Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-123156

PROSPECTUS

 

80,500,000 Shares

 

LOGO

 

Class A Common Stock

 


 

GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc., the selling stockholder and an indirect subsidiary of General Electric Company, is offering all the 80,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold in this offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholder of Class A Common Stock in this offering.

 

Our shares of Class A Common Stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GNW.” The last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 23, 2005 was $26.75 per share.

 

We have agreed to repurchase directly from the selling stockholder, concurrently with the closing of this offering, $500 million of our shares of Class B Common Stock at a price per share equal to the net proceeds per share that the selling stockholder will receive from the underwriters in this offering. The closing of the repurchase will be contingent on the closing of this offering.

 

Investing in our Class A Common Stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors” beginning on page 14.

 


 

PRICE $26.50 A SHARE

 


 

     Per Share

   Total

Price to public

   $ 26.500    $ 2,133,250,000

Underwriting discounts and commissions

   $ 0.689    $ 55,464,500

Proceeds to selling stockholder

   $ 25.811    $ 2,077,785,500

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A Common Stock to purchasers on March 30, 2005.

 


 

Morgan Stanley

Global Coordinator

 


 

JPMorgan        Merrill Lynch & Co.

 

Citigroup

 


Banc of America Securities LLC        Credit Suisse First Boston
Deutsche Bank Securities        Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Lehman Brothers        UBS Investment Bank

 


 

ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC       BB&T Capital Markets       Blaylock & Partners, L.P.
Capital Management Group Securities       Fox-Pitt, Kelton       Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Legg Mason Wood Walker

                  Incorporated

     

Ramirez & Co., Inc.

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

      Raymond James

 

March 23, 2005


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Prospectus Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   14

Forward-Looking Statements

   45

Use of Proceeds

   46

Price Range of Common Stock

   46

Dividend Policy

   46

Capitalization

   47

Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information

   48

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   55

Corporate Reorganization

   103

Business

   106

Regulation

   178

Management

   189

Arrangements Between GE and Our Company

   213

Ownership of Common Stock

   234

Description of Capital Stock

   237

Description of Equity Units

   248

Description of Certain Indebtedness

   252

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

   255

Certain U.S. Federal Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock

   257

Underwriters

   260

Legal Matters

   264

Experts

   264

Additional Information

   264

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1

Glossary of Selected Insurance Terms

   G-1


Table of Contents

Prospectus Summary

 

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the information set forth in “Risk Factors” before making an investment decision. In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, “Genworth,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Genworth Financial, Inc. and its subsidiaries and include the operations of the businesses acquired from GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc. and other GE subsidiaries in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

LOGO

 

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

We are a leading insurance company in the U.S., with an expanding international presence, serving the life and lifestyle protection, retirement income, investment and mortgage insurance needs of more than 15 million customers. We have leadership positions in key products that we expect will benefit from a number of significant demographic, governmental and market trends. We distribute our products and services through an extensive and diversified distribution network that includes financial intermediaries, independent producers and dedicated sales specialists. We conduct operations in 22 countries and have approximately 6,150 employees. We have the following three operating segments:

 

    Protection. We offer U.S. customers life insurance, long-term care insurance and, primarily for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, group life and health insurance. In Europe, we offer payment protection insurance, which helps consumers meet their payment obligations in the event of illness, involuntary unemployment, disability or death. In 2004, we were the leading provider of individual long-term care insurance and a leading provider of term life insurance in the U.S., according to LIMRA International (in each case based upon annualized first-year premiums). We believe we are a leading provider of term life insurance through brokerage general agencies in the U.S. and that this channel is the largest and fastest-growing distribution channel for term life insurance. Our leadership in long-term care insurance is based upon 30 years of product underwriting and claims experience. This experience has enabled us to build and benefit from what we believe is the largest actuarial database in the long-term care insurance industry. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Protection segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $527 million.

 

    Retirement Income and Investments. We offer U.S. customers fixed and variable deferred annuities, income annuities, variable life insurance, asset management, and specialized products, including guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, funding agreements and structured settlements. We are an established provider of these products. In 2004, according to VARDS, we were the largest provider of variable income annuities in the U.S., and according to LIMRA International, we were the second-largest provider of fixed income annuities in the U.S. (in each case based upon total premiums and deposits). For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Retirement Income and Investments segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $148 million.

 

   

Mortgage Insurance. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, we offer mortgage insurance products that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages. These products generally also aid financial institutions in managing their capital efficiently by reducing the capital required for low-down-payment mortgages. According to Inside

 

1


Table of Contents
 

Mortgage Finance, in 2004, we were the fifth-largest provider of mortgage insurance in the U.S. (based upon new insurance written). We also believe we are the largest provider of private mortgage insurance outside the U.S. (based upon flow new insurance written), with leading mortgage insurance operations in Canada, Australia and the U.K. and a growing presence in Continental Europe. The net premiums written in our international mortgage insurance business have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 45% for the three years ended December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Mortgage Insurance segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $426 million.

 

We also have a Corporate and Other segment which consists primarily of unallocated corporate income and expenses (including amounts incurred in settlement of class action lawsuits), the results of several small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments, most of our interest and other financing expenses and net realized investment gains (losses). For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Corporate and Other segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $29 million.

 

We had $12.9 billion of total stockholders’ interest and $103.9 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, on a pro forma basis, our revenues were $10.2 billion and our net earnings from continuing operations were $1.1 billion. Our principal life insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA-” (Very Strong) from S&P, “Aa3” (Excellent) from Moody’s, “A+” (Superior) from A.M. Best and “AA-” (Very Strong) from Fitch, and our rated mortgage insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA” (Very Strong) from S&P, “Aa2” (Excellent) from Moody’s and “AA” (Very Strong) from Fitch. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of S&P’s 20 ratings categories, respectively. The “Aa2” and “Aa3” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories, respectively. The “A+” rating is the second-highest of A.M. Best’s 15 ratings categories. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories, respectively.

 

Until our initial public offering, or IPO, in May 2004, our business was wholly owned by General Electric Company, or GE. GE currently owns approximately 70% of our outstanding common stock. After the completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, described below under “—The Stock Repurchase,” GE will own approximately 52% of our outstanding common stock. GE has indicated that it expects, subject to market conditions, to reduce its ownership over the next two years as we transition to full independence.

 

Market Environment and Opportunities

 

We believe we are well positioned to benefit from a number of significant demographic, governmental and market trends, including the following:

 

    Aging U.S. population with growing retirement income needs, resulting from large numbers of baby boomers approaching retirement and significant increases in life expectancy that heighten the risk that individuals will outlive their retirement savings.

 

    Growing lifestyle protection gap, with individuals lacking sufficient resources, including insurance coverage, to support their desired lifestyle due to declining individual savings rates, rising healthcare and nursing care costs and a shifting of the burden for funding protection needs from governments and employers to individuals.

 

    Increasing opportunities for mortgage insurance internationally and in the U.S., resulting from increasing homeownership levels, expansion of low-down payment mortgage loan offerings, the potential for favorable legislative and regulatory policies, and expansion of secondary mortgage markets that require credit enhancements.

 

2


Table of Contents

Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths will enable us to capitalize on opportunities in our targeted markets:

 

    Leading positions in diversified targeted markets. We believe our leading positions in our targeted markets, including individual long-term care insurance, term life insurance and income annuities in the U.S., payment protection insurance in Europe and international mortgage insurance, provide us with the scale necessary to compete effectively in these markets as they grow. We also believe our strong presence in multiple markets provides balance to our business, reduces our exposure to adverse economic trends affecting any one market and provides stable cash flow to fund growth opportunities.

 

    Product innovation and breadth. We offer a breadth of products that meet the needs of consumers throughout the various stages of their lives, thereby positioning us to benefit from the current trend among distributors to reduce the number of insurers with whom they maintain relationships. We are selective in the products we offer and strive to maintain appropriate return and risk thresholds when we expand the scope of our product offerings.

 

    Extensive, multi-channel distribution network. We have extensive distribution reach and offer consumers access to our products through a broad network of financial intermediaries, independent producers and dedicated sales specialists. In addition, we maintain strong relationships with leading distributors by providing a high level of specialized and differentiated distribution support and through technology solutions that support the distributors’ sales efforts.

 

    Technology-enhanced, scalable, low-cost operating platform. We have pursued an aggressive approach to cost-management and continuous process improvement. We also have developed sophisticated technology tools that enhance performance by automating key processes and reducing response times and process variations. In addition, we have centralized our operations and have established scalable, low-cost operating centers in Virginia, North Carolina and Ireland. Through an outsourcing provider that is 40% owned by GE, we also have a substantial team of professionals in India who provide us with a variety of support services.

 

    Disciplined risk management with strong compliance practices. Risk management and regulatory compliance are critical parts of our business, and we are recognized in the insurance industry for our excellence in these areas. We employ comprehensive risk management processes in virtually every aspect of our operations, including product development, underwriting, investment management, asset-liability management and technology development programs. We have an experienced group of more than 150 professionals dedicated to supporting these efforts.

 

    Strong balance sheet and high-quality investment portfolio. We believe our size, ratings and capital strength provide us with a significant competitive advantage. We have a diversified, high-quality investment portfolio with $65.7 billion of invested assets, as of December 31, 2004. Approximately 94% of our fixed maturities had ratings equivalent to investment-grade, and less than 1% of our total investment portfolio consisted of equity securities, as of December 31, 2004.

 

    Experienced and deep management team. Our senior management team has an average of approximately 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. We have an established track record for successfully developing managerial talent at all levels of our organization and have instilled a performance- and execution-oriented corporate culture.

 

3


Table of Contents

Growth Strategies

 

Our objective is to increase operating earnings and enhance returns on equity. We intend to pursue this objective by focusing on the following strategies:

 

    Capitalize on attractive growth trends in three key markets. We have positioned our product portfolio and distribution relationships to capitalize on the attractive growth prospects in three key markets:

 

Retirement income, where we believe growth will be driven by a variety of favorable demographic trends and the approximately $4.4 trillion of invested financial assets in the U.S. that are held by people within 10 years of retirement and $3.3 trillion of invested assets that are held by individuals who are under age 70 and consider themselves retired, in each case according to SRI Consulting Business Intelligence. Our products are designed to enable the growing retired population to convert their accumulated assets into reliable retirement income throughout their retirement years.

 

Protection, particularly long-term care insurance and payment protection insurance. In long-term care insurance, we believe growth will be driven by the increasing protection needs of the expanding aging population and a shifting of the burden for funding these needs from governments and employers to individuals. For example, according to the American Society on Aging and Conning Research & Consulting, approximately 70% of individuals in the U.S. age 65 and older will require long-term care at some time in their lives, but in 2003, less than 10% of the individuals in the U.S. age 55 and older had long-term care insurance. In our payment protection insurance business, we believe market growth will result from the increase in consumer borrowing across Europe, the expansion of the European Union and reduced unemployment benefits in the European markets where we offer our products.

 

International mortgage insurance, where we continue to see attractive growth opportunities with the expansion of homeownership and low-down-payment loans. The net premiums written in our international mortgage insurance business have increased at a compound annual growth rate of 45% for the three years ended December 31, 2004.

 

    Further strengthen and extend our distribution channels. We intend to further strengthen and extend our distribution channels by continuing to differentiate ourselves in areas where we believe we have distinct competitive advantages. These areas include:

 

Product and service innovations, as illustrated by new product introductions, such as the introduction of our Income Distribution Series of guaranteed income products and riders, our private mortgage insurance products in the European market, and our service innovations, which include programs such as our policyholder wellness initiatives in our long-term care insurance business and our automated underwriting platform in our mortgage insurance business.

 

Collaborative approach to key distributors, which includes our joint business improvement program and our tailored approach to our sales intermediaries addressing their unique service needs, which have benefited our distributors and helped strengthen our relationships with them.

 

Technology initiatives, such as our proprietary underwriting system, which has made it easier for distributors to do business with us, improved our term life and long-term care insurance underwriting speed and accuracy, and lowered our operating costs.

 

    Enhance returns on capital and increase margins. We believe we will be able to enhance our returns on capital and increase our margins through the following means:

 

Adding new business layers at targeted returns and optimizing mix. We have introduced revised pricing and new products in a number of business lines, which we believe will increase our expected returns. In U.S. mortgage insurance, we are targeting market segments in which we can generate

 

4


Table of Contents

new business at higher returns and limiting our growth from segments that have lower returns. We have exited or placed in run-off certain product lines in blocks of business with low returns, including, for example, our older, fixed GICs, facility-only long-term care insurance policies and certain payment protection insurance contracts, mostly in the U.K. As these blocks decrease, we expect to release capital over time to deploy to higher-return products and/or businesses.

 

Capital efficiency and management. We continually seek opportunities to use our capital more efficiently, while maintaining our ratings and strong capital position. We have developed a capital markets solution to fund additional statutory reserves on our term life insurance policies related to Regulation XXX, and we are working to develop similar structures for other product lines, including universal life insurance. In addition, we intend to complement our core growth strategy through selective acquisitions designed to enhance product and distribution capabilities and returns, the breadth of our product portfolio, or our distribution reach. We have successfully completed the acquisition and integration of 13 key businesses since 1993. In addition to pursuing opportunities for core growth and accretive acquisitions, we also will consider making share repurchases and increasing dividends on our common stock.

 

Investment income enhancements. The yield on our investment portfolio is affected by the practice, prior to our separation from GE, of realizing investment gains through the sale of appreciated securities and other assets during a period of historically low interest rates. This strategy had been pursued to offset impairments in our investment portfolio, fund consolidations and restructurings in our business and provide current income. As an independent public company, our investment strategy is to optimize investment income without relying on realized investment gains. Although the interest-rate environment since our IPO in mid-2004 has been challenging, we expect over time that the yield on our investment portfolio will stabilize, with the potential for yield increases in a rising interest rate environment. We also will seek to improve our investment yield by continuously evaluating our asset class mix, pursuing additional investment classes and accepting additional credit risk when we believe that it is prudent to do so.

 

Ongoing operating cost reductions and efficiencies. We continually focus on reducing our cost base while maintaining strong service levels for our customers. We expect to accomplish this goal in each of our operating units through a wide range of cost management disciplines, including consolidating operations, using low-cost operating locations, reducing supplier costs, leveraging process improvement efforts, forming focused teams to identify opportunities for cost reductions and investing in new technology, particularly for web-based, digital end-to-end processes.

 

Formation of Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

We were incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2003 in preparation for our corporate reorganization and IPO, which was completed on May 28, 2004. In connection with the IPO, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc., or GEFAHI. GEFAHI is an indirect subsidiary of GE, and prior to the IPO was a holding company for a group of companies that provide life insurance, long-term care insurance, group life and health insurance, annuities and other investment products and U.S. mortgage insurance. We also acquired certain other insurance businesses that were owned by other GE subsidiaries but managed by members of the Genworth management team. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, a Bermuda reinsurer and mortgage contract underwriting.

 

In consideration for the assets and liabilities that we acquired from GEFAHI, we issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our 6.00% Equity Units (the “Equity Units”), $100 million of our 5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), which is mandatorily redeemable, a $2.4 billion short-term note, and a $550 million contingent non-interest-bearing note (the “Contingent Note”). The liabilities we assumed included ¥60 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.6%

 

5


Table of Contents

notes due 2011 that had been issued by GEFAHI (the “Yen Notes”), ¥3 billion of which GEFAHI owned and transferred to us (and were subsequently retired). We refer to the transactions described above as our corporate reorganization.

 

GEFAHI sold 146.44 million shares of our Class A Common Stock (which were converted from an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock) in the IPO. GEFAHI also sold all the Equity Units and the Series A Preferred Stock in public offerings concurrent with the IPO. Upon completion of the IPO, we repaid the $2.4 billion short-term note with borrowings under a short-term credit facility, and we repaid those borrowings shortly thereafter with proceeds from our offerings of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper. We repaid the Contingent Note in December 2004.

 

In connection with our corporate reorganization and the IPO, we entered into a number of arrangements with GE governing our separation from GE and a variety of transition and other matters, including our relationship with GE while GE remains a significant stockholder in our company. These arrangements include several significant reinsurance transactions with Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company, or UFLIC, an indirect subsidiary of GE. As part of these transactions, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC all of our in-force structured settlement contracts, substantially all of our variable annuity contracts, and a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured in 2000 from The Travelers Insurance Company, which we refer to in this prospectus as Travelers.

 

Risks Relating to Our Company

 

As part of your evaluation of our company, you should consider the risks associated with our business, our separation from GE and this offering. These risks include:

 

    Risks relating to our businesses, including interest rate fluctuations, downturns and volatility in equity markets, defaults in portfolio securities, downgrades in our financial strength and credit ratings, insufficiency of reserves, legal constraints on dividend distributions by subsidiaries, illiquidity of investments, competition, inability to attract or retain independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists, defaults by counterparties, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, regulatory restrictions on our operations and changes in applicable laws and regulations, legal or regulatory actions or investigations, political or economic instability and the threat of terrorism and terrorist acts;

 

    Risks relating to our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments, including unexpected changes in mortality, morbidity and unemployment rates, accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs and present value of future profits, goodwill impairments, medical advances such as genetic mapping research, unexpected changes in persistency rates, increases in statutory reserve requirements, the failure of demand for long-term care insurance to increase as we expect and changes in tax and securities laws;

 

    Risks relating to our Mortgage Insurance segment, including the influence of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and a small number of large mortgage lenders and investors, increased regulatory scrutiny of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac resulting in possible regulatory changes, decreases in the volume of high loan-to-value mortgage originations, increases in mortgage insurance cancellations, increases in the use of simultaneous second mortgages and other alternatives to private mortgage insurance and reductions by lenders in the level of coverage they select, unexpected increases in mortgage insurance default rates or severity of defaults, deterioration in economic conditions, insufficiency of premium rates to compensate us for risks associated with mortgage loans bearing high loan-to-value ratios, increases in the use of captive reinsurance in the mortgage insurance market, changes in the demand for mortgage insurance that could arise as a result of efforts of large mortgage investors, legal or regulatory actions or investigations under applicable laws and regulations, including the Real Estate Settlement Practices Act and the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, potential liabilities in connection with contract underwriting services and growth in the European mortgage insurance market that is lower than we expect;

 

6


Table of Contents
    Risks relating to our separation from GE, including the loss of benefits associated with GE’s brand and reputation, our need to establish our new Genworth brand identity quickly and effectively, the lack of comparability between our financial information for periods before the IPO and for periods after the IPO, the possibility that we will not be able to replace services previously provided by GE on terms that are at least as favorable, the possibility that in certain circumstances we will be obligated to make payments to GE under our tax matters agreement even if our corresponding tax savings either are delayed or never materialize, the possibility that in the event of a change in control of our company we would have insufficient funds to meet accelerated obligations under the tax matters agreement, GE’s control over certain tax matters that could have an impact on us, potential conflicts of interest with GE and GE’s engaging in the same type of business as we do in the future; and

 

    Risks relating to this offering, including future sales of stock by GE that may depress the price of our shares, fluctuations in our share price and regulatory and statutory requirements and contractual arrangements that may delay or prevent a takeover of our business.

 

For a further discussion of these and other risks, see “Risk Factors.”

 

The Stock Repurchase

 

We have agreed to repurchase directly from the selling stockholder, concurrently with the closing of this offering, $500 million of our shares of Class B Common Stock at a price per share equal to the net proceeds per share that the selling stockholder will receive from the underwriters in this offering. The closing of the repurchase will be contingent on the closing of this offering. See “Arrangements between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Stock Purchase Agreement.”

 

After completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, GE will own approximately 52% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Additional Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 6620 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230. Our telephone number at that address is (804) 281-6000. We maintain a variety of websites to communicate with our distributors, customers and investors and to provide information about various insurance and investment products to the general public. None of the information on our websites is part of this prospectus.

 

7


Table of Contents

The Offering

 

Class A Common Stock offered by the selling stockholder

80,500,000 shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering and the stock repurchase

 

Class A

227,019,954 shares

 

Class B

243,216,559 shares (excluding 19,371,586 shares held in treasury)

 

Common stock to be held by the selling stockholder immediately after this offering and the stock repurchase

 

Class B

243,216,559 shares

 

Voting rights

One vote per share for all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote, except:

 

    holders of Class A Common Stock will have the right separately to elect and remove a specified number of directors, and

 

    holders of Class B Common Stock will have the right (1) separately to elect and remove a specified number of directors, and (2) to approve significant corporate actions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and incurrences of debt.

 

 

The specific number of directors that holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock will have separate rights to elect and remove will vary, depending upon the percentage of our common stock owned by GE.

 

 

See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.”

 

Use of proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholder of Class A Common Stock in this offering.

 

Dividend policy

We currently pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock at a rate of $0.065 per share. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on many factors, including our

 

8


Table of Contents
 

financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.

 

New York Stock Exchange symbol

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GNW.”

 

9


Table of Contents

Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The following table sets forth summary historical and pro forma financial information. You should read this information in conjunction with the information under “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

In connection with the IPO, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GEFAHI. We also acquired certain other insurance businesses that were owned by other GE subsidiaries but managed by members of the Genworth management team. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, a Bermuda reinsurer and mortgage contract underwriting. In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, a $2.4 billion note and the $550 million Contingent Note. Shortly after the completion of the IPO, we refinanced the $2.4 billion note with the proceeds of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper.

 

We have prepared our financial statements as if Genworth had been in existence throughout all relevant periods. Our historical financial statements include all businesses that were owned by GEFAHI, including those that were not transferred to us, as well as the other insurance businesses that we acquired from other GE subsidiaries, each in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

The unaudited pro forma financial information set forth below reflects our historical financial information, as adjusted to give effect to the transactions described under “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information,” as if each had occurred as of January 1, 2004. The following transactions are reflected in the pro forma financial information:

 

    the removal of certain businesses of GEFAHI that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization;

 

    the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, including a capital contribution of $1.836 billion to UFLIC;

 

    the issuance of equity and debt securities to GEFAHI in exchange for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization;

 

    the issuance and sale of $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper; and

 

    the other adjustments described in the notes to the unaudited pro forma financial information under “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information.”

 

The unaudited pro forma financial information below is based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our results of operations would have been had the transactions described above occurred as of January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma financial information also should not be considered representative of our future results of operations.

 

In addition to the pro forma adjustments to our historical statement of earnings, various other factors will have an effect on our financial condition and results of operations, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

10


Table of Contents
    Historical

    Pro forma

 
    Years ended December 31,

   

Year ended

December 31,

2004


 

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


  2004

    2003(1)

    2002

    2001

  2000(2)

   

Statement of Earnings Information

                                             

Revenues:

                                             

Premiums

  $ 6,559     $ 6,707     $ 6,107     $ 6,012   $ 5,233     $ 6,388  

Net investment income

    3,648       4,051       3,979       3,895     3,678       3,160  

Net realized investment gains

    26       10       204       201     262       23  

Policy fees and other income

    824       915       939       993     1,053       664  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total revenues

    11,057       11,683       11,229       11,101     10,226       10,235  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Benefits and expenses:

                                             

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

    4,804       5,270       4,640       4,474     3,586       4,340  

Interest credited

    1,432       1,624       1,645       1,620     1,456       1,319  

Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

    1,812       1,916       1,808       1,823     1,813       1,657  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles(3)

    1,154       1,351       1,221       1,237     1,394       1,052  

Interest expense

    217       140       124       126     126       243  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total benefits and expenses

    9,419       10,301       9,438       9,280     8,375       8,611  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

    1,638       1,382       1,791       1,821     1,851       1,624  

Provision for income taxes

    493       413       411       590     576       494  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings from continuing operations

  $ 1,145     $ 969     $ 1,380     $ 1,231   $ 1,275     $ 1,130 (4)
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings from continuing operations per share(5):

                                             

Basic

  $ 2.34     $ 1.98     $ 2.82                   $ 2.31  
   


 


 


               


Diluted

  $ 2.33     $ 1.98     $ 2.82                   $ 2.30  
   


 


 


               


Shares outstanding(5):

                                             

Basic

    489.5       489.5       489.5                     489.5  
   


 


 


               


Diluted

    490.5       489.5       489.5                     490.5  
   


 


 


               


Selected Segment Information

                                             

Total revenues:

                                             

Protection

  $ 6,064     $ 6,143     $ 5,605     $ 5,443   $ 4,917     $ 5,935  

Retirement Income and Investments

    3,361       3,803       3,756       3,721     3,137       2,891  

Mortgage Insurance

    1,090       982       946       965     895       1,090  

Affinity(6)

    218       566       588       687     817       —    

Corporate and Other

    324       189       334       285     460       319  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total

  $ 11,057     $ 11,683     $ 11,229     $ 11,101   $ 10,226     $ 10,235  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations:

                                             

Protection

  $ 528     $ 487     $ 554     $ 538   $ 492     $ 527  

Retirement Income and Investments

    153       151       186       215     250       148  

Mortgage Insurance

    426       369       451       428     414       426  

Affinity(6)

    (14 )     16       (3 )     24     (13 )     —    

Corporate and Other

    52       (54 )     192       26     132       29  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total

  $ 1,145     $ 969     $ 1,380     $ 1,231   $ 1,275     $ 1,130  
   


 


 


 

 


 


 

11


Table of Contents
     December 31,

 
    

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003(1)

   2002

   2001

    2000(2)

 

Statement of Financial Position Information

                                     

Total investments

   $ 65,747    $ 78,693    $ 72,080    $ 62,977     $ 54,978  

All other assets

     38,131      24,738      45,277      41,021       44,598  
    

  

  

  


 


Total assets

   $ 103,878    $ 103,431    $ 117,357    $ 103,998     $ 99,576  
    

  

  

  


 


Policyholder liabilities

   $ 69,262    $ 66,545    $ 63,195    $ 55,900     $ 48,291  

Non-recourse funding obligations(7)

     900      600      —        —         —    

Short-term borrowings

     559      2,239      1,850      1,752       2,258  

Long-term borrowings

     2,442      529      472      622       175  

All other liabilities

     17,849      17,718      35,088      31,559       35,865  
    

  

  

  


 


Total liabilities

   $ 91,012    $ 87,631    $ 100,605    $ 89,833     $ 86,589  
    

  

  

  


 


Accumulated nonowner changes in stockholders’ interest

   $ 1,609    $ 1,672    $ 835    $ (664 )   $ (424 )

Total stockholders’ interest

     12,866      15,800      16,752      14,165       12,987  

U.S. Statutory Information(8)

                                     

Statutory capital and surplus

     6,439      7,021      7,207      7,940       7,119  

Asset valuation reserve

     427      413      390      477       497  

(1) On August 29, 2003, we sold our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses for aggregate cash proceeds of approximately $2.1 billion, consisting of $1.6 billion paid to us and $0.5 billion paid to other GE affiliates, plus pre-closing dividends. See note 5 to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2) During 2000, we consummated three significant business combinations:
    In July 2000, we reinsured 90% of Travelers’ long-term care insurance portfolio and acquired certain related assets for $411 million;
    In April 2000, we acquired Phoenix American Life Insurance Company for $284 million; and
    Effective March 2000, we acquired the insurance policies and related assets of Toho Mutual Life Insurance Company. Our Japanese life insurance business assumed $21.6 billion of policyholder liabilities and $0.3 billion of accounts payable and accrued expenses and acquired $20.3 billion in cash, investments and other tangible assets through this transaction. We sold this business on August 29, 2003, and its results have been presented as discontinued operations.
(3) As of January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and, in accordance with its provisions, discontinued amortization of goodwill. Goodwill amortization was $84 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, excluding goodwill amortization included in discontinued operations.
(4) Pro forma net operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $1,044 million. We define pro forma net operating earnings as pro forma net earnings from continuing operations, excluding pro forma after-tax net realized investment gains and losses (which can fluctuate significantly from period to period), changes in accounting principles and non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items. There were no non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items excluded from pro forma net operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004, other than an IPO-related net tax benefit and a gain related to our waiver of contractual rights under an outsourcing services agreement with GE’s global business processing operation, 60% of which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2004. We believe that analysis of pro forma net operating earnings enhances understanding and comparability of performance by highlighting underlying business activity and profitability drivers. However, pro forma net operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP net earnings. In addition, our definition of pro forma net operating earnings may differ from the definitions used by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of pro forma net operating earnings (as defined above) to pro forma net earnings from continuing operations:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Year ended
December 31, 2004


 

Pro forma net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 1,130  

Pro forma net realized (gains) on investments, net of taxes

     (15 )

Net tax benefit related to initial public offering

     (46 )

Gain on outsourcing services agreement, net of taxes

     (25 )
    


Pro forma net operating earnings

   $ 1,044  
    


 

12


Table of Contents
(5) Basic and diluted net earnings from continuing operations per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 are calculated by dividing the net earnings from continuing operations by 489.5 million weighted average basic shares outstanding and by 490.5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively. Basic and diluted net earnings from continuing operations per share for the years ending December 31, 2003 and 2002 were calculated by dividing net earnings from continuing operations by 489.5 million pro forma shares outstanding. The number of shares used in our calculation of diluted earnings per share increased in 2004 due to additional shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under stock options and restricted stock units and is calculated using the treasury method.
(6) Reflects the results of businesses that were owned by GEFAHI but were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization, including (a) the Partnership Marketing Group business, (b) an institutional asset management business, and (c) several other small businesses that were not part of our core ongoing business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Our historical and pro forma financial information.”
(7) For a description of the non-recourse funding obligations, see “Description of Certain Indebtedness—Non-recourse Funding Obligations.”
(8) Includes statutory capital and surplus and statutorily required contingency reserves held by our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries. In December 2004, our U.S. mortgage insurance business released $700 million of statutory contingency reserves and paid that amount as a dividend to the holding company of that business.

 

13


Table of Contents

Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the following risks before investing in our common stock. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the trading price of our common stock to decline. You could lose part or all of your investment.

 

Risks Relating to Our Businesses

 

Interest rate fluctuations could adversely affect our business and profitability.

 

Our insurance and investment products are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations and expose us to the risk that falling interest rates will reduce our “spread,” or the difference between the returns we earn on the investments that support our obligations under these products and the amounts that we must pay policyholders and contractholders. Because we may reduce the interest rates we credit on most of these products only at limited, pre-established intervals, and because some of them have guaranteed minimum crediting rates, declines in interest rates may adversely affect the profitability of those products. For example, interest rates declined to unusually low levels in 2002 and 2003. During this period, our net earnings from spread-based products, such as fixed and income annuities and guaranteed investment contracts, declined from $166 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $138 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Although interest rates increased in 2004, they remain at low levels and limit our returns on our spread-based investment products.

 

During periods of increasing market interest rates, we may offer higher crediting rates on interest-sensitive products, such as universal life insurance and fixed annuities, and we may increase crediting rates on in-force products to keep these products competitive. In addition, rapidly rising interest rates may cause increased policy surrenders, withdrawals from life insurance policies and annuity contracts and requests for policy loans, as policyholders and contractholders shift assets into higher yielding investments. Increases in crediting rates, as well as surrenders and withdrawals, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our term life and long-term care insurance products also expose us to the risk of interest rate fluctuations. The pricing and expected future profitability of these products are based in part on expected investment returns. Over time, term life and long-term care insurance products generally produce positive cash flows as customers pay periodic premiums, which we invest as we receive them. Low interest rates may reduce our ability to achieve our targeted investment margins and may adversely affect the profitability of our term life and long-term care insurance products.

 

In our mortgage insurance business, rising interest rates generally reduce the volume of new mortgage originations, resulting in a decrease in the volume of new insurance written. The level of new mortgage originations in the U.S. decreased to $2,810 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $3,760 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003. This resulted in decreased levels of new mortgage insurance written. We believe the decrease in mortgage originations was due to two principal factors. First, increasing interest rates in 2004 made refinancings of existing mortgages less attractive to consumers than in recent years. Second, historically low interest rates in 2002 and 2003 contributed to substantial refinancing activity, which did not recur in 2004 because many mortgages for which refinancing would otherwise have been economically attractive were already refinanced prior to 2004. Further increases in interest rates could cause the volume of mortgage originations to decline further, which would have an adverse effect on our new mortgage insurance written.

 

Rising interest rates also can increase the monthly mortgage payments for insured homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs, which could have the effect of increasing default rates on ARM loans and thereby increasing our exposure on our mortgage insurance policies. This is particularly relevant in our non-U.S. mortgage insurance business, where ARMs are the predominant mortgage product.

 

14


Table of Contents

Declining interest rates increase the rate at which insured borrowers refinance their existing mortgages, thereby resulting in cancellations of the mortgage insurance covering the refinanced loans. Declining interest rates also generally are associated with home price appreciation, which may provide insured borrowers in the U.S. with the option of canceling their mortgage insurance coverage earlier than we anticipated in pricing that coverage. These cancellations could have an adverse effect on our results from our mortgage insurance business.

 

Interest rate fluctuations also could have an adverse effect on the results of our investment portfolio. During periods of declining market interest rates, the interest we receive on variable interest rate investments decreases. In addition, during those periods, we are forced to reinvest the cash we receive as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower-yielding high-grade instruments or in lower-credit instruments to maintain comparable returns. Issuers of fixed-income securities also may decide to prepay their obligations in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates the risk that we may have to invest the cash proceeds of these securities in lower-yielding or lower-credit instruments. Declining interest rates from 2002 to 2004 contributed to a decrease in our weighted average investment yield from 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 5.8% and 5.5% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. For additional information regarding our investment portfolio, see “Business—Investments.” For additional information regarding the sensitivity of the fixed maturities in our investment portfolio to interest rate fluctuations, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Sensitivity analysis.”

 

Downturns and volatility in equity markets could adversely affect our business and profitability.

 

Significant downturns and volatility in equity markets could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in two principal ways. First, market downturns and volatility may discourage purchases of separate account products, such as variable annuities and variable life insurance, that have returns linked to the performance of the equity markets and may cause some existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce investments in those products.

 

Second, downturns and volatility in equity markets can have an adverse effect on the revenues and returns from our separate account and private asset management products and services. Because these products and services depend on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management, a decline in the equity markets could reduce our revenues by reducing the value of the investment assets we manage.

 

Defaults in our fixed-income securities portfolio may reduce our earnings.

 

Issuers of the fixed-income securities that we own may default on principal and interest payments. As a result of the economic downturn and recent corporate malfeasance, the number of companies defaulting on their debt obligations has increased dramatically in recent years. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had fixed maturities in or near default (where the issuer has missed payment of principal or interest or entered bankruptcy) with a fair value of $58 million and $190 million, respectively. An economic downturn, further events of corporate malfeasance or a variety of other factors could cause declines in the value of our fixed maturities portfolio and cause our net earnings to decline.

 

We recognized gross capital gains of $90 million, $473 million and $790 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We realized these capital gains in part to offset default-related losses during those periods. However, capital gains may not be available in the future, and if they are, we may elect not to recognize capital gains to offset losses.

 

A downgrade or a potential downgrade in our financial strength or credit ratings could result in a loss of business and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Financial strength ratings, which various ratings organizations publish as measures of an insurance company’s ability to meet contractholder and policyholder obligations, are important to maintaining public

 

15


Table of Contents

confidence in our products, the ability to market our products and our competitive position. Our principal life insurance companies currently have financial strength ratings of “AA-” (Very Strong) from S&P and Fitch and “Aa3” (Excellent) from Moody’s. Our mortgage insurance companies currently have financial strength ratings of “AA” (Very Strong) from S&P and Fitch and “Aa2” (Excellent) from Moody’s. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of S&P’s 20 ratings categories, respectively. The “Aa2” and “Aa3” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories, respectively. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories.

 

A downgrade in our financial strength ratings, or the announced potential for a downgrade, could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations in many ways, including:

 

    reducing new sales of insurance products, annuities and other investment products;

 

    adversely affecting our relationships with independent sales intermediaries and our dedicated sales specialists;

 

    materially increasing the number or amount of policy surrenders and withdrawals by contractholders and policyholders;

 

    requiring us to reduce prices for many of our products and services to remain competitive; and

 

    adversely affecting our ability to obtain reinsurance or obtain reasonable pricing on reinsurance.

 

The charters of the Federal National Mortgage Corporation, or Fannie Mae, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, only permit them to buy high loan-to-value mortgages that are insured by a “qualified insurer,” as determined by each of them. Their current rules effectively provide that they will accept mortgage insurance only from private mortgage insurers with financial strength ratings of at least “AA-” by S&P and “Aa3” by Moody’s. If our mortgage insurance companies’ financial strength ratings decrease below the thresholds established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, we would not be able to insure mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Approximately 68% of the flow loans we insured in the U.S. during the year ended December 31, 2004 were sold to either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. An inability to insure mortgage loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or their transfer of our existing policies to an alternative mortgage insurer, would have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

In 2003, the U.S. Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight announced a risk-based capital rule that treats credit enhancements issued by private mortgage insurers with financial strength ratings of “AAA” more favorably than those issued by “AA” rated insurers. Neither Fannie Mae nor Freddie Mac has adopted policies that distinguish between “AA” rated and “AAA” rated mortgage insurers. However, if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac adopts policies that treat “AAA” rated insurers more favorably than “AA” rated insurers, our competitive position may suffer.

 

In addition to the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, ratings agencies also publish credit ratings for our company. The credit ratings have an impact on the interest rates we pay on the money we borrow. Therefore, a downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our cost of borrowing and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The ratings of our insurance subsidiaries are not evaluations directed to the protection of investors in our securities.

 

The ratings of our insurance subsidiaries described under “Business—Financial Strength Ratings” reflect each rating agency’s current opinion of each subsidiary’s financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and contractholders. These factors are of concern to policyholders, contractholders, agents, sales intermediaries and lenders. Ratings are not evaluations directed to the protection of investors in our securities. They are not ratings of our securities and should not be relied upon when making a decision to buy, hold or sell our securities, including the common stock offered in this offering. In addition, the standards used by rating

 

16


Table of Contents

agencies in determining financial strength are different from capital requirements set by state insurance regulators. We may need to take actions in response to changing standards set by any of the ratings agencies, as well as statutory capital requirements, which could cause our business and operations to suffer.

 

If our reserves for future policy benefits and claims are inadequate, we may be required to increase our reserve liabilities, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We calculate and maintain reserves for estimated future benefit payments to our policyholders and contractholders in accordance with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices. We release these reserves as those future obligations are extinguished. The reserves we establish necessarily reflect estimates and actuarial assumptions with regard to our future experience. These estimates and actuarial assumptions involve the exercise of significant judgment. Our future financial results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual future experience is consistent with the assumptions we have used in pricing our products and determining our reserves. Many factors can affect future experience, including economic and social conditions, inflation, healthcare costs, changes in doctrines of legal liability and damage awards in litigation. Therefore, we cannot determine with complete precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual future benefits or the timing of those payments.

 

We continually monitor our reserves. If we conclude that our reserves are insufficient to cover actual or expected policy and contract benefits and claims payments, we would be required to increase our reserves and incur income statement charges for the period in which we make the determination, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For more information on how we set our reserves, see “Business—Reserves.”

 

As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to pay dividends and to meet our obligations.

 

We act as a holding company for our insurance subsidiaries and do not have any significant operations of our own. Dividends from our subsidiaries and permitted payments to us under our tax sharing arrangements with our subsidiaries are our principal sources of cash to pay stockholder dividends and to meet our obligations. These obligations include our operating expenses, interest and principal on our borrowings and contract adjustment payments on our Equity Units. These obligations also include amounts we owe to GE under the tax matters agreement that we and GE entered into in connection with the IPO. If the cash we receive from our subsidiaries pursuant to dividend payment and tax sharing arrangements is insufficient for us to fund any of these obligations, we may be required to raise cash through the incurrence of debt, the issuance of additional equity or the sale of assets.

 

The payment of dividends and other distributions to us by our insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require insurance regulatory approval. In addition, insurance regulators may prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments by our insurance subsidiaries to us (such as a payment under a tax sharing agreement or for employee or other services) if they determine that such payment could be adverse to our policyholders or contractholders. See “Regulation.” During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we received dividends from our insurance subsidiaries of $2,111 million ($1,244 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”), $1,472 million ($1,400 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”) and $840 million ($375 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”), respectively. Based on statutory results as of December 31, 2004, our subsidiaries could pay dividends of $1,450 million to us in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval. In addition, the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, are subject to various conditions imposed by the rating agencies for us to maintain our ratings.

 

Some of our investments are relatively illiquid.

 

Our investments in privately placed fixed maturities, mortgage loans, policy loans, limited partnership interests and restricted investments held by securitization entities are relatively illiquid. These asset classes

 

17


Table of Contents

represented 31% of the carrying value of our total cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2004. If we require significant amounts of cash on short notice in excess of our normal cash requirements, we may have difficulty selling these investments in a timely manner, be forced to sell them for less than we otherwise would have been able to realize, or both. For example, our floating-rate funding agreements generally contain “put” provisions, through which the contractholder may terminate the funding agreement for any reason after giving notice within the contract’s specified notice period, which is generally 90 days. As of December 31, 2004, we had an aggregate of $2.8 billion of floating-rate funding agreements outstanding, compared to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2003. Of the $2.8 billion aggregate amount outstanding as of December 31, 2004, $1.6 billion had put option features, including $1.5 billion with put option features of 90 days. If an unexpected number of contractholders exercise this right and we are unable to access other liquidity sources, we may have to liquidate assets quickly. Our inability to quickly dispose of illiquid investments could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Intense competition could negatively affect our ability to maintain or increase our market share and profitability.

 

Our businesses are subject to intense competition. We believe the principal competitive factors in the sale of our products are product features, price, commission structure, marketing and distribution arrangements, brand, reputation, financial strength ratings and service.

 

Many other companies actively compete for sales in our protection and retirement income and investments markets, including other major insurers, banks, other financial institutions, mutual fund and money asset management firms and specialty providers. The principal direct and indirect competitors for our mortgage insurance business include other private mortgage insurers, as well as federal and state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies in the U.S., including the Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, and to a lesser degree, the Veterans Administration, or VA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We also compete in our mortgage insurance business with structured transactions in the capital markets and with other financial instruments designed to manage credit risk, such as credit default swaps and credit linked notes, with lenders who forego mortgage insurance, or self-insure, on loans held in their portfolios, and with lenders that provide mortgage reinsurance through captive mortgage reinsurance programs. In Canada and some European countries, our mortgage insurance business competes directly with government entities, which provide comparable mortgage insurance. Government entities with which we compete typically do not have the same capital requirements and do not have the same profit objectives as we do. Although private companies, such as our company, establish pricing terms for their products to achieve targeted returns, these government entities may offer products on terms designed to accomplish social or political objectives or reflect other non-economic goals.

 

In many of our product lines, we face competition from competitors that have greater market share or breadth of distribution, offer a broader range of products, services or features, assume a greater level of risk, have lower profitability expectations or have higher financial strength ratings than we do. Many competitors offer similar products and use similar distribution channels. The substantial expansion of banks’ and insurance companies’ distribution capacities and expansion of product features in recent years have intensified pressure on margins and production levels and have increased the level of competition in many of our business lines.

 

We may be unable to attract and retain independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists.

 

We distribute our products through financial intermediaries, independent producers and dedicated sales specialists. We compete with other financial institutions to attract and retain commercial relationships in each of these channels, and our success in competing for sales through these sales intermediaries depends upon factors such as the amount of sales commissions and fees we pay, the breadth of our product offerings, the strength of our brand, our perceived stability and our financial strength ratings, the marketing and services we provide to them and the strength of the relationships we maintain with individuals at those firms. From time to time, due to competitive forces, we have experienced unusually high attrition in particular sales channels for specific

 

18


Table of Contents

products, including long-term care insurance. We believe the decline in long-term care insurance sales specialists was due in part to an intentional refocusing on more productive sales specialists and generally a more difficult environment for long-term care insurance sales. An inability to recruit productive independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists, or our inability to retain strong relationships with the individual agents at our independent sales intermediaries, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Reinsurance may not be available, affordable or adequate to protect us against losses.

 

As part of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance for certain risks underwritten by our various business segments. Market conditions beyond our control determine the availability and cost of the reinsurance protection we purchase. Accordingly, we may be forced to incur additional expenses for reinsurance or may not be able to obtain sufficient reinsurance on acceptable terms which could adversely affect our ability to write future business.

 

If the counterparties to our reinsurance arrangements or to the derivative instruments we use to hedge our business risks default or fail to perform, we may be exposed to risks we had sought to mitigate, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We use reinsurance and derivative instruments to mitigate our risks in various circumstances. Reinsurance does not relieve us of our direct liability to our policyholders, even when the reinsurer is liable to us. Accordingly, we bear credit risk with respect to our reinsurers. We cannot assure you that our reinsurers will pay the reinsurance recoverable owed to us now or in the future or that they will pay these recoverables on a timely basis. A reinsurer’s insolvency, inability or unwillingness to make payments under the terms of its reinsurance agreement with us could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we ceded to UFLIC, effective as of January 1, 2004, policy obligations under our structured settlement contracts, which had reserves of $12.0 billion, and our variable annuity contracts, which had general account reserves of $2.8 billion and separate account reserves of $7.9 billion, in each case as of December 31, 2003. These contracts represent substantially all of our contracts that were in force as of December 31, 2003 for these products. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC policy obligations under a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured from Travelers, which had reserves of $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2003. UFLIC has established trust accounts for our benefit to secure its obligations under the reinsurance arrangements, and General Electric Capital Corporation, an indirect subsidiary of GE, or GE Capital, has agreed to maintain UFLIC’s risk-based capital above a specified minimum level. If UFLIC becomes insolvent notwithstanding this agreement, and the amounts in the trust accounts are insufficient to pay UFLIC’s obligations to us, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. See “Arrangements between GE and our Company—Reinsurance Transactions.”

 

In addition, we use derivative instruments to hedge various business risks. We enter into a variety of derivative instruments, including options, forwards, interest rate and currency swaps and options to enter into interest rate and currency swaps with a number of counterparties. If our counterparties fail or refuse to honor their obligations under the derivative instruments, our hedges of the related risk will be ineffective. Such failure could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and international securities markets could negatively affect our profitability.

 

Our international operations generate revenues denominated in local currencies. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, 19%, 18% and 14% of our revenues, respectively, and 29%, 26% and 12% of our net earnings from continuing operations, respectively, were generated by our international operations. We generally invest cash generated by our international operations in securities denominated in local currencies. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately 8% and 5%, respectively, of our invested assets were held by our

 

19


Table of Contents

international operations and were invested primarily in non-U.S.-denominated securities. Although investing in securities denominated in local currencies limits the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuation on local operating results, we remain exposed to the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates as we translate the operating results of our foreign operations into our financial statements. We currently do not hedge this exposure, and as a result, period-to-period comparability of our results of operations is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. For example, our net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004, included approximately $31 million due to the favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition, because we derive a significant portion of our earnings from non-U.S.-denominated revenue, our results of operations could be adversely affected to the extent the dollar value of non-U.S.-denominated revenue is reduced due to a strengthening U.S. dollar.

 

Our investments in non-U.S.-denominated securities are subject to fluctuations in non-U.S. securities and currency markets, and those markets can be volatile. Non-U.S. currency fluctuations also affect the value of any dividends paid by our non-U.S. subsidiaries to their parent companies in the U.S. For additional information regarding the sensitivity of our net earnings to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Sensitivity analysis.”

 

Our insurance businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our profitability and limit our growth.

 

Our insurance operations are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations. State insurance laws regulate most aspects of our U.S. insurance businesses, and our insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance departments of the states in which they are domiciled and licensed. Our non-U.S. insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled.

 

State laws in the U.S. grant insurance regulatory authorities broad administrative powers with respect to, among other things:

 

    licensing companies and agents to transact business;

 

    calculating the value of assets to determine compliance with statutory requirements;

 

    mandating certain insurance benefits;

 

    regulating certain premium rates;

 

    reviewing and approving policy forms;

 

    regulating unfair trade and claims practices, including through the imposition of restrictions on marketing and sales practices, distribution arrangements and payment of inducements;

 

    establishing statutory capital and reserve requirements and solvency standards;

 

    fixing maximum interest rates on insurance policy loans and minimum rates for guaranteed crediting rates on life insurance policies and annuity contracts;

 

    approving changes in control of insurance companies;

 

    restricting the payment of dividends and other transactions between affiliates; and

 

    regulating the types, amounts and valuation of investments.

 

State insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, regularly re-examine existing laws and regulations applicable to insurance companies and their products. Changes in these laws and regulations, or in interpretations thereof, are often made for the benefit of the consumer at the expense of the insurer and thus could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

In December 2004, the NAIC approved amendments to the NAIC’s model Producer Licensing Act. The amendments contain new disclosure requirements for producers regarding compensation arrangements. If

 

20


Table of Contents

adopted, the NAIC amendments would require producers to disclose to customers, in certain circumstances, information concerning compensation arrangements. The NAIC also directed its Executive Task Force on Broker Activities to give further consideration to the development of additional requirements for recognition of a fiduciary responsibility on the part of producers, disclosure of all quotes received by a broker and disclosures relating to reinsurance arrangements between insurers and reinsurance companies affiliated with a producer. We cannot predict the effect that the NAIC’s recent compensation disclosure amendments or anticipated future activities in this area, at the NAIC or state level, will have on influencing future legal actions, changes to business practices or regulatory requirements applicable to us.

 

Our mortgage insurance business is subject to additional laws and regulations. For a discussion of the risks associated with those laws and regulations, see “—Risks Relating to Our Mortgage Insurance Business—Changes in regulations that affect the mortgage insurance business could affect our operations significantly and could reduce the demand for mortgage insurance.”

 

Currently, the U.S. federal government does not regulate directly the business of insurance. However, federal legislation and administrative policies in several areas can significantly and adversely affect insurance companies. These areas include financial services regulation, securities regulation, pension regulation, privacy, tort reform legislation and taxation. In addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of insurance have been proposed. These proposals include “The State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act,” which would maintain state-based regulation of insurance but would affect state regulation of certain aspects of the business of insurance including rates, agent and company licensing, and market conduct examinations. We cannot predict whether this or other proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if enacted, such laws may have on our business, financial condition or results of operation.

 

Our international operations are subject to regulation in the relevant jurisdictions in which they operate, which in many ways is similar to that of the state regulation outlined above. See “Regulation—International Regulation.”

 

Many of our customers and independent sales intermediaries also operate in regulated environments. Changes in the regulations that affect their operations also may affect our business relationships with them and their ability to purchase or to distribute our products. Accordingly, these changes could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

 

Compliance with applicable laws and regulations is time consuming and personnel-intensive, and changes in these laws and regulations may increase materially our direct and indirect compliance and other expenses of doing business, thus having an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For a further discussion of the regulatory framework in which we operate, see “Regulation.”

 

Legal and regulatory investigations and actions are increasingly common in the insurance business and may result in financial losses and harm our reputation.

 

We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Our pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which we operate. In our insurance operations, we are or may become subject to class actions and individual suits alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or underwriting practices, payment of contingent or other sales commissions, claims payments and procedures, product design, disclosure, administration, additional premium charges for premiums paid on a periodic basis, denial or delay of benefits and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. We are also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as information requests, subpoenas and books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities. A substantial legal

 

21


Table of Contents

liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Recently, the insurance industry has become the focus of increased scrutiny by regulatory and law enforcement authorities concerning certain practices within the insurance industry. This scrutiny includes the commencement of investigations and other proceedings by the New York State Attorney General and other governmental authorities relating to allegations of improper conduct in connection with the payment of, and the failure to disclose, contingent commissions by insurance companies to insurance brokers and agents, the solicitation and provision of fictitious or inflated quotes, the use of inducements to brokers or companies in the sale of insurance products and the use of captive reinsurance arrangements. We have not received a subpoena or inquiry from the State of New York with respect to these matters. However, as part of industry-wide inquiries in this regard, we have received inquiries and informational requests with respect to some of these matters from other federal and state regulatory authorities. We have responded to these inquiries and informational requests and will continue to cooperate with these regulatory authorities.

 

Recent industry-wide inquiries also include those regarding market timing and late trading in variable annuity contracts, variable annuity sales practices/exchanges and electronic communication document retention practices. In this regard, we responded in late 2003 to a New York State Attorney General subpoena regarding market timing and late trading in variable products and mutual funds. We have not received any further inquiries from the New York State Attorney General regarding these matters, although we received inquiries and informational requests regarding these matters from other federal and state regulatory authorities. We have responded to these inquiries, follow-up inquiries and informational requests and will continue to cooperate with these regulatory authorities.

 

We cannot assure you that the current investigations and proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. It is also possible that related investigations and proceedings may be commenced in the future, and we could become subject to further investigations and have lawsuits filed or enforcement actions initiated against us. In addition, increased regulatory scrutiny and any resulting investigations or proceedings could result in new legal actions or precedents and industry-wide regulations or practices that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation. For further details regarding the litigation in which we are involved, see “Business—Legal Proceedings.”

 

We have significant operations in India that could be adversely affected by changes in the political or economic stability of India or government policies in India, the U.S. or Europe.

 

Through an arrangement with an outsourcing provider that is 40% owned by GE, we have a substantial team of professionals in India who provide a variety of services to our insurance operations, including customer service, transaction processing, and functional support including finance, investment research, actuarial, risk and marketing. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Arrangements Regarding Our Operations in India.” The development of an operations center in India has been facilitated partly by the liberalization policies pursued by the Indian government over the past decade. The current government of India, formed in October 1999, has announced policies and taken initiatives that support the continued economic liberalization policies that have been pursued by previous governments. However, we cannot assure you that these liberalization policies will continue in the future. The rate of economic liberalization could change, and specific laws and policies affecting our business could change as well. A significant change in India’s economic liberalization and deregulation policies could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally and our business in particular.

 

The political or regulatory climate in the U.S. or Europe also could change so that it would not be practical or legal for us to use international operations centers, such as call centers. For example, changes in privacy

 

22


Table of Contents

regulations, or more stringent interpretation or enforcement of these regulations, could require us to curtail our use of low-cost operations in India to service our businesses, which could reduce the cost benefits we currently realize from using these operations.

