The following selected Consolidated Financial Data for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2014 have been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements. Such data should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in
The years 2007 through 2011 posed significant challenges for us and for our industry in the form of a prevailing decline in insurance premium rates, commonly referred to as a “soft market” and increased significant governmental involvement in the Florida insurance marketplace which resulted in a substantial loss of revenues for us. Additionally, beginning in the second half of 2008 and throughout 2011, there was a general decline in insurable exposure units as the consequence of the general weakening of the economy in the United States. As a result, from the first quarter of 2007 through the fourth quarter of 2011 we experienced negative internal revenue growth each quarter. The continued declining exposure units during 2010 and 2011 had a greater negative impact on our commissions and fees revenues than declining insurance premium rates.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, many insurance premium rates began to slightly increase. Additionally, in the second quarter of 2012, the general declines in insurable exposure units started to flatten and these exposures units subsequently began to gradually increase during the year. As a result, we recorded positive internal revenue growth for each quarter of 2012 for each of our four segments with two exceptions; the first quarter for the Retail Segment and the third quarter for the National Programs Segment, in which declines of only 0.7% and 3.3%, respectively, were experienced.
Certain insurance companies offer guaranteed fixed-base agreements, referred to as “Guaranteed Supplemental Commissions” (“GSCs”) in lieu of profit -sharing contingent commissions. Since GSCs are not subject to the uncertainty of loss ratios, they are accrued throughout the year based on actual premiums written. As of December 31, 2014, we had $7.6 million of GSC revenue accrued and had earned $9.9 million of GSCs during 2014, most of which will be collected in the first quarter of 2015. For the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we earned GSCs of $9.9 million, $8.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively.
Fee revenues relate to fees negotiated in lieu of commissions, which are recognized as services are rendered. Fee revenues have historically been generated primarily by: (1) our Services Segment, which provides insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services in both the workers’ compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare set-aside services, Social Security disability and Medicare benefits advocacy services, and catastrophe claims adjusting services, and (2) our National Programs and Wholesale Brokerage Segments, which earn fees primarily for the issuance of insurance policies on behalf of insurance companies. These services are provided over a period of time, typically one year. However, in conjunction with our July 1, 2013 acquisition of Beecher Carlson, which has a primary focus on large retail customers that generally pay us fees directly, the fee revenues in our Retail Segment for 2014 have increased by $44.8 million to $117.8 million. Also, with the acquisition of Wright, which primarily receives income in the form of fees, fee revenue in our National Programs Segment increased $81.9 million to $152.8 million. Fee revenues, on a consolidated basis, as a percentage of our total commissions and fees, represented 30.6% in 2014, 26.6% in 2013 and 21.7% in 2012.
Historically, investment income has consisted primarily of interest earnings on premiums and advance premiums collected and held in a fiduciary capacity before being remitted to insurance companies. Our policy is to invest available funds in high-quality, short-term fixed income investment securities. As a result of the bank liquidity and solvency issues in the United States in the last quarter of 2008, we moved substantial amounts of our cash into non-interest bearing checking accounts so that they would be fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or into money-market investment funds (a portion of which is FDIC insured) of SunTrust and Wells Fargo, two large national banks. Effective January 1, 2013, the FDIC ceased providing insurance guarantees on non-interest bearing checking accounts and since that time we have invested in both interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking accounts. Investment income also includes gains and losses realized from the sale of investments. Other income primarily reflects net gains on sales of customer accounts and fixed assets, but will also include sub-rental income, legal settlements and other miscellaneous income.
In the discussion and analysis of our results of operations that follows, in addition to reporting financial results in accordance with GAAP, as noted above, we provide information regarding core commissions and fees, core organic commissions and fees, and our internal growth rate, which is the growth rate of our core organic commissions and fees. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to (including any adjusted internal growth rate), the GAAP information provided in this annual report on Form 10-K. Tabular reconciliations of this supplemental non-GAAP financial information to our most comparable GAAP information is contained in this Form 10-K. We present such non-GAAP supplemental financial information, as we believe such information provides additional meaningful methods of evaluating certain aspects of our operating performance from period to period on a basis that may not be otherwise apparent on a GAAP basis. This supplemental financial information should be considered in addition to, not in lieu of, our condensed consolidated financial statements.
