Our principal executive offices are located at 220 South Sixth Street, Suite 1200, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402. At that location, we lease 17,687 square feet of space for a lease term expiring in 2025. We believe that these facilities are adequate for our current needs and that suitable additional space will be available as needed.
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and the information contained in other sections of this report. This discussion and analysis is based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Subject to completion of the pending Exchange Transaction contemplated by the Master Exchange Agreement with Beneficient, among others, we intend to account for our acquisition of common units of Beneficient under the equity method of accounting. However, this discussion and analysis does not take into account the potential impact that such pending Exchange Transaction may have on our future financial condition and the results of our future obligations.
• changes resulting from the evolution of our business model and strategy with respect to the life insurance industry;
• our ability to satisfy our debt obligations if we were to sell our entire portfolio of life insurance policies;
We are a financial services company committed to disrupting and transforming the life insurance industry and related industries. We built our business by creating opportunities for consumers to obtain significantly more value for their life insurance policies in a secondary market as compared to the traditional options offered by the insurance industry. We are enhancing and extending these activities through innovation in our products and services, business processes, financing strategies, and advanced epigenetic technologies. At the same time, we are creating opportunities for investors to receive income and capital appreciation from our investment activities in the life insurance and related industries.
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the GAAP requires us to make judgments, 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. We base our judgments, estimates, and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. We evaluate our judgments, estimates, and assumptions on a regular basis and make changes accordingly. We believe that the judgments, estimates, and assumptions involved in valuing our investments in life insurance policies and evaluating deferred taxes have the greatest potential impact on our consolidated financial statements and accordingly believe these to be our critical accounting estimates. Below we discuss the critical accounting policies associated with these estimates as well as certain other critical accounting policies.
For life insurance policies with face amounts greater than $1 million and that are not pledged under any senior credit facility (approximately 11% of our portfolio by face amount of policy benefits) we attempt to update the independent life expectancy estimates on a continuous rotating three year cycle. For life insurance policies with face amounts greater than $750,000 that are pledged under the senior credit facility with LNV Corporation (approximately 82.6% of our portfolio by face amount of policy benefits) we are presently required to update the independent life expectancy estimates every two years beginning from the date of the amended facility.
During 2017 we received notice of, or support for, COI rate changes on 8 policies with combined face value of $23.5 million in our portfolio. These increased charges resulted in a $1.9 million reduction in the fair value of our portfolio.
We are aware of additional pending COI increases affecting three policies in our portfolio for which we are in receipt of notice and expect to quantify and recognize in the following months. We have requested additional information and policy illustrations reflecting the increased rates from the insurers which will enable us to revise our projections and valuations on the affected policies.
We must pay the premiums on the life insurance policies within our portfolio in order to collect the policy benefit. The same probabilistic model and methodologies used to generate expected cash inflows from the life insurance policy benefits over the expected life of the insured are used to estimate cash outflows due to required premium payments. Premiums paid are offset against revenue in the applicable reporting period.
A discount rate is used to calculate the net present value of the expected cash flows. The discount rate used to calculate fair value of our portfolio incorporates the guidance provided by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
The change in the discount rate incorporates current information about discount rates applied by other reporting companies owning portfolios of life insurance policies, discount rates observed by us in the life insurance secondary market, market interest rates, credit exposure to the issuing insurance companies, and our estimate of the operational risk premium a purchaser would require to receive the future cash flows derived from our portfolio of life insurance policies. Management has discretion regarding the combination of these and other factors when determining the
discount rate. The discount rate we choose assumes an orderly and arms-length transaction (i.e., a non-distressed transaction in which neither seller nor buyer is compelled to engage in the transaction), which is consistent with related GAAP guidance. The carrying value of policies acquired during each quarterly reporting period are adjusted to their current fair value using the fair value discount rate applied to the entire portfolio as of that reporting date.
Under Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets that are not considered “more likely than not” to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets depends upon having sufficient past or future taxable income in periods to which the deductible temporary differences are expected to be recovered or within any applicable carryback or carryforward periods or sufficient tax planning strategies. After assessing the realization of the net deferred tax assets, we believe that there is substantial uncertainty that our net deferred tax asset will be realized during the applicable carryover period. As such, a valuation allowance has been established against the total net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017.