 

The continued threat of terrorism, the occurrence of terrorist acts and ongoing military actions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The continued threat of terrorism and ongoing military actions, as well as heightened security measures in response to these threats and actions, may cause significant volatility in global financial markets, disruptions to commerce and reduced economic activity. These consequences could have an adverse effect on the value of the assets in our investment portfolio. We cannot predict whether, and the extent to which, companies in which we maintain investments may suffer losses as a result of financial, commercial or economic disruptions, or how any such disruptions might affect the ability of those companies to pay interest or principal on their securities. The continued threat of terrorism also could result in increased reinsurance prices and potentially cause us to retain more risk than we otherwise would retain if we were able to obtain reinsurance at lower prices. Terrorist actions also could disrupt our operations centers in the U.S. or abroad. In addition, the occurrence of terrorist actions could result in higher claims under our insurance policies than we had anticipated. For example, we incurred approximately $25 million in losses related to the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.

 

Risks Relating to Our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments Segments

 

We may face losses if morbidity rates, mortality rates or unemployment rates differ significantly from our pricing expectations.

 

We set prices for our insurance and some annuity products based upon expected claims and payment patterns, using assumptions for, among other things, morbidity rates, or likelihood of sickness, and mortality rates, or likelihood of death, of our policyholders and contractholders. The long-term profitability of these products depends upon how our actual experience compares with our pricing assumptions. For example, if morbidity rates are higher, or mortality rates are lower, than our pricing assumptions, we could be required to make greater payments under long-term care insurance policies and annuity contracts than we had projected. Conversely, if mortality rates are higher than our pricing assumptions, we could be required to make greater payments under our life and payment protection insurance policies and annuity contracts with guaranteed minimum death benefits than we had projected.

 

The risk that our claims experience may differ significantly from our pricing assumptions is particularly significant for our long-term care insurance products. Long-term care insurance policies provide for long-duration coverage and, therefore, our actual claims experience will emerge over many years after pricing assumptions have been established. Moreover, as a relatively new product in the market, long-term care insurance does not have the extensive claims experience history of life insurance, and as a result, our ability to forecast future claim rates for long-term care insurance is more limited than for life insurance.

 

In pricing our payment protection insurance, we also use assumptions regarding unemployment levels. If unemployment levels are higher than our pricing assumptions, the claims frequency could be higher for our payment protection insurance business than we had projected.

 

We may be required to accelerate the amortization of deferred acquisition costs and the present value of future profits, which would increase our expenses and reduce profitability.

 

Deferred acquisition costs, or DAC, represent costs which vary with and are primarily related to the sale and issuance of our insurance policies and investment contracts that are deferred and amortized over the estimated

 

23


Table of Contents

life of the related insurance policies. These costs include commissions in excess of ultimate renewal commissions, solicitation and printing costs, sales material and some support costs, such as underwriting and contract and policy issuance expenses. Under U.S. GAAP, DAC is subsequently amortized to income, over the lives of the underlying contracts, in relation to the anticipated recognition of premiums or gross profits. In addition, when we acquire a block of insurance policies or investment contracts, we assign a portion of the purchase price to the right to receive future net cash flows from existing insurance and investment contracts and policies. This intangible asset, called the present value of future profits, or PVFP, represents the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from the acquired policies. We amortize the value of this intangible asset in a manner similar to the amortization of DAC.

 

Our amortization of DAC and PVFP generally depends upon anticipated profits from investments, surrender and other policy and contract charges, mortality, morbidity and maintenance expense margins. Unfavorable experience with regard to expected expenses, investment returns, mortality, morbidity, withdrawals or lapses may cause us to increase the amortization of DAC or PVFP, or both, or to record a charge to increase benefit reserves.

 

We regularly review DAC and PVFP to determine if they are recoverable from future income. If these costs are not recoverable, they are charged to expenses in the financial period in which we make this determination. For example, if we determine that we are unable to recover DAC from profits over the life of a block of insurance policies or annuity contracts, or if withdrawals or surrender charges associated with early withdrawals do not fully offset the unamortized acquisition costs related to those policies or annuities, we would be required to recognize the additional DAC amortization as a current-period expense. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, we had $5.0 billion and $5.8 billion of DAC, and $0.7 billion and $1.2 billion of PVFP. Our net amortization of DAC and PVFP was $1.1 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion of DAC and PVFP for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

We may be required to recognize impairment in the value of our goodwill, which would increase our expenses and reduce our profitability.

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the amount we paid to acquire our subsidiaries and other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of the acquisition. Under U.S. GAAP, we test the carrying value of goodwill for impairment at least annually at the “reporting unit” level, which is either an operating segment or a business one level below the operating segment. Goodwill is impaired if the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole is less than the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, plus the carrying value of goodwill, at the date of the test. For example, goodwill may become impaired if the fair value of a reporting unit as a whole were to decline by an amount greater than the decline in the value of its individual identifiable assets and liabilities. This may occur for various reasons, including changes in actual or expected earnings or cash flows of a reporting unit, generation of earnings by a reporting unit at a lower rate of return than similar businesses or declines in market prices for publicly traded businesses similar to our reporting units. If any portion of our goodwill becomes impaired, we would be required to recognize the amount of the impairment as a current-period expense. When we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 with respect to recognizing impairment of goodwill, effective January 1, 2002, we recognized a $376 million impairment, net of tax, relating to our domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance business (included in discontinued operations), primarily as a result of heightened price competition in the auto insurance industry.

 

Our reputation in the long-term care insurance market may be adversely affected if we were to raise premiums on our in-force long-term care insurance products.

 

Unlike several of our competitors, we have never increased premiums on any in-force long-term care policies that we have issued. Although the terms of all our long-term care insurance policies permit us to increase premiums during the premium-paying period, any implementation of a premium increase could have an adverse effect on our reputation, our ability to market and sell new long-term care insurance products and our ability to retain existing policyholders.

 

24


Table of Contents

Medical advances, such as genetic research and diagnostic imaging, and related legislation could adversely affect the financial performance of our life insurance, long-term care insurance and annuities businesses.

 

Genetic research includes procedures focused on identifying key genes that render an individual predisposed to specific diseases, such as particular types of cancer and other diseases. Other medical advances, such as diagnostic imaging technologies, also may be used to detect the early onset of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. We believe that if individuals learn through medical advances that they are predisposed to particular conditions that may reduce life longevity or require long-term care, they will be more likely to purchase our life and long-term care insurance policies or not to permit existing polices to lapse. In contrast, if individuals learn that they lack the genetic predisposition to develop the conditions that reduce longevity or require long-term care, they will be less likely to purchase our life and long-term care insurance products but more likely to purchase certain annuity products. In addition, such individuals that are existing policyholders will be more likely to permit their policies to lapse.

 

If we were to gain access to the same genetic or medical information as our prospective policyholders and contractholders, then we would be able to take this information into account in pricing our life and long-term care insurance policies and annuity contracts. However, there are a number of regulatory proposals that would make genetic and other medical information confidential and unavailable to insurance companies. The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that would prohibit group health plans, health insurers and employers from making enrollment decisions or adjusting premiums on the basis of genetic testing information. This legislation is now pending before a committee at the House of Representatives. Legislators in certain states also have introduced similar legislation. If these regulatory proposals were enacted, prospective policyholders and contractholders would only disclose this information if they chose to do so voluntarily. These factors could lead us to reduce sales of products affected by these regulatory proposals and could result in a deterioration of the risk profile of our portfolio, which could lead to payments to our policyholders and contractholders that are higher than we anticipated.

 

Medical advances also could lead to new forms of preventative care. Preventative care could extend the life and improve the overall health of individuals. If this were to occur, the duration of payments under certain of our annuity products likely would increase, thereby reducing net earnings in that business.

 

We may face losses if there are significant deviations from our assumptions regarding the future persistency of our insurance policies and annuity contracts.

 

The prices and expected future profitability of our insurance and deferred annuity products are based in part upon expected patterns of premiums, expenses and benefits, using a number of assumptions, including those related to persistency, which is the probability that a policy or contract will remain in-force from one period to the next. The effect of persistency on profitability varies for different products. For most of our life insurance, group life and health insurance, and deferred annuity products, actual persistency that is lower than our persistency assumptions could have an adverse impact on profitability, especially in the early years of a policy or contract primarily because we would be required to accelerate the amortization of expenses we deferred in connection with the acquisition of the policy or contract. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, persistency in our life insurance and fixed annuity businesses has been slightly higher than assumed, while persistency in our variable annuity and certain group life and health insurance products has been slightly lower than we had assumed.

 

For our long-term care insurance and some other health insurance policies, actual persistency in later policy durations that is higher than our persistency assumptions could have a negative impact on profitability. If these policies remain in-force longer than we assumed, then we could be required to make greater benefit payments than we had anticipated when we priced these products. This risk is particularly significant in our long-term care insurance business because we do not have the experience history that we have in many of our other businesses. As a result, our ability to predict persistency for long-term care insurance is more limited than for many other products. Some of our long-term care insurance policies have experienced higher persistency than we had assumed, which has resulted in adverse claims experience.

 

25


Table of Contents

Because our assumptions regarding persistency experience are inherently uncertain, reserves for future policy benefits and claims may prove to be inadequate if actual persistency experience is different from those assumptions. Although some of our products permit us to increase premiums during the life of the policy or contract, we cannot guarantee that these increases would be sufficient to maintain profitability. Moreover, many of our products do not permit us to increase premiums or limit those increases during the life of the policy or contract. Significant deviations in experience from pricing expectations regarding persistency could have an adverse effect on the profitability of our products.

 

Regulation XXX may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations by requiring us to increase our statutory reserves for term life and universal life insurance or incur higher operating costs.

 

The Model Regulation entitled “Valuation of Life Insurance Policies,” commonly known as “Regulation XXX,” requires insurers to establish additional statutory reserves for term and universal life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees. Virtually all our newly issued term and universal life insurance business is now affected by Regulation XXX.

 

In response to this regulation, we have increased term and universal life insurance statutory reserves and changed our premium rates for term life insurance products. We also have implemented reinsurance and capital management actions to mitigate the impact of Regulation XXX. However, we cannot assure you that there will not be regulatory or other challenges to the actions we have taken to date. The result of those challenges could require us to increase statutory reserves or incur higher operating costs. Any change to or repeal of Regulation XXX could reduce the competitive advantage of our reinsurance and capital management actions in response to Regulation XXX and could adversely affect our market position in the life insurance market.

 

We also cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to implement actions to mitigate the impact of Regulation XXX on future sales of term and universal life insurance products. If we are unable to continue to implement those actions, we may be required to increase statutory reserves, incur higher operating costs than we currently anticipate, or reduce our sales of these products. We also may have to implement measures that may be disruptive to our business. For example, because term and universal life insurance are particularly price-sensitive products, any increase in premiums charged on these products in order to compensate us for the increased statutory reserve requirements or higher costs of reinsurance may result in a significant loss of volume and adversely affect our life insurance operations.

 

If demand for long-term care insurance continues to decline, we will not be able to execute our strategy to expand our business in this market.

 

We have devoted significant resources to developing our long-term care insurance business, and our growth strategy relies partly upon continued growth of this market. In recent years, however, sales of individual long- term care insurance have declined. Annualized first-year premiums for individual long-term care insurance peaked in 2002 at approximately $1.0 billion and decreased by 7% in 2003 and 25% in 2004, according to LIMRA International. We believe this decrease was due primarily to decisions by several providers to cease offering long-term care insurance, to raise premiums on in-force policies and/or to introduce new products with higher prices. These actions resulted in decreased purchases of long-term care insurance products and have caused some distributors to reduce their sales focus on these products. As a result, our annualized first-year premiums of long-term care insurance decreased from $257 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $240 million and $162 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. If the market for long-term care insurance continues to decline, we may be unable to realize our growth strategy in this area and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers.

 

Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers. For example, in May 2003, U.S. President George Bush signed into law the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003,

 

26


Table of Contents

which reduced the federal income tax that investors are required to pay on long-term capital gains and on some dividends paid on stock. This reduction may provide an incentive for some of our customers and potential customers to shift assets into mutual funds and away from products, including annuities, designed to defer taxes payable on investment returns. Because the income taxes payable on long-term capital gains and some dividends paid on stock have been reduced, investors may decide that the tax-deferral benefits of annuity contracts are less advantageous than the potential after-tax income benefits of mutual funds or other investment products that provide dividends and long-term capital gains. A shift away from annuity contracts and other tax-deferred products would reduce our income from sales of these products, as well as the assets upon which we earn investment income.

 

We cannot predict whether any other legislation will be enacted, what the specific terms of any such legislation will be or how, if at all, this legislation or any other legislation could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Changes in U.S. federal and state securities laws may affect our operations and our profitability.

 

U.S. federal and state securities laws apply to investment products that are also “securities,” including variable annuities and variable life insurance policies. As a result, some of our subsidiaries and the policies and contracts they offer are subject to regulation under these federal and state securities laws. Our insurance subsidiaries’ separate accounts are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Some variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by our insurance subsidiaries also are registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Other subsidiaries are registered as broker-dealers under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are members of, and subject to, regulation by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. In addition, some of our subsidiaries also are registered as investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

Securities laws and regulations are primarily intended to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect investors in the securities markets or investment advisory or brokerage clients. These laws and regulations generally grant supervisory agencies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with those laws and regulations. Changes to these laws or regulations that restrict the conduct of our business could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks Relating to Our Mortgage Insurance Segment

 

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and a small number of large mortgage lenders exert significant influence over the U.S. mortgage insurance market.

 

Our mortgage insurance products protect mortgage lenders and investors from default-related losses on residential first mortgage loans made primarily to home buyers with high loan-to-value mortgages—generally, those home buyers who make down payments of less than 20% of their home’s purchase price. The largest purchasers and guarantors of mortgage loans in the U.S. are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were created by Congressional charter to ensure that mortgage lenders have sufficient funds to continue to finance home purchases. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, Fannie Mae purchased approximately 21.3% of all the mortgage loans originated in the U.S., and Freddie Mac purchased approximately 14.8%, according to statistics published by Inside the GSEs. Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s charters generally prohibit them from purchasing any mortgage with a face amount that exceeds 80% of the home’s value, unless that mortgage is insured by a qualified insurer or the mortgage seller retains at least a 10% participation in the loan or agrees to repurchase the loan in the event of default. As a result, high loan-to-value mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac generally are insured with private mortgage insurance. These provisions in Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s charters create much of the demand for private mortgage insurance in the U.S. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchased approximately 68% of the flow mortgage loans that we insured. As a result, a change in these provisions relating to their purchase or guarantee activity could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

27


Table of Contents

In addition, increasing consolidation among mortgage lenders in recent years has resulted in significant customer concentration for mortgage insurers. Ten mortgage lenders accounted for approximately 27% of our flow new insurance written for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

As a result of the significant concentration in mortgage originators and purchasers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the largest mortgage lenders possess substantial market power which enables them to influence our business and the mortgage insurance industry in general. Although we actively monitor and develop our relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and our largest mortgage lending customers, a deterioration in any of these relationships, or the loss of business from any of our key customers, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our mortgage insurance business is one of the members of the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, or MICA. In 1999, several large mortgage lenders and a coalition of financial services and housing-related trade associations, including MICA, formed FM Watch, now known as FM Policy Focus, a lobbying organization that supports expanded federal oversight and legislation relating to the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have criticized and lobbied against the positions taken by FM Policy Focus. These lobbying activities could, among other things, polarize Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and members of FM Policy Focus. As a result of this possible polarization, our relationships with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may limit our opportunities to do business with some mortgage lenders, and our relationships with mortgage lenders who are members of FM Policy Focus may limit our ability to do business with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as with mortgage lenders who are not members of FM Policy Focus and are opposed to these efforts. Any of these outcomes could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Results from investigations into Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s accounting practices, disclosures and other matters may result in legislative or regulatory changes governing the operations of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and other government-sponsored enterprises, which could adversely affect the results of our U.S. mortgage insurance business.

 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are subject to ongoing investigations regarding their accounting practices, disclosures and other matters. These investigations may contribute to changes in legislation and regulations governing their operations and the operations of other government-sponsored enterprises. We cannot predict whether any such legislation or regulations will be enacted or adopted, how they may affect the operations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or other government-sponsored enterprises, or how they may affect our operations, financial condition and results of operations.

 

A decrease in the volume of high loan-to-value home mortgage originations or an increase in the volume of mortgage insurance cancellations could result in a decline in our revenue.

 

We provide mortgage insurance primarily for high loan-to-value mortgages. Factors that could lead to a decrease in the volume of high loan-to-value mortgage originations include:

 

    a change in the level of home mortgage interest rates;

 

    a decline in economic conditions generally, or in conditions in regional and local economies;

 

    the level of consumer confidence, which may be adversely affected by economic instability, war or terrorist events;

 

    declines in the price of homes;

 

    adverse population trends, including lower homeownership rates;

 

    high rates of home price appreciation, which in times of heavy refinancing affect whether refinanced loans have loan-to-value ratios that require mortgage insurance; and

 

    changes in government housing policy encouraging loans to first-time homebuyers.

 

28


Table of Contents

A decline in the volume of high loan-to-value mortgage originations would reduce the demand for mortgage insurance and, therefore, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

In addition, a significant percentage of the premiums we earn each year in our U.S. mortgage insurance business are renewal premiums from insurance policies written in previous years. We estimate that approximately 85% and 70% of our gross premiums written for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, were renewal premiums. As a result, the length of time insurance remains in force is an important determinant of our mortgage insurance revenues. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and many other mortgage investors in the U.S. generally permit a homeowner to ask his loan servicer to cancel his mortgage insurance when the principal amount of the mortgage falls below 80% of the home’s value. Factors that tend to reduce the length of time our mortgage insurance remains in force include:

 

    declining interest rates, which may result in the refinancing of the mortgages underlying our insurance policies with new mortgage loans that may not require mortgage insurance or that we do not insure;

 

    significant appreciation in the value of homes, which causes the size of the mortgage to decrease below 80% of the value of the home and enables the borrower to request cancellation of the mortgage insurance; and

 

    changes in mortgage insurance cancellation requirements under applicable federal law or mortgage insurance cancellation practices by mortgage lenders and investors.

 

These factors contributed to a decrease in our U.S. policy persistency rates from 57% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 46% for the year ended December 31, 2003. Although U.S. policy persistency rates increased to 65% for the year ended December 31, 2004, a further increase in the volume of mortgage insurance cancellations in the U.S. generally would reduce the amount of our insurance in force and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. These factors are less significant in our international mortgage insurance operations because we generally receive a single payment for mortgage insurance at the time a loan closes, and this premium typically is not refundable if the policy is canceled.

 

Continued increases in the volume of “simultaneous second” mortgages could have an adverse effect on the U.S. market for mortgage insurance.

 

High loan-to-value mortgages can consist of two simultaneous loans, known as “simultaneous seconds,” comprising a first mortgage with a loan-to-value ratio of 80% and a simultaneous second mortgage for the excess portion of the loan, instead of a single mortgage with a loan-to-value ratio of more than 80%. Simultaneous second loans are also often known as “80-10-10 loans” because they often comprise a first mortgage with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, a second mortgage with a 10% loan-to-value ratio and the remaining 10% paid in cash by the buyer, rather than a single mortgage with a 90% loan-to-value ratio.

 

Over the past several years, the volume of simultaneous second loans as an alternative to loans requiring private mortgage insurance has increased substantially. We believe this recent increase reflects the following factors:

 

    the lower monthly cost of simultaneous second loans compared to the cost of mortgage insurance, due to of the current low-interest-rate environment and the emerging popularity of 15- and 30-year amortizing and adjustable rate simultaneous seconds;

 

    the tax deductibility in most cases of interest on a second mortgage, in contrast to the non-deductibility of mortgage insurance payments;

 

    negative consumer, broker and realtor perceptions about mortgage insurance; and

 

    the desire by some investors to hold second mortgages.

 

Further increases in the volume of simultaneous seconds may cause corresponding decreases in the use of mortgage insurance for high loan-to-value mortgages, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

29


Table of Contents

The amount of mortgage insurance we write could decline significantly if mortgage lenders and investors select other alternatives to private mortgage insurance to protect against default risk or if lenders select lower coverage levels of mortgage insurance.

 

Lenders may seek to mitigate their mortgage default risks through a variety of alternatives to private mortgage insurance other than simultaneous second mortgages. These alternatives include:

 

    using government mortgage insurance programs, including those of the FHA, the VA and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC;

 

    holding mortgages in their own loan portfolios and self-insuring;

 

    using programs, such as those offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, requiring lower mortgage insurance coverage levels;

 

    originating and securitizing loans in mortgage-backed securities whose underlying mortgages are not insured with private mortgage insurance or which are structured so that the risk of default lies with the investor, rather than a private mortgage insurer; and

 

    using credit default swaps or similar instruments, instead of private mortgage insurance, to transfer credit risk on mortgages.

 

A decline in the use of private mortgage insurance in connection with high loan-to-value home mortgages for any reason would reduce the size of the mortgage insurance market and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our claims expenses would increase and our results of operations would suffer if the rate of defaults on mortgages covered by our mortgage insurance increases or the severity of such defaults exceeds our expectations.

 

Our premium rates vary with the perceived risk of a claim on the insured loan, which takes into account factors such as the loan-to-value ratio, our long-term historical loss experience, whether the mortgage provides for fixed payments or variable payments, the term of the mortgage, the borrower’s credit history and the level of documentation and verification of the borrower’s income and assets. We establish renewal premium rates for the life of a mortgage insurance policy upon issuance, and we cannot cancel the policy or adjust the premiums after the policy is issued. As a result, we cannot offset the impact of unanticipated claims with premium increases on policies in force, and we cannot refuse to renew mortgage insurance coverage. The premiums we agree to charge upon writing a mortgage insurance policy may not adequately compensate us for the risks and costs associated with the coverage we provide for the entire life of that policy.

 

The long-term profitability of our mortgage insurance business depends upon the accuracy of our pricing assumptions. If defaults on mortgages increase because of an economic downturn or for reasons we failed to take into account adequately, we would be required to make greater claim payments than we planned when we priced our policies. Future claims on our mortgage insurance policies may not match the assumptions made in our pricing. An increase in the amount or frequency of claims beyond the levels contemplated by our pricing assumptions could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In recent years, our results of operations have benefited from historically low loss ratios because of significant home price appreciation and low levels of defaults. Increases from these recent historic lows could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2004, approximately 80% of our U.S. mortgage insurance risk in force and 72% of our international mortgage insurance risk in force had not yet reached its anticipated highest claim frequency years, which are generally between the third and seventh year of the loan. As a result, we expect our loss experience on these loans will increase as policies continue to age. If the claim frequency on the risk in force significantly exceeds the claim frequency that was assumed in setting premium rates, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would be adversely affected.

 

30


Table of Contents

We also provide mortgage insurance for “Alt A” loans, which are originated under programs in which there is a reduced level of verification or disclosure of the borrower’s income or assets. Alt A loans represented 2.8%, 1.9% and 2.5% of our risk in force as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Alt A loans typically have a higher default rate than fully documented loans, and we generally charge higher premiums for mortgage insurance on Alt A loans than on fully documented loans. If defaults on Alt A loans are higher than the assumptions we made in pricing our mortgage insurance on those loans, then we would be required to make greater claims payments than we had projected, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

A deterioration in economic conditions may adversely affect our loss experience in mortgage insurance.

 

Losses in our mortgage insurance business generally result from events, such as reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness and inability to manage credit and interest-rate levels that reduce a borrower’s ability to continue to make mortgage payments. The amount of the loss we suffer, if any, depends in part on whether the home of a borrower who defaults on a mortgage can be sold for an amount that will cover unpaid principal and interest and the expenses of the sale. A deterioration in economic conditions generally increases the likelihood that borrowers will not have sufficient income to pay their mortgages and can also adversely affect housing values, which increases our risk of loss.

 

A substantial economic downturn across the entire U.S. could have a significant adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We also may be particularly affected by economic downturns in states where a large portion of our business is concentrated. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 50% of our risk in force was concentrated in 10 states, with 8% in Florida, 7% in Texas and 6% in New York. Similarly, our mortgage insurance operations in Canada, Australia and the U.K. are concentrated in the largest cities in those countries. Continued and prolonged adverse economic conditions in these states or cities could result in high levels of claims and losses, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

A significant portion of our risk in force consists of loans with high loan-to-value ratios, which generally result in more and larger claims than loans with lower loan-to-value ratios.

 

Mortgage loans with higher loan-to-value ratios typically have claim incidence rates substantially higher than mortgage loans with lower loan-to-value ratios. In our U.S. mortgage insurance business as of December 31, 2004:

 

    16% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 95%;

 

    41% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 90% but less than or equal to 95%;

 

    41% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 80% but less than or equal to 90%; and

 

    2% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios less than or equal to 80%.

 

In Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the risks of having a portfolio with a significant portion of high loan-to-value mortgages are greater than in the U.S. and Europe because we generally agree to cover 100% of the losses associated with mortgage defaults in those markets, compared to percentages in the U.S. and Europe that are typically 12% to 35% of the loan amount. In our non-U.S. mortgage insurance business as of December 31, 2004:

 

    less than 1% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 95%;

 

    24% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 90% but less than or equal to 95%;

 

31


Table of Contents
    38% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios greater than 80% but less than or equal to 90%; and

 

    37% of our risk in force consisted of mortgage loans with original loan-to-value ratios less than or equal to 80%.

 

Although mortgage insurance premiums for higher loan-to-value ratio loans generally are higher than for loans with lower loan-to-value ratios, the difference in premium rates may not be sufficient to compensate us for the enhanced risks associated with mortgage loans bearing higher loan-to-value ratios.

 

We cede a portion of our U.S. mortgage insurance business to mortgage reinsurance companies affiliated with our mortgage lending customers, and this reduces our profitability.

 

We, like other mortgage insurers, offer opportunities to our mortgage lending customers that are designed to allow them to participate in the risks and rewards of the mortgage insurance business. Many of the major mortgage lenders with which we do business have established captive mortgage reinsurance subsidiaries. These reinsurance subsidiaries assume a portion of the risks associated with the lender’s insured mortgage loans in exchange for a percentage of the premiums. In most cases, our reinsurance coverage is an “excess of loss” arrangement with a limited band of exposure for the reinsurer. This means that we are required to pay the first layer of losses arising from defaults in the covered mortgages, the reinsurer indemnifies us for the next layer of losses, and we pay any losses in excess of the reinsurer’s obligations. The effect of these arrangements historically has been a reduction in the profitability and return on capital of this business to us. Approximately 70% of our primary new risk written as of December 31, 2004 was subject to captive mortgage reinsurance, compared to approximately 75% as of December 31, 2003. Premiums ceded to these reinsurers were approximately $143 million, $139 million and $113 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. These premium cessions have adversely affected our profitability and could further reduce profitability if the terms of these arrangements require greater premium cessions.

 

If efforts by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce the need for mortgage insurance are successful, they could adversely affect the results of our U.S. mortgage insurance business.

 

Freddie Mac has sought changes to the provisions of its Congressional charter that requires private mortgage insurance for low-down-payment mortgages and has lobbied the U.S. Congress for amendments that would permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to use alternative forms of default loss protection or otherwise forego the use of private mortgage insurance. In October 1998, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to amend Freddie Mac’s charter to give it flexibility to use credit enhancements other than private mortgage insurance for down-payment mortgages. Although this charter amendment was quickly repealed, we cannot predict whether similar legislation may be proposed or enacted in the future.

 

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the ability to implement new eligibility requirements for mortgage insurers. They also have the authority to increase or reduce required mortgage insurance coverage percentages and to alter or liberalize underwriting standards on low-down-payment mortgages they purchase. We cannot predict the extent to which any new requirements may be enacted or how they may affect the operations of our mortgage insurance business, our capital requirements and our products.

 

Changes in the policies of the Federal Home Loan Banks could reduce the demand for U.S. mortgage insurance.

 

The Federal Home Loan Banks, or FHLBs, purchase single-family conforming mortgage loans originated by participating member institutions. Although the FHLBs are not required to purchase insurance for mortgage loans, they currently use mortgage insurance on substantially all mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio above 80% and have become a source of new business for us. If the FHLBs were to reduce their purchases of mortgage loans, purchase uninsured mortgage loans or increase the loan-to-value ratio threshold above which they require mortgage insurance, the market for mortgage insurance could decrease, and our mortgage insurance business could be adversely affected.

 

32


Table of Contents

We compete with government-owned and government-sponsored entities in our mortgage insurance business, and this may put us at a competitive disadvantage on pricing and other terms and conditions.

 

Our mortgage insurance business competes with many different government-owned and government-sponsored entities in the U.S., Canada and some European countries. In the U.S., these entities include principally the FHA and, to a lesser degree, the VA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as local and state housing finance agencies. In Canada, we compete with the CMHC, a Crown corporation owned by the Canadian government. In Europe, these entities include public mortgage guarantee facilities in a number of countries.

 

Those competitors may establish pricing terms and business practices that may be influenced by motives such as advancing social housing policy or stabilizing the mortgage lending industry, which may not be consistent with maximizing return on capital or other profitability measures. In addition, those governmental entities typically do not have the same capital requirements that we and other mortgage insurance companies have and therefore may have financial flexibility in their pricing and capacity that could put us at a competitive disadvantage in some respects. In the event that a government-owned or sponsored entity in one of our markets determines to reduce prices significantly or alter the terms and conditions of its mortgage insurance or other credit enhancement products in furtherance of social or other goals rather than a profit motive, we may be unable to compete in that market effectively, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We compete in Canada with the CMHC, which is owned by the Canadian government and, as a sovereign entity, provides mortgage lenders with 100% capital relief from bank regulatory requirements on loans that it insures. In contrast, lenders receive only 90% capital relief on loans we insure. CMHC also operates the Canadian Mortgage Bond Program, which provides lenders the ability to efficiently guaranty and securitize their mortgage loan portfolios. If we are unable to effectively distinguish ourselves competitively with our Canadian mortgage lender customers, we may be unable to compete effectively with the CMHC as a result of the more favorable capital relief it can provide or the other products and incentives that it offers to lenders.

 

Changes in regulations that affect the mortgage insurance business could affect our operations significantly and could reduce the demand for mortgage insurance.

 

In addition to the general regulatory risks that are described above under “—Our insurance businesses are heavily regulated, and changes in regulation may reduce our profitability and limit our growth,” we are also affected by various additional regulations relating particularly to our mortgage insurance operations.

 

U.S. federal and state regulations affect the scope of our competitors’ operations, which has an effect on the size of the mortgage insurance market and the intensity of the competition in our mortgage insurance business. This competition includes not only other private mortgage insurers, but also U.S. federal and state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, principally the FHA, and to a lesser degree, the VA, which are governed by federal regulations. Increases in the maximum loan amount that the FHA can insure, and reductions in the mortgage insurance premiums the FHA charges, can reduce the demand for private mortgage insurance. The FHA has also streamlined its down-payment formula and made FHA insurance more competitive with private mortgage insurance in areas with higher home prices. These and other legislative and regulatory changes could cause demand for private mortgage insurance to decrease.

 

Our U.S. mortgage insurance business, as a credit enhancement provider in the residential mortgage lending industry, also is subject to compliance with various federal and state consumer protection and insurance laws, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Homeowners Protection Act, the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and others. Among other things, these laws prohibit payments for referrals of settlement service business, require fairness and non-discrimination in granting or facilitating the granting of credit, require cancellation of insurance and refund of unearned premiums under certain circumstances, govern the circumstances under which companies may obtain and use consumer credit information, and define the manner in which companies may pursue

 

33


Table of Contents

collection activities. Changes in these laws or regulations could adversely affect the operations and profitability of our mortgage insurance business. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is considering a rule that would exempt certain mortgages that provide a single price for a package of settlement services from the prohibition in the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA, against payments for referrals of settlement service business. If mortgage insurance were included among the settlement services that, when offered as a package, would be exempt from this prohibition, then mortgage lenders would have greater leverage in obtaining business concessions from mortgage insurers.

 

The Office of Thrift Supervision recently amended its capital regulations to increase from 80% to 90% the loan-to-value threshold in the definition of a “qualifying mortgage loan.” The capital regulations assign a lower risk weight to qualifying mortgage loans than to non-qualifying loans. As a result, these new regulations no longer penalize mortgage lenders for retaining loans that have loan-to-value ratios between 80% and 90% without credit enhancements. Other regulators, including the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, also have raised corresponding loan-to-value thresholds for qualifying mortgage loans from 80% to 90%.

 

Lenders and loan aggregators also have faced new liabilities and compliance risks posed by state and local laws which have been enacted in recent years to combat “predatory lending” practices. In February 2003 and March 2004, the Ney-Lucas Responsible Lending Act of 2003 and the Prohibit Predatory Lending Act of 2004, respectively, were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives but were not enacted into law. These or similar bills, if reintroduced and enacted, would, among other things, prohibit certain lending practices on high-cost mortgages and limit the liability of persons who comply with the law. It is unclear in what form, if any, such bills will be enacted or what impact they would have on our business and the mortgage lending, securitization, and insurance industries generally.

 

Regulations in Canada require the use of mortgage insurance for all mortgage loans extended by banks, trust companies and insurers with loan-to-value ratios greater than 75%. In February 2005, as part of a periodic review of the federal financial services regulatory framework, the Canadian Department of Finance issued a consultation document seeking comment on a wide variety of potential initiatives relating to the regulation of financial services, including whether to remove the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance on all loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 75%. The removal of the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance, in whole or in part, may result in a reduction in the amount of business we write in future years in Canada. See “Regulation—Mortgage Insurance—International Regulation—Canada.”

 

We have an agreement with the Canadian government under which it guarantees the benefits payable under a mortgage insurance policy, less 10% of the original principal amount of an insured loan, in the event that we fail to make claim payments with respect to that loan because of insolvency. This guarantee provides that the government has the right to review the terms of the guarantee in certain circumstances, including if GE’s ownership of our Canadian mortgage insurance company decreases below 50%. After this offering and the stock repurchase, GE will beneficially own approximately 52% of our common stock. When GE reduces its equity ownership of us to below 50%, that reduction would permit the Canadian government to review the terms of its guarantee and could lead to a termination of the guarantee for any new insurance written after the termination. Although we believe the Canadian government will preserve the guarantee to maintain competition in the Canadian mortgage insurance industry, any adverse change in the guarantee’s terms and conditions or termination of the guarantee could have an adverse effect on our ability to continue offering mortgage insurance products in Canada.

 

The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, or APRA, regulates all financial institutions in Australia, including general, life and mortgage insurance companies. APRA also determines the capital requirements for depository institutions and provides for reduced capital requirements for depository institutions that insure residential mortgages with loan-to-value ratios above 80% (in the case of standard loans) and, from October 1, 2004, with loan-to-value ratios above 60% (in the case of non-standard type loans). APRA’s regulations currently

 

34


Table of Contents

require APRA-regulated lenders to determine the criteria for determining if a loan is a non-standard type loan. APRA currently is proposing to increase the capital requirements that govern mortgage insurers in Australia, particularly in the event of a severe recession accompanied by a significant decline in housing values. If, after completing its review process, APRA concludes that the capital requirements that currently govern mortgage insurers are not sufficient and decides to increase the amount of capital required for mortgage insurers, we may, depending on the amount of such increase, be required to increase the capital in our Australian mortgage insurance business. This would reduce our returns on capital from those operations.

 

We believe the revisions to a set of regulatory rules and procedures governing global bank capital standards that were introduced by the Basel Committee of the Bank for International Settlements, known as Basel II, may encourage growth of international mortgage insurance. Basel II has been designed to reward banks that have developed effective risk management systems by allowing them to hold less capital than banks with less effective systems. Basel II was finalized and issued in June 2004; however, its adoption by individual countries is ongoing. Therefore, we cannot predict the benefits that ultimately will be provided to lenders, or how any such benefits may affect the opportunities for the growth of mortgage insurance. If countries implement Basel II in a manner that does not reward lenders for using mortgage insurance as a credit risk mitigant on high loan-to-value mortgage loans, or if lenders conclude that mortgage insurance does not provide sufficient capital incentives, then we may have to revise our product offerings to meet the new requirements and our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Our U.S. mortgage insurance business could be adversely affected by legal actions under RESPA.

 

RESPA prohibits paying lenders for the referral of settlement services, including mortgage insurance. This precludes us from providing services to mortgage lenders free of charge, charging fees for services that are lower than their reasonable or fair market value, and paying fees for services that others provide that are higher than their reasonable or fair market value. In addition, RESPA prohibits persons from giving or accepting any portion or percentage of a charge for a real estate settlement service, other than for services actually performed. A number of lawsuits, including some that were class actions, have challenged the actions of private mortgage insurers, including our company, under RESPA, alleging that the insurers have provided or received products or services at improperly set prices in return for the referral of mortgage insurance. We and several other mortgage insurers, without admitting any wrongdoing, reached a settlement in these cases, which includes an injunction that prohibited certain specified practices and details the basis on which mortgage insurers may provide or receive agency pool insurance, captive mortgage reinsurance, contract underwriting and other products and services and be deemed to be in compliance with RESPA. The injunction expired on December 31, 2003, and it is possible that plaintiffs will institute new litigation against private mortgage insurers, including us, to renew the injunction or to seek damages under RESPA. We also cannot predict whether our competitors will change their pricing structure or business practices now that the injunction has expired, which could require us to alter our pricing structure or business practices in response to their actions or suffer a competitive disadvantage, or whether any services we or they provide to mortgage lenders could be found to violate RESPA or any future injunction that might be issued. In addition, U.S. federal and state officials are authorized to enforce RESPA and to seek civil and criminal penalties, and we cannot predict whether these proceedings might be brought against us or other mortgage insurers. Any such proceedings could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our U.S. mortgage insurance business could be adversely affected by legal actions under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.

 

Two actions have been filed against us in Illinois, each seeking certification of a nationwide class of consumers who allegedly were required to pay for our private mortgage insurance at a rate higher than our “lowest available rate,” based upon credit information we obtained. Each action alleges that the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, or the FCRA, requires notice to such borrowers and that we violated the FCRA by failing to give such notice. The plaintiffs in one action allege in the complaint that they are entitled to “actual damages”

 

35


Table of Contents

and “damages within the Court’s discretion of not more than $1,000 for each separate violation” of the FCRA. The plaintiffs in the other action allege that they are entitled to “appropriate actual, punitive and statutory damages” and “such other or further relief as the Court deems proper.” Similar cases also were filed against six other mortgage insurers. We intend to vigorously defend against the actions to which we are a party, but we cannot predict their outcome.

 

Potential liabilities in connection with our U.S. contract underwriting services could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We offer contract underwriting services to many of our mortgage lenders in the U.S., pursuant to which our employees and contractors work directly with the lender to determine whether the data relating to a borrower and a proposed loan contained in a mortgage loan application file complies with the lender’s loan underwriting guidelines or the investor’s loan purchase requirements. In connection with that service, we also compile the application data and submit it to the automated underwriting systems of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which independently analyze the data to determine if the proposed loan complies with their investor requirements.

 

Under the terms of our contract underwriting agreements, we agree to indemnify the lender against losses incurred in the event that we make material errors in determining whether loans processed by our contract underwriters meet specified underwriting or purchase criteria, subject to contractual limitations on liability. As a result, we assume credit and interest rate risk in connection with our contract underwriting services. Worsening economic conditions, a deterioration in the quality of our underwriting services or other factors could cause our contract underwriting liabilities to increase and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Although we have established reserves to provide for potential claims in connection with our contract underwriting services, we have limited historical experience that we can use to establish reserves for these potential liabilities, and these reserves may not be adequate to cover liabilities that may arise.

 

If the European mortgage insurance market does not grow as we expect, we will not be able to execute our strategy to expand our business into this market.

 

We have devoted resources to marketing our mortgage insurance products in Europe, and we plan to continue these efforts. Our growth strategy depends partly upon the development of favorable legislative and regulatory policies throughout Europe that support increased homeownership and provide capital relief for institutions that insure their mortgage loan portfolios with private mortgage insurance. In furtherance of these policies, we have collaborated with government agencies to develop bank regulatory capital requirements that provide incentives to lenders to implement risk transfer strategies such as mortgage insurance, as well as governmental policies that encourage homeownership as a wealth accumulation strategy for borrowers with limited resources to make large down payments. We have invested, and we will continue to invest, significant resources to advocate such a regulatory environment at the national and pan-European levels. However, if European legislative and regulatory agencies fail to adopt these policies, then the European markets for high loan-to-value lending and mortgage insurance may not expand as we currently anticipate, and our growth strategy in those markets may not be successful.

 

Risks Relating to Our Separation from GE

 

Our separation from GE could adversely affect our business and profitability due to GE’s strong brand and reputation.

 

As a subsidiary of GE, our businesses have marketed many of their products using the “GE” brand name and logo, and we believe the association with GE has provided many benefits, including:

 

    a world-class brand associated with trust, integrity and longevity;

 

    perception of high-quality products and services;

 

36


Table of Contents
    preferred status among our customers, independent sales intermediaries and employees;

 

    strong capital base and financial strength; and

 

    established relationships with U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. regulators.

 

Our separation from GE following our corporate reorganization and the IPO could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain highly qualified independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists for our products. In addition, because of our separation from GE, some of our existing policyholders, contractholders and other customers may choose to stop doing business with us, and this could increase our rate of surrenders and withdrawals in our policies and contracts. In addition, other potential policyholders and contractholders may decide not to purchase our products because of our separation from GE.

 

We cannot accurately predict the effect that our separation from GE will have on our sales intermediaries, customers or employees. The risks relating to our separation from GE could materialize at various times in the future, including:

 

    when GE reduces its ownership in our common stock to a level below 50%; and

 

    when we cease using the GE name and logo in our sales and marketing materials, particularly when we deliver notices to our distributors and customers that the names of some of our insurance subsidiaries will change.

 

We only have the right to use the GE brand name and logo for a limited period of time. If we fail to establish in a timely manner a new, independently recognized brand name with a strong reputation, our revenue and profitability could decline.

 

Since the completion of the IPO, our corporate name has been “Genworth Financial, Inc.” We and our insurance and other subsidiaries may use the GE brand name and logo in marketing our products and services for only a limited period of time. Pursuant to a transitional trademark license agreement, GE granted us the right to use the “GE” mark and the “GE” monogram for up to five years after the IPO in connection with our products and services. GE also granted us the right to use “GE,” “General Electric” and “GE Capital” in the corporate names of our subsidiaries until the earlier of twelve months after the date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock and May 24, 2009. When our right to use the GE brand name and logo expires, we may not be able to maintain or enjoy comparable name recognition or status under our new brand. In addition, insurance regulators in the U.S. and the other countries where we do business could require us to accelerate the transition to our independent brand. If we are unable to successfully manage the transition of our business to our new brand, our reputation among our independent sales intermediaries, customers and employees could be adversely affected.

 

Our historical and pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a stand-alone company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

 

The historical and pro forma financial information included in this prospectus does not reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows we would have achieved as a stand-alone company during the periods presented or those we will achieve in the future. This is primarily a result of the following factors:

 

    Our historical financial information reflects certain businesses that were not included in our company following the completion of our corporate organization and the IPO. For a description of the components of our historical financial information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Our historical and pro forma financial information” and our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus;

 

    Our historical and pro forma financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from GE. Those allocations may be different from the comparable expenses we would have incurred had we operated as a stand-alone company;

 

37


Table of Contents
    Significant changes in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations have occurred as a result of our separation from GE. As a result, the costs reflected in our historical and pro forma financial statements may not represent our costs in future periods with respect to reduced economies of scale; stand-alone costs for services currently provided by GE; marketing and legal entity transition expenses related to building a company brand identity separate from GE; the need for additional personnel to perform services previously provided by GE; and the legal, accounting, compliance and other costs associated with being a public company with listed equity. See “—The terms of our arrangements with GE may be more favorable than we would be able to obtain from an unaffiliated third party. We may be unable to replace the services GE provides us in a timely manner or on comparable terms;”

 

    Our separation from GE and the adoption of our new brand may have an adverse effect on our relationships with distributors, customers, employees and regulators and government officials, which could result in reduced sales, increased policyholder terminations and withdrawals, increased regulatory scrutiny and disruption to our business operations;

 

    Under some of our agreements, our separation from GE allows the other party to the agreement to terminate the agreement pursuant to a change of control provision, which may be triggered when GE’s ownership of our company decreases to less than 50%. If the other party to any of these agreements does not wish to continue the agreement, then we may be required to terminate or modify our existing agreement or seek alternative arrangements, which could result in reduced sales, increased costs or other disruptions to our business; and

 

    The pro forma financial information presented in this prospectus gives effect to several significant transactions that we implemented prior to the completion of the IPO, including the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, as if those transactions had already been consummated. The unaudited pro forma financial information gives effect to these transactions as if each had occurred as of January 1, 2004. This pro forma financial information is based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. However, this pro forma financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our results of operations would have been had those transactions occurred as of January 1, 2004, nor what they may be in the future.

 

The terms of our arrangements with GE may be more favorable than we would be able to obtain from an unaffiliated third party. We may be unable to replace the services GE provides us in a timely manner or on comparable terms.

 

We and GE entered into a transition services agreement and other agreements in connection with the IPO. Pursuant to these arrangements, GE and its affiliates agreed to provide us with a variety of services, including investment management, treasury, payroll and other financial services, human resources and employee benefit services, legal services, information systems and network services, and procurement and sourcing support.

 

We negotiated these arrangements with GE in the context of a parent-subsidiary relationship. Although GE is contractually obligated to provide us with services during the terms of these arrangements, we cannot assure you that these services will be sustained at the same level after the expiration of those arrangements, or that we will be able to replace these services in a timely manner or on comparable terms. Other agreements with GE also govern the relationship between us and GE and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and other liabilities and obligations attributable or related to periods or events prior to the IPO. They also contain terms and provisions that may be more favorable than terms and provisions we might have obtained in arm’s-length negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. When GE ceases to provide services pursuant to those arrangements, our costs of procuring those services from third parties may increase. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE.”

 

In addition, under the transition services agreement and other agreements, GE is obligated to provide us with certain services only so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. We have been

 

38


Table of Contents

preparing for the transition of these services from GE to us or to third-party providers. However, we cannot assure you that we will be in position to complete the transition of those services by the time that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

We have agreed to make payments to GE based on the projected amounts of certain tax savings, and these payments will remain fixed even if, because of insufficient taxable income or as a result of reduced tax rates, our actual tax savings are less than projected.

 

We entered into a tax matters agreement with GE in connection with the IPO. We refer to this agreement in this prospectus as the Tax Matters Agreement. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we have an obligation to pay to GE a fixed amount over approximately 18 years. This fixed obligation equals 80% of the tax savings we are projected to realize (subject to a maximum amount) as a result of the tax elections made in connection with our separation from GE. The present value of our fixed obligations that we project would be approximately $389 million. Our obligation to GE could change, however, if the facts or assumptions on which we base our projections are not borne out, and the present value of our obligations may increase as a result. However, except for specified contingent benefits and excluding interest on payments we defer, our total payments to GE will not exceed $640 million. Although the Tax Matters Agreement generally provides for increases or reductions to our payment obligations if the current facts and assumptions underlying the projected tax savings prove inaccurate, it does not provide for reductions in our obligations if we fail to generate sufficient income to realize the projected tax savings or if our actual tax savings are reduced as a result of reduced tax rates. In these circumstances, we will remain obligated to pay to GE the fixed obligation, as initially projected or subsequently adjusted, even though it exceeds 80%, or even 100%, of the tax savings we actually realize. If the amounts we are obligated to pay to GE remain fixed while the tax savings we actually realize decline, there could be a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

In the event of a change in control of our company, our obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement could accelerate, and we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient funds to meet these obligations.

 

In some circumstances, such as a change in control over the management and policies of our company (other than through a sale of our stock by GE), the amounts we owe under the Tax Matters Agreement could accelerate, and the amounts then due and payable could be substantial. The acceleration of payments would be subject to the approval of certain state insurance regulators, and we are obligated to use our reasonable best efforts to seek these approvals. In the event these approvals are granted and the acceleration of payments does occur, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient funds available to meet these accelerated obligations when due. If we do not have sufficient funds available, we may seek to fund these obligations from dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries, but we cannot be certain that they will have sufficient funds available or be permitted to transfer them to us. See “—As a holding company, we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us to pay dividends and to meet our obligations.” We also may seek to fund these obligations from the proceeds of the issuance of debt or equity securities or the sale of assets, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully issue any securities or consummate an asset sale.

 

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE controls certain tax returns and audits that can result in tax liability for us.

 

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE has retained control over the preparation and filing, as well as the contests, audits and amendments or other changes of certain pre-IPO federal income tax returns with respect to which we remain liable for taxes. In addition, determinations regarding the allocation to us of responsibility to pay taxes for pre-IPO periods will be made by GE in its reasonable discretion. Although the Tax Matters Agreement provides that we are not liable for taxes resulting from returns filed or matters settled by GE without our consent if the return or settlement position is found to be unreasonable, taking into account both the liability that we incur and any non-Genworth tax benefit, it is possible that we will pay more taxes than we would have paid if we were permitted to control such matters.

 

39


Table of Contents

GE has significant control over us and may not exercise its control in a way that benefits our public securityholders.

 

Upon the completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, GE will beneficially own approximately 52% of our outstanding common stock. GE has indicated that it expects, subject to market conditions, to reduce its ownership over the next two years as we transition to full independence. GE has also informed us that, in any event, it expects to reduce its interest in us to below 50% by value by May 27, 2006 (in satisfaction of a condition to a tax ruling secured in connection with the IPO). GE has adopted a formal Plan of Divestiture embodying this expectation to reduce its interest below 50% and has represented to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, that it will accomplish the divestiture. The adverse financial consequences to GE from a failure to effect the divestiture below 50% are significant. However, so long as GE continues to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding voting stock, GE generally will be able to determine the outcome of many corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. GE, in its capacity as the beneficial holder of all outstanding shares of our Class B Common Stock, also has the right to elect a majority of the members of our board of directors so long as it continues to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock and will have the right to elect a decreasing percentage of the members of our board of directors as its beneficial ownership of our common stock decreases. In addition, until the first date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, the prior affirmative vote or written consent of GE is required for the following actions (subject in each case to certain agreed exceptions):

 

    a merger involving us or any of our subsidiaries (other than mergers involving our subsidiaries to effect acquisitions for a price less than or equal to $700 million and acquisitions for a price less than or equal to $1 billion at any time that GEFAHI owns 45% or less of our outstanding common stock);

 

    acquisitions by us or our subsidiaries of the stock or assets of another business for a price (including assumed debt) in excess of $700 million (other than acquisitions for a price less than or equal to $1 billion at any time that GEFAHI owns 45% or less of our outstanding common stock);

 

    dispositions by us or our subsidiaries of assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions for a price (including assumed debt) in excess of $700 million;

 

    incurrence or guarantee of debt by us or our subsidiaries in excess of $700 million outstanding at any one time or that would reasonably be expected to result in a negative change in any of our credit ratings, which does not apply to debt incurred in connection with our corporate reorganization, the $1.9 billion of senior notes issued in June 2004, $500 million of commercial paper, intercompany debt (within Genworth) or liabilities under certain agreed excluded transactions (provided that any debt (other than debt incurred under our five-year and 364-day revolving credit facilities to fund liabilities under funding agreements or guaranteed investment contracts issued by our subsidiaries that are regulated life insurance companies, or cash payments in connection with insurance policy surrenders and withdrawals) in excess of $500 million outstanding at any one time incurred under those credit facilities or our commercial paper program will be subject to the $700 million limitation described above);

 

    issuance by us or our subsidiaries of capital stock or other securities convertible into capital stock;

 

    dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our company; and

 

    alteration, amendment, termination or repeal, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws.

 

GE also can exercise control over our company in certain respects pursuant to contractual rights under the master agreement and other arrangements discussed under “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company.”

 

Because GE’s interests may differ from your interests, actions GE takes with respect to us, as our controlling stockholder, and with respect to those corporate actions requiring its prior affirmative written consent described above, may not be favorable to you.

 

40


Table of Contents

We derive a significant portion of the premiums in our payment protection insurance business from transactions with GE.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, GE’s consumer finance division and other related GE entities accounted for 42%, 19% and 14% of our payment protection insurance gross written premiums, respectively. In early 2004, we entered into a five-year agreement, subject to certain early termination provisions, that extends our relationship with GE’s consumer finance division and provides us with the right to be the exclusive provider of payment protection insurance in Europe for GE’s consumer finance operations in jurisdictions where we offer these products. However, if GE determines not to offer payment protection insurance, we may not be able to replace those revenues on a timely basis, and our financial condition and results of operations could suffer. See “Business—Protection—Products—Payment protection insurance.”

 

If GE engages in the same type of business we conduct, our ability to successfully operate and expand our business may be hampered.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any contractual provision to the contrary, GE will have no obligation to refrain from:

 

    engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; or

 

    doing business with, or in competition with, any of our clients, customers or vendors.

 

GE is a diversified technology and services company with significant financial services businesses, including consumer finance, asset management and insurance activities. GE is engaged in the marketing of supplemental life insurance, including accidental death and dismemberment coverage and in the marketing and underwriting of dental and vision insurance, medical stop-loss insurance and primary property and casualty insurance. In addition, GE operates a significant reinsurance business, including life reinsurance, a life insurance business in the U.K. and a savings and pension business in France. Because of GE’s significant financial resources, GE could have a significant competitive advantage over us should it decide to engage in businesses that compete with any of the businesses we conduct.

 

GE has generally agreed not to use the “GE” mark or the “GE” monogram or the name “General Electric” until May 24, 2009 in connection with the marketing or underwriting on a primary basis of life insurance, long-term care insurance, annuities, or group life and health insurance in the U.S., or of auto insurance products in Mexico, and the underwriting or issuing of mortgage insurance products anywhere in the world. GE’s agreement to restrict the use of its brand will terminate earlier upon the occurrence of certain events, including termination of our transitional trademark license agreement with GE and our discontinuation of the use of the “GE” mark or the “GE” monogram. In addition, GE Consumer Finance, the consumer finance division of GE, has generally agreed to distribute on an exclusive basis our payment protection insurance products in certain European countries for five years, unless earlier terminated. See “Business—Protection—Products—Payment protection insurance.”