2014 was a strong year for revenue growth and continued the positive trends that began in 2012. After the five-year period extending from 2007 to 2011, in which we experienced negative internal growth in our core organic commissions and fees revenue which we believe was a direct result of the general weakness of the economy, we achieved a positive internal revenue growth of 6.7% in 2013, and 2.0% in 2014.
Approximately 37,500 independent insurance agencies are estimated to be operating currently in the United States. Part of our continuing business strategy is to attract high-quality insurance intermediaries to join our operations. From 1993 through 2014, we acquired 459 insurance intermediary operations, excluding acquired books of business (customer accounts).
On May 1, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Wright which was previously announced January 15, 2014. Wright has estimated annualized revenues of $120.0 million. The total cash paid for Wright was $609.2 million. Wright’s operations include a national flood insurance program, government-sponsored insurance programs and proprietary national and regional programs.
Commission revenues are recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date on which the policy premium is processed into our systems, whichever is later. Commission revenues related to installment billings are recognized on the later of the date effective or invoiced, with the exception of our Arrowhead business which follows a policy of recognizing on the later of the date effective or processed into our systems regardless of the billing arrangement. Management determines the policy cancellation reserve based upon historical cancellation experience adjusted in accordance with known circumstances. Subsequent commission adjustments are recognized upon our receipt of notification from insurance companies concerning matters necessitating such adjustments. Profit-sharing contingent commissions are recognized when determinable, which is when such commissions are received from insurance companies, or when we receive formal notification of the amount of such payments. Fee revenues, and commissions for workers’ compensation programs, are recognized as services are rendered.
Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one-to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. The recorded purchase prices for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 include an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in the fair value of earn-out obligations are recorded in the consolidated statement of income when incurred.
The fair value of earn-out obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired businesses in accordance with the provisions contained in the respective purchase agreements. In determining fair value, the acquired business’s future performance is estimated using financial projections developed by management for the acquired business and this estimate reflects market participant assumptions regarding revenue growth and/or profitability. The expected future payments are estimated on the basis of the earn-out formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement compared to the associated financial projections. These estimates are then discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration the likelihood that the forecasted earn-out payments will be made.
Investment income increased to $0.7 million in 2014, compared with $0.6 million in 2013 mainly due to higher average daily invested balances in 2014 than in 2013. Investment income of $0.6 million in 2013 was down $0.2 million as compared to 2012, mainly due to lower average daily invested balances in 2013 than in 2012.
Other income for 2014 reflected income of $7.6 million, compared with $7.1 million in 2013 and $10.2 million in 2012. We recognized gains of $5.3 million, $3.1 million and $4.3 million from sales on books of business (customer accounts) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Although we are not in the business of selling books of business, we periodically will sell an office or a book of business because it does not produce reasonable margins or demonstrate a potential for growth, or for other reasons related to the particular assets in question. Other income also included $1.6 million and $3.6 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, paid to us in connection with settlements of litigation against former employees for violations of restrictive covenants contained in their employment agreements with us. For 2014, other income from legal settlement was negligible. Additionally, we recognized non-recurring gains, rental income and sales of software services of $0.9 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Employee compensation and benefits expense increased, approximately 15.9% or $108.7 million in 2014. However, that net increase included $81.0 million of new compensation costs related to new acquisitions that were stand-alone offices. Therefore, employee compensation and benefits from those offices that existed in the same time periods of 2014 and 2013 (including the new acquisitions that “folded in” to those offices) increased by $27.7 million. The employee compensation and benefit increases from these offices were primarily related to increases in staff and management salaries of $13.8 million, new salaried producers of $4.8 million, profit center and other related bonuses of $6.7 million, compensation to our commissioned producers of $0.9 million and health insurance costs of $4.8 million. These increases were partially offset by net reductions in temporary employees, employer 401K plan matching contributions and accrued vacation expense. Employee compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of total revenues was 50.2% as compared to 50.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. This slight increase is driven by continued investment in new teammates.
Non-cash stock-based compensation increased 42.5%, or $6.7 million in 2013 over 2012, primarily as a result of new non-vested stock awards granted on July 1, 2013 under our SIP. Most of these SIP grants will typically vest in four to seven years, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria by grantees, and the achievement of consolidated earnings per share growth at certain levels by us, over three-to five-year measurement periods. Some SIP grants will vest after five years of service.
