interest sensitive products such as universal
life and deferred annuities, the value of business acquired is amortized over
the expected profit stream of the in force business. The expected profit stream
is based upon actuarial assumptions as to mortality, lapses and expenses. Earned
interest was assumed to be 6% for Continental General Corporation and 7% for
Pyramid Life which was the market rate at the time of acquisition.
The value of business acquired is summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- ----
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Balance at beginning of year............................. $16,731 $ -- $--
Additions from acquisitions.............................. 12,683 14,182 --
Amortization............................................. (2,263) (1,901) --
Additional expense reserve............................... 5,103 4,450 --
------- ------- ---
Balance at end of the year............................... $32,254 $16,731 $--
======= ======= ===
</Table>
F-30
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
The increased expense reserve is primarily a result of the higher
commission rates paid in the initial policy years of the Medicare supplement
business acquired. Under the current assumptions, amortization for the next five
years is expected to be as follows (dollars in thousands):
<Table>
<Caption>
AMORTIZATION (DEFERRAL)
-----------------------
2001..................................... $(1,604)
2002..................................... 549
2003..................................... 1,885
2004..................................... 2,715
2005..................................... 3,228
</Table>
I. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its
subsidiaries, except for Continental General and Pyramid Life, which are
required to file a separate return through fiscal years 2003 and 2004,
respectively.
Federal income tax expense (benefit) is composed of the following:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Current.................................................. $1,022 $ 715 $1,449
Deferred................................................. 7,358 5,587 (382)
------ ------ ------
Total.......................................... $8,380 $6,302 $1,067
====== ====== ======
</Table>
Income tax expense attributable to income from operations differs from the
amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35%. Those
effects are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Expected tax expense (benefit) at 35%.................... $8,681 $6,302 $ (969)
Special life insurance deduction......................... -- -- (367)
Tax exempt interest...................................... (4) (135) (12)
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.............. -- (158) 2,327
Tax rate differential.................................... -- -- 28
Non deductible goodwill.................................. 318 -- --
Alternative minimum tax.................................. -- 332 --
Other.................................................... (615) (39) 60
------ ------ ------
$8,380 $6,302 $1,067
====== ====== ======
</Table>
The federal income tax returns for the Company and its subsidiaries have
been examined by the Internal Revenue Service through 1995. There are no issues
currently outstanding. The Company paid $0.8 million related to these audits.
F-31
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31,
2000 and 1999 are presented below:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Deferred tax assets
Ceding commission......................................... $ 4,257 $ --
Reinsurance transactions.................................. 5,262 11,222
Deferred acquisition costs................................ -- 2,834
Severance pay............................................. 266 417
Alternative minimum tax................................... 624 332
Reserves.................................................. 12,094 4,812
Net operating loss carryforward........................... 5,506 5,923
Advance premium........................................... 636 673
Other..................................................... 1,469 178
------- -------
30,114 26,391
Less: Valuation allowance................................... 8,829 14,719
------- -------
Deferred assets, net of valuation allowance................. 21,285 11,672
------- -------
Deferred tax liabilities
Value of business acquired................................ 11,289 9,548
Deferred acquisition costs................................ 5,283 --
Bond discount accretion................................... 359 186
Other..................................................... 557 146
------- -------
17,488 9,880
------- -------
Net deferred tax assets..................................... $ 3,797 $ 1,792
======= =======
</Table>
At December 31, 2000, the Company had a tax net operating loss
carryforward, or NOL, of approximately $15.7 million for federal income tax
purposes, which expires through 2013. Future changes in ownership, as defined by
Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code, could limit the amount of NOL
carryforwards used in any one year.
The Company determines a valuation allowance based on an analysis of
amounts recoverable in the statutory carryback period and available tax planning
strategies. In assessing the valuation allowance established at December 31,
2000 and 1999, estimates were made as to the potential financial impact on the
Company of recent NOLs. Management believes that the Company will generate
sufficient future taxable income to realize the $3.8 million net deferred tax
asset recorded as of December 31, 2000 prior to the expiration of any NOLs.
Additionally, the Company reduced its valuation allowance by $5.9 million
during 2000 through a reduction of goodwill related to the acquisition of
Continental General. Management reviewed the Company's projections for taxable
income of Continental General to be generated in future periods and concluded a
greater amount of the deferred tax asset will be realized.
In accordance with federal tax law, a portion of insurance companies' net
income, prior to 1984, is not subject to federal income taxes (within certain
limitations) until it is distributed to policyholders, at which time it is taxed
at regular corporate rates. For federal income tax purposes this untaxed income
is
F-32
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
accumulated in a memorandum account designated "policyholders' surplus." At
December 31, 2000, the accumulated untaxed policyholders' surplus for the
Company, all of which relates to Central Reserve, is $2.9 million.
J. LIABILITY FOR OTHER POLICY CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE
The following table reflects the activity in the liability for other policy
claims and benefits payable, including the claims adjustment expenses, net of
reinsurance recoverables, as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Gross balance at beginning of year................. $149,538 $ 74,395 $ 56,187
Reserves on blocks of business acquired............ 11,176 39,173 44,000
-------- -------- --------
Adjusted gross beginning balance................... 160,714 113,568 100,187
Less: Reserves ceded............................... 85,347 54,340 55,656
-------- -------- --------
Adjusted net beginning balance..................... 75,367 59,228 44,531
-------- -------- --------
Paid claims and claims adjustments expenses, net of
reinsurance, for
Current year..................................... 276,546 176,387 89,953
Prior years...................................... 72,952 57,875 29,999
-------- -------- --------
Total paid.................................... 349,498 234,262 119,952
-------- -------- --------
Incurred claims and claims adjustment expenses, net
of reinsurance, for
Current year..................................... 362,495 226,202 116,357
Prior years...................................... 5,437 (1,487) (1,697)
-------- -------- --------
Total incurred................................ 367,932 224,715 114,660
-------- -------- --------
Net reserve balance at end of year................. 93,801 49,681 39,239
Plus: Reserves ceded at end of year................ 67,227 85,347 35,156
-------- -------- --------
Balance before reinsurance recoveries on paid
claims........................................... 161,028 135,028 74,395
Plus: Reinsurance recoveries on paid claims........ 15,208 14,510 --
-------- -------- --------
Gross balance at end of year....................... $176,236 $149,538 $ 74,395
======== ======== ========
</Table>
The foregoing indicates that a $5.4 million deficiency in the 1999 reserves
emerged in 2000 as a result of higher utilization in all segments, a $1.5
million redundancy in the 1998 reserves emerged in 1999, and a $1.7 million
redundancy in the 1997 reserves emerged in 1998.
K. REINSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS
Central Reserve Life Insurance Company
In December 2000, Central Reserve entered into a reinsurance transaction
with Lincoln National Reassurance Company, or Lincoln, for a ceding allowance of
$4,000,000. The policies reinsured, on a combined coinsurance and modified
coinsurance basis, were 80% of all group term life insurance and 35% of all
individual deferred annuities in force on and after December 31, 2000. The
ceding allowance is being accounted for as a deferred reinsurance gain in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements and will be amortized into income
over the duration of the underlying policies. Due to the structure of this
F-33
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
transaction, no assets will be transferred relating to the ceding allowance or
policy liabilities assumed by Lincoln.
In December 1999, Central Reserve entered into a reinsurance transaction
with Hannover for certain health insurance policies issued during the period
from July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999. As part of the coinsurance funds
withheld transaction, Hannover will pay Central Reserve on a quarterly basis, an
experience refund, the amount of which shall be based upon the earnings derived
from the business reinsured. Concurrent with this transaction, Hannover will
reinsure to Continental General on a stop loss basis 100% of any losses incurred
for the business reinsured in excess of a pre-determined aggregate annualized
loss ratio of 76.0% in 2000, 78.0% in 2001 and 80.0% thereafter. In exchange for
coverage under the stop loss reinsurance, Hannover pays Continental General a
stop loss premium on the business reinsured.
In December 1997, Central Reserve entered into a retroactive reinsurance
treaty (the "1997 Treaty") with Hannover. The quota share treaty was effective
January 1, 1997, and covered certain group accident and health policies in force
and written during 1997. Under the provisions of the 1997 Treaty, Central
Reserve cedes 50% of the premiums of the eligible policies, and in return
receives reimbursement for 50% of the claims paid, plus a commission and expense
allowance. In connection with the 1997 Treaty, Central Reserve transferred $24.5
million of reserves to Hannover, and received an initial ceding allowance of
$10.0 million, resulting in a net cash transfer of $14.5 million to Hannover.
The initial ceding allowance was reported as a deferred reinsurance gain, in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements, and is amortized into income
over the duration of the underlying block of business.
Continental General Life Insurance Company
In February 1999, Continental General entered into a reinsurance agreement
with Hannover, under which Hannover reinsured 50% of all insurance business in
force at Continental General for a ceding allowance of $13.0 million. The ceding
allowance is being accounted for as a deferred reinsurance gain in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements and will be amortized into income
over the duration of the underlying block of business. Various assets, primarily
comprised of fixed income securities with a market value of $188.4 million, were
transferred from Continental General to Hannover for the policy liabilities
assumed by Hannover.
Provident American Life & Health Insurance Company
Prior to our acquisition of Provident American Life, all of the insurance
business of Provident American Life in force at December 31, 1998 was ceded to
Provident Indemnity. Hannover reinsured all the individual and small group
health insurance in force at December 31, 1998, of Provident Indemnity for a
ceding allowance of approximately $10.0 million. On January 1, 1999, Hannover
ceded 10% of this insurance in force to Central Reserve and Central Reserve paid
a $1.0 million ceding commission.
Effective January 1, 1999, Provident American Life entered into a
reinsurance agreement with Provident Indemnity, whereby Provident American Life
reinsured 100% of Provident Indemnity's business written after December 31,
1998. In a separate reinsurance agreement, Provident American Life ceded to
Hannover 50% of its direct business written after December 31, 1998 and 50% of
the business reinsured from Provident Indemnity.
United Benefit Life Insurance Company
Effective August 1, 1998, Central Reserve entered into a reinsurance treaty
with United Benefit Life, a life and accident and health insurer in Texas. Under
the terms of the treaty, Central Reserve agreed to
F-34
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
assume 100% of United Benefit Life's block of business, until such time as
profits earned by Central Reserve on the assumed block reach a contractual
threshold, which approximates $20.0 million of pre-tax income. Central Reserve
paid to United Benefit Life a $20.0 million ceding allowance in connection with
this transaction. In addition, Central Reserve entered into an agency
arrangement with respect to the marketing of United Benefit Life policies with
Insurance Advisors of America, Inc., or IAA, a subsidiary of United Benefit
Managed Care Corporation and an affiliate of United Benefit Life, in exchange
for a $7.0 million note receivable. Central Reserve recorded a full valuation
allowance against such note receivable at December 31, 1998.
Reserve liabilities assumed by Central Reserve under the United Benefit
Life agreement on August 1, 1998 exceeded the cash transferred to Central
Reserve by United Benefit Life as reimbursement for this assumption by $3.0
million, which was reflected in a note receivable. Subsequent to August 1, 1998,
the balance of the note receivable was increased as a result of adverse
developments in the assumed policy liabilities, net of amounts ceded to
Hannover, and net of an allowance for uncollectability. The note receivable was
secured by the outstanding common stock and assets of United Benefit Life. The
assets included real estate, bonds and reinsurance receivables from an unrelated
party, and commissions due IAA.
In connection with the United Benefit Life reinsurance treaty, Central
Reserve ceded 80% of the business in force on August 1, 1998 to Hannover,
thereby retaining a net risk of 20%. Additionally, Central Reserve ceded 50% of
the policies written by United Benefit Life subsequent to August 1, 1998 and
reinsured by Central Reserve to Hannover. This treaty provided Central Reserve
an initial ceding allowance of $20.0 million, which is being accounted for as a
deferred reinsurance gain in the accompanying consolidated financial statements,
and will be amortized into income over the duration of the underlying block of
business.
On March 18, 1999, Central Reserve announced the execution of an agreement
with United Benefit Managed Care Corporation, to purchase all of the outstanding
shares of its subsidiary, United Benefit Life. On June 14, 1999, Central Reserve
terminated this agreement due to a reserve shortfall at United Benefit Life in
excess of amounts projected. Pursuant to the "true up" provision in the
agreements between United Benefit Life, IAA and Central Reserve, the reserve
shortfall on the business assumed from United Benefit Life by Central Reserve at
December 31, 1999, was approximately $19.4 million. On July 21, 1999, following
receipt of approval from the Department of Insurance of the State of Indiana,
Central Reserve foreclosed on the stock of United Benefit Life and the renewal
commissions due IAA in partial payment of the $19.4 million reserve shortfall
accounted for under purchase accounting rules.
As of December 31, 1999, Central Reserve had recovered approximately $17.8
million of the $19.4 million reserve shortfall through real and personal
property of United Benefit Life totaling $4.6 million, commissions due IAA of
$5.3 million, and $7.9 million from the Hannover reinsurance agreement. As a
result, the remaining reserve shortfall was $1.6 million. An expense of $0.7
million was recorded in 1998, and the balance of $0.9 million was recorded in
1999.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company maintains other reinsurance
arrangements with other insurers. These arrangements are designed to limit the
maximum amount of exposure that the Company retains on a given policy. For
ordinary and group life claims, Continental's maximum retention is $125,000,
Pyramid Life's maximum retention is $100,000, and Central Reserve's maximum
retention is $50,000 with no retention maintained over age 70. For accident and
health claims, maximum retention on individual claims is $500,000.
F-35
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
The following table summarizes the net impact of reinsurance arrangements
on premiums and benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses, and selling,
general and administrative expenses:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
--------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Premiums
Direct........................................ $ 752,281 $ 551,553 $ 258,271
Assumed....................................... 16,817 81,493 45,923
Ceded......................................... (257,556) (305,300) (150,006)
--------- --------- ---------
Net premiums.................................. $ 511,542 $ 327,746 $ 154,188
========= ========= =========
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement
expenses...................................... $ 596,086 $ 485,717 $ 220,677
Reinsurance recoverable......................... (206,275) (252,614) (104,618)
--------- --------- ---------
$ 389,811 $ 233,103 $ 116,059
========= ========= =========
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Commissions................................... $ 127,692 $ 85,104 $ 36,853
Salaries and benefits......................... 38,409 25,678 15,718
Taxes, licenses, and fees..................... 18,439 13,024 6,448
Other operating expenses...................... 39,402 46,579 14,328
Administrative and IS services................ 21,486 14,513 8,122
Reinsurance expenses.......................... 3,299 44,096 13,774
Reinsurance allowances........................ (63,516) (91,062) (40,875)
--------- --------- ---------
$ 185,211 $ 137,932 $ 54,368
========= ========= =========
</Table>
The insurance companies remain obligated for amounts ceded in the event
that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations. Initial ceding allowances
received from reinsurers are accounted for as deferred reinsurance gain and are
amortized into income over the estimated remaining life of the underlying
policies reinsured, except for interest sensitive products that are amortized
over the expected profit stream of the in force business. Amortization of
deferred reinsurance gain for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
was $6.1 million, $5.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The above table
does not include the initial ceding allowances received from Hannover.
L. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We are defendants in a lawsuit filed on August 14, 2000, Insurance Advisors
of America, Inc., Transcend Group, Inc., and Jimmy K. Walker vs. Ceres Group,
Inc., Ceres Financial Services, Inc., Peter W. Nauert, Central Reserve Life
Insurance Company, Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America (f/k/a
Reassurance Company of Hannover), Provident American Life and Health Insurance
Company and Health Plan Services, Inc., United Benefit Life Insurance Company
and Billy B. Hill, Jr., case no. 17-184-65-00, in State District Court of
Tarrant County, Texas. The lawsuit involves a number of agreements between
Insurance Advisors of America and its affiliates, Transcend Group and Mr.