 

Conflicts of interest may arise between us and GE that could be resolved in a manner unfavorable to us.

 

Questions relating to conflicts of interest may arise between us and GE in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Five of our directors were designated to our board of directors by GE. One of these directors is both an officer and director of GE, and the other four of these directors are also officers of GE. These directors and a number of our officers own substantial amounts of GE stock and options to purchase GE stock, and all of them participate in GE pension plans. Ownership interests of our directors or officers in GE shares, or service as a director or officer of both our company and GE, could give rise to potential conflicts of interest when a director or officer is faced with a decision that could have different implications for the two companies. These potential conflicts could arise, for example, over matters such as the desirability of an acquisition opportunity, employee retention or recruiting, or our dividend policy.

 

41


Table of Contents

The corporate opportunity policy set forth in our certificate of incorporation addresses potential conflicts of interest between our company, on the one hand, and GE and its officers and directors who are directors of our company, on the other hand. Although these provisions are designed to resolve conflicts between us and GE fairly, we cannot assure you that any conflicts will be so resolved. The principles for resolving such potential conflicts of interest are described under “Description of Capital Stock—Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation Relating to Related-Party Transactions and Corporate Opportunities.”

 

Risks Relating to This Offering

 

Future sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our shares.

 

If our stockholders sell a large number of shares of our common stock, or if we issue a large number of shares of our common stock in connection with future acquisitions, financings, or other circumstances, the market price of shares of our common stock could decline significantly. Moreover, the perception in the public market that our stockholders might sell shares of our common stock could depress the market price of those shares.

 

GE has indicated that it expects, subject to market conditions, to reduce its ownership in us over the next two years as we transition to full independence. As a result, subject to the lock-up arrangements described below, GE could sell all or a substantial portion of the remaining interest in our common stock in the near future. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

 

All the shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction, except for shares owned by any of our affiliates, including GE. Immediately after the completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, the public market for our common stock will include 227.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, we have registered 38.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock, which are reserved for issuance under our employee benefit plans. These shares may be sold in the public market upon issuance, subject to restrictions under securities laws applicable to resales by affiliates. In addition, in connection with the IPO, we granted GE demand and “piggyback” registration rights with respect to the shares of our common stock it will continue to hold following completion of this offering. GE may exercise its demand and piggyback registration rights, and any shares so registered will be freely tradable in the public market, except for shares acquired by any of our affiliates. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Registration Rights Agreement” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

 

We, GEFAHI and our directors and executive officers have entered into lock-up agreements in which they have agreed that they will not sell, directly or indirectly, any common stock for a period of 180 days, in the case of GEFAHI, or 90 days, in the case of our directors and executive officers, from the date of this prospectus (subject to certain exceptions) without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.”

 

The price of our common stock may be volatile and may be affected by market conditions beyond our control.

 

Our share price is likely to fluctuate in the future because of the volatility of the stock market in general and as a result of a variety of other factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

    quarterly variations in actual or anticipated results of our operations (including for individual products);

 

    interest rate fluctuations;

 

    changes in financial estimates by securities analysts, our failure to meet the expectations of securities analysts and investors or our failure to achieve any forward-looking expectations that we may have previously announced;

 

    actions or announcements by our competitors;

 

42


Table of Contents
    regulatory actions relating to our company, other insurance companies or the insurance industry generally;

 

    changes in the market outlook for the insurance industry;

 

    departure of our key personnel; and

 

    future sales of our common stock.

 

The stock market has recently experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. The market prices of securities of insurance and financial services companies have experienced fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating results of these companies. These market fluctuations could result in extreme volatility in the price of shares of our common stock, which could cause a decline in the value of your investment. You should also be aware that price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of shares of our common stock is low.

 

In addition, the price of our Class A Common Stock may be adversely affected by the market for the Equity Units. For example, the price of our Class A Common Stock may become volatile and depressed by investors’ anticipation of the potential distribution into the market of substantial additional amounts of our Class A Common Stock upon the maturity of the Equity Units, by those investors who view the Equity Units as a more attractive means of equity participation in our company and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving the Equity Units and/or our Class A Common Stock.

 

Applicable laws, provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and our Tax Matters Agreement with GE may discourage takeover attempts and business combinations that stockholders might consider in their best interests.

 

Applicable laws, provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and our Tax Matters Agreement may delay, deter, prevent or render more difficult a takeover attempt that our stockholders might consider in their best interests. For example, they may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if they are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

 

Various states and non-U.S. jurisdictions in which our insurance companies are domiciled or deemed domiciled must approve any acquisition of or change in control of those insurance companies. Under most states’ statutes, an entity is presumed to have control of an insurance company if it owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting stock of that insurance company. These regulatory restrictions may delay, deter or prevent a potential merger or sale of our company, even if our board of directors decides that it is in the best interests of stockholders for us to merge or be sold. These restrictions also may delay sales by us or acquisitions by third parties of our subsidiaries.

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may affect the ability of an “interested stockholder” to engage in certain business combinations, including mergers, consolidation or acquisitions of additional shares, for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder becomes an “interested stockholder.” An “interested stockholder” is defined to include persons owning directly or indirectly 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a corporation. However, our certificate of incorporation provides that we will not be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law until GE reduces its ownership interest in us to less than 15% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws include provisions that may have anti-takeover effects and may delay, deter or prevent a takeover attempt that our stockholders might consider in their best interests. For example, our certificate of incorporation and by-laws:

 

    permit our board of directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock;

 

    limit the ability of stockholders to remove directors;

 

43


Table of Contents
    limit the ability of stockholders to fill vacancies on our board of directors;

 

    limit the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders and take action by written consent; and

 

    impose advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations of directors to be considered at stockholder meetings.

 

Under our Tax Matters Agreement with GE, if any person or group of persons other than GE or its affiliates gains the power to direct the management and policies of our company (other than through a sale of our stock by GE), we could become obligated immediately to pay to GE the total present value of all tax benefit payments due to GE under the agreement from the time of the change in control until the end of the 25-year term of the agreement. We currently project this amount to be $389 million. Similarly, if any person or group of persons other than us or our affiliates gains effective control of one of our subsidiaries (other than through a sale of our stock by GE), we could become obligated to pay to GE the total present value of all such payments due to GE allocable to that subsidiary, unless the subsidiary assumes the obligation to pay these future amounts under the Tax Matters Agreement and certain conditions are met. The acceleration of payments would be subject to the approval of certain state insurance regulators, and we are obligated to use our reasonable best efforts to seek these approvals. This feature of the agreement could adversely affect a potential merger or sale of our company. It could also limit our flexibility to dispose of one or more of our subsidiaries, with adverse implications for any business strategy dependent on such dispositions. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

44


Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Some of the statements under “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and elsewhere in this prospectus include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will,” or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially due to global political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

45


Table of Contents

Use of Proceeds

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholder of Class A Common Stock in this offering.

 

Price Range of Common Stock

 

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GNW.” The following table sets forth the high and low intraday sales prices per share of our Class A Common Stock, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, since the IPO for the periods indicated.

 

     High

   Low

2004

             

Second Quarter (from May 25, 2004)

   $ 23.04    $ 18.75

Third Quarter

     23.99      20.75

Fourth Quarter

     27.84      22.77

2005

             

First Quarter (through March 23, 2005)

     29.80      25.72

 

The last reported sale price of our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on March 23, 2005 was $26.75 per share.

 

As of March 1, 2005, we had 41 holders of record of our Class A Common Stock.

 

All the shares of Class B Common Stock are owned by GEFAHI, and there is no public market for these shares.

 

Dividend Policy

 

Since the IPO, we declared quarterly dividends of $0.065 per share of common stock on September 8, 2004 and December 1, 2004 and paid those dividends on October 27, 2004 and January 27, 2005, respectively. The declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our operating subsidiaries, legal requirements, regulatory constraints and other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.

 

We are a holding company and have no direct operations. As a result, our ability to pay dividends in the future will depend on receiving dividends from our subsidiaries. Our insurance subsidiaries are subject to the laws of the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled and licensed and consequently are limited in the amount of dividends that they can pay. See “Regulation.”

 

46


Table of Contents

Capitalization

 

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2004 on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the repurchase of $500 million of our shares of Class B Common Stock concurrently with the closing of this offering. This offering will not have an impact on the amounts shown in this table (except for the reclassification of issued and outstanding shares from Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock).

 

You should read this information in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     December 31, 2004

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Actual

   As Adjusted

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,392    $ 892  
    

  


Borrowings and other obligations:

               

Short-term borrowings

   $ 559    $ 559  

Long-term borrowings:

               

Yen Notes

     547      547  

Senior Notes

     1,895      1,895  
    

  


Total long-term borrowings

     2,442      2,442  

Non-recourse funding obligations(1)

     900      900  

Borrowings related to securitization entities(2)

     849      849  

3.84% senior notes due 2009 underlying Equity Units(3)

     600      600  

Series A Preferred Stock, mandatorily redeemable, liquidation preference $50 per share

     100      100  
    

  


Total borrowings and other obligations

     5,450      5,450  
    

  


Stockholders’ interest:

               

Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 1.5 billion shares authorized; 146.5 million shares issued and outstanding, actual; 227.0 million shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted

     —        —    

Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 700 million shares authorized; 343.1 million shares issued and outstanding, actual; 262.6 million shares issued and outstanding (including 19.4 million shares held in treasury), as adjusted

     —        —    

Additional paid-in capital

     10,612      10,612  
    

  


Total paid-in capital

     10,612      10,612  

Accumulated nonowner changes in stockholders’ interest

     1,609      1,609  

Retained earnings

     645      645  

Treasury stock, at cost

     —        (500 )
    

  


Total stockholders’ interest

     12,866      12,366  
    

  


Total capitalization

   $ 18,316    $ 17,816  
    

  



(1) For a description of the non-recourse funding obligations, see “Description of Certain Indebtedness—Non-recourse Funding Obligations.”
(2) Reflects borrowings associated with certain securitization entities that we were required to include in our financial statements upon adoption of FASB Interpretation 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Upon its adoption, GE Capital, of which we are an indirect subsidiary, was required to consolidate the funding conduit it sponsored. As a result, assets and liabilities of certain previously off-balance sheet securitization entities were required to be included in our financial statements because the funding conduit no longer qualified as a third party. For more information regarding these arrangements, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Off-balance Sheet Transactions.”
(3) Represents notes forming part of the Equity Units. For a description of the terms of our Equity Units, see “Description of Equity Units.”

 

47


Table of Contents

Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information

 

The following table sets forth selected historical and pro forma financial information. The selected historical financial information as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 has been derived from our financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP and are included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2004 is unaudited and has been derived from our financial statements. You should read this information in conjunction with the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our financial statements, the related notes and the accompanying independent registered public accounting firm’s report (which refers to a change in accounting for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate accounts in 2004, variable interest entities in 2003 and goodwill and other intangible assets in 2002), which are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

In connection with the IPO, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GEFAHI. We also acquired certain other insurance businesses that were owned by other GE subsidiaries but managed by members of the Genworth management team. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, a Bermuda reinsurer and mortgage contract underwriting. In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, a $2.4 billion note and the $550 million Contingent Note. Shortly after the completion of the IPO, we refinanced the $2.4 billion note with the proceeds of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper.

 

We have prepared our financial statements as if Genworth had been in existence throughout all relevant periods. Our historical financial statements include all businesses that were owned by GEFAHI, including those that were not transferred to us, as well as the other insurance businesses that we acquired from other GE subsidiaries, each in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of GE. As part of these transactions, we ceded to UFLIC, effective as of January 1, 2004, policy obligations under our structured settlement contracts, which had reserves of $12.0 billion, and our variable annuity contracts, which had general account reserves of $2.8 billion and separate account reserves of $7.9 billion, each as of December 31, 2003. These contracts represent substantially all of our contracts that were in force as of December 31, 2003 for these products. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC policy obligations under a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured from Travelers, which had reserves of $1.5 billion, as of December 31, 2003. In the aggregate, these blocks of business did not meet our target return thresholds, and although we remain liable under these contracts and policies as the ceding insurer, the reinsurance transactions have the effect of transferring the financial results of the reinsured blocks to UFLIC. In addition, as part of the reinsurance transactions, UFLIC ceded to us substantially all of its in-force blocks of Medicare supplement insurance. As of December 31, 2003, these blocks of business had aggregate reserves of $19 million.

 

The unaudited pro forma financial information set forth below reflects our historical financial information, as adjusted to give effect to the transactions described below, as if each had occurred as of January 1, 2004. The following transactions are reflected in the pro forma financial information:

 

    the removal of certain businesses of GEFAHI that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization;

 

    the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, including a capital contribution of $1.836 billion to UFLIC;

 

    the issuance of equity and debt securities to GEFAHI in exchange for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization;

 

48


Table of Contents
    the issuance and sale of $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper; and

 

    the other adjustments described below in the notes to the unaudited pro forma financial information.

 

The unaudited pro forma financial information below is based upon available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what our results of operations would have been had the transactions described above occurred as of January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma financial information also should not be considered representative of our future results of operations.

 

In addition to the pro forma adjustments to our historical statement of earnings, various other factors will have an effect on our financial condition and results of operations, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

    Historical

    Pro forma

 
    Years ended December 31,

   

Year ended

December 31,

2004


 

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


  2004

    2003(1)

    2002

    2001

  2000(2)

   

Statement of Earnings Information

                                             

Revenues:

                                             

Premiums

  $ 6,559     $ 6,707     $ 6,107     $ 6,012   $ 5,233     $ 6,388  

Net investment income

    3,648       4,051       3,979       3,895     3,678       3,160  

Net realized investment gains

    26       10       204       201     262       23  

Policy fees and other income

    824       915       939       993     1,053       664  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total revenues

    11,057       11,683       11,229       11,101     10,226       10,235  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Benefits and expenses:

                                             

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

    4,804       5,270       4,640       4,474     3,586       4,340  

Interest credited

    1,432       1,624       1,645       1,620     1,456       1,319  

Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

    1,812       1,916       1,808       1,823     1,813       1,657  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles(3)

    1,154       1,351       1,221       1,237     1,394       1,052  

Interest expense

    217       140       124       126     126       243  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total benefits and expenses

    9,419       10,301       9,438       9,280     8,375       8,611  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

    1,638       1,382       1,791       1,821     1,851       1,624  

Provision for income taxes

    493       413       411       590     576       494  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings from continuing operations

  $ 1,145     $ 969     $ 1,380     $ 1,231   $ 1,275     $ 1,130 (4)
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings from continuing operations per share(5):

                                             

Basic

  $ 2.34     $ 1.98     $ 2.82                   $ 2.31  
   


 


 


               


Diluted

  $ 2.33     $ 1.98     $ 2.82                   $ 2.30  
   


 


 


               


Shares outstanding(5):

                                             

Basic

    489.5       489.5       489.5                     489.5  
   


 


 


               


Diluted

    490.5       489.5       489.5                     490.5  
   


 


 


               


Selected Segment Information

                                             

Total revenues:

                                             

Protection

  $ 6,064     $ 6,143     $ 5,605     $ 5,443   $ 4,917     $ 5,935  

Retirement Income and Investments

    3,361       3,803       3,756       3,721     3,137       2,891  

Mortgage Insurance

    1,090       982       946       965     895       1,090  

Affinity(6)

    218       566       588       687     817       —    

Corporate and Other

    324       189       334       285     460       319  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total

  $ 11,057     $ 11,683     $ 11,229     $ 11,101   $ 10,226     $ 10,235  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations:

                                             

Protection

  $ 528     $ 487     $ 554     $ 538   $ 492     $ 527  

Retirement Income and Investments

    153       151       186       215     250       148  

Mortgage Insurance

    426       369       451       428     414       426  

Affinity(6)

    (14 )     16       (3 )     24     (13 )     —    

Corporate and Other

    52       (54 )     192       26     132       29  
   


 


 


 

 


 


Total

  $ 1,145     $ 969     $ 1,380     $ 1,231   $ 1,275     $ 1,130  
   


 


 


 

 


 


 

49


Table of Contents
     December 31,

 
    

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003(1)

   2002

   2001

    2000(2)

 

Statement of Financial Position Information

                                     

Total investments

   $ 65,747    $ 78,693    $ 72,080    $ 62,977     $ 54,978  

All other assets

     38,131      24,738      45,277      41,021       44,598  
    

  

  

  


 


Total assets

   $ 103,878    $ 103,431    $ 117,357    $ 103,998     $ 99,576  
    

  

  

  


 


Policyholder liabilities

   $ 69,262    $ 66,545    $ 63,195    $ 55,900     $ 48,291  

Non-recourse funding obligations(7)

     900      600      —        —         —    

Short-term borrowings

     559      2,239      1,850      1,752       2,258  

Long-term borrowings

     2,442      529      472      622       175  

All other liabilities

     17,849      17,718      35,088      31,559       35,865  
    

  

  

  


 


Total liabilities

   $ 91,012    $ 87,631    $ 100,605    $ 89,833     $ 86,589  
    

  

  

  


 


Accumulated nonowner changes in stockholders’ interest

   $ 1,609    $ 1,672    $ 835    $ (664 )   $ (424 )

Total stockholders’ interest

     12,866      15,800      16,752      14,165       12,987  

U.S. Statutory Information(8)

                                     

Statutory capital and surplus

     6,439      7,021      7,207      7,940       7,119  

Asset valuation reserve

     427      413      390      477       497  

(1) On August 29, 2003, we sold our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses for aggregate cash proceeds of approximately $2.1 billion, consisting of $1.6 billion paid to us and $0.5 billion paid to other GE affiliates, plus pre-closing dividends. See note 5 to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2) During 2000, we consummated three significant business combinations:
    In July 2000, we reinsured 90% of Travelers’ long-term care insurance portfolio and acquired certain related assets for $411 million;
    In April 2000, we acquired Phoenix American Life Insurance Company for $284 million; and
    Effective March 2000, we acquired the insurance policies and related assets of Toho Mutual Life Insurance Company. Our Japanese life insurance business assumed $21.6 billion of policyholder liabilities and $0.3 billion of accounts payable and accrued expenses and acquired $20.3 billion in cash, investments and other tangible assets through this transaction. We sold this business on August 29, 2003, and its results have been presented as discontinued operations.
(3) As of January 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and, in accordance with its provisions, discontinued amortization of goodwill. Goodwill amortization was $84 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, excluding goodwill amortization included in discontinued operations.
(4) Pro forma net operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $1,044 million. We define pro forma net operating earnings as pro forma net earnings from continuing operations, excluding pro forma after-tax net realized investment gains and losses (which can fluctuate significantly from period to period), changes in accounting principles and non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items. There were no non-recurring, infrequent or unusual items excluded from pro forma net operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004, other than an IPO-related net tax benefit and a gain related to our waiver of contractual rights under an outsourcing services agreement with GE’s global business processing operation, 60% of which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2004. We believe that analysis of pro forma net operating earnings enhances understanding and comparability of performance by highlighting underlying business activity and profitability drivers. However, pro forma net operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP net earnings. In addition, our definition of pro forma net operating earnings may differ from the definitions used by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of pro forma net operating earnings (as defined above) to pro forma net earnings from continuing operations:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Year ended
December 31, 2004


 

Pro forma net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 1,130  

Pro forma net realized (gains) on investments, net of taxes

     (15 )

Net tax benefit related to initial public offering

     (46 )

Gain on outsourcing services agreement, net of taxes

     (25 )
    


Pro forma net operating earnings

   $ 1,044  
    


 

50


Table of Contents
(5) Basic and diluted net earnings from continuing operations per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 are calculated by dividing the net earnings from continuing operations by 489.5 million weighted average basic shares outstanding and by 490.5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively. Basic and diluted net earnings from continuing operations per share for the years ending December 31, 2003 and 2002 were calculated by dividing net earnings from continuing operations by 489.5 million pro forma shares outstanding. The number of shares used in our calculation of diluted earnings per share increased in 2004 due to additional shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under stock options and restricted stock units and is calculated using the treasury method.
(6) Reflects the results of businesses that were owned by GEFAHI but were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization, including (a) the Partnership Marketing Group business, (b) an institutional asset management business, and (c) several other small businesses that were not part of our core ongoing business. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Overview—Our historical and pro forma financial information.”
(7) For a description of the non-recourse funding obligations, see “Description of Indebtedness—Non-recourse Funding Obligations.”
(8) Includes statutory capital and surplus and statutorily required contingency reserves held by our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries. In December 2004, our U.S. mortgage insurance business released $700 million of statutory contingency reserves and paid that amount as a dividend to the holding company of that business.

 

51


Table of Contents

Pro Forma Financial Information

 

    Year ended December 31, 2004

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


  Historical

 

Pro forma

adjustments—

excluded

assets and

liabilities


   

Pro forma

adjustments—

reinsurance

transactions


   

Pro forma

adjustments—

capital

structure


    Pro forma

                           

Revenues:

                                   

Premiums

  $ 6,559   $ (80 )(a)   $ (91 )(d)   $ —       $ 6,388

Net investment income

    3,648     (27 )(a)     (431 )(d)     —         3,160
            (1 )(b)     (29 )(e)              

Net realized investment gains

    26     (3 )(c)     —         —         23

Policy fees and other income

    824     (103 )(a)     (57 )(d)     —         664
   

 


 


 


 

Total revenues

    11,057     (214 )     (608 )     —         10,235
   

 


 


 


 

Benefits and expenses:

                                   

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

    4,804     (71 )(a)     (393 )(d)     —         4,340

Interest credited

    1,432     —         (113 )(d)     —         1,319

Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

    1,812     (117 )(a)     (38 )(d)     —         1,657

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

    1,154     (46 )(a)     (56 )(d)     —         1,052

Interest expense

    217     —         —         (40 )(f)     243
                            12  (g)      
                            9  (h)      
                            45  (i)      
   

 


 


 


 

Total benefits and expenses

    9,419     (234 )     (600 )     26       8,611
   

 


 


 


 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

    1,638     20       (8 )     (26 )     1,624

Provision for income taxes

    493     14  (a)     (4 )(d)     (8 )(j)     494
                                     
            (1 )(c)                      
   

 


 


 


 

Net earnings from continuing operations

  $ 1,145   $ 7     $ (4 )   $ (18 )   $ 1,130
   

 


 


 


 

Net earnings from continuing operations per share:

                                   

Basic

  $ 2.34                           $ 2.31
   

                         

Diluted

  $ 2.33                           $ 2.30
   

                         

Number of shares outstanding:

                                   

Basic

    489.5                             489.5
   

                         

Diluted

    490.5                             490.5
   

                         

 

52


Table of Contents

Notes to unaudited pro forma financial information

 

(a) Reflects adjustments to exclude amounts included in our historical earnings relating to results of operations of businesses (formerly reported in our Affinity segment) that were not transferred to us. The exclusion of these businesses from our historical financial statements was accounted for as a pre-IPO dividend to GEFAHI in 2004.

 

(b) Reflects adjustments to exclude amounts included in our historical earnings relating to results of operations of certain investment partnerships that were not transferred to us. The exclusion of these partnerships from our historical financial statements was accounted for as a pre-IPO dividend to GEFAHI in 2004.

 

(c) Reflects adjustments to exclude amounts included in our historical earnings relating to net realized investment (gains) losses and related income tax benefits, attributable to sales of Affinity segment assets. In our historical financial statements, net realized (gains) losses are reflected in the Corporate and Other segment.

 

(d) Reflects adjustments to record the effects of the reinsurance transactions we entered into with, and the related contribution we made to, UFLIC, an indirect subsidiary of GE. As part of these transactions, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC policy obligations under our structured settlement contracts and our variable annuity contracts. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC policy obligations under a block of long-term care insurance policies. As part of the reinsurance transactions, UFLIC ceded to us substantially all of its in-force blocks of Medicare supplement insurance. Prior to the completion of our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, the results of operation of UFLIC were included in our historical results. The unaudited pro forma earnings information gives effect to the reinsurance transactions as if each occurred as of January 1, 2004 and excludes the effects of all ceded reinsured contracts that were issued before January 1, 2004. We have continued to sell variable annuities and structured settlements after completion of the reinsurance transactions and we are retaining that business for our own account, subject to third party reinsurance in the ordinary course of business.

 

   Under the reinsurance transactions, we receive an expense allowance to reimburse us for costs we incur to service the reinsured blocks. Actual costs and expense allowance amounts will be determined by expense studies to be conducted periodically. The pro forma adjustments have been prepared assuming that actual costs incurred during the pro forma periods, as determined under our historical cost structure and allocation methods, were reimbursed by an expense allowance.

 

(e) Concurrently with the reinsurance transactions described in note (d), we contributed $1.836 billion of capital to UFLIC, which primarily represented the excess statutory capital in our insurance subsidiaries, after giving effect to the reinsurance transactions. Because a significant portion of the assets contributed to UFLIC were not owned for the entire period from January 1, 2004 until the date of the capital contribution, the pro forma adjustments to reduce net investment income and net realized investment gains related to the transferred assets were based upon a proportional allocation of investment income from the investment assets historically identified as (1) supporting the blocks of business reinsured in the reinsurance transactions, and (2) representing surplus of the subsidiaries providing assets that were contributed to UFLIC.

 

(f) Reflects adjustments to exclude the interest expense included in our historical earnings, adjusted for qualified hedge effects, on commercial paper issued by GEFAHI of $1,696 million and short-term borrowings from GE Capital of $800 million. The commercial paper, short-term borrowings and related derivative contracts liabilities were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

(g)

Reflects adjustments to record (1) interest expense and contract adjustment payments on $600 million of our Equity Units and (2) dividends payable on $100 million of our mandatorily redeemable Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock. The senior notes forming part of the Equity Units accrue interest at the rate of 3.84% per year, and the purchase contracts forming part of the Equity Units accrue contract adjustment payments at the rate of 2.16% per year. The Series A Preferred Stock accrues dividends at the rate of 5.25% per year, which is recorded as interest expense. Both the Equity Units and the Series A Preferred Stock were issued to

 

53


Table of Contents
 

GEFAHI on May 24, 2004 in connection with our corporate reorganization, and the interest expense and contract adjustment payments on these securities are included in our historical financial results from that date. GEFAHI sold all the Equity Units and Series A Preferred Stock in public offerings concurrent with our IPO.

 

(h) Reflects adjustments to record interest expense on our obligation under the Tax Matters Agreement with GE. Interest accretion on the Tax Matters Agreement is reflected in our historical financial results from May 24, 2004, the date of our corporate reorganization, at the rate of 5.72% per year.

 

(i) Reflects adjustments to record interest expense, net of the impact of hedging arrangements, on long-term borrowings pursuant to $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper. The effective interest rates for the senior notes (giving effect to hedging arrangements) are as follows: 3.53% per year for the $500 million of 2007 notes, 4.48% per year for the $500 million of 2009 notes, 5.51% per year for the $600 million of 2014 notes, and 6.35% per year for the $300 million of 2034 notes. The weighted-average interest rate on commercial paper outstanding as of December 31, 2004 was 2.38%; the pro forma adjustments have been prepared using the rate assumed at the time of our corporate reorganization, which was 1.07%. Interest expense on these borrowings is included in our historical financial results from the issuance of the senior notes on June 15, 2004 and the commercial paper on June 9, 2004.

 

(j) Reflects an adjustment to record the tax impact on other pro forma earnings adjustments at a rate of 35%.

 

54


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes as well as our unaudited pro forma financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that are based upon our current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory factors, many of which are beyond our control. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

 

Our business

 

We are a leading insurance company in the U.S., with an expanding international presence. We have three operating segments: Protection, Retirement Income and Investments, and Mortgage Insurance.

 

    Protection. We offer U.S. customers life insurance, long-term care insurance and, primarily for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, group life and health insurance. In Europe, we offer payment protection insurance, which helps consumers meet their payment obligations in the event of illness, involuntary unemployment, disability or death. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Protection segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $527 million.

 

    Retirement Income and Investments. We offer U.S. customers fixed and variable deferred annuities, income annuities, variable life insurance, asset management and specialized products, including guaranteed investment contracts, funding agreements and structured settlements. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Retirement Income and Investments segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $148 million.

 

    Mortgage Insurance. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, we offer mortgage insurance products that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Mortgage Insurance segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $426 million.

 

We also have a Corporate and Other segment, which consists primarily of unallocated corporate income and expenses (including amounts accrued in settlement of class action lawsuits), the results of small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments, most of our interest and other financing expenses and net realized investment gains (losses). For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Corporate and Other segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $29 million.

 

Our corporate reorganization

 

We were incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2003 in preparation for our corporate reorganization and the IPO. In connection with the IPO, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GEFAHI. GEFAHI is an indirect subsidiary of GE and prior to the completion of the IPO, was a holding company for a group of companies that provide life insurance, long-term care insurance, group life and health insurance, annuities and other investment products and U.S. mortgage insurance. We also acquired certain other insurance businesses that were owned by other GE subsidiaries but managed by members of the Genworth management team. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, a Bermuda reinsurer and mortgage contract underwriting. In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, a $2.4 billion short-term note and the $550 million Contingent Note. We refinanced the $2.4 billion note with $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper shortly after the IPO, and we repaid the Contingent Note in December 2004.

 

55


Table of Contents

Our historical and pro forma financial information

 

The historical financial information has been derived from our financial statements, which have been prepared as if Genworth had been in existence throughout all relevant periods. Our historical financial information and statements include all businesses that were owned by GEFAHI, including those that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization, as well as the other insurance businesses that we acquired from other GE subsidiaries in connection with our corporate reorganization. In addition to our three operating segments and our Corporate and Other segment, our historical financial statements also include the results of (1) the Partnership Marketing Group business, which offers life and health insurance, auto club memberships and other financial products and services directly to consumers through affinity marketing arrangements with a variety of organizations, (2) an institutional asset management business owned by GEFAHI, and (3) several other small businesses owned by GEFAHI that are not part of our core ongoing business.

 

The Partnership Marketing Group historically included UFLIC, a subsidiary that offered life and health insurance products through affinity marketing arrangements. In connection with the IPO, GEFAHI transferred UFLIC to General Electric Capital Services, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of GE. We did not acquire the Partnership Marketing Group business, the institutional asset management business or these other small businesses from GEFAHI, and their results are presented as a separate operating segment under the caption Affinity.

 

Our historical financial statements also include our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses, which we sold on August 29, 2003, and which are presented in our historical financial statements as discontinued operations.

 

The unaudited pro forma information presented herein reflects our historical financial information, as adjusted to give effect to the transactions described under “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information” as if each had occurred as of January 1, 2004.

 

Revenues and expenses

 

Our revenues consist primarily of the following:

 

    Protection. The revenues in our Protection segment consist primarily of:

 

    net premiums earned on individual life, individual long-term care, group life and health and payment protection insurance policies;

 

    net investment income on the separate investment portfolio held by our payment protection insurance business or allocated to this segment’s other lines of business; and

 

    policy fees and other income, including fees for mortality and surrender charges primarily from universal life insurance policies, and other administrative charges.

 

    Retirement Income and Investments. The revenues in our Retirement Income and Investments segment consist primarily of:

 

    net premiums earned on income annuities and structured settlements with life contingencies;

 

    net investment income allocated to this segment; and

 

    policy fees and other income, including surrender charges, mortality and expense charges, investment management fees and commissions.

 

    Mortgage Insurance. The revenues in our Mortgage Insurance segment consist primarily of:

 

    net premiums earned on mortgage insurance policies;

 

    net investment income on the segment’s separate investment portfolio; and

 

    policy fees and other income, including fees from contract underwriting services.

 

56


Table of Contents
    Corporate and Other. The revenues in our Corporate and Other segment consist primarily of:

 

    net premiums, policy fees and other income from the insurance businesses in this segment;

 

    unallocated net investment income; and

 

    net realized investment gains (losses).

 

We allocate net investment income from our Corporate and Other segment to our Protection (except payment protection insurance) and Retirement Income and Investments segments using an approach based principally upon the investment portfolio established to support each of those segments’ products and targeted capital levels. We do not allocate net investment income from our Corporate and Other segment to our Mortgage Insurance segment or to our payment protection insurance product within the Protection segment, because they have their own separate investment portfolios, and the net investment income from those portfolios is reflected in the Mortgage Insurance and Protection segment results. In our historical financial statements, we allocated net investment income to our Affinity segment in the same manner that we allocated these items to our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments.

 

All net realized investment gains (losses) are reflected in the Corporate and Other segment and are not reflected in the results of any of our other segments.

 

Our expenses consist primarily of the following:

 

    benefits provided to policyholders and contractholders and changes in reserves;

 

    interest credited on general account balances;

 

    underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, including commissions, marketing expenses, policy and contract servicing costs, overhead and other general expenses that are not capitalized (shown net of deferrals);

 

    amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and other intangible assets;

 

    interest and other financing expenses; and

 

    income taxes.

 

We allocate corporate expenses to each of our operating segments based on the amount of capital allocated to that segment.

 

Business trends and conditions

 

In recent years, our business has been, and we expect will continue to be, influenced by a number of industry-wide and product-specific trends and conditions.

 

Market and economic environment

 

Aging U.S. population with growing retirement income needs. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, from 1945 to 2003, U.S. life expectancy at birth increased from 62.9 years to 74.4 years for men and from 68.4 years to 79.5 years for women, respectively, and life expectancy is expected to increase further. In addition, increasing numbers of baby boomers are approaching retirement age. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the percentage of the U.S. population aged 55 or older will increase from approximately 22% (65 million) in 2004 to more than 29% (97 million) in 2020. These increases in life expectancy and the average age of the U.S. population heighten the risk that individuals will outlive their retirement savings. In addition, approximately $4.4 trillion of invested financial assets (25% of all U.S. invested financial assets) are held by people within 10 years of retirement and will be available to be converted to income as those people retire, and approximately $3.3 trillion of invested financial assets are held by individuals who are under age 70 and consider themselves

 

57


Table of Contents

retired, in each case according to a survey conducted by SRI Consulting Business Intelligence in 2002. We believe these trends will lead to growing demand for retirement income and investment products, such as our annuities and other investment products, that help consumers accumulate assets and provide reliable retirement income.

 

Growing lifestyle protection gap. The aging U.S. population and a number of other factors are creating a significant lifestyle protection gap for a growing number of individuals. This gap is the result of individuals not having sufficient resources, including insurance coverage, to ensure that their future assets and income will be adequate to support their desired future lifestyle. Other factors contributing to this gap include declining individual savings rates, rising healthcare and nursing care costs, and a shifting of the burden for funding protection needs from governments and employers to individuals. Recent reductions in employer-paid benefits by many companies, coupled with uncertainty over the future of government benefit programs, underscore the potential for long-term benefit reductions from these traditional sources and the potential need for individuals to identify alternative sources of these benefits. At the same time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal savings rates decreased from 10.8% in 1984 to 1.0% in 2004. Consumers are exposed to the rising costs of healthcare and nursing care during their retirement years, and some experts believe that many consumers are underinsured with respect to their protection needs. We expect these trends to result in increased demand for our life, long-term care and small group life and health insurance products.

 

Increasing opportunities for mortgage insurance internationally and in the U.S. We believe a number of factors have contributed and will contribute to the growth of mortgage insurance in Canada, Australia and the U.S., where we have significant mortgage insurance operations. These factors include increasing homeownership levels (spurred in part by government housing policies that favor homeownership and demographic factors driving demand for housing); expansion of low-down-payment mortgage loan offerings; legislative and regulatory policies that provide capital incentives for lenders to transfer the risks of low-down-payment mortgages to mortgage insurers; and expansion of secondary mortgage markets that require credit enhancements, such as mortgage insurance. We believe a number of these factors also are becoming evident in some European, Latin American, and Asian markets, where lenders increasingly are using mortgage insurance to manage the risks of their loan portfolios and to expand low-down-payment lending.

 

General conditions and trends affecting our businesses

 

Interest rate fluctuations. Fluctuations in market interest rates may have a significant effect on our sales of insurance and investment products and our margins on these products. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. In our Retirement Income and Investments and Protection segments, low market interest rates may reduce the spreads between the amounts we credit to policyholders and contractholders and the yield we earn on the investments that support these obligations. In response to the unusually low interest rates that have prevailed during the last several years, we have reduced the guaranteed minimum crediting rates on newly issued fixed annuity contracts and have reduced crediting rates on in-force contracts where permitted to do so. These actions have helped mitigate the adverse impact of low interest rates on our spreads and profitability on these products. A gradual increase in interest rates generally would have a favorable effect on the profitability of these products. However, rapidly rising interest rates also could result in reduced persistency in our spread-based retail products as contractholders shift assets into higher yielding investments.

 

In our Protection segment, the pricing and expected future profitability of our term life and long-term care insurance products are based in part on expected investment returns. Over time, term life and long-term care insurance products generally produce positive cash flows as customers pay periodic premiums, which we invest as we receive them. Low interest rates may reduce our ability to achieve our targeted investment margins and may adversely affect the profitability of our term life and long-term care insurance products. The impact of interest rate fluctuations on our universal life insurance products is similar to their impact on spread-based products in our Retirement Income and Investments segment.

 

58


Table of Contents

In our Mortgage Insurance segment, increasing interest rates in 2004 have contributed to a decrease in new mortgage originations in the U.S. and a resulting decrease in new mortgage insurance written. Our U.S. new insurance written decreased by 58% from $67.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $28.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004 primarily because of increased interest rates. Higher interest rates in 2004 and the significant refinancing activity in 2002 and 2003 also resulted in reduced refinancing activity in 2004, which had a positive impact on U.S. flow persistency. U.S. flow persistency rates increased from 46% for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 65% for the year ended December 31, 2004, excluding the effect of a periodic payoff reconciliation on one structured transaction involving single premium mortgage insurance that today would be classified as bulk insurance. We expect that continued interest rate increases will have a favorable impact on persistency and an adverse impact on new mortgage originations and new mortgage insurance written.

 

Volatile equity markets. Equity market volatility may discourage purchases of separate account products, such as variable annuities and variable life insurance, that have returns linked to the performance of the equity markets and may cause some existing customers to withdraw cash values or reduce investments in those products. Equity market volatility also affects the value of the assets in our separate accounts, which, in turn, affects our earnings from fee-based products. After several years of declines, equity markets increased in 2003 and 2004, and we expect that increases or relative stability in equity markets could have a favorable impact on our sales of variable products and our earnings from those products. The potential impact of volatile equity markets on our results has been significantly reduced as a result of our reinsurance arrangements with UFLIC, pursuant to which we reinsured, effective as of January 1, 2004, substantially all of our in-force blocks of variable annuities. We retain variable annuities sold after January 1, 2004 for our own account, subject to third-party reinsurance transactions in the ordinary course of business, and therefore we bear the risk of any adverse impact of future equity market fluctuations on those annuities. In addition, fluctuations in the equity markets may affect revenues and returns from our private asset management products and services, which depend on fees related primarily to the value of assets under management.

 

Credit default risk. As a result of the economic downturn in 2000 through 2002 and some high-profile corporate bankruptcies and scandals, the number of companies defaulting on their debt obligations increased dramatically in 2001 and 2002. These defaults and other declines in the value of some of our investments resulted in impairment charges. Credit defaults have decreased in recent years as the economy has improved. Charges associated with impairments of investments were $26 million, $224 million, and $343 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. A weakening in the economic recovery could lead to increased credit defaults.

 

Investment portfolio. The yield on our investment portfolio is affected by the practice, prior to our separation from GE, of realizing investment gains through the sale of appreciated securities and other assets during a period of historically low interest rates. This strategy had been pursued to offset impairments and losses in our investment portfolio, fund consolidations and restructurings in our business and provide current income. Our gross realized gains were $473 million and $790 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This strategy has had an adverse impact on the yield on our investment portfolio and our net investment income as we typically sold higher-yielding securities and reinvested the proceeds in lower-yielding securities during periods of declining or low interest rates. The impact is most significant in the Retirement Income and Investments segment, which has a higher percentage of our fixed maturities allocated to it than to our other segments.

 

Since our separation from GE, our investment strategy has been to optimize investment income without relying on realized investment gains. As a result, our gross realized gains decreased to $90 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. We also are currently experiencing a challenging interest-rate environment in which the yields that we can achieve on new investments are lower than the aggregate yield on our existing portfolio. This environment has resulted in a decline in our overall investment yield, from 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2002 to 5.8% and 5.5% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. We seek to mitigate this decline in investment yields by continuously evaluating our asset class mix, pursuing additional

 

59


Table of Contents

investment classes and accepting additional credit risk when we believe that it is prudent to do so. A continued increase in prevailing interest rates also will mitigate this decline, whereas a decrease in interest rates could lead to further declines.

 

Globalization. Historically, we have derived a majority of our revenues and profits from our operations in the U.S. However, in recent years, our international business has grown and has had an increasing impact on our financial condition and results of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, 19%, 18% and 14% of our revenues, respectively, and 29%, 26% and 12% of our net earnings from continuing operations, respectively, were generated by our international operations. These increases were largely due to growth in our international mortgage insurance business. Our payment protection insurance business also derives revenues in the countries where it offers its products. We are exposed to the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates as we translate the operating results of our foreign operations into our financial statements. As a result, period-to-period comparability of our results of operations is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. Our net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 included approximately $31 million and $25 million, respectively, due to the favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. Our four principal foreign currencies are the Canadian dollar, the Australian dollar, the British pound and the euro.

 

Ongoing operating cost reductions and efficiencies. Our underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, have decreased to 16% of our revenues in 2004 from 18% in 1999. We continually focus on reducing our cost base while maintaining strong service levels for our customers. We expect to accomplish this goal in each of our operating units through a wide range of cost management disciplines, including consolidating operations, using low-cost operating locations, reducing supplier costs, leveraging process improvement efforts, forming dedicated teams to identify opportunities for cost reductions and investing in new technology, particularly for web-based, digital end-to-end processes.

 

Developments affecting our product lines

 

The following business trends and conditions have had a significant impact on our products during the last three years:

 

Life insurance. Regulation XXX requires insurers to establish additional statutory reserves for term and universal life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees. In response to this regulation, we increased term and universal life insurance statutory reserves, implemented reinsurance and capital management actions and increased our premium rates for term life insurance products in March 2003. This increase in premium rates has contributed to lower term life insurance sales in 2003 and 2004. Our annualized first-year premiums and deposits for term and universal life insurance products decreased by 16% from $195 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 to $163 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 and by 12% to $144 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Our pricing, reinsurance and capital management actions in response to Regulation XXX have collectively enabled us to improve our new business returns on equity, and in October 2003 and June 2004, we decreased our premium rates for term life insurance products. This decrease has led to an increase in term life insurance sales at the end of 2004. Our annualized first-year premiums for term life insurance products increased by 42% from $19 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003 to $27 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, and we further decreased our premium rates for term life insurance in January 2005. We believe our recent price reductions, together with ongoing service and distribution support initiatives, will continue to lead to increased term life insurance sales over time.

 

Long-term care insurance. Total individual long-term care insurance premiums for in-force policies in the U.S. increased from approximately $2.4 billion in 1997 to $6.8 billion in 2004, according to LIMRA International. Industry-wide sales of individual long-term care insurance peaked in 2002 at approximately $1.0 billion and decreased by 7% in 2003 and 25% in 2004. We believe this decrease was due primarily to decisions by several providers to cease offering long-term care insurance, to raise premiums on in force-policies, and/or to introduce new products with higher prices. These actions resulted in decreased purchases of long-term care insurance products and have caused some distributors to reduce their sales focus on these products. In addition,

 

60


Table of Contents

we have been experiencing lower lapse rates than we originally anticipated on long-term care insurance policies that we issued prior to the mid-1990s. This has adversely affected our overall claims experience on those policies. In the third quarter of 2003, we started selling our newest long-term care insurance products in selected states. These products were priced to achieve our target returns on capital and to reflect new features and benefits, trends in lapse rates, interest rates, morbidity and adverse claims experience in certain higher risk policyholder classes. Our pricing strategy for these products, along with declines in overall industry sales, have contributed to lower sales in recent periods. Our annualized first-year premiums for the long-term care business decreased by 33% from $240 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $162 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. In late fourth quarter of 2004, we began selling these products in the majority of the remaining states, and we expect there may be a similar adverse impact on sales in those states, potentially resulting in uneven sales in our long-term care business. We believe that our pricing strategy is appropriate and that over time, the long-term care insurance market will continue to expand as the result of aging demographics, increasing healthcare and nursing care costs, the uncertainty regarding government programs that currently cover these costs and the increasing public awareness of the benefits of private long-term care insurance.

 

On January 27, 2005 the NAIC Capital Adequacy Task Force recommended a new formula that ties the calculation of risk-based capital for long-term care insurance more closely to claims than to collected premiums, which is the current practice. The new formula is subject to approval by the NAIC. If approved, the new formula may enable us to release capital temporarily from our long-term care insurance business for use in other business lines in December 2005.

 

Payment protection insurance. Our payment protection insurance business has expanded as a result of our strategy to enter additional markets in Continental Europe and Ireland and to develop new relationships with distributors in those markets. However, the margins of our payment protection business in the U.K. have decreased in recent years as a result of increased pricing pressure and greater competition from captive insurance arrangements by distributors that provide payment protection insurance directly to their customers. As a result, in the third quarter of 2003, we evaluated our contractual relationships with our payment protection insurance distributors against our targeted return thresholds and decided to terminate or not to renew certain relationships that we refer to as “run-off.” In the aggregate, written premiums, gross of reinsurance and cancellations, in our payment protection insurance business decreased by 31% from $2,175 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1,501 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. However, excluding run-off business, written premiums, gross of reinsurance and cancellations, increased by 21% from $1,191 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1,441 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Although we expect the total revenue from our payment protection business to continue to decline over the next few years as our run-off business diminishes, we believe this will not have a material impact on our operating earnings and will have a favorable effect on our returns as capital is released and redeployed into markets with potential for higher growth and returns.

 

Annuities. The results of our Retirement Income and Investments segment are affected primarily by interest rate fluctuations and volatile equity markets, as discussed above under “—Overview—Business trends and conditions—General conditions and trends affecting our businesses.” In addition, our competitive position within many of our distribution channels depends significantly upon product features, including our crediting rates on spread-based products relative to our competitors, minimum guaranteed rates, surrender charge periods and agent commissions. We continually evaluate our competitive position based upon each of those features, and we make adjustments as appropriate to meet our target return thresholds. For example, our deposits in fixed annuities increased by 63% from $1,069 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003 to $1,741 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 primarily as a result of our expanded distribution relationships with financial intermediaries and a new fixed annuity product we introduced in 2004 that incorporates flexible product features. We believe that a gradual increase in market interest rates will have a favorable impact on consumer demand for these products. We also recently introduced the Income Distribution Series of guaranteed income annuity products and riders that provide the contractholder with a guaranteed minimum income stream and an opportunity to participate in market appreciation but reduce some of the risks to insurers that generally accompany

 

61


Table of Contents

traditional products with guaranteed minimum income benefits. Sales of these products increased by 82% from $142 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $258 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Our new deposits in variable annuities decreased by 47% from $2,102 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1,106 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. We believe this decline was primarily driven by a market shift to variable annuity products with certain guaranteed benefit features that we chose not to offer due to their risk profile.

 

Mortgage insurance. As discussed above under “—Overview—Business trends and conditions—General conditions and trends affecting our businesses,” increasing interest rates in 2004 have contributed to a significant decrease in U.S. new mortgage insurance written. Our U.S. new insurance written also has been adversely affected by our actions in connection with our captive reinsurance arrangements. Starting in late 2003, we generally sought to exit or restructure a portion of our excess-of-loss risk sharing arrangements with premium cessions in excess of 25% to improve profitability. This resulted in a significant reduction in business from several of these lenders. We later re-evaluated these relationships on a case-by-case basis, assessing various factors, including ceding terms, attachment points and quality of portfolios. As a result, we reinstated or restructured some of these arrangements in a form that we believe allows us to achieve acceptable returns. For the foregoing reasons, as well as the continued popularity of simultaneous second, or “80-10-10,” loans as an alternative to private mortgage insurance, our U.S. new insurance written decreased by 58% from $67.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $28.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. As a result of the significant U.S. refinancing activity in 2002 and 2003 and the significant expansion of our international business in recent years, as of December 31, 2004, approximately 80% of our U.S. risk in force and 72% of our international risk in force had not yet reached its anticipated highest claim frequency years, which are generally between the third and seventh year of the loan. We expect our loss experience on these loans will increase as policies continue to age.

 

Our international mortgage insurance business has continued to expand and has had a favorable impact on our results of operations. International new insurance written increased by 32% from $39.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $51.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. This increase was driven by a larger mortgage origination market in Canada and increased account penetration in both Canada and Australia, as well as growth in new insurance written in Europe and favorable foreign exchange rate movements, partially offset by a smaller mortgage origination market in Australia. We expect that the growth of our international mortgage insurance business will continue to contribute an increasing portion of this segment’s total revenues and profits.

 

Separation from GE and related financial arrangements

 

GE historically has provided a variety of products and services to us, and we have provided various products and services to GE. In connection with the IPO, we entered into a transition services agreement and various other agreements with GE that, together with a number of agreements that were in effect before the IPO, govern the relationship between GE and us.

 

Services received from GE

 

Support services and corporate overhead. GE historically has provided a variety of support services for our businesses, including:

 

    customer service, transaction processing and a variety of functional support services provided by an outsourcing provider in India that was wholly owned by GE until December 2004 and is now 40% owned by GE;

 

    employee benefit processing and payroll administration, including relocation, travel, credit card processing and related services;

 

62


Table of Contents
    employee training programs, including access to GE training courses;

 

    insurance coverage under the GE insurance program;

 

    information systems, network and related services;

 

    leases for vehicles, equipment and facilities; and

 

    other financial advisory services such as tax consulting, capital markets services, research and development activities, and use of trademarks and licenses.

 

We have reimbursed GE for the costs of providing these services to us. We paid GE a total of $65 million, $87 million and $74 million for these services for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In addition, GE historically has allocated to us a share of its corporate overhead expenses for certain services provided to us, which are not specifically billed to us, including public relations, investor relations, treasury, and internal audit services. Our total expense for this allocation was $14 million, $50 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We have not reimbursed these amounts to GE, and have recorded them as a capital contribution in each year. Following the completion of the IPO, GE no longer allocates any of its corporate expenses to us.

 

GE continues to provide us with many of the corporate services described above on a transitional basis, and we are arranging to procure other services pursuant to arrangements with third parties or through our own employees. In the aggregate, we expect that our total costs for procuring corporate services that previously had been provided by GE will not materially exceed the amounts we historically have paid to GE for these services, including GE’s allocation to us for its corporate overhead. However, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur incremental advertising, marketing, investor relations and legal entity transition expenses to establish a new brand identity. We also incurred compensation expense with respect to the establishment of our new equity plans. In addition, we have obtained direct access to a variety of third-party products and services, including technology licenses, as a result of GE’s relationships with those third parties. We have negotiated and are continuing to negotiate our own arrangements with third-party providers for these products and services, and we do not believe these arrangements will result in materially increased costs in the aggregate.

 

Investment management services. We have received and will continue to receive investment management services from GE Asset Management Incorporated, or GEAM, a subsidiary of GE, pursuant to agreements that were, with limited exceptions, amended in connection with the IPO. We also entered into new agreements with GE Asset Management Limited, or GEAML, an affiliate of GEAM, for investment management services in the U.K. and Continental Europe. Pursuant to these agreements, the fees charged by GEAM and GEAML are based on a percentage of the value of the assets under management. This percentage is established annually by agreement between us and GEAM or GEAML and is intended to reflect the cost to GEAM or GEAML of providing its services and, for the agreements with GEAML, a premium of 5%. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, our aggregate costs for investment management and related administration services provided by GEAM and GEAML were approximately $33 million, $61 million and $39 million, respectively.

 

Reinsurance transactions. In addition to our arrangements with UFLIC, we have entered into reinsurance transactions with affiliates of GE, principally Employers Reassurance Company and ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation (formerly an affiliate of GE), which we refer to collectively as ERC, under which we have reinsured some of the risks of our insurance policies on terms comparable to those we could obtain from third parties. We have paid premiums to these affiliates of $39 million, $56 million and $60 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In addition, in 2002, one of our subsidiaries entered into a life reinsurance agreement with an affiliated company, GE Pensions Limited, to reinsure 95% of our liabilities under certain life insurance policies. We have paid premiums to this affiliate of $100 million and $94 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This agreement was terminated as of December 31, 2003.

 

63


Table of Contents

Employee benefit plans. Historically, we have reimbursed GE for benefits it has provided to our employees under various employee benefit plans, including GE’s retirement plan, retiree health and life insurance benefit plans, defined contribution savings plan and life and health insurance benefits through the GE benefit program. We incurred expenses associated with these plans of $108 million, $109 million and $112 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. GE will continue to provide these benefits to our employees for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. See note 13 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to these expenses for which we have reimbursed GE, we have incurred expenses of $2 million, $9 million and $6 million for certain GE stock option and restricted stock unit grants for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. As in the case of the allocation of corporate overhead, we have not reimbursed these amounts with respect to stock options and restricted stock units to GE. In connection with the IPO, we established our own equity compensation plans. See “—Equity plans” below.

 

Services provided to GE

 

We have provided various products and services to GE on terms comparable to those we provide to third-parties and we expect to continue to provide many of these products and services to GE.

 

In addition, in connection with the IPO, we entered into a series of arrangements with GE pursuant to which we will provide a variety of additional services to GE, including the arrangements discussed below. The following describes the principal impact of those service arrangements on our results of operations:

 

    Transition services relating to GE and GEFAHI businesses not acquired by us. We provide services to certain of GE’s insurance businesses that we did not acquire. These services include finance, information systems, network services and regulatory support. We continue to provide these services and will do so for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, in most cases, following the IPO. For the two years following the completion of the IPO, GE generally may not terminate any of the services we provide. GE has agreed to pay us $40 million in equal quarterly installments during each of the first two years following the completion of the IPO for our provision of the transition services to GE. The charges for the transition services generally are intended to allow the providing company to fully recover the allocated direct costs of providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, generally without profit.