• Change in Fair Value of Life Insurance Policies. We value our portfolio investments for each reporting period in accordance with the fair value principles discussed herein, which reflects the expected receipt of policy benefits in future periods, net of premium costs, as shown in our consolidated financial statements.
• Sale of a Life Insurance Policy. In the event of a sale of a policy, we recognize gain or loss as the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of the policy on the date of the receipt of payment on such sale.
• Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. We recognize, and record expenses incurred in our business operations, including operations related to the purchasing and servicing of life insurance policies. These expenses include salaries and benefits, sales, marketing, occupancy and other expenditures.
• Interest Expense. We recognize, and record interest expenses associated with the costs of financing our life insurance portfolio for the current period. These expenses include interest paid to our senior lender under our senior credit facility with LNV Corporation, interest paid on our L Bonds and other outstanding indebtedness. When we issue debt, we amortize the financing costs (commissions and other fees) associated with such indebtedness over the outstanding term of the financing and classify it as interest expense.
The following is our analysis of the results of operations for the periods indicated below. This analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes.
The discount rate applied to estimate the fair value of the portfolio of life insurance policies we own was 10.45% and 10.96% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2) Increase is primarily due to increases of $2.1 million for expense attributable to stock options and SARs and $0.8 million in severance payments made to several former executives.
(3) Increase is due to legal fees associated with MCA collections as well as increased costs related to securities offerings and on-going compliance.
Under ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets that are not considered “more likely than not” to be realized. Realization of deferred tax assets depends upon having sufficient past or future taxable income in periods to which the deductible temporary differences are expected to be recovered or within any applicable carryback or carryforward periods. After assessing the realization of the net deferred tax assets, we believe that there is substantial uncertainty that our net deferred tax asset will be realized during the applicable carryover period. As such, a valuation allowance has been established against the total net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017.
We realized a net income tax benefit of $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and a net income tax expense of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The effective rate for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was 9.2% and 46.0%, respectively, compared to an expected statutory rate of 34%.
We finance our business through a combination of life insurance policy benefit receipts, equity offerings, debt offerings, and our senior credit facility. We have used our debt offerings and our senior credit facility primarily for policy acquisition, policy servicing, and portfolio-related financing expenditures including paying principal and interest.
As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had approximately $159.4 million and $121.7 million, respectively, in combined available cash, cash equivalents, and policy benefits receivable for the purpose of purchasing additional life insurance policies, paying premiums on existing policies, paying portfolio servicing expenses, and paying principal and interest on our outstanding financing obligations. Additional future borrowing base capacity for premiums and servicing costs, created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due and by additional policy pledges to the facility or not, exists under the amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation.
We had the following outstanding debt balances as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
In June 2011, we concluded a private placement offering of Series A Preferred Stock for new investors, having received an aggregate $24.6 million in subscriptions for our Series A Preferred Stock. These subscriptions consisted of $14.0 million in conversions of outstanding Series I Secured Notes into Series A Preferred Stock and $10.6 million of new investments.
In January 2012, we began publicly offering up to $250.0 million in debt securities (initially named “Renewable Secured Debentures” and subsequently renamed “L Bonds”) that was completed in January 2015.
In January 2015, we began publicly offering up to $1.0 billion of L Bonds as a follow-on to our earlier $250.0 million public debt offering. Through December 31, 2017, the total amount of these L Bonds sold, including renewals, was $856.3 million. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, we had approximately $461.4 million and $387.1 million in principal amount of L Bonds outstanding.
The weighted-average interest rate of our outstanding L Bonds as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 7.29% and 7.23%, respectively, and the weighted-average maturity at those dates was 2.38 and 2.13 years, respectively. Our L Bonds have renewal features. Since we first issued our L Bonds, we have experienced $394.9 million in maturities, of which $234.7 million has renewed through December 31, 2017 for an additional term. This has provided us with an aggregate renewal rate of approximately 59.4% for investments in these securities.
