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FBL Financial Group Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) today reported net income attributable to FBL Financial Group for the second quarter of 2020 of $26.2 million, or $1.06 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $32.3 million, or $1.30 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2019. Adjusted operating income(1) totaled $25.3 million, or $1.02 per common share, for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $31.7 million, or $1.28 per common share, for the second quarter of 2019. Second quarter 2020 earnings reflect:

  • Mortality experience in line with expectations, but worse than better-than-normal second quarter of 2019 experience
  • An equity loss from alternative investments, which are generally reported one quarter in arrears
  • Lower amortization of acquisition costs in the Corporate and Other segment due to the positive impact of equity markets on separate account performance
  • A lower increase in reserves associated with Guaranteed Living Withdrawal Benefits (GLWB) due to the favorable impact of market performance
  • Lower expenses due to a focus on expense control
  • Continued investment in the Wealth Management business

Adjusted operating income differs from the GAAP measure, net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, in that it excludes realized gains and losses on investments, which includes the change in fair value of equity securities and the change in allowances for credit losses on investments, and the change in fair value of derivatives. For further information on this non-GAAP financial measure, please refer to Note (1) and the reconciliation provided within this release.

  

"I am pleased that FBL Financial Group reported solid earnings results for second quarter 2020. Our results benefitted from our focus on expense management as well as the broad market recovery since March," said Daniel D. Pitcher, Chief Executive Officer. "While the challenges of the pandemic and interest rate environment persist, FBL Financial Group and our industry have had fewer negative impacts than other sectors. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of our agents, advisors and employees during these unique and challenging times. With strategies that keep our companies financially strong and stable, we’re able to fulfill our purpose to protect the livelihoods and futures of our client/members."

  

Product Revenues

Premiums and product charges for the second quarter of 2020 totaled $83.2 million compared to $83.5 million in the second quarter of 2019. Interest sensitive product charges increased one percent while traditional life insurance premiums decreased one percent during the quarter. Premiums collected(2) in the second quarter of 2020 totaled $125.9 million compared to $152.2 million in the second quarter of 2019. Total life insurance premiums collected decreased one percent while annuity premiums collected decreased 40 percent, reflecting the impact of lower market interest rates.

Investment Income

Net investment income in the second quarter of 2020 totaled $110.4 million, compared to $104.9 million in the second quarter of 2019. This increase reflects a change in the fair value of derivatives and an increase in average invested assets partially offset by a lower investment yield. The annualized yield earned on average invested assets, with securities at amortized cost, including investments held as securities and indebtedness of related parties, was 4.63 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 5.00 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2019. At June 30, 2020, 96 percent of the fixed maturity securities in FBL Financial Group's investment portfolio were investment grade debt securities.

Benefits and Expenses

Benefits and expenses totaled $167.8 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $156.5 million in the second quarter of 2019.

  • The change in fair value of the embedded derivatives on our index products is included in interest sensitive product benefits. This change increased benefits by $14.7 million in the second quarter of 2020 compared to an increase of $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2019. These benefits are partially offset by an increase in the value of the associated call options (included in net investment income) of $12.1 million in the second quarter of 2020 compared to $2.7 million in the second quarter of 2019.
  • Death benefits, net of reinsurance and reserves released, totaled $30.9 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $25.1 million in the second quarter of 2019. By its nature, mortality experience can fluctuate from quarter to quarter.
  • Amortization of acquisition costs was $1.9 million lower in the second quarter of 2020 due to the positive impact of equity markets on separate account performance. This compares to $0.6 million less amortization in the second quarter of 2019 due to the positive impact of equity markets on separate account performance.

Net Realized Gains

In the second quarter of 2020, FBL Financial Group recognized net realized gains on investments of $2.8 million. This is attributable to realized gains on sales of $0.2 million, realized losses on sales of $1.7 million and a net gain from equity securities held at quarter end of $4.3 million. In addition, in the second quarter of 2020, $0.5 million was recorded as an increase to the allowance for credit losses.