 

    Management consulting services. We have agreed to provide certain management consulting services to GE for a period of five years following the IPO. These services include delivering training, providing consultation and strategic advice with respect to actuarial, regulatory and other emerging issues, planning and participating in meetings with rating agencies and regulators, participating in government relations activities and various other activities. In consideration for these services, GE will pay us a fee of $1 million per month during the first four years following the completion of the IPO and $0.5 million per month during the fifth year. GE cannot terminate this arrangement before the expiration of the five-year term.

 

   

GIC investment administration services. We entered into three agreements with affiliates of GE, effective as of January 1, 2004, to manage a pool of municipal guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, issued by those affiliates. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to originate GIC liabilities and advise the GE affiliates regarding the investment, administration and management of their assets that support those liabilities. Under two of those agreements, we receive an administration fee of 0.165% per annum of the maximum program size for those GE affiliates, which is $15 billion. The agreements also provide for termination fees in the event of early termination at the option of either affiliate. Under a third agreement with another affiliate, we receive a management fee of 0.10% per annum of the book value of the investment contracts or similar securities issued by this affiliate after January 1, 2003, which was $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2004. The fee we receive on the contracts issued by that affiliate before January 1, 2003 is based upon a pricing arrangement that varies depending upon the maturities of those contracts and that affiliate’s cost of capital. The book value of the contracts issued before January 1, 2003 was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2004 and is expected to generate a

 

64


Table of Contents
 

weighted average fee of approximately 0.35% in 2005. We also will receive reimbursement of our operating expenses under each of the agreements. The initial term of each of the three agreements will expire December 31, 2006, and unless terminated at the option of either party, each agreement automatically will renew on January 1 of each year for successive terms of one year.

 

    Institutional asset management services. Prior to the completion of the IPO, we offered a broad range of institutional asset management services to third parties. GEAM provided the portfolio management services for this business, and we provided marketing, sales and support services. We did not acquire the institutional asset management services business from GEFAHI, but we continue to provide services to GEAM and GEFAHI related to this asset management business, including client introduction services, asset retention services and compliance support. GEFAHI has agreed to pay us a fee of up to $10 million per year for four years following the completion of the IPO to provide these services. The fee will be determined based upon the level of third-party assets under management managed by GEAM over the four-year term. The agreement may not be terminated by GEAM or GEFAHI, except for non-performance or in the event that we commence a similar institutional asset management business.

 

Additional arrangements with GE

 

In addition to the arrangements described above pursuant to which we and GE will provide services to each other, we also entered into the following additional arrangements with GE:

 

  Tax Matters Agreement. As a consequence of our separation from GE, and our election jointly made with GE to treat that separation as an asset sale under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code, we expect to become entitled to additional tax deductions for periods after our corporate reorganization. We expect to realize tax savings from these deductions and have recorded our estimate of these tax savings on our statement of financial position as a $718 million reduction in net deferred income tax liabilities. We are obligated, pursuant to our Tax Matters Agreement with GE, to pay to GE, on an after-tax basis, 80% of the amount of tax we are projected to save for each tax period as a result of these increased tax benefits, up to a maximum of $640 million. We have recorded the $389 million present value of this obligation to GE as our estimate of this liability in our statement of financial position. Since our initial estimates recorded at the time of the IPO, our estimate of the expected tax savings has increased significantly, while the present value of our obligation to GE has increased slightly. This is because (1) a portion of the future savings now exceeds the $640 million maximum payment to GE, (2) the discount rate increased from that estimated at the time of the IPO, and (3) the average life of the obligation increased. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we would also be required to pay to GE additional amounts in the event we realize certain other contingent benefits, or if we choose to defer certain payments and thereby incur interest on any such deferrals.

 

     To the extent that we never realize the anticipated tax savings because we have insufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (or because of a reduction in tax rates), we may, at our option, defer payments until 2029. These deferred payments would bear interest over the term of the deferral at an interest rate of 5.72% per annum (estimated, in accordance with the Tax Matters Agreement, to be our cost of funds as of the date of our initial public offering for a borrowing of like duration) from the time that we were scheduled to make the payments.

 

In certain circumstances, we may realize tax savings later than projected in calculating the schedule of corresponding payments to GE pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, but our payment schedule to GE would not be changed. In these circumstances, we will remain obligated to pay amounts to GE even before we realize the corresponding tax savings, although we can choose to defer such payments. There are two categories of such circumstances. First, in certain limited instances the Tax Matters Agreement establishes binding factual assumptions pursuant to which we are scheduled to make payments to GE in advance of the time we anticipate realizing the corresponding tax savings. We estimate that the interest expense we will incur with respect to such advance payments over the entire life of the Tax Matters Agreement, if we choose to defer them, will be approximately $25 million. The second, broader category of these circumstances are those situations in which our actual tax savings are delayed beyond

 

65


Table of Contents

the time we currently project for any reason other than a change in the tax returns on which the section 338 sales are reported. In the case of either the first or second category, we may defer the scheduled payments to GE until we actually realize the corresponding tax savings or, alternatively, we may make the payments from sources other than the projected tax savings. Any deferred payments would bear interest until made at the rate of 5.72% per annum.

 

The $329 million difference between the $718 million benefit we have recorded as the expected future tax savings and the $389 million liability to GE we have recorded is part of our net stockholders’ interest. These amounts reflect considered judgments and assessments as to the underlying facts and assumptions. However, if and to the extent our final section 338 tax savings exceed (or fall short of) the amount of tax savings we currently project, our additional paid-in capital would increase (or decrease) accordingly. As our obligation to make payments under the Tax Matters Agreement accretes over time, we will record interest expense at a rate of 5.72% per annum. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE also is responsible for certain taxes of our legal entities, other than taxes in respect of the section 338 elections described above, resulting from the various transactions implemented in connection with our separation from GE (other than the reinsurance with UFLIC). We record (or will record) these non-recurring taxes as a current tax expense (or benefit) when incurred, and we record (or will record) GE’s payment of the taxes (or receipt of the benefit) as an equity contribution (or dividend).

 

  UFLIC reinsurance arrangements. Prior to the completion of the IPO, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, an indirect subsidiary of GE. Under the terms of the agreements governing these reinsurance transactions, we transferred to UFLIC assets equal to the policyholder liabilities related to the ceded blocks of business and recorded a reinsurance recoverable asset for the amount of the policyholder liabilities reinsured, except with respect to the in-force liabilities for the variable annuity separate accounts, for which there is no asset transfer. We will continue to have a separate account liability in the amount of the policyholder liabilities related to the separate account assets which we did not transfer to UFLIC. We remain liable under these contracts and policies as the ceding insurer and, as a result, will continue to carry insurance reserve liabilities for the reinsured policies on our balance sheet. In connection with the Medicare supplement insurance assumed by us, UFLIC transferred to us cash and other investments, and we recorded a reinsurance liability, equal to the policyholder liabilities related to this assumed block of business. As of December 31, 2004, our total reinsurance recoverable for all our reinsurance arrangements with UFLIC was $16.2 billion.

 

The reinsurance transactions have the effect of transferring the financial results of the reinsured blocks of business (except for Medicare supplement insurance) from us to UFLIC and the Medicare supplement insurance block of business from UFLIC to us. With respect to the long-term care insurance policies reinsured to UFLIC, we retained an interest in the future profitability of the block if it exceeds certain thresholds. We also are continuing to administer all the policies reinsured by UFLIC, and we will receive an expense allowance to reimburse us for the costs we incur to service these policies.

 

Equity plans

 

Prior to the IPO, our key employees participated in a number of GE’s equity compensation plans. For grants issued prior to January 1, 2002, we recorded compensation expense related to our employees’ participation in those plans over the vesting period of the awards based upon their intrinsic value at the grant date. For grants issued after January 1, 2002, we recorded compensation expense for share-based compensation awards over the vesting period of the awards based upon their fair value at the grant date in accordance with SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

 

In connection with the IPO, we established our own equity compensation plans. Under these plans, unvested GE stock options, vested stock options held by our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, GE stock appreciation rights and GE restricted stock units were canceled and converted into awards of our company, and we also granted new stock options in our company in connection with our separation from GE and the IPO. The GE stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units were converted based upon a ratio equal to

 

66


Table of Contents

the initial offering price of our common stock in the IPO ($19.50), divided by the weighted average stock price of GE common stock for the trading day immediately preceding the pricing date of the IPO ($30.52). The converted securities, if unvested, generally continue to vest over their original vesting periods. The unvested converted awards had approximately the same fair value at the date of the conversion as the GE awards that were replaced.

 

We incurred compensation expense of $29 million and $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and expect to incur expenses of $41 million and $31 million in the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively, for 2004 and prior awards to our employees’ under these plans.

 

Branding costs

 

We expect to incur aggregate expenses of approximately $35 million in each of the years ending December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 on marketing, advertising and legal entity transition expenses, relating to the costs of establishing our new brand throughout our business, including with sales intermediaries, employees, investors and consumers.

 

Critical accounting policies

 

The accounting policies discussed in this section are those that we consider to be particularly critical to an understanding of our financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on our ability to judge the effect of inherently uncertain matters on our financial results. For all of these policies, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and our management’s best estimates may require adjustment.

 

Reserves. We calculate and maintain reserves for the estimated future payment of claims to our policyholders and contractholders based on actuarial assumptions and in accordance with industry practice and U.S. GAAP. Many factors can affect these reserves, including economic and social conditions, inflation, healthcare costs, changes in doctrines of legal liability and damage awards in litigation. Therefore, the reserves we establish are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and our analysis of historical experience. Our results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we used in determining our reserves and pricing our products. Our reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments.

 

Insurance reserves differ for long- and short-duration insurance policies and annuity contracts. Measurement of long-duration insurance reserves (such as guaranteed renewable term life, whole life and long-term care insurance policies) is based on approved actuarial methods, but necessarily includes assumptions about expenses, mortality, morbidity, lapse rates and future yield on related investments. Short-duration contracts (such as payment protection insurance) are accounted for based on actuarial estimates of the amount of loss inherent in that period’s claims, including losses incurred for which claims have not been reported. Short-duration contract loss estimates rely on actuarial observations of ultimate loss experience for similar historical events.

 

Estimates of mortgage insurance reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on notices of mortgage loan defaults and estimates of defaults that have been incurred but have not been reported by loan servicers, using assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim. As is common accounting practice in the mortgage insurance industry and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, loss reserves are not established for future claims on insured loans that are not currently in default.

 

Deferred acquisition costs. Deferred acquisition costs, or DAC, represents costs which vary with and are primarily related to the sale and issuance of our insurance policies and investment contracts that are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the related insurance policies. These costs include commissions in excess of ultimate renewal commissions, solicitation and printing costs, sales material and some support costs, such as underwriting and contract and policy issuance expenses. DAC is subsequently amortized to expense, over the lives of the underlying contracts, in relation to the anticipated recognition of premiums or gross profits.

 

67


Table of Contents

The amortization of DAC for traditional long-duration insurance products (including guaranteed renewable term life, life-contingent structured settlements and immediate annuities and long-term care insurance) is determined as a level proportion of premium based on commonly accepted actuarial methods and reasonable assumptions established when the contract or policy is issued about mortality, morbidity, lapse rates, expenses, and future yield on related investments. Amortization for annuity contracts without significant mortality risk and investment and universal life products is based on estimated gross profits and is adjusted as those estimates are revised. The DAC amortization methodology for our variable products (variable annuities and variable universal life insurance) includes a long-term equity market average appreciation assumption of 8.5%. When actual returns vary from the expected 8.5%, we assume a reversion to this mean over a 3- to 7-year period, subject to the imposition of ceilings and floors. The assumed returns over this reversion period are limited to the 85th percentile of historical market performance.

 

We regularly review all of these assumptions and periodically test DAC for recoverability. For deposit products, if the current present value of estimated future gross profits is less than the unamortized DAC for a line of business, a charge to income is recorded for additional DAC amortization. For other products, if the benefit reserves plus anticipated future premiums and interest earnings for a line of business are less than the current estimate of future benefits and expenses (including any unamortized DAC), a charge to income is recorded for additional DAC amortization or for increased benefit reserves.

 

Unfavorable experience with regard to expected expenses, investment returns, mortality, morbidity, withdrawals or lapses may cause us to increase the amortization of DAC or to record a charge to increase benefit reserves. In recent years, the portion of estimated product margins required to amortize DAC and PVFP has increased in most lines of our business, with the most significant impact on investment products, primarily as the result of lower investment returns.

 

Present value of future profits. In conjunction with the acquisition of a block of life insurance policies or investment contracts, a portion of the purchase price is assigned to the right to receive future gross profits arising from existing insurance and investment contracts. This intangible asset, called the present value of future profits, or PVFP, represents the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from the acquired policies. PVFP is amortized, net of accreted interest, in a manner similar to the amortization of DAC. We regularly review our assumptions and periodically test PVFP for recoverability in a manner similar to our treatment of DAC.

 

Goodwill impairment. Goodwill resulting from acquisitions is tested for impairment at least annually using a fair value approach, which requires the use of estimates and judgment. To the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge to income would be recorded.

 

Valuation of investment securities. We obtain values for actively traded securities from external pricing services. For infrequently traded securities, we obtain quotes from brokers or we estimate values using internally developed pricing models. These models are based upon common valuation techniques and require us to make assumptions regarding credit quality, liquidity and other factors that affect estimated values.

 

Impairment of investment securities. We regularly review investment securities for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy, which includes both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Quantitative criteria include length of time and amount that each security position is in an unrealized loss position, and for fixed maturities, whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Qualitative criteria include the financial strength and specific prospects for the issuer as well as our intent to hold the security until recovery. Our impairment reviews involve our finance, risk and asset management teams, as well as the portfolio management and research capabilities of GEAM and other third-party managers, as required. We actively perform comprehensive market research, monitor market conditions and segment our investments by credit risk in order to minimize impairment risks. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Impairments of investment securities” and note 6 to our financial statements.

 

68


Table of Contents

Historical and Pro Forma Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our historical and pro forma results of operations. The pro forma financial information reflects our historical results of operations as adjusted to reflect the various adjustments described under “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Information.” The pro forma financial information principally reflects the exclusion from our results of operations of the structured settlement, variable annuity and long-term care insurance in-force blocks that we ceded to UFLIC in connection with the reinsurance transactions; the exclusion from our results of operations of certain businesses, including the Affinity segment, and other assets and liabilities of GEFAHI that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization; the inclusion in our results of operations of incremental interest expense associated with the consideration that we issued to GEFAHI in connection with our corporate reorganization, including $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock and the $550 million Contingent Note; and the issuance of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper.

 

Our historical results of operations include the results of operations of the Affinity segment and the blocks of business that we ceded to UFLIC through for all periods presented through May 24, 2004, the date of our corporate reorganization. Pro forma revenues and benefits and expenses (except interest expense) are lower than our historical revenues and benefits and expenses primarily as the results of the exclusion of revenues and benefits and expenses related to the reinsured blocks of business and the to the Affinity segment. Pro forma interest expense is higher than historical interest expense as the result of our revised capital structure following our corporate reorganization and the IPO.

 

     Historical

   Pro forma

     Years ended December 31,

  

Year ended
December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Revenues:

                           

Premiums

   $ 6,559    $ 6,707    $ 6,107    $ 6,388

Net investment income

     3,648      4,051      3,979      3,160

Net realized investment gains

     26      10      204      23

Policy fees and other income

     824      915      939      664
    

  

  

  

Total revenues

     11,057      11,683      11,229      10,235
    

  

  

  

Benefits and expenses:

                           

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     4,804      5,270      4,640      4,340

Interest credited

     1,432      1,624      1,645      1,319

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     1,812      1,916      1,808      1,657

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     1,154      1,351      1,221      1,052

Interest expense

     217      140      124      243
    

  

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

     9,419      10,301      9,438      8,611
    

  

  

  

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and accounting change

     1,638      1,382      1,791      1,624

Provision for income taxes

     493      413      411      494
    

  

  

  

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 1,145    $ 969    $ 1,380    $ 1,130
    

  

  

  

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Premiums. Our premiums consist primarily of premiums earned on individual life, long-term care, group life and health and payment protection insurance policies, income annuities and structured settlements with life contingencies and mortgage insurance policies. Premiums decreased $148 million, or 2%, to $6,559 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $6,707 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, primarily as the result of a $156 million decrease in our Affinity segment, a $107 million decrease in our Protection

 

69


Table of Contents

segment, partially offset by an $84 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment and a $45 million increase in our Retirement Income and Investment segment. The decrease in our Affinity segment relates to the exclusion of this segment as a result of our corporate reorganization. The decrease in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in long-term care insurance premiums as the result of the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, as well as a decrease in payment protection insurance premiums as the result of the continued run-off of low return books of business. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to an increase in international mortgage insurance premiums, attributable to the aging of our international in-force block, which resulted in increased earned premiums from prior-year new insurance written, offset in part by a decrease in U.S. mortgage insurance premiums, attributable to decreased demand for mortgage insurance as the result of a smaller U.S. market for mortgage originations. The increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to an increase in premiums from life- contingent income annuities attributable to new distribution relationships in 2004, offset in part by a decrease in premiums from life- contingent structured settlements attributable to our decision to write those contracts only when we believe we will be able to achieve our targeted returns.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income represents the income earned on our investments. Net investment income decreased $403 million, or 10%, to $3,648 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $4,051 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease in net investment income was primarily the result of a decrease in average invested assets, primarily due to the transfer of assets to UFLIC in connection with the reinsurance transactions, partially offset by new asset purchases. The decrease in net investment income was also the result of a decrease in weighted average investment yields to 5.5% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from 5.8% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The decrease in weighted average investment yields was primarily attributable to purchases of new assets in an interest rate environment where current market yields are lower than existing portfolio yields.

 

Net realized investment gains. Net realized investment gains consist of gross realized investment gains and gross realized investment (losses), including charges related to impairments. Net realized investment gains increased $16 million to $26 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2004, gross realized gains and (losses) were $90 million and $(64) million, respectively. Realized losses for the year ended December 31, 2004 included $26 million of impairments. These impairments were attributable to fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments ($17 million, $5 million and $4 million, respectively). The fixed maturities impairments primarily related to securities issued by companies in the timber products, healthcare, consumer products industries ($6 million, $4 million and $3 million, respectively). The equity securities impairments primarily related to mutual fund investments. The other investments impairments related to impairment of limited partnership investments. For the year ended December 31, 2003, gross realized gains and (losses) were $473 million and $(463) million, respectively. The realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2003 included a $43 million gain from a securitization of certain financial assets. Realized losses for the year ended December 31, 2003 included $224 million of impairments. These impairments were attributable to fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments ($126 million, $83 million and $15 million, respectively). The fixed maturities impairments primarily related to securities issued by companies in the transportation, mining and metals, utilities and energy and technology and communications industries ($36 million, $28 million, $12 million and $11 million, respectively). In addition, $30 million of fixed maturities impairments were realized on asset-backed securities. The equity securities impairments related to mutual fund and common stock investments ($37 million and $46 million, respectively). The other investments impairments primarily related to impairment of limited partnership investments.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income consist primarily of cost of insurance and surrender charges assessed on universal life insurance policies, fees assessed against policyholder and contractholder account values, and commission income. Policy fees and other income decreased $91 million, or 10%, to $824 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $915 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was the result of a $156 million decrease in our Affinity segment and a $12 million decrease

 

70


Table of Contents

in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The decreases were partially offset by a $46 million increase in our Corporate and Other segment, and a $28 million increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment. The decrease in our Affinity segment relates to the exclusion of this segment as a result of our corporate reorganization. The decrease in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily the result of a decrease in fees for contract underwriting services attributable to lower refinancing activity in the U.S. The increase in our Corporate and Other segment was primarily attributable to a gain related to our waiver of contractual rights under an outsourcing services agreement with GE’s global outsourcing provider, 60% of which was sold in the fourth quarter. The increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to an increase in commission income due to increased sales of third-party products and fee income earned in connection with investment and administrative services related to a pool of municipal GICs issued by affiliates of GE, offset by a decrease in fee income attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves consist primarily of reserve activity related to current claims and future policy benefits on life, long-term care, group life and health and payment protection insurance policies, structured settlements and income annuities with life contingencies and claim costs incurred related to mortgage insurance products. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves decreased $466 million, or 9%, to $4,804 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $5,270 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $253 million decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment, a $116 million decrease in our Affinity segment, a $107 million decrease in our Protection segment and a $40 million decrease in our Corporate and Other segment, offset partially by a $50 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to a decrease related to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC and a reclassification of variable annuity sales inducements paid to contractholders, which were classified as underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, in 2003. The decrease in our Affinity segment relates to the exclusion of this segment as a result of our corporate reorganization. The decrease in our Protection segment was primarily related to a decrease in our payment protection insurance business attributable to the lower loss ratio in the payment protection insurance run-off block. The decrease in our Corporate and Other segment was primarily attributable to lower litigation expenses and higher reserves at our Bermuda reinsurer. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to an increase in paid claims as well as an increase in loans in default associated with higher insurance in-force in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited represents interest credited on behalf of policyholder and contractholder general account balances. Interest credited decreased $192 million, or 12%, to $1,432 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,624 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $189 million decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment that was primarily attributable to a decrease in interest credited associated with the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. The decrease in interest credited was also the result of lower interest credited on institutional products due to a decrease in the average size of the in-force block.

 

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, represent costs and expenses related to the acquisition and ongoing maintenance of insurance and investment contracts, including commissions, policy issue expenses and other underwriting and general operating costs. These costs and expenses are net of amounts that are capitalized and deferred, which are primarily costs and expenses which vary with and are primarily related to the sale and issuance of our insurance policies and investment contracts, such as first year commissions in excess of ultimate renewal commissions and other policy issue expenses. These expenses decreased $104 million, or 5%, to $1,812 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to $1,916 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, primarily as the result of a $121 million decrease in our Affinity segment, a $37 million decrease in our Mortgage Insurance segment and a $32 million decrease in our Corporate and Other Segment, partially offset by a $75 million increase in our Protection segment and a $11 million increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment. The decrease in our Affinity segment relates to the exclusion of this segment as a result of our corporate reorganization. The

 

71


Table of Contents

decrease in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in expenses primarily from lower underwriting expenses due to a decline in refinancing activity in the U.S., lower administrative costs and a decrease in the provision for indemnity liabilities related to a decline in mortgage loan origination. The decrease in our Corporate and Other segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in allocated expenses from GE as the result of our corporate reorganization and lower litigation expenses. The increase in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to an increase in our payment protection insurance business related primarily to an increase in commissions and other compensation arrangements in our run-off block, partially offset by decreased legal fees in our life insurance business following an agreement in principle to settle a class-action lawsuit in 2003 and lower other expenses and a decrease in the long-term care business primarily attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. The increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to an increase in commission and other expenses incurred in our fee-based products primarily due to increased sales.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles consists primarily of the amortization of acquisition costs that are capitalized and PVFP. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $197 million, or 15%, to $1,154 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,351 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $132 million decrease in our Protection segment, a $58 million decrease in our Affinity segment, and a $20 million decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment, partially offset by a $14 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The decrease in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in payment protection insurance due to our decision not to renew certain distribution relationships, partially offset by the impact of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease in our Affinity segment relates to the exclusion of this segment as a result of our corporate reorganization. The decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. The increase in the Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to accelerated amortization reflecting higher-than-expected early-year margins on recently written policies in the U.S. and the continued growth of our international business.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $77 million, or 55%, to $217 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $140 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a our revised debt structure following our corporate reorganization, as well as the full-year contribution of interest expense associated with securitization entities that were consolidated in our financial statements in connection with our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003 and interest paid on non-recourse funding obligations issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2003 and the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $80 million, or 19%, to $493 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $413 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The effective tax rate increased to 30.1% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from 29.9% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to the loss of foreign tax benefits as a result of the separation from GE, a decrease in benefits related to dividends received, and favorable examination developments in 2003, which did not recur in 2004, offset in part by tax benefits recognized in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

Net earnings from continuing operations. Net earnings from continuing operations increased by $176 million, or 18%, to $1,145 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $969 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in net earnings from continuing operations reflects increases in segment net earnings in each of our segments, except for our Affinity segment, whose net earnings decreased as a result of its exclusion as a result of our corporate reorganization.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $600 million, or 10%, to $6,707 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $6,107 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $500 million increase in our Protection segment, a $58 million increase in our Retirement Income and

 

72


Table of Contents

Investments segment, and a $39 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The increase in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to increases in payment protection insurance premiums as a result of changes in foreign exchange rates and growth of the in-force block as well as growth in long-term care insurance premiums. The increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to an increase in life- contingent structured settlement premiums, offset in part by a decrease in life-contingent income annuities. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to an increase in international mortgage insurance premiums, offset in part by a decrease in U.S. mortgage insurance premiums.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $72 million, or 2%, to $4,051 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $3,979 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase in net investment income was primarily the result of an increase in average invested assets. This increase was offset in part by a decrease in weighted average investment yields, primarily attributable to investments in the U.S., to 5.8% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 6.0% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Net realized investment gains. Net realized investment gains decreased $194 million to $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $204 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. For the year ended December 31, 2003, gross realized gains and (losses) were $473 million and $(463) million, respectively. The realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2003 included a $43 million gain from a securitization of certain financial assets. Realized losses for the year ended December 31, 2003 included $224 million of impairments. These impairments were attributable to fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments ($126 million, $83 million and $15 million, respectively). The fixed maturities impairments primarily related to securities issued by companies in the transportation, mining and metals, utilities and energy and technology and communications industries ($36 million, $28 million, $12 million and $11 million, respectively). In addition, $30 million of fixed maturities impairments were realized on asset-backed securities. The equity securities impairments related to mutual fund and common stock investments ($37 million and $46 million, respectively). The other investments impairments primarily related to impairment of limited partnership investments. For the year ended December 31, 2002, gross realized gains and (losses) were $790 million and $(586) million, respectively. The realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2002 included $29 million from a securitization of certain financial assets. Realized losses for the year ended December 31, 2002 included $343 million of impairments. These impairments were attributable to fixed maturities, equity securities and other investments ($193 million, $133 million and $17 million, respectively). The fixed maturities impairments primarily related to securities issued by companies in the technology and communications and airline industries ($131 million and $27 million, respectively). The technology and communication industry impairments include $83 million related to securities issued by WorldCom Inc. and its affiliates. The equity securities impairments related to mutual fund and common stock investments ($81 million and $52 million, respectively). The other investments impairments are related to impairment of limited partnership and other private equity investments.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income decreased $24 million to $915 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $939 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of a $25 million decrease in our Protection segment and an $11 million decrease in our Affinity segment, partially offset by a $10 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The decrease in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in administrative fees from our group life and health insurance business. The decrease in our Affinity segment was primarily attributable to the decision to discontinue certain products and distribution relationships that did not meet our target return thresholds. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to higher contract underwriting fees related to increased refinancing activity in the U.S. and higher fees from increased volume in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $630 million, or 14%, to $5,270 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $4,640 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $367 million increase in our Protection segment, a $117 million increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment and a $69 million increase

 

73


Table of Contents

in our Mortgage Insurance segment. The increase in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to an increase in changes in policy reserves for long-term care insurance, payment protection insurance and life insurance. The increase in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to an increase in changes in policy reserves for structured settlements. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to favorable loss development on prior year reserves.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited decreased $21 million, or 1%, to $1,624 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,645 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of a $24 million decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment that was primarily attributable to lower credited rates on GICs and funding agreements, offset in part by an increase in interest credited resulting from more variable annuity policyholders selecting the fixed account option on their contracts, on which we credit interest. The decrease in interest credited was also the result of a reduction in our weighted average crediting rates to 3.3% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 3.6% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, increased $108 million, or 6%, to $1,916 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,808 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $89 million increase in our Protection segment, a $66 million increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment, partially offset by a $68 million decrease in our Affinity segment. The increase in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to growth of the payment protection insurance in-force block. The increase in our Mortgage Insurance segment was primarily attributable to higher expenses associated with increased refinancing activity in the U.S., continued investment in our international mortgage insurance business and higher indemnity liabilities for U.S. contract underwriting claims, which are included as other liabilities in our statement of financial position. U.S contract underwriting indemnification claims arise out of our contract underwriting agreements, pursuant to which we agree to indemnify lenders against losses incurred in the event that we make material errors during the underwriting process. These claims are classified in this line item (and not in “Benefits and other changes in policy reserves”) because they do not relate to insured events. Our indemnification liabilities related to U.S. contract underwriting claims increased as the result of our updating the assumptions we used to calculate these indemnity liabilities to reflect recent underwriting experience and the increase in the volume of mortgage loans underwritten due to significant refinancing activity. The decrease in our Affinity segment was primarily attributable to cost saving initiatives that reduced compensation and benefits and other general expenses.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization increased $130 million, or 11%, to $1,351 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,221 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $155 million increase in our Protection segment, partially offset by a $20 million decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment. The increase in our Protection segment was primarily attributable to growth of the payment protection insurance in-force block. The decrease in our Retirement Income and Investments segment was primarily attributable to the impact of additional amortization in 2002 due to lower equity valuations of assets in our variable annuity separate accounts.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $16 million, or 13%, to $140 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $124 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of $27 million of interest expense associated with securitization entities that were consolidated in our financial statements in connection with our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003, and $3 million of interest paid on non-recourse funding obligations, issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2003, supporting certain term life insurance policies. These increases were partially offset by a $14 million decrease in interest expense that was primarily the result of lower average short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $2 million to $413 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $411 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The effective tax rate increased to 29.9% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 22.9% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase in effective tax rate was primarily the result of a $152 million decrease in income tax expense for

 

74


Table of Contents

the year ended December 31, 2002 that was attributable to a favorable settlement with the Internal Revenue Service related to the treatment of certain reserves for obligations to policyholders on life insurance contracts, partially offset by dividend received deduction benefits realized in 2003. Excluding the effect of the settlement, our effective tax rate would have been 29.9% and 31.4% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Net earnings from continuing operations. Net earnings from continuing operations decreased by $411 million, or 30%, to $969 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,380 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of a reduction in net realized investment gains and the impact of a favorable settlement with the IRS in 2002. The decline in net earnings from continuing operations reflects decreases in segment net earnings in our Protection, Retirement Income and Investments, Mortgage Insurance and Corporate and Other segments, partially offset by increased segment net earnings in our Affinity segment.

 

Historical and Pro Forma Results of Operations by Segment

 

Set forth below is historical financial information for each of our operating segments (Protection, Retirement Income and Investments and Mortgage Insurance), together with our Corporate and Other segment and the Affinity segment. Set forth below also is pro forma financial information for our Protection, Retirement Income and Investments and Corporate and Other segments. There were no pro forma adjustments to the results of operations of our Mortgage Insurance segment, and pro forma financial information is not provided for the Affinity segment because we did not acquire that segment from GEFAHI. All pro forma segment information is prepared on the same basis as the segment information presented in our unaudited financial statements.

 

Management regularly reviews the performance of each of our operating segments based on the after-tax net earnings (loss) of the segment, which excludes: (1) net realized investment gains (losses), (2) most of our interest and other financing expenses, (3) amounts reserved for the settlement in principle of the class action litigation relating to sales practices in our life insurance business, and (4) advertising and marketing costs and severance and restructuring charges. Although these excluded items are significant to our consolidated financial performance, we believe that the presentation of segment net earnings (loss) enhances our understanding and assessment of the results of operations of our operating segments by highlighting net earnings (loss) attributable to the normal, recurring operations of our business. However, segment net earnings (loss) is not a substitute for net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

75


Table of Contents
     Historical

    Pro forma

    

As of or for the years ended

December 31,


   

Year ended
December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

   

Revenues by segment:

                              

Protection

   $ 6,064     $ 6,143     $ 5,605     $ 5,935

Retirement Income and Investments

     3,361       3,803       3,756       2,891

Mortgage Insurance

     1,090       982       946       1,090

Affinity

     218       566       588       —  

Corporate and Other

     324       189       334       319
    


 


 


 

Total revenues

   $ 11,057     $ 11,683     $ 11,229     $ 10,235
    


 


 


 

Segment net earnings (loss) from continuing operations:

                              

Protection

   $ 528     $ 487     $ 554     $ 527

Retirement Income and Investments

     153       151       186       148

Mortgage Insurance

     426       369       451       426

Affinity

     (14 )     16       (3 )     —  

Corporate and Other

     52       (54 )     192       29
    


 


 


 

Total segment net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 1,145     $ 969     $ 1,380     $ 1,130
    


 


 


 

Total assets by segment (as of the period ended):

                              

Protection

   $ 31,806     $ 29,254                

Retirement Income and Investments

     56,610       55,614                

Mortgage Insurance

     6,428       6,110                

Affinity

     —         2,315                

Corporate and Other

     9,034       10,138                
    


 


             

Total assets

   $ 103,878     $ 103,431                
    


 


             

 

Protection segment

 

The following table sets forth the historical and pro forma results of operations relating to our Protection segment. Prior to our corporate reorganization, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions in which we ceded to UFLIC a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured from Travelers in 2000, and we assumed from UFLIC in-force blocks of Medicare supplement insurance policies.

 

We ceded the Travelers long-term care block to UFLIC in connection with our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, and therefore its results are not included in our historical results after that date. Similarly, we assumed the Medicare supplement blocks from UFLIC in connection with our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, and therefore their results are included in our historical results after that date. As a result of the foregoing, our historical results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 are not comparable to our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The pro forma earnings information below reflects adjustments to record the effects of the reinsurance transactions as if they had been effective as of January 1, 2004. There were no pro forma adjustments to interest credited or interest expense because the long-term care insurance policies we ceded to UFLIC, and the Medicare supplement insurance policies UFLIC ceded to us, in connection with the reinsurance transactions do not generate such fees, interest credited or interest expense. Pro forma revenues and benefits and expenses are lower than our historical revenues and benefits and expenses primarily as the results of the exclusion of revenues and expenses related to the reinsured block of long-term care insurance.

 

76


Table of Contents
     Historical

   Pro forma

     Years ended December 31,

  

Year ended
December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Revenues:

                           

Premiums

   $ 4,481    $ 4,588    $ 4,088    $ 4,398

Net investment income

     1,224      1,199      1,136      1,178

Policy fees and other income

     359      356      381      359
    

  

  

  

Total revenues

     6,064      6,143      5,605      5,935
    

  

  

  

Benefits and expenses:

                           

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     2,890      2,997      2,630      2,788

Interest credited

     362      365      362      362

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     1,094      1,019      930      1,077

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     869      1,001      846      861

Interest expense

     15      3      —        15
    

  

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

     5,230      5,385      4,768      5,103
    

  

  

  

Earnings before income taxes

     834      758      837      832

Provision for income taxes

     306      271      283      305
    

  

  

  

Segment net earnings

   $ 528    $ 487    $ 554    $ 527
    

  

  

  

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Premiums. Premiums decreased $107 million, or 2%, to $4,481 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $4,588 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $102 million decrease in long-term care insurance premiums, consisting of a $124 million decrease attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, partially offset by a $22 million increase in premiums associated with the growth of the in-force block. The decrease was also the result of a $81 million decrease in payment protection insurance premiums, consisting of a $231 million decrease on a constant-currency basis, net of a $150 million increase attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates. The $231 million decrease consisted of a $393 million decrease in premiums in our run-off block, offset by a $162 million increase in our continuing business due to new distribution relationships and the growth of consumer lending in Continental Europe. These decreases were offset in part by a $61 million increase in life insurance premiums that was primarily attributable to growth of the term life insurance in-force block. The decreases were also offset in part by a $15 million increase in group life and health insurance premiums attributable to growth of the in-force block that was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of non-medical products as the result of enhancements in our life insurance and disability product offerings and the expansion of our dental network.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $25 million, or 2%, to $1,224 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,199 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase, which included $13 million due to changes in foreign exchange rates, was primarily the result of an increase in average invested assets, offset in part by declining yields on investments and by a decrease in invested capital allocated to this segment in preparation for our corporate reorganization and initial public offering.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income increased $3 million, or 1%, to $359 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $356 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a $13 million increase in our life insurance business primarily attributable to an increase in policy fees and other income in our universal life insurance business. This increase was partially offset by a $9 million decrease in administrative fees from our group life and health insurance business that was primarily attributable to higher lapse rates in 2004.

 

77


Table of Contents

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves decreased $107 million, or 4%, to $2,890 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $2,997 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $113 million decrease in our payment protection insurance business attributable to the lower loss ratio in the payment protection insurance run-off block, $27 million of which was attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease was also attributable to a $85 million decrease in long-term care benefits and other changes in policy reserves, consisting of a $150 million decrease primarily attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, partially offset by a $65 million increase primarily attributable to increased reserves and benefit payments resulting from the normal, expected increases in claims volume associated with the aging and continued growth of the long-term care in-force block. The decrease was partially offset by a $71 million increase in our life insurance business attributable to growth of the in-force block and less favorable claim experience compared to 2003, as well as a $19 million increase in our group life and health insurance business primarily attributable to growth in the in-force block and loss ratios that were more in line with expectations after favorable results in 2003.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited decreased $3 million, or 1%, to $362 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $365 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of decreased crediting rates for universal life insurance policies, offset in part by increased policyholder account balances on corporate owned life insurance policies.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals increased $75 million, or 7%, to $1,094 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,019 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was primarily attributable to a $118 million increase in our payment protection insurance business related primarily to an increase in commissions and other compensation arrangements in our run-off block. This increase was partially offset by a $26 million decrease in our life insurance business primarily attributable to decreased legal fees following the agreement in principle to settle a class action lawsuit in 2003 and lower other expenses. The increase was also partially offset by an $18 million decrease in our long-term care insurance business primarily attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $132 million, or 13%, to $869 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,001 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $184 million decrease in payment protection insurance due to our decision not to renew certain distribution relationships, partially offset by an increase of $69 million due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease was also partially attributable to a $20 million decrease in our life insurance business due to lower 2004 lapses in our term life insurance block and lower amortization on our universal life insurance block due to additional investment income related to bond calls and favorable universal life insurance claims experience, both of which resulted in accelerated amortization in 2003 and did not recur in 2004. Long-term care amortization decreased $3 million primarily as a result of a $14 million decrease related to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, partially offset by an increase in our long-term care business due to growth in the in-force block.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $12 million to $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of interest paid on non-recourse funding obligations, issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2003 and the fourth quarter of 2004, supporting certain term life insurance policies.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $35 million, or 13%, to $306 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $271 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The effective tax rate was 36.7% and 35.8% for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to a loss of foreign tax benefits as a result of the separation from GE.

 

78


Table of Contents

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings increased by $41 million, or 8%, to $528 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $487 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in segment net earnings primarily reflects increases in net earnings in our life, payment protection and long-term care insurance businesses, offset in part by a decrease in net earnings in our group life and health insurance business. The increase in life insurance was primarily attributable to growth of the in-force block and lower legal expenses following the agreement in principle to settle a class action lawsuit. The increase in payment protection insurance was primarily attributable to $10 million in one-time charges related to employee benefit costs, as well as an $8 million increase due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and an increase due to growth in our continuing business, partially offset by the loss of certain foreign tax benefits. The increase in our long-term care insurance business was primarily attributable to the growth of the block, partially offset by a loss of earnings on invested capital attributable to a reallocation of capital to our Corporate and Other segment and decreased earnings as a result of the reinsurance transactions. The decrease in our group life and health insurance business was attributable to loss experience that was more in line with expectations after favorable results in 2003.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $500 million, or 12%, to $4,588 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $4,088 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $265 million increase in payment protection insurance premiums, with $155 million of that increase attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates and $110 million of that increase attributable to growth of the in-force block. The increase was also the result of a $232 million increase in long-term care insurance premiums that was primarily attributable to growth of the in-force block.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $63 million, or 6%, to $1,199 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,136 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in invested assets, offset in part by declining yields on investments in the lower interest rate environment.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income decreased $25 million, or 7%, to $356 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $381 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of a $13 million decrease in administrative fees from our group life and health insurance business that was primarily attributable to higher lapse rates.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $367 million, or 14%, to $2,997 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $2,630 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $267 million increase in changes in reserves and benefit payments resulting from the normal, expected increases in claims volume associated with the aging of the long-term care insurance in-force block. The increase was also the result of a $69 million increase in changes in policy reserves attributable to growth of the payment protection insurance in-force block, of which $34 million was attributable to a lower amount of favorable loss development on prior-year reserves, and a $38 million increase in life insurance reserves.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited increased $3 million, or 1%, to $365 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $362 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of increased policyholder account balances on corporate-owned life insurance policies, offset in part by decreased crediting rates for universal life insurance policies.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals increased $89 million, or 10%, to $1,019 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $930 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of an $83 million increase attributable to growth in the payment protection insurance in-force block that was primarily associated with an increase in net commission expense.

 

79


Table of Contents

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles increased $155 million, or 18%, to $1,001 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $846 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $96 million increase resulting from growth of the payment protection insurance in-force block. The increase was also the result of a $33 million increase primarily attributable to additional investment income due to early bond calls within the universal life insurance investment portfolio and to favorable universal life insurance claims experience, both of which accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. In addition, $19 million of the increase was the result of the impact of the amortization of PVFP in 2002 for the block of long-term care insurance reinsured from Travelers.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $0 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was the result of interest paid on non-recourse funding obligations, issued in the third and fourth quarters of 2003, supporting certain term life insurance policies.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased $12 million, or 4%, to $271 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $283 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The effective tax rate increased to 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 33.8% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase in effective tax rate was primarily the result of a decrease in certain foreign tax loss and dividend benefits.

 

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings decreased by $67 million, or 12%, to $487 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $554 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The decrease in segment net earnings primarily reflects decreases in net earnings for life, payment protection and group life and health insurance products, offset in part by increases in net earnings for long-term care insurance products. The decrease in life insurance was primarily attributable to an increase in life insurance reserves, as well as accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles related to additional investment income resulting from early bond calls and favorable claims experience. The decrease in payment protection insurance was primarily attributable to higher underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, and the impact of the recognition in 2002 of certain foreign tax loss benefits. The decrease in group life and health insurance was primarily attributable to lower administration fees due to higher lapse rates. The increase in long-term care insurance was primarily attributable to growth in the in-force blocks.

 

Retirement Income and Investments segment

 

The following table sets forth the historical and pro forma results of operations relating to our Retirement Income and Investments segment. Prior to our corporate reorganization, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions in which we ceded to UFLIC all of our in-force structured settlements contracts and substantially all of our in-force variable annuity contracts.

 

We ceded these blocks of business to UFLIC in connection with our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, and therefore their results are not included in our historical results after that date. As a result of the foregoing, our historical results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 are not comparable to our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The pro forma earnings information below reflects adjustments to record the effects of the reinsurance transactions as if they had been effective as of January 1, 2004. Pro forma revenues (except premiums) and benefits and expenses are lower than our historical revenues and benefits and expenses primarily as the results of the exclusion of revenues and expenses related to the reinsured block of long-term care insurance. There were no pro forma adjustments to premiums because the structured settlements we ceded are single premium products and do not have renewal premiums, and the variable annuity products we ceded are deposit contracts and their deposits are not recorded as premiums.

 

80


Table of Contents
     Historical

   Pro forma

     Years ended December 31,

  

Year ended

December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Revenues:

                           

Premiums

   $ 1,094    $ 1,049    $ 991    $ 1,094

Net investment income

     1,996      2,511      2,522      1,582

Policy fees and other income

     271      243      243      215
    

  

  

  

Total revenues

     3,361      3,803      3,756      2,891
    

  

  

  

Benefits and expenses:

                           

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     1,633      1,886      1,769      1,352

Interest credited

     1,070      1,259      1,283      957

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     250      239      221      229

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     170      190      210      122

Interest expense

     1      —        —        1
    

  

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

     3,124      3,574      3,483      2,661
    

  

  

  

Earnings before income taxes

     237      229      273      230

Provision for income taxes

     84      78      87      82
    

  

  

  

Segment net earnings

   $ 153    $ 151    $ 186    $ 148
    

  

  

  

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $45 million, or 4%, to $1,094 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,049 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a $68 million increase in premiums for life-contingent income annuities that was primarily attributable to new distribution relationships in 2004. The increase was partially offset by a $23 million decrease in premiums for life-contingent structured settlements that was primarily attributable to our decision to write those contracts only when we believe we will be able to achieve our targeted returns.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income decreased $515 million, or 21%, to $1,996 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $2,511 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was the result of a decrease in average invested assets, primarily associated with assets transferred to UFLIC in connection with the reinsurance transactions, partially offset by new asset purchases. The decrease in net investment income also was the result of declining yields on investments.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income increased $28 million, or 12%, to $271 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $243 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to a $38 million increase in commission income due to increased sales of third-party products. The increase was also attributable to $34 million of fee income earned pursuant to new arrangements we entered into, effective as of January 1, 2004, to provide investment and administrative services related to a pool of municipal GICs issued by affiliates of GE. The increase was also attributable to a $10 million increase in fee income attributable to increased assets under management and a $10 million increase in asset management service fees. These increases were partially offset by a $62 million decrease in fee income primarily attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves decreased $253 million, or 13%, to $1,633 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,886 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $341 million decrease related to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. The decrease was also partially attributable to a $34 million reclassification in variable annuity sales inducements paid to contractholders, which were classified as underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, in 2003. This reclassification was the result of the adoption of SOP 03-1 on

 

81


Table of Contents

January 1, 2004. The decrease was partially offset by a $69 million increase in reserves relating to life-contingent income annuities and a $17 million increase related to favorable mortality on income annuities in 2003 which did not recur in 2004. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2004, we recorded a one-time charge of $49 million, $41 million of which was recorded in benefits and other changes in policy reserves. This charge related to a small run-off block of equity-indexed annuities and resulted from an adjustment of reserving processes.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited decreased $189 million, or 15%, to $1,070 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $1,259 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $172 million decrease in interest credited as the result of the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. This decrease was also the result of a $16 million decrease relating to lower interest credited on institutional products due to a decrease in the average size of the in-force block, as well as lower average interest crediting rates.

 

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, increased by $11 million, or 5%, to $250 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $239 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of an increase of $32 million in commission and other expenses incurred in our fee-based products primarily due to increased sales. The increase was also the result of the reclassification of $33 million of variable annuity sales inducements paid to contractholders which were classified as deferred acquisition costs in the prior year. The increase was partially offset by a $45 million decrease in expenses associated with blocks of business ceded as part of the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC and an $7 million decrease in guarantee fund assessments.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $20 million, or 11%, to $170 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $190 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $33 million decrease attributable to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC. The decrease was partially offset by $8 million of accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs associated with variable life insurance.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $6 million, or 8%, to $84 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $78 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The effective tax rate increased to 35.4% for the year ended December 31, 2004 from 34.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in effective tax rate was primarily the result of the impact of higher dividends received deduction benefits related to separate account annuity products in 2003.

 

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings increased $2 million, or 1%, to $153 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $151 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of lower expenses due primarily to the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, offset by declining yields on invested assets. The increase in segment net earnings also was attributable to an increase in fees received under new contracts with GE to manage its municipal GIC business, as well as growth in our asset management businesses, growth in assets under management overall, and improved spreads, offset by a one-time charge of $32 million (post-tax) related to an adjustment of reserving processes related to a small run-off block of equity-indexed annuities.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $58 million, or 6%, to $1,049 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $991 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $92 million increase in premiums for life-contingent structured settlements that was attributable to higher sales of this product. This increase was offset in part by a $31 million decrease in premiums for life-contingent income annuities that was primarily attributable to lower sales of this product resulting from a reduction of crediting and payout rates in 2003 in the lower interest rate environment.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income decreased $11 million to $2,511 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $2,522 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of declining yields on investments, which was offset in part by an increase in invested assets.

 

82


Table of Contents

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income were unchanged at $243 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $117 million, or 7%, to $1,886 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,769 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $107 million increase in changes in policy reserves for structured settlements attributable to higher sales of this product.

 

Interest credited. Interest credited decreased $24 million, or 2%, to $1,259 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $1,283 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of lower credited rates on GICs and funding agreements attributable to the lower interest rate environment, offset in part by an increase in interest credited attributable to more variable annuity policyholders selecting the fixed account option on their contracts, on which we credit interest.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, increased by $18 million, or 8%, to $239 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $221 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in general operating expenses, offset in part by an increase in deferrals of acquisition costs resulting from increased sales of variable annuities with bonus features, for which a portion of the benefit expense is deferred and amortized over the life of the product.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $20 million, or 10%, to $190 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $210 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of the impact of a $26 million increase in additional amortization of deferred acquisition costs in 2002 that was primarily attributable to lower equity valuations of assets in our variable annuity separate accounts.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased $9 million, or 10%, to $78 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $87 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The effective tax rate increased to 34.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 31.9% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase in effective tax rate was primarily the result of the impact of higher dividends received deduction benefits related to separate account annuity products in 2002.

 

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings decreased $35 million, or 19%, to $151 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $186 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease in segment net earnings was primarily the result of lower policy fees and other income and declining yields on invested assets. The decrease in segment net earnings reflects decreases in net earnings for structured settlement, fixed annuity and GIC products and an increase in net earnings for variable annuity products. The decrease in structured settlements and GICs was primarily attributable to lower reinvestment rates. The decrease in fixed annuities was primarily attributable to higher amortization of deferred acquisition costs. The increase in variable annuities was primarily attributable to tax benefits resulting from higher dividend deductions on our separate accounts.

 

83


Table of Contents

Mortgage Insurance segment

 

The following table sets forth the historical results of operations relating to our Mortgage Insurance segment. The Mortgage Insurance segment’s results of operations are not affected by any of the pro forma adjustments.

 

    

Years ended

December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Revenues:

                    

Premiums

   $ 800    $ 716    $ 677

Net investment income

     254      218      231

Policy fees and other income

     36      48      38
    

  

  

Total revenues

     1,090      982      946
    

  

  

Benefits and expenses:

                    

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     165      115      46

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     262      299      233

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     51      37      39
    

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

     478      451      318
    

  

  

Earnings before income taxes

     612      531      628

Provision for income taxes

     186      162      177
    

  

  

Segment net earnings

   $ 426    $   369    $   451
    

  

  

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $84 million, or 12%, to $800 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $716 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a $125 million increase in premiums in our international mortgage insurance business, $35 million of which was attributable to favorable foreign exchange rates. The increase also was partially attributable to the aging of our international in-force block, which resulted in increased earned premiums from prior-year new insurance written. The increase in international premiums was partially offset by a $41 million decrease in our U.S. mortgage insurance premiums. This decrease in U.S. mortgage insurance premiums was primarily the result of the decline in our in-force block due to decreased demand for mortgage insurance as the result of a smaller market for mortgage originations, as well as a reduction in business from some mortgage lenders following our actions to restructure our captive reinsurance arrangements with premium risk cessions in excess of 25%.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $36 million, or 17%, to $254 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $218 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a $32 million increase in investment income in our international business, $13 million of which was attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates, related to the growth in invested assets. Investment income in our U.S. mortgage insurance business increased $4 million due to increasing yields on invested assets. As discussed below under “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” our U.S. mortgage insurance business paid a $700 million dividend to our parent holding company in December 2004. This dividend reduced the invested assets in our U.S. mortgage insurance business at the end of 2004.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income decreased $12 million, or 25%, to $36 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of a $19 million decrease in fees for contract underwriting services attributable to lower refinancing activity in the U.S. This decrease was offset in part by a $7 million increase in fees from increased volume in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

84


Table of Contents

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $50 million, or 43%, to $165 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of a $28 million increase in U.S. paid losses and a $22 million increase primarily attributable to an increase in claims and loans in default associated with higher insurance in-force in our international mortgage insurance business, $4 million of which was due to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, decreased $37 million, or 12%, to $262 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $299 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily attributable to a $54 million decrease in expenses primarily attributable to lower underwriting expenses due to a decline in refinancing activity in the U.S. and lower administrative costs, and a $17 million decrease in the provision for indemnity liabilities related to a decline in mortgage loan origination primarily attributable to decreased mortgage refinancing activity. These declines were offset in part by a $34 million increase in expenses to support the expansion of our international mortgage insurance business, $8 million of which was attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles increased $14 million, or 38%, to $51 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $37 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase was partially attributable to a $6 million increase in mortgage insurance amortization in the U.S. primarily due to accelerated amortization reflecting higher-than-expected early-year margins on recently written policies. The increase was also attributable to an $8 million increase in international insurance amortization due primarily to the continued growth of our international business, $2 million of which was attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes increased $24 million, or 15%, to $186 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $162 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The effective tax rate was 30.4% and 30.5% for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in effective tax rate was primarily due to a decrease in state income taxes and an increase in the benefit of tax-exempt investment income, offset by the loss of foreign tax benefits as a result of the separation from GE. Our Mortgage Insurance segment’s effective tax rate is below the statutory rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income.