On September 27, 2017, we entered into a $300 million amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation in which DLP IV is the borrower. We intend to use the proceeds from this facility to grow and maintain our portfolio of life insurance policies, for liquidity and for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2017 we had approximately $222.5 million outstanding under the senior credit facility with LNV Corporation.
At December 31, 2017, the fair value of our investments in life insurance policies of $650.5 million plus our cash balance of $114.4 million and our restricted cash balance of $28.3 million, plus matured policy benefits receivable of $16.7 million, totaled $809.9 million, representing an excess of portfolio assets over secured indebtedness of $126.0 million. At December 31, 2016, the fair value of our investments in life insurance policies of $511.2 million plus our cash balance of $78.5 million and our restricted cash balance of $37.8 million, plus matured policy benefits receivable of $5.3 million, totaled $632.9 million representing an excess of portfolio assets over secured indebtedness of $66.4 million.
The following forward-looking table seeks to illustrate the impact that a hypothetical sale of our portfolio of life insurance assets at various discount rates would have on our ability to satisfy our debt obligations as of December 31, 2017. In all cases, the sale of the life insurance assets owned by DLP IV will be used first to satisfy all amounts owing under the respective senior credit facility with LNV Corporation. The net sale proceeds remaining after satisfying all obligations under the senior credit facility with LNV Corporation would be applied to L Bonds on a pari passu basis.
The table illustrates that our ability to fully satisfy amounts owing under the L Bonds would likely be impaired upon the sale of all our life insurance assets at a price equivalent to a discount rate of approximately 15.04% or higher. At December 31, 2016, the likely impairment occurred at a discount rate of approximately 13.94% or higher. The discount rates used to calculate the fair value of our portfolio were 10.45% and 10.96% as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
The table does not include any allowance for transactional fees and expenses associated with a portfolio sale (which expenses and fees could be substantial) and is provided to demonstrate how various discount rates used to value our portfolio could affect our ability to satisfy amounts owing under our debt obligations in light of our senior secured lender’s right to priority payments. This table also does not include the yield maintenance fee, which could be substantial, we are required to pay in certain circumstances under our senior credit facility with LNV Corporation. You should read the above table in conjunction with the information contained in other sections of this report, including our discussion of discount rates included under the “Critical Accounting Policies - Fair Value Components - Discount Rate” caption above.
Effective September 27, 2017, DLP IV entered into an Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with LNV Corporation, as lender, and CLMG Corp., as the administrative agent on behalf of the lenders under the agreement. The Loan and Security Agreement makes available a total of up to $300,000,000 in credit to DLP IV with a maturity date of September 27, 2029. Additional advances are available under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement at the LIBOR rate as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Advances are available as the result of additional borrowing base capacity, created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due and by additional policy pledges to the facility or not. Interest will accrue on amounts borrowed under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement at an annual interest rate, determined as of each date of borrowing or quarterly if there is no borrowing, equal to (A) the greater of 12-month LIBOR or the federal funds rate (as defined in the agreement) plus one-half of one percent per annum, plus (B) 7.50% per annum. The effective rate at December 31, 2017 was 9.31%. Interest payments are made on a quarterly basis.
Under the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, DLP IV has granted the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders under the agreement, a security interest in all of DLP IV’s assets. As with prior collateral arrangements relating to the senior secured debt of GWG Holdings and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), GWG Holdings’ equity ownership in DLP IV continues to serve as collateral for the obligations of GWG Holdings under the L Bonds (although the life insurance assets owned by DLP IV will not themselves serve directly as collateral for those obligations).
The payment of premiums and servicing costs to maintain life insurance policies represents our most significant requirement for cash disbursement. When a policy is purchased, we are able to calculate the minimum premium payments required to maintain the policy in-force. Over time as the insured ages, premium payments will increase. Nevertheless, the probability we will actually be required to pay the premiums decreases as mortality becomes more likely. These scheduled premiums and associated probabilities are factored into our expected internal rate of return and cash-flow modeling. Beyond premiums, we incur policy servicing costs, including annual trustee, tracking costs,
and debt servicing costs, including principal and interest payments all of which are excluded from our internal rate of return calculations. Until we receive a sufficient amount of proceeds from the policy benefits, we intend to pay these costs from our senior credit facility with LNV Corporation, when permitted, and through the issuance of debt securities, including the L Bonds, and equity securities including our preferred stock offerings.