Walker, Ceres, Ceres Financial and United Benefit Life in which, among other
things, we reinsured United Benefit Life's policies, Insurance Advisors entered
into a non-compete agreement which prohibited them from selling insurance
products not provided by us, and Insurance Advisors signed a $10.0 million
promissory note payable to us. Pursuant to these agreements and to satisfy, in
part, a $19.4 million reserve shortfall, we acquired through foreclosure the
stock of United Benefit Life on July 21, 1999. Plaintiffs assert claims
F-36
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
for, among other things, fraud, breach of contract and negligence relating to
unfair competition. Plaintiffs allege that we engaged in a scheme to eliminate
the plaintiffs from the competitive market, retain Insurance Advisors' renewal
commissions and "steal" their subagents by, among other things, "locking"
plaintiffs into exclusive agreements and non-compete agreements and "improperly"
increasing premiums and reducing commissions. Plaintiffs further assert, among
other things, that our actions and inactions "unilaterally and unfairly"
effectively eliminated plaintiffs' ability to conduct business and made it
"impossible" for agents and their managers to remain with Insurance Advisors and
"make a living." Actual damages sought by plaintiffs in the original complaint
filed on August 14 are in excess of $50.0 million. Hannover has now been
dismissed from this action. Additionally, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed our
general counsel, Billy B. Hill, Jr., from the lawsuit.
On March 5, 2001, plaintiffs amended their complaint to again include Billy
Hill; to add additional defendants, including Rhonda Immoos (a paralegal at
Ceres), Pyramid Life and Continental General; to add additional allegations of
civil conspiracy, tortious interference with business and existing and future
contractual relationships toward Nauert, Hill and Immoos; and to demand a jury
trial. Plaintiffs now seek monetary damages in excess of $100.0 million,
including damages for lost profits, unpaid commissions and unpaid administrative
fees. In addition, plaintiffs now seek punitive damages in excess of $100.0
million.
On September 5, 2000, we filed a claim, Ceres Group, Inc., Central Reserve
Life Insurance Company, Provident American Life and Health Insurance Company,
and United Benefit Life Insurance Company vs. Insurance Advisors of America,
Inc., Robert H. Merrill, Private Business Management, Inc., Transcend Group,
Inc. and Jimmy K. Walker, in the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio,
relating to the foreclosure on the United Benefit Life stock and Insurance
Advisors' failure to make payments under the promissory note. On September 15,
2000, the Court of Common Pleas entered a temporary restraining order in our
favor, prohibiting defendants from making any false statements regarding us and
prohibiting them from inducing our insureds to lapse coverage. This order was
superceded by an agreed order dated October 2, 2000, which made permanent the
temporary order and required defendants to send a mailing to the agents of
Insurance Advisors advising them of the same.
On October 25, 2000, we filed a counterclaim in Tarrant County, Texas,
asserting that the plaintiffs failed to make payments under the various lending
agreements entered into by Insurance Advisors, breach of fiduciary duties,
misrepresentation of financial condition, breach of contract and certain other
claims. Contractual and tort damages sought are in excess of $25.0 million.
On January 23, 2001, we sought leave of the court to file a supplemental
complaint and to deposit certain funds with the court pending the final outcome
of the litigation. On February 22, 2001, the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga
County granted the defendants' Motion to Dismiss on Jurisdictional Priority
Grounds. We plan to appeal the court's decision to dismiss the case.
We have denied liability to plaintiffs in the Texas action and we intend to
vigorously contest plaintiffs' claims in that action, as well as pursue the
claims we have against Insurance Advisors, Jimmy Walker and their affiliates
both in the litigation we initiated in Ohio and in our counterclaim in the Texas
action. Management believes the allegations in the Texas action to be groundless
and does not believe that the outcome of this matter will have a material
adverse impact on us. However, because litigation and jury trials are inherently
unpredictable and the amounts sought by plaintiffs are large, there can be no
assurance that the litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition or results of operations.
In addition to the above litigation, we have recently been sued for
compensatory damages and, in some cases, unspecified punitive damages in a
number of actions pertaining to the insureds of United Benefit Life arising from
claims payment issues. While we do not believe that United Benefit Life has
F-37
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
harmed any of the plaintiffs in these lawsuits and we believe our reserves are
adequate, we cannot predict their outcome, including the award of punitive
damages, and, therefore, we cannot predict the financial impact on us. We intend
to vigorously contest these actions.
Other than the above matters, neither Ceres nor any of our subsidiaries,
including any of our property, is party to any material pending legal
proceeding.
M. DEBT
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Mortgage note payable....................................... $ 8,018 $ 8,157
======= =======
Bank credit facility........................................ $34,000 $40,000
Revolver.................................................... 15,000 --
------- -------
$49,000 $40,000
======= =======
</Table>
The Company executed a mortgage note payable in December 1990 for $9.0
million bearing interest at 9.5% per annum for 10 years. The mortgage note is
collateralized by the home office building and by an assignment of the tenant
lease for the building. The Company is required to make monthly payments based
on a 30-year amortization schedule, of $75,700 for 10 years. In December 2000,
the note was extended at the same rate for a two year period. Principal payments
due in the next three years, assuming no prepayments are $0.2 million in 2001,
$0.1 million in 2002 and $7.7 million in 2003. The Company has a right to prepay
the loan with a 1.0% prepayment fee.
To provide funds for the acquisition of Continental General in February
1999, we incurred debt of $40.0 million under a credit agreement. Under the
terms of the credit agreement, dated as of February 17, 1999, among Ceres,
various lending institutions and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative
Agent, the first principal payment of $3.0 million was due on February 17, 2000,
and quarterly principal payments are due thereafter as follows: $1.0 million
through February 17, 2001; $1.5 million through February 17, 2002; and $2.25
million thereafter through February 2005.
Interest on the outstanding balance will be determined based on our
selection each quarter of either a "Base Rate Loan" or a "Eurodollar Loan."
Under the Base Rate Loan, the interest rate will be 2.5% per annum plus the
higher of (a) the rate which is 0.50% of 1% in excess of a federal funds rate
and (b) Chase's prime rate as in effect from time to time. Under the Eurodollar
Loan, the interest rate will be 3.5% per annum plus an Eurodollar rate, which is
the arithmetic average of the offered quotation to first-class banks in the
interbank Eurodollar market by Chase, adjusted for certain reserve requirements.
At December 31, 2000, the interest rate was 10.3%.
The credit agreement was amended on July 25, 2000 to increase the revolver
from $10.0 million to $15.0 million in connection with the acquisition of
Pyramid Life. Any amount outstanding on the revolver must be repaid on February
17, 2002. The revolver bears interest at the same rate choices as the $40.0
million loan. At December 31, 2000, the interest rate was 10.2% on the
outstanding balance of $15.0 million.
The credit agreement, as amended, contains financial and other covenants
that, among other matters:
- prohibit the payment of cash dividends on our shares of common stock;
- restrict the creation of liens and sales of assets; and
- require that we, at a minimum, maintain:
F-38
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
- a leverage ratio (consolidated debt to consolidated total capital)
of 0.40 to 1.00 through December 31, 2000, 0.35 to 1.00 thereafter
through December 31, 2001, and 0.30 to 1.00 thereafter;
- an interest coverage ratio (consolidated earning before interest,
income taxes, depreciation, and amortization to consolidated
interest expense) of 2.50 to 1.00 through December 31, 2000, and
3.00 to 1.00 thereafter;
- a risk-based capital (RBC) ratio for any of our regulated insurance
company subsidiary of not less than 125.0% of the RBC Company Action
Level;
- consolidated net worth of $80.0 million through December 31, 2000,
$110.0 million thereafter through December 31, 2001, $160.0 million
thereafter through December 31, 2002, and $200.0 million thereafter;
and
- a fixed charge coverage ratio (borrower cash flow to the sum of
consolidated interest expense and scheduled repayments) of not less
than 1.05 to 1.00 for the period of June 30, 2000 through June 30,
2001, 1.10 to 1.00 thereafter through June 30, 2002, 1.20 to 1.00
thereafter through June 30, 2003, and 1.30 to 1.00 thereafter.
In addition, we pledged the common stock of Continental General
Corporation, Central Reserve, Provident American Life, Pyramid Life and other
subsidiaries as security for the credit agreement. At December 31, 2000, we were
in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement, as amended.
Future annual principal payments due for the mortgage note and all long-term
debt are $5.7 million for 2001, $23.4 million for 2002, $16.7 million for 2003,
$9.0 million for 2004 and $2.2 million for 2005.
N. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
In 1999, 373 employees each received 1,000 common stock options under the
1998 Employee Stock Option Plan. A second grant was made for new employees hired
from January 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999, and still employed as of
December 31, 1999. Under this second grant in 2000, 75 employees received 1,000
common stock options. Each grant vests after three years and expires ten years
from the date of the grant. The vesting accelerates in the event of a change in
control of the Company. There are 500,000 shares of our common stock reserved
for issuance under this plan. The Company terminated this plan in December 2000.
In 1998, pursuant to the 1998 Key Employee Share Incentive Plan, the
Company granted common stock options to certain key employees. In 2000 and 1999,
the Company granted additional common stock options to certain employees under
the 1998 Key Employee Share Incentive Plan. Such grants generally vest over
three years, and expire ten years from the date of the grant. In the event of a
change in control, all options granted immediately vest and become exercisable
in full. There are 2,000,000 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance
under this plan, pending stockholder approval.
In 1998 and 1999, pursuant to various individual employment agreements, the
Company granted non-qualified options to purchase 815,000 shares of our common
stock to certain key employees. Such grants generally vest over three years.
Also, pursuant to an employment contract, the Company provided an award of
common shares to Peter Nauert. The number of shares awarded is contingent upon
the weighted average fair value of the common shares over specified periods, but
is based on a stock award equal to $1.0 million per year through July 1, 2001.
Management currently estimates that 474,256 shares (including 141,422 shares
F-39
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
issued in 1999 and 144,488 shares issued in 2000) will be issued pursuant to the
employment contract, based upon the fair value of the Company's shares at
December 31, 2000.
In 1983, the Company adopted an Incentive Stock Option Plan, or the 1983
Plan. The 1983 Plan, which expired in May 1993, provided that key full-time
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries were eligible for participation.
The 65,845 options outstanding at December 31, 1997 expired in 1998 and no
options are outstanding under the plan.
A summary of the Company's stock option activity is presented below:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
2000 1999
--------------------------- ---------------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
AVERAGE AVERAGE
OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE
--------- -------------- --------- --------------
Outstanding at beginning of
year............................ 1,606,000 7.81 1,065,000 7.70
Options granted, with exercise
prices:
Equal to fair value at grant
date......................... 644,977 6.68 648,000 8.11
Less than fair value at grant
date......................... -- -- -- --
Forfeited......................... (198,793) 7.22 (107,000) 8.60
--------- ---------
Outstanding at end of year........ 2,052,184 7.51 1,606,000 7.81
========= =========
Exercisable at end of year........ 470,000 7.88 340,000 7.82
========= =========
</Table>
Exercise prices for options outstanding at December 31, 2000 ranged from
$5.50 to $10.50, of which 40% were between $5.50 and $6.99, 20% between $7.00
and $7.99, 29% between $8.00 and $8.99, and 11% between $9.00 and $10.50. While
some options have no expiration date, management estimates the remaining average
contractual life of options awarded is 5 years.
At December 31, 2000, there were 470,000 options exercisable ranging from
$5.50 to $10.50. Approximately 10% were at $5.50, 30% were at $6.50, and 15%
were at each of the following: $7.50, $8.50, $9.50 and $10.50.
The Company also had outstanding at December 31, 2000 3,657,743 warrants at
$5.41, expiring in 2005 and 900,000 warrants at $6.00, expiring in 2002.
Our 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was adopted by our stockholders on
June 27, 2000. Under the plan, employees may purchase shares of our common stock
at a discount from fair value. All of our full time employees, including
officers, are eligible to participate in the employee stock purchase plan,
subject to limited exceptions. Eligible employees participate voluntarily, and
may withdraw from an offering at any time before the stock is purchased.
Participation terminates automatically upon termination of employment other than
for death, disability or retirement. We make six-month offerings beginning May 1
and November 1 of each year. The purchase price per share in an offering will
not be less than 85% of the lesser of the stock's fair value at the beginning of
the offering period or on the applicable exercise date and may be paid through
payroll deductions. As of December 31, 2000, 18,807 shares had been issued under
the employee plan.
We also have a 2000 Agent Stock Purchase Plan similar to the employee plan
under which certain of our agents may purchase shares of our common stock at the
same discount from fair value. The agent purchase plan does not qualify as an
employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. As
of December 31, 2000, 10,603 shares had been issued under the agent plan. There
are
F-40
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
1,000,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance in the aggregate under
both plans. Both of the plans will terminate when all of the shares reserved for
issuance under the plans have been purchased.
The Company recognized stock compensation expense of $1.1 million, $0.8
million and $0.6 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. As required by
FASB Statement 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, the Company has
estimated the pro forma impact on net income and earnings per share of
stock-based compensation under the fair value method, using the Black-Scholes
option valuation model.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions
and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in
management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable
single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
Significant underlying assumptions made are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
Risk-free rate of return.................................... 4.98% 6.34% 4.54%
Dividend yield.............................................. 0% 0% 0%
Volatility factor........................................... 0.226 0.287 0.592
Expected life of award...................................... 5 years 5 years 5 years
</Table>
Based on the methodology and assumptions delineated above, the weighted
average fair value of options was $1.26, $2.10 and $3.23 per share for 2000,
1999 and 1998, respectively. The pro forma impact would be to decrease net
income by $0.6 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million and decrease net income
per share by $0.04, $0.07 and $0.10 for basic and $0.04, $0.06 and $0.10 for
fully diluted for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
O. PREFERRED SHARES
The Company has authorized 1,900,000 Non-Voting Preferred Shares, $.001 par
value. The Company has never issued any Non-Voting Preferred Shares; however,
the Board of Directors is authorized at any time to provide for the issuance of,
such shares in one or more series, and to determine the designations,
preferences, limitations and other rights of the shares issued, including but
not limited to the dividend rate, liquidation preference, redemption rights and
price, sinking fund requirements, conversion rights and restrictions on the
issuance of such shares. Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares shall have no
voting rights except as required by law.
The Company has authorized 100,000 Convertible Voting Preferred Shares,
$.001 par value, of which 75,000 are outstanding. For more information regarding
our Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, see Note C, Business Combination, The
Pyramid Life Insurance Company acquisition.
P. STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
State insurance laws and regulations prescribe accounting practices for
determining statutory net income and equity for insurance companies. In
addition, state regulators may permit statutory accounting practices that differ
from prescribed practices. The use of such permitted practices by Ceres and its
insurance subsidiaries did not have a material effect on their statutory equity
at December 31, 2000.
F-41
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
Statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory
authorities for Ceres' insurance subsidiaries differ from generally accepted
accounting principles. Shareholders' equity and net income, as determined in
accordance with statutory accounting practices, for Ceres and its subsidiaries
are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
STATUTORY CAPITAL AND
STATUTORY NET GAIN (LOSS) SURPLUS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------- ---------------------
2000 1999 1998 2000 1999
-------- ------- -------- -------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Central Reserve(a)............ $ (1,046) $(1,994) $(21,163) $26,164 $ 23,109
Provident American Life(a).... (419) (983) -- 6,551 3,356
Continental General(b)........ (2,831) 13,591 -- 42,478 33,535
United Benefit Life(a)........ (1,564) 421 -- 4,182 3,854
Pyramid Life(b)............... 2,874 -- -- 20,814 --
-------- ------- --------
Total............... $ (2,986) $11,035 $(21,163)
======== ======= ========
</Table>
- ---------------
(a) Statutory capital and surplus for Central Reserve includes Provident
American Life and United Benefit Life.
(b) Statutory capital and surplus for Continental General includes Pyramid Life.