 

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings increased $57 million, or 15%, to $426 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $369 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase in segment net earnings was primarily attributable to a $58 million increase in net earnings attributable to continued growth in our international mortgage insurance business, $23 million of which was due to favorable foreign exchange rates. The relatively constant net earnings in our U.S. mortgage insurance business were primarily attributable to lower expenses, offset by a continued decrease in the in-force block and an increase in our paid claims.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $39 million, or 6%, to $716 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $677 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of an $88 million increase in premiums in our international mortgage insurance business, $24 million of which was attributable to changes in foreign exchange rates. This increase in international premiums was offset in part by a $26 million decrease in premiums in our U.S. mortgage insurance business that was primarily attributable to higher premiums ceded in captive reinsurance transactions and a $23 million decrease in premiums that was primarily attributable to lower persistency resulting from increased refinancing activity.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income decreased $13 million, or 6%, to $218 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $231 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily

 

85


Table of Contents

the result of a $42 million decrease in net investment income that was primarily attributable to a decrease in invested assets resulting from the payment of dividends by the U.S. mortgage insurance business to our holding company. The decrease was also the result of declining yields on investments. These decreases were offset in part by a $29 million increase in net investment income resulting from additional invested assets in our international mortgage insurance business, $10 million of which was due to changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income increased $10 million, or 26%, to $48 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was the result of a $5 million increase in fees for contract underwriting services attributable to higher refinancing activity in the U.S. and a $5 million increase in fees from increased volume in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $69 million, or 150%, to $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $46 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was the result of a $60 million increase primarily attributable to a lower amount of favorable loss development on prior year reserves and a $9 million increase in paid claims on U.S. flow mortgage insurance offset in part by a $4 million decrease primarily attributable to favorable loss development on U.S. bulk mortgage insurance, and a $4 million increase primarily attributable to an increase in loans in default associated with higher insurance in force levels in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, increased $66 million, or 28%, to $299 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $233 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was the result of a $37 million increase in expenses that was primarily attributable to a significant increase in underwriting volume associated with refinancing activity in the U.S., an $11 million increase attributable to higher indemnity liabilities for U.S. contract underwriting claims as the result of updating of the assumptions we used to calculate these indemnity liabilities to reflect recent underwriting experience and the increase in the volume of mortgage loans underwritten due to significant refinancing activity and an $18 million increase attributable to continued investment in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $2 million, or 5%, to $37 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $39 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of the amortization of a lower amount of U.S. deferred expenses, offset by the higher volume in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes decreased $15 million, or 8%, to $162 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $177 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. The effective tax rate increased to 30.5% for the year ended December 31, 2003 from 28.2% for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase in effective tax rate was primarily the result of a greater proportion of foreign income taxed at a higher rate than in the U.S. Our Mortgage Insurance segment’s effective tax rate is significantly below the statutory rate primarily as the result of tax-exempt investment income.

 

Segment net earnings. Segment net earnings decreased $82 million, or 18%, to $369 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $451 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of a $141 million decrease in U.S. net earnings, offset in part by a $59 million increase in international net earnings. The decrease in U.S. net earnings was primarily attributable to greater losses from less favorable loss development on prior year reserves, decreases in premiums from increased ceding and lower persistency, and increases in underwriting expenses from refinancing activity and contract underwriting indemnification liabilities as the result of our updating the assumptions used to calculate these indemnity liabilities to reflect recent underwriting experience and increased volume. The increase in international net earnings was primarily the result of growth in our international mortgage insurance business.

 

86


Table of Contents

Affinity segment

 

The following table sets forth the historical results of operations relating to the Affinity segment. Because we did not acquire any of the Affinity segment businesses from GEFAHI in our corporate reorganization, this segment’s results of operations are included in our results of operations only for periods through May 24, 2004 and are not included in our pro forma financial information.

 

     Years ended December 31,

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


       2004    

        2003    

       2002    

 

Revenues:

                       

Premiums

   $ 88     $ 244    $ 247  

Net investment income

     26       62      70  

Policy fees and other income

     104       260      271  
    


 

  


Total revenues

     218       566      588  
    


 

  


Benefits and expenses:

                       

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     80       196      180  

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     123       244      312  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     47       105      116  
    


 

  


Total benefits and expenses

     250       545      608  
    


 

  


Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     (32 )     21      (20 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (18 )     5      (17 )
    


 

  


Segment net earnings (loss)

   $ (14 )   $ 16    $ (3 )
    


 

  


 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Revenues, benefits and expenses, provision (benefit) for income taxes and segment net earnings for the Affinity segment decreased because the Affinity segment’s results are not included in our results of operations for periods after May 24, 2004.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Total revenues. Total revenues decreased $22 million, or 4%, to $566 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $588 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of lower premiums and other income attributable to our decision to discontinue certain products and distribution relationships that did not meet our target return thresholds. This decrease was offset in part by an increase in premiums attributable to a reinsurance transaction in which certain premiums were ceded to us by the purchaser of a discontinued operation.

 

Total benefits and expenses. Total benefits and expenses decreased $63 million, or 10%, to $545 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $608 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of our decision to discontinue certain products and distribution relationships and implement cost savings initiatives that reduced compensation and benefits, as well as other general expenses. Our decision to discontinue certain products and distribution relationships and implement cost savings initiatives also reduced our deferrable expenses, resulting in a decrease in amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in benefits and expenses attributable to a reinsurance transaction in which certain benefits and expenses were ceded to us by the purchaser of a discontinued operation.

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes. Provision (benefit) for income taxes increased $22 million to $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $(17) million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increased provision was the result of a foreign loss valuation allowance.

 

87


Table of Contents

Segment net earnings (loss). Segment net earnings (loss) increased $19 million to $16 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $(3) million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of our discontinuation of products and distribution relationships that did not meet our target return thresholds and reductions of compensation and benefit expenses and other general expenses resulting from cost savings initiatives.

 

Corporate and Other segment

 

The following table sets forth the historical and pro forma results of operations relating to our Corporate and Other segment. There were no pro forma adjustments to premiums or policy fees and other income because there are no premiums or policy fees and other income in the Corporate and Other segment that were ceded to UFLIC in connection with the reinsurance transactions. Pro forma net investment income is lower than our historical net investment income primarily as a result of a decrease attributable to reduced net investment income related to the $1.836 billion capital contribution that we made to UFLIC in connection with our corporate reorganization, offset in part by an increase attributable to net investment income earned on excess surplus assets that were transferred from the Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments to the Corporate and Other segment in 2004. Pro forma revenues are lower than our historical revenues primarily as a result of the adjustments to net investment income as described above, as well as the exclusion from our results of operations of net realized investment gains (losses) related to the long-term care insurance, structured settlement and variable annuity blocks we ceded to UFLIC in connection with the reinsurance transactions and net realized investment gains (losses) related to the Affinity segment. Pro forma expenses are higher than our historical expenses primarily as a result of the interest expense attributable to our debt structure following the IPO, including the offerings of senior notes and commercial paper.

 

     Historical

    Pro forma

 
     Years ended December 31,

   

Year ended
December 31,

2004


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


       2004    

        2003    

        2002    

   

Revenues:

                                

Premiums

   $ 96     $ 110     $ 104     $ 96  

Net investment income

     148       61       20       146  

Net realized investment gains

     26       10       204       23  

Policy fees and other income

     54       8       6       54  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     324       189       334       319  
    


 


 


 


Expenses:

                                

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     36       76       15       35  

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     83       115       112       89  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     17       18       10       18  

Interest expense

     201       137       124       227  
    


 


 


 


Total expenses

     337       346       261       369  
    


 


 


 


Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     (13 )     (157 )     73       (50 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (65 )     (103 )     (119 )     (79 )
    


 


 


 


Segment net earnings (loss)

   $ 52     $ (54 )   $ 192     $ 29  
    


 


 


 


 

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

 

Premiums. Premiums decreased $14 million, or 13%, to $96 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $110 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of decreased premiums from our Bermuda reinsurer attributable to the run-off of certain credit life insurance blocks.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $87 million, or 143%, to $148 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $61 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily

 

88


Table of Contents

the result of an increase in investment income associated with an increase in invested assets not required to be allocated to our operating segments. The increase was also the result of a $28 million increase in interest income from two securitization entities that were consolidated in our financial statements in connection with our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003 and an $18 million increase in partnership income.

 

Net realized investment gains. See the comparison for this line item under “—Historical and Pro Forma Results of Operations.”

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income increased $46 million to $54 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This was primarily the result of a $40 million gain related to our waiver of contractual rights under an outsourcing services agreement with GE’s global outsourcing provider, 60% of which was sold in the fourth quarter.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves decreased $40 million, or 53%, to $36 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of lower litigation expenses and higher reserves at our Bermuda reinsurer.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, decreased $32 million, or 28%, to $83 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily the result of $36 million lower allocated expenses from GE resulting from our corporate reorganization, $26 million of lower litigation expenses and $13 million of lower operating and other expenses. These decreases were partially offset by expenses of $20 million relating to the issuance of stock options and stock appreciation rights in connection with our corporate reorganization and $23 million relating to the costs of establishing the Genworth brand.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles decreased $1 million, or 6%, to $17 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $18 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $64 million, or 47%, to $201 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $137 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. This increase was primarily the result of $45 million of interest expense associated with our revised debt structure following our corporate reorganization and a $20 million increase attributable to the securitization entities that were consolidated in our financial statements in connection with our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003.

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes. Provision (benefit) for income taxes decreased $38 million to ($65) million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from ($103) million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The decreased benefit was primarily due to a lower pre-tax loss in 2004, a one-time reduction in U.K. taxes related to the restructuring of our U.K. legal entities and favorable examination developments in 2003, which did not recur in 2004. This decrease was partially offset by $47 million of tax benefits recognized in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

Segment net earnings (loss). Segment net earnings (loss) increased $106 million to $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 from $(54) million for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in segment net earnings was primarily the result of an $87 million increase in net investment income primarily attributable to an increase in invested assets not required to be allocated to our operating segments, a $46 million tax benefit recognized in connection with our corporate reorganization, a $25 million after-tax gain related to our waiver of contractual rights under an outsourcing services agreement with GE’s global outsourcing provider, 60% of which was sold in 2004, and an increase in invested assets not required to be allocated to our operating segments partially offset by a $64 million increase in interest expense attributable to our revised debt structure following our corporate reorganization.

 

89


Table of Contents

Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

Premiums. Premiums increased $6 million, or 6%, to $110 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $104 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $4 million increase in premiums attributable to our Mexican auto insurer.

 

Net investment income. Net investment income increased $41 million, or 205%, to $61 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $20 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of a $36 million increase relating to the adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003.

 

Net realized investment gains. See the comparison for this line item under “—Historical and Pro Forma Results of Operations.”

 

Policy fees and other income. Policy fees and other income increased $2 million to $8 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves. Benefits and other changes in policy reserves increased $61 million, or 407%, to $76 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of certain litigation settlements resulting in an increase in reserves, as well as increased claims in our Mexican auto insurer due to unfavorable weather conditions and increased costs in our Viking reinsurer relating to experience payments on previously novated businesses.

 

Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals. Underwriting, acquisition, insurance and other expenses, net of deferrals, increased $3 million, or 3%, to $115 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $112 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of $45 million higher litigation expense during 2003, partially offset by $11 million of miscellaneous asset write-offs, $10 million of expenses associated with the relocation of our long-term care insurance business and $21 million of higher operating expenses during 2002.

 

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles increased $8 million, or 80%, to $18 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Interest expense. Interest expense increased $13 million, or 10%, to $137 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $124 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This increase was primarily the result of $27 million of interest expense associated with securitization entities that were consolidated in our financial statements in connection with our adoption of FIN 46 on July 1, 2003. This increase was offset in part by a $14 million decrease in interest expense that was primarily the result of lower average borrowings.

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes. Provision (benefit) for income taxes decreased $16 million to $(103) million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $(119) million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was the result of the recognition in 2002 of a favorable settlement with the IRS related to the treatment of certain reserves for obligations to policyholders of life insurance contracts, offset in part by lower pre-tax earnings, a one-time reduction in U.K. taxes related to the restructuring of our U.K. legal entities, and increased dividends received deduction benefits. Changes to tax expense for our Corporate and Other segment are primarily the result of tax-exempt investment income and other items not directly allocated to specific products or segments.

 

Segment net earnings (loss). Segment net earnings (loss) decreased $246 million to $(54) million for the year ended December 31, 2003 from $192 million for the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease was primarily the result of the decrease in benefit for income taxes attributable to the impact of the 2002 favorable settlement with the IRS, the decrease in net realized investment gains and higher litigation reserves for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

90


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We conduct all our operations through our operating subsidiaries. Dividends from our subsidiaries and permitted payments to us under our tax sharing arrangements with our subsidiaries are our principal sources of cash at our holding company level.

 

Our primary uses of funds at our holding company level include payment of general operating expenses, payment of principal, interest and other expenses related to holding company debt, payment of dividends on our common and preferred stock, amounts we will owe to GE under the Tax Matters Agreement, contract adjustment payments on our Equity Units, contributions to subsidiaries, and, potentially, acquisitions. We currently pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock at the rate of $0.065 per share. However, the declaration and payment of future dividends to holders of our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors. Our payment of dividends to our stockholders will depend partly upon our receipt of dividends from our insurance and other operating subsidiaries. In addition, our Series A Preferred Stock bears dividends at an annual rate of 5.25% of the liquidation value of $50 per share. We also pay quarterly contract adjustment payments with respect to our Equity Units at an annual rate of 2.16% of the stated amount of $25 per Equity Unit.

 

We declared dividends of $171 million to our parent during 2002, of which $107 million was paid in 2002 and $64 million was paid in 2003. We declared and paid dividends of $3,168 million to our parent during 2003, including a dividend of $2,930 million paid on December 15, 2003. This dividend included the distribution of proceeds from the sale of our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses, which closed on August 29, 2003, and other dividends received from our insurance subsidiaries. During 2004, as part of our corporate reorganization and prior to the IPO, we paid dividends of $2,029 million to our parent. Since the completion of the IPO, we have declared a dividend on our common stock of $32 million in each of the third and fourth quarters of 2004. The fourth quarter dividend was paid in January 2005.

 

The payment of dividends and other distributions to us by our insurance subsidiaries is regulated by insurance laws and regulations. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require insurance regulatory approval. During the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we received dividends from our insurance subsidiaries of $2,111 million ($1,244 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”), $1,472 million ($1,400 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”) and $840 million ($375 million of which were deemed “extraordinary”), respectively. In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we received dividends from insurance subsidiaries related to discontinued operations of $0, $495 million and $62 million, respectively. The ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, also are subject to various conditions imposed by the rating agencies for us to maintain our ratings.

 

Based on statutory results as of December 31, 2004, our subsidiaries could pay dividends of $1,450 million to us in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval. However, as a result of the dividends we paid in connection with our corporate reorganization, many of our insurance subsidiaries will not be able to pay us dividends until April 15, 2005. As part of our corporate reorganization, we retained cash at the holding company level which we believe will be adequate to fund our dividend payments, debt service, obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement and other obligations until our insurance subsidiaries can resume paying ordinary dividends to us. In addition, we received a dividend of $700 million from our U.S. mortgage insurance business in December 2004 (included above in dividends paid by our insurance subsidiaries) following the release of statutory contingency reserves from that business. We used $550 million of those proceeds to repay the Contingent Note, and we have retained the remaining $150 million in a segregated account at our holding company to pay debt servicing expenses and dividends on our common stock. Of this amount, we expect that $50 million will be available for disbursement during 2005, and $100 million will be available for disbursement during 2006.

 

In addition to dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, our other sources of funds will include service fees we receive from GE, as described under “—Overview—Separation from GE and related financial arrangements—Services provided to GE,” payments from our subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing arrangements, borrowings pursuant to our credit facilities, and proceeds from any additional issuance of commercial paper.

 

91


Table of Contents

In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, a $2.4 billion note and the $550 million Contingent Note. As described above, the Contingent Note was repaid in December 2004 with a portion of the proceeds of a $700 million dividend paid to us by our U.S. mortgage insurance business. We repaid the $2.4 billion note upon the completion of the IPO with borrowings under a short-term credit facility. We repaid those borrowings shortly thereafter with proceeds from our offerings of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper. The $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes includes $500 million LIBOR Floating Rate Notes due 2007, $500 million 4.75% Notes due 2009, $600 million 5.75% Notes due 2014, and $300 million 6.50% Notes due 2034. As a result of hedging arrangements entered into with respect to these securities, our effective interest rates are 3.53% on the 2007 notes, 4.48% on the 2009 notes, 5.51% on the 2014 notes and 6.35% on the 2034 notes. The commercial paper was issued under a $1 billion commercial paper program that we have established. We may issue additional commercial paper under this program from time to time.

 

The liabilities we assumed from GEFAHI include the Yen Notes, which are ¥60 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.60% notes due 2011 issued by GEFAHI, ¥3 billion of which GEFAHI held and transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization. In the third quarter of 2004, we retired the ¥3 billion of Yen Notes that were transferred to us. We have entered into arrangements to swap our obligations under the Yen Notes to a U.S. dollar obligation with a principal amount of $491 million and bearing interest at a rate of 4.84% per annum.

 

In connection with our corporate reorganization, we entered into a Tax Matters Agreement with GE, which represents an obligation by us to GE that is estimated to have a present value of approximately $389 million.

 

In connection with our corporate reorganization, we also entered into $2 billion of revolving credit facilities, including a $1.0 billion 364-day facility and a $1.0 billion five-year facility. The revolving credit facilities support our commercial paper program and provide us with liquidity to meet general funding requirements. We expect to replace the 364-day facility upon its expiration with a similar or longer-term credit facility. Our ability to borrow under these facilities and to issue commercial paper in excess of $500 million in the aggregate may be subject to GE’s right as the holder of the Class B Common Stock to approve our incurrence of debt in excess of $700 million outstanding at any one time (subject to certain exceptions). In addition, we use repurchase agreements to manage asset durations relative to policyholder and contractholder obligations.

 

We have agreed to repurchase directly from the selling stockholder, concurrently with the closing of this offering, $500 million of our shares of Class B Common Stock at a price per share equal to the net proceeds per share that the selling stockholder will receive from the underwriters in this offering. We will finance the stock repurchase with cash available at our holding company. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Stock Repurchase Agreement.”

 

We believe our revolving credit facilities, further issuances under our commercial paper program, repurchase agreements and anticipated cash flows from operations will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our operating requirements for the foreseeable future. For further information about our borrowings, see note 14 to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,498 million, $3,716 million and $4,883 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Cash flows from operating activities are affected by the timing of premiums received, fees received and investment income. Principal sources of cash include sales of our products and services. The increase in cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to the year ended December 31, 2003 of $1,782 million and the decrease in cash from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2003 compared to the year ended December 31, 2002 of $1,167 million was primarily the result of the timing of cash settlement for other assets and liabilities.

 

92


Table of Contents

As an insurance business, we typically generate positive cash flows from operating and financing activities, as premiums and deposits collected from our insurance and investment products exceed benefits paid and redemptions, and we invest the excess. Accordingly, in analyzing our cash flow we focus on the change in the amount of cash available and used in investing activities. Net cash from investing activities was $(5,404) million, $(681) million and $(6,525) million for the years December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

The decrease in net cash from investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to December 31, 2003, of $4,723 million was primarily the result of a $1,621 million decrease in cash provided by the proceeds from the sale of our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses in 2003 that did not recur in 2004 and an increase of $2,057 million in net investment purchases. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to the year ended December 31, 2002, of $5,844 million was the result of both less cash provided by operating activities of $1,167 million, as discussed above, and more cash used in financing activities of $5,007 million. Within our investing activities, during 2003, we received $2,126 million of proceeds and dividends associated with the sale of our Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses.

 

Net cash from financing activities was $(791) million, $(2,714) and $2,293 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Changes in cash from financing activities primarily relate to the issuance and repayment of borrowings, dividends to our stockholders and other capital transactions, as well as the issuance of, and redemptions and benefit payments on, investment contracts. The $1,923 million increase in cash from financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to the year ended December 31, 2003, was primarily the result of an increase in net cash flows from our stockholder, primarily in transactions related to our corporate reorganization, of $2,430 million, as well as the issuance of long-term borrowings of $1,895 million and lower net redemptions and deposits in investment contracts of $678 million, partially offset by the decrease in net short-term borrowings of $2,713 million and the repayment of the $550 million Contingent Note. The decrease in cash used by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2003, compared to the year ended December 31, 2002, of $5,007 million was primarily the result of both lower deposits and higher redemptions of investment contracts, as a result of the lower interest rate environment, equity market downturns and volatility and pricing actions we took. These factors contributed to a decrease in the use of net cash from investment contracts by $3,202 million. In addition, dividends paid to our stockholder, net of capital contributions received, increased by $2,871 million. These increased uses of cash were partially offset by a net increase in cash provided from borrowings of $1,066 million, consisting of a net increase in short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, of $466 million, and an increase in non-recourse funding obligations of $600 million.

 

The liquidity requirements of our insurance subsidiaries principally relate to the liabilities associated with their various insurance and investment products, operating costs and expenses, the payment of dividends to us, contributions to their subsidiaries, payment of principal and interest on their outstanding debt obligations and income taxes. Liabilities arising from insurance and investment products include the payment of benefits, as well as cash payments in connection with policy surrenders and withdrawals, policy loans and obligations to redeem funding agreements under applicable put option provisions.

 

Historically, our insurance subsidiaries have used cash flow from operations and sales of investment securities to fund their liquidity requirements. Our insurance subsidiaries’ principal cash inflows from operating activities derive from premiums, annuity deposits and policy and contract fees and other income, including commissions, cost of insurance, mortality, expense and surrender charges, contract underwriting fees, investment management fees, and dividends and distributions from their subsidiaries. The principal cash inflows from investment activities result from repayments of principal, sales of invested assets and investment income.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately $2.8 billion of renewable floating rate funding agreements, which are deposit-type products that generally credit interest on deposits at a floating rate tied to an external

 

93


Table of Contents

market index. Purchasers of renewable funding agreements include money market funds, bank common trust funds and other short-term investors. Some of our funding agreements contain “put” provisions, through which the contractholder has an option to terminate the funding agreement for any reason after giving notice within the contract’s specified notice period, which is generally 90 days. Of the $2.8 billion aggregate amount outstanding as of December 31, 2004, $1.6 billion had put option features, none of which were less than 90 days. GE Capital has guaranteed certain obligations under floating-rate funding agreements with a final maturity on or before June 30, 2005. This guarantee covers our obligations to contractholders and requires us to reimburse GE Capital for any payments made to contractholders under the guarantee. As of December 31, 2004, GE Capital’s guarantee covered $1.4 billion of outstanding floating-rate funding agreements.

 

Our insurance subsidiaries maintain investment strategies intended to provide adequate funds to pay benefits without forced sales of investments. Products having liabilities with longer durations, such as certain life insurance and long-term care insurance policies, are matched with investments having similar estimated lives such as long-term fixed maturities and mortgage loans. Shorter-term liabilities are matched with fixed maturities that have short- and medium-term fixed maturities. In addition, our insurance subsidiaries hold highly liquid, high-quality short-term investment securities and other liquid investment-grade fixed maturities to fund anticipated operating expenses, surrenders, and withdrawals. As of December 31, 2004, our total cash and invested assets was $67.1 billion. Our investments in privately placed fixed maturities, mortgage loans, policy loans, limited partnership interests and restricted investments held by securitization entities are relatively illiquid. These asset classes represented 31% of the carrying value of our total cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2004.

 

Total assets were $103.9 billion as of December 31, 2004, compared to $103.4 billion as of December 31, 2003. Total assets remained relatively unchanged, with an increase in assets primarily attributable to normal business growth, partially offset by a decrease of $5.7 billion of assets that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization. Total liabilities were $91.0 billion as of December 31, 2004, compared to $87.6 billion as of December 31, 2003. This increase of $3.4 billion was primarily due to growth in contractholder liabilities, as well as the issuance of $600 million of our Equity Units and $100 million of our mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, partially offset by the tax impact of our corporate reorganization and other liabilities that were not transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

Contractual obligations

 

We enter into obligations to third-parties in the ordinary course of our operations. These obligations, as of December 31, 2004, are set forth in the table below. However, we do not believe that our cash flow requirements can be assessed based upon an analysis of these obligations. The most significant factor affecting our future cash flows is our ability to earn and collect cash from our customers. Future cash outflows, whether they are contractual obligations or not, also will vary based upon our future needs. Although some outflows are fixed, others depend on future events. Examples of fixed obligations include our obligations to pay principal and interest on fixed-rate borrowings. Examples of obligations that will vary include obligations to pay interest on variable-rate borrowings and insurance liabilities that depend on future interest rates and market performance. Many of our obligations are linked to cash-generating contracts. These obligations include payments to contractholders that assume those contractholders will continue to make deposits in accordance with the terms of their contracts. In addition, our operations involve significant expenditures that are not based upon “commitments.” These include expenditures for income taxes and payroll.

 

94


Table of Contents
     Payments due by period

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Total

   2005

   2006-2007

   2008-2009

  

2010 and

thereafter


Borrowings(1)

   $ 4,606    $ 559    $ 500    $ 1,100    $ 2,447

Operating lease obligations

     139      29      47      37      26

Purchase obligations(2)

     289      149      56      48      36

Insurance liabilities(3)

     60,643      10,060      13,623      10,393      26,567

Other contractual liabilities(4)

     625      31      41      54      499
    

  

  

  

  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 66,302    $ 10,828    $ 14,267    $ 11,632    $ 29,575
    

  

  

  

  


(1) Includes principal of our short- and long-term borrowings, non-recourse funding obligations, senior notes underlying equity units and mandatorily redeemable Series A Preferred Stock, as described in note 14 to our financial statements. Any payment of principal of, including by redemption, or interest on, the non-recourse funding obligations is subject to regulatory approval.
(2) Includes contractual purchase commitments; excludes funding commitments entered into in the ordinary course of business.
(3) Includes guaranteed investment contracts and funding agreements, structured settlements and income annuities (including contracts we ceded to UFLIC, because we remain the primary obligor under those contracts), based upon scheduled payouts, as well as those contracts with reasonably determinable cash flow, such as deferred annuities, universal life, term life, long-term care, whole life and other life insurance contracts.
(4) Because their future cash outflows are uncertain, the following non-current liabilities are excluded from this table: deferred taxes (except the Tax Matters Agreement, which is included, as described in note 15 to our financial statements), derivatives, deferred revenue and certain other items.

 

Impairments of Investment Securities

 

We regularly review investment securities for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy, which includes both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Quantitative criteria include length of time and amount that each security is in an unrealized loss position, and for fixed maturities, whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Our qualitative criteria include the financial strength and specific prospects for the issuer as well as our intent to hold the security until recovery. Our impairment reviews involve our finance, risk and asset management teams, as well as the portfolio management and research capabilities of GEAM and other third-party asset managers, as required. Our qualitative review attempts to identify those issuers with a greater than 50% chance of default in the coming twelve months. These securities are characterized as “at-risk” of impairment. As of December 31, 2004, securities “at risk” of impairment had aggregate unrealized losses of approximately $50 million.

 

For fixed maturities, we recognize an impairment charge to earnings in the period in which we determine that we do not expect either to collect principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the instruments or to recover based upon underlying collateral values, considering events such as a payment default, bankruptcy or disclosure of fraud. For equity securities, we recognize an impairment charge in the period in which we determine that the security will not recover to book value within a reasonable period. We determine what constitutes a reasonable period on a security-by-security basis based upon consideration of all the evidence available to us, including the magnitude of an unrealized loss and its duration. In any event, this period does not exceed 18 months for common equity securities. We measure impairment charges based upon the difference between the book value of a security and its fair value. Fair value is based upon quoted market price, except for certain infrequently traded securities where we estimate values using internally developed pricing models. These models are based upon common valuation techniques and require us to make assumptions regarding credit quality, liquidity and other factors that affect estimated values. The carrying value of infrequently traded securities as of December 31, 2004 was $12.3 billion.

 

95


Table of Contents

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we recognized impairments of $26 million and $224 million, respectively. We generally intend to hold securities in unrealized loss positions until they recover. However, from time to time, we sell securities in the ordinary course of managing our portfolio to meet diversification, credit quality, yield and liquidity requirements. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, the pre-tax realized investment loss incurred on the sale of fixed maturities and equity securities was $38 million. The aggregate fair value of securities sold at a loss during twelve months ended December 31, 2004 was $2.9 billion, which was approximately 98.6% of book value.

 

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of our investment securities, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual investment securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2004:

 

     Less Than 12 Months

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Amortized cost
or cost


   Estimated fair
value


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    % below cost

    # of securities

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities:

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 115    $ 114    $ (1 )   0.9 %   15

State and municipal

     89      88      (1 )   1.1 %   28

Government—non U.S.

     225      222      (3 )   1.3 %   32

U.S. corporate

     3,496      3,426      (70 )   2.0 %   400

Corporate—non U.S.

     1,224      1,207      (17 )   1.4 %   155

Asset Backed

     857      853      (4 )   0.5 %   125

Mortgage Backed

     2,807      2,776      (31 )   1.1 %   259
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal, fixed maturities

     8,813      8,686      (127 )   1.4 %   1,014

Equities securities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 8,799    $ 8,678    $ (121 )   1.4 %   1,002

20-50% Below cost

     14      8      (6 )   42.9 %   6

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       6
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     8,813      8,686      (127 )   1.4 %   1,014
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—equity securities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 7    $ 7    $ —       —       12

20-50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       —  

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       1
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

   $ 8,026    $ 7,930    $ (96 )   1.2 %   869

Below investment grade

     600      575      (25 )   4.2 %   114

Not Rated—Fixed maturities

     187      181      (6 )   3.2 %   31

Not Rated—Equities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

 

96


Table of Contents
     12 Months or More

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Amortized cost
or cost


   Estimated fair
value


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    % below cost

    # of securities

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities:

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 3    $ 3    $ —       —       1

State and municipal

     1      1      —       —       2

Government—non U.S.

     106      106      —       —       30

U.S. corporate

     834      763      (71 )   8.5 %   127

Corporate—non U.S.

     181      176      (5 )   2.8 %   35

Asset Backed

     55      54      (1 )   1.8 %   5

Mortgage Backed

     244      233      (11 )   4.5 %   78
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal, fixed maturities

     1,424      1,336      (88 )   6.2 %   278

Equities securities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 1,319    $ 1,262    $ (57 )   4.3 %   234

20-50% Below cost

     95      69      (26 )   27.4 %   23

>50% Below cost

     10      5      (5 )   50.0 %   21
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,424      1,336      (88 )   6.2 %   278
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—equity securities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 21    $ 20    $ (1 )   4.8 %   8

20-50% Below cost

     2      1      (1 )   50.0 %   10

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       1
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

   $ 973    $ 934    $ (39 )   4.0 %   188

Below investment grade

     450      401      (49 )   10.9 %   88

Not Rated—Fixed maturities

     1      1      —       —       2

Not Rated—Equities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

 

The investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2004 for less than twelve months account for $127 million, or 58%, of our total unrealized losses. Of the securities in this category, there were three securities with an unrealized loss in excess of $5 million. These three securities had aggregate unrealized losses of $18 million. The amount of the unrealized loss on these securities is driven primarily by the relative size of the holdings, the par values of which range from $15 million to $386 million, the maturities, which range from 2010 to 2036, and the credit quality of the issuers. The issuer of the investment scheduled to mature in 2010 prepaid the related principal and interest along with a prepayment fee in January 2005.

 

The investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2004 for twelve months or more account for $90 million, or 42%, of our total unrealized losses. There are 104 fixed-maturities in four industry groups that account for $54 million, or 60%, of the unrealized losses in this category.

 

Forty-four of these 104 securities are in the finance and insurance sector. Within this sector, no single issue has unrealized losses greater than $5 million. The unrealized losses of these securities are due primarily to changes in interest rates from the time the securities were purchased.

 

Thirty-five of these 104 securities are in the transportation sector and are related to the airline industry. All of our airline securities, with one exception, are collateralized by commercial jet aircraft associated with several

 

97


Table of Contents

domestic airlines and one cargo airline. The collateral underlying these securities consists of commercial jet aircraft, except for one that is secured by airline ticket receivables. We believe these security holdings are in a temporary loss position as a result of ongoing negative market reaction to difficulties in the commercial airline industry. Within this sector, we have recognized $1 million and $36 million of other-than-temporary impairments in 2004 and 2003, respectively. These holdings were written down to estimated fair value based upon the present value of expected cash flows associated with revised lease terms or the value of the underlying aircraft. As of December 31, 2004, we expect to collect full principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the instruments of our remaining holdings in airline securities. For those airline securities that we have previously impaired, we expect to recover our carrying amount based upon underlying aircraft collateral values.

 

Fourteen of these 104 securities are in the consumer non-cyclical sector, of which there was one issuer with unrealized losses in excess of $5 million. This issuer, which had a $7 million unrealized loss, is in the tobacco industry, is current on all terms, shows improving trends with regards to liquidity and security price and is not considered at risk of impairment. Each of the other securities in this sector has unrealized losses of less than $5 million.

 

Eleven of these 104 securities are in the consumer non-cyclical sector, of which there was one issuer with unrealized losses in excess of $5 million. The aggregate par value of securities was $37 million. This issuer is current on all terms and is not considered at risk of impairment.

 

In the remaining industry sectors, as of December 31, 2004, one issuer of fixed-maturity securities had an unrealized loss of $5 million. This issuer is current on all terms, has sufficient liquidity to service current debt obligations and is seeking additional financing. No other single issuer of fixed maturities in these sectors has an unrealized loss of greater than $5 million.

 

The equity securities in an unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2004, for twelve months or more are primarily preferred stocks with fixed maturity-like characteristics. No single security had an unrealized loss greater than $2 million.

 

Off-balance Sheet Transactions

 

We have used off-balance sheet securitization transactions to mitigate and diversify our asset risk position and to adjust the asset class mix in our investment portfolio by reinvesting securitization proceeds in accordance with our approved investment guidelines.

 

We have not used securitization transactions to provide us with additional liquidity, and we do not anticipate using securitization transactions for that purpose in the future. The transactions we have used involved securitizations of some of our receivables and investments that were secured by commercial mortgage loans, fixed maturities or other receivables, consisting primarily of policy loans. Total securitized assets remaining as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 were $1.6 billion.

 

Securitization transactions resulted in net gains, before taxes, of approximately $43 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and were included in net realized investment gains (losses) in our financial statements. There were no securitization transactions in the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

We have arranged for the assets that we have transferred in securitization transactions to be serviced by us directly or pursuant to arrangements and with General Motors Acceptance Corporation. Servicing activities include ongoing review, credit monitoring, reporting and collection activities.

 

We have entered into credit support arrangements in connection with our securitization transactions. Pursuant to these arrangements, as of December 31, 2004, we provided limited recourse for a maximum of $119 million of credit losses. To date, we have not yet been required to make payments under any of these credit support agreements. The agreements will remain in place throughout the life of the related entities.

 

98


Table of Contents

GE Capital, our indirect parent and majority stockholder, provides credit and liquidity support to a funding conduit it sponsored, which exposes it to a majority of the risks and rewards of the conduit’s activities and therefore makes GE Capital the primary beneficiary of the funding conduit. Upon adoption of FIN 46, GE Capital was required to consolidate the funding conduit because of this financial support. As a result, assets and liabilities of certain previously off-balance sheet securitization entities, for which we were the transferor, were required to be included in our financial statements because the funding conduit no longer qualified as a third party. Because these securitization entities lost their qualifying status, we were required to include $1.2 billion of securitized assets and $1.1 billion of associated liabilities in our Statement of Financial Position in July 2003. The assets and liabilities associated with these securitization entities have been reported in the corresponding financial statement captions in our Statement of Financial Position, and the assets are noted as restricted due to the lack of legal control we have over them. These balances will decrease as the assets mature because we will not sell any additional assets to these consolidated entities.

 

Our inclusion of these assets and liabilities does not change the economic or legal characteristics of the asset sales. Liabilities of these consolidated entities will be repaid with cash flows generated by the related assets. Credit recourse to us remains limited to the credit support described above. We included $36 million of revenue, $2 million of general expenses and $27 million of interest expense associated with these newly consolidated entities in our historical financial statements for the period from July 1 to December 31, 2003. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we included $64 million of revenue, $3 million of general expenses and $47 million of interest expense associated with these entities in our historical financial statements. Our consolidation of these securitization entities had no effect on our previously reported earnings.

 

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities associated with the securitization entities we included in our Statement of Financial Position, which are part of our Corporate and Other segment as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

Assets:

             

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

   $ 860    $ 1,069

Other assets

     24      65
    

  

Total(1)

   $ 884    $ 1,134
    

  

Liabilities:

             

Borrowings related to securitization entities

   $ 849    $ 1,018

Other liabilities

     3      59
    

  

Total

   $ 852    $ 1,077
    

  


(1) Includes $31 million and $51 million of retained interests in securitized assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, that are consolidated.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of the loss of fair value resulting from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices. Market risk is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying financial instruments are traded. The following is a discussion of our market risk exposures and our risk management practices.

 

We enter into market-sensitive instruments primarily for purposes other than trading. The carrying value of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, was $66 billion and $79 billion, respectively, of which 80% and 83%, respectively, was invested in fixed maturities. The primary market risk to our investment portfolio is interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities. We mitigate the market risk

 

99


Table of Contents

associated with our fixed maturities portfolio by closely matching the duration of our fixed maturities with the duration of the liabilities that those securities are intended to support.

 

The primary market risk for our long-term borrowings and Equity Units is interest rate risk at the time of maturity or early redemption, when we may be required to refinance these obligations. We continue to monitor the interest rate environment and to evaluate refinancing opportunities as maturity dates approach.

 

We are exposed to equity risk on our holdings of common stocks and other equities. We manage equity price risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation techniques.

 

We also have exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. Our international operations generate revenues denominated in local currencies, and we invest cash generated outside the U.S. in non-U.S. denominated securities. Although investing in securities denominated in local currencies limits the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuation on local operating results, we remain exposed to the impact of fluctuations in exchange rates as we translate the operating results of our foreign operations into our historical financial statements. We currently do not hedge this exposure. For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, 29% and 26%, respectively, of our net earnings from continuing operations were generated by our international operations.

 

We use derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate and currency swaps, currency forwards and option-based financial instruments, as part of our risk management strategy. We use these derivatives to mitigate certain risks, including interest rate risk, currency risk and equity risk, by:

 

    reducing the risk between the timing of the receipt of cash and its investment in the market;

 

    matching the currency of invested assets with the liabilities they support;

 

    converting the asset duration to match the duration of the liabilities;

 

    reducing our exposure to fluctuations in equity market indices that underlie some of our products; and

 

    protecting against the early termination of an asset or liability.

 

As a matter of policy, we have not and will not engage in derivative market-making, speculative derivative trading or other speculative derivatives activities.

 

Sensitivity analysis

 

Sensitivity analysis measures the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and other market rates or prices on the profitability of market-sensitive financial instruments.

 

The following discussion about the potential effects of changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity market prices is based on so-called “shock-tests,” which model the effects of interest rate, foreign exchange rate and equity market price shifts on our financial condition and results of operations. Although we believe shock tests provide the most meaningful analysis permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, they are constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single point in time and by their inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. Although the following results of shock tests for changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity market prices may have some limited use as benchmarks, they should not be viewed as forecasts. These forward-looking disclosures also are selective in nature and address only the potential impacts on our financial instruments. They do not include a variety of other potential factors that could affect our business as a result of these changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and equity market prices.

 

One means of assessing exposure of our fixed maturities portfolio to interest rate changes is a duration-based analysis that measures the potential changes in market value resulting from a hypothetical change in interest rates of 100 basis points across all maturities. This is sometimes referred to as a parallel shift in the yield curve. Under this model, with all other factors constant and assuming no offsetting change in the value of our liabilities, we estimated that such an increase in interest rates would cause the market value of our fixed income securities portfolio to decline by approximately $2.9 billion, based on our securities positions as of December 31, 2004.

 

100


Table of Contents

One means of assessing exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates is to model effects on reported earnings using a sensitivity analysis. We analyzed our combined currency exposure as of December 31, 2004, including financial instruments designated and effective as hedges to identify assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than their relevant functional currencies. Net unhedged exposures in each currency were then remeasured, generally assuming a 10% decrease in currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar. Under this model, with all other factors constant, we estimated as of December 31, 2004, that such a decrease would have an insignificant effect on our net earnings from continuing operations.

 

One means of assessing exposure to changes in equity market prices is to estimate the potential changes in market values on our equity investments resulting from a hypothetical broad-based decline in equity market prices of 10%. Under this model, with all other factors constant, we estimated that such a decline in equity market prices would cause the market value of our equity investments to decline by approximately $8 million, based on our equity positions as of December 31, 2004. In addition, fluctuations in equity market prices affect our revenues and returns from our separate account and private asset management products, which depend upon fees that are related primarily to the value of assets under management.

 

Counterparty credit risk

 

We manage counterparty credit risk on an individual counterparty basis, which means that gains and losses are netted for each counterparty to determine the amount at risk. When a counterparty exceeds credit exposure limits (see table below) in terms of amounts owed to us, typically as the result of changes in market conditions, no additional transactions are executed until the exposure with that counterparty is reduced to an amount that is within the established limit. All swaps are executed under master swap agreements containing mutual credit downgrade provisions that provide the ability to require assignment or termination in the event either party is downgraded below Moody’s “A3” or S&P’s “A-.”

 

Swaps, purchased options and forwards with contractual maturities longer than one year are conducted within the credit policy constraints provided in the table below. Our policy permits us to enter into derivative transactions with counterparties rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A-” by S&P if the agreements governing such transactions require both parties to provide collateral in certain circumstances. Our policy further requires foreign exchange forwards with contractual maturities shorter than one year to be executed with counterparties having a credit rating by Moody’s of “A-1” and by S&P of “P-1” and the credit limit for these transactions is $150 million per counterparty.

 

Counterparty credit criteria

 

     Credit Rating

     Moody’s

   Standard
& Poor’s


Term of transaction

         

Up to five years

   Aa3    AA-

Greater than five years

   Aaa    AAA

Credit exposure limit without collateral(1)

         

Up to $50 million

   Aa3    AA-

Up to $75 million

   Aaa    AAA

Credit exposure limit with collateral(1)

         

Up to $5 million

   A3    A-

Up to $50 million

   Aa3    AA-

Up to $100 million

   Aaa    AAA

(1) Credit exposure limits noted in this table are set by GE Capital and apply in the aggregate to all companies that are consolidated into GE Capital.

 

 

101


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth an analysis of our counterparty credit risk exposures net of collateral held as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 

Moody’s Rating


       2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

Aaa

   88 %   95 %   91 %

Aa

   10 %   5 %   9 %

A

   2 %   —   %   —   %
    

 

 

     100 %   100 %   100 %
    

 

 

 

Seasonality

 

In general, our business as a whole is not seasonal in nature. However, in our Mortgage Insurance segment, the level of defaults, which increases the likelihood of losses, tends to decrease in the first and second quarters of the calendar year and increase in the third and fourth quarters. As a result, we have experienced lower levels of losses resulting from defaults in the first and second quarters, as compared with the third and fourth quarters.

 

Inflation

 

We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our historical results of operations, except insofar as inflation may affect interest rates.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

Currently effective

 

In July 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position 03-1 (“SOP 03-1”), Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts, which we adopted on January 1, 2004. SOP 03-1 provides guidance on separate account presentation and valuation, accounting for sales inducements to contractholders and classification and valuation of long-duration contract liabilities. Prior to adopting SOP 03-1 we held reserves for the higher-tier annuitization benefit on two-tiered annuities. To record these reserves in accordance with SOP 03-1, we released $10 million, or 7%, of our two-tiered annuity reserves and $3 million of guaranteed minimum death benefit reserves. After giving effect to the impact of additional amortization of deferred acquisition costs related to these reserve releases, we recorded a $5 million benefit in cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes, which is not reflected in net earnings from continuing operations.

 

Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 123R Share-Based Payments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 123 and 95, which we will adopt on July 1, 2005. This statement provides additional guidance on accounting for share based payments and will require all such awards to be measured at fair value with the related compensation cost recognized in income on a prospective basis. We currently recognize compensation cost using the fair value method for all stock based awards issued after January 1, 2002 and do not expect the adoption of SFAS 123R to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

 

102


Table of Contents

Corporate Reorganization

 

Our History

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, our businesses were owned by GE, a global diversified technology and services company. In the 1980s and 1990s, GE pursued a strategy of developing and acquiring insurance businesses, targeting attractive segments that included the U.S. and international mortgage and life insurance markets.

 

We entered the U.S. mortgage insurance business in 1981 through a start-up in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1983, we acquired a competitor, American Mortgage Insurance, located in Raleigh, North Carolina and moved our mortgage insurance headquarters there. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, we acquired several other U.S. mortgage insurers or their books of business. We also acquired mortgage insurance operations in Canada and Australia and launched a start-up business in Europe as part of our strategy to expand into international markets.

 

We entered the life insurance business in 1993 through our acquisition of GNA Corp., a leading provider of annuities through the bank distribution channel. From 1993 to 2000, we successfully completed the acquisition and integration of 13 key businesses, which significantly expanded the breadth of our product offerings and the scope of our distribution capabilities. We maintained a disciplined focus on effectively integrating the operations of each business we acquired.

 

In recent years, we have been reviewing our businesses, with the objective of focusing on segments where we have competitive advantage and the greatest potential for growth and returns on capital. We began to redeploy our capital in accordance with that strategy in 2002 and have exited certain product lines, distribution relationships and business units where we lacked long-term competitive advantage, could not deploy capital efficiently or could not achieve our targeted returns. In August 2003, we sold our Japanese life insurance operations and our domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses to American International Group, Inc. We also repriced certain products for higher risk-adjusted margins and lowered production targets for products that were not achieving our targeted returns on capital. At the same time, GE has been reviewing its long-term strategy and has actively sought to reduce its investment in insurance businesses and redeploy some of the capital required by those businesses to its other businesses. For example, in December 2003, GE sold substantially all of its financial guaranty insurance business to a consortium led by The PMI Group, Inc.

 

We have benefited from GE’s commitment to operational execution, continuous process improvement, cost productivity, risk management, technology and development of managerial talent. We believe these skills and values provide us with a significant competitive advantage, and we intend to retain them as an integral part of our culture. We also believe our independence from GE provides us with a number of benefits, allowing us to:

 

    execute a strategy for our insurance business independent from GE’s overall corporate strategy;

 

    obtain direct access to capital markets;

 

    use our stock for selective acquisitions; and

 

    align employee incentive plans more closely with the performance of our company.

 

Formation of Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

We were incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2003 in preparation for our corporate reorganization and the IPO. We were incorporated solely for this purpose and until our corporate reorganization and IPO did not engage in any activities, except in preparation for our corporate reorganization and the IPO, which was completed on May 28, 2004.

 

In connection with the IPO, we acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GEFAHI. GEFAHI is an indirect subsidiary of GE and until the IPO was a holding company for a group of companies that provide

 

103


Table of Contents

life insurance, long-term care insurance, group life and health insurance, annuities and other investment products and U.S. mortgage insurance. We also acquired certain other insurance businesses that were owned by other GE subsidiaries but managed by members of the Genworth management team. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, Viking Insurance Company, which is a Bermuda-based reinsurer primarily of leased equipment insurance and consumer credit insurance, and mortgage contract underwriting.

 

In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI the following securities:

 

    489.5 million shares of our Class B Common Stock. For a description of the terms of our common stock, see “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock.” GEFAHI sold 146.44 million shares of our Class A Common Stock (which were converted from an equal number of shares of Class B Common Stock) in the IPO.

 

    $600 million of our Equity Units. For a description of the terms of our Equity Units, see “Description of Equity Units.” GEFAHI sold all the Equity Units in a public offering concurrent with the IPO.

 

    $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock. For a description of the terms of our Series A Preferred Stock, see “Description of Capital Stock—Preferred Stock—Series A Preferred Stock.” GEFAHI sold all the Series A Preferred Stock in a public offering concurrent with the IPO.

 

    A $2.4 billion note. We repaid this note upon the completion of the IPO with borrowings under a short-term credit facility. We repaid those borrowings shortly thereafter with proceeds from our offerings of $1.9 billion of senior notes and $500 million of commercial paper. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness—Senior Notes” and “Description of Certain Indebtedness—Commercial Paper.”

 

    The $550 million Contingent Note. We repaid the Contingent Note in December 2004. For a description of the terms of this note, see “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Contingent Note.”

 

The liabilities we assumed from GEFAHI include the Yen Notes, which are ¥60 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.6% notes due 2011 that had been issued by GEFAHI, ¥3 billion of which GEFAHI held and transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization. In the third quarter of 2004, we retired the ¥3 billion of Yen Notes that were transferred to us. We have entered into arrangements to swap our obligations under the Yen Notes to a U.S. dollar obligation with a principal amount of $491 million and bearing interest at a rate of 4.84% per annum.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, GEFAHI owned 100% of our outstanding common stock, which consisted solely of Class B Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock convert automatically into shares of Class A Common Stock when they are held by any person other than GE or an affiliate of GE or when GE no longer beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, all the shares 146.44 million shares of common stock offered in the IPO consisted of Class A Common Stock. Upon the completion of the IPO, GE beneficially owned (through GEFAHI) approximately 70% of our outstanding common stock. After the IPO and prior to the completion of this offering, GE has not sold any additional shares of our common stock. GE has indicated that it expects, subject to market conditions, to reduce its ownership over the next two years as we transition to full independence.

 

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a number of arrangements with GE governing our separation from GE and a variety of transition and other matters, including our relationship with GE while GE remains a significant stockholder in our company. These arrangements include several significant reinsurance transactions with Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company, or UFLIC, an indirect subsidiary of GE. As part of these transactions, we ceded to UFLIC, effective as of January 1, 2004, policy obligations under our structured settlement contracts, which had reserves of $12.0 billion, and our variable annuity contracts, which had general account reserves of $2.8 billion and separate account reserves of $7.9 billion, each as of December 31, 2003.

 

104


Table of Contents

These contracts represented substantially all of our contracts that were in force as of December 31, 2003 for these products. In addition, effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC policy obligations under a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured from Travelers, which had reserves of $1.5 billion, as of December 31, 2003. In the aggregate, these blocks of business did not meet our target return thresholds, and although we remain liable under these contracts and policies as the ceding insurer, the reinsurance transactions have the effect of transferring the financial results of the reinsured blocks to UFLIC. We are continuing new sales of structured settlement, variable annuity and long-term care insurance products, and we expect to achieve our targeted returns on these new sales. In addition, we continue to service the blocks of business that we reinsured, which preserves our operating scale and enables us to service and grow our new sales of these products. See “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company.”

 

105


Table of Contents

Business

 

Overview

 

We are a leading insurance company in the U.S., with an expanding international presence, serving the life and lifestyle protection, retirement income, investment and mortgage insurance needs of more than 15 million customers. We have leadership positions in key products that we expect will benefit from a number of significant demographic, governmental and market trends. We distribute our products and services through an extensive and diversified distribution network that includes financial intermediaries, independent producers and dedicated sales specialists. We conduct operations in 22 countries and have approximately 6,150 employees.

 

 

We have the following three operating segments:

 

    Protection. We offer U.S. customers life insurance, long-term care insurance and, primarily for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, group life and health insurance. In Europe, we offer payment protection insurance, which helps consumers meet their payment obligations in the event of illness, involuntary unemployment, disability or death. In 2004, we were the leading provider of individual long-term care insurance and a leading provider of term life insurance in the U.S., according to LIMRA International (in each case based upon annualized first-year premiums). We believe we are a leading provider of term life insurance through brokerage general agencies in the U.S. and that this channel is the largest and fastest-growing distribution channel for term life insurance. Our leadership in long-term care insurance is based upon 30 years of product underwriting and claims experience. This experience has enabled us to build and benefit from what we believe is the largest actuarial database in the long-term care insurance industry. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Protection segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $527 million.

 

    Retirement Income and Investments. We offer U.S. customers fixed and variable deferred annuities, income annuities, variable life insurance, asset management, and specialized products, including guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, funding agreements and structured settlements. We are an established provider of these products. In 2004, according to VARDS, we were the largest provider of variable income annuities in the U.S., and according to LIMRA International, we were the second-largest provider of fixed income annuities in the U.S. (in each case based upon total premiums and deposits). For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Retirement Income and Investments segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $148 million.

 

    Mortgage Insurance. In the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, we offer mortgage insurance products that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages. These products generally also aid financial institutions in managing their capital efficiently by reducing the capital required for low-down-payment mortgages. According to Inside Mortgage Finance, in 2004, we were the fifth-largest provider of mortgage insurance in the U.S. (based upon new insurance written). We also believe we are the largest provider of private mortgage insurance outside the U.S. (based upon flow new insurance written), with leading mortgage insurance operations in Canada, Australia and the U.K. and a growing presence in Continental Europe. The net premiums written in our international mortgage insurance business have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 45% for the three years ended December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Mortgage Insurance segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $426 million.

 

We also have a Corporate and Other segment which consists primarily of unallocated corporate income and expenses (including amounts incurred in settlement of class action lawsuits), the results of several small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments, most of our interest and other financing expenses and net realized investment gains (losses). For the year ended December 31, 2004, our Corporate and Other segment had pro forma segment net earnings of $29 million.

 

We had $12.9 billion of total stockholders’ interest and $103.9 billion of total assets as of December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31, 2004, on a pro forma basis, our revenues were $10.2 billion and our net

 

106


Table of Contents

earnings from continuing operations were $1.1 billion. Our principal life insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA-” (Very Strong) from S&P, “Aa3” (Excellent) from Moody’s, “A+” (Superior) from A.M. Best and “AA-” (Very Strong) from Fitch, and our rated mortgage insurance companies have financial strength ratings of “AA” (Very Strong) from S&P, “Aa2” (Excellent) from Moody’s and “AA” (Very Strong) from Fitch. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of S&P’s 20 ratings categories, respectively. The “Aa2” and “Aa3” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories, respectively. The “A+” rating is the second-highest of A.M. Best’s 15 ratings categories. The “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories, respectively.

 

Market Environment and Opportunities

 

We believe we are well positioned to benefit from a number of significant demographic, governmental and market trends, including the following:

 

    Aging U.S. population with growing retirement income needs. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, from 1945 to 2003, U.S. life expectancy at birth increased from 62.9 years to 74.4 years for men and from 68.4 years to 79.5 years for women, respectively, and life expectancy is expected to increase further. In addition, increasing numbers of baby boomers are approaching retirement age. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the percentage of the U.S. population aged 55 or older will increase from approximately 22% (65 million) in 2004 to more than 29% (97 million) in 2020. These increases in life expectancy and the average age of the U.S. population heighten the risk that individuals will outlive their retirement savings. In addition, approximately $4.4 trillion of invested financial assets (25% of all U.S. invested financial assets) are held by people within 10 years of retirement and will be available to be converted to income as those people retire, and approximately $3.3 trillion of invested financial assets are held by individuals who are under age 70 and consider themselves retired, in each case according to a survey conducted by SRI Consulting Business Intelligence in 2002. We believe these trends will lead to growing demand for products, such as our income annuities and other investment products, that help consumers accumulate assets and provide reliable retirement income.