For the quarter-end dates set forth below, the following table illustrates the total amount of face value of policy benefits owned, and the trailing 12 months of life insurance policy benefits realized and premiums paid on our portfolio. The trailing 12-month benefits/premium coverage ratio indicates the ratio of policy benefits realized to premiums paid over the trailing 12-month period from our portfolio of life insurance policies.
Our senior credit facility with LNV Corporation is floating-rate financing. In addition, our ability to offer interest and dividend rates that attract capital (including in our continuous offering of L Bonds and RPS 2) is generally impacted by prevailing interest rates. Furthermore, while our L Bond and RPS 2 offerings provide us with fixed-rate debt and equity financing, respectively, our debt coverage ratio is calculated in relation to the interest rate on all of our debt financing. Therefore, fluctuations in interest rates impact our business by increasing our borrowing costs and reducing availability under our debt financing arrangements. We calculate our portfolio earnings based upon the spread generated between the return on our life insurance portfolio and the total cost of our financing. As a result, increases in interest rates will reduce the earnings we expect to achieve from our investments in life insurance policies.
financial measures provide information that is useful for investors to understand period-over-period operating results separate and apart from fair value items that can have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on GAAP results in any particular reporting period.
Our senior credit facility with Autobahn/DZ Bank, which we terminated effective as of September 12, 2017, required us to maintain a “positive net income” and “tangible net worth,” each of which were calculated on an adjusted non-GAAP basis using the method described below, without regard to GAAP-based fair value measures. In addition, our senior credit facility with Autobahn/DZ Bank required us to maintain an “excess spread,” which is the difference between (i) the weighted average of our expected internal rate of return of our portfolio of life insurance policies; and (ii) the weighted average of the senior credit facility with Autobahn/DZ Bank’s interest rate.
(1) This represents the reversal of cumulative unrealized GAAP fair value gain of life insurance policies.
(2) Adjusted cost basis is increased to interest, premiums and servicing fees that are expensed under GAAP.
(3) Calculated as the Expected IRR minus the weighted-average interest rate on interest-bearing indebtedness(2).
(1) Reversal of unrealized GAAP fair value gain on life insurance policies for current period.
Adjusted Non-GAAP Tangible Net Worth. We calculate our adjusted non-GAAP tangible net worth by recognizing the actuarial gain accruing within our life insurance policies at the Expected IRR of the policies we own without regard to fair value. We net this actuarial gain against our costs during the same period to calculate our adjusted tangible net worth on a non-GAAP basis.
(3) Adjusted cost basis is increased to include interest, premiums and servicing fees that are expensed under GAAP.
Debt Coverage Ratio. Our L Bonds borrowing covenants require us to maintain a debt coverage ratio of less than 90%. The debt coverage ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of our total interest-bearing indebtedness by the sum of our cash, cash equivalents, and policy benefits receivable by the net present value of the life insurance portfolio, and, without duplication, the value of all of our other assets as reflected on our most recently available balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP (see Item 9B).
As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the debt coverage ratio.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GWG Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations
GWG Holdings, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries are incorporated and organized in Delaware. Unless the context otherwise requires or we specifically so indicate, all references in these footnotes to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” “GWG,” or the “Company” refer to GWG Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries collectively and on a consolidated basis. References to the full names of particular entities, such as “GWG Holdings, Inc.” or “GWG Holdings,” are meant to refer only to the particular entity referenced.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue during the reporting period. We regularly evaluate estimates and assumptions, which are based on current facts, historical experience, management’s judgment, and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from our estimates. The most significant estimates with regard to these consolidated financial statements relate to (1) the determination of the assumptions used in estimating the fair value of our investments in life insurance policies and (2) the value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities.