Generally, the capital and surplus of Ceres' insurance subsidiaries
available for transfer to the parent company are limited to the amounts that the
insurance subsidiaries' capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices, exceed minimum statutory capital requirements;
however, payments of the amounts as dividends may be subject to approval by
regulatory authorities. In 2001, Central Reserve, United Benefit Life and
Provident American Life cannot pay any dividends without the prior approval of
the Ohio Insurance Commissioner as a result of their respective statutory
deficit in unassigned surplus at December 31, 2000. As of December 31, 2000,
Continental General could pay approximately $1.4 million in dividends in 2001,
without the prior approval of the Nebraska Insurance Commissioner. By agreement
with the Kansas Department of Insurance, Pyramid Life can pay dividends only
from net underwriting profits of Pyramid Life, and, therefore, as of December
31, 2000, Pyramid Life could pay approximately $2.9 million in dividends in
2001, without the prior approval of the Kansas Insurance Commissioner.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners revised the Accounting
Practices and Procedures Manual in a process referred to as Codification. The
revised manual is effective January 1, 2001. The domiciliary states of Ceres and
its insurance subsidiaries have adopted the provisions of the revised manual.
The revised manual has changed, to some extent, prescribed statutory accounting
practices and will result in changes to the accounting practices that Ceres and
its subsidiaries use to prepare their statutory-basis financial statements.
Management believes the impact of these changes to Ceres and its insurance
subsidiaries statutory-basis capital and surplus as of January 1, 2001 will not
be significant.
F-42
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
Q. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Net income (loss)..................................... $16,450 $11,704 $(3,836)
Other comprehensive loss, net
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of
$0, $0, and $565, respectively................... 11,806 (19,650) 485
Other............................................... 210 362 --
------- ------- -------
Comprehensive income (loss)...................... $28,466 $(7,584) $(3,351)
======= ======= =======
</Table>
R. COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net
income (loss) per common share:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
----------- ----------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BASIC
Average common stock outstanding........... 15,260,160 13,328,339 7,845,172
=========== =========== ==========
Net income (loss) attributable to common
stockholders............................ $ 16,123 $ 11,704 $ (3,836)
=========== =========== ==========
Net income (loss) per share attributable to
common stockholders..................... $ 1.06 $ 0.88 $ (0.49)
=========== =========== ==========
DILUTED
Average common stock outstanding........... 15,260,160 13,328,339 7,845,172
Convertible voting preferred stock......... 535,851 -- --
Warrants/stock options -- treasury stock
method.................................. 629,344 1,905,560 --
----------- ----------- ----------
Weighted average shares of common stock.... 16,425,355 15,233,899 7,845,172
=========== =========== ==========
Net income (loss).......................... $ 16,450 $ 11,704 $ (3,836)
=========== =========== ==========
Net income (loss) per share................ $ 1.00 $ 0.77 $ (0.49)
=========== =========== ==========
</Table>
Net income (loss) per common share has been computed in accordance with
FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. In computing diluted earnings per
share, only potential common shares that are dilutive, those that reduce
earnings per share, are included. The exercise of options and warrants is not
assumed if the result would be antidilutive, such as when a loss from operations
is reported.
S. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
Effective January 1, 1998, the Company's noncontributory pension plan was
converted into a defined contribution 401(k) savings plan, or the Plan.
Employees become eligible to participate in the Plan after six months of
service. Based on the provisions of the Plan, participants may contribute up to
15% of their pre-tax annual compensation. The Plan provides for a 100% employer
matching contribution only for that
F-43
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
portion of participant contributions made to a fund, which holds principally the
Company's common shares, up to $1,000 annually.
In 1999, Continental General employees were eligible to participate in the
Continental Retirement Savings Plan, or Continental Plan. Effective January 1,
2000, the Continental Plan was merged into the Plan. Following the acquisition
of Pyramid Life on July 26, 2000, employees of Pyramid Life also became eligible
to participate in the Plan.
Total matching contributions by the Company were approximately $376,000 for
2000, $133,000 for 1999 and $52,000 for 1998. The employer matching
contributions vest over a five-year graded vesting schedule with 100% vesting
after five years. Effective January 1, 2001, the employer match for the Plan was
increased to 50% of the first 6% of salary deferrals.
T. OPERATING SEGMENTS
In conjunction with the Company's continued growth and refinement of its
organization structure, the Company expanded its operating segments to the
following three distinct operating segments based upon product types: medical,
senior and other, and corporate and other. Products included in the medical
segment include comprehensive major medical plans. Significant products in the
senior and other segment include Medicare supplement, long-term care, dental,
life insurance, and annuities.
The corporate and other segment encompasses all other activities of the
Company, including interest income, interest expense, and corporate expenses of
the parent company. Revenues from each segment are primarily generated from
premiums charged to external policyholders and interest earned on cash and
investments and are summarized in the following tables:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
MEDICAL
Revenues
Net premiums.................................. $375,804 $251,876 $143,064
Investment income, realized gains (losses).... 9,101 6,985 5,682
Other income.................................. 34,925 21,307 8,294
-------- -------- --------
419,830 280,168 157,040
-------- -------- --------
Expenses
Benefits and claims........................... 288,260 176,531 108,439
Other operating expenses...................... 121,345 96,357 49,143
-------- -------- --------
409,605 272,888 157,582
-------- -------- --------
Segment profit (loss) before federal income
taxes, minority interest and preferred stock
dividends..................................... $ 10,225 $ 7,280 $ (542)
======== ======== ========
SENIOR AND OTHER
Revenues
Net premiums.................................. $135,738 $ 75,870 $ 11,124
Investment income, realized gains (losses).... 16,615 14,233 1,498
Other income.................................. 2,686 1,364 --
-------- -------- --------
155,039 91,467 12,622
-------- -------- --------
</Table>
F-44
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Expenses
Benefits and claims........................... 101,551 56,572 7,620
Other operating expenses...................... 32,225 18,510 3,986
-------- -------- --------
133,776 75,082 11,606
-------- -------- --------
Segment profit before federal income taxes,
minority interest and preferred stock
dividends..................................... $ 21,263 $ 16,385 $ 1,016
======== ======== ========
CORPORATE AND OTHER
Revenues
Investment income, realized gains (losses).... $ 1,057 $ 251 $ 485
Other income.................................. 22 207 --
-------- -------- --------
1,079 458 485
-------- -------- --------
Expenses
Interest and financing expenses............... 5,566 4,090 1,842
Other operating expenses...................... 2,197 2,027 1,886
-------- -------- --------
7,763 6,117 3,728
-------- -------- --------
Segment loss before federal income taxes,
minority interest and preferred stock
dividends..................................... $ (6,684) $ (5,659) $ (3,243)
======== ======== ========
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE FEDERAL INCOME TAXES, MINORITY
INTEREST AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS........... $ 24,804 $ 18,006 $ (2,769)
======== ======== ========
</Table>
The Company does not separately allocate investments or other identifiable
assets by industry segment, nor are income tax (benefits) expenses allocated by
industry segment. The Company also expanded the detail of its disclosures for
2000, 1999, and 1998, which included certain reclassifications.
U. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair values of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices,
where available, or on values obtained from independent pricing services. In
cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on
estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques
are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate
and estimates of future cash flows. Although fair value estimates are calculated
using assumptions that management believes are appropriate, changes in
assumptions could cause these estimates to vary materially. In that regard, the
derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to
independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
settlement of the instruments.
The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can have a
significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the
estimates.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures:
INVESTMENT SECURITIES -- Fair value for fixed maturity securities is based
on quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity securities not
actively traded, fair value is estimated using values obtained from independent
pricing services.
F-45
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, PREMIUMS RECEIVABLE, REINSURANCE RECEIVABLE,
SURPLUS NOTES, MORTGAGE LOANS AND POLICY LOANS -- The carrying amounts reported
in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments approximate their fair
value.
ANNUITY CONTRACTS -- The fair value for the annuity reserves included in
the liability for future policy benefit, losses, and claims is the amount
payable on demand.
OTHER POLICYHOLDERS' FUNDS -- The carrying amount reported in the
consolidated balance sheets for these instruments approximate their fair value.
MORTGAGE NOTE PAYABLE, DEBT AND REINSURANCE PAYABLE -- The carrying amounts
reported in the consolidated balance sheets for the mortgage note payable and
long-term debt approximates their fair value.
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------
2000 1999
---------------------- ----------------------
CARRYING ESTIMATED CARRYING ESTIMATED
AMOUNT FAIR VALUE AMOUNT FAIR VALUE
-------- ---------- -------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities available for sale........... $415,287 $415,287 $300,986 $300,986
Surplus notes................................. 4,995 4,995 5,043 5,043
Policy loans.................................. 5,740 5,740 3,828 3,828
Mortgage loans................................ 89 89 95 95
Cash and cash equivalents....................... 59,512 59,512 42,921 42,921
Premiums receivable............................. 5,852 5,852 4,905 4,905
Reinsurance receivable.......................... 238,185 238,185 263,289 263,289
LIABILITIES
Annuity reserves................................ 194,369 186,786 218,074 209,586
Other policyholders' funds...................... 24,246 24,246 22,365 22,365
Mortgage note payable........................... 8,018 8,018 8,157 8,157
Debt............................................ 49,000 49,000 40,000 40,000
</Table>
V. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of fixed maturity investments,
cash, cash equivalents, and reinsurance receivable.
The Company maintains cash and short-term investments with various
financial institutions, and performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit
standings of those financial institutions.
Substantially all of the Company's reinsurance recoverable is due from a
single reinsurer, Hannover. At December 31, 2000, Hannover maintained an "A"
rating from the A.M. Best Company. The Company performs periodic evaluations of
this reinsurer's credit standing.
F-46
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
W. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of quarterly results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 1999:
<Table>
<Caption>
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
2000
Revenues...................................... $118,490 $134,789 $157,557 $165,112
Benefits and claims........................... 81,558 90,023 104,018 114,212
Selling, general and administrative and other
expenses................................... 31,131 37,711 47,429 45,062
Net income.................................... 3,771 4,585 3,972 4,122
Net income attributable to common
stockholders............................... 3,771 4,585 3,834 3,933
Net income per share attributable to common
stockholders...............................
Basic...................................... 0.28 0.33 0.23 0.23
Diluted.................................... 0.26 0.32 0.21 0.22
1999
Revenues...................................... $ 78,434 $ 93,555 $ 97,424 $102,680
Benefits and claims........................... 50,210 60,387 60,108 62,398
Selling, general and administrative and other
expenses................................... 24,803 28,530 33,193 34,458
Net income.................................... 2,224 3,014 2,680 3,786(a)
Net income per share..........................
Basic...................................... 0.17 0.23 0.20 0.28
Diluted.................................... 0.15 0.19 0.17 0.26
</Table>
- ---------------
(a) The increase in the fourth quarter net income is primarily a result of a
decrease in claim reserves held for the health business of Continental
General and a leveling of the increased reserves held for adverse deviations
in the long-term care business of Continental General.
X. DEBT OBLIGATIONS IN 2002
The Company believes that cash flow from operating activities will be
sufficient to meet the Company's currently anticipated operating and capital
expenditure requirements over the twelve month period ending December 31, 2002.
However, management of the Company believes that funds will not be sufficient to
meet all of the Company's bank debt obligations in 2002. Funds to meet the
Company's debt obligations are generated from fee income from the Company's
non-regulated subsidiaries and from dividends of the Company's insurance
subsidiaries, if available. The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of
the principal and interest on the Company's indebtedness depends on the
Company's future performance and the future performance of the Company's
non-regulated subsidiaries. Dividends from the Company's regulated insurance
subsidiaries are subject to, and limited by, state insurance regulations.
Without restructuring or refinancing of the Company's current debt obligations,
the Company will require additional funds to meet its obligations.
Management of the Company plans to raise capital in the fourth quarter of
2001 and utilize a portion of the proceeds to reduce the debt balance
outstanding. In addition, management plans to restructure or refinance the
remaining debt obligations. The banks may not agree to any restructuring, and
additional
F-47
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
financing may not be available on terms favorable to the Company or at all. If
the Company is not able to raise capital, the Company's business could be
materially adversely affected, including the Company's ability to meet all of
its debt obligations.
F-48
SCHEDULE II
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CERES GROUP, INC. (PARENT ONLY)
BALANCE SHEETS
FOR THE YEARS DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
2000 1999
-------- --------
ASSETS
Investment in subsidiaries*................................. $157,088 $ 87,187
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 4,832 1,674
Property and equipment, net................................. 9,035 8,887
Other assets................................................ 3,113 4,416
-------- --------
Total assets...................................... $174,068 $102,164
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Debt...................................................... $ 57,018 $ 48,157
Other liabilities(1)...................................... 13,767 9,346
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 70,785 57,503
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity
Non-voting preferred stock................................ -- --
Convertible voting preferred stock........................ 7,500 --
Common stock.............................................. 17 14
Additional paid-in capital................................ 82,943 60,290
Dividends distributable, convertible voting preferred
stock.................................................. 327 --
Retained earnings......................................... 18,672 2,549
Accumulated other comprehensive loss...................... (6,176) (18,192)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........................ 103,283 44,661
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........ $174,068 $102,164
======== ========
</Table>
- ---------------
* Eliminated in consolidation.
(1) Includes $6.3 million and $0 million in advances from non-regulated
subsidiaries in 2000 and 1999, respectively. Beginning in 2001, we intend to
rely primarily on dividends from our non-regulated subsidiaries to meet our
outstanding debt obligations. Dividends from our non-regulated, non-
insurance subsidiaries may be derived from their retained earnings, which
are generated by fees paid by unaffiliated and affiliated companies under
various agreements of these subsidiaries.
See accompanying independent auditors' report.
F-49
SCHEDULE II
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CERES GROUP, INC. (PARENT ONLY)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
2000 1999 1998
------- -------- -------
REVENUES
Rental income*.............................................. $ 1,170 $ 1,410 $ 930
Net investment income....................................... 97 72 293
------- -------- -------
1,267 1,482 1,223
EXPENSES
Selling, general and administrative expenses................ 4,015 10,103 3,712
------- -------- -------
Loss before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed
income (loss) of subsidiaries............................. (2,748) (8,621) (2,489)
Income tax benefit.......................................... (962) (3,017) (871)
------- -------- -------
Loss before equity in undistributed loss of subsidiaries.... (1,786) (5,604) (1,618)
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries(1).... 18,236 17,308 (2,218)
------- -------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS)........................................... 16,450 11,704 (3,836)
Convertible voting preferred stock dividends................ 327 -- --
------- -------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS.......... $16,123 $ 11,704 $(3,836)
======= ======== =======
</Table>
- ---------------
* Eliminated in consolidation.
(1) Includes the parent company's equity in earnings of regulated and
non-regulated subsidiaries. Beginning in 2001, we intend to rely primarily
on dividends from our non-regulated subsidiaries to meet our outstanding
debt obligations. Dividends from our non-regulated, non-insurance
subsidiaries may be derived from their retained earnings, which are
generated by fees paid by unaffiliated and affiliated companies under
various agreements of these subsidiaries.
See accompanying independent auditors' report.
F-50
SCHEDULE II
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
CERES GROUP, INC. (PARENT ONLY)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
2000 1999 1998
-------- -------- --------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)......................................... $ 16,450 $ 11,704 $ (3,836)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation............................................ 470 380 449
Decrease (increase) in other assets..................... 1,303 (3,682) (107)
Decrease in other liabilities........................... (1,915) 7,137 3,208
Increase in net advances from non-regulated
subsidiaries(1)...................................... 6,336 -- --
Dividend income received from subsidiaries*............. 220 450 --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities....... 22,864 15,989 (286)
-------- -------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Surplus note receivable*................................ -- -- 14,000
Contribution to subsidiary surplus*..................... (3,500) -- (21,200)
Contribution to Continental General for the acquisition
of Pyramid Life Insurance Company*................... (33,272) -- --
Equity in undistributed (income) loss of
subsidiaries*........................................ (18,236) (17,308) 2,218
Increase in investment in subsidiaries*................. (3,097) (4,485) (1,938)
Acquisition of Continental General Corporation, net of
$2,212 cash acquired................................. -- (59,788) --
Purchase of property and equipment...................... (618) (191) --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities..................... (58,723) (81,772) (6,920)
-------- -------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of notes payable.............................. -- -- (20,000)
Increase in debt borrowings............................. 15,000 40,000 --
Principal payments on debt.............................. (6,000) -- --
Principal payments on mortgage note payable............. (139) (127) (115)
Proceeds from private placement of common stock, net of
acquisition costs.................................... 21,096 15,000 37,675
Proceeds from issuance of common stock related to
employee benefit plans............................... 1,560 1,409 --
Proceeds from private placement of preferred stock...... 7,500 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities................. 39,017 56,282 17,560
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash........................... 3,158 (9,501) 10,354
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year............ 1,674 11,175 821
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR.................. $ 4,832 $ 1,674 $ 11,175
======== ======== ========
</Table>
- ---------------
* Eliminated in consolidation.