 

    Growing lifestyle protection gap. The aging U.S. population and a number of other factors are creating a significant lifestyle protection gap for a growing number of individuals. This gap is the result of individuals not having sufficient resources, including insurance coverage, to ensure that their future assets and income will be adequate to support their desired lifestyle. Other factors contributing to this gap include declining individual savings rates, rising healthcare and nursing care costs, and a shifting of the burden for funding protection needs from governments and employers to individuals. For example, many companies have reduced employer-paid benefits in recent years, and the Social Security Administration projected in 2004 that the annual costs of Social Security will exceed the program’s tax revenue under current law in 2019, creating the potential for both long-term benefit reductions from these traditional sources and the need for individuals to identify alternative sources for these benefits. In addition, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal savings rates decreased from 10.8% in 1984 to 1.0% in 2004. Consumers are exposed to the rising costs of healthcare and nursing care during their retirement years, and some experts believe that many consumers are underinsured with respect to their protection needs. For example, according to the American Society on Aging and Conning Research & Consulting, approximately 70% of individuals in the U.S. age 65 and older will require long-term care at some time in their lives. However, in 2003, less than 10% of the individuals in the U.S. age 55 and older had long-term care insurance, according to statistics published by LIMRA International and the U.S. Census Bureau. Moreover, the most recent Survey of Consumer Finances conducted by the Federal Reserve Board found that the median household’s life insurance coverage decreased in recent years to 1.4 times household income, which we believe leaves a significant life insurance protection gap for individuals and families. We expect these trends to result in increased demand for our life, long-term care and small group life and health insurance products.

 

   

Increasing opportunities for mortgage insurance internationally and in the U.S. We believe a number of factors have contributed and will contribute to the growth of mortgage insurance in Canada, Australia

 

107


Table of Contents
 

and the U.S., where we have significant mortgage insurance operations. These factors include increasing homeownership levels (spurred in part by government housing policies that favor homeownership and demographic factors driving demand for housing); expansion of low-down-payment mortgage loan offerings; legislative and regulatory policies that provide capital incentives for lenders to transfer the risks of low-down-payment mortgages to mortgage insurers; and expansion of secondary mortgage markets that require credit enhancements, such as mortgage insurance. We believe a number of these factors also are becoming evident in some European, Latin American and Asian markets, where lenders increasingly are using mortgage insurance to manage the risks of their loan portfolios and to expand low-down-payment lending.

 

Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths will enable us to capitalize on opportunities in our targeted markets:

 

    Leading positions in diversified targeted markets. We have established leading positions in our targeted markets. In our Protection segment, we are a leading provider of several core products including individual long-term care insurance and term life insurance in the U.S. and payment protection insurance in Europe. In our Retirement Income and Investments segment, we are a leading provider of income annuities. In our international Mortgage Insurance business, we have leading operations in Canada, Australia and the U.K., with a growing presence in Continental Europe. We believe our leading positions provide us with the scale necessary to compete effectively in these markets as they grow. We also believe our strong presence in multiple markets provides balance to our business, reduces our exposure to adverse economic trends affecting any one market and provides stable cash flow to fund growth opportunities.

 

    Product innovation and breadth. We have a tradition of developing innovative financial products to serve the needs of our customers. For example, we were the first to introduce long-term care insurance plans that enable married couples to share long-term care insurance benefits. We also introduced the Income Distribution Series of guaranteed income annuity products and riders that provide the contractholder with a guaranteed minimum income stream and an opportunity to participate in market appreciation. In our U.S. mortgage insurance business, we recently introduced our HomeOpenersSM products, which are designed, in part, to compete with simultaneous second loans. We offer a breadth of products that meet the needs of consumers throughout the various stages of their lives. We are selective in the products we offer and strive to maintain appropriate return and risk thresholds when we expand the scope of our product offerings. We believe our reputation for innovation and our breadth of products enable us to sustain strong relationships with our distributors. They also position us to benefit from the current trend among distributors to reduce the number of insurers with whom they maintain relationships, while at the same time providing distributors continued access to a breadth of products.

 

    Extensive, multi-channel distribution network. We have extensive distribution reach and offer consumers access to our products through a broad network of financial intermediaries, independent producers and dedicated sales specialists. In addition, we maintain strong relationships with leading distributors by providing a high level of specialized and differentiated distribution support, such as product training, advanced marketing and sales solutions, financial product design for affluent customers and technology solutions that support the distributors’ sales efforts. We also offer a joint business improvement program, through which we help our independent sales intermediaries increase sales and realize greater cost and operational efficiencies in their businesses.

 

   

Technology-enhanced, scalable, low-cost operating platform. We have pursued an aggressive approach to cost-management and continuous process improvement. We employ an extensive array of cost management disciplines, forming dedicated teams to identify opportunities for cost reductions and the continuous improvement of business processes. This has enabled us to reduce our recurring operating expenses and provide funds for new growth and technology investments. We also have developed

 

108


Table of Contents
 

sophisticated technology tools that enhance performance by automating key processes and reducing response times and process variations. These tools also make it easier for our customers and distributors to do business with us. For example, we have developed a proprietary digital platform that automates our term life and long-term care insurance new business processing and improves the consistency and accuracy of our underwriting decisions. This platform has shortened the cycle time from receipt-of-application to issuance-of-policy and reduced policy acquisition costs. In addition, we have centralized our operations and have established scalable, low-cost operating centers in Virginia, North Carolina and Ireland. Through an outsourcing provider that is 40% owned by GE, we also have a substantial team of professionals in India who provide us with a variety of support services.

 

    Disciplined risk management with strong compliance practices. Risk management and regulatory compliance are critical parts of our business, and we are recognized in the insurance industry for our excellence in these areas. We employ comprehensive risk management processes in virtually every aspect of our operations, including product development, underwriting, investment management, asset-liability management and technology development programs. We have an experienced group of more than 150 professionals dedicated exclusively to our risk management processes. We believe our disciplined risk management processes have enabled us to avoid a number of the pricing and product design pitfalls that have affected other participants in the insurance industry. For example, we have not offered a traditional guaranteed minimum income benefit with our variable annuities as offered by many of our competitors because we concluded the exposures inherent in these benefits exceed our permissible risk tolerance. In our mortgage insurance business, we have substantially limited our exposure to the riskier portions of the bulk and sub-prime mortgage insurance market. We take a similar disciplined approach to legal and regulatory compliance. Throughout our company we instill a strong commitment to integrity in business dealings and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

    Strong balance sheet and high-quality investment portfolio. We believe our size, ratings and capital strength provide us with a significant competitive advantage. We have a diversified, high-quality investment portfolio with $65.7 billion of invested assets, as of December 31, 2004. Approximately 94% of our fixed maturities had ratings equivalent to investment-grade, and less than 1% of our total investment portfolio consisted of equity securities, as of December 31, 2004. We also actively manage the relationship between our investment assets and our insurance liabilities. Our prudent approach to managing our balance sheet reflects our commitment to maintaining financial strength.

 

    Experienced and deep management team. Our senior management team has an average of approximately 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. We have an established track record for successfully developing managerial talent at all levels of our organization and have instilled a performance- and execution-oriented corporate culture.

 

Growth Strategies

 

Our objective is to increase operating earnings and enhance returns on equity. We intend to pursue this objective by focusing on the following strategies:

 

    Capitalize on attractive growth trends in three key markets. We have positioned our product portfolio and distribution relationships to capitalize on the attractive growth prospects in three key markets:

 

Retirement income, where we believe growth will be driven by a variety of favorable demographic trends and the approximately $4.4 trillion of invested financial assets in the U.S. that are held by people within 10 years of retirement and $3.3 trillion of invested assets that are held by individuals who are under age 70 and consider themselves retired, in each case according to SRI Consulting Business Intelligence. Our products are designed to enable the growing retired population to convert their accumulated assets into reliable income throughout their retirement years.

 

Protection, particularly long-term care insurance and payment protection insurance. In long-term care insurance, we believe growth will be driven by the increasing protection needs of the

 

109


Table of Contents

expanding aging population and a shifting of the burden for funding these needs from governments and employers to individuals. For example, according to the American Society on Aging and Conning Research & Consulting, approximately 70% of individuals in the U.S. age 65 and older will require long-term care at some time in their lives, but in 2003, less than 10% of the individuals in the U.S. age 55 and older had long-term care insurance. In our payment protection insurance business, we believe market growth will result from the increase in consumer borrowing across Europe, the expansion of the European Union and reduced unemployment benefits in the European markets where we offer our products.

 

International mortgage insurance, where we continue to see attractive growth opportunities with the expansion of homeownership and low-down-payment loans. The net premiums written in our international mortgage insurance business have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 45% for the three years ended December 31, 2004.

 

    Further strengthen and extend our distribution channels. We intend to further strengthen and extend our distribution channels by continuing to differentiate ourselves in areas where we believe we have distinct competitive advantages. These areas include:

 

Product and service innovations, as evidenced by new product introductions, such as the introduction of our Income Distribution Series of guaranteed income products and riders, our private mortgage insurance products in the European market, and our service innovations, which include programs such as our policyholder wellness initiatives in our long-term care insurance business and our automated underwriting platform in our mortgage insurance business.

 

Collaborative approach to key distributors, which includes our joint business improvement program and our tailored approach to our sales intermediaries addressing their unique service needs, which have benefited our distributors and helped strengthen our relationships with them.

 

Technology initiatives, such as our proprietary underwriting system, which has made it easier for distributors to do business with us, improved our term life and long-term care insurance underwriting speed and accuracy, and lowered our operating costs.

 

    Enhance returns on capital and increase margins. We believe we will be able to enhance our returns on capital and increase our margins through the following means:

 

Adding new business layers at targeted returns and optimizing mix. We have introduced revised pricing and new products in a number of business lines, which we believe will increase our expected returns. In U.S. mortgage insurance, we are targeting market segments in which we can generate new business at higher returns and limiting our growth from segments that have lower returns. We have exited or placed in run-off certain product lines in blocks of business with low returns, including, for example, our older, fixed GICs, facility-only long-term care insurance policies and certain payment protection insurance contracts, mostly in the U.K. As these blocks decrease, we expect to release capital over time to deploy to higher-return products and/or businesses.

 

Capital efficiency and management. We continually seek opportunities to use our capital more efficiently, while maintaining our ratings and strong capital position. We have developed a capital markets solution to fund additional statutory reserves on our term life insurance policies related to Regulation XXX, and we are working to develop similar structures for other product lines, including universal life insurance. In addition, we intend to complement our core growth strategy through selective acquisitions designed to enhance product and distribution capabilities and returns, the breadth of our product portfolio, or our distribution reach. We have successfully completed the acquisition and integration of 13 key businesses since 1993. In addition to pursuing opportunities for core growth and accretive acquisitions, we also will consider making share repurchases and increasing dividends on our common stock.

 

110


Table of Contents

Investment income enhancements. The yield on our investment portfolio is affected by the practice, prior to our separation from GE, of realizing investment gains through the sale of appreciated securities and other assets during a period of historically low interest rates. This strategy had been pursued to offset impairments in our investment portfolio, fund consolidations and restructurings in our business and provide current income. As an independent public company, our investment strategy is to optimize investment income without relying on realized investment gains. Although the interest-rate environment since our IPO in mid-2004 has been challenging, we expect over time that the yield on our investment portfolio will stabilize, with the potential for yield increases in a rising interest rate environment. We also will seek to improve our investment yield by continuously evaluating our asset class mix, pursuing additional investment classes and accepting additional credit risk when we believe that it is prudent to do so.

 

Ongoing operating cost reductions and efficiencies. We continually focus on reducing our cost base while maintaining strong service levels for our customers. We expect to accomplish this goal in each of our operating units through a wide range of cost management disciplines, including consolidating operations, using low-cost operating locations, reducing supplier costs, leveraging process improvement efforts, forming focused teams to identify opportunities for cost reductions and investing in new technology, particularly for web-based, digital end-to-end processes.

 

Protection

 

Through our Protection segment, we offer life insurance, long-term care insurance, payment protection insurance and employment-based group life and health insurance. The following table sets forth, on an actual and pro forma basis, selected financial information regarding our Protection segment as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

 

     Historical

   Pro forma

    

As of or for the years

ended December 31,


  

For the
year ended
December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Net earned premiums

                           

Life insurance

   $ 759    $ 698    $ 685    $ 759

Long-term care insurance

     1,672      1,775      1,543      1,589

Payment protection insurance

     1,427      1,507      1,242      1,427

Group life and health insurance

     623      608      618      623
    

  

  

  

Total net earned premiums

   $ 4,481    $ 4,588    $ 4,088    $ 4,398
    

  

  

  

Revenues, net of reinsurance

                           

Life insurance

   $ 1,518    $ 1,443    $ 1,432    $ 1,518

Long-term care insurance

     2,311      2,408      2,087      2,182

Payment protection insurance

     1,549      1,615      1,372      1,549

Group life and health insurance

     686      677      714      686
    

  

  

  

Total revenues, net of reinsurance

   $ 6,064    $ 6,143    $ 5,605    $ 5,935
    

  

  

  

Segment net earnings

                           

Life insurance

   $ 245    $ 211    $ 252    $ 245

Long-term care insurance

     172      171      164      171

Payment protection insurance

     81      64      82      81

Group life and health insurance

     30      41      56      30
    

  

  

  

Total segment net earnings

   $ 528    $ 487    $ 554    $ 527
    

  

  

  

Total segment assets

   $ 31,806    $ 29,254    $ 27,104       
    

  

  

      

 

111


Table of Contents

Life insurance

 

Overview

 

Life insurance provides protection against financial hardship after the death of an insured by providing cash payments to the beneficiaries of the policyholder. According to the American Council of Life Insurers, sales of new life insurance coverage in the U.S. were $2.9 trillion in 2003, and total life insurance coverage in the U.S. was $16.8 trillion as of December 31, 2003. Excluding variable life insurance, the sales of which have been adversely affected by recent stock market volatility, annualized first-year premiums for life insurance increased by an average of 14.7% per year from 2000 to 2003, according to LIMRA International.

 

Our principal life insurance product is term life, which provides life insurance coverage with guaranteed level premiums for a specified period of time with little or no buildup of cash value that is payable upon lapse of the coverage. We have been a leading provider of term life insurance for more than two decades, and we believe we are a leading provider of term life insurance through brokerage general agencies in the U.S. In addition to term life insurance, we offer universal life insurance products, which are designed to provide protection for the entire life of the insured and may include a buildup of cash value that can be used to meet the policyholder’s particular financial needs during his lifetime. Our life insurance business also includes a run-off block of whole life insurance.

 

We price our insurance policies based primarily upon our own historical experience in the risk categories that we target. Our pricing strategy is to target individuals in preferred risk categories and offer them attractive products at competitive prices. Preferred risks include healthier individuals who generally have family histories that do not present increased mortality risk. We also have significant expertise in evaluating people with health problems and offer appropriately priced coverage for people who meet our underwriting criteria.

 

We have been able to improve our returns on equity on new business by implementing pricing, reinsurance and capital management actions in response to Regulation XXX, which requires insurers to establish additional statutory reserves for term and universal life insurance policies with long-term premium guarantees. Virtually all our newly issued term and universal life insurance business is now affected by Regulation XXX.

 

We offer our life insurance products primarily through an extensive network of independent brokerage general agencies located throughout the U.S. We also offer our life insurance products through affluent market producer groups and financial intermediaries. We believe there are opportunities to expand our sales through each of these distribution channels.

 

112


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our life insurance products as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

 

   

As of or for the years ended

December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


  2004

  2003

  2002

Term life insurance

                 

Net earned premiums

  $ 721   $ 664   $ 635

Annualized first-year premiums(1)

    102     106     138

Revenues, net of reinsurance

    831     746     720

Life insurance in force, net of reinsurance (face amount)

    329,014     296,942     263,622

Life insurance in force, before reinsurance (face amount)

    481,985     457,738     416,305

Universal and whole life insurance

                 

Net earned premiums and deposits

    373     402     406

Annualized first-year deposits(1)

    42     57     57

Revenues, net of reinsurance

    687     697     712

Life insurance in force, net of reinsurance (face amount)

    41,745     43,726     44,663

Life insurance in force, before reinsurance (face amount)

    50,775     53,074     54,587

Total life insurance(2)

                 

Net earned premiums and deposits

    1,094     1,066     1,041

Annualized first-year premiums(1)

    102     106     138

Annualized first-year deposits(1)

    42     57     57

Revenues, net of reinsurance

    1,518     1,443     1,432

Life insurance in force, net of reinsurance (face amount)

    370,759     340,668     308,285

Life insurance in force, before reinsurance (face amount)

    532,760     510,812     470,892

(1) Annualized first-year premiums for term life insurance and deposits for universal life insurance reflect the amount of business we generated during each period shown and do not include renewal premiums or deposits on policies written during prior periods. We consider annualized first-year premiums and deposits to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of new sales of insurance policies during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period. This operating measure enables us to compare our operating performance across periods without regard to revenues or profitability related to policies sold in prior periods or from investments or other sources.
(2) Excludes life insurance written through our group life and health insurance business, a corporate-owned life insurance run-off block managed by our long-term care insurance business and variable life insurance written through our Retirement Income and Investments segment.

 

Products

 

Term life insurance

 

Our term life insurance policies provide a death benefit if the insured dies while the coverage is in force. Term life policies lapse with little or no required payment by us at the end of the coverage period if the insured is still alive. We also offer policyholders the right to convert most of our term insurance policies to specified universal or variable universal life insurance policies issued by us. We seek to reduce the mortality risk associated with conversion by restricting its availability to certain ages and by limiting the period during which the conversion option can be exercised.

 

Our primary term life insurance products have guaranteed level premiums for initial terms of 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. In addition, our 5-year products offer, at the end of the initial term, a second 5-year term of level premiums, which may or may not be guaranteed. After the guaranteed period expires, premiums increase annually and the policyholder has the option to continue under the current policy by paying the increased premiums without demonstrating insurability or qualifying for a new policy by submitting again to the

 

113


Table of Contents

underwriting process. Coverage continues until the insured reaches the policy expiration age or the policyholder ceases to make premium payments or otherwise terminates the policy, including potentially converting to a permanent plan of insurance. The termination of coverage is called a lapse. For newer policies, we seek to reduce lapses at the end of the guaranteed period by gradually grading premiums to the attained age scale of the insured over the five years following the guaranteed period. After this phase-in period, premiums continue to increase as the insured ages.

 

Universal life insurance

 

Our universal life insurance policies provide policyholders with lifetime death benefit coverage, the ability to accumulate assets on a flexible, tax-deferred basis, and the option to access the cash value of the policy through a policy loan, partial withdrawal or full surrender. Our universal life products allow policyholders to adjust the timing and amount of premium payments. We credit premiums paid, less certain expenses, to the policyholder’s account and from that account deduct regular expense charges and certain risk charges, known as cost of insurance, which generally increase from year to year as the insured ages. Our universal life insurance policies accumulate cash value that we pay to the insured when the policy lapses or is surrendered. Most of our universal life policies also include provisions for surrender charges for early termination and partial withdrawals. As of December 31, 2004, 53% of our in-force block of universal life insurance was subject to surrender charges. We also sell joint, second-to-die policies that are typically used for estate planning purposes. These policies insure two lives rather than one, with the policy proceeds paid after the death of both insured individuals.

 

We credit interest on policyholder account balances at a rate determined by us, but not less than a contractually guaranteed minimum. Our in-force universal life insurance policies generally have minimum guaranteed crediting rates ranging from 3.0% to 6.0% for the life of the policy.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

We believe effective underwriting and pricing are significant drivers of the profitability of our life insurance business, and we have established rigorous underwriting and pricing practices to maximize our profitability. We retain most of the risk we currently underwrite, thereby minimizing the premiums ceded to reinsurers. We generally reinsure risks in excess of $1 million per life, and the reinsured amount is generally based on the policy amount at the time of issue. We set pricing assumptions for expected claims, lapses, investment returns, expenses and customer demographics based on our own relevant experience and other factors. Our strategy is to price our products competitively for our target risk categories and not necessarily to be equally competitive in all categories.

 

Our current underwriting guidelines place each insurable life insurance applicant in one of eight primary risk categories, depending upon current health, medical history and other factors. Each of these eight categories has specific health criteria, including the applicant’s history of using nicotine products. We consider each life insurance application individually and apply our guidelines to place each applicant in the appropriate risk category, regardless of face value or net amount at risk. We may decline an applicant’s request for coverage if his health or lifestyle assessment is unacceptable to us. We do not delegate underwriting decisions to independent sales intermediaries. Instead, all underwriting decisions are made by our own underwriting personnel or by our automated underwriting system. We often share information with our reinsurers to gain their insights on potential mortality and underwriting risks and to benefit from their broad expertise. We use the information we obtain from the reinsurers to help us develop effective strategies to manage those risks.

 

A key part of our life insurance underwriting program is the streamlined, technology-enhanced process called GENIUS®, which automates new business processing for term life insurance. GENIUS® has shortened the cycle time from receipt-of-application to issuance-of-policy, reduced policy acquisition costs and improved the consistency and accuracy of our underwriting decisions by reducing decision-making variation.

 

114


Table of Contents

Long-term care insurance

 

Overview

 

We offer individual long-term care insurance products that provide protection against the high and escalating costs of long-term health care provided in the insured’s home and in assisted living and nursing facilities. Insureds become eligible for benefits when they are incapable of performing certain activities of daily living or when they become cognitively impaired. In contrast to health insurance, long-term care insurance provides coverage for skilled and custodial care provided outside of a hospital. The typical claim covers a duration of care of 3 to 24 months.

 

We were the leading provider of individual long-term care insurance in 2004, according to LIMRA International, based upon number of policies sold and annualized first-year premiums. We established ourselves as a pioneer in long-term care insurance 30 years ago. Since that time, we have accumulated extensive pricing and claims experience, which we believe is the most comprehensive in the industry and has enabled us to build what we believe is the largest actuarial database in the industry. We believe our experience gives us a deep understanding of what is required for long term, consistent success and has enabled us to develop a disciplined growth strategy built on a foundation of strong risk management, product innovation and a diversified distribution strategy.

 

Total individual long-term care insurance premiums for in-force policies in the U.S. increased from approximately $2.4 billion in 1997 to $6.8 billion in 2004, according to LIMRA International. Industry-wide sales of individual long-term care insurance peaked in 2002 at approximately $1.0 billion and decreased by 7% in 2003 and 25% in 2004. We believe this decrease was due primarily to decisions by several providers to cease offering long-term care insurance, to raise premiums on in force-policies, and to introduce new products with higher prices. These actions resulted in decreased purchases of long-term care insurance products and have caused some distributors to reduce their sales focus on these products. Notwithstanding these recent trends, we believe that over time, the long-term care insurance market will continue to expand as the result of aging demographics, increasing healthcare and nursing care costs, the uncertainty regarding government programs that currently cover these costs and the increasing public awareness of the benefits of private long-term care insurance.

 

As the leading provider of individual long-term care insurance, we have made significant investments to further the education and awareness of the benefits of long-term care insurance. Examples of these investments include the national sponsorship of the Alzheimer’s Association annual Memory Walk, the creation of a national long-term care awareness day, and free access to our Center for Financial Learning website. In 2004, we also entered into a strategic alliance with the Corporation for Long-Term Care Certification, Inc., a nationally recognized long-term care training organization, to educate and train our independent producers in how to help solve clients’ long-term care needs. Through our sponsorship, approximately 2,000 of our independent producers attended this program.

 

Our rigorous focus on risk management in long-term care insurance is a key part of our disciplined growth strategy and we believe it has differentiated us from our competitors. This focus includes strong pricing disciplines, intelligent product positioning, experienced-based underwriting, sound claims adjudication, disciplined asset-liability management and extensive in-force monitoring processes. Our critical product pricing assumptions such as lapse rates, investment yields, mortality and morbidity are based upon 30 years of experience. As part of our approach to product pricing, we stress test all our morbidity and other pricing assumptions through stochastic modeling. Our products are positioned to be particularly attractive to certain segments of the population, based on age and marital status, where we see consistent, favorable claims experience. Our extensive pricing and claims experience and databases enable us to perform in depth analysis so that we can respond to emerging experience and execute product pricing strategies to achieve target returns. We have comprehensive underwriting processes, including an experienced team of underwriters, and advanced analytics and technology, that improve our risk assessment and operating efficiency. We believe we have one of

 

115


Table of Contents

the largest and most experienced claims organizations in the industry. Our claims adjudication process on reimbursement policies includes a pre-eligibility assessment by an experienced health professional to establish preliminary claims eligibility, followed by an on-site assessment and care coordination phase to validate eligibility and to design an appropriate plan of care. To mitigate exposure to interest rate risk, including interest rate risk on the investment of in-force premiums, we execute investment and hedging strategies. Finally, our in-force monitoring processes include on-going evaluations of product performance, external validation of risks and various simulation tests including stochastic modeling.

 

Throughout our history, we have consistently been a leader in product innovation. We were one of the first long-term care insurers to offer home care coverage and the first to offer shared plan coverage for married couples. We developed these innovations based upon our risk analytics and in response to policyholder needs and emerging claims experience. Our most recent innovations have included our policyholder wellness initiatives that are designed to improve the overall health of our policyholders. These initiatives provide valuable services to our policyholders, reduce claims expenses and differentiate us from our competitors.

 

We distribute our products through diversified sales channels consisting of more than 100,000 appointed independent producers, financial intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists. Approximately 300 associates support these diversified distribution channels.

 

The following table sets forth, on an actual and pro forma basis, selected financial information regarding our long-term care insurance business, which includes long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement insurance, as well as several run-off blocks of accident and health insurance and corporate-owned life insurance for the periods indicated:

 

     Historical

   Pro forma

     For the years ended December 31,

  

For the year

ended

December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Net earned premiums

   $ 1,672    $ 1,775    $ 1,543    $ 1,589

Annualized first-year premiums(1)

     162      240      257      162

Revenues, net of reinsurance

     2,311      2,408      2,087      2,182

(1) Annualized first-year premiums reflect the amount of business we generated during each period shown and do not include renewal premiums on policies written during prior periods. We consider annualized first-year premiums to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of new sales of insurance policies during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period. This operating measure enables us to compare our operating performance across periods without regard to revenues or profitability related to policies sold in prior periods or from investments or other sources.

 

Products

 

Our principal product is individual long-term care insurance. Prior to the mid-1990s, we issued primarily indemnity policies, which provide for fixed daily amounts for long-term care benefits. Since the mid-1990s, we have offered primarily reimbursement policies, which provide for reimbursement of documented and approved expenses for nursing home, assisted living facilities or home care expenses. As of December 31, 2004, our in-force policies consisted of approximately 84% reimbursement policies and 16% indemnity policies, measured on a premium-weighted basis. Reimbursement policies permit us to review individual claims expenses and, therefore, provide greater control over claims cost management than indemnity policies.

 

Our products provide customers with a choice of a maximum period of coverage from two years to ten years, as well as lifetime coverage. Our current products also provide customers with different choices for the

 

116


Table of Contents

maximum reimbursement limit for their policy, with $100 to $150 per day being the most common choices nationwide. Our new policies can be purchased with a benefit increase option that provides for increases in the maximum reimbursement limit at a fixed rate of 5% per year, which helps to mitigate customers’ exposure to increasing long-term care costs. Many long-term care insurance policies sold in the industry have a feature referred to as an elimination period that is a minimum period of time that an insured must incur the direct cost of care before becoming eligible for policy benefits. Although many of our new policies have no elimination period for home care coverage, the majority of our new policies do have an elimination period for care provided in assisted living and nursing facilities. All of these product features allow customers to tailor their coverage to meet their specific requirements and allow us to price our products with better predictability regarding future claim costs.

 

Our current long-term care insurance product is designed to offer comprehensive coverage with flexibility to adjust benefits and coverages to meet individual consumer needs. Features include no elimination period for home-care benefits, international coverage and a choice between monthly maximum expense limits and daily limits. Consumers also are able to design more economical long-term care insurance policies by customizing individual benefit features and reducing reimbursement on home-care benefits.

 

We sell our long-term care insurance policies on a guaranteed renewable basis, which means that we are required to renew the policies each year as long as the premium is paid. The terms of all our long-term care insurance policies permit us to increase premiums during the premium-paying period if appropriate in light of our experience with a relevant group of policies, although historically it has been our practice not to do so. We may increase premiums on a group of policies in response to those policies’ performance, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. However, we may not increase premiums due to changes in an individual’s health status or age.

 

In addition to our individual long-term care insurance products, we also offer a group long-term care insurance program for GE employees in the U.S. This group program currently consists of approximately 42,000 long-term care insurance policies and accounted for approximately $25 million and $24 million of net earned premiums for the years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

We also offer Medicare supplement insurance providing coverage for Medicare-qualified expenses that are not covered by Medicare because of applicable deductibles or maximum limits. Medicare supplement insurance often appeals to a similar sector of the population as long-term care insurance, and we believe we will be able to use our marketing and distribution strengths for long-term care insurance products to increase sales of Medicare supplement insurance.

 

The financial results of our long-term care insurance business also include the results of our Medicare supplement insurance product and several small run-off blocks of accident and health insurance products and corporate-owned life insurance. We believe that these blocks of business do not have a material effect on the results of our long-term care insurance business.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we ceded a block of in-force long-term care insurance business to UFLIC, and we assumed several small in-force blocks of Medicare supplement insurance from UFLIC.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

We employ extensive medical underwriting policies and procedures to assess and quantify risks before we issue our long-term care insurance policies. For individual long-term care products, we use underwriting criteria that are similar to, but separate from, those we use in underwriting life insurance products. Depending upon an applicant’s age and health status, we use a variety of underwriting information sources to determine morbidity risk, or the probability that an insured will be unable to perform activities of daily living or suffer cognitive impairment, and eligibility for insurance. The process entails a comprehensive application that requests health, prescription drug and lifestyle- and activity-related information. Higher-risk applicants are also required to

 

117


Table of Contents

participate in an assessment process by telephone or in person. A critical element of this assessment process is a cognitive exam to identify early cognitive impairments. In addition, an experienced long-term care insurance underwriter conducts a comprehensive review of the application, the results of the assessment process and, in many cases, complete medical records from the applicant’s physicians.

 

To streamline the underwriting process and improve the accuracy and consistency of our underwriting decisions, we implemented the GENIUS® automated underwriting technology in our long-term care insurance business beginning in January 2003. We now use GENIUS® to process all our new long-term care insurance applications.

 

We believe we have one of the largest and most experienced long-term care insurance claims management operations in the industry. Our claims adjudication process includes, with respect to newer policies, a pre-claim assessment by an experienced health professional who establishes preliminary claims eligibility, followed by an on-site assessment and care coordination phase to validate eligibility and to work with the customer in determining an appropriate plan of care. Continued claims eligibility is verified through an ongoing eligibility assessment for existing claimants. We will continue to make investments in new processes and technologies that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our long-term care insurance expense tracking and claims decision-making process.

 

The overall profitability of our long-term care insurance policies depends to a large extent on the degree to which our claims experience, morbidity and mortality experience, lapse rates and investment yields match our pricing assumptions. We believe we have the largest actuarial database in the industry, derived from 30 years of experience in offering long-term care insurance products. This database has provided substantial claims experience and statistics regarding morbidity risk, which has helped us to develop a sophisticated pricing methodology tailored to segmented risk categories, depending upon marital status, medical history and other factors. We continually monitor trends and developments that may affect the risk, pricing and profitability of our long-term care insurance products and adjust our new product pricing and other terms as appropriate. We also work with a Medical Advisory Board, comprising independent experts from the medical technology and public policy fields, that provides insights on emerging morbidity and medical trends, enabling us to be more proactive in our risk segmentation, pricing and product development strategies.

 

Payment protection insurance

 

Overview

 

We provide payment protection insurance to customers throughout Europe. Payment protection insurance helps consumers meet their payment obligations on outstanding financial commitments, such as mortgages, personal loans or credit cards, in the event of a misfortune such as illness, involuntary unemployment, temporary incapacity, permanent disability or death. We currently offer payment protection insurance in the U.K., where we have offered the product for more than 30 years, and in 12 other European markets—Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

Finaccord, an industry research firm, estimated in 2002 that gross written premiums for payment protection insurance with an involuntary unemployment, temporary incapacity, permanent disability or death element were approximately €26 billion in the U.K. and the six other European countries it reviewed. Finaccord also estimated that the average annual growth rates in these seven countries would be approximately 10% for retail lending balances from 2003 to 2005. The U.K. is the largest and most mature market in Europe. Although recent growth rates and margins have varied throughout Continental Europe, they are generally significantly higher than in the U.K.

 

We distribute our payment protection products primarily through financial institutions, such as major European banks, which offer our insurance products in connection with underlying loans or other financial

 

118


Table of Contents

products they sell to their customers. Under these arrangements, the distributors typically take responsibility for branding and marketing the products, allowing us to take advantage of their distribution capabilities, while we take responsibility for pricing, underwriting and claims payment. We continue to implement innovative methods for distributing our payment protection insurance products, including using web-based tools that provide our distributors with a cost-effective means of applying and selling our products in combination with a broad range of underlying financial products. We believe these innovative methods also will make it easier to establish arrangements with new distributors.

 

As we enter into new arrangements and as existing arrangements become due for renewal, we are focused on maintaining a disciplined approach to growth, with an emphasis on arrangements that achieve our targeted returns on capital and increase our operating earnings.

 

Products

 

Our principal product is payment protection insurance, which can support any loan, credit agreement or other financial commitment. Depending upon the type of financial product or commitment, our policies may cover all or a portion of the policyholder’s obligation or may cover monthly payments for a fixed period of time. We are able to customize the circumstances under which benefits are paid from among the range of events that can prevent policyholders from meeting their payment obligations. In the event of a policyholder’s illness, involuntary unemployment or other temporary inability to work, we cover monthly payment obligations until the policyholder is able to return to work, subject, in some cases, to a maximum period. In the event of a policyholder’s death or permanent disability, we typically repay the entire covered obligation.

 

In addition to payment protection insurance, we offer related consumer protection products, primarily in the U.K., including personal accident insurance and product purchase protection. We continue to evaluate opportunities to take advantage of our European operations and distribution infrastructure to offer consumer protection insurance products throughout Europe.

 

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our payment protection insurance and other related consumer protection insurance products for the periods indicated:

 

     For for the years ended
December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Gross written premiums

   $ 902    $ 1,532    $ 1,548

Net earned premiums

     1,427      1,507      1,242

Total revenues, net of reinsurance

     1,549      1,615      1,372

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     263      376      307

 

We work with our distributors to design and promote insurance products in ways that best complement their product strategies and risk profiles and to ensure that our products comply with all applicable consumer regulations. Through this close cooperation, we believe there are opportunities to increase the benefit of these arrangements by extending our payment protection insurance products across the full range of consumer finance products offered by our distributors. We are also working closely with our distributors to help them increase the percentage of their customers who purchase our protection insurance at the time they enter into a loan or financial commitment and reduce the percentage of customers who elect not to renew our policies upon expiration. Consumers generally pay premiums for our insurance to our distributors, who in turn forward these payments to us, typically net of commissions.

 

Consistent with our focus on disciplined growth and returns on capital, as we enter into new arrangements and review existing arrangements with distributors, we seek to manage these arrangements and deploy capital where we believe we can achieve the highest returns while strengthening our client relationships. In some cases,

 

119


Table of Contents

particularly in the U.K., we had arrangements in place that accounted for significant revenue without a corresponding benefit to return on capital. Accordingly, in the third quarter of 2003, we evaluated our contractual relationships with our payment protection insurance distributors against our targeted return thresholds and decided to terminate or not to renew certain relationships that we refer to as “run-off.” Although we expect our revenue to continue to decline over the next few years as existing policies from these less-profitable arrangements continue to run off, we believe this will not have a material impact on our operating earnings and will have a favorable effect on our returns as capital is released and redeployed into markets with potential for higher growth and returns. Written premiums in our payment protection insurance business, gross of reinsurance and cancellations, decreased by 31% from $2,175 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1,501 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Excluding the run-off business, written premiums, gross of reinsurance and cancellations, increased by 21% from $1,191 million for the year ended December 31, 2003 to $1,441 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

We are continuing to diversify and expand our base of distributors. We are also exploring additional growth opportunities in Europe, which we believe will be increasingly receptive to payment protection insurance as consumer lending further develops in those markets. In addition, we believe the accession of additional countries to the European Union will facilitate our entry into those markets.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, GE’s consumer finance division and other related GE entities accounted for 42%, 19% and 14% of our payment protection insurance gross written premiums, respectively. This increase in the percentage of business relating to GE entities was primarily attributable to the decline in total gross written premiums in our payment insurance business that was due to the significant decrease in premiums relating to our run-off block. In early 2004, we entered into a five-year agreement, subject to certain early termination provisions, that extends our relationship with GE’s consumer finance division and provides us with the right to be the exclusive provider of payment protection insurance in Europe for GE’s consumer finance operations in jurisdictions where we offer these products.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

We have more than 30 years of experience in underwriting payment protection insurance. Consistent with market practices, our payment protection insurance currently is underwritten and priced on a program basis, by type of product and by distributor, rather than on the basis of the characteristics of the individual policyholder. In setting prices, we take into account the underlying obligation, the particular product features and the average customer profile of the distributor (including data such as customer age, gender and occupation). We also consider morbidity and mortality rates, lapse rates and investment yields in pricing our products. We believe our experience in underwriting allows us to provide competitive pricing to distributors and generate targeted returns and profits for our business.

 

Group life and health insurance

 

Overview

 

We offer a full range of employment-based benefit products and services targeted primarily at employers with fewer than 1,000 employees, as well as select groups within larger companies that require highly customized benefit plans. We refer to our group life and health insurance business as the Employee Benefits Group. This group’s products include group non-medical insurance products, such as dental, vision, life and disability insurance; group medical insurance products, such as stop loss insurance; and individual voluntary products. We purchase excess-of-loss reinsurance coverage to limit our exposure to losses from our group non-medical and medical insurance lines.

 

We use an independent network of approximately 4,000 licensed group life and health insurance brokers and agents, supported by our nationwide sales force of approximately 100 employees, to distribute our group life and health insurance products. Individual voluntary products are sold through employers and other worksite-

 

120


Table of Contents

based groups using a network of independent insurance producers. As of December 31, 2004, our Employee Benefits Group provided employment-based benefit products and services to approximately 31,000 organizations, including approximately 2.7 million plan participants.

 

Many of the employers in our target market do not have large human resource departments with individuals devoted to benefit design, administration and budgeting. As a result, we work closely with independent group benefit brokers and the end customer or employer to design benefit plans to meet the employer’s particular requirements. Our customers are small and mid-size employers that require knowledgeable independent group benefit brokers and insurance company representatives to understand their individual financial needs and employee profiles and to structure benefit plans that are appropriate for their particular size, geographical markets and resources. We believe our extensive experience and expertise in group life and health insurance products provide us with opportunities to foster close broker relationships and to assist employers in designing benefit plans, as well as selling traditional insurance products.

 

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our group life and health insurance products for the periods indicated:

 

    

For the years ended

December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Net earned premiums

   $ 623    $ 608    $ 618

Annualized first-year premiums(1)

     171      144      168

Revenues, net of reinsurance

     686      677      714

(1) Annualized first-year premiums reflect the amount of business we generated during each period shown and do not include renewal premiums on policies written during prior periods. We consider annualized first-year premiums to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of new sales of insurance policies during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period. This operating measure enables us to compare our operating performance across periods without regard to revenues or profitability related to policies sold in prior periods or from investments or other sources.

 

Products

 

We offer a full range of employee benefits products for the group, group voluntary and individual voluntary markets. We sell group benefits exclusively to employers, which pay all or most of the applicable premiums. We sell group voluntary and individual voluntary benefits through employers to employees, who generally pay all or most of the premiums through payroll deductions. Coverage in both group and group voluntary benefits generally ceases upon the termination of employment, whereas coverage in individual voluntary benefits continues after the termination of employment. Voluntary benefit products enable an employer to expand its available employee benefits without adding to the company’s costs. As a result, these programs allow employees to select benefit packages to meet their individual and family needs and budgets, generally at lower premiums than they would pay for comparable benefit packages assembled independently. Employers help to administer group and group voluntary benefits, and we administer individual voluntary benefits with little involvement from employers.

 

Group non-medical insurance

 

Our group non-medical insurance consists of dental and vision, life and disability insurance products.

 

Dental and vision insurance. Our group dental coverage provides benefits to insured employees and their eligible dependents for specified dental services. We also offer dental managed-care plans, which provide differentiated benefit levels depending upon whether the dental provider is a member of a nationwide network. Vision coverage generally is offered as a supplement to dental coverage.

 

121


Table of Contents

Life insurance. Our group term life insurance product provides benefits in the event of an insured employee’s death. The death benefit can be based upon an individual’s earnings or occupation, or can be fixed at a set dollar amount. Our products also include optional accidental death and dismemberment coverage as a supplement to our term life insurance policies. This coverage provides benefits for an insured employee’s loss of life, limb or sight as a result of accidental death or injury.

 

Disability insurance. Our group long-term disability coverage is designed to cover the risk of employee loss of income during prolonged periods of disability. Our group short-term disability coverage provides partial replacement of an insured employee’s weekly earnings in the event of disability resulting from an injury or illness. Benefits can be a set dollar amount or based upon a percentage of earnings.

 

Group medical insurance

 

Our group medical insurance consists of stop loss insurance and fully insured medical.

 

Stop loss insurance. Our stop loss insurance coverage is written for employers that self-insure their employee medical benefits and covers the risk of higher-than-expected claims experience. Our coverage provides reimbursement for claims in excess of a predetermined level.

 

We also offer an integrated self-funded medical benefits program that provides employers with stop-loss reinsurance coverage coupled with administrative services.

 

Fully insured medical. Our group medical coverage provides benefits for insured employees and their dependents for hospital, surgical and ancillary medical expenses. We offer several types of plans with a wide range of plan features, such as indemnity plans, which contain deductibles and co-insurance payments, and preferred provider organization plans, or PPO plans, which reduce deductibles and co-insurance payments for medical services provided by members of a preferred provider network of healthcare providers.

 

Individual voluntary products

 

We offer individual voluntary life and health insurance and annuity contracts through worksite marketing programs in which our representatives visit employer premises and make presentations to employees. Our individual health coverage consists primarily of short-term disability benefits with benefit periods generally ranging from nine months to two years. Although the policies are sold in connection with a benefit package offered to company employees, each policyholder receives an individual policy, and coverage can continue after termination of employment if the policyholder continues to make premium payments.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

Group insurance pricing is different from individual product pricing in that it reflects the group’s claims experience, when appropriate. The risk characteristics of each group are reviewed at the time the policy is issued and each year thereafter, resulting in ongoing adjustments to the group’s pricing. The key rating and underwriting criteria are the group’s demographic composition, including the age, gender and family composition of the group’s members, the industry of the group, geographic location, regional economic trends, plan design and the group’s prior claims experience.

 

We have a data warehouse that is integrated with all our claims processing systems. The data warehouse contains at least seven years of experience for each product that helps us predict future experience by modeling the impact of changes in current rates against historic claims. Our automated underwriting quotation and renewal systems efficiently process low-risk cases and identify high-risk cases for further underwriter review. We also have developed proprietary automated underwriting techniques that enhance the speed and accuracy of, and reduce variations in, our underwriting decision-making.

 

122


Table of Contents

Competition

 

We face significant competition in all our Protection segment operations. Our competitors include other large and highly rated insurance carriers. Some of these competitors have greater resources than we do, and many of them offer similar products and use similar distribution channels. We also face competition in our life, long-term care and group insurance product lines for independent sales intermediaries and our dedicated sales specialists. This competition is based primarily upon product pricing and features, compensation and benefits structure and support services offered. We continuously provide technology upgrades and enhanced training, and we seek to improve service for our independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists.

 

In our payment protection insurance business, we are one of the few payment protection insurance providers with operations across Europe. Our competitors are divided into two broad groups: the large pan-European payment protection providers and local competitors, consisting principally of smaller national insurance companies. We also compete with captive insurers, particularly in the U.K., as our distributors increasingly consider the benefits of providing payment protection insurance directly to their customers.

 

Retirement Income and Investments

 

Overview

 

Through our Retirement Income and Investments segment, we offer fixed and variable deferred annuities and income annuities. We offer these products to a broad range of consumers who want to accumulate tax-deferred assets for retirement, desire a reliable source of income during their retirement, and/or seek to protect against outliving their assets during retirement. According to VARDS, we were the largest provider of variable income annuities, and according to LIMRA International, we were the second-largest provider of fixed income annuities in the U.S. for the year ended December 31, 2004, in each case based upon total premiums and deposits.

 

According to LIMRA International, sales of individual annuities were $220 billion and $219 billion in 2002 and 2003, the last years for which industry data regarding aggregate sales of individual annuities is available. We believe aggregate sales of individual annuities in 2003 and 2004 remained nearly constant from 2002 levels for two reasons. First, the low interest rates that persisted throughout 2003 and 2004 resulted in low crediting rates and limited market demand for certain annuities. Second, continued volatility in the equity markets caused potential purchasers to refrain from purchasing products, such as variable annuities and variable life insurance, that have returns linked to the performance of the equity markets. We believe that higher interest rates and greater stability in equity markets will result in increased demand for annuities and other investment products that help consumers accumulate assets and provide reliable retirement income.

 

We offer fixed and variable deferred annuities, in which assets accumulate until the contract is surrendered, the contractholder dies or the contractholder begins receiving benefits under an annuity payout option, as well as fixed and variable income annuities, in which payments begin within one year of issue and continue for a fixed period or for life. We believe our wide range of fixed annuity products has provided a stable source of asset growth during volatile equity and bond markets in recent years, and our variable annuity offerings continue to appeal to contractholders who wish to participate in returns linked to equity and bond markets. We also offer variable life insurance through our Retirement Income and Investments segment because this product provides investment features that are similar to our variable annuity products.

 

In addition to our annuity and variable life insurance products, we offer a number of specialty products, including guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, funding agreements and structured settlements. We sell GICs to ERISA-qualified plans, such as pension and 401(k) plans, and we sell funding agreements to money market funds that are not ERISA qualified and to other institutional investors. Our structured settlements provide an alternative to a lump sum settlement, generally in a personal injury lawsuit, and typically are purchased by property and casualty insurance companies for the benefit of an injured claimant with benefits scheduled to be paid throughout a fixed period or for the life of the claimant. In addition, we offer private asset management services for affluent individual investors.

 

123


Table of Contents

We develop our annuity products through a rigorous pricing and underwriting process designed to achieve targeted returns based upon each product’s risk profile and our expected rate of investment returns. We compete for sales of annuities through competitive pricing policies and innovative product design. For example, we recently introduced the Income Distribution Series of guaranteed income annuity products and riders that provide a guaranteed minimum income stream with an opportunity for the contractholder to participate in market appreciation but reduce some of the risks to insurers that generally accompany traditional products with guaranteed minimum income benefits.

 

We offer our annuities and other investment products primarily through financial institutions and specialized brokers, as well as independent accountants and independent advisers associated with our captive broker dealer. We provide extensive training and support to our distributors through a wholesaling sales force that specializes in retirement income needs.

 

The following table sets forth selected information regarding the products we offer through our Retirement Income and Investments segment as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

 

    

As of or for the years ended

December 31,


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Spread-Based Retail Products

                        

Fixed annuities

                        

Account value net of reinsurance, beginning of period

   $ 14,166     $ 13,753     $ 11,965  

Deposits

     1,741       1,069       2,663  

Interest credited

     600       603       606  

Surrenders and benefits

     (1,381 )     (1,248 )     (1,471 )

Product charges

     (13 )     (11 )     (10 )
    


 


 


Account value net of reinsurance, end of period

   $ 15,113     $ 14,166     $ 13,753  
    


 


 


Income annuities

                        

Account value net of reinsurance, beginning of period

   $ 5,008     $ 4,673     $ 4,002  

Net earned premiums and deposits

     760       717       979  

Interest credited

     303       292       277  

Surrenders and benefits

     (689 )     (650 )     (562 )

Product charges

     (28 )     (24 )     (23 )
    


 


 


Account value net of reinsurance, end of period

   $ 5,354     $ 5,008     $ 4,673  
    


 


 


Structured settlements(1)

                        

Account value, beginning of period

   $ 12,017     $ 11,544     $ 11,098  

Net earned premiums and deposits

     544       581       516  

Interest credited

     844       827       797  

Surrenders and benefits

     (1,060 )     (912 )     (847 )

Product charges

     (22 )     (23 )     (20 )
    


 


 


Account value, end of period

   $ 12,323     $ 12,017     $ 11,544  
    


 


 


Total annualized first-year premiums from spread-based retail products(2)

   $ 1,094     $ 1,049     $ 991  

Total deposits on spread-based retail products(3)

     1,951       1,318       3,167  

Spread-Based Institutional Products

                        

GICs and funding agreements

                        

Account value, beginning of period

   $ 9,527     $ 10,274     $ 8,693  

Deposits(4)

     3,056       3,702       3,862  

Interest credited

     281       296       230  

Surrenders and benefits(4)

     (3,323 )     (4,745 )     (2,511 )
    


 


 


Account value, end of period

   $ 9,541     $ 9,527     $ 10,274  
    


 


 


Total deposits on spread-based institutional products(3)(4)

   $ 3,056     $ 3,702     $ 3,862  

 

124


Table of Contents
    

As of or for the years ended

December 31,


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Fee-Based Products

                        

Variable annuities(1)

                        

Account value, beginning of period

   $ 10,904     $ 9,048     $ 10,168  

Deposits

     1,106       2,102       1,667  

Interest credited and investment performance

     1,116       1,356       (1,091 )

Surrenders and benefits

     (1,451 )     (1,483 )     (1,571 )

Product charges

     (120 )     (119 )     (125 )
    


 


 


Account value, end of period

   $ 11,555     $ 10,904     $ 9,048  
    


 


 


Variable life insurance

                        

Deposits

   $ 39     $ 45     $ 47  

Future policy benefits/policy account balances, net of reinsurance

     16       12       8  

Separate account liability

     297       269       220  

Life insurance in force

     3,472       3,636       3,628  

Asset management

                        

Revenues

     47       32       40  

Deposits(5)

     691       760       650  

Assets under management

     2,753       2,395       1,762  

Total deposits on fee-based products(3)

     1,836       2,907       2,364  

(1) Effective as of January 1, 2004, we ceded to UFLIC all of our structured settlement contracts and substantially all of our variable annuity contracts that were in-force as of December 31, 2003.
(2) Represents annualized first-year premiums earned on spread based income annuities and structured settlements with life contingencies. Annualized first year premiums reflect the amount of business we generated during each period shown and do not include renewal premiums on policies written during prior periods. We consider annualized first year premiums to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of new sales of insurance policies during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period. This operating measure enables us to compare our operating performance across periods without regard to revenues or profitability related to policies sold in prior periods or from investments or other sources.
(3) Represents deposits received on spread based non-life-contingent products and on fee based products. We consider deposits, like annualized first year premiums, to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of additional investments by our customers during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period.
(4) “Surrenders and benefits” include contracts that have matured but are redeposited with our company and reflected as deposits. In the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, surrenders and benefits of spread based institutional products included $927 million, $1,675 million and $800 million, respectively, that was redeposited and reflected under “Deposits.”
(5) Our clients own the assets deposited in our asset management products, and we receive a management fee based on the amount of assets under management.

 

125


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth, on an actual and pro forma basis, selected financial information regarding our Retirement Income and Investments segment as of the dates and for the periods indicated:

 

     Historical

   Pro forma

     As of or for the years ended
December 31,


  

For the
year ended

December 31,

2004


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

  

Net earned premiums

                           

Spread-based retail products

   $ 1,094    $ 1,049    $ 991    $ 1,094

Spread-based institutional products

     —        —        —        —  

Fee-based products

     —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Total net earned premiums

   $ 1,094    $ 1,049    $ 991    $ 1,094
    

  

  

  

Revenues, net of reinsurance

                           

Spread-based retail products

   $ 2,712    $ 3,122    $ 3,028    $ 2,347

Spread-based institutional products

     332      346      419      332

Fee-based products

     317      335      309      212
    

  

  

  

Total revenues, net of reinsurance

   $ 3,361    $ 3,803    $ 3,756    $ 2,891
    

  

  

  

Segment net earnings

                           

Spread-based retail products(1)

   $ 79    $ 109    $ 119    $ 71

Spread-based institutional products

     30      29      47      30

Fee-based products

     44      13      20      47
    

  

  

  

Total segment net earnings(1)

   $ 153    $ 151    $ 186    $ 148
    

  

  

  

Assets

                           

Spread-based retail products

   $ 34,972    $ 34,255    $ 33,493       

Spread-based institutional products

     9,359      9,346      10,175       

Fee-based products

     12,279      12,013      9,956       
    

  

  

      

Total assets

   $ 56,610    $ 55,614    $ 53,624       
    

  

  

      

(1) Total segment net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004 exclude the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles, net of taxes, of $5 million.

 

126


Table of Contents

Products

 

Spread-Based Retail Products

 

Fixed annuities

 

We offer fixed single premium deferred annuities, or SPDAs, which provide for a single premium payment at time of issue, an accumulation period and an annuity payout period at some future date. During the accumulation period, we credit the account value of the annuity with interest earned at an interest rate, called the crediting rate. The crediting rate is guaranteed generally for one year but may be guaranteed for up to seven years, at the contractholders’ option, and thereafter is subject to change at our discretion, based upon competitive factors, prevailing market rates and product profitability. Each contract also has a minimum guaranteed crediting rate. Our fixed annuity contracts are funded by our general account, and the accrual of interest during the accumulation period is generally on a tax-deferred basis to the owner. The majority of our fixed annuity contractholders retain their contracts for 5 to 10 years. After the period specified in the annuity contract, the contractholder may elect to take the proceeds of the annuity as a single payment or over time.

 

Our fixed annuity contracts permit the contractholder at any time during the accumulation period to withdraw all or part of the single premium paid, plus the amount credited to his account, subject to contract provisions such as surrender charges that vary depending upon the terms of the product. The contracts impose surrender charges that typically vary from 5.0% to 8.0% of the account value, starting in the year of deposit and decreasing to zero over a 5- to 9-year period. The contractholder also may withdraw annually up to 10% of the account value without any contractual penalty. Approximately $11.2 billion, or 75% of the total account value of our fixed annuities as of December 31, 2004, were subject to surrender charges.