As a percentage of total revenues, other operating expenses represented 14.9% in 2014, 14.4% in 2013, and 14.5% in 2012.
Amortization expense increased $15.0 million, or 22.1%, in 2014, and $4.4 million, or 6.9%, in 2013. The increases in 2014 and 2013 were due to the amortization of additional intangible assets as a result of acquisitions completed in those years.
Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805-Business Combinations is the authoritative guidance requiring an acquirer to recognize 100% of the fair values of acquired assets, including goodwill, and assumed liabilities (with only limited exceptions) upon initially obtaining control of an acquired entity. Additionally, the fair value of contingent consideration arrangements (such as earn-out purchase arrangements) at the acquisition date must be included in the purchase price consideration. As a result, the recorded purchase prices for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 include an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in these earn-out obligations are required to be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income when incurred or reasonably estimated. Estimations of potential earn-out obligations are typically based upon future earnings of the acquired entities, usually for periods ranging from one to three years.
As of December 31, 2014, the fair values of the estimated acquisition earn-out payables were re-evaluated and measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in ASC 820-Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”). The resulting net changes, as well as the interest expense accretion on the estimated acquisition earn-out payables, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014, the estimated acquisition earn-out payables equaled $75,283,000, of which $26,018,000 was recorded as accounts payable and $49,265,000 was recorded as an other non-current liability. As of December 31, 2013, the estimated acquisition earn-out payables equaled $43,058,000, of which $6,312,000 was recorded as accounts payable and $36,746,000 was recorded as an other non-current liability. As of December 31, 2012, the estimated acquisition earn-out payables equaled $52,987,000, of which $10,164,000 was recorded as accounts payable and $42,823,000 was recorded as an other non-current liability.
As discussed in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we operate four reportable segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services Segments. On a segmental basis, increases in amortization, depreciation and interest expenses result from completed acquisitions within a given segment in a particular year. Likewise, other income in each segment primarily reflects net gains on sales of customer accounts and fixed assets. As such, in evaluating the operational efficiency of a segment, management emphasizes the net internal growth rate of core commissions and fees revenue, the gradual improvement of the ratio of total employee compensation and benefits to total revenues, and the gradual improvement of the ratio of other operating expenses to total revenues.
(1) The Retail Segment figures include commissions and fees reported in the “Other” column of the Segment Information in Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which includes corporate and consolidation items.
The Retail Segment provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public and quasi-public, professional and individual insured customers. Approximately 85.5% of the Retail Segment’s commissions and fees revenue is commission-based. Because most of our other operating expenses do not change as premiums fluctuate, we believe that most of any fluctuation in the commissions, net of related compensation, which we receive will be reflected in our pre-tax income, subject to incremental investments in new producers or other investments to help grow the business.
Income before income taxes for 2014 decreased 3.5%, or $5.8 million, over the same period in 2013, to $160.5 million. This decrease was primarily due to a higher interest charge of $8.5 million corresponding to capital utilized for acquisitions in 2014 and $9.0 million related to the year-on-year changes in the estimated earn-out payable. The underlying increase was driven by net new business, acquired business and increased profit-sharing contingent commissions and GSCs. Non-cash stock-based compensation increased $2.7 million, or 29.6%, for 2014 over the same period in 2013, as the cost of grants to employees for the purpose of driving performance were realized.
The Retail Segment’s total revenues in 2013 increased 13.0%, or $83.9 million, over the same period in 2012, to $728.3 million. Profit-sharing contingent commissions and GSCs in 2013 increased $4.7 million, or 23.6%, over 2012, to $24.4 million, primarily due to improved loss ratios resulting in increased profitability for insurance companies in 2012. The $80.8 million net increase in core commissions and fees revenue resulted from the following factors: (i) an increase of approximately $79.5 million related to core commissions and fees revenue from acquisitions that had no comparable revenues in 2012; (ii) a decrease of $7.5 million related to commissions and fees revenue recorded in 2012 from business divested during 2013; and (iii) the remaining net increase of $9.0 million primarily related to net new business. The Retail Segment’s internal growth rate for core organic commissions and fees revenue was 1.5% for 2013, and was driven by slightly increasing insurable exposure units in most areas of the United States, and slight increases in general insurance premium rates.