(1) Beginning in 2001, we intend to rely primarily on dividends from our
non-regulated subsidiaries to meet our outstanding debt obligations.
Dividends from our non-regulated, non-insurance subsidiaries may be derived
from their retained earnings, which are generated by fees paid by
unaffiliated and affiliated companies under various agreements of these
subsidiaries.
See accompanying independent auditors' report.
F-51
SCHEDULE III
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE INFORMATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
FUTURE POLICY OTHER POLICY
DEFERRED BENEFITS, CLAIMS AND NET
ACQUISITION LOSSES AND UNEARNED BENEFITS PREMIUM INVESTMENT
COSTS CLAIMS PREMIUMS PAYABLE REVENUE INCOME
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2000
Medical................................... $33,187 $ 10,113 $ 9,493 $132,453 $375,804 $ 9,250
Senior and other.......................... 22,802 398,056 33,258 43,783 135,738 16,570
Corporate and other....................... -- -- -- -- -- 1,051
------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------
Total............................... $55,989 $408,169 $42,751 $176,236 $511,542 $26,871
======= ======== ======= ======== ======== =======
Year ended December 31, 1999
Medical................................... $18,758 $ 6,839 $ 8,613 $120,081 $251,876 $ 7,027
Senior and other.......................... 7,892 350,310 23,432 29,457 75,870 14,084
Corporate and other....................... -- -- -- -- -- 251
------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------
Total............................... $26,650 $357,149 $32,045 $149,538 $327,746 $21,362
======= ======== ======= ======== ======== =======
Year ended December 31, 1998
Medical................................... $ 3,400 $ 395 $ 2,024 $ 73,872 $143,064 $ 5,647
Senior and other.......................... 278 20,299 -- 523 11,124 1,322
Corporate and other....................... 132 -- -- -- -- 485
------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------
Total............................... $ 3,810 $ 20,694 $ 2,024 $ 74,395 $154,188 $ 7,454
======= ======== ======= ======== ======== =======
<Caption>
NET (DEFERRAL)
AMORTIZATION
AND CHANGE
BENEFITS, IN ACQUISITION
CLAIMS, COSTS AND
LOSSES AND VALUE OF OTHER
SETTLEMENT BUSINESS OPERATING
EXPENSES ACQUIRED EXPENSES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December 31, 2000
Medical................................... $288,260 $(14,295) $135,640
Senior and other.......................... 101,551 (16,218) 48,443
Corporate and other....................... -- -- 7,763
-------- -------- --------
Total............................... $389,811 $(30,513) $191,846
======== ======== ========
Year ended December 31, 1999
Medical................................... $176,531 $(13,210) $109,567
Senior and other.......................... 56,572 (8,682) 27,192
Corporate and other....................... -- -- 6,117
-------- -------- --------
Total............................... $233,103 $(21,892) $142,876
======== ======== ========
Year ended December 31, 1998
Medical................................... $108,439 $ 600 $ 48,543
Senior and other.......................... 7,620 47 3,939
Corporate and other....................... -- -- 3,728
-------- -------- --------
Total............................... $116,059 $ 647 $ 56,210
======== ======== ========
</Table>
See accompanying independent auditor's report.
F-52
SCHEDULE IV
CERES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
REINSURANCE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
ASSUMED PERCENTAGE OF
CEDED TO FROM AMOUNT
GROSS OTHER OTHER NET ASSUMED TO
AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES AMOUNT NET
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
Life insurance in force......... $4,566,816 $2,247,235 $ 80,178 $2,399,759 3.3%
========== ========== ======== ==========
Premiums
Life insurance................ $ 25,765 $ 6,207 $ 1,671 $ 21,229 7.9%
Accident and health
insurance.................. 726,516 251,349 15,146 490,313 3.1%
---------- ---------- -------- ----------
$ 752,281 $ 257,556 $ 16,817 $ 511,542 3.3%
========== ========== ======== ==========
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
Life insurance in force......... $3,863,690 $1,165,579 $129,428 $2,827,539 4.6%
========== ========== ======== ==========
Premiums
Life insurance................ $ 17,735 $ 5,757 $ 1,958 $ 13,936 14.1%
Accident and health
insurance.................. 533,818 299,543 79,535 313,810 25.3%
---------- ---------- -------- ----------
$ 551,553 $ 305,300 $ 81,493 $ 327,746 24.9%
========== ========== ======== ==========
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Life insurance in force......... $1,239,853 $ 88,477 $ -- $1,151,376
========== ========== ======== ==========
Premiums
Life insurance................ $ 6,817 $ 201 $ -- $ 6,616
Accident and health
insurance.................. 251,454 149,805 45,923 147,572 31.1%
---------- ---------- -------- ----------
$ 258,271 $ 150,006 $ 45,923 $ 154,188 29.8%
========== ========== ======== ==========
</Table>
See accompanying independent auditor's report.
F-53
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Continental
General Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholder's equity,
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Continental
General Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
April 16, 1999
F-54
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
1998 1997
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Investments
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value....... $425,117,535 $390,958,799
Mortgage loans............................................ 4,725,828 4,868,590
Surplus notes............................................. 4,986,199 4,983,741
Policy loans.............................................. 3,732,503 3,433,296
------------ ------------
Total investments................................. 438,562,065 404,244,426
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 3,971,549 3,986,172
Cash and cash equivalents -- restricted..................... 400,000 400,000
Accrued investment income................................... 6,772,813 6,587,691
Premiums receivable......................................... 2,717,469 2,180,796
Deferred acquisition costs.................................. 39,265,710 41,204,312
Value of business acquired.................................. 10,816,747 12,748,673
Reinsurance receivable...................................... 290,105 240,826
Property and equipment, net................................. 3,800,734 3,864,027
Other assets................................................ 1,294,197 1,394,442
------------ ------------
Total assets...................................... $507,891,389 $476,851,365
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Policy liabilities and accruals
Future policy benefits, losses and claims................. $343,203,940 $313,017,935
Unearned premiums......................................... 27,105,725 24,229,538
Other policy claims and benefits payable.................. 33,182,811 27,262,234
------------ ------------
403,492,476 364,509,707
Notes payable to Western and Southern Life Insurance
Company................................................... 11,819,602 11,819,602
Deferred federal income taxes............................... 7,315,246 11,402,373
Drafts outstanding.......................................... 5,413,878 3,826,921
Federal income taxes payable................................ 161,864 882,254
Accrued commissions, expenses and taxes..................... 4,484,248 3,994,198
Other liabilities........................................... 7,592,861 5,308,914
------------ ------------
Total liabilities................................. 440,280,175 401,743,969
------------ ------------
Shareholder's Equity
Common shares, $.01 par value, 6,500,000 shares
authorized; 4,301,176 shares issued and outstanding.... 43,012 43,012
Additional paid-in capital................................ 6,396,653 6,396,653
Retained earnings......................................... 52,435,093 61,028,679
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 8,736,456 7,639,052
------------ ------------
Total shareholder's equity........................ 67,611,214 75,107,396
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity........ $507,891,389 $476,851,365
============ ============
</Table>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-55
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
REVENUES
Premiums
Direct........................................ $193,709,704 $165,321,968 $127,804,257
Assumed....................................... 623,444 640,533 704,030
Ceded......................................... (3,608,505) (3,782,262) (3,469,928)
------------ ------------ ------------
190,724,643 162,180,239 125,038,359
Net investment income........................... 29,408,351 26,931,334 23,483,849
Net realized gains.............................. 730,240 432,512 3,044,231
Other income.................................... 1,948,045 2,036,309 2,261,863
------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues........................ 222,811,279 191,580,394 153,828,302
------------ ------------ ------------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses...................................... 164,140,622 135,368,328 98,429,204
Underwriting, acquisition and operating
expenses...................................... 52,722,205 48,715,713 39,024,432
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs...... 17,171,385 12,360,165 9,462,031
Interest expense................................ 709,200 845,600 545,600
------------ ------------ ------------
234,743,412 197,289,806 147,461,267
------------ ------------ ------------
(Loss) income before federal income taxes....... (11,932,133) (5,709,412) 6,367,035
Federal income tax (benefit) expense............ (4,123,689) (1,965,082) 2,265,725
------------ ------------ ------------
NET (LOSS) INCOME............................... $ (7,808,444) $ (3,744,330) $ 4,101,310
============ ============ ============
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common
share......................................... $ (1.82) $ (.87) $ .95
Basic and diluted weighted-average common shares
outstanding................................... 4,301,176 4,301,176 4,301,176
</Table>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-56
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
<Table>
<Caption>
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
ADDITIONAL COMPREHENSIVE TOTAL
COMMON PAID IN RETAINED INCOME SHAREHOLDER'S
STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS (LOSS) EQUITY
------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -------------
Balance, January 1, 1996....... $43,012 $6,396,653 $62,765,411 $10,701,473 $79,906,549
Cash dividends paid............ (1,046,856) (1,046,856)
Comprehensive loss:
Net income..................... 4,101,310 4,101,310
Other comprehensive income,
net:
Unrealized holding loss on
securities................... (6,669,459) (6,669,459)
Reclassification adjustment for
gains included in
operations................... (1,978,750) (1,978,750)
----------- -----------
Other comprehensive loss....... (8,648,209)
-----------
Comprehensive loss............. (4,546,899)
------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1996..... 43,012 6,396,653 65,819,865 2,053,264 74,312,794
Cash dividends paid............ (1,046,856) (1,046,856)
Comprehensive income:
Net loss....................... (3,744,330) (3,744,330)
Other comprehensive income,
net:
Unrealized gain on
securities................... 5,866,921 5,866,921
Reclassification adjustment for
gains included in
operations................... (281,133) (281,133)
-----------
Other comprehensive income..... 5,585,788
-----------
Comprehensive income........... 1,841,458
------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1997..... 43,012 6,396,653 61,028,679 7,639,052 75,107,396
Cash dividends paid............ (785,142) (785,142)
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss....................... (7,808,444) (7,808,444)
Other comprehensive income,
net:
Unrealized gain on
securities................... 1,572,060 1,572,060
Reclassification adjustment for
gains included in
operations................... (474,656) (474,656)
-----------
Other comprehensive income..... 1,097,404
-----------
Comprehensive loss............. (6,711,040)
------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance, December 31, 1998..... $43,012 $6,396,653 $52,435,093 $ 8,736,456 $67,611,214
======= ========== =========== =========== ===========
</Table>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-57
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
<Table>
<Caption>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net (loss) income............................. $ (7,808,444) $ (3,744,330) $ 4,101,310
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............ (446,704) (140,463) (3,579)
Deferral of acquisition costs............ (18,832,783) (20,872,708) (14,387,284)
Amortization of deferred acquisition
costs and value of business
acquired.............................. 19,103,311 14,091,976 9,462,031
Deferred federal income taxes............ (4,678,038) (3,163,979) (2,639,666)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Cash and cash
equivalents-restricted.............. -- -- (50,000)
Federal income tax payable............ (720,390) (3,718,878) (1,477,824)
Premiums receivable................... (536,673) (83,545) (176,572)
Reinsurance receivable................ (49,279) 54,308 71,819
Accrued investment income............. (185,122) (1,096,677) (1,156,995)
Other assets.......................... 100,244 18,220 1,008,106
Insurance liabilities......................... 36,733,927 36,196,776 21,677,938
Outstanding drafts............................ 1,586,957 574,348 484,059
Accrued commissions, expenses and taxes....... 275,656 333,431
Other liabilities............................. 2,773,997 17,274 8,980,734
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating
activities....................... 27,041,003 18,407,978 26,227,508
------------ ------------ ------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturities
available-for-sale......................... (66,721,166) (62,371,612) (68,835,395)
Net change in policy loans.................... (299,207) (137,864) (478,724)
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities
available-for-sale......................... 38,294,991 20,504,486 16,130,167
Proceeds from sale of surplus note............ 1,061,006
Purchases of mortgage loans................... -- (3,754,219) --
Proceeds from paydowns on mortgage loans...... 142,762 55,058 1,182,878
Net disposals of furniture, fixtures and
electronic data processing equipment....... 63,293 189,353 34,529
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing
activities.......................... (28,519,327) (45,514,798) (50,905,539)
------------ ------------ ------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in notes payable to Western and
Southern Life Insurance Company............ -- 5,000,000 --
Dividends paid................................ (785,142) (1,046,856) (1,046,856)
Policyholder account deposits................. 26,692,485 39,656,599 37,948,796
Policyholder account withdrawals.............. (24,443,643) (16,856,521) (13,207,054)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing
activities.......................... 1,463,700 26,753,222 23,694,886
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS....... (14,624) (353,598) (983,145)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
year.......................................... 4,386,172 4,739,770 5,722,915
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR........ $ 4,371,548 $ 4,386,172 $ 4,739,770
============ ============ ============
</Table>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-58
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
A. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF BUSINESS
Continental General Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Western
and Southern Life Insurance Company ("Western and Southern"), operates primarily
through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental General Insurance Company
("CGIC"). CGIC is a stock life insurance company domiciled in Nebraska. CGIC
offers Medicare supplement and individual major medical products, distributed
through independent agents. CGIC also offers long-term care, ordinary life,
universal life, and annuity products. CGIC is licensed in 49 states and the
District of Columbia. Approximately 59% of premium volume is generated from
seven states: Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois, Texas and
Wisconsin.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Continental General Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively,
the "Company"). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which differ from accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the Nebraska Department of Insurance (see
Note H). A summary of significant accounting policies is as follows:
INVESTMENTS
Available-for-sale bonds, equity securities, and non-redeemable preferred
stocks are reported at fair value. Changes in fair values of available-for-sale
securities, after adjustment of deferred acquisition costs ("DAC"), if any, and
deferred income taxes, are reported as unrealized appreciation or depreciation
directly in shareholder's equity under accumulated other comprehensive income
and, accordingly, have no effect on operations. DAC offsets to the unrealized
appreciation or depreciation represent valuation adjustments or reinstatements
of DAC that would have been required as a charge or credit to operations had
such unrealized amounts been realized.
Premiums and discounts arising from the purchase of mortgage-backed
securities are amortized using the interest method over the estimated remaining
term of the securities, adjusted for anticipated prepayments.
Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are determined using
the specific-identification method.
The estimated fair value of investments is based upon quoted market prices,
where available, or on values obtained from independent pricing services.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and all highly liquid securities
with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased. Cash and cash
equivalents-restricted includes amounts held on deposit with various state
insurance departments to satisfy regulatory requirements.
F-59
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS
The costs (principally commissions) of acquiring traditional life,
interest-sensitive products and accident and health contracts, certain expenses
of the policy issue and underwriting department, and certain agency expenses,
all of which vary with and are primarily related to the production of new
business, have been deferred. Deferred acquisition costs of traditional life and
accident and health contracts are amortized over the premium payment period of
the related policies using the same assumptions as were used for computing
liabilities for future policy benefits, together with appropriate expense
assumptions. For interest-sensitive life products, deferred acquisition costs
are amortized over the lives of the policies in relation to the present value of
estimated gross profits from surrender charges and investment, mortality and
expense margins. Policy acquisition costs deferred were $18,832,783 in 1998,
$20,872,708 in 1997 and $14,387,284 in 1996. Of the policy acquisition costs
deferred, commissions represented 58.4% in 1998, 60.3% in 1997 and 62.3% in
1996.
