and our carried reserve level: different weight given to a separate projection of individually significant losses (losses greater than $500,000); adjustments based on recent experience to realize emerging changes in refinance versus home sale activity; and cost reduction expectations regarding unallocated loss adjustment expense (“ULAE”) reserves. In the independent actuary’s estimate approximately one half of the effect of projecting significant losses separately was taken into consideration; whereas, our management applied full weight to such analysis. Additionally, the independent actuary’s estimate placed less weight on the effects of refinancings in the 2001-2002 policy years, some of the largest refinance years in history; whereas our management placed moderately greater weights on the effects of refinancing assumptions in such years. Finally, adjustments to the ULAE reserves were supported by management’s analysis of the true costs expected to be incurred in a claims run-off scenario.
Valuation of Investments. We regularly review our investment portfolio for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value of an investment is other-than-temporary. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary include: (i) our ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value; (ii) the duration and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; and (iii) the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Investments are selected for analysis whenever an unrealized loss is greater than a certain threshold that we determine based on the size of our portfolio. Fixed maturity investments that have unrealized losses caused by interest rate movements are not at risk as we have the ability and intent to hold them to maturity. Unrealized losses on investments in equity securities and fixed maturity instruments that are susceptible to credit related declines are evaluated based on the aforementioned factors. Currently available market data is considered and estimates are made as to the duration and prospects for recovery, and the ability to retain the investment until such recovery takes place. These estimates are revisited quarterly and any material degradation in the prospect for recovery will be considered in the other than temporary impairment analysis. We believe that continuous monitoring and analysis has allowed for the proper
A summary of the reserve for claim losses for title and specialty insurance is as follows:
Our operating expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and other operating expenses, which are incurred as orders are received and processed and agent commissions which are incurred as revenue is recognized. Title insurance premiums, escrow and other title-related fees are generally recognized as income at the time the underlying transaction closes. As a result, direct operations revenue lags approximately 45-60 days behind expenses and therefore gross margins may fluctuate. The changes in the market environment, mix of business between direct and agency operations and the contributions from our various business units have impacted margins and net earnings. We have implemented programs and have taken necessary actions to maintain expense levels consistent with revenue streams. However, a short time lag exists in reducing variable costs and certain fixed costs are incurred regardless of revenue levels. We have taken significant measures to maintain appropriate personnel levels and costs relative to the volume and mix of business while maintaining customer service standards and quality controls. Beginning during the second half of 2003, as open orders on refinance transactions declined with the increase in mortgage interest rates, we began reducing personnel costs with the reduction of approximately 22% of the title and escrow workforce from July to December of 2003. Considering the normal lag time between workforce reductions and the related reductions in personnel expense, we maintained personnel at appropriate levels during 2005 and 2004, including a reduction of approximately 8% of the title and escrow workforce in the fourth quarter of 2005, and will continue to monitor prevailing market conditions and adjust personnel costs in accordance with activity.
Our two significant sources of internally generated funds are dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries. As a holding company, we receive cash from our subsidiaries in the form of dividends and as reimbursement for operating and other administrative expenses we incur. The reimbursements are executed within the guidelines of management agreements among us and our subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries are restricted by state regulation in their ability to pay dividends and make distributions. Each state of domicile regulates the extent to which our title underwriters can pay dividends or make other distributions to FNT. As of December 31, 2005, $1,898.5 million of FNT’s net assets were restricted from dividend payments without prior approval from the Departments of Insurance. During 2006, FNT’s first tier title subsidiaries can
all-in including commitment fees, depending on the Company’s then current public debt credit rating from the rating agencies.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 13, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.
Net of income tax (benefit) expense of $(12.9) million, $5.7 million and $37.2 million for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company’s investments in non-majority-owned partnerships and affiliates are accounted for on the equity method until such time that they become wholly-or majority owned. Minority interest expense is recorded on the consolidated statement of earnings relating to majority owned subsidiaries and the appropriate minority interest liability is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in each period. The substantial increase in this expense and liability result from the sale of a minority interest in FIS and the FNT distribution noted below.