Income before income taxes for 2014 increased 22.0% or $12.9 million over the same period in 2013, to $71.2 million. The increase in income before taxes was due to net new business growth noted above, revenues and operating profits derived from Wright, the gain on the sale of ICG, and a non-cash stock-based compensation decrease of $3.8 million primarily related to partial SIP grant forfeitures associated to Arrowhead. The $71.2 million increase was partially offset by an increase in the intercompany interest expense charge related to Wright.
Unlike our other segments, nearly all of the Services Segment’s 2014 commissions and fees revenue was generated from fees, which are not significantly affected by fluctuations in general insurance premiums.
Financial information relating to our Services Segment is as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
The Services Segment’s total revenues for 2014 increased 3.9%, or $5.1 million, over 2013, to $136.6 million. The $5.4 million net increase in core commissions and fees revenue consisted of the following: (i) an increase of approximately $15.6 million related to the core commissions and fees revenue from the acquisition of ICA, Inc. business, that had no comparable revenues in the same period of 2013; (ii) net new business of $7.7, (iii) offset by a reduction of $18.3 million due to the significant flood claims processed in 2013 resulting from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 with no comparable storm in 2013 and (iv) $0.4 million of net sold books of business. As such, the Services Segment’s internal growth rate for core organic commissions and fees revenue was (8.1)% for 2014 and excluding the impact of Superstorm Sandy internal growth would be 6.8% in 2014.
Income before income taxes in 2014 decreased 28.5%, or $7.0 million, over 2013, to $17.5 million, primarily due to the reduction in Superstorm Sandy related revenues and corresponding operating profit partially offset by the increase associated with net new and acquired business.
Our ratio of current assets to current liabilities (the “current ratio”) was 1.24 and 1.02 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
On April 17, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and certain other banks as co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement in the amount of $1,350.0 million provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in the initial amount of $800.0 million and unsecured term loans in the initial amount of $550.0 million, either or both of which may, subject to lenders’ discretion, potentially be increased by up to $500.0 million. The Credit Facility was funded on May 20, 2014 in conjunction with the closing of the Wright acquisition, with the $550.0 million term loan being funded as well as a drawdown of $375.0 million on the revolving loan facility. Use of these proceeds were to retire existing term loan debt including the JPM Term Loan Agreement, SunTrust Term Loan Agreement and Bank of America Term Loan Agreement in total of $230.0 million (as described above) and to facilitate the closing of the Wright acquisition as well as other acquisitions. The Credit Facility terminates on May 20, 2019, but either or both of the revolving credit facility and the term loans may be extended for two additional one-year periods at the Company’s request and at the discretion of the respective lenders. Interest and facility fees in respect to the Credit Facility are based on the better of the Company’s net debt leverage ratio or a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating. Based on the Company’s net debt leverage ratio, the rates of interest charged on the term loan and revolving loan are 1.375% and 1.175% respectively in 2014 and above the adjusted LIBOR rate for outstanding amounts drawn. There are fees included in the facility which include a facility fee based on the revolving credit commitments of the lenders (whether used or unused) at a rate of 0.20% and letter of credit fees based on the amounts of outstanding secured or unsecured letters of credit. The Credit Facility includes various covenants, limitations and events of default customary for similar facilities for similarly rated borrowers. As of December 31, 2014, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Credit Facility in total of $550.0 million with no proceeds outstanding relative to the revolving loan.
In connection with the funding of the Credit Facility on May 20, 2014, the Company retired the JPM term loan of $100.0 million, the SunTrust term loan of $100.0 million and the Bank of America, N.A., $30.0 million term loan, for a total of $230.0 million. The SunTrust revolver was also terminated.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, short-term investment portfolio and funds generated from operations, together with our available funding under our various debt facilities, will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs through at least the end of 2015 including the required principal payments on our long-term debt.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Brown & Brown records income tax expense using the asset-and-liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying values and the income tax bases of Brown & Brown’s assets and liabilities.
Effective in 2009, the Company adopted the FASB authoritative guidance that states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Performance stock shares granted to employees under the Company’s Performance Stock Plan and under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock.