VALUE OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED
A portion of the purchase price paid for the Company by Western and
Southern in 1990 was allocated to the value of business acquired based on the
actuarially-determined present value of the expected pre-tax future profits from
the business assuming a discount rate of 13.75%. Interest is accrued on the
balance annually at a rate consistent with the rate credited on the acquired
policies on the acquisition date. Recoverability of the value of business
acquired is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the
present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset
balance. If such current estimate is less than the existing asset balance, the
difference would be charged to expense. Value of business acquired is being
amortized over the estimated remaining life of the related insurance inforce
using assumptions consistent with those used in computing reserves. Interest is
credited to the unamortized balance based on interest rates ranging from 4.75%
to 8.75%.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are carried at cost less allowances for depreciation
and amortization. The home office building is depreciated on the straight-line
method over 30 years. Depreciation for other property and equipment is computed
on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the equipment,
principally five to seven years.
FUTURE POLICY BENEFIT RESERVES
Liabilities for future policy benefits on ordinary life insurance have
generally been provided on a net level premium method based upon estimates of
future investment yield, mortality, and withdrawals using the Company's
experience and actuarial judgment with an allowance for possible unfavorable
deviation from the expected experience. Future policy benefits for annuity
policies in the accumulation phase have been calculated based on the
participants' aggregate account values. The liability for future policy benefit
reserves for annuities has been computed using the following assumptions: (i)
the guaranteed interest rate on policies currently being issued is 3.25%, and
(ii) estimates of future mortality and withdrawals are based on experience and
established industry tables. Liabilities for a future policy reserves for
accident and health policies are computed based on estimates of future morbidity
and withdrawals based on experience and established industry tables. Where no
established industry tables are available, estimates of morbidity are based on a
combination of pricing assumptions and emerging Company experience.
LIFE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH CLAIM RESERVES
Liabilities for unpaid life and accident and health claims, which include a
provision for estimated costs to investigate and settle claims, are estimated
based upon past experience for pending, incurred but
F-60
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
not reported, and reopened claims. Estimates for accident and health claims
incurred but not paid are computed using actuarially-determined factors based on
a combination of claim completion and claim cost methods, utilizing durational
experience, seasonal cycle, changes in health care practice, changes in
inflation rates, and the claims backlog. Although considerable variability is
inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid
life and accident and health claims are adequate. The estimates are continually
reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information
becomes known. Such adjustments are included in current operations.
PREMIUM REVENUE
Ordinary life premiums are recognized as revenue when they become due.
Accident and health premiums are recognized as revenue over the terms of the
policies. Amounts received from contracts which do not subject the Company to
risks arising from policyholder mortality or morbidity, principally universal
life and annuity products, are not reflected in premium revenue; rather, such
amounts are accounted for as deposits and are included in future policy
benefits, losses and claims.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing the income available to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if common stock equivalents were exercised and shared in the
earnings of the Company. During the three year period ended December 31, 1998,
the Company had no common stock equivalents which would be dilutive.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
In accordance with FASB Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income,
the Company reports unrealized gains or losses on the Company's
available-for-sale securities net of taxes and DAC adjustments in other
comprehensive income.
OPERATING SEGMENTS
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131, Disclosures About Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information ("FAS 131"). FAS 131 requires that a
public business enterprise report a measure of segment profit or loss, certain
specific revenue and expense items, and segment assets. It requires
reconciliations of total segment revenues, total segment profit or loss, total
segment assets, and other amounts disclosed for segments to corresponding
amounts in the enterprise's general-purpose financial statements. FAS 131 also
requires that a public business enterprise report descriptive information about
the way that the operating segments were determined, the products and services
provided by the operating segments, differences between the measurements used in
reporting segment information and those used in the enterprise's general-purpose
financial statements, and changes in the measurement of segment amounts from
period to period. See Note M for additional information on the Company's
segments.
F-61
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
USE OF ESTIMATES
The consolidated financial statements reflect estimates and judgments made
by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial
statements and revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results
could differ significantly from those estimates.
B. INVESTMENTS
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities
available-for-sale as of each December 31, are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
GROSS UNREALIZED
AMORTIZED -------------------------- ESTIMATED
COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
1998:
U.S. Treasury
securities........... $ 1,637,408 $ 193,061 $ (301) $ 1,830,168
Obligations of states,
municipalities and
political
subdivisions......... 4,558,609 282,521 4,841,130
Corporate bonds......... 298,727,804 21,019,913 (2,153,344) 317,594,373
Foreign bonds........... 3,748,928 410,112 4,159,040
Mortgage-backed
securities........... 93,340,084 3,370,840 (18,100) 96,692,824
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
TOTAL
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE...... $402,012,833 $25,276,447 $(2,171,745) $425,117,535
============ =========== =========== ============
1997:
U.S. Treasury
securities........... $ 1,622,984 $ 163,059 $ (2,729) $ 1,783,314
Obligations of states,
municipalities and
political
subdivisions......... 4,573,269 188,771 4,762,040
Corporate bonds......... 261,870,236 14,379,573 (933,921) 275,315,888
Foreign bonds........... 3,722,683 209,797 3,932,480
Mortgage-backed
securities........... 101,353,239 4,009,718 (197,880) 105,165,077
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
TOTAL
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE...... $373,142,411 $18,950,918 $(1,134,530) $390,958,799
============ =========== =========== ============
</Table>
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at December
31, 1998, by contractual maturity, are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
COST FAIR VALUE
------------ ------------
Due in one year or less............................... $ 847,165 $ 873,307
Due after one year through five years................. 35,861,630 38,024,889
Due after five years through ten years................ 189,203,260 199,643,244
Due after ten years................................... 82,760,694 89,883,271
Mortgage-backed securities............................ 93,340,084 96,692,824
------------ ------------
TOTAL AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE.............................. $402,012,833 $425,117,535
============ ============
</Table>
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because
borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without
penalties. Proceeds, gross realized gains, and gross realized losses
F-62
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
from the sale of fixed maturities available-for-sale, excluding calls,
maturities, and pay downs, are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------- ----------- ----------
Proceeds.................................... $7,555,740 $11,938,814 $6,461,944
Gross realized gains........................ 458,610 300,546 70,862
Gross realized losses....................... 145,879
</Table>
The following is a summary of net investment income by category of
investments:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Fixed maturities.......................... $28,675,032 $26,316,987 $23,000,024
Mortgage loans............................ 418,992 216,173 184,398
Policy loans.............................. 258,091 237,798 223,007
Cash equivalents.......................... 56,236 160,376 76,420
----------- ----------- -----------
Total net investment income............... $29,408,351 $26,931,334 $23,483,849
=========== =========== ===========
</Table>
At December 31, 1998, the Company had certificates of deposit and fixed
maturity securities with a carrying value of $3,536,000 on deposit with various
state insurance departments to satisfy regulatory requirements.
At December 31, 1998, the Company held no unrated or less-than-investment
grade bonds. Management performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit
standings of the issuers of bonds held in the Company's portfolio. These
evaluations are considered by management in its overall investment strategy.
C. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Significant components of property and equipment are stated at cost, and
are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1998 1997
---------- ----------
Home office building...................................... $2,930,739 $2,930,739
Land...................................................... 489,483 489,483
Furniture, fixtures and data processing equipment......... 2,414,576 2,232,223
---------- ----------
5,834,798 5,652,445
Less accumulated depreciation............................. 2,034,064 1,788,418
---------- ----------
Total..................................................... $3,800,734 $3,864,027
========== ==========
</Table>
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
was $245,646, $352,673, and $224,950, respectively.
F-63
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
D. VALUE OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED
The changes in the unamortized value of business acquired are summarized as
follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -----------
Balance at beginning of year............................ $12,748,673 $14,480,484
Interest on unamortized balance......................... 829,841 983,435
Amortization............................................ (2,761,767) (2,715,246)
----------- -----------
Balance at end of Year.................................. $10,816,747 $12,748,673
=========== ===========
</Table>
The estimated percentage of the December 31, 1998 balance to be amortized
over the next five years is as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Percent amortization........................... 13.2% 11.7% 10.5% 9.3% 8.8%
</Table>
E. REINSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS
In the ordinary course of business, CGIC maintains reinsurance arrangements
with other insurers. These arrangements are designed to limit the maximum amount
of exposure that CGIC retains on any given policy. For ordinary claims, CGIC's
maximum retention is $125,000, for group life claims, the maximum retention is
$100,000, and for accident and health claims, maximum retention on individual
claims is $150,000.
The following table summarizes the net impact of reinsurance arrangements
on benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses and commissions:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement
expenses............................. $165,802,631 $137,248,068 $100,374,649
Reinsurance recoverable................ 1,662,009 1,879,740 1,945,445
------------ ------------ ------------
$164,140,622 $135,368,328 $ 98,429,204
============ ============ ============
Commissions:
Direct............................... $ 42,731,780 $ 41,980,653 $ 32,473,382
Reinsurance allowance................ 751,676 820,074 800,771
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 41,980,104 $ 41,160,579 $ 31,672,611
============ ============ ============
</Table>
CGIC remains obligated for amounts ceded in the event that the reinsurers
do not meet their obligations.
F-64
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
F. OTHER POLICY CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE
The following table reflects the activity in the liability for other policy
claims and benefits payable, net of reinsurance recoverables, as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ -----------
Balance at beginning of year............ $ 27,262,234 $ 22,737,678 $22,479,117
Incurred claims, net of reinsurance,
related to:
Current year.......................... 128,911,836 109,606,184 84,962,142
Prior years........................... 3,034,527 (1,610,256) (5,827,536)
------------ ------------ -----------
Total incurred................ 131,946,363 107,995,928 79,134,606
Paid claims, net of reinsurance, related
to:
Current year.......................... 99,223,522 83,036,934 63,753,221
Prior years........................... 26,802,264 20,434,438 15,122,824
------------ ------------ -----------
Total paid.................... 126,025,786 103,471,372 78,876,045
------------ ------------ -----------
Balance at end of Year.................. $ 33,182,811 $ 27,262,234 $22,737,678
============ ============ ===========
</Table>
The foregoing table indicates that a $3,034,527 deficiency in the December
31, 1997 reserves emerged during 1998, a $1,610,256 redundancy in the December
31, 1996 reserves emerged during 1997, and that a $5,827,536 redundancy in the
December 31, 1995 reserves emerged during 1996. The deficiency that emerged
during 1998 resulted from greater utilization and claim severity than initially
anticipated. Redundancies that emerged during 1997 and 1996 resulted from lower
utilization and claim severity than initially anticipated.
G. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company owed its parent, Western and
Southern, $11,819,602 pursuant to outstanding promissory notes. These notes are
unsecured, and bear interest at 8%. The notes are due on June 1, 1999, and
interest on the notes is due quarterly. In February 1999, the parent converted
the notes into additional contributed capital to the Company, and forgave all
interest due subsequent to September 30, 1998 (see Note N). Interest paid on the
notes during 1998, 1997, and 1996 did not differ materially from interest
expense.
The Company's parent provides certain administrative services to the
Company, including executive management and investment management services.
Charges allocated to the Company for such services were $587,618, $562,410 and
$496,042 for 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
H. STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company's insurance subsidiary, CGIC is required to file Annual
Statements with state insurance regulatory authorities to whose jurisdiction
CGIC is subject. These Annual Statements are prepared on an accounting basis
prescribed or permitted by the Nebraska Department of Insurance
("statutory-basis"), which differs from GAAP. Prescribed accounting practices
include a variety of publications of the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners ("NAIC"), as well as state laws, regulations and general and
administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all
accounting practices not prescribed.
The statutory-basis capital and surplus of CGIC at December 31, 1998 and
1997, as reported in the Annual Statements filed with regulatory authorities,
was $37,021,018 and $41,669,677, respectively, and
F-65
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
the statutory-basis net (loss) income for 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $(3,403,382),
$(7,688,033), and $3,127,940, respectively.
At December 31, 1998, total statutory capital and surplus of CGIC is
approximately $36,821,000 in excess of minimum regulatory requirements.
CGIC is subject to certain Risk-Based Capital ("RBC") requirements as
specified by the NAIC. The RBC model serves as a benchmark for the regulation of
life and accident and health insurance companies by state insurance regulators.
At December 31, 1998, CGIC exceeded the minimum RBC requirements.
The amount of dividends which CGIC can pay is subject to certain regulatory
restrictions. At December 31, 1998, CGIC can pay approximately $3,702,000 in
dividends without the prior authorization of the Nebraska Insurance
Commissioner.
I. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its parent,
Western & Southern.
Federal income tax expense (benefit) is composed of the following:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- -----------
Current................................... $ 554,349 $ 1,198,897 $ 4,905,391
Deferred.................................. (4,678,038) (3,163,979) (2,639,666)
----------- ----------- -----------
$(4,123,689) $(1,965,082) $ 2,265,725
=========== =========== ===========
</Table>
Income tax expense attributable to income from operations differs from the
amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35%. Those
effects are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------
Expected tax expense (benefit) at 35%...... $(4,176,247) $(1,988,294) $2,228,462
Non deductible dues........................ 3,328
Disallowed meals and entertainment......... 9,550 3,335 3,591
Other...................................... 39,680 19,877 33,672
----------- ----------- ----------
$(4,123,689) $(1,965,082) $2,265,725
=========== =========== ==========
</Table>
F-66
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented
below:
<Table>
<Caption>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1998 1997
----------- -----------
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves for future policy benefits................... $ 8,094,000 $ 3,219,000
Supplemental contracts................................ 2,468,000 2,434,000
Other................................................. 4,924,627
----------- -----------
10,562,000 10,577,627
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs............................ 3,719,000 6,225,000
Bond discount accretion............................... 1,756,000 1,368,000
Net unrealized appreciation on investment
securities......................................... 8,087,000 9,925,000
Value of business acquired............................ 3,787,000 4,462,000
Other................................................. 528,246
----------- -----------
17,877,246 21,980,000
----------- -----------
Net deferred tax liabilities............................ $ 7,315,246 $11,402,373
=========== ===========
</Table>
Federal income taxes paid during 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $706,727,
$4,840,447, and $0, respectively.
J. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is involved in litigation and may become involved in potential
litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of
management, the effects, if any, of such litigation are not expected to be
material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of
operations.
K. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company sponsors a defined contribution retirement savings plan (the
"401(k) Plan") for all eligible employees. Employees over age 21 become eligible
to participate in the 401(k) Plan after 12 months of service. Participants may
contribute up to 10% of their pretax annual compensation, up to a maximum
established by federal law. The 401(k) Plan provides for Company contributions
equal to 2% of each participants pretax compensation, and a matching
contribution of 50%, not to exceed 1% of the participant's pretax compensation.
In addition, the Board of Directors may annually approve a discretionary
contribution. The Company's total contributions to the 401(k) Plan in 1998,
1997, and 1996 were $410,988, $403,478, and $380,936, respectively.
L. DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Fair value of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices,
where available, or on values obtained from independent pricing services. In
cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on
estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques
are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate
and estimates of future cash flows. Although fair value estimates are calculated
using assumptions that management believes are appropriate, changes in
assumptions could cause these estimates to vary materially. In that regard, the
derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to
independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in the immediate
settlement of the instruments.
F-67
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
The tax ramifications of the related unrealized gains and losses can have a
significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the
estimates.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures:
FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES -- Fair value for fixed maturity securities is
based on quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity
securities not actively traded, fair value is estimated using values
obtained from independent pricing services.
MORTGAGE LOANS, SURPLUS NOTES, POLICY LOANS -- The carrying amounts
reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
approximate their fair value.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND PREMIUMS RECEIVABLE -- The carrying amounts
reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
approximate their fair values.
ANNUITY AND UNIVERSAL LIFE RESERVES -- Fair values for annuity and
universal life reserves included in the liability for future policy
benefit, losses and claims are the amounts payable on demand.
OTHER POLICYHOLDERS' CLAIMS AND NOTES PAYABLE -- The carrying amount
reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments
approximates their fair value.