Fixed maturity securities valued at approximately $109.7 million and $86.6 million were on deposit with various governmental authorities at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as required by law.
respectively. Other represents non-amortizable intangible assets such as trademarks and licenses. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is $127.1 million in 2006, $108.5 million in 2007, $90.1 million in 2008, $71.3 million in 2009 and $55.4 million in 2010.
reborrowed by the borrowers from time to time until the maturity of the revolving credit facility. Voluntary prepayment of the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement is permitted at any time without fee upon proper notice and subject to a minimum dollar requirement. Revolving loans under the credit facility bear interest at a variable rate based on either (i) the higher of (a) a rate per annum equal to one-half of one percent in excess of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Funds rate, or (b) Bank of America’s “prime rate” or (ii) a rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR rate plus a margin of between .625%-2.25%, depending on the Company’s then current public debt credit rating from the rating agencies.
Since 2004 the Company’s subsidiaries have received civil subpoenas and other inquiries from the New York State Attorney General (the “NYAG”), requesting information about their arrangements with agents and customers and other matters relating to, among other things, rates, rate calculation practices, use of blended rates in multi-state transactions, rebates, entertainment expenses, and referral fees. Title insurance rates in New York are set by regulation and generally title insurers may not charge less than the established rate. Among other things, the NYAG has asked for information about an industry practice (called “blended rates” and “delayed blends”) in which discounts on title insurance on properties outside New York are sometimes given or where a credit is given in subsequent transactions in connection with multi-state commercial transactions in which one or more of the properties is located in New York. The NYAG is also reviewing the possibility that the Company’s Chicago Title subsidiary may have provided incorrect data in connection with rate-setting proceedings in New York and in connection with reaching a settlement of a class action suit over charges for title insurance issued in 1996 through 2002. The New York State Insurance Department has also joined NYAG in the latter’s wide-ranging review of the title insurance industry and the Company. The Company can give no assurance as to the likely outcome of these investigations, including but not limited to whether they may result in fines, monetary settlements, reductions in title insurance rates or other actions, any of which could adversely affect us. The Company is cooperating fully with the NYAG and New York State Insurance Department inquiries into these matters.
In 2001, stockholders approved the adoption of the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (“2001 Plan”). The 2001 Plan authorized up to 4,026,275 shares of common stock for issuance under the terms of the 2001 Plan. As of December 31, 2005, there were 658,279 options outstanding under this plan. The 2001 Plan provides for grants of “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, nonqualified stock options, rights to purchase shares of common stock and deferred shares. The term of options may not exceed 10 years from the date of grant (five years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a person who owns or is deemed to own more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company), and are exercisable subject to the terms and conditions set by the Board of Directors. The option exercise price for each share granted pursuant to an incentive stock option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock at the time such option is granted (110% of fair value in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a person who owns more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company). The option exercise price for each share granted pursuant to a nonqualified stock option may be less than the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant to reflect the application of the optionee’s deferred bonus, if applicable. The 2001 Plan allows for exercise prices with a fixed discount from the quoted market price. Options were granted in 2003 at an exercise price of $15.36 to key employees of the Company who applied deferred bonuses expensed in 2002
The Company generates a significant amount of title insurance premiums in California, Florida, Texas, and New York. Title insurance premiums as a percentage of the total title insurance premiums written from those four states are detailed as follows:
This segment consists of the operation of FNF’s majority owned subsidiary, FNT. FNT’s title insurance underwriters - Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Ticor Title, Security Union Title and Alamo Title - together issued approximately 30.5% of all title insurance policies issued nationally during 2004. FNT provides core title insurance and escrow and other title related services including collection and trust activities, trustee’s sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances. Included in this segment for the year ended December 31, 2003 are $26.3 million in pre-tax expenses relating to the migration of data center operations from FNIS to FIS and $11.3 million related to the relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida pursuant to SFAS No. 146, and $2.0 million in asset impairment charges pursuant to SFAS No. 144. See Notes A and B. In addition, the title insurance segment for 2003 includes a realized gain of $51.7 million as a result of InterActive Corp’s acquisition of Lending Tree Inc. and the subsequent sale of the Company’s InterActive Corp common stock and a realized gain of $21.8 million on the sale of New Century Financial Corporation common stock.