In a case where our acquisition of a policy is not complete as of a reporting date, but we have nonetheless advanced direct costs and deposits for the acquisition, those costs and deposits are recorded as “other assets” on our balance sheet until the acquisition is complete and we have secured title to the policy. On December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, a total of $0 and $42,000, respectively, of our “other assets” comprised direct costs and deposits that we had advanced for life insurance policy acquisitions.
We also recognize realized gain (or loss) from a life insurance policy upon one of the two following events: (1) our receipt of notice or verified mortality of the insured; or (2) our sale of the policy (upon filing of change-of-ownership
Stock-Based Compensation - We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payments at fair value over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the weighted-average fair value of options. For restricted stock grants, fair value is determined as of the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in general and administrative expenses based on the classification of the employee or vendor. The determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by our stock price as well as by assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards.
On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2016-02 provides more transparency and comparability in the financial statements of lessees by recognizing all leases with a term greater than twelve months on the balance sheet. Lessees will also be required to disclose key information about their leases. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement and have not yet adopted ASU 2016-02 as of December 31, 2017.
In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 (“ASU 2016-18”), which amends ASC 230 Statement of Cash Flows to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance, to be applied retrospectively when adopted, requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. We will adopt ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018. The impact of the adoption is not expected to be material to the financial statements.
We recognized life insurance benefits of $64,719,000 and $48,452,000 during 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to policies with a carrying value of $16,070,000 and $10,993,000, respectively, and as a result recorded realized gains of $48,649,000 and $37,459,000.
(2) The change in fair value due to updating independent life expectancy estimates on certain life insurance policies in our portfolio.
Management anticipates funding the majority of the premium payments estimated above with additional borrowing capacity, created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due, under the amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation as described in Note 6. Management anticipates funding premiums and servicing costs of non-pledged life insurance policies from proceeds from the receipt of policy benefits from our portfolio of life insurance policies and net proceeds from our offering of L Bonds and RPS 2. The proceeds of these capital sources may also be used for the purchase, financing, and maintenance of additional life insurance policies as well as servicing the interest, dividends and principal on existing and future capital.
Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of investment, the characteristics specific to the investment and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Assets and liabilities with readily available and actively
quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in an orderly market, generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.
ASC 820 maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring the use of observable inputs whenever available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect assumptions about how market participants price an asset or liability based on the best available information. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
• Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Because valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
• Level 2 - Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending fair value of our Level 3 investments in our portfolio of life insurance policies for the periods ended December 31, as follows:
Life expectancy estimates and market discount rates for a portfolio of life insurance policies are inherently uncertain and the effect of changes in estimates may be significant. For example, if the life expectancy estimates were increased or decreased by four and eight months on each outstanding policy, and the discount rates were increased or decreased by 1% and 2%, while all other variables were held constant, the fair value of our investment in life insurance policies would increase or decrease as summarized below:
The carrying value of receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities and low credit risk. Using the income-based valuation approach, the estimated fair value of our L Bonds, having an aggregate face value of $461,427,000 as of December 31, 2017, is approximately $470,672,000 based on a weighted-average market interest rate of 6.70%. The carrying value of the senior credit facility with LNV Corporation reflects interest charged at 12-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin represents our credit risk, and the strength of the portfolio of life insurance policies collateralizing the debt. The overall rate reflects market, and the carrying value of the facility approximates fair value.
On September 12, 2017, we terminated our $105 million senior credit facility with Autobahn Funding Company LLC, the Credit and Security Agreement governing the facility as well as the related pledge agreement, pursuant to which our obligations under the facility were secured. We had paid off in full all obligations under the facility on September 14, 2016, and since that date, we have had no amounts outstanding under the facility.