The carrying amounts of Brown & Brown’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents; restricted cash and short-term investments; investments; premiums, commissions and fees receivable; reinsurance recoverable; prepaid reinsurance premiums; premiums payable to insurance companies; losses and loss adjustment reserve; unearned premium; premium deposits and credits due customers and accounts payable, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of Brown & Brown’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 as our fixed-rate borrowings of $650.0 million approximate their values using market quotes of notes with the similar terms as ours, which we deem a close approximation of current market rates. Of the $650.0 million, $25.0 million is related to short-term notes which approximates its carrying value due to its proximity to maturity. The estimated fair value of the $550.0 million term loan under our J.P. Morgan Credit Facility approximates the carrying value due to the variable interest rate based on adjusted LIBOR. See note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the fair values related to the establishment of intangible assets and the establishment and adjustment of earn-out payables. See note 5 for information on the fair value of investments and note 8 for information on the fair value of long-term debt.
WNFIC engages the services of outside actuarial consulting firms (the “Actuaries”) to assist on an annual basis to render an opinion on the sufficiency of the Company’s estimates for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment reserve. The Actuaries utilize both industry experience and the Company’s own experience to develop estimates of those amounts as of year-end. These estimated liabilities are subject to the impact of future changes in claim severity, frequency and other factors. In spite of the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment reserve is adequate.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of nine insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary that owns an insurance carrier and several books of business (customer accounts). Additionally, miscellaneous adjustments were recorded to the purchase price allocation of certain prior acquisitions completed within the last twelve months as permitted by ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core business and to attract and hire high-quality individuals. The recorded purchase price for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 included an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in the fair value of earn-out obligations will be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income when incurred.
Based on the acquisition date and the complexity of the underlying valuation work, certain amounts included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements may be provisional and thus subject to further adjustments within the permitted measurement period, as defined in ASC 805. For the year ended December 31, 2014, several adjustments were made within the permitted measurement period that resulted in a decrease in the aggregate purchase price of the affected acquisitions of $26,000 relating to the assumption of certain liabilities.
The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation made as of the date of each acquisition for current year acquisitions and adjustment made during the measurement period for prior year acquisitions:
The weighted average useful lives for the acquired amortizable intangible assets are as follows: purchased customer accounts, 15.0 years; and non-compete agreements, 3.4 years.
The results of operations for the acquisitions completed during 2014 have been combined with those of the Company since the acquisition date. The total revenues and loss before income taxes, including the intercompany cost of capital charge, from the acquisitions completed through December 31, 2014, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $112,247,000 and $(1,307,000), respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the respective periods, the Company’s results of operations would be as shown in the following table. These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions actually been made at the beginning of the respective periods.
During 2013, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of eight insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary and a book of business (customer accounts). The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was $519,794,000, including $408,072,000 of cash payments, the issuance of $552,000 in other payables, the assumption of $106,079,000 of liabilities and $5,091,000 of recorded earn-out payables. All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core businesses and to attract high-quality personnel. Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one-to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. The recorded purchase price for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 included an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in the fair value of earn-out obligations will be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income when incurred.
For 2013, several adjustments were made within the permitted measurement period that resulted in a reduction to the aggregate purchase price of the applicable acquisition of $504,000, including $18,000 of cash payments, an increase of $117,000 in other payables, the assumption of $82,000 of liabilities and the reduction of $721,000 in recorded earn-out payables.
During 2012, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of 19 insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary and a book of business (customer accounts). The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was $667,586,000, including $483,933,000 of cash payments, the issuance of notes payable of $59,000, the issuance of $25,439,000 in other payables, the assumption of $136,676,000 of liabilities and $21,479,000 of recorded earn-out payables. The ‘other payables’ amount includes $22,061,000 that the Company is obligated to pay all shareholders of Arrowhead on a pro rata basis for certain pre-merger corporate tax refunds and certain estimated potential future income tax credits that were created by net operating loss carryforwards originating from transaction-related tax benefit items. All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core businesses and to attract high-quality personnel. Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one-to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. The recorded purchase price for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 included an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in the fair value of earn-out obligations will be recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income when incurred.
Goodwill of $390,640,000, was allocated to the Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage and Services Segments in the amounts of $57,856,000, $289,378,000, $11,656,000 and $31,750,000, respectively. Of the total goodwill of $390,640,000, $52,730,000 is currently deductible for income tax purposes and $316,431,000 is non-deductible. The remaining $21,479,000 relates to the recorded earn-out payables and will not be deductible until it is earned and paid.
The results of operations for the acquisitions completed during 2012 have been combined with those of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The total revenues and income before income taxes from the acquisitions completed through December 31, 2012, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012, were $129,472,000 and $898,000, respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the period, the Company’s results of operations would be as shown in the following table. These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions actually been made at the beginning of the respective periods.