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at each
December 31 are summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
1998 1997
--------------------------- ---------------------------
CARRYING ESTIMATED CARRYING ESTIMATED
AMOUNT FAIR VALUE AMOUNT FAIR VALUE
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
ASSETS
Fixed maturities available-for-sale...... $425,117,535 $425,117,535 $390,958,799 $390,958,799
Mortgage loans........................... 4,725,828 4,725,828 4,868,590 4,868,590
Surplus notes............................ 4,986,199 4,986,199 4,983,741 4,983,741
Policy loans............................. 3,732,503 3,732,503 3,433,296 3,433,296
Cash and cash equivalents................ 4,371,549 4,371,549 4,386,172 4,386,172
Premiums receivable...................... 2,717,469 2,717,469 2,180,796 2,180,796
LIABILITIES
Annuity reserves......................... 207,536,307 197,568,617 198,088,566 187,341,921
Universal life reserves.................. 58,282,069 51,350,194 54,627,865 48,026,007
Other policyholders' claims.............. 30,182,811 30,182,811 27,262,234 27,262,234
Notes payable............................ 11,819,602 11,819,602 11,819,602 11,819,602
</Table>
M. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
The Company has identified three distinct operating segments based upon
product types, as follows: accident and health, life and annuity, and other.
Management has defined operating segments based on product types due to the
significant differences in the sales and administration of different product
types, including the underwriting and claims adjudication processes.
Products included in the accident and health segment include Medicare
supplement, individual major medical, long-term care, disability, and dental
products. Products included in the life and annuity segment include universal
life, ordinary life, and annuity products.
The Company's other segment consists principally of its Continental Print &
Photo Company subsidiary, which provides printing services to the Company and
others.
F-68
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
Revenues from the accident and health and life and annuity segments are
primarily generated from premiums charged to external policyholders, and
interest earned on cash and investments. Revenues from the other segment are
primarily printing fees charged to external customers.
Financial information by segment is summarized as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
ACCIDENT AND HEALTH
Revenues
Net premiums...................... $179,726,212 $150,378,174 $115,775,271
Investment income................. 6,953,797 5,546,748 5,080,780
Other income...................... 259,689 233,616 278,682
------------ ------------ ------------
186,939,698 156,158,538 121,134,733
Expenses
Benefits and claims............... 142,097,952 112,410,445 78,660,085
Other operating expenses.......... 61,486,764 55,257,521 45,261,923
Federal income tax benefit........ (5,825,756) (4,028,300) (975,546)
------------ ------------ ------------
197,758,960 163,639,666 122,946,462
------------ ------------ ------------
Segment loss........................... $(10,819,262) $ (7,481,128) $ (1,811,729)
============ ============ ============
LIFE AND ANNUITY
Revenues
Net premiums...................... $ 10,998,431 $ 11,802,065 $ 9,263,088
Investment income................. 23,184,794 21,817,098 21,447,300
Other income...................... 500,948 588,380 913,062
------------ ------------ ------------
34,684,173 34,207,543 31,623,450
Expenses
Benefits and claims............... 22,042,670 22,957,883 19,769,119
Other operating expenses.......... 7,664,987 4,923,358 2,617,860
Federal income tax expense........ 1,741,781 2,214,206 3,232,764
------------ ------------ ------------
31,449,438 30,095,447 25,619,743
------------ ------------ ------------
Segment profit......................... $ 3,234,735 $ 4,112,096 $ 6,003,707
============ ============ ============
OTHER
Revenues............................. $ 1,187,408 $ 1,214,313 $ 1,070,119
Expenses............................. 1,451,039 1,740,599 1,152,280
Federal income tax (benefit)
expense........................... (39,714) (150,988) 8,507
------------ ------------ ------------
SEGMENT LOSS........................... $ (223,917) $ (375,298) $ (90,668)
============ ============ ============
</Table>
Following is a reconciliation of segment (loss) profit to consolidated
(loss) income:
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------------ ----------- -----------
Segment (loss) profit
Accident and health.................... $(10,819,262) $(7,481,128) $(1,811,729)
Life and annuity....................... 3,234,735 4,112,096 6,003,707
Other.................................. (223,917) (375,298) (90,668)
------------ ----------- -----------
CONSOLIDATED (LOSS) INCOME............... $ (7,808,444) $(3,744,330) $ 4,101,310
============ =========== ===========
</Table>
F-69
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
The Company does not separately allocate investments or other identifiable
assets by industry segment.
N. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Effective February 17, 1999, CGIC entered into a reinsurance treaty with
Reassurance Company of Hannover ("Hannover"), whereby CGIC ceded 50% of its
life, accident and health, and annuity policies inforce at February 1, 1999 to
Hannover, and retained the remaining risk. The treaty provides an initial ceding
allowance of $13,000,000, which will be accounted for as a deferred reinsurance
gain. In connection with this transaction, the Company transferred investment
securities and accrued interest with a fair value of $187,399,112 as
consideration for the liabilities assumed by Hannover.
On February 17, 1999, 100% of the outstanding common stock of the Company
was acquired by Ceres Group, Inc. ("Ceres"), from Western & Southern. Ceres is a
publicly traded holding company which operates primarily through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Central Reserve Life Insurance Company, a life and
accident and health insurer domiciled in Ohio. Total consideration paid for the
common stock was approximately $84,500,000. In connection with this transaction,
the $11,819,602 notes payable to Western & Southern was converted into
additional paid-in capital, and the Company paid an extraordinary dividend of
$22,500,000.
O. IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The Company devoted significant resources throughout its business
operations in 1998 to minimize the risk of potential disruption from the Year
2000 ("Y2K") issue. This issue is a result of computer programs having been
written using two digits (rather than four) to define the applicable year. Any
information technology ("IT") systems that have time-sensitive software may
recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000, which
could result in miscalculations and system failures. The issue also extends to
many "non-IT" systems, such as operating and control systems that rely on
embedded computer chips. In addition, like every other business enterprise, the
Company is at risk from Y2K failures on the part of its major business
counterparts, including suppliers, distributors, licensees and other
manufacturers, as well as potential failures in public and private
infrastructure services, including electricity, water, gas, transportation and
communications.
Systems failures resulting from the Y2K issue could adversely affect
operations and financial results in all of the Company's business segments.
Failures may affect such routine but important operations as billing and
collection, payroll operations and daily administration of policyholder claims.
The Company also has business relationships with agents and health providers,
such as hospitals and physicians across the nation. These agents and businesses
are themselves reliant on IT and embedded computer chips to conduct their
operations.
1. State of Readiness -- In 1998, the Company designed their systems to be
Y2K compliant. All operating systems and applications were Y2K compliant
as of December 31, 1998. Other systems such as those controlling
payroll, elevators, telephone system and other building systems are
scheduled to be completed and Y2K compliant by July 1999.
The Company prepared a list of all vendors and sent Y2K questionnaires
to each in 1998. All vendors were Y2K compliant except for two. One was
in progress and the other would not assure Y2K readiness. The Company is
presently seeking new vendors who are Y2K compliant and does not see any
problems concerning the one vendor.
2. Costs -- Since the Company was designing its systems with Y2K planning
and used primarily internal personnel, the historical costs for Y2K was
approximately $1 million in 1998. The
F-70
CONTINENTAL GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED
Company estimates another $400,000 in 1999 for IT systems in the first
quarter and approximately $500,000 in the second quarter for the
telephone system and other building systems.
3. Risks -- Management of the Company believes it has an effective program
in place to resolve the Year 2000 issue in a timely manner. As noted
above, the Company has not yet completed all necessary phases of the
Year 2000 program. In the event that the Company does not complete any
additional phases and/or the present system were to fail, the Company
would be unable to continue important operations as billing and
collection, payroll operations and daily administration of policyholder
claims. In addition, disruptions in the economy generally resulting from
Year 2000 issues could also materially adversely affect the Company. The
Company could be subject to litigation for computer systems product
failure, for example, equipment shutdown or failure to properly date
business records. The amount of potential liability and lost revenue
cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
4. Contingency Plans -- As a precautionary measure, the Company has
developed contingency plans for all systems by department and business
function. These plans include information systems recovery, remote site
processing and manual procedures to ensure that critical business
functions continue without affecting customers and business partners.
Outside vendors have indicated that they have or are in the process of
developing contingency plans to support their customers.
At this time, the Company is aware of no Y2K compliance issues that will
negatively impact the key business processes of the Company. All Y2K compliance
plan activities are scheduled to be completed by July 1999.
F-71
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of The Pyramid Life
Insurance Company as of December 31, 1999 and the related statements of income,
cash flows and stockholder's equity and comprehensive income for the year ended
December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of The Pyramid Life Insurance
Company as of December 31, 1999 and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the year ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 31, 2000
F-72
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE DATA)
<Table>
<Caption>
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
----------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value
(Amortized cost: 1999 -- $101,435)..................... $ 78,936 $ 98,070
Loans to policyholders.................................... 2,397 2,420
-------- --------
Total investments...................................... 81,333 100,490
Cash........................................................ 31,035 9,142
Receivables................................................. 5,585 6,480
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................... 6,144 5,837
Deferred income taxes....................................... 7,387 7,146
Goodwill.................................................... 7,044 7,044
Other assets................................................ 2,422 2,746
-------- --------
Total assets................................................ $140,950 $138,885
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Insurance reserves:
Life...................................................... $ 20,989 $ 21,197
Accident and health....................................... 7,751 6,898
Claims.................................................... 10,772 10,944
-------- --------
Total insurance reserves............................... 39,512 39,039
Policyholders' contract deposits............................ 30,168 30,342
Unearned premium reserves................................... 9,011 7,790
Accrued income taxes........................................ 154 41
Accrued expenses and other liabilities...................... 2,224 3,078
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................. 81,069 80,290
-------- --------
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:
Common stock, $4,300 par value, 582 and 350 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31,
1999................................................... 2,503 2,503
Paid-in capital........................................... 436 436
Retained earnings......................................... 59,346 57,840
Accumulated other comprehensive loss...................... (2,404) (2,184)
-------- --------
Total stockholder's equity........................ 59,881 58,595
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity.................. $140,950 $138,885
======== ========
</Table>
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F-73
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
----------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
REVENUES
Premiums.................................................... $31,591 $59,767
Net investment income....................................... 3,844 7,178
Other....................................................... 1,533 3,810
------- -------
Total revenues......................................... 36,968 70,755
------- -------
EXPENSES
Policyholder benefits....................................... 24,166 44,794
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs........... 719 1,566
Other insurance expenses.................................... 9,755 18,725
------- -------
Total expenses......................................... 34,640 65,085
------- -------
Income before income taxes.................................. 2,328 5,670
Income tax expense.......................................... 822 1,991
------- -------
NET INCOME.................................................. $ 1,506 $ 3,679
======= =======
</Table>
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F-74
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
----------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income.................................................. $ 1,506 $ 3,679
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
Provided (used) by operations:
Deferred income tax expense............................ (122) (641)
Amortization of investments............................ 243 664
Depreciation........................................... 131 322
Change in:
Receivables.......................................... 895 (1,582)
Deferred policy acquisition costs.................... (307) 142
Other assets......................................... (324) (526)
Insurance reserves................................... 114 (2,253)
Accrued income taxes................................. 113 (413)
Unearned premiums.................................... 1,221 6
Accrued expenses and other liabilities............... (854) (201)
------- --------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities....... 2,616 (803)
------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities...... 18,562 28,216
Purchases of fixed maturity securities................. -- (26,101)
Purchases of property & equipment...................... (183) (100)
Net change in loans to policyholders................... 23 65
------- --------
Net cash provided by investing activities.............. 18,402 2,080
------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Universal life and annuity receipts from policyholders.... 1,891 4,186
Universal life and annuity payments to policyholders...... (1,016) (1,589)
------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities.............. 875 2,597
------- --------
Increase in cash.......................................... 21,893 3,874
Cash, beginning of the period............................. 9,142 5,268
------- --------
Cash, end of the period................................... $31,035 $ 9,142
======= ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Federal income taxes paid................................... $ 833 $ 3,047
</Table>
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F-75
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<Table>
<Caption>
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE TOTAL
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED INCOME SHAREHOLDER'S
STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS (LOSS) EQUITY
------ ------- -------- ------------- -------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998.............. $1,505 $436 $55,159 $ 1,398 $58,498
Net income.............................. -- -- 3,679 -- 3,679
Other comprehensive loss (Note 3)....... -- -- -- (3,582) (3,582)
-------
Total comprehensive income.............. 97
Common stock dividend (Note 4).......... 998 -- (998) -- --
------ ---- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999.............. 2,503 436 57,840 (2,184) 58,595
Net income (Unaudited).................. -- -- 1,506 -- 1,506
Other comprehensive loss (Note 3)
(Unaudited)........................... -- -- -- (220) (220)
-------
Total comprehensive income
(Unaudited)........................... -- -- -- -- 1,286
------ ---- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE, JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)...... $2,503 $436 $59,346 $(2,404) $59,881
====== ==== ======= ======= =======
</Table>
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
F-76
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Pyramid Life Insurance Company ("Pyramid" or the "Company"), a life and
health insurance company domiciled in Kansas, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
United Insurance Company of America ("UICA"), which in turn is wholly-owned by
Unitrin, Inc. ("Unitrin"). The Company provides individual health and life
insurance products marketed through its independent agents and agencies.
The audited Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31,
1999 included herein have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires
the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates and assumptions.
The accompanying unaudited Financial Statements as of and for the six
months ended June 30, 2000 have been prepared by Pyramid in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary
for a fair statement of the results for the interim period. All adjustments made
were normal recurring accruals.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Investments
Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities include bonds, notes and
redemptive preferred stocks at fair value and are classified as
available-for-sale. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of applicable
deferred income taxes, on Fixed Maturity Securities is included in Stockholder's
Equity and classified as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). The
Company has no investments in derivative financial instruments. Gains and losses
on sales of investments are computed on the specific identification method and
are included in Net Income. The estimated fair value of investments is based
upon quoted market price, where available, or on values obtained from
independent pricing services.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Certain costs directly associated with the acquiring of new business,
principally commissions, are deferred.
Costs deferred on traditional life products are amortized over the
anticipated premium-paying period of related policies in proportion to the ratio
of the annual premiums to the total premiums anticipated, which is estimated
using the same assumptions in calculating policy reserves. Costs of acquiring
accident and health policies are amortized over the term of the related policy.
Costs of acquiring universal life products are amortized in proportion to the
present value of estimated gross profits over the product's assumed duration. To
the extent that unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities
would result in an adjustment of deferred policy acquisition costs had those
gains or losses actually been realized, the related unamortized deferred policy
acquisition costs are recorded as an adjustment of the unrealized gains or
losses included in stockholder's equity.
F-77
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
Insurance Reserves
Reserves for claim and claim adjustment expenses on accident and health
claims represent the estimated amounts necessary to cover the ultimate costs of
investigating and settling all losses incurred. Such estimates are based upon
individual case estimates for reported claims and estimates for incurred but not
reported losses.
For traditional life insurance products, the reserve for future policy
benefits are primarily estimated on the net level premium method based on
expected mortality, interest and withdrawal rates, including provisions for
adverse mortality. These assumptions vary by such characteristics as plan, age
at issue and policy duration. Mortality assumptions reflect the Company's
historical and industry standards. Interest rate assumptions principally range
from 3.00% to 6.00%. Withdrawal assumptions are based on actual and industry
experience.
Reserves for universal life contracts are equal to the account balances
that accrue to the policyholders. Interest crediting rates ranged from 5.75% to
6.00% for the periods ended December 31, 1999 and June 30, 2000.
REVENUE
Accident and health insurance premiums are recognized ratably over the
periods to which the premiums relate. Traditional life insurance premiums are
recognized as revenue when due. Revenues on universal life contracts are
comprised of contract charges and fees, which are recognized over the coverage
period.
REINSURANCE
In the normal course of business, the Company reinsures certain risks above
certain retention levels with other insurance enterprises. Amounts recoverable
from reinsurers for benefits for which the Company has not been relieved of its
legal obligation to the policyholder are included in Receivables. Gains related
to long-duration reinsurance contracts are deferred and amortized over the life
of the underlying reinsured policies. Losses related to long-duration
reinsurance contracts are recognized immediately.