On September 27, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated senior credit facility with LNV Corporation as lender through our subsidiary GWG DLP Funding IV, LLC (“DLP IV”). The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement governing the facility makes available a total of up to $300,000,000 in credit with a maturity date of September 27, 2029. Additional advances are available under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement at the LIBOR rate as defined in the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement. Advances are available as the result of additional borrowing base capacity, created as the premiums and servicing costs of pledged life insurance policies become due. Interest will accrue on amounts borrowed under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement at an annual interest rate, determined as of each date of borrowing or quarterly if there is no borrowing, equal to (A) the greater of 12-month LIBOR or the federal funds rate (as defined in the agreement) plus one-half of one percent per annum, plus (B) 7.50% per annum. The effective rate at December 31, 2017 was 9.31%. Interest payments are made on a quarterly basis.
The Amended and Restated Loan Agreement does not require DLP IV to maintain a reserve account for future premiums.
Our L Bonds are legal obligations of GWG Holdings. Obligations under the L Bonds are secured by the assets of GWG Holdings and by GWG Life, as a guarantor, and are subordinate to the obligations under our senior credit facility (see Note 6). We began publicly offering and selling L Bonds in January 2012 under the name “Renewable Secured Debentures”. These debt securities were re-named “L Bonds” in January 2015. L Bonds are publicly offered and sold on a continuous basis under a registration statement permitting us to sell up to $1.0 billion in principal amount of L Bonds. We are party to an indenture governing the L Bonds dated October 19, 2011, as amended (“Indenture”), under which GWG Holdings is obligor, GWG Life is guarantor, and Bank of Utah serves as indenture trustee. The Indenture contains certain financial and non-financial covenants, and we were in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
On December 1, 2017, an additional public offering sold on a continuous basis of L Bonds permitting us to sell up to $1.0 billion in principal amount of L Bonds was declared effective. The new offering is a follow-on to the previous L Bond offering and contains the same terms and features.
The bonds have renewal features under which we may elect to permit their renewal, subject to the right of bondholders to elect to receive payment at maturity. Interest is payable monthly or annually depending on the election of the investor.
Future contractual maturities of L Bonds, and future amortization of their deferred financing costs, at December 31, 2017 are as follows:
From July 2011 through September 2012, we privately offered shares of Series A of GWG Holdings at $7.50 per share. In the offering, we sold an aggregate of 3,278,000 shares for gross consideration of $24,582,000. Holders of Series A were entitled to cumulative dividends at the rate of 10% per annum, paid quarterly. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock were only redeemable at our option.
Purchasers of Series A in our offering received warrants to purchase an aggregate of 416,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $12.50 per share. As of December 31, 2017, all of these warrants have expired and none of them had been exercised.
On October 9, 2017 all shares of Series A were redeemed with a redemption payment equal to the sum of: (i) $8.25 per Series A share and (ii) all accrued but unpaid dividends.
The RPS ranks senior to our common stock and pari passu with our RPS 2 and entitles its holders to a liquidation preference equal to the stated value per share (i.e., $1,000) plus accrued but unpaid dividends. Holders of RPS may presently convert their RPS into our common stock at a conversion price equal to the volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the 20 trading days immediately prior to the date of conversion, subject to a minimum conversion price of $15.00 and in an aggregate amount limited to 15% of the stated value of RPS originally purchased by such holder from us and still held by such holder.
As of March 31, 2017, we closed the RPS offering to investors having sold 99,127 shares of RPS for an aggregate gross consideration of $99,127,000 and incurred approximately $7,019,000 of related selling costs.
At the time of its issuance, we determined that the RPS contained two embedded features: (1) optional redemption by the holder and (2) optional conversion by the holder. We determined that each of the embedded features met the definition of a derivative and that the RPS should be considered an equity host for the purposes of assessing the embedded derivatives for potential bifurcation. Based on our assessment under Accounting Standards Codification 470 “Debt” (“ASC 470”) we do not believe bifurcation of either the holder’s redemption or conversion feature is appropriate.
Holders of RPS 2 may request that we redeem their RPS 2 shares at a price equal to their liquidation preference, less an applicable redemption fee, if any. Nevertheless, the Certificate of Designation for RPS 2 permits us sole discretion to grant or decline requests for redemption. Subject to certain restrictions and conditions, we may also redeem shares of RPS 2 without a redemption fee upon a holder’s death, total disability or bankruptcy. In addition, we may, at our option, call and redeem shares of RPS 2 at a price equal to their liquidation preference (subject to a minimum redemption price, in the event of redemptions occurring less than one year after issuance, of 107% of the stated value of the shares being redeemed).