For acquisitions consummated prior to January 1, 2009, additional consideration paid to sellers as a result of the purchase price earn-out provisions are recorded as adjustments to intangible assets when the contingencies are settled. The net additional consideration paid by the Company in 2014 as a result of those adjustments totaled $26,000, all of which was allocated to goodwill. Of the $26,000 net additional consideration paid, $26,000 was recorded in other payables. The net additional consideration paid by the Company in 2013 as a result of these adjustments totaled $873,000, all of which was allocated to goodwill. Of the $873,000 net additional consideration paid, $873,000 was issued in other payables.
As of December 31, 2014, the fair values of the estimated acquisition earn-out payables were re-evaluated and measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in ASC 820. The resulting additions, payments, and net changes, as well as the interest expense accretion on the estimated acquisition earn-out payables, for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
During 2014 we disposed of Axiom Re (“Axiom”) effective December 31, 2014 as part of our strategy to exit the reinsurance brokerage business. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, Axiom recorded a (loss) income before income taxes of ($587,000) and $113,000, respectively, which are included in the Wholesale Brokerage segment.
Amortization expense recorded for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $82,941,000, $67,932,000 and $63,573,000, respectively.
The following table shows the investments’ gross unrealized loss and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014.
In July 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $200.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “Notes”). The $200.0 million was divided into two series: (1) Series A, which closed on September 15, 2004, for $100.0 million due in 2011 and bore interest at 5.57% per year; and (2) Series B, which closed on July 15, 2004, for $100.0 million due in 2014 and bore interest at 6.08% per year. On September 15, 2011, the $100.0 million of Series A Notes were redeemed on their normal maturity date through use of funds from the Master Agreement (defined below). As of July 15, 2014 the Series B Notes were redeemed at maturity using proceeds from the Credit Facility (defined below).
On January 9, 2012, the Company entered into: (1) an amended and restated revolving and term loan credit agreement (the “SunTrust Agreement”) with SunTrust Bank (“SunTrust”) that provided for (a) a $100.0 million term loan (the “SunTrust Term Loan”) and (b) a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (the “SunTrust Revolver”) and (2) a $50.0 million promissory note. The maturity date for the SunTrust Term Loan and the SunTrust Revolver was December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest would have been due. On May 20, 2014, in connection with closing the Wright acquisition and funding of the Credit Facility (as defined below), the SunTrust Term Loan was paid in full using proceeds from the Credit Facility and the SunTrust Revolver was also terminated at that time.
On April 17, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and certain other banks as co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement in the amount of $1,350.0 million provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in the initial amount of $800.0 million and unsecured term loans in the initial amount of $550.0 million, either or both of which may, subject to lenders’ discretion, potentially be increased by up to $500.0 million. The Credit Facility was funded on May 20, 2014 in conjunction with the closing of the Wright acquisition, with the $550.0 million term loan being funded as well as a drawdown of $375.0 million on the revolving loan facility. Use of these proceeds were to retire existing term loan debt including the JPM Term Loan Agreement, SunTrust Term Loan Agreement and Bank of America Term Loan Agreement in total of $230.0 million (as described above) and to facilitate the closing of the Wright acquisition as well as other acquisitions. The Credit Facility terminates on May 20, 2019, but either or both of the revolving credit facility and the term loans may be extended for two additional one-year periods at the Company’s request and at the discretion of the respective lenders. Interest and facility fees in respect to the Credit Facility are based on the better of the Company’s net debt leverage ratio or a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating. Based on the Company’s net debt leverage ratio, the rates of interest charged on the term loan and revolving loan is 1.375% and 1.175% respectively in 2014 and above the adjusted LIBOR rate for outstanding amounts drawn. There are fees included in the facility which include a facility fee based on the revolving credit commitments of the lenders (whether used or unused) at a rate of 0.20% and letter of credit fees based on the amounts of outstanding secured or unsecured letters of credit. The Credit Facility includes various covenants, limitations and events of default customary for similar facilities for similarly rated borrowers. As of December 31, 2014, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Credit Facility in total of $550.0 million with no proceeds outstanding relative to the revolving loan.
Interest paid in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $25,115,000, $16,501,000 and $16,090,000, respectively.