GOODWILL
Goodwill relating to the acquisition of the Company by UICA prior to 1970
is not being amortized. UICA has elected to pushdown the costs in excess of net
assets of purchased business to the Company.
INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which the change is
enacted.
F-78
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company and Unitrin Services Company ("USC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Unitrin, are parties to a general services agreement whereby USC provides
certain management services, group medical insurance and other insurance to the
Company. Amounts allocated to the Company were $1,317,000 in 1999 and $559,000
for the six months ended June 30, 2000. Additionally, the Company and USC are
parties to a data processing agreement whereby USC provides certain data
processing services to the Company. Amounts allocated to the Company were
$645,000 in 1999, and $284,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2000.
The Company and UICA are parties to certain agreements whereby the Company
provides claims administration, accounting and payroll services to UICA's
Worksite Products Division. Other Income includes $779,000 of service fees
related to the agreement with UICA in 1999, and $160,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 2000.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.137,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities -- Deferral of the
Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133" which deferred the effective date of
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and for Hedging
Activities." SFAS No. 133 requires all derivatives to be recorded on the balance
sheet at fair value and establishes "special accounting" for the following three
different types of hedges: hedges of changes in the fair value of assets,
liabilities or firm commitments; hedges of the variable cash flows of forecasted
transactions; and hedges of foreign currency exposures of net investments in
foreign operations. Accordingly, SFAS No. 133 is effective for years beginning
after June 15, 2000, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company believes that
the effect of adoption of SFAS No. 133 will not be material.
NOTE 2. INVESTMENTS AND INVESTMENT INCOME
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company's investments in
Fixed Maturity Securities at December 31, 1999 were:
<Table>
<Caption>
GROSS UNREALIZED
AMORTIZED ---------------- FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ----- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
U.S. government and government agencies
and authorities...................... $ 88,088 $202 $(2,029) $86,261
Corporate bonds and notes............ 11,597 -- (1,190) 10,407
Redemptive preferred stock........... 1,750 -- (348) 1,402
-------- ---- ------- -------
Total........................ $101,435 $202 $(3,567) $98,070
======== ==== ======= =======
</Table>
Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 1999 was:
F-79
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Interest and dividends on fixed maturity securities....... $6,573
Other..................................................... 624
------
Total........................................... 7,197
Investment expenses....................................... 19
------
Net investment income................................... $7,178
======
</Table>
The components of sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities for the
year ended December 31, 1999 were:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Proceeds from sales and maturities.......................... $28,216
=======
Gross realized gains........................................ 1
Gross realized losses....................................... (2)
-------
Net realized gains (losses)................................. $ (1)
=======
</Table>
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company's investments in
Fixed Maturity Securities at December 31, 1999 by contractual maturity were:
<Table>
<Caption>
AMORTIZED COST FAIR VALUE
-------------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Due in one year or less.............................. $ 35,325 $35,478
Due after one year to five years..................... 22,890 22,610
Due after five years to fifteen years................ 29,582 27,940
Due after fifteen years.............................. 11,887 10,640
Redemptive preferred stock with no single maturity
date............................................... 1,751 1,402
-------- -------
Total fixed maturity securities...................... $101,435 $98,070
======== =======
</Table>
The expected maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because
debtors may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
F-80
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 3. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Comprehensive income is comprised of all changes to stockholder's equity,
including net income, except those changes resulting from investments by and
distributions to stockholders. The changes in the components of accumulated
other comprehensive loss are shown below:
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
---------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Gross unrealized investment gains (losses) arising
During the period:
Fixed maturity securities........................ $(339) $(5,518)
Income tax benefit (expense)..................... 119 1,936
----- -------
Unrealized investment losses, net................ (220) (3,582)
----- -------
Reclassification adjustment for gross gains
Realized in net income........................... -- --
----- -------
Other comprehensive loss.............................. $(220) $(3,582)
===== =======
</Table>
NOTE 4. STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company is domiciled in the State of Kansas and prepares statutory
financial statements on the basis of accounting practices prescribed by the
Department of Insurance of the State of Kansas, which is a comprehensive basis
of accounting other than Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Statutory capital and surplus and net income, determined in accordance with
accounting practices prescribed by regulation and statute of the Department of
Insurance of the State of Kansas were:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Statutory capital and surplus............................... $43,334
Statutory net income........................................ $ 2,951
</Table>
Various state insurance laws restrict the amount that insurance companies
may transfer in the form of dividends, loans, or advances without prior approval
of regulatory authorities.
In 2000, the Company would be able to pay $4,333,000 to its shareholder
without prior written approval of regulatory authorities. The statutory
statement value of bonds on deposit with various insurance regulatory agencies,
as required by laws, was $31,380,000 at December 31, 1999.
In 1999, the Company issued an additional 232,000 shares of stock in the
form of a stock dividend to its stockholders.
F-81
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5. ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE CLAIM RESERVE ACTIVITY
Accident and Health Claim Reserve Activity for the year ended December 31,
1999 and the six months ended June 30, 2000 was:
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
---------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Reserves beginning of the period
Gross................................................. $10,652 $11,204
Ceded................................................. 577 267
------- -------
Net reserves beginning of the period.................. 10,075 10,937
------- -------
Incurred related to:
Current year.......................................... 22,241 39,976
Prior years........................................... (1,095) (961)
------- -------
Total incurred.............................. 21,146 39,015
------- -------
Paid related to:
Current year.......................................... 14,441 30,692
Prior years........................................... 6,676 9,185
------- -------
Total paid.................................. 21,117 39,877
------- -------
Net reserves at the end of the period................. 10,104 10,075
Ceded................................................. 554 577
------- -------
Reserves at the end of the period..................... $10,658 $10,652
======= =======
</Table>
The following is a reconciliation of the Accident and Health Claim Reserve
balances to the amounts reported in the Balance Sheets at December 31, 1999 and
at June 30, 2000:
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
---------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Reserves as reported:
Accident and health future policy benefits.......... $ 7,751 $ 6,898
Claims.............................................. 10,772 10,944
------- -------
Total reserves as reported.................. 18,523 17,842
Less active life reserve............................ (6,597) (5,963)
Less life claims.................................... (1,268) (1,227)
------- -------
Accident and health claim reserves.................... $10,658 $10,652
======= =======
</Table>
NOTE 6. REINSURANCE
The Company utilizes reinsurance arrangements to limit its maximum loss,
provide greater diversification of risk, and minimize exposure on larger risks.
The ceding of insurance does not discharge the primary liability of the original
insurer, and accordingly the original insurer remains contingently liable.
F-82
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with
the reserve for losses liability.
The effects of reinsurance on written premiums are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
DIRECT ASSUMED CEDED NET
------- ------- ------ -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Year ended December 31, 1999
Accident and health................... $58,639 $ -- $1,349 $57,290
Life.................................. 6,678 $ -- 524 6,154
------- ------- ------ -------
Total written premiums................ $65,317 $ -- $1,873 $63,444
======= ======= ====== =======
Six months ended June 30, 2000
Accident and health................... $31,718 $ -- $ 893 $30,825
Life.................................. 3,237 $ -- $ 267 2,970
------- ------- ------ -------
Total written premiums................ $34,955 $ -- $1,160 $33,795
======= ======= ====== =======
</Table>
NOTE 7. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company is subject to Federal income taxation as a life insurance
company. For the year ended December 31, 1999, Unitrin will file a consolidated
Federal income tax return with all of its subsidiaries including the Company,
except for The Reliable Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries ("Reliable")
and NationalCare Insurance Company and its subsidiaries ("NationalCare"). The
method of tax allocation between companies is subject to a written agreement. In
accordance with this agreement, the Company pays Federal income tax on a
separate company basis.
Prior to 1984, certain life insurance company income was not subject to
current taxation. This accumulated amount of income was set aside in a special
memorandum tax account. Federal income taxes would be paid on the amount of such
income, approximately $10,811,000 if distributions to stockholders in the future
exceeded previously taxed income or if the Company does not continue to meet
certain limitations.
Federal income tax expense is composed of the following for the year ended
December 31, 1999:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Current..................................................... $2,633
Deferred.................................................... (642)
------
Total............................................. 1,991
======
</Table>
The components of the effective income tax rate on Income before Income
Taxes for the year ended December 31, 1999 were:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
-----
Statutory federal income tax rate........................... 35.0%
Meals and entertainment..................................... 0.2
-----
Effective income tax rate................................. 35.2%
=====
</Table>
F-83
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the Company's Net Deferred Tax Asset at December 31, 1999 were:
<Table>
<Caption>
1999
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Deferred tax assets:
Insurance reserves...................................... $4,155
Deferred policy acquisition costs....................... 3,196
Unrealized investment losses............................ 1,175
------
Total deferred tax assets....................... 8,526
------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred and uncollected premium........................ 736
Other................................................... 644
------
Total deferred tax liabilities.................. 1,380
------
Net deferred tax asset.................................... $7,146
======
</Table>
Management believes that the Company will generate sufficient future
taxable income to realize the net deferred tax asset. Accordingly, the Company
has not recorded a valuation allowance.
NOTE 8. RETIREMENT PLANS
Unitrin sponsors a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all
of the Company's employees. Benefits are based on the employee's years of
service and compensation during employment. Unitrin's annual contributions are
made at an amount necessary to meet the funding requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Pension expense of $181,000
was recognized by the Company in accordance with SFAS No. 87, "Employer's
Accounting for Pensions" in 1999.
The accumulated benefit obligation of the Unitrin pension plan determined
in accordance with SFAS No. 87 based on an assumed interest rate of 7.25 percent
and a rate of increase in future compensation levels of 4.0 percent and
long-term rate on the plan assets of 6.5% was $103,420,000 including vested
benefits of $101,326,000 at December 31, 1999. The fair value of plan assets was
$168,785,000 at December 31, 1999.
NOTE 9. CONTINGENCIES
The Company is party to various legal actions incidental to their
businesses. The Company believes that resolution of these matters will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position.
NOTE 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
On July 26, 2000, UICA, the Company's parent, completed the sale of the
Company to Ceres Group, Inc. for $67,500,000 in cash, subject to an adjustment
for a dividend paid by the Company to UICA of $25,000,000 immediately prior to
closing.
NOTE 11. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company is engaged in the Individual Life and Health insurance business
providing Traditional Life coverages as well as Accident and Health coverages,
principally Major Medical Insurance and
F-84
THE PYRAMID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AND
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
Medicare Supplement Insurance. The accounting policies of the segments are the
same as those described in Note 1. The Company manages its assets on a legal
entity basis, as such assets are not readily identifiable by individual segment;
distinct investment portfolios are not maintained for each segment, and
accordingly, allocation of assets to each segment is not performed. Therefore,
investment income and realized investment gains/losses are allocated based on
each segment's carried insurance reserves, as adjusted. The Operating Profit for
each business segment is derived after all operating expenses have been
allocated, which are primarily allocated based on premium. All significant
intercompany income and expenses have been eliminated.
Segment Revenues and Operating Profits for the year ended December 31, 1999
and the six months ended June 30, 2000 were:
<Table>
<Caption>
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
2000 1999
---------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Revenues:
Individual life insurance............................. $ 5,291 $10,507
Accident and health major medical..................... 4,371 11,098
Medicare supplement................................. 25,203 44,958
Other............................................... 2,103 4,192
------- -------
Total revenues........................................ $36,968 $70,755
======= =======
Operating profits:
Individual life insurance............................. $ 1,687 $ 1,911
Accident and health major medical..................... 182 1,396
Medicare supplement................................. 545 1,851
Other............................................... (86) 512
------- -------
Total operating profits............................... $ 2,328 $ 5,670
======= =======
</Table>
F-85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,000,000 SHARES
[CERES GROUP, INC. LOGO]
COMMON STOCK
----------------------------------
PROSPECTUS
----------------------------------
FRIEDMAN BILLINGS RAMSEY
SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.
STIFEL, NICOLAUS & COMPANY
INCORPORATED
December , 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
Ceres estimates that its expenses in connection with the offering (other
than underwriting discounts and commissions) will be as follows:
<Table>
SEC registration fee........................................ $ 13,403.25
NASD filing fee............................................. 6,192.50
NASDAQ listing fee.......................................... 17,500.00
Registrar and transfer agent's fees and expenses............ 3,000.00
Printing expenses........................................... 225,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses................................ 450,000.00
Legal fees and expenses..................................... 550,000.00
Miscellaneous............................................... 134,904.25
-------------
Total............................................. $1,400,000.00
=============
</Table>
All amounts except the SEC registration fee, the NASD filing fee and the NASDAQ
listing fee are estimated.
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Reference is made to Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, which enables a corporation in its original certificate or an amendment
thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director for
violations of the director's fiduciary duty, except (1) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (3) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of
dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (4) for any transaction
from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. Our Certificate of
Incorporation, a copy of which is incorporated by reference to this registration
statement, contains provisions permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Reference also is made to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, which grants a corporation power to indemnify any persons, including
officers and directors, who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any
threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in
the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an
officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding, provided such officer, director, employee or agent acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
corporation's best interests and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable
cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may
indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the
corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is
permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be
liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the
merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the
corporation must indemnify him against the expenses (including attorneys' fees)
which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred. Any
indemnification made under Section 145, unless ordered by a court, shall be
authorized upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer,
employee or agent is proper because the person has met the applicable standard
of conduct required by this section. Such determination shall be made with
respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such
determination by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such
action, suit, or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or by
II-1
a committee of such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors,
even though less than a quorum, or if there are no such directors, or if such
directors so direct, by independent legal counsel, or by the stockholders.
Ceres' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provides for the indemnification
of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Ceres maintains an insurance policy that provides protection, within the
maximum liability limits of the policy and subject to a deductible amount for
each claim, to us under our indemnification obligations for securities claims
and to our directors and officers of the company with respect to certain matters
that are not covered by Ceres' indemnification obligations.
There is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any director or
officer of the company as to which indemnification is being sought, nor is Ceres
aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification
by any director or officer.
Pursuant to the underwriting agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this
registration statement, the underwriters have agreed to indemnify the directors,
officers and controlling persons of Ceres against certain civil liabilities that
may be incurred in connection with the offering, including certain liabilities
under the Securities Act resulting from information provided to Ceres by the
representatives of the underwriters expressly for use in the prospectus.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
On October 1, 2001, we issued 28,403 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the
stock award provision of his new employment agreement. This issuance was exempt
from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On July 2, 2001, we issued 103,412 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to the
stock award provision of his employment agreement, as amended. This issuance was
exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities
laws.
Also on July 2, 2001, we issued 11,490 shares of our common stock to Billy
B. Hill, Jr., our former General Counsel, pursuant to his retainer agreement.
This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
On April 2, 2001, we issued 37,166 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer,
pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement, as amended.
This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
Also on April 2, 2001, we issued 4,129 shares of our common stock to Billy
B. Hill, Jr., our former General Counsel, pursuant to his retainer agreement.
This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
Also on April 2, 2001, we issued 68,025 shares of our common stock to
eligible officers in connection with our 2000 Officer Bonus Plan. These
issuances were not required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, because the issuances were not "sales" within the meaning of Section
2(3) of the Securities Act. The issuances were also exempt from registration in
accordance with exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
Also on April 2, 2001, we issued 7,170 shares of our common stock pursuant
to our 2001 Stock Bonus Plan. Each employee who was employed by us from July 1,
2000 to March 31, 2001 received a one-time bonus of 10 shares of our common
stock. These issuances were not required to be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, because the issuances were not "sales" within the
meaning of
II-2
Section 2(3) of the Securities Act. The issuances were also exempt from
registration in accordance with exemptions available under applicable state
securities laws.