 

At least once each month, we set an interest crediting rate for newly issued fixed SPDAs and additional deposits. We maintain the initial crediting rate for a minimum period of one year or the guarantee period, whichever is longer. Thereafter, we may adjust the crediting rate no more frequently than once per year for any given deposit. In 2004, we introduced a product that has flexible pricing features. Most of our recently issued annuity contracts have minimum guaranteed crediting rates between 1.5% and 3.0%.

 

Our earnings from fixed annuities are based upon the spread between the crediting rate on our fixed annuity contracts and the returns we earn on our investment of premiums in our general account.

 

Income annuities

 

We offer income annuities, also known in the industry as fixed single premium immediate annuities, or SPIAs, which provide for a single premium at the time of issue and guarantee a series of payments beginning within one year of the issue date and continuing over a period of years. Income annuities also include variable income annuities, which provide for an accumulation period, followed by a guaranteed minimum income stream for the life of the annuitant, with the possibility of additional income depending upon underlying investment account performance.

 

Our income annuities differ from deferred annuities in that they provide for contractually guaranteed payments that begin within one year of issue. Income annuities do not provide for surrender or policy loans by the contractholder, and therefore they provide us with the opportunity to match closely the underlying investment of the deposit received to the cash benefits to be paid under a policy and provide for an anticipated margin for expenses and profit, subject to credit, reinvestment and, in some cases, mortality risk.

 

The two most common types of income annuities are the life-contingent annuity, which makes payments for the life of a contractholder, and the joint and survivor annuity, which continues to make payments to a second contractholder, such as a spouse, after the death of the contractholder. We also offer period certain annuities, which generally make payments for a minimum period from 5 to 20 years even if the contractholder dies within the term certain period. Income annuities typically are sold to contractholders approaching retirement. We anticipate higher sales of income annuities with the demographic shift toward more people reaching retirement age and focusing on their need for dependable retirement income.

 

127


Table of Contents

Structured settlements

 

Structured settlement contracts provide an alternative to a lump sum settlement, generally in a personal injury lawsuit or worker’s compensation claim, and typically are purchased by property and casualty insurance companies for the benefit of an injured claimant. The structured settlements provide scheduled payments over a fixed period or, in the case of a life-contingent structured settlement, for the life of the claimant with a guaranteed minimum period of payments. Structured settlement contracts also may provide for irregularly scheduled payments to coincide with anticipated medical or other claimant needs. These settlements offer tax-advantaged, long-range financial security to the injured party and facilitate claim settlement for the property and casualty insurance carrier. Structured settlement contracts are long-term in nature, guarantee a fixed benefit stream and generally do not permit surrender or borrowing against the amounts outstanding under the contract.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we ceded all of our in-force structured settlements business to UFLIC. We continue to write structured settlements when we believe we will be able to achieve our targeted returns, capitalizing on our experience and relationships in this product.

 

Spread-Based Institutional Products

 

We offer guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, and funding agreements, which are deposit-type products that pay a guaranteed return to the contractholder on specified dates. GICs are purchased by ERISA qualified plans, including pension and 401(k) plans. Funding agreements are purchased by institutional accredited investors for various kinds of funds and accounts that are not ERISA qualified. Purchasers of funding agreements include money market funds, bank common trust funds and other corporate and trust accounts and private investors in the U.S. and other countries.

 

Substantially all our GICs allow for the payment of benefits at contract value to ERISA plan participants prior to contract maturity in the event of death, disability, retirement or change in investment election. We carefully underwrite these risks before issuing a GIC to a plan and historically have been able to effectively manage our exposure to these benefit payments. Our GICs typically credit interest at a fixed interest rate and have a fixed maturity generally ranging from two to six years.

 

Our funding agreements generally credit interest on deposits at a floating rate tied to an external market index. To hedge our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, we invest the proceeds backing floating-rate funding agreements in floating-rate assets. Some of our funding agreements are purchased by money market funds, bank common trust funds and other short-term investors. These funding agreements typically are renewed annually, and generally contain “put” provisions, through which the contractholder has an option to terminate the funding agreement for any reason after giving notice within the contract’s specified notice period, which is generally 90 days. As of December 31, 2004, we had an aggregate of $2.8 billion of floating-rate funding agreements outstanding, compared to $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2003. Of the $2.8 billion aggregate amount outstanding as of December 31, 2004, $1.6 billion had put option features, including $1.5 billion with put option features of 90 days and the remaining $0.1 billion with put option features of 180 days. General Electric Capital Corporation, or GE Capital, has guaranteed certain obligations under floating-rate funding agreements with a final maturity on or before June 30, 2005. This guarantee covers our obligations to contractholders and requires us to reimburse GE Capital for any payments made to contractholders under the guarantee. As of December 31, 2004, GE Capital’s guarantee covered $1.4 billion of outstanding floating-rate funding agreements.

 

We also issue funding agreements to trust accounts to back medium-term notes purchased by investors. These contracts typically are issued for terms of one to seven years. As of December 31, 2004, we had an aggregate of $3.4 billion of these funding agreements, compared to $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2003. Of the $3.4 billion of these funding agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2004, $0.4 billion permitted early termination provisions upon twelve months’ notice. The remainder of these funding agreements did not permit early termination.

 

128


Table of Contents

Fee-Based Products

 

Variable annuities

 

We offer variable annuities that allow the contractholder to make payments into a guaranteed-rate account and separate accounts that invest in underlying mutual funds, as determined by the contractholder. Like a deferred fixed annuity, a deferred variable annuity has an accumulation period and a payout period. The main difference between our fixed annuity products and our variable annuity products is that the variable annuities allow the contractholder to allocate all or a portion of his account value to separate accounts that invest in investment accounts that are distinct from our general account. Assets allocated to each separate account track the performance of selected mutual funds, including offerings from GE, Fidelity and Oppenheimer. There is no guaranteed minimum rate of return in these subaccounts, and the contractholder bears the entire risk associated with the performance of these subaccounts. Some of our variable annuities also permit the contractholder to allocate all or a portion of his account value to our general account, in which case we credit interest at specified rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums, which are comparable to the minimum rates in effect for our fixed annuities.

 

Similar to our fixed annuities, our variable annuity contracts permit the contractholder to withdraw all or part of the premiums paid, plus the amount credited to his account, subject to contract terms such as surrender charges. The cash surrender value of a variable annuity contract depends upon the value of the assets that have been allocated to the contract, how long those assets have been in the contract and the investment performance of the mutual funds to which the contractholder has allocated assets.

 

Variable annuities provide us with fee-based revenue in the form of expense charges and, in some cases, mortality charges. These fees equal a percentage of the contractholder’s assets in the separate account and typically range from 1.25% to 1.70% per annum. We also receive fees charged on assets allocated to our separate account to cover administrative costs and, in some cases, a distribution fee from the underlying mutual funds in which assets are invested.

 

We also offer variable annuities with fixed account options and with bonus features. Variable annuities with fixed account options enable the contractholder to allocate a portion of his account value to the fixed account, which pays a fixed interest crediting rate. New deposits to the fixed account within the variable annuity are limited to 25% of the total deposit. The portion of the account value allocated to the fixed account option represents general account liability for us and functions similarly to a traditional fixed annuity, whereas for the portion allocated to the separate account, the contractholder bears the investment risk. Our variable annuities with bonus features entitle the contractholder to an additional increase to his account value upon making a deposit. However, variable annuities with bonus features are subject to different surrender charge schedules and expense charges than variable annuities without the bonus feature.

 

Our variable annuity contracts provide for a guaranteed minimum death benefit, or GMDB, which provides a minimum account value to be paid upon the annuitant’s death. Our contractholders also have the option to purchase, at an additional charge, a GMDB rider that provides for an enhanced death benefit. Assuming every annuitant died on December 31, 2004, as of that date, contracts with GMDB features not covered by reinsurance had an account value of $1.1 billion and a related death benefit exposure of $1 million net amount at risk. In May 2003, we raised prices of, and reduced certain benefits under, our newly issued GMDBs. We continue to evaluate our pricing and hedging of GMDB features and intend to change prices if appropriate. In addition, in July 2004, we introduced a variable annuity product with a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit, or GMWB. This product provides a guaranteed annual withdrawal of a fixed portion of the initial deposit over a fixed period of time but requires a balanced asset allocation of the customer’s separate account deposit.

 

We continually review potential new variable annuity products and pursue only those where we believe we can achieve targeted returns in light of the risks involved. Unlike several of our competitors, we have not offered variable annuity products with traditional guaranteed minimum income benefits, or GMIBs, or with guaranteed

 

129


Table of Contents

minimum accumulation benefits, or GMABs. Traditional GMIB products guarantee a specified minimum appreciation rate for a defined period of time, after which annuity payments commence. GMAB products guarantee a customer’s account value will be no less than the original investment at the end of a specified accumulation period, plus a specified interest rate.

 

Although we do not offer traditional GMIBs or GMABs, we have been able to capitalize on the demand for products with guarantees with our GE Retirement Answer®, or GERA. GERA is a variable deferred annuity that has a minimum 10-year scheduled deposit period for customers who desire guaranteed minimum income streams at the end of an accumulation period. The income stream may exceed the guaranteed minimum based upon the performance of the mutual fund underlying the separate accounts. As of December 31, 2004, we had $1.23 billion of lump-sum deposits, collected scheduled periodic deposits, and future scheduled periodic deposits for this product since its inception in April 2002. Based on key product design features, some of which have patents pending, we believe GERA allows us to provide our customers a guaranteed income annuity product that mitigates a number of the risks that accompany traditional guaranteed minimum income benefits offered by many of our competitors.

 

GERA is a component of our Income Distribution Series of variable annuity products and riders. The Income Distribution Series also includes the GE Guaranteed Income Advantage, or GIA, and the GE Principal Protection Advantage, or PPA. The GIA is a rider to several of our variable annuity products that provides retirement benefits similar to the GERA but requires contractholders to allocate assets among a group of available investment options. Whereas the GERA and the GIA require a minimum ten-year accumulation period, the PPA is designed for purchasers nearing retirement and requires only a three-year accumulation period before annuitization.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we ceded our in-force variable annuities business, excluding the GERA product and a small block of contracts in run-off, to UFLIC.

 

Variable life insurance

 

We offer variable life insurance products that provide insurance coverage through a policy that gives the policyholder flexibility in investment choices and, in some products, in premium payments and coverage amounts. Our variable life products allow the policyholder to allocate all or a portion of his premiums to separate accounts that invest in investment accounts that are distinct from our general account. Assets allocated to each separate account track the performance of selected mutual funds, including funds from GE, Fidelity and Oppenheimer. There is no guaranteed minimum rate of return in these subaccounts, and the policyholder bears the entire investment risk associated with the performance of the subaccounts. Some of our variable life insurance products also permit the policyholder to allocate all or a portion of his account value to our general account, in which case we credit interest at specified rates, subject to certain guaranteed minimums, which are comparable to the minimum rates in effect for our fixed annuities.

 

Similar to our variable annuity products, we collect specified mortality and expense charges, fees charged on assets allocated to the separate account to cover administrative services and costs, and a portion of the management fees from the various underlying mutual funds in which the assets are invested. We collect cost of insurance charges on our variable life insurance products to compensate us for the mortality risk of the guaranteed death benefit, particularly in the early years of the policy when the death benefit is significantly higher than the value of the policyholder’s account.

 

Asset management

 

We offer asset management services to affluent individual investors. Most of our clients for these services have accumulated significant capital, and our principal asset management strategy is to help protect their assets while taking advantage of opportunities for capital appreciation. Our asset management clients are referred to us

 

130


Table of Contents

through financial advisers. We work with these financial advisers to develop portfolios consisting of individual securities, mutual funds and variable annuities designed to meet each client’s particular investment objectives. Our products consist of separately managed accounts, managed mutual funds accounts, and managed variable annuity services. For each of these products, we receive a management fee based upon the amount of assets under management.

 

Separately managed accounts are individually managed client portfolios that we structure based on the clients’ needs and investment objectives, with securities recommended by multiple institutional investment advisors according to defined investment strategies. Our clients directly own the stocks in their individual portfolios, and we continuously monitor and evaluate each investment advisor and the investment performance in each portfolio. We also offer advisory services to help clients invest in a variety of mutual funds and other securities. By working in cooperation with our clients’ financial advisers, we seek to achieve each client’s investment objectives by selecting the appropriate mutual funds.

 

Our asset management services generally require minimum investments of $50,000. As of December 31, 2004, we managed more than $2.6 billion for approximately 17,000 accounts worldwide.

 

Our broker dealers have approximately 2,000 affiliated personal financial advisers, including approximately 1,700 accountants, who sell our annuity and insurance products, as well as third party mutual funds and other investment products. In connection with these sales, we receive commission and fee income from purchasers, and we pay a portion of the commissions and fees to personal financial advisers.

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we offered a broad range of institutional asset management services to third parties. GEAM provided the portfolio management services for this business, and we provided marketing, sales and support services. We did not acquire the institutional asset management services business from GEFAHI, but we will continue to provide services to GEAM and GEFAHI related to this asset management business, including client introduction services, asset retention services and compliance support. GEFAHI has agreed to pay us a fee of up to $10 million per year for four years following the completion of the IPO to provide these services. The fee will be determined based upon the level of third party assets under management managed by GEAM over the four-year term.

 

As of January 1, 2004, we entered into three agreements with affiliates of GE to manage a pool of municipal guaranteed investment contracts issued by those affiliates. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to originate GIC liabilities and advise the GE affiliates regarding the investment, administration and management of their assets that support those liabilities. Under two of those agreements, we receive an administration fee of 0.165% per annum of the maximum program size for those GE affiliates, which is $15 billion. The agreements also provide for termination fees in the event of early termination at the option of either affiliate. Under a third agreement with another affiliate, we receive a management fee of 0.10% per annum of the book value of the investment contracts or similar securities issued by this affiliate after January 1, 2003, which was $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2004. The fee we receive on the contracts issued by that affiliate before January 1, 2003 is based upon a pricing arrangement that varies depending upon the maturities of those contracts and that affiliate’s cost of capital. The book value of the contracts issued before January 1, 2003 was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2004 and is expected to generate a weighted average fee of approximately 0.35% in 2005. We also will receive reimbursement of our operating expenses under each of the agreements. The initial term of each of the three agreements will expire December 31, 2006, and unless terminated at the option of either party, each agreement will automatically renew on January 1 of each year for successive terms of one year.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

We generally do not underwrite individual lives in our annuity products, other than structured settlements and some income annuities. Instead, we price our products based upon our expected investment returns and our expectations for mortality, longevity and persistency for the group of our contractholders as a whole, taking into

 

131


Table of Contents

account mortality improvements in the general population and our historical experience. We price deferred annuities by analyzing longevity and persistency risk, volatility of expected earnings on our assets under management, and the expected time to retirement. We price our GICs using customized pricing models that estimate both expected cash flows and likely variance from those expectations caused by reallocations of assets by plan participants. We price income annuities and structured settlements using our mortality experience and assumptions regarding continued improvement in annuitant longevity, as well as assumptions regarding investment yields at the time of issue and thereafter.

 

Competition

 

As in our Protection segment, we face significant competition in all our Retirement Income and Investments businesses. Many other companies actively compete for sales in our markets, including other major insurers, banks, other financial institutions, mutual fund and money asset management firms and specialty providers. In many of our product lines, we face competition from competitors that have greater market share or breadth of distribution, offer a broader range of products, services or features, assume a greater level of risk, have lower profitability expectations or have higher claims paying ratings than we do. Many competitors offer similar products and use similar distribution channels. The substantial expansion of banks’ and insurance companies’ distribution capacities and expansion of product features in recent years has intensified pressure on margins and production levels and has increased the level of competition in many of our business lines.

 

We believe competition in our Retirement Income and Investments businesses is based on several factors, including product features, customer service, brand reputation, penetration of key distribution channels, breadth of product offering, product innovations and price.

 

Mortgage Insurance

 

Overview

 

Through our Mortgage Insurance segment, we offer mortgage insurance in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. We also are exploring opportunities in Latin America and Asia.

 

Private mortgage insurance expands homeownership opportunities by enabling borrowers to buy homes with “low-down-payment mortgages,” which are usually defined as loans with a down payment of less than 20% of the home’s value. Low-down-payment mortgages are sometimes also referred to as high loan-to-value mortgages. Mortgage insurance products increase the funds available for residential mortgages by protecting mortgage lenders and investors against loss in the event of a borrower’s default. These products generally also aid financial institutions in managing their capital efficiently by reducing the capital required for low-down-payment mortgages. If a borrower defaults on mortgage payments, private mortgage insurance reduces and, in some instances, eliminates the loss to the insured institution. Private mortgage insurance also facilitates the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market.

 

We have been providing mortgage insurance products and services in the U.S. since 1981 and now operate in all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. According to Inside Mortgage Finance, we were the fifth-largest provider in 2004 of mortgage insurance in the U.S., based on new insurance written. We expanded our operations internationally throughout the 1990s and today we believe we are the largest provider of mortgage insurance outside the U.S. In 2004, we believe we were the leading provider in Australia based upon flow new insurance written, and one of two major insurers in Canada. We also are one of the leading private mortgage insurance providers in the U.K., based upon flow new insurance written, and have a growing presence in the developing private mortgage insurance market in Continental Europe. In addition to private mortgage insurance, we provide lenders with various underwriting and other products and services related to home mortgage lending.

 

132


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our U.S. and international mortgage insurance business, as of and for the periods indicated:

 

    

As of or for the years

ended December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Assets

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 3,239    $ 3,806    $ 4,650

International mortgage insurance

     3,189      2,304      1,416
    

  

  

Total assets

   $ 6,428    $ 6,110    $ 6,066
    

  

  

Primary insurance in force

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 108,900    $ 122,200    $ 120,600

International mortgage insurance

     192,600      136,300      79,800
    

  

  

Total primary insurance in force

   $ 301,500    $ 258,500    $ 200,400
    

  

  

Risk in force

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 23,700    $ 26,900    $ 29,600

International mortgage insurance(1)

     62,000      43,400      25,700
    

  

  

Total risk in force

   $ 85,700    $ 70,300    $ 55,300
    

  

  

New insurance written

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 28,100    $ 67,400    $ 46,900

International mortgage insurance

     51,800      39,200      28,200
    

  

  

Total new insurance written

   $ 79,900    $ 106,600    $ 75,100
    

  

  

Net premiums written

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 453    $ 486    $ 529

International mortgage insurance

     620      464      311
    

  

  

Total net premiums written

   $ 1,073    $ 950    $ 840
    

  

  

Net premiums earned

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 460    $ 501    $ 550

International mortgage insurance(2)

     340      215      127
    

  

  

Total net premiums earned

   $ 800    $ 716    $ 677
    

  

  

Total revenues, net of reinsurance

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 609    $ 665    $ 750

International mortgage insurance

     481      317      196
    

  

  

Total revenues, net of reinsurance

   $ 1,090    $ 982    $ 946
    

  

  

Benefits and expenses

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 321    $ 358    $ 254

International mortgage insurance

     157      93      64
    

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

   $ 478    $ 451    $ 318
    

  

  

Segment net earnings

                    

U.S. mortgage insurance

   $ 224    $ 225    $ 366

International mortgage insurance

     202      144      85
    

  

  

Total segment net earnings

   $ 426    $ 369    $ 451
    

  

  

 

133


Table of Contents
    

As of or for the years

ended December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Loss ratio(3)

                  

U.S. mortgage insurance

             28 %               20 %               6 %

International mortgage insurance

   11 %   7 %   9 %

Total loss ratio

   21 %   16 %   7 %

Expense ratio(4)

                  

U.S. mortgage insurance

   43 %   53 %   41 %

International mortgage insurance

   19 %   17 %   17 %

Total expense ratio

   29 %   35 %   32 %

(1) Our businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Canada currently provide 100% coverage on the majority of the loans we insure in those markets. For the purpose of representing our risk in-force, we have computed an “Effective Risk in Force” amount, which recognizes that the loss on any particular loan will be reduced by the net proceeds received upon sale of the property. Effective risk in-force has been calculated by applying to insurance in-force a factor that represents our highest expected average per-claim payment for any one underwriting year over the life of our businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. As of December 31, 2004, this factor was 35%.
(2) Most of our international mortgage insurance policies provide for single premiums at the time that loan proceeds are advanced. We initially record the single premiums to unearned premium reserves and recognize the premiums earned over time in accordance with the expected expiration of risk. As of December 31, 2004, our unearned premium reserves in our international mortgage insurance business were $1.5 billion.
(3) The ratio of incurred losses and loss adjustment expense to net premiums earned.
(4) The ratio of an insurer’s general expenses to net premiums written. In our business, general expenses consist of underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals, and amortization of DAC and intangibles.

 

U.S. mortgage insurance

 

Overview

 

The U.S. private mortgage insurance industry is defined in large part by the requirements and practices of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other large mortgage investors. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchase residential mortgages from mortgage lenders and investors, as part of their governmental mandate to provide liquidity in the secondary mortgage market. In the first nine months of 2004, Fannie Mae purchased approximately 21.3% of all the mortgage loans originated in the U.S., and Freddie Mac purchased approximately 14.8%, according to information published by Inside the GSEs. Mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac totaled more than $3.52 trillion as of December 31, 2004, or approximately 44% of the total outstanding mortgage debt in the U.S. In connection with these activities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also have established mortgage loan origination, documentation, servicing and selling requirements and standards for the loans they purchase. In addition, Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s current eligibility requirements provide that they will accept private mortgage insurance only from insurers that maintain financial strength ratings of at least “AA-” by S&P and “Aa3” by Moody’s. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are “government sponsored enterprises,” and we refer to them as the “GSEs.”

 

The GSEs may purchase mortgages with unpaid principal amounts up to a specified maximum. The maximum single-family principal balance loan limit eligible for purchase by the GSEs is called the “conforming loan limit.” It is currently $359,650 and subject to annual adjustment. Each GSE’s Congressional charter generally prohibits it from purchasing a mortgage where the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 80% of home value unless the portion of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage which is in excess of 80% of the value of the property securing the mortgage is insured against default by lender recourse, participation or by a qualified insurer. As a result, high loan-to-value mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac generally are insured

 

134


Table of Contents

with private mortgage insurance. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac purchased approximately 68% of the flow loans we insured as of December 31, 2004.

 

The majority of our U.S. mortgage insurance policies provide default loss protection on a portion (typically 10%-40%) of the balance of an individual mortgage loan. Most of our primary mortgage insurance policies are “flow” insurance policies, which cover individual loans at the time the loan is originated. We also enter into “bulk” transactions with lenders and investors in selected instances, under which we insure a portfolio of loans for a negotiated price. Bulk insurance constituted less than 2% of our new risk written for each of the years ended December 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

In addition to flow and bulk primary mortgage insurance business, we have written mortgage insurance on a pool basis. Under pool insurance, the mortgage insurer provides coverage on a group of specified loans, typically for 100% of all losses on every loan in the portfolio, subject to an agreed aggregate loss limit. We ceased writing pool insurance in 1993 (with the exception of a limited amount of insurance we wrote for state housing finance agencies and in connection with a sale of loans by an affiliate). We may consider writing pool insurance with state housing finance agencies and others where we believe we will be able to achieve our target returns.

 

The following table sets forth new risk written and risk in force in our U.S. mortgage insurance business, by product type, as of and for the periods indicated:

 

    

As of or for the years

ended December 31,


(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

New risk written

                    

Flow insurance

   $ 6,216    $ 12,612    $ 10,547

Bulk insurance(1)

     46      189      53

Pool insurance

     —        2      —  
    

  

  

Total

   $ 6,262    $ 12,803    $ 10,600
    

  

  

Risk in force

                    

Flow insurance

   $ 22,666    $ 25,396    $ 27,573

Bulk insurance

     303      409      431

Pool insurance

     736      1,046      1,638
    

  

  

Total

   $ 23,705    $ 26,851    $ 29,642
    

  

  


(1) A portion of our bulk insurance is classified as pool insurance under MICA reporting rules.

 

Products and services

 

Primary mortgage insurance

 

Flow insurance. Flow insurance is primary mortgage insurance placed on an individual loan when the loan is originated. Our primary mortgage insurance covers default risk on first mortgage loans generally secured by one- to four-unit residential properties, and can be used to protect mortgage lenders and investors from default on any type of residential mortgage loan instrument that we have approved. Our insurance covers a specified coverage percentage of a “claim amount” consisting of unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest and certain expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. As the insurer, we generally are required to pay the coverage percentage of a claim amount specified in the primary policy, but we also have the option to pay the lender an amount equal to the unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest and certain expenses incurred with the default and foreclosure, and acquire title to the property. In addition, the claim amount may be reduced or eliminated if the loss on the defaulted loan is reduced as a result of the lender’s disposition of the property. The lender selects the coverage percentage at the time the loan is originated, often to comply with investor requirements to reduce the loss exposure on loans purchased by the investor.

 

135


Table of Contents

For a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the most common mortgage product in the U.S., the GSEs generally require coverage percentages of 30% for loan-to-value ratios, determined at loan origination, of 90.01%-95.00%, 25% for loan-to-value ratios of 85.01%-90.00% and 12% for loan-to-value ratios of 80.01%-85.00%. However, the GSEs may alter their coverage requirements and propose different product structures, and we also offer a range of other mortgage insurance products that provide greater or lesser coverage amounts.

 

The borrower’s mortgage loan instrument generally requires the borrower to pay the mortgage insurance premium. In other cases, no insurance requirement is imposed upon the borrower, in which case the lender pays the premium and recovers those payments through the interest rate charged on the mortgage. Our mortgage insurance premiums for flow insurance typically are paid monthly, but premiums also may be paid annually or in a single, lump-sum payment. During each of the last three years, the monthly premium plan represented more than 98% of our flow new insurance written, with the annual premium plan and the single premium plan representing the balance of our new insurance written.

 

We are not permitted to terminate our mortgage insurance coverage in force, except for non-payment of premium or material breach of policy conditions. The insurance remains renewable at the option of the policyholder, usually at the renewal rate fixed when the loan was initially insured. As a result, we are not able to raise prices on existing policies to respond to unanticipated default patterns. In addition, our policyholders may cancel their insurance at any time at their option, including when a mortgage is repaid, which may be accelerated by mortgage refinancings in times of falling interest rates. Cancellations are generally driven primarily by the prevailing interest rate environment and the cancellation policies of the GSEs and other investors.

 

Under the U.S. Homeowners Protection Act, or the HPA, a borrower generally has the right to terminate private mortgage insurance coverage on loans closed after July 28, 1999 secured by a single-dwelling property that is the borrower’s primary residence when certain loan-to-value ratio thresholds are met. In general, a borrower may stop making mortgage insurance payments when the loan-to-value ratio is scheduled to reach 80% (based upon the loan’s amortization schedule established at loan origination) if the borrower so requests and if certain requirements relating to the borrower’s payment history and the property’s value since origination are satisfied. In addition, a borrower’s obligation to make payments for private mortgage insurance generally terminates regardless of whether a borrower so requests when the loan-to-value ratio reaches 78% of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage. Some states require mortgage servicers to notify borrowers periodically of the circumstances in which they may request a mortgage servicer to cancel private mortgage insurance. Some states allow the borrower to request that the mortgage servicer cancel private mortgage insurance or require the mortgage servicer to cancel such insurance automatically when the circumstances permitting cancellation occur.

 

The level of new mortgage originations decreased to $2,810 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, from $3,760 billion and $2,680 billion for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This resulted in decreased levels of new mortgage insurance written. We believe the decrease in mortgage originations was due to two principal factors. First, increasing interest rates in 2004 made refinancings of existing mortgages less attractive to consumers than in recent years. Second, historically low interest rates in 2002 and 2003 contributed to substantial refinancing activity, which did not recur in 2004 because many mortgages for which refinancing would otherwise have been economically attractive were already refinanced prior to 2004. The lower level of refinancing activity resulted in an increase in our flow persistency rates from 46% for the year ended December 31, 2003 to 65% for the year ended December 31, 2004, excluding bulk transactions and the effect of a periodic payoff reconciliation on one structured transaction involving single premium mortgage insurance that today would be classified as bulk insurance. We expect the market for mortgage originations and new mortgage insurance written to stabilize as anticipated home sales in future years offset the recent decline in mortgage originations due to decreased refinancing activity.

 

We also are developing innovative mortgage insurance products that are designed to attract first-time home buyers and expand the scope of the traditional mortgage insurance market. For example, we recently launched our HomeOpenersSM products: MonthlyPlus, PaymentPlus and LenderPlus. Our MonthlyPlus product combines a

 

136


Table of Contents

mortgage insurance policy with payment protection on mortgage payments for a specified period of time in the event of involuntary job loss or accidental death. Our PaymentPlus and LenderPlus products are designed to compete with simultaneous second mortgages, as described below under “—Competition—Mortgage lenders and other investors.”

 

Bulk insurance

 

Under our primary bulk insurance, we insure a portfolio of loans in a single, bulk transaction. Generally, in our bulk insurance, the individual loans in the insured portfolio are insured to specified levels of coverage, and there is an aggregate loss limit applicable to all of the insured loans. We base the premium on our bulk insurance upon our evaluation of the overall risk of the insured loans included in a transaction, and we negotiate the premium directly with the securitizer or other owner of the loans. Most of our bulk insurance business has related to loans financed by lenders who participate in the mortgage programs sponsored by the Federal Home Loan Banks. Premiums for bulk transactions generally are paid monthly by lenders or investors or a securitization vehicle in connection with a securitization transaction or the sale of a loan portfolio.

 

The loans we insure in bulk transactions typically consist of prime credit-quality loans with loan-to-value ratios of 50% to 95%. We generally have avoided the riskier portions of the sub-prime segments of the market, because we believe market pricing for mortgage insurance on sub-prime bulk transactions has not been adequate and we have had concerns regarding the volatility of this segment. However, we may consider insuring such loans where we believe we will be able to achieve our target returns. Loans that we insure in bulk transactions with loan-to-value ratios above 80% typically have primary mortgage insurance on a flow basis, written either by us or another private mortgage insurer. Our mortgage insurance coverage levels in bulk transactions typically range from 10% to 40%.

 

Pool insurance

 

In addition to our flow and bulk primary mortgage insurance, we previously have written mortgage insurance on a pool basis. Pool insurance generally is used as an additional credit enhancement for secondary market mortgage transactions. We ceased writing pool insurance in 1993 (with the exception of a limited amount of insurance we wrote for state housing finance agencies and in connection with a sale of loans by an affiliate) because of relatively high losses on pool policies, resulting primarily from inadequate pricing, loss severity and risk concentration in certain parts of the country. However, we may consider writing pool insurance for state housing finance agencies and others where we believe we will be able to achieve our target returns.

 

Our remaining pool insurance in force, which relates primarily to policies written between 1990 and 1993, generally covers the loss on a defaulted mortgage loan that exceeds either the claim payment under the primary coverage (if primary insurance is required on that loan) or the total loss (if that loan does not require primary insurance), in each case up to a stated aggregate loss limit. Mortgage loans we insured in pool insurance with loan-to-value ratios above 80% typically are covered by flow mortgage insurance, written either by us or another private mortgage insurer.

 

Contract underwriting services

 

We perform fee-based contract underwriting services for mortgage lenders. Historically, lenders and mortgage insurers each maintained underwriting staffs and performed separate, and in many ways duplicative, underwriting activities with respect to each mortgage loan. Over time, lenders and mortgage insurers have developed a number of arrangements designed to eliminate those inefficiencies. The provision of underwriting services by mortgage insurers serves this purpose and speeds the approval process.

 

The principal contract underwriting service we provide is determining whether the data relating to a borrower and a proposed loan contained in a mortgage loan application file complies with the lender’s loan

 

137


Table of Contents

underwriting guidelines or the investor’s loan purchase requirements. In connection with that service, we also compile the application data and submit it to the automated underwriting systems of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which independently analyze the data to determine if the proposed loan complies with their investor requirements. If the loan being reviewed requires mortgage insurance under the applicable lender or investor criteria, we also underwrite the loan to our mortgage insurance guidelines and issue the appropriate mortgage insurance coverage. We believe our contract underwriting services appeal to mortgage lenders because they enable lenders to reduce their costs and improve their operating efficiencies.

 

Under the terms of our contract underwriting agreements, we agree to indemnify the lender against losses incurred in the event we make material errors in determining whether loans processed by our contract underwriters meet specified underwriting or purchase criteria, subject to contractual limitations on liability.

 

New risk written by our contract underwriters represented 24% of our new risk written for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 23% and 26% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Captive Reinsurance

 

Captive reinsurance is a reinsurance program in which we share portions of our U.S. mortgage insurance risk written on loans originated or purchased by lenders with captive reinsurance companies, or captive reinsurers, affiliated with these lenders. In return, we cede to the captive reinsurers an agreed portion of our gross premiums on flow insurance written. New insurance written through the bulk channel generally is not subject to these arrangements.

 

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our captive reinsurance arrangements, as of and for the periods indicated:

 

     As of or for the years ended
December 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Primary risk in force subject to captive reinsurance arrangements, as a percentage of total primary risk in force

   66 %   64 %   55 %

Gross written premiums ceded pursuant to captive reinsurance arrangements, as a percentage of total gross written premiums

   24 %   23 %   18 %

Primary new risk written subject to captive reinsurance arrangements, as a percentage of total primary new risk written

   70 %   75 %   77 %

 

We believe that the increase in the percentage of primary risk in force subject to captive reinsurance agreements was driven by a higher percentage of new insurance written generated by lenders having captive reinsurance programs during a period of high refinancing activity. Many large mortgage lenders have developed captive reinsurance affiliates, and the recent consolidation among large mortgage lenders has resulted in an increased percentage of mortgage loans originated or purchased by lenders with captive reinsurance programs. The recent low-interest-rate environment has generated significant refinancing activity in recent years, which has resulted in increased concentration of mortgage loans with larger lenders that tend to use captive reinsurance arrangements.

 

Many large U.S. mortgage lenders whose policies we insure have developed reinsurance operations that provide for net premium cessions from mortgage insurers of 25% to 40%. Starting in late 2003, we generally sought to exit or restructure a portion of our excess-of-loss risk sharing arrangements with premium cessions in excess of 25% to improve profitability. This resulted in a significant reduction in business from several of these lenders and a reduction in the percentage of primary new risk written that is subject to captive reinsurance

 

138


Table of Contents

arrangements. We then re-evaluated these relationships on a case-by-case basis, assessing various factors, including ceding terms, attachment points and quality of portfolios. As a result, we reinstated or restructured some of these arrangements.

 

As of December 31, 2004, other than reinsurance under captive arrangements, we reinsured less than 1% of our mortgage insurance in force.

 

Customers

 

Our principal mortgage insurance customers are originators of residential mortgage loans, such as mortgage banks, savings institutions, commercial banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions and other lenders, who typically determine which mortgage insurer or insurers they will use for the placement of mortgage insurance written on loans they originate. To obtain primary insurance written on a flow basis, a mortgage lender must first apply for and receive from us a mortgage guaranty master policy. In recent years, there has been significant consolidation among the largest lenders, which now underwrite a substantial portion of all the mortgages written in the U.S. Our top ten lenders accounted for an aggregate of 27% of our flow new insurance written for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

We are focused on expanding our presence throughout the mortgage loan market by providing superior customer sales support, product offerings designed to meet the specific needs of our customers, and technology products designed to enable customers to reduce costs and expand revenues. In addition, as discussed under “—Operations and Technology,” we have developed web-based technology services that enable our customers to interact more efficiently with us.

 

Underwriting and pricing

 

Loan applications for all loans we insure are reviewed to evaluate each individual borrower’s credit strength and history, the characteristics of the loan and the value of the underlying property. This analysis generally includes reviewing the following criteria:

 

    the borrower’s credit strength and history, as reported by credit reporting agencies;

 

    the borrower’s debt-to-income ratios where income is disclosed;

 

    the loan-to-value ratio;

 

    the type of mortgage instrument;

 

    the purpose of the loan;

 

    the type of property; and

 

    appraisals to confirm the property market value is fairly stated.

 

Loan applications for primary mortgage insurance are reviewed by our employees directly as part of our traditional underwriting process or by our contract underwriters as we process mortgage loan applications requiring mortgage insurance. Some mortgage lenders also underwrite loan applications for mortgage insurance under a delegated underwriting program, in which we permit approved lenders to commit us to insure loans using underwriting guidelines we have previously approved. Before granting a lender delegated underwriting authority, our risk management personnel review the lender’s underwriting experience and processes, loan quality and specific loan programs to be included in the delegated program. In addition, we conduct audits on a sample of the delegated loans we insure to confirm that lenders with delegated authority adhere to approved underwriting guidelines and procedures.

 

The majority of mortgage loans we insure today are underwritten using Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s automated underwriting systems, or AUS, which lenders have widely adopted due to the GSEs’ requirements and

 

139


Table of Contents

the efficiencies that AUS provide. We have evaluated loans approved by Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s AUS and, like other mortgage insurers, we generally have agreed to insure loans approved by these systems. Under the delegated underwriting program, lenders may use their own AUS provided we have reviewed and approved their system. AUS have automated many of the underwriting steps were previously performed by underwriters on a manual basis and use sophisticated mortgage scoring methodologies to evaluate borrower default risk. Although we review AUS before allowing their use under our delegated program, under which lenders have the responsibility to determine whether the loans comply with our approved underwriting guidelines, a potential risk to us of using AUS is factors we might otherwise evaluate in making an underwriting decision are not considered if not required by the AUS.

 

Loans insured under our delegated underwriting program accounted for approximately 59% of our total risk in force as of December 31, 2004, compared to 59% and 56% as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The percentage of new risk written by delegated underwriters was 58% for the year ended December 31, 2004, compared to 62% and 61% for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In pricing mortgage insurance policies, we generally target substantially similar returns on capital regardless of the loan-to-value ratio, product type and depth of coverage. We establish premium rates principally on the basis of long-term claims experience in the industry, reflecting periods of lower and higher losses and various regional economic downturns. We believe over the long term each region of the U.S. will be subject to similar factors affecting risk of loss on insurance written, and, therefore, we generally use a nationally based premium rate policy, rather than a regional, local or lender-based policy. Our premium rates vary with the coverage percentage and the perceived risk of a claim on the insured loan, which takes into account the loan-to-value ratio, the type of mortgage and the term of the mortgage. Our premium rates also reflect our expectations, based upon our analysis of historical data, of the persistency of the policies in our book of business. Our premium rates also take into account competitive alternatives available to consumers, including rates offered by other mortgage insurers.

 

Our premium rates also consider the location of the borrower’s credit score within a range of credit scores. In accordance with industry practice, we use the “FICO” score as one indicator of a borrower’s credit quality. Fair Isaac and Company, or “FICO,” developed the “FICO” credit scoring model to calculate a FICO score based upon a borrower’s credit history. The higher the credit score, the lower the likelihood that a borrower will default on a loan. FICO credit scores range up to 850, with a score of 620 or more generally viewed as a “prime” loan and a score below 620 generally viewed as a “sub-prime” loan. “A minus” loans generally are loans where the borrowers have FICO credit scores between 575 and 660, and where the borrower has a blemished credit history. Some of our products require a minimum FICO score and/or have rates based on FICO scores. As of December 31, 2004, on a risk in force basis, approximately 92% of our flow insurance loans had FICO credit scores of at least 620, approximately 6% had FICO credit scores between 575 and 619, and approximately 2% had FICO scores of 574 or less.

 

As of December 31, 2004, on a risk in force basis, approximately 91% of our bulk insurance loans had FICO credit scores of at least 620, approximately 5% had FICO credit scores between 575 and 619, and approximately 4% had FICO scores of 574 or less. The majority of loans we currently insure in bulk transactions meet the conforming loan limit and have FICO credit scores of at least 620. After 2001, we significantly reduced writing insurance of loans in bulk transactions that included non-conforming and lesser-quality loans, such as “A minus” loans and “sub-prime” loans, because we believe market pricing was inadequate to compensate us for the risk.

 

We also provide mortgage insurance for “Alt A” loans, which are originated under programs in which there is a reduced level of verification or disclosure of the borrower’s income or assets. For an Alt A loan, the borrower’s credit strength and history and the appraised value of the property are carefully reviewed. We also impose limitations on Alt A loans, including limitations with respect to the purpose of the loan and the type of property. Alt A loans represented 2.8%, 1.9% and 2.5% of our risk in force as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

140


Table of Contents

Loan portfolio

 

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding our U.S. primary mortgage insurance loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Primary risk-in-force lender concentration (by original applicant)

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004

Top 10 lenders

     9,755      12,047      12,538

Top 20 lenders

     11,938      14,392      15,360

Loan-to-value ratio

                    

95.01% and above

     3,601      3,431      2,538

90.01% to 95.00%

     9,450      10,759      12,313

80.01% to 90.00%

     9,555      10,868      11,681

80.00% and below

     363      747      1,472
    

  

  

Total

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004
    

  

  

Loan grade

                    

Prime

   $ 20,704    $ 23,408    $ 26,025

A minus and sub-prime

     2,265      2,397      1,979
    

  

  

Total

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004
    

  

  

Loan type

                    

Fixed rate mortgage

   $ 21,492    $ 24,354    $ 26,619

Adjustable rate mortgage

     1,477      1,451      1,385
    

  

  

Total

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004
    

  

  

Type of documentation

                    

Alt A

   $ 633    $ 503    $ 708

Standard

     22,336      25,302      27,296
    

  

  

Total

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004
    

  

  

Mortgage term

                    

15 years and under

   $ 1,163    $ 1,489    $ 1,214

More than 15 years

     21,806      24,316      26,790
    

  

  

Total

   $ 22,969    $ 25,805    $ 28,004
    

  

  

 

Loans in default and claims

 

Our default management process begins with notification by the loan servicer of a default on an insured loan. “Default” is defined in our master policies as the borrower’s failure to pay when due an amount equal to the scheduled monthly mortgage payment under the terms of the mortgage. Generally, the master policies require an insured to notify us of a default no later than ten days after the borrower has been in default by three monthly payments. In most cases, however, defaults are reported earlier. We generally consider a loan to be in default and establish reserves if the borrower has failed to make a required mortgage payment for two consecutive months. Borrowers default for a variety of reasons, including a reduction of income, unemployment, divorce, illness, inability to manage credit and interest rate levels. Borrowers may cure defaults by making all of the delinquent loan payments or by selling the property in full satisfaction of all amounts due under the mortgage. In most cases, defaults that are not cured result in a claim under our policy.

 

141


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the number of loans insured, the number of loans in default and the default rate for our U.S. mortgage insurance portfolio:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Primary Insurance

                  

Insured loans in force

   830,688     950,157     993,906  

Loans in default

   28,467     32,207     33,278  

Percentage of loans in default (default rate)

   3.4 %   3.4 %   3.3 %

Flow loans in force

   719,533     839,891     948,224  

Flow loans in default

   26,737     29,787     30,194  

Percentage of flow loans in default (default rate)

   3.7 %   3.5 %   3.2 %

Bulk loans in force

   111,155     110,266     45,682  

Bulk loans in default

   1,730     2,420     3,084  

Percentage of bulk loans in default (default rate)

   1.6 %   2.2 %   6.8 %

A minus and sub-prime loans in force

   69,817     75,584     63,646  

A minus and sub-prime loans in default

   7,068     6,881     5,547  

Percentage of A minus and sub-prime loans in default (default rate)

   10.1 %   9.1 %   8.7 %

Pool Insurance

                  

Insured loans in force

   25,303     37,702     55,195  

Loans in default

   777     855     1,505  

Percentage of loans in default (default rate)

   3.1 %   2.3 %   2.7 %

 

Primary insurance default rates differ from region to region in the U.S. at any one time depending upon economic conditions and cyclical growth patterns. The two tables below set forth our primary default rates for the various regions of the U.S. and the ten largest states by our risk in force as of December 31, 2004. Default rates are shown by region based upon location of the underlying property, rather than the location of the lender.

 

    

Percent of primary

risk in

force as of

December 31,

2004


   

Default rate

December 31,


 
      
           2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

U.S. Regions

                        

Southeast(1)

   22 %   3.87 %   3.59 %   3.51 %

South Central(2)

   17 %   3.82 %   3.65 %   3.45 %

Northeast(3)

   13 %   3.79 %   3.88 %   3.87 %

North Central(4)

   13 %   2.80 %   2.71 %   2.94 %

Pacific(5)

   11 %   2.11 %   2.54 %   2.94 %

Great Lakes(6)

   9 %   4.61 %   4.33 %   4.08 %

Plains(7)

   6 %   2.57 %   2.54 %   2.43 %

Mid-Atlantic(8)

   5 %   2.85 %   2.94 %   3.25 %

New England(9)

   4 %   2.46 %   2.79 %   2.82 %
    

 

 

 

Total

   100 %   3.43 %   3.38 %   3.34 %
    

 

 

 


(1) Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
(2) Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
(3) New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
(4) Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.
(5) Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
(6) Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
(7) Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
(8) Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia.
(9) Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

 

142


Table of Contents
    

Percent of primary

risk in

force as of
December 31,

2004


   

Default Rate

December 31,


 
      
           2004    

        2003    

        2002    

 

Florida

   8.15 %   2.80 %   2.75 %   3.08 %

Texas

   6.92 %   4.70 %   4.15 %   3.80 %

New York

   5.87 %   3.06 %   3.47 %   3.46 %

Illinois

   5.55 %   3.26 %   3.23 %   3.66 %

California

   4.72 %   1.39 %   1.91 %   2.45 %

North Carolina

   3.90 %   4.33 %   4.12 %   3.68 %

Pennsylvania

   3.87 %   4.79 %   4.38 %   4.49 %

Georgia

   3.67 %   4.92 %   4.68 %   4.40 %

Arizona

   3.64 %   2.63 %   3.18 %   3.52 %

Ohio

   3.63 %   5.13 %   4.64 %   4.20 %

 

Claim activity is not spread evenly throughout the coverage period of a primary insurance book of business. Based upon our experience, the majority of claims on primary mortgage insurance loans occur in the third through seventh years after loan origination, and relatively few claims are paid during the first two years after loan origination. Primary insurance written from the period from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2001 represented 13% of our primary insurance in force as of December 31, 2004. This portion of our loan portfolio is in its expected peak claim period with respect to traditional primary loans. We believe our “A minus” and “sub-prime” loans will have earlier incidences of default than our prime loans. “A minus” loans represented 4.4% and 3.5% of our primary risk in force as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and “sub-prime” loans represented 5.5% and 5.8% of our primary risk in force as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

The following table sets forth the dispersion of our primary insurance in force and risk in force as of December 31, 2004, by year of policy origination and average annual mortgage interest rate since we began operations in 1981:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

Policy Year


  

Average

rate


   

Primary

insurance

in force


  

Percent

of total


   

Primary

risk in

force


  

Percent

of total


 

1981-92

   9.21 %   $ 1,423    1.31 %   $ 316    1.38 %

1993

   7.41 %     989    0.91 %     205    0.89 %

1994

   7.68 %     1,103    1.01 %     241    1.05 %

1995

   8.22 %     820    0.75 %     220    0.96 %

1996

   7.92 %     902    0.83 %     244    1.06 %

1997

   7.82 %     825    0.76 %     221    0.96 %

1998

   7.11 %     2,301    2.11 %     583    2.54 %

1999

   7.23 %     2,559    2.35 %     640    2.79 %

2000

   8.15 %     1,546    1.42 %     385    1.68 %

2001

   7.42 %     6,457    5.93 %     1,546    6.73 %

2002

   6.50 %     15,398    14.14 %     3,570    15.54 %

2003

   5.62 %     48,962    44.95 %     9,108    39.65 %

2004

   5.81 %     25,634    23.53 %     5,690    24.77 %
          

  

 

  

Total portfolio

   6.30 %   $ 108,919    100.00 %   $ 22,969    100.00 %
          

  

 

  

 

Primary mortgage insurance claims paid, including loss adjustment expenses, or LAE, for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $146 million, compared to $117 million and $105 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Pool insurance claims paid for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $1 million, compared to $1 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

143


Table of Contents

The frequency of defaults may not correlate directly with the number of claims received because the rate at which defaults are cured is influenced by borrowers’ financial resources and circumstances and regional economic differences. Whether an uncured default leads to a claim principally depends upon the borrower’s equity at the time of default and the borrower’s or the insured’s ability to sell the home for an amount sufficient to satisfy all amounts due under the mortgage loan. When we receive notice of a default, we use a proprietary model to determine whether a delinquent loan is a candidate for work-out. When the model identifies such a candidate, our loan workout specialists prioritize cases for loss mitigation based upon the likelihood that the loan will result in a claim. Loss mitigation actions include loan modification, extension of credit to bring a loan current, foreclosure forbearance, pre-foreclosure sale, and deed-in-lieu. These loss mitigation efforts often are an effective way to reduce our claim exposure and ultimate payouts.

 

Our policies require the insured to file a claim with us, specifying the claim amount (unpaid principal, interest and expenses), no later than 60 days after it has acquired title to the underlying property, usually through foreclosure. The claim amount is subject to our review and possible adjustment. Depending upon the applicable state foreclosure law, an average of approximately 16 months elapse from the date of default to the filing of a claim on an uncured default. Our master policies exclude coverage for physical damage whether caused by fire, earthquake or other hazard where the borrower’s default was caused by an uninsured casualty.

 

We have the right to rescind coverage and refuse to pay a claim if it is determined that the insured or its agents misrepresented material information in the insurance application. In addition, where loans are underwritten by lenders through our delegated underwriting program, we have the right to rescind coverage if the loan was not underwritten in compliance with our approved guidelines.

 

Within 60 days after a claim and supporting documentation have been filed, we have the option:

 

    to pay the claim amount, multiplied by coverage percentage specified in the certificate of insurance;

 

    in the event the property is sold pursuant to an agreement made prior to payment of the claim, which we refer to as a pre-arranged sale, to pay the lesser of 100% of the claim amount less the proceeds of sale of the property, or the claim amount multiplied by the coverage percentage; or

 

    to pay the lender an amount equal to the unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest and certain expenses incurred with the default and foreclosure, and acquire title to the property. We bear the risk of any loss in connection with the acquisition and sale of the property.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, we settled a majority of the primary insurance claims processed for payment on the basis of a pre-arranged sale.

 

The ratio of the claim paid to the unpaid principal amount multiplied by the coverage percentage is referred to as “claim severity.” The main determinants of claim severity are the age of the mortgage loan, the value of the underlying property, accrued interest on the loan, expenses advanced by the insured and foreclosure expenses. These amounts depend partly upon the time required to complete foreclosure, which varies depending upon state laws. Pre-foreclosure sales, acquisitions and other early workout efforts help to reduce overall claim severity. Our average primary mortgage insurance claim severity was 94%, 93% and 93% for the years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Competition

 

We compete primarily with U.S. and state government agencies, other private mortgage insurers, mortgage lenders and other investors, the GSEs and, potentially, the Federal Home Loan Banks. We also compete, indirectly, with structured transactions in the capital markets and with other financial instruments designed to mitigate credit risk.

 

144


Table of Contents

U.S. and state government agencies. We and other private mortgage insurers compete for flow business directly with U.S. federal and state governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, principally the FHA and, to a lesser degree, the VA. The following table sets forth the relative mortgage insurance market share of FHA/VA and private mortgage insurers over the past five years:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

 

FHA/VA

   32.8 %   36.4 %   35.6 %   37.3 %   41.4 %

Private mortgage insurance

   67.2 %   63.6 %   64.4 %   62.7 %   58.6 %
    

 

 

 

 

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
    

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Inside Mortgage Finance.

 

Loans insured by the FHA cannot exceed maximum principal amounts that are determined by a percentage of the conforming loan limit. For 2005, the maximum FHA loan amount for homes with one dwelling unit in “high cost” areas is $312,859 and the maximum VA loan amount is $359,650. We and other private mortgage insurers are not limited as to maximum individual loan amounts we can insure.

 

In January 2001, the FHA reduced the up-front mortgage insurance premium it charges on loans from 2.25% to 1.5% of the original loan amounts. The FHA has also streamlined its down-payment formula, making FHA insurance more competitive with private mortgage insurance in areas with higher home prices. These and other legislative and regulatory changes could cause future demand for private mortgage insurance to decrease.

 

In addition to competition from the FHA and the VA, we and other private mortgage insurers face competition from state-supported mortgage insurance funds in several states, including California, Illinois and New York. From time to time, other state legislatures and agencies consider expansions of the authority of their state governments to insure residential mortgages.

 

Government entities with which we compete typically do not have the same capital requirements and do not have the same profit objectives as we do. Although private companies establish pricing terms for their products to achieve targeted returns, these government entities may offer products on terms designed to accomplish social or political objectives or reflect other non-economic goals.

 

Private mortgage insurers. The private mortgage insurance industry is highly competitive. The private mortgage insurance industry currently consists of seven mortgage insurers plus our company.

 

The other companies are Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation; PMI Mortgage Insurance Company; CMG Mortgage Insurance Company, a joint venture in which PMI is one of the partners; Radian Guaranty Inc.; Republic Mortgage Insurance Co., an affiliate of Old Republic International; Triad Guaranty Insurance Corp.; and United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, an affiliate of American International Group, Inc.

 

Mortgage lenders and other investors. We and other mortgage insurers compete with transactions structured by mortgage lenders to avoid mortgage insurance on low-down-payment mortgage loans. These transactions include self-insuring and simultaneous second loans, which separate a mortgage with a loan-to-value ratio of more than 80%, which generally would require mortgage insurance, into two loans, a first mortgage with a loan to-value-ratio of 80% and a simultaneous second mortgage for the excess portion of the loan. Simultaneous second loans are also often known as “80-10-10 loans,” because they often comprise a first mortgage with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, a second mortgage with a 10% loan-to-value ratio and the remaining 10% paid in cash by the buyer, rather than a single mortgage with a 90% loan-to-value ratio. However, simultaneous seconds also can be structured as 80-15-5 loans or 80-20-0 loans, as well as other configurations.