We provide for a valuation allowance when it is not considered “more likely than not” that our deferred tax assets will be realized. As of December 31, 2017, based on all available evidence, we have provided a valuation allowance against our total net deferred tax asset of $6,386,000 due to uncertainty as to the realization of our deferred tax assets during the carryover periods. As of December 31, 2016, we had provided a valuation allowance of $2,164,000 against deferred tax assets related to the likelihood of recovering the tax benefit of a capital loss on a note receivable from a related entity and other capital losses.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. federal government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform Bill”). The Tax Reform Bill changed existing United States tax law, including a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate. The Company re-measured deferred taxes as of the date of enactment, resulting in a $2,605,000 reduction of net deferred income tax assets. The Company’s measurement of the income tax effects of the Tax Reform Bill for the year ended December 31, 2017 is reasonably estimated and, therefore, included in these financial statements in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.
Under our accounting policies, interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits, as well as interest received from favorable tax settlements are recognized as components of income tax expense. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
In September 2014, we consummated an initial public offering of our common stock resulting in the sale of 800,000 shares of common stock at $12.50 per share, and net proceeds of approximately $8.6 million after the payment of underwriting commissions, discounts and expense reimbursements. In connection with this offering, we listed our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “GWGH.”
Through December 31, 2017, we had outstanding stock options for 1,637,000 shares of common stock to employees, officers, and directors under the plan. Options for 857,000 shares have vested, and the remaining options are scheduled to vest over three years. The options were issued with an exercise price between $6.35 and $10.38 for those beneficially owning more than 10% of our common stock, and between $4.83 and $11.00 for all others, which is equal to the market price of the shares on the date of grant. The expected annualized volatility used in the Black-Scholes model valuation of options issued during the period ranged from 19.7% to 29.0%. The annual volatility rate is based on the standard deviation of the average continuously compounded rate of return of five selected comparable companies. As of December 31, 2017, stock options for 685,000 shares had been forfeited and stock options for 154,000 shares had been exercised.
As of December 31, 2017, unrecognized compensation expense related to un-vested options is $1,096,000. We expect to recognize this compensation expense over the next three years ($577,000 in 2018, $397,000 in 2019, and $122,000 in 2020).
The consolidating financial statements are presented in lieu of separate financial statements and other related disclosures of the subsidiary guarantor and issuer, because management does not believe that separate financial statements and related disclosures would be material to investors. There are currently no significant restrictions on the ability of GWG Holdings or GWG Life, the guarantor subsidiary, to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan, except as described in these notes. A substantial majority of insurance policies we currently own are subject to a collateral arrangement with LNV Corporation described in Note 6. Under this arrangement, we are required to maintain a collection account that is used to collect policy benefits from pledged policies, pay interest and other charges under the facility, and distribute funds to pay down the facility.
Subsequent to December 31, 2017, we have issued approximately $34,493,000 of L Bonds.
On January 12, 2018, we entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which we have agreed to issue an aggregate of up to 29.1 million shares of GWG common stock as partial consideration in exchange for our receipt of outstanding common units of The Beneficient Company Group, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, we will receive from certain related trusts (“Seller Trusts”). Our common stock will be issued in the exchange to the Seller Trusts at a deemed purchase price of $10.00 per share. In addition to shares of our common stock, the aggregate consideration to the Seller Trusts will consist of up to $359 million of our L Bonds and payment of $150 million in cash. We may also issue and sell, in our sole discretion, a combination of common stock (at a purchase price of $10.00 per share) and L Bonds to MHT Financial SPV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, for an aggregate purchase price of $150 million in cash. Such combination will represent at least 10.9 million additional shares of common stock (including $41 million in L Bonds) but no more than 12.5 million additional shares of our common stock (including $25 million in L Bonds). The Exchange Transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018, subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions set forth in the Master Agreement.