On January 2, 2001, we issued 34,626 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement, as
amended. This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
Also on January 2, 2001, we issued 3,847 shares of our common stock to
Billy B. Hill, Jr. pursuant to his retainer agreement. This issuance was exempt
from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On October 5, 2000, we issued 36,909 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement, as
amended. This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
Also on October 5, 2000, we issued 4,101 shares of our common stock to
Billy B. Hill, Jr. pursuant to his retainer agreement. This issuance was exempt
from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On September 13, 2000, we issued 37,718 shares of our common stock to
eligible officers in connection with our 1999 Officer Bonus Program. These
issuances were not required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, because the issuances were not "sales" within the meaning of Section
2(3) of the Securities Act. The issuances were also exempt from registration in
accordance with exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On July 25, 2000, we sold 3,333,334 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per
share in a private placement sale and, on July 26, 2000, sold 75,000 shares of
convertible voting preferred stock at $100.00 per share to United Insurance
Company of America in a private placement sale. The $27.5 million proceeds from
these sales were used for the purchase of The Pyramid Life Insurance Company
from United Insurance, a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. The sales were exempt from
registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On July 7, 2000, we issued 6,370 shares of our common stock pursuant to our
2000 Stock Bonus Plan. Each employee who was employed by us on June 30, 2000
received a one-time bonus of 10 shares. This issuance was not required to be
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, because the issuances
were not "sales" within the meaning of Section 2(3) of the Securities Act. The
issuances were also exempt from registration in accordance with exemptions
available under applicable state securities laws.
On July 1, 2000, we issued 33,988 shares of our common stock to Peter W.
Nauert pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement, as
amended. This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
Also on July 1, 2000, we issued 3,776 shares of our common stock to Billy
B. Hill, Jr. pursuant to his retainer agreement. This issuance was exempt from
registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On May 1, 2000, we issued 59,143 shares of our common stock to Mr. Nauert
pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement, as amended.
This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
II-3
Also on May 1, 2000, we issued 6,571 shares of our common stock to Mr. Hill
pursuant to his retainer agreement. This issuance was exempt from registration
in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On November 8, 1999, we issued 16,667 shares of our common stock to Mr.
Hill pursuant to his retainer agreement. This issuance was from registration in
accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
In the third quarter of 1999, we issued Mr. Nauert 108,108 shares of our
common stock pursuant to the stock award provision of his employment agreement,
as amended. This issuance was exempt from registration in accordance with
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available
under applicable state securities laws.
On September 22, 1999, we issued 16,667 shares of our common stock to Val
Rajic, our former Executive Vice President, pursuant to his Settlement and
Consulting Agreement, dated as of August 10, 1999. This issuance was exempt from
registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and exemptions available under applicable state securities laws.
On August 17, 1999, we issued 52,227 shares of our common stock to Val
Rajic upon the cashless exercise of his warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of
common stock at $6.00 per share and warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of common
stock at $5.50 per share. The issuance of the warrants and the common stock upon
exercise of the warrants was exempt from registration in accordance with Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under
applicable state securities laws.
On February 17, 1999, we sold 2,000,000 shares of our common stock at $7.50
per share in a private placement sale. The $15.0 million proceeds were used for
the purchase of Continental General Corporation and its subsidiary, Continental
General Insurance Company. The sale was exempt from registration in accordance
with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions
available under applicable state securities laws.
On January 22, 1999, we issued 2,560 shares of our common stock pursuant to
our 1998 Stock Bonus Plan. Each employee located in the State of Ohio and
employed by Central Reserve from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998
received a one-time bonus of 10 shares. These issuances were not required to be
registered under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended, because the issuances
were not "sales" within the meaning of Section 2(3) of the Securities Act. The
issuances were also exempt from registration in accordance with exemptions
available under applicable state securities laws.
On June 26, 1998, our stockholders approved an equity financing transaction
pursuant to which 7,300,000 common shares were issued and equity warrants to
acquire up to 3,650,000 common shares at an exercise price of $5.50 per share,
for an aggregate consideration of $40.2 million to a group of accredited
investors. The transaction closed on July 3, 1998 and the proceeds were used to
pay off the Bridge Loan, plus interest, pay related transaction expenses, such
as legal, printing, accounting and investment banking fees, and make a $14.0
million contribution to the surplus of Central Reserve. The remaining $13
million was used for working capital at Ceres. The 7,300,000 shares of common
stock and equity warrants were exempt from registration in accordance with
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available
under applicable state securities laws.
In November 1997, we entered a stock purchase agreement with Strategic
Acquisition Partners, LLC. At the same time, Strategic Partners arranged for an
interim loan of $20.0 million to us. In consideration for the arrangement of
this bridge loan and guarantees issued in connection with the bridge loan, we
issued warrants to purchase 800,000 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per
share and warrants to purchase an additional 200,000 shares at $6.00 per share
upon receipt of stockholder approval in July 1998 to investors of Strategic
Partners and Turkey Vulture Fund XIII, Ltd. The proceeds of the $20 million
bridge loan were used to (1) repay $5.2 million to Huntington National Bank, (2)
invest approximately $14 million in the surplus of Central Reserve Life
Insurance Company, (3) establish an approximately $0.8 million reserve at Ceres,
and (4) pay transaction expenses. The warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
common
II-4
stock were exempt from registration in accordance with Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and exemptions available under applicable
state securities laws.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Exhibits: See the Exhibit Index following the signature page to this
registration statement.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules: All schedules for which provision is
made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under
the related instructions or are not applicable, and therefore have been omitted.
<Table>
<Caption>
ITEM PAGE
---- ----
Schedule II -- Ceres Group, Inc. (Parent Only) for years
ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998
Balance Sheets......................................... F-49
Statements of Operations............................... F-50
Statement of Cash Flows................................ F-51
Schedule III -- Supplemental Insurance Information.......... F-52
Schedule IV -- Reinsurance.................................. F-53
</Table>
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulations of the Commission are not required under the related
instructions or are not applicable, and therefore have been omitted.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(b) (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as
part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Strongsville, State of Ohio, on November 30, 2001.
CERES GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ PETER W. NAUERT
------------------------------------
Peter W. Nauert
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 2 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the date indicated.
<Table>
/s/ PETER W. NAUERT Chairman of the Board, President and November 30, 2001
- --------------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
Peter W. Nauert (principal executive officer)
/s/ CHARLES E. MILLER JR. Executive Vice President, November 30, 2001
- --------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer and
Charles E. Miller, Jr. Treasurer
(principal financial and accounting
officer)
ANDREW A. BOEMI+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Andrew A. Boemi
MICHAEL A. CAVATAIO+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Michael A. Cavataio
BRADLEY E. COOPER+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Bradley E. Cooper
SUSAN S. FLEMING+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Susan S. Fleming
RODNEY L. HALE+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Rodney L. Hale
ROBERT J. LUNN+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Robert J. Lunn
WILLIAM J. RUH+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
William J. Ruh
ROBERT A. SPASS+ Director
- ---------------------------------------------
Robert A. Spass
+By: /s/ PETER W. NAUERT November 30, 2001
- ---------------------------------------------
Peter W. Nauert
Attorney-in-Fact
</Table>
II-6
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(1) Form of Underwriting Agreement. * 1.1
(2) Plan of acquisition, reorganization,
arrangement, liquidation, or
succession.
(1) Amended and Restated Stock 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1998 2.2
Purchase Agreement, dated March
30, 1998, by and among Strategic
Partners, Insurance Partners,
L.P., Insurance Partners Offshore
(Bermuda), L.P., and Central
Reserve.
(2) Merger Agreement and Plan of 0-8483 8-K Dec. 1998 2.1
Reorganization dated December 8,
1998 between Central Reserve Life
Corporation and Ceres Group, Inc.
(3) Stock Purchase Agreement dated as 0-8483 8-K Feb. 1999 2.2
of November 4, 1998 between The
Western and Southern Life
Insurance Company and Ceres Group,
Inc.
(4) Purchase Agreement dated October 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 2.1
7, 1999, by and between United
Insurance Company of America and
Ceres Group, Inc.
(5) Amendment of Purchase Agreement by 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 2.2
and between United Insurance
Company of America and Ceres
Group, Inc. dated as of April 17,
2000.
(6) Amendment No. 2 to Purchase 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 2.3
Agreement by and between United
Insurance Company of America and
Ceres Group, Inc. dated as of July
5, 2000.
(3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
(1) Certificate of Incorporation of 0-8483 8-K Dec. 1998 3.1
Ceres Group, Inc. as filed with
Secretary of Delaware on October
22, 1998.
(2) Certificate of Amendment of the 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of
Ceres Group, Inc. dated July 25,
2000.
(3) Bylaws of Ceres Group, Inc. 0-8483 8-K Dec. 1998 3.2
</Table>
II-7
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(4) Instruments defining the rights of
security holders, including
indentures.
(1) Amended and Restated Voting 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 4.2
Agreement dated as of July 25,
2000 by and among Ceres Group,
Inc. (as successor-in-interest to
Central Reserve Life Corporation)
and the security holders listed on
the signature pages thereof.
(2) Stockholders Agreement, dated as 0-8483 8-K Feb. 1999 4.2
of July 1, 1998 by and among Ceres
Group, Inc. (as
successor-in-interest to Central
Reserve Life Corporation) and the
security holders listed on the
signature pages thereof.
(3) Amended and Restated Registration 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 4.1
Rights Agreement dated as of July
25, 2000 between Ceres Group, Inc.
(as successor-in-interest to
Central Reserve Life Corporation)
and the persons and entities set
forth on the signature pages
attached thereto.
(4) United Registration Rights 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 4.4
Agreement dated as of July 26,
2000 between Ceres Group, Inc. and
United Insurance Company of
America.
(5) Form of Stockholders Agreement 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 4.5
between QQLink.com, Inc., Ceres
Group, Inc. and the persons and
entities listed on the signature
pages thereto.
(5) Opinion re: Legality.
(1) Opinion of Kohrman Jackson & * 5.1
Krantz P.L.L. as to the validity
of the common stock being
registered
(10) Material Contracts.
(1) Agreement of Lease. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1992 10(c)
(2) Mortgage Note. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1992 10(d)
(3) Mortgage. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1992 10(e)
(4) Lease Extension Agreement. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2001 10.1
(5) First Loan Modification Agreement. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2001 10.2
(6) Warrant to purchase Common Shares, 0-8483 8-K Dec. 1997 10.4
dated December 16, 1997 by Central
Reserve Life Corporation in favor
of Peter W. Nauert.
</Table>
II-8
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(7) Warrant to purchase Common Shares, 0-8483 8-K Dec. 1997 10.5
dated December 16, 1997, by
Central Reserve Life Corporation
in favor of the Turkey Vulture
Fund XIII, Ltd.
(8) Reinsurance Agreement between 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1998 10.10
Central Reserve Life Insurance
Company and Reassurance Company of
Hannover.
(9) Administrative Services Agreement, 0-8483 10-K/A Mar. 1998 10.12
dated March 25, 1998 by and
between Mutual Management Company,
Inc. and Central Reserve Life
Insurance Company.
(10) Amendment No. 1 to Warrant to 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1998 10.13
purchase Common Shares, dated
March 30, 1998 by Central Reserve
Life Corporation in favor of
Peter W. Nauert.
(11) Amendment No. 1 to Warrant to 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1998 10.14
purchase Common Shares, dated
March 30, 1998 by Central Reserve
in favor of the Turkey Vulture
Fund XIII, Ltd.
(12) Employment Agreement dated June 0-8483 10-Q Sept. 1998 10.17
30, 1998, by and between Peter W.
Nauert and Central Reserve Life
Corporation.
(13) Employment Agreement dated 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1999 10.20
October 1, 1998, by and between
Charles Miller and Central
Reserve Life Corporation.
(14) Reinsurance Agreement dated 0-8483 10-K Mar. 1999 10.21
February 1, 1999, between
Continental General Life
Insurance Company and Reassurance
Company of Hannover.
(15) Credit Agreement dated February 0-8483 8-K Feb. 1999 10.22
17, 1999, among Ceres Group, Inc., the
lending institutions and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
(16) First Amendment to the Credit 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 10.2
Agreement, dated as of May 3,
1999, among Ceres Group, Inc.,
the lending institutions party to
the Credit Agreement and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
</Table>
II-9
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(17) Second Amendment to Credit 0-8483 8-K Aug. 2000 10.3
Agreement, dated as of July 25,
2000, among Ceres Group, Inc.,
the lending institutions party to
the Credit Agreement and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
(18) First Amendment to Employment 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2000 10.23
Agreement between Peter W. Nauert
and Ceres Group, Inc. dated March
18, 1999.
(19) Second Amendment to Employment 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2000 10.24
Agreement between Peter W. Nauert
and Ceres Group, Inc. dated June
15, 1999.
(20) Third Amendment to Employment 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2000 10.25
Agreement between Peter W. Nauert
and Ceres Group, Inc. dated
December 19, 1999.
(21) Third Amendment to Credit 0-8483 10-Q Nov. 2000 10.1
Agreement, dated as of September
22, 2000, among Ceres Group,
Inc., the lending institutions
party to the Credit Agreement and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
(22) Employment Agreement, dated 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2001 10.3
October 1, 1999, by and between
Anthony J. Pino and Ceres Group,
Inc.
(23) Fourth Amendment to Credit 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2001 10.4
Agreement, dated as of December
13, 2000, among Ceres Group,
Inc., the lending institutions
party to the Credit Agreement and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
(24) Fifth Amendment to Credit 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2001 10.5
Agreement, dated as of February
16, 2001, among Ceres Group,
Inc., the lending institutions
party to the Credit Agreement and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
</Table>
II-10
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(25) Sixth Amendment to Credit 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.25
Agreement, dated as of March 30,
2001, among Ceres Group, Inc.,
the lending institutions party to
the Credit Agreement and the
Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent.
(26) Ceres Group, Inc. 1998 Key 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.26
Employee Share Incentive Plan
(27) Ceres Group, Inc. 1998 Employee 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.27
Stock Option Plan.
(28) Ceres Group, Inc. 1999 Special 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.28
Agents' Stock Option Plan.
(29) Ceres Group, Inc. 2000 Employee 0-8483 S-8 Apr. 2000 4.1
Stock Purchase Plan.
(30) Ceres Group, Inc. 2000 Agent 0-8483 S-8 Apr. 2000 4.2
Stock Purchase Plan.
(31) Employment Agreement dated April 333-59784 S-1/A Nov. 2001 10.29
10, 2001, by and between Peter W.
Nauert and Ceres Group, Inc.
(32) Employment Agreement dated April 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.30
10, 2001 by and between Bruce M.
Henry and Ceres Group, Inc.
(33) Amendment No. 1 to Employment 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.31
Agreement dated April 10, 2001,
by and between Anthony J. Pino
and Ceres Group, Inc.
(34) Amendment No. 1 to Employment 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 10.32
Agreement dated April 10, 2001,
by and between Charles E. Miller,
Jr. and Ceres Group, Inc.
(35) Seventh Amendment to Credit 0-8483 10-Q May 2001 10.35
Agreement, dated as of May 17,
2001, among Ceres Group, Inc.,
the lending institutions party to
the Credit Agreement referred to
therein and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Administrative Agent
(36) Stock Purchase Agreement, dated 0-8483 10-Q May 2001 10.36
as of May 8, 2001, between Central
Reserve Life Insurance Company
and Pelagian, LLC
(37) Lease Agreement, dated as of July 0-8483 10-Q Aug. 2001 10.37
31, 2001, between Royalton
Investors, LLC and Big T
Investments, LLC and Ceres Group,
Inc.
</Table>
II-11
<Table>
<Caption>
INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE TO
REGISTRATION OR FORM OR EXHIBIT
EXHIBITS FILE NUMBER REPORT DATE NUMBER
-------- --------------- ------- ---------- -------
(21) Subsidiaries of the registrant.
(1) Subsidiaries. 0-8483 10-K Mar. 2000 21
(23) Consents of experts and counsel.
(1) Consent of Kohrman Jackson & * 23.1
Krantz P.L.L. (included in its
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1
hereto).
(2) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. ** 23.2
(3) Consent of KPMG LLP. ** 23.3
(24) Power of Attorney.
(1) Reference is made to the 333-59784 S-1 Apr. 2001 24.1
Signatures section of this
Registration Statement for the
Power of Attorney contained
herein.
</Table>
- ---------------
* To be filed by amendment.
** Filed herewith.
II-12