Stock Repurchases

During the second quarter of 2020, FBL Financial Group repurchased 105,063 shares of its Class A common stock. FBL Financial Group has $31.9 million remaining under its current stock repurchase program.

Capital and Book Value

As of June 30, 2020, the book value per share of FBL Financial Group common stock totaled $63.76, compared to $60.12 at December 31, 2019. Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income(3), totaled $44.13 at June 30, 2020, compared to $45.73 at December 31, 2019. The June 30, 2020 company action level risk based capital ratio of FBL Financial Group's wholly owned subsidiary, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, was approximately 527 percent.

Further Financial Information

Further information on FBL Financial Group's financial results, including results by segment, may be found in FBL Financial Group's financial supplement, available on its website, www.fblfinancial.com.

Conference Call

FBL Financial Group will hold a conference call with investors tomorrow, August 7, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be webcast and a replay will be available on FBL Financial Group's website.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release concerning FBL Financial Group's prospects for the future are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the “safe harbor” from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements generally can be identified by their context, including terms such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” or similar words. These statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statement. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in FBL Financial Group's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, difficult conditions in financial markets and the economy, lack of liquidity and access to capital, investment valuations, competitive factors, a decrease in ratings, changes in laws and regulations, differences between actual claims experience and underwriting assumptions, relationships with Farm Bureau organizations, the ability to attract and retain sales agents, adverse results from litigation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any future pandemics. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which FBL Financial Group believes to be reasonable; however, no assurance can be given that the assumptions will prove to be correct. FBL Financial Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

About FBL Financial Group

FBL Financial Group is a holding company with the purpose to protect livelihoods and futures. Operating under the consumer brand name Farm Bureau Financial Services, its affiliates offer a broad range of life insurance, annuity and investment products distributed by multiline exclusive Farm Bureau agents. Helping complete the financial services offering, advisors offer wealth management and financial planning services. In addition, FBL Financial Group manages all aspects of two Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty insurance companies for a management fee. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, FBL Financial Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FFG. For more information, please visit www.fblfinancial.com and www.fbfs.com.

- FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND NOTES FOLLOW -

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

Revenues:

Interest sensitive product charges

$

32,909

$

32,534

$

64,629

$

63,800

Traditional life insurance premiums

50,329

50,987

99,637

100,379

Net investment income

110,435

104,894

185,352

214,534

Net realized capital gains (losses)

2,753

377

(10,648

)

10,534

Change in allowance for credit losses on investments

(497

)

(12,758

)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses

(869

)

Other income

4,784

4,114

9,764

8,084

Total revenues

200,713

192,906

335,976

396,462

Benefits and expenses:

Interest sensitive product benefits

79,103

65,223

123,454

135,819

Traditional life insurance benefits

45,112

41,960

91,320

88,635

Policyholder dividends

1,617

2,564

4,146

5,098

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

33,492

38,948

72,913

75,137

Interest expense

1,213

1,212

2,426

2,424

Other expenses

7,225

6,635

14,646

12,885

Total benefits and expenses

167,762

156,542

308,905

319,998

32,951

36,364

27,071

76,464

Income tax

(6,085

)

(5,511

)

(3,004

)

(11,787

)

Equity income (loss), net of related income taxes

(743

)

1,404

(515

)

1,624

Net income

26,123

32,257

23,552

66,301

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

88

41

144

40

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.