At December 31, 2014, Brown & Brown had net operating loss carryforwards of $212,000 and $78,870,000 for federal and state income tax reporting purposes, respectively, portions of which expire in the years 2015 through 2034. The federal carryforward is derived from insurance operations acquired by Brown & Brown in 2001. The state carryforward amount is derived from the operating results of certain subsidiaries and from the 2012 and 2013 stock acquisitions of Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corp and Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc.
The Company has an Employee Savings Plan (401(k)) in which substantially all employees with more than 30 days of service are eligible to participate. Under this plan, Brown & Brown makes matching contributions of up to 4.0% of each participant’s annual compensation. Prior to 2014, the Company’s matching contribution was up to 2.5% of each participant’s annual compensation with a discretionary profit-sharing contribution each year, which equaled 1.5% of each eligible employee’s compensation. The Company’s contributions to the plan totaled $15,752,000 in 2014, $14,819,000 in 2013, and $14,266,000 in 2012.
At December 31, 2014, 5,549,882 shares had been granted under the PSP. As of December 31, 2014, 25,418 shares had not met the first condition for vesting, 1,903,213 shares had met the first condition of vesting and had been awarded, and 3,455,604 shares had satisfied both conditions of vesting and had been distributed to participants. Of the shares that have not vested as of December 31, 2014, the initial stock prices ranged from $4.25 to $25.68.
The total fair value of PSP grants that vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $8,362,000, $3,729,000 and $23,034,000, respectively.
In 2012, 814,545 shares were granted under the SIP, primarily related to the Arrowhead acquisition.
At December 31, 2014, 2,309,929 shares were available for future grants.
A summary of SIP activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
The Company has a shareholder-approved Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) with a total of 12,000,000 authorized shares of which 734,317 were available for future subscriptions as of December 31, 2014. Employees of the Company who regularly work more than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Participants, through payroll deductions, may allot up to 10% of their compensation, up to a maximum of $25,000, to purchase Company stock between August 1st of each year and the following July 31st (the “Subscription Period”) at a cost of 85% of the lower of the stock price as of the beginning or end of the Subscription Period.
For the ESPP plan years ended July 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company issued 512,521, 487,672, and 562,748 shares of common stock, respectively. These shares were issued at an aggregate purchase price of $13,408,000, or $26.16 per share, in 2014, $10,456,000, or $21.44 per share, in 2013, and $9,302,000, or $16.53 per share, in 2012.
A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
(1) Represents the Company recognizing a loss on disposal of $47.4 million as a result of the sale of Axiom effective December 31, 2014. The sale is part of the Company’s strategy to exit the reinsurance brokerage business.
Brown & Brown conducts all of its operations within the United States of America, except for one wholesale brokerage operation based in London, England, and retail operations in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. These operations earned $13.3 million, $12.2 million and $9.7 million of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Long-lived assets held outside of the United States during each of these three years were not material.
The Company is exposed to the risk of losses from claims in the insurance company operations of Wright. To mitigate this risk we reinsure 100% percent of the underwriting claims exposure with FEMA for basic admitted flood policies and with reinsurance carriers with an AM Best Company rating of “A” or better for all other claims exposure. Although the reinsurers are liable to the Company for amounts reinsured, the Company remains primarily liable to its policyholders for the full amount of the policies written whether or not the reinsurers meet their obligations to the Company when they become due. The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned are as follows:
The Company also ceded 100% of the Homeowners and Private Passenger Auto Liability to Stillwater Insurance Company formerly known as Fidelity National Insurance Company. This business is in runoff. Therefore, only loss data still exists on this business. As of December 31, 2014, ceded unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for Homeowners and Private Passenger Auto Liability was $8,698 and $61,634, respectively. The incurred but not reported was $102 for Homeowners and $39,424 for Private Passenger Auto Liability. The reinsurance recoverable balance as of December 31, 2014 was $333.6 million that is comprised of recoverables on unpaid losses and loss expenses of $13.0 million and prepaid reinsurance premiums of $320.6 million.
WNFIC is required to maintain minimum amounts of statutory capital and surplus of $7.5 million as required by regulatory authorities. WNFIC’s statutory capital and surplus exceeded their respective minimum statutory requirements. The statutory capital and surplus of WNFIC was $10.9 million at December 31, 2014. For the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, WNFIC generated statutory net income of $2.3 million.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Brown & Brown, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brown & Brown, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.