$

26,211

$

32,298

$

23,696

$

66,341

Earnings per common share

$

1.06

$

1.30

$

0.95

$

2.68

Weighted average shares - basic

24,723,563

24,757,090

24,743,192

24,761,161

Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation

3,975

11,122

4,211

11,149

Weighted average shares - diluted

24,727,538

24,768,212

24,747,403

24,772,310

(1) Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to FBL Financial Group to Adjusted Operating Income - Unaudited

FBL Financial Group consistently utilizes adjusted operating income, a financial measure common in the life insurance industry that is not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), as a primary economic measure to evaluate its financial performance. Adjusted operating income consists of net income attributable to FBL Financial Group adjusted to exclude realized gains and losses on investments, which includes the change in fair value of equity securities and the change in allowances for credit losses on investments, and the change in fair value of derivatives, which can fluctuate greatly from period to period. These fluctuations make it difficult to analyze core operating trends. In addition, for derivatives not designated as hedges, there is a mismatch between the valuation of the asset and liability when deriving net income. For example, call options relating to indexed business are one-year assets while the embedded derivatives in the indexed contracts represent the rights of the contract holder to receive index credits over the entire period the indexed products are expected to be in force. This non-GAAP measure is used for goal setting, determining short-term incentive compensation and evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by many in the investment community. FBL Financial Group believes the presentation and evaluation of adjusted operating income provides information that may enhance an investor's understanding of FBL Financial Group's underlying results and profitability. A reconciliation is provided in the following table:

Three months ended

Six months ended

June 30,

June 30,

2020

2019

2020

2019

(Dollars in thousands,
except per share data)

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group

$

26,211

$

32,298

$

23,696

$

66,341

Adjustments:

Net realized gains/losses on investments(a)

(1,709

)

(289

)

18,403

(7,519

)

Change in fair value of derivatives(a)

748

(272

)

2,788

(1,183

)

Adjusted operating income

$

25,250

$

31,737

$

44,887

$

57,639

Adjusted operating income per common share - assuming dilution

$

1.02

$

1.28

$

1.81

$

2.32

(a) Net of adjustments, as applicable, to amortization of unearned revenue reserves, deferred acquisition costs, interest sensitive policy reserves and income taxes attributable to these items.

(2) Premiums Collected - Net statutory premiums collected is a non-GAAP measure and includes premiums collected from annuities and universal life-type products. It is a useful metric for investors as it is a measure of sales production.

For GAAP reporting, these premiums received are not reported as revenues.

(3) Reconciliation of Book Value Per Share Excluding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Unaudited

June 30,
2020

December 31,
2019

Book value per share

$

63.76

$

60.12

Less: Per share impact of accumulated other comprehensive income

19.63

14.39

Book value per share, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income

$

44.13

$

45.73

Book value per share excluding accumulated other comprehensive income is a non-GAAP financial measure. Accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $481.6 million at June 30, 2020 and $354.8 million at December 31, 2019. Since accumulated other comprehensive income fluctuates from quarter to quarter due to unrealized changes in the fair value of investments caused principally by changes in market interest rates, FBL Financial Group believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful supplemental information.

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

June 30,
2020

December 31,
2019

Assets

Investments

$

9,461,509

$

9,091,623

Cash and cash equivalents

15,777

17,277

Deferred acquisition costs

231,572

289,456

Other assets

440,917

435,969

Assets held in separate accounts

599,203

645,881

Total assets

$

10,748,978

$

10,480,206

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

Liabilities

Future policy benefits

$

7,617,731

$

7,393,549

Other policy funds, claims and benefits

596,078

597,256

Debt

97,000

97,000

Other liabilities

271,205

260,604

Liabilities related to separate accounts

599,203

645,881

Total liabilities

9,181,217

8,994,290

Stockholders' equity

FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock

3,000

3,000

Class A common stock

152,168

152,661

Class B common stock

72

72

Accumulated other comprehensive income

481,626

354,764

Retained earnings

930,937

975,260

Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

1,567,803

1,485,757

Noncontrolling interest

(42

)

159

Total stockholders' equity

1,567,761

1,485,916

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

10,748,978

$

10,480,206

Common shares outstanding

24,544,001

24,664,215

Contacts:

Investor Relations Contact
Kathleen Till Stange, Vice President Corporate & Investor Relations
(515) 226-6780, Kathleen.TillStange@FBLFinancial.com

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