 

145


Table of Contents

Over the past several years, we believe the volume of simultaneous second loans as an alternative to loans requiring private mortgage insurance has increased substantially. We believe this recent increase reflects the following factors:

 

    the lower cost of simultaneous second loans compared to the cost of mortgage insurance, due to the current low-interest-rate environment and the emerging popularity of 15- and 30-year amortizing and adjustable rate simultaneous seconds;

 

    the fact that second mortgage interest is generally tax-deductible, whereas mortgage insurance payments currently are not tax-deductible (although from time to time there have been proposed legislative initiatives to permit deductions for mortgage insurance payments);

 

    negative consumer, broker and realtor perceptions of private mortgage insurance; and

 

    the desire by some investors to hold second mortgages.

 

We are developing mortgage insurance products that seek to enhance the appeal of private mortgage insurance in view of the increasing volume of simultaneous second loans. For example, in 2004, we launched our HomeOpenersSM suite of products designed to compete more effectively with simultaneous second loans by offering consumers lower monthly payments, more deductible interest and involuntary job loss protection at no additional cost.

 

Mortgage lenders also may compete with mortgage insurers as a result of legislation that has removed restrictions on affiliations between banks and insurers. The Graham-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 permits the combination of banks, insurers and securities firms under one holding company. This legislation may increase competition by increasing the number, size and financial strength of potential competitors. In addition, mortgage lenders that establish or affiliate with competing mortgage insurers may reduce their purchases of our products.

 

We also compete with structured transactions in the capital markets and with other financial instruments designed to mitigate the risk of mortgage defaults, such as credit default swaps and credit linked notes, with lenders who forego mortgage insurance (self-insure) on loans held in their portfolios, and with mortgage lenders who maintain captive mortgage insurance and reinsurance programs.

 

The GSEs—Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. As the predominant purchasers of conventional mortgage loans in the U.S., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac provide a direct link between mortgage origination and capital markets. As discussed above under “—Primary mortgage insurance,” most high loan-to-value mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac are insured with private mortgage insurance issued by an insurer deemed qualified by the GSEs. Our mortgage insurance company is a qualified insurer with both GSEs. Private mortgage insurers may be subject to competition from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to the extent the GSEs are compensated for assuming default risk that would otherwise be insured by the private mortgage insurance industry.

 

The GSEs are currently subject to oversight by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. In November 2004, HUD announced new GSE mortgage purchase requirements, known as affordable housing goals. Under these goals, which became effective January 1, 2005, the minimum percent of all loans purchased by the GSEs that must support low- and moderate-income homebuyers increases annually from 50% in 2004 to 56% in 2008, and the minimum percent of such loans that must be on properties in underserved areas increases annually from 36% in 2004 to 39% in 2008. The GSEs’ goals to expand purchases of affordable housing loans have increased the size of the mortgage insurance market. The GSEs also have expanded programs to include commitments to purchase certain volumes of loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 95%.

 

Private mortgage insurers must satisfy requirements set by the GSEs to be eligible to insure loans sold to the GSEs, and the GSEs have the ability to implement new eligibility requirements for mortgage insurers. They also have the authority to change the pricing arrangements for purchasing retained- participation mortgages as compared to insured mortgages, increase or reduce required mortgage insurance coverage percentages, and alter or liberalize underwriting standards on low-down-payment mortgages they purchase.

 

146


Table of Contents

Federal Home Loan Banks. In October 1999, the Federal Housing Finance Board, or FHF Board, adopted resolutions that authorize each Federal Home Loan Bank, or FHLB, to offer Mortgage Partnership Finance Programs, or MPF Programs, to purchase single-family conforming mortgage loans originated by participating member institutions. In July 2000, the FHF Board gave permanent authority to each FHLB to purchase these loans from member institutions without any volume cap. In October 2000, the FHF Board approved the Mortgage Purchase Programs, or MPPs, to purchase single-family conforming mortgage loans, similar to the MPF Programs.

 

The MPF and MPP Programs are similar to the purchase of mortgage loans by the GSEs. Although not required to do so, the FHLBs currently use mortgage insurance on substantially all mortgage loans with a loan-to-value ratio above 80% and have become a source of increasing new business for us. However, to the extent that the FHLBs purchased uninsured mortgage loans or used other credit-enhancement products, the MPF and MPP Programs could result in a decrease in the size of the market for private mortgage insurance.

 

International mortgage insurance

 

We have significant mortgage insurance operations in Australia and Canada, two of the largest markets for mortgage insurance products outside the U.S., as well as in the smaller New Zealand market and the developing European market. The net premiums written in our international mortgage insurance business have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 45% for the three years ended December 31, 2004. Insurance in-force for our international mortgage insurance business contributed 64% of our total insurance in-force as of December 31, 2004 compared to 53% as of December 31, 2003 and 40% as of December 31, 2002. In addition, earnings from our international mortgage insurance business represented 47%, 39% and 19% of our mortgage insurance net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, representing a compound annual growth rate of 54% from 2002 to 2004.

 

The mortgage loan markets in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand are well developed. Although mortgage insurance plays an important role in each of these markets, the markets vary significantly and are influenced in large part by the different cultural, economic and regulatory conditions in each market. We believe the following factors have contributed to the growth of robust mortgage insurance demand in these countries:

 

    a desire by lenders to offer low-down-payment mortgage loans to facilitate the expansion of their business;

 

    the recognition of the higher default risk inherent in low-down-payment lending and the need for specialized underwriting expertise to conduct this business prudently;

 

    government housing policies that support increased homeownership;

 

    government policies that support the use of securitization and secondary market mortgage sales, in which third-party credit enhancement is often used, as a source of funding and liquidity for mortgage lending; and

 

    bank regulatory capital policies that provide incentives to lenders to transfer some or all of the increased credit risk on low-down-payment mortgages to third parties, such as mortgage insurers.

 

We believe a number of these factors are becoming evident in certain markets throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia and provide opportunities for us to expand our mortgage insurance business in those markets.

 

Based upon our experience in the mature markets, we believe a favorable regulatory framework is important to the development of an environment in which lenders routinely extend high loan-to-value loans and use products such as mortgage insurance to protect against default risk or obtain capital relief. As a result, we have advocated governmental and policymaking agencies throughout our markets adopt legislative and regulatory policies supporting increased homeownership and capital relief for lenders and mortgage investors that insure

 

147


Table of Contents

their loan portfolios with private mortgage insurance. Although the products we offer in each of our international markets differ, they represent substantially similar risk propositions and involve similar business practices. We have developed significant expertise in mature markets, and we leverage this experience in developing markets as we continue to encourage regulatory authorities to implement incentives for private mortgage insurance as an effective risk management strategy.

 

We believe the revisions to a set of regulatory rules and procedures governing global bank capital standards that were introduced by the Basel Committee of the Bank for International Settlements, known as Basel II, also may encourage further growth of international mortgage insurance. Basel II has been designed to reward banks that have developed effective risk management systems by allowing them to hold less capital than banks with less effective systems. For example, Basel II may reward a lender that transfers some risk of mortgage default to a third-party insurer by reducing the amount of capital that the lender must hold to back a mortgage. Basel II was finalized and issued in June 2004; however, its adoption by individual countries is ongoing. Therefore, we cannot predict the benefits that ultimately will be provided to lenders, or how any such benefits may affect the opportunities for the growth of mortgage insurance.

 

We believe certain markets in Europe, Latin America and Asia have strong demand for housing, but are underserved by the existing housing finance systems. As a result, we believe that mortgage insurance could enhance the overall scale, effectiveness and efficiency of these mortgage markets.

 

We believe lenders in these countries will seek to expand their consumer mortgage loan portfolios, while maintaining strong risk and capital management routines. With the expected implementation of the new Basel II standards, we believe we will be well positioned to assist lenders in these markets in meeting those goals and in complying with the anticipated complexity of the risk-based capital and operating standards.

 

Canada

 

We entered the Canadian mortgage insurance market in 1995 with our acquisition of certain assets and employees from the Mortgage Insurance Corporation of Canada, and we now operate in every province and territory. We are the only private mortgage insurer in the Canadian market.

 

Products

 

We offer two products in Canada: primary flow insurance and portfolio credit enhancement insurance. Our principal product is primary flow insurance, which is similar to the primary flow insurance we offer in the U.S. Regulations in Canada require the use of mortgage insurance for all mortgage loans extended by banks, trust companies and insurers, where the loan-to-value ratio exceeds 75%. Mortgage insurance in Canada is typically single premium and provides 100% coverage, in contrast to the U.S., where monthly premiums and lower coverage levels are typical. Under the single-premium plan, lenders usually include the single premium as a part of the aggregate loan amount and pay a single premium to us as the mortgage insurer. We, in turn, record the proceeds to unearned premium reserves, invest those proceeds and recognize the premiums over time in accordance with the expected expiration of risk.

 

We also provide portfolio credit enhancement insurance to lenders that have originated loans with loan-to-value ratios of less than 75%. These policies provide lenders with immediate capital relief from applicable bank regulatory capital requirements and facilitate the securitization of mortgages in the Canadian market. In both primary flow insurance and portfolio policies, our mortgage insurance in Canada provides insurance coverage for the entire unpaid loan balance, including interest, selling costs and expenses, following the sale of the underlying property.

 

The leading mortgage product in the Canadian market is a mortgage with the interest rate fixed for the first five years of the loan. After the fifth year, the loan becomes due and payable and the borrower must negotiate its renewal, at which time the borrower may choose to have the interest rate float or have it fixed for an additional

 

148


Table of Contents

period. Lenders typically charge a mortgage pre-payment penalty that serves as a disincentive for borrowers to refinance their mortgages. Changes in interest rates, adverse economic conditions and high levels of borrowing affect the frequency of defaults and claims with respect to these loans, which may adversely affect our loss experience.

 

Regulations in Canada require the use of mortgage insurance for all mortgage loans extended by banks, trust, companies and insurers with loan-to-value ratios greater than 75%. In February 2005, as part of a periodic review of the federal financial services regulatory framework, the Canadian Department of Finance issued a consultation document seeking comment on a wide variety of potential initiatives relating to the regulation of financial services, including whether to remove the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance on all loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 75%. The removal of the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance, in whole or in part, may result in a reduction in the amount of business we write in future years in Canada. See “Regulation—Mortgage Insurance—International Regulation—Canada.”

 

Government guarantee

 

We have an agreement with the Canadian government under which it guarantees the benefits payable under a mortgage insurance policy, less 10% of the original principal amount of an insured loan, in the event that we fail to make claim payments with respect to that loan because of insolvency. We pay the Canadian government a risk premium for this guarantee and make other payments to a reserve fund in respect of the government’s obligation. Because banks are not required to maintain regulatory capital on an asset backed by a sovereign guarantee, our 90% sovereign guarantee permits lenders purchasing our mortgage insurance to reduce their regulatory capital charges for credit risks on mortgages by 90%.

 

Our agreement with the Canadian government provides that we and the government are entitled to review the terms of the guarantee when certain pricing assumptions have changed or other events have occurred that cause either party to believe these changes or other events have resulted in unfairness, prejudice or obvious hardship. In this event, the agreement requires us to negotiate in good faith for six months to make such modifications as are required to remove or modify the unfairness, prejudice or obvious hardship. If we and the government are unable to agree on appropriate changes to the guarantee, the matter must be referred to binding arbitration.

 

In addition, our agreement with the Canadian government provides that the government has the right to review the terms of the guarantee if GE’s ownership of our Canadian mortgage insurance company decreases below 50% or certain other events occur that affect the purposes of the agreement or the government’s risk or exposure under the guarantee. In this event, the agreement requires us to negotiate in good faith to make such modifications as are required to remove or modify any unfairness, prejudice or obvious hardship that may have resulted from the change in ownership or other events. If we are unable to agree on appropriate modifications within six months, the agreement may be terminated for any new insurance written after the termination. When GE reduces its equity ownership of us to below 50%, that reduction would permit the Canadian government to review the terms of its guarantee and could lead to a modification or termination of the guarantee for any new insurance written after the termination. Although we believe the Canadian government will preserve the guarantee to maintain competition in the Canadian mortgage insurance industry, any adverse change in the guarantee’s terms and conditions or termination of the guarantee could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue offering mortgage insurance products in Canada.

 

Customers

 

The nine largest mortgage originators in Canada, consisting of banks, trust companies, and credit unions, collectively provide more than 80% of the financing for Canada’s residential mortgage financing. These nine originators provided us with 87%, 85% and 86% of our new insurance written for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Other market participants include regional banks, trust companies and credit unions.

 

149


Table of Contents

Competitors

 

The only other mortgage insurance competitor in Canada is the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC, which is a Crown corporation owned by the Canadian government. Because CMHC is a government-owned entity, its mortgage insurance provides lenders with 100% capital relief from bank regulatory requirements. CMHC also operates the Canadian Mortgage Bond Program, which provides lenders the ability to efficiently guaranty and securitize their mortgage loan portfolios. We compete with CMHC primarily based upon our reputation for high-quality customer service, quick decision-making on insurance applications, strong underwriting expertise and flexibility in terms of product development. In July 2003 the CMHC announced a 15% reduction in rates, which we have matched. This rate reduction or other actions taken by the CMHC to reduce rates or compete with us in other ways may cause our revenue in our Canadian mortgage insurance business to decline. In addition, as in other markets, we compete in Canada with alternative products and financial structures, such as credit default swaps and captive insurers owned by lenders, which are designed to transfer credit default risk on mortgage loans.

 

Australia and New Zealand

 

We entered the Australian mortgage insurance market in 1997 with our acquisition of the operating assets of the Housing Loans Insurance Corporation, or HLIC, from the Australian government. We entered the New Zealand mortgage insurance market in 1999 as an expansion of our Australian operations.

 

Products

 

In Australia and New Zealand, we offer primary flow insurance, known as “lenders mortgage insurance,” or LMI, and portfolio credit enhancement policies. Our principal product is LMI, which is similar to the primary flow insurance we offer in Canada, with single premiums and 100% coverage. Lenders usually collect the single premium from prospective borrowers at the time the loan proceeds are advanced and remit the amount to us as the mortgage insurer. We in turn record the proceeds to unearned premium reserves, invest those proceeds and recognize the premiums over time in accordance with the expected expiration of risk.

 

We provide LMI on a flow basis to two types of customers: banks, building societies and credit unions; and non-bank mortgage originators, called mortgage managers. Banks, building societies and credit unions generally acquire LMI only for residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios above 80%, because reduced capital requirements apply to high loan-to-value residential mortgages only if they have been insured by, under requirements currently in effect, an “A” rated, or equivalently rated, mortgage insurance company that is regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, or APRA. After October 1, 2004, “non-standard” loans with a loan to value ratio above 60% are entitled to a reduced capital requirement only if they meet strict requirements as established by APRA or are insured by a qualified LMI. APRA’s regulations currently require APRA-regulated lenders to determine the criteria for determining if a loan is a non-standard type loan. Our insurance subsidiary that serves the Australian and New Zealand markets has financial-strength ratings of “AA” (Very Strong) from S&P and Fitch and a rating of “Aa2” (Excellent) from Moody’s. The “AA” rating is the third-highest of S&P’s 20 ratings categories and the third-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories. The “Aa2” rating is the third-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories.

 

Mortgage managers fund their operations primarily through the issuance of mortgage-backed securities. Because they are not regulated by APRA, they do not have the same capital incentives as banks for acquiring LMI. However, they use LMI as the principal form of credit enhancement for these securities and generally purchase insurance for every loan they originate, without regard to the loan-to-value ratio.

 

We also provide portfolio credit enhancement policies to APRA-regulated lenders that have originated loans for securitization in the Australian market. Portfolio mortgage insurance serves as an important source of credit enhancement for the Australian securitization market, and our portfolio credit enhancement coverage generally is

 

150


Table of Contents

purchased for low loan-to-value, seasoned loans written by APRA-regulated institutions. To date, a market for these portfolio credit enhancement policies has not developed in New Zealand to the same extent as in Australia.

 

In both primary LMI and portfolio credit enhancement policies, our mortgage insurance provides insurance coverage for the entire unpaid loan balance, including selling costs and expenses, following the sale of the security property. Most of the loans we insure in Australia and New Zealand are variable rate mortgages with loan terms of between 20 and 30 years.

 

In connection with our acquisition of the operating assets of HLIC in 1997, we agreed to service a mortgage insurance portfolio that was retained by the Australian government. We receive a small amount of management fees for handling claims and providing loss mitigation and related services, but we did not acquire HLIC’s originated insurance policies and do not bear any risk on those policies.

 

Customers

 

The ten largest mortgage originators in Australia, consisting of seven banks and three mortgage managers, collectively provide more than 80% of Australia’s and New Zealand’s residential mortgage financing. These ten originators provided us with 78%, 78% and 77% of our new insurance written for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Other market participants in Australian and New Zealand mortgage lending include regional banks, building societies and credit unions.

 

Competitors

 

The Australian and New Zealand flow mortgage insurance markets currently are served by one other independent LMI company, as well as various lender-affiliated captive mortgage insurance companies. We compete primarily based upon our reputation for high-quality customer service, quick decision making on insurance applications, strong underwriting expertise and flexibility in terms of product development. As in Canada, our products also compete in Australia and New Zealand with alternative products and financial structures that are designed to transfer credit default risk on mortgage loans. We believe other U.S. mortgage insurance providers are considering opportunities in Australia.

 

APRA’s license conditions require Australian mortgage insurance companies, including ours, to be mono-line insurers, which are insurance companies that offer just one type of insurance product.

 

Europe

 

We began our European operations in 1994 in the U.K., which is Europe’s largest market for mortgage loan originations. We expanded into five additional countries between 1999 and 2004, and we continue to explore opportunities in other European countries. Mortgage insurance originating in the U.K. accounted for approximately 54% of our European mortgage insurance in force as of December 31, 2004 as compared to 84% as of December 31, 2003. This large concentration in the U.K. is attributable primarily to the fact that we have been operating in that country considerably longer than in any other European country. Our growth in other European countries has helped to diversify our risk.

 

Products

 

Our European business currently consists principally of primary flow insurance on adjustable-rate mortgages. As is the case in our other non-U.S. markets, most primary flow insurance policies written in Europe are structured with single premium payments. Our primary flow insurance generally provides first-loss coverage in the event of default on a portion (typically 10%-20%) of the balance of an individual mortgage loan. We believe that, over time, there is an opportunity to provide additional products with higher coverage percentages to reduce the risks to lenders of low-down-payment lending to levels similar to those in more mature mortgage insurance markets. We also recently began offering portfolio credit enhancement policies to lenders that have originated loans for securitization in select European markets.

 

151


Table of Contents

Customers

 

As a result of our strategy to expand organically into new markets in Europe with attractive growth potential, we have diversified our risk among six countries, thereby reducing our historical concentration in the U.K. Our portfolio of international mortgage insurance in force in Europe is concentrated in the countries where we have been active for the longest period of time and with customers with whom we have been doing business for the longest period of time. We expect this concentration to diminish over time. Our customers are primarily banks and mortgage investors, and our largest customer in Europe represented 31% of our new insurance written for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Competitors

 

Our European business faces competition from both traditional mortgage insurance companies as well as providers of alternative credit enhancement products. Our competitors are both public and private entities. Public mortgage guarantee facilities exist in a number of countries, which may compete with our products. We also face competition from affiliates of other U.S. private mortgage insurers, such as PMI, Radian and United Guaranty Residential Insurance Company, as well as multi-line insurers primarily in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland, such as Norwich Union and Legal & General.

 

We also face competition from alternative credit enhancement products, such as personal guarantees on high loan-to-value loans, second mortgages and bank guarantees, and captive insurance companies organized by lenders. Lenders also have sought other forms of risk transfer, such as the use of capital market solutions through credit derivatives. In addition, some European lenders have chosen to price for and retain the additional credit risk, effectively self-insuring their low-down-payment loans. We believe that our global expertise, coverage flexibility, and strong ratings provide a very valuable offering compared with competitors and alternative products.

 

Loan portfolio

 

The following table sets forth selected financial information regarding the effective risk in force of our international mortgage insurance loan portfolio as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Loan-to-value ratio

                    

95.01% and above

   $ 515    $ 132    $ 12

90.01% to 95.00%

     14,707      11,549      6,884

80.01% to 90.00%

     23,841      15,762      8,718

80.00% and below

     22,944      15,926      10,091
    

  

  

Total

   $ 62,007    $ 43,369    $ 25,705
    

  

  

Loan type

                    

Fixed rate mortgage

   $ —      $ —      $ —  

Adjustable rate mortgage

     62,007      43,369      25,705
    

  

  

Total

   $ 62,007    $ 43,369    $ 25,705
    

  

  

Mortgage term

                    

15 years and under

   $ 26,138    $ 17,486    $ 11,813

More than 15 years

     35,869      25,883      13,892
    

  

  

Total

   $ 62,007    $ 43,369    $ 25,705
    

  

  

 

152


Table of Contents

Our businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Canada currently provide 100% coverage on the majority of the loans we insure in those markets. The table above presents effective risk in force, which recognizes the loss on any particular loan will be reduced by the net proceeds received upon sale of the property. Effective risk in force has been calculated by applying to insurance in force a factor that represents our highest expected average per-claim payment for any one underwriting year over the life of our businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. As of December 31, 2004, this factor was 35%.

 

Loans in default and claims

 

The claim process in our international mortgage insurance business is similar to the process we follow in our U.S. mortgage insurance business. See “—Mortgage Insurance—U.S. mortgage insurance—Loans in default and claims.” The following table sets forth the number of loans insured, the number of loans in default and the default rate for our international mortgage insurance portfolio:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Primary insurance

                  

Insured loans in force

   1,591,485     1,282,731     1,054,703  

Loans in default

   5,304     4,926     3,641  

Percentage of loans in default (default rate)

   0.3 %   0.4 %   0.4 %

Flow loans in force

   1,346,035     1,044,131     753,314  

Flow loans in default

   5,084     4,679     3,268  

Percentage of flow loans in default (default rate)

   0.4 %   0.5 %   0.4 %

Portfolio credit enhancement loans in force

   245,450     238,600     301,389  

Portfolio credit enhancement loans in default

   220     247     373  

Percentage of portfolio credit enhancement loans in default (default rate)

   0.1 %   0.1 %   0.1 %

 

Corporate and Other

 

Our Corporate and Other segment consists of net realized investment gains (losses), and unallocated corporate income and expenses (including amounts accrued in settlement of class action lawsuits), interest, and other financing expenses that are incurred at our holding company level. This segment also includes the results of Viking Insurance Company, GE Seguros and a few other small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments.

 

Our subsidiary, Viking Insurance Company, is a Bermuda-based reinsurer primarily of leased equipment insurance and consumer credit insurance underwritten by American Bankers Insurance Company, or ABIC. GE’s Vendor Financial Services business purchases property and casualty insurance from ABIC on behalf of certain of its lessees to cover leased equipment. ABIC then reinsures those policies with Viking. GE’s Card Services business develops and markets credit insurance through credit card issuers, retailers and banks. These credit insurance policies also are underwritten by ABIC and then reinsured with Viking.

 

Viking also has an in-force block of reinsurance of U.S. and Canadian consumer auto warranties and property and casualty gap insurance that protects consumers from the risk of loss on any difference between the value of an automobile and any loans secured by it. We do not intend to enter into any new warranty or gap insurance reinsurance treaties, and the existing treaties are in run-off, with the remaining program expiring gradually through 2008.

 

Vendor Financial Services ceased purchasing new insurance coverage on behalf of lessees through ABIC, as of March 1, 2004, and Card Services intends to phase out marketing credit insurance over the next several years. GE Capital has agreed to take all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the relevant existing insurance and

 

153


Table of Contents

reinsurance relationships, but we expect Viking’s reinsurance programs with GE’s Card Services business and Vendor Financial Services to decline steadily over the next several years and, ultimately, be discontinued. With respect to Card Services’ credit insurance, GE Capital may decide to encourage a switch of existing coverages to another program. In that event, GE Capital has agreed to pay Viking an amount equal to the net underwriting income Viking is projected to receive as reinsurer from the date of discontinuation of any credit insurance program through December 31, 2008.

 

Our subsidiary, GE Seguros, is a small Mexican-domiciled multi-line insurer. We acquired this business in 1995 and currently hold 99.6% of its outstanding shares. GE Seguros is licensed to sell property and casualty, life and health insurance in Mexico.

 

GE Seguros currently writes primarily motor vehicle coverage for personal and commercial domestic vehicles and personal coverage for tourist vehicles. It also writes a small amount of homeowners’, commercial property, transport and life insurance. GE Seguros distributes its products through independent agents in Mexico and, for the tourist auto business, it also distributes its products through agents located in key U.S. border locations. GE Seguros maintains agency relationships through its branch offices in major Mexican cities.

 

Viking, GE Seguros and other small, non-core businesses had aggregate net earnings of $44 million, $28 million and $42 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

International Operations

 

Information regarding our U.S. and international operations is presented in note 23 to our financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Distribution

 

We distribute our products through an extensive and diversified distribution network that is balanced between independent sales intermediaries, including financial intermediaries and independent producers, and dedicated sales specialists. We believe this access to a variety of distribution channels enables us to respond effectively to changing consumer needs and distribution trends. We compete with other financial institutions to attract and retain commercial relationships in each of these channels, and our success in competing for sales through these sales intermediaries depends upon factors such as the amount of sales commissions and fees we pay, the breadth of our product offerings, the strength of our brand, our perceived stability and our financial strength ratings, the marketing and services we provide to them and the strength of the relationships we maintain with individuals at those firms. We have strategically positioned our multi-channel distribution network to capture a broad share of the distributor and consumer markets and to accommodate different consumer preferences in how to purchase insurance and financial services products.

 

Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments

 

Our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments both distribute their products through the following channels:

 

    financial intermediaries, including banks, securities brokerage firms, and independent broker/dealers;

 

    independent producers, including brokerage general agencies, or BGAs, affluent market producer groups and specialized brokers; and

 

    dedicated sales specialists, including long-term care sales agents and affiliated networks of both accountants and personal financial advisers.

 

The following table sets forth our annualized first-year premiums and deposits for the products in our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments (other than our payment protection insurance

 

154


Table of Contents

business), categorized by each of our distribution channels. For our payment protection insurance business, the following table sets forth written premiums, gross of reinsurance and cancellations, because historically we have not tracked annualized first-year premiums for this business.

 

    Year ended December 31, 2004

  Year ended December 31, 2003

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  Financial
intermediaries


  Independent
producers


  Dedicated
sales
specialists


  Total

  Financial
intermediaries


  Independent
producers


  Dedicated
sales
specialists


  Total

Annualized first-year premiums and deposits(1)

                                               

Protection

                                               

Life insurance

  $ 7   $ 135   $ 2   $ 144   $ 10   $ 145   $ 8   $ 163

Long-term care insurance

    41     47     74     162     53     48     139     240

Group life and health insurance

    —       171     —       171     —       144     —       144

Retirement Income and Investments

                                               

Spread-based retail products

    2,136     848     34     3,018     1,361     812     82     2,255

Spread-based institutional products

    —       2,151     —       2,151     —       1,911     —       1,911

Fee-based products

    1,018     678     542     2,238     1,934     767     378     3,079

Written premiums(2)

                                               

Protection

                                               

Payment protection insurance

    1,501     —       —       1,501     2,175     —       —       2,175

(1) Annualized first-year premiums and deposits reflect the amount of business we generated during a specified period. We consider annualized first-year premiums and deposits to be a measure of our operating performance because they represent a measure of new sales of insurance policies and additional investments by our customers during a specified period, rather than a measure of our revenues or profitability during that period.
(2) Reflects written premiums, gross of reinsurance and cancellations.

 

Financial intermediaries

 

We have selling agreements with approximately 1,000 financial intermediaries in the U.S., including banks, securities brokerage firms and independent broker/dealers. We use financial intermediaries to distribute a significant portion of our deferred and income annuities and other investment products, and long-term care insurance. They also distribute a small portion of our life insurance policies to their individual clients. We have approximately 200 wholesalers in the U.S. who are our employees and who work to develop sales relationships with new financial intermediaries and to expand sales with existing financial intermediaries. In addition, we have 174 distributors, most of whom are financial intermediaries, for our payment protection insurance products.

 

Independent producers

 

Brokerage general agencies. We distribute most of our products, including life insurance, annuities and long-term care insurance through approximately 565 independent BGAs located throughout the U.S. BGAs market our products, and those of other insurance companies, through a network of approximately 290,000 independent brokers who sell our products.

 

Affluent market producer groups. Through strong relationships with several industry-leading affluent market producer groups, we have access to approximately 6,300 producers who sell our products. These groups target high-net-worth individuals, which we define to include households with at least $1 million of liquid assets, as well as small to medium-size businesses, which we define as those with fewer than 1,000 employees. We distribute life insurance, long-term care insurance and annuity products through these groups.

 

Specialized brokers. We distribute many of our products through brokers that specialize in a particular insurance or investment product and deliver customized service and support to their clients. We use a network of

 

155


Table of Contents

approximately 600 specialized independent brokers to distribute structured settlements. We believe we have one of the oldest and largest distribution systems for structured settlements and our relationships with many of these specialized brokers date back more than 20 years. We distribute our group life and health insurance products and services through an independent network of approximately 4,000 licensed group life and health brokers and agents that are supported by our nationwide sales force of approximately 100 employees. These group brokers and agents typically specialize in providing employee benefit and retirement solution services to employers. We also distribute GICs and funding agreements through a group of approximately 35 specialized brokers and investment managers.

 

Dedicated sales specialists

 

Long-term care agents. We have approximately 1,200 active sales agents who specialize in selling our long-term care insurance products. These sales agents also sell our Medicare supplement insurance product and the products of other insurers on a select basis. We employ the individuals who manage and support the dedicated sales specialists. We compensate our long-term care agents primarily on a commission basis. To support lead generation for this channel, we have a comprehensive direct mail and marketing program, including mass marketing and affinity strategies that target members of various organizations, such as travel, social and professional organizations. We also identify prospective customers through educational seminars, policyholder referrals and targeted promotions linked to our national advertising campaigns.

 

Accountants and personal financial advisers. We have more than 2,000 affiliated personal financial advisers, of whom approximately 1,700 are accountants, who sell our annuity and insurance products including variable products, third-party mutual funds and other investment products through our wholly-owned broker/dealers. In the past several years, accountants have been increasingly responsible for assisting their clients with long-term financial planning, as well as traditional accounting and tax-related services. As a result, accountants provide us with an opportunity for growth as a distribution channel. We primarily distribute annuities and other investment products through this channel.

 

Mortgage Insurance

 

We distribute our mortgage insurance products through our dedicated sales force of more than 100 employees located throughout the U.S. This sales force primarily markets to financial institutions and mortgage originators, which in turn offer mortgage insurance products to borrowers. In addition to our field sales force, we also distribute our products through a telephone sales force serving our smaller lenders, as well as through our “Action Center” which provides live phone and web chat based support for all our customer segments.

 

We also maintain a dedicated sales force that markets our mortgage insurance products to lenders in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. As in the U.S. market, our sales force markets to financial institutions and mortgage originators, who in turn offer mortgage insurance products to borrowers.

 

Marketing

 

We promote and differentiate our products and services through breadth of offerings, technology services, specialized support for our distributors and innovative marketing programs tailored to particular consumer groups.

 

We offer a breadth of products that meet the needs of consumers throughout the various stages of their lives. We refer to our approach to product diversity as “smart” breadth because we are selective in the products we offer and strive to maintain appropriate return and risk thresholds when we expand the scope of our product offerings. We believe our reputation for innovation and our smart breadth of products enable us to sustain strong relationships with our distributors and position us to benefit from the current trend among distributors to reduce the number of insurers with whom they maintain relationships. We also have developed sophisticated

 

156


Table of Contents

technological tools that enhance performance by automating key processes and reducing response times and process variations. These tools also make it easier for our customers and distributors to do business with us.

 

Since the completion of our IPO, we have customized our marketing approach to promote our new brand to key constituencies, including sales intermediaries, employees, investors and consumers. These programs include advertising on television shows and in trade and business periodicals that are likely to reach those demographic groups. We also seek to build recognition of our new brand and maintain strong relationships with leading distributors by providing a high level of specialized and differentiated distribution support, such as product training, advanced marketing and sales solutions, financial product design for affluent customers and technology solutions that support the distributors’ sales efforts and by pursuing joint business improvement efforts. In addition, we sponsor various advisory councils with independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists to gather their feedback on industry trends, new product suggestions and ways to enhance our relationships.

 

In order to further meet the needs of our sales intermediaries, we also market our new brand and our products to key consumer groups through targeted marketing programs. For example, we sponsor the Genworth Center for Financial Learning, which provides a web site to promote financial literacy. We believe the website contributes to the recognition of our products and services and generates loyalty among independent sales intermediaries and consumers.

 

We also have been actively marketing our products and services to U.S. Latino customers, who we believe are substantially underserved by insurance and investment products, despite being the largest minority group in the U.S. As part of this campaign, we recruit Spanish-speaking agents, translate various marketing materials into Spanish, advertise our services on Spanish media and participate in Latin American cultural events. We operate a Spanish-language website devoted to financial education for U.S. Latinos. We also introduced our new emerging market web-based mortgage platform, TuCasaAhora.com, which was designed to help Latinos become homeowners. The product combines bilingual education, discounts, and incentives to support Latino first time homeownership.

 

Our branding strategy is to establish our new Genworth brand expeditiously while we continue to use the GE brand name and logo with customers. We have begun to transition some of our marketing and distribution activities to replace the GE brand name and monogram with our Genworth brand and logo. At the same time, we continue to use the GE brand name and monogram in marketing and distribution activities that we will replace with the Genworth brand in the future. Pursuant to a transitional trademark license agreement, GE granted us the right to use the “GE” mark and the “GE” monogram for up to five years following the IPO in connection with our products and services.

 

Risk Management

 

Overview

 

Risk management is a critical part of our business and we have adopted rigorous risk management processes in virtually every aspect of our operations, including product development, underwriting, investment management, asset-liability management and technology development projects. The primary objective of these risk management processes is to reduce the variations we experience from our expected results. We have an experienced group of more than 150 professionals, including actuaries, statisticians and other specialists, dedicated exclusively to our risk management process. We believe we have benefited from the sophisticated risk management techniques that GE applies throughout its businesses, and we have emphasized our adherence to those techniques as a competitive advantage in marketing and managing our products.

 

New product introductions

 

Our risk management process begins with the development and introduction of new products and services. We have established a rigorous product development process that specifies a series of required analyses, reviews and approvals for any new product. This process includes a review of the market opportunity and competitive

 

157


Table of Contents

landscape for each proposed product, major pricing assumptions and methodologies, return expectations, reinsurance strategies, underwriting criteria and business risks and potential mitigating factors. Before we introduce a new product in the market, we establish a monitoring program with specific performance targets and leading indicators, which we monitor frequently to identify any deviations from expected performance so that we can take prompt corrective action when necessary. Significant product introductions require approval by our senior management team. We use a similarly rigorous process to introduce variations to existing products and to introduce existing products through new distribution channels.

 

Product performance reviews

 

Our Risk Committee includes our President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Chief Actuary, and the Presidents of our three operating segments. The Risk Committee reviews each of the products in all our operating segments on a regular cycle, typically approximately twice per year. These reviews include an analysis of the major drivers of profitability, underwriting performance, variations from expected results, regulatory and competitive environment and other factors affecting product performance. In addition, we initiate special reviews when a product’s performance fails to meet any of the indicators we established during that product’s introductory review process. If a product does not meet our performance criteria, we consider adjustments in pricing, design and marketing or ultimately discontinuing sales of that product. In addition, in our Mortgage Insurance segment, we also review the profitability of lender accounts on a quarterly basis to assess whether our business with these lenders is achieving anticipated performance levels and to identify trends requiring remedial action, including changes to underwriting guidelines, product mix or other customer performance. We review our underwriting, pricing and risk selection strategies on a regular basis to ensure that our products remain progressive, competitive and consistent with our marketing and profitability objectives. We are also subject to periodic external audits by our reinsurers, which provide us with valuable insights into other innovative risk management practices.

 

Asset-liability management

 

We maintain segmented investment portfolios for the majority of our product lines. This enables us to perform an ongoing analysis of the interest rate risks associated with each major product line, in addition to the interest rate risk for our overall enterprise. We analyze the behavior of our liability cash flows across a wide variety of future interest rate scenarios, reflecting policy features and expected policyholder behavior. We also analyze the behavior of our asset portfolios across the same scenarios. We believe this analysis shows the sensitivity of both our assets and liabilities to large and small changes in interest rates and enables us to manage our assets and liabilities more effectively.

 

Portfolio diversification

 

We use limits to ensure a spread of risk in our business. We have strict limitations on credit risk to avoid concentration in our investment portfolio. Our product portfolios have considerable diversification due to the wide variety of products we have sold over a number of years. We also manage unique product exposures in our business segments. For example, in managing our mortgage insurance risk exposure, we carefully monitor geographic concentrations in our portfolio and the condition of housing markets in each country in which we operate. We monitor our concentration of risk in force at the regional, state and major metropolitan area levels on a quarterly basis. In the U.S., we evaluate the condition of housing markets in major metropolitan areas with our proprietary OmniMarket SM model, which rates housing markets based on variables such as economic activity, unemployment, mortgage delinquencies, home sales trends and home price changes. We also regularly monitor factors that affect home prices and their affordability by region and major metropolitan area.

 

Actuarial databases and information systems

 

Our extensive actuarial databases and innovative information systems technology are important tools in our risk management programs. We believe we have the largest actuarial database for long-term care insurance

 

158


Table of Contents

claims with 30 years of experience in offering those products. We also have substantial experience in offering individual life insurance products, and we have developed a large database of claims experience, particularly in preferred risk classes, which provides significant predictive experience for mortality.

 

We use advanced and, in some cases, proprietary technology to manage variations in our underwriting process. For example, our GENIUS® new business processing system uses digital underwriting technology that has lowered our operating costs and increased the speed, consistency and accuracy of our underwriting process by reducing decision-making variation. In our mortgage insurance business we use borrower credit scores, our proprietary mortgage scoring model, OmniScore®, and our extensive database of mortgage insurance experience to evaluate new products and portfolio performance. OmniScore® uses the borrower’s credit score and additional data concerning the borrower, the loan and the property, including loan-to-value ratio, loan type, loan amount, property type, occupancy status and borrower employment to predict the likelihood of having to pay a claim. In the U.S., OmniScore® also incorporates our assessment of the housing market in which a property is located, as evaluated with our OmniMarketSM model. We believe this additional mortgage data and housing market assessment significantly enhances OmniScore’s® predictive power over the life of the loan. We perform portfolio analysis on an ongoing basis to determine if modifications are required to our product offerings, underwriting guidelines or premium rates.

 

Compliance

 

We take a disciplined approach to legal and regulatory compliance practices and throughout our company instill a strong commitment to integrity in business dealings and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We have approximately 200 professionals dedicated to legal and regulatory compliance matters.

 

Operations and Technology

 

Service and support

 

We have a dedicated team of approximately 5,000 service and support personnel (including our operations through an arrangement with an outsourcing provider in India that is 40% owned by GE) who assist our sales intermediaries and customers with their service needs. We use advanced and, in some cases, proprietary, patent-pending technology to provide customer service and support, and we operate service centers that leverage technology, integrated processes, and Six Sigma process management techniques.

 

In our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments, we interact directly and cost-effectively with our independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists through secure websites that have enabled them to transact business with us electronically, obtain information about our products, submit applications, check application and account status and view commission information. We also provide our independent sales intermediaries and dedicated sales specialists with account information to disseminate to their customers through the use of industry-standard XML communications.

 

We also have introduced technologically advanced services to customers in our Mortgage Insurance segment. Historically, lenders submitted applications for mortgage insurance via mail, courier or fax. If we approved the loan, we would issue a certificate of insurance to the lender. Advances in technology now enable us to accept applications through electronic submission and to issue electronic insurance commitments and certificates.

 

Through our Internet-enabled information systems, lenders can receive information about their loans in our database, as well as make corrections, file notices and claims, report settlement amounts, verify loan information and access payment histories. We also assist in workouts through LMO Fast-Track, which we believe is the mortgage insurance industry’s first on-line workout approval system, allowing lenders to request and obtain authorization from us for them to provide workout solutions to their borrowers. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we issued approximately 86% of our U.S. mortgage insurance commitments electronically, compared to 82% for the year ended December 31, 2003 and 78% for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

159


Table of Contents

Operating centers

 

We have centralized our operations and have established scalable, low-cost operating centers in Virginia, North Carolina and Ireland. We expect to realize additional efficiencies from further facility rationalization, which includes centralizing additional U.S. operations and consolidating mailrooms and print centers. In addition, through an arrangement with an outsourcing provider that is 40% owned by GE, we have a substantial team of professionals in India who provide a variety of services to us, including customer service, transaction processing, and functional support including finance, investment research, actuarial, risk and marketing resources to our insurance operations. Most of the personnel in India have college degrees, and many have graduate degrees.

 

Technology capabilities and process improvement

 

We rely on proprietary processes for project approval, execution, risk management and benefit verification as part of our approach to technology investment. We hold, or have applied for, more than 120 patents. Our technology team is experienced in large-scale project delivery, including many insurance administration system consolidations and the development of Internet-based servicing capabilities. We continually manage technology costs by standardizing our technology infrastructure, consolidating application systems, reducing servers and storage devices and managing project execution risks. We also work with associates from GE’s Global Research Center to develop new technologies that help deliver competitive advantages to our company. We also may work in the future on new projects with the GE Global Research Center, other research organizations or academic institutions.

 

We believe we have greatly enhanced our operating efficiency and generated significant cost savings by using a variety of process tools, including a highly disciplined quality management and process optimization methodology known as Six Sigma which relies on the rigorous use of statistical techniques to assess process variations and defects. The program uses a disciplined methodology to define, measure, analyze, improve and control the features and performance of a company’s products and processes. As part of our transition services agreement with GE, we will be able to continue to use the Six Sigma program as we have in the past, at no cost to us.

 

Reserves

 

We calculate and maintain reserves for estimated future benefit payments to our policyholders and contractholders in accordance with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices. We release these reserves as those future obligations are extinguished. The reserves we establish necessarily reflect estimates and actuarial assumptions with regard to our future experience. These estimates and actuarial assumptions involve the exercise of significant judgment. Our future financial results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual future experience is consistent with the assumptions we have used in pricing our products and determining our reserves. Many factors can affect future experience, including economic and social conditions, inflation, healthcare costs, changes in doctrines of legal liability and damage awards in litigation. Therefore, we cannot determine with complete precision the ultimate amounts we will pay for actual future benefits or the timing of those payments.

 

Protection

 

We establish reserves for life insurance policies based upon generally recognized actuarial methods. We use mortality tables in general use in the U.S. and Europe, modified where appropriate, to reflect relevant historical experience and our underwriting practices. Persistency, expense and interest rate assumptions are based upon relevant experience and expectations for future development. We establish reserves at amounts which, including the receipt of assumed additional premiums and interest assumed to be earned on the assets underlying the reserves, we expect to be sufficient to satisfy our policy obligations.

 

160


Table of Contents

The liability for policy benefits for universal life insurance policies and interest-sensitive whole life policies is equal to the balance that accrues to the benefit of policyholders, including credited interest, plus any amount needed to provide for additional benefits. We also establish reserves for amounts that we have deducted from the policyholder’s balance to compensate us for services to be performed in future periods.

 

We establish reserves for long-term care insurance policies based upon factors including mortality, persistency, expenses, claim likelihood, benefit utilization levels, claim continuance, and any applicable coverage limitations. Long-term care insurance does not have the extensive historical claims experience of life insurance, and therefore, our ability to forecast future experience for long-term care insurance products is more limited than for life products.

 

Our reserves for unpaid group life and health insurance claims, including our medical and non-medical lines, are estimates of the ultimate net cost of both reported losses that have not yet been settled and incurred but as yet unreported losses. For reported claims, our reserves are based upon an evaluation of the claims, including anticipated run-out patterns, and include a provision for adverse claim development and fluctuation. Reserves for incurred but not reported claims are based upon historic incidence rates, severity rates, reporting delays and any known events which we believe will materially affect claim levels.

 

Reserves for long-term disability claims are based upon factors including recovery, mortality, expenses, Social Security and other benefit offsets, and investment income. They represent the actuarial present value of benefits and associated expenses for current claims, reported claims that have not yet completed the applicable elimination period and for covered disabilities that have been incurred but have not yet been reported. Claims on long-term disability insurance policies consist of payments to be made periodically, generally monthly, in accordance with the contractual terms of the policy.

 

We establish reserves for our payment protection insurance using a number of actuarial models. Claim reserves are calculated separately for disability, life and unemployment business. Reserves are established at three different stages of a claim: incurred but not reported, reported but not paid, and in the course of payment.

 

Retirement Income and Investments

 

For our investment contracts, including annuities, GICs, and funding agreements, contractholder liabilities are equal to the accumulated contract account values, which generally consist of an accumulation of deposit payments, less withdrawals, plus investment earnings and interest credited to the account, less expense, mortality, and profit charges, if applicable. We also maintain a separate reserve for any expected future payments in excess of the account value due to the potential death of the contractholder.

 

Reserves for future policy benefits on our immediate fixed annuity contracts are calculated based upon actuarial assumptions regarding the interest to be earned on the assets underlying the reserves and, if applicable, the annuitant’s life expectancy.

 

Mortgage Insurance

 

In our mortgage insurance businesses, a significant period of time may elapse between the occurrence of the borrower’s default on a mortgage payment, which is the event triggering a potential future claim payment, the reporting of such default and our eventual payment of the claim. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we establish reserves for loans that are in default, including loans that are in default but have not yet been reported, by forecasting the percentage of loans in default on which we will ultimately pay claims and the average claim that will be paid. We generally consider a loan to be in default if the borrower has failed to make a required mortgage payment for two consecutive months. In addition to our reserves for known loans in default, we establish reserves for “loss adjustment expenses” to provide for the estimated costs of settling claims, including legal and other fees, and general expenses of administering the claims settlement process.

 

161


Table of Contents

We estimate ultimate claims and associated costs based upon our historical loss experience, adjusted for the anticipated effect of current economic conditions and projected economic trends. Consistent with U.S. GAAP and industry accounting practices, we do not establish loss reserves for future claims on insured loans that are not currently in default.

 

To improve the reserve estimation process, we segregate our mortgage loan portfolio based upon a variety of factors, and we analyze each segment of the portfolio in light of our default experience to produce our reserve estimate. We review these factors on a periodic basis and adjust our loss reserves accordingly. Although inflation is implicitly included in the estimates, the impact of inflation is not explicitly isolated from other factors influencing the reserve estimates. We do not discount our loss reserves for financial reporting purposes.

 

We also establish liabilities related to contract underwriting indemnification. Under the terms of our contract underwriting agreements, we agree to indemnify the lender against losses incurred in the event that we make material errors in determining that loans processed by our contract underwriters meet specified underwriting or purchase criteria. We revise our estimates of these liabilities from time to time to reflect our recent experience.

 

Reinsurance

 

We follow the industry practice of reinsuring portions of our insurance risks with reinsurance companies. We use reinsurance both to diversify our risks and to manage loss exposures and capital effectively. The use of reinsurance permits us to write policies in amounts larger than the risk we are willing to retain, and also to write a larger volume of new business.

 

We cede insurance primarily on a treaty basis, under which risks are ceded to a reinsurer on specific blocks of business where the underlying risks meet certain predetermined criteria. To a lesser extent, we cede insurance risks on a facultative basis, under which the reinsurer’s prior approval is required on each risk reinsured. Use of reinsurance does not discharge us, as the insurer, from liability on the insurance ceded. We, as the insurer, are required to pay the full amount of our insurance obligations even in circumstances where we are entitled or able to receive payments from our reinsurer. The principal reinsurers to which we cede risks have A.M. Best financial strength ratings ranging from “A+” to “A-.” Historically, we have not had significant concentrations of reinsurance risk with any one reinsurer. However, prior to the completion of the IPO, we entered into reinsurance transactions with UFLIC, which resulted in a significant concentration of reinsurance risk with UFLIC.

 

The following table sets forth our exposure to our principal reinsurers, along with the reinsurance recoverable as of December 31, 2004, and the A.M. Best ratings of those reinsurers as of that date:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  

Reinsurance

recoverable


   A.M. Best rating

UFLIC(1)

   $ 16,179    A-

IDS Life Insurance Company(2)

     746    A+

Phoenix Life Insurance Company(3)

     618    A  

Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

     154    A+

Munich American Reassurance Company

     96    A+

ERC(4)

     92    A-

Revios Reinsurance

     77    A-

(1) See note 10 to the financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
(2) Our reinsurance arrangement with IDS covers a run-off block of single-premium life insurance policies.
(3) Our reinsurance arrangement with Phoenix covers a run-off block of corporate-owned life insurance policies. Both of these arrangements originated from acquisitions.
(4) ERC refers to Employers Reassurance Corporation (an indirect subsidiary of GE) and ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation (an indirect subsidiary of GE until December 2003).

 

162


Table of Contents

As discussed above under “—Mortgage Insurance—Products and Services—Risk mitigation arrangements—Captive reinsurance,” in the U.S., we have entered into a number of reinsurance agreements in which we share portions of our mortgage insurance risk written on loans originated or purchased by lenders with captive reinsurance companies, or captive reinsurers, affiliated with these lenders. In return, we cede an agreed portion of our gross premiums on insurance written to the captive reinsurers. Substantially all of our captive mortgage reinsurance arrangements are structured on an excess-of-loss basis. As of December 31, 2004, our total mortgage insurance risk reinsured to all captive reinsurers was $2.8 billion, and the total capital held in trust for our benefit by all captive reinsurers was $528 million. These captive reinsurers are not rated, and their claims-paying obligations to us are limited to the amount of capital held in trust. We believe the capital held in trust by these captive reinsurers is sufficient to meet their anticipated obligations to us. However, we cannot ensure that each captive with which we do business can or will meet all its obligations to us.

 

Financial Strength Ratings

 

Ratings with respect to financial strength are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies. Ratings are important to maintaining public confidence in us and our ability to market our products. Rating organizations review the financial performance and condition of most insurers and provide opinions regarding financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders.

 

Our principal life insurance subsidiaries are rated by A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch as follows:

 

Company


  A.M. Best rating

 

S&P rating


  Moody’s rating

 

Fitch rating


American Mayflower Life Insurance

Company of New York

  A+ (Superior)   AA- (Very Strong)   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

Federal Home Life Insurance Company

  A+ (Superior)   Not rated   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

First Colony Life Insurance Company

  A+ (Superior)   AA- (Very Strong)   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

GE Capital Life Assurance Company of New York

  A+ (Superior)   AA- (Very Strong)   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company

  A+ (Superior)   AA- (Very Strong)   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

GE Group Life Assurance Company

  A (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)   Not Rated   Not Rated

General Electric Capital Assurance Company

  A+ (Superior)   AA- (Very Strong)   Aa3 (Excellent)   AA- (Very Strong)

 

Our mortgage insurance subsidiaries are rated by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch as follows:

 

Company(1)


  

S&P rating


  

Moody’s rating


  

Fitch rating


General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation

   AA (Very Strong)    Aa2 (Excellent)    AA (Very Strong)

GE Residential Mortgage Insurance Corporation of NC

   AA (Very Strong)    Aa2 (Excellent)    AA (Very Strong)

GE Mortgage Insurance Company Pty. Limited

   AA (Very Strong)    Aa2 (Excellent)    AA (Very Strong)

GE Mortgage Insurance Limited

   AA (Very Strong)    Aa2 (Excellent)    AA (Very Strong)

(1) Our Canadian mortgage insurance company is not rated by any of the rating agencies shown above.

 

The A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch ratings included are not designed to be, and do not serve as, measures of protection or valuation offered to investors in this offering. These financial strength ratings should not be relied on with respect to making an investment in our securities.

 

A.M. Best states that its “A+” (Superior) rating is assigned to those companies that have, in its opinion, a superior ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders. The “A+” (Superior) rating is the second-highest of fifteen ratings assigned by A.M. Best, which range from “A++” to “F”.

 

163


Table of Contents

S&P states that an insurer rated “AA” (Very Strong) has very strong financial security characteristics that outweigh any vulnerabilities, and is highly likely to have the ability to meet financial commitments. The “AA” range is the second-highest of the four ratings ranges that meet these criteria, and also is the second-highest of nine financial strength rating ranges assigned by S&P, which range from “AAA” to “R.” A plus (+) or minus (-) shows relative standing in a rating category. Accordingly, the “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of S&P’s 20 ratings categories.

 

Moody’s states that insurance companies rated “Aa” (Excellent) offer excellent financial security. Moody’s states that companies in this group constitute what are generally known as high-grade companies. The “Aa” range is the second-highest of nine financial strength rating ranges assigned by Moody’s, which range from “Aaa” to “C.” Numeric modifiers are used to refer to the ranking within the group, with 1 being the highest and 3 being the lowest. Accordingly, the “Aa2” and “Aa3” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories.

 

Fitch states that “AA” (Very Strong) rated insurance companies are viewed as possessing very strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. Risk factors are modest, and the impact of any adverse business and economic factors is expected to be very small. The “AA” rating category is the second-highest of eight financial strength rating categories, which range from “AAA” to “D.” The symbol (+) or (-) may be appended to a rating to indicate the relative position of a credit within a rating category. These suffixes are not added to ratings in the “AAA” category or to ratings below the “CCC” category. Accordingly, the “AA” and “AA-” ratings are the third- and fourth-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories.

 

A.M. Best, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch review their ratings periodically and we cannot assure you that we will maintain our current ratings in the future. Other agencies may also rate our company or our insurance subsidiaries on a solicited or an unsolicited basis.

 

Investments

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had total cash and invested assets of $67.1 billion (including $0.9 billion of restricted investments held by securitization entities) and an additional $8.9 billion held in our separate accounts, for which we do not bear investment risk. We manage our assets to meet diversification, credit quality, yield and liquidity requirements of our policy and contract liabilities by investing primarily in fixed maturities, including government, municipal and corporate bonds, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and mortgage loans on commercial real estate. We also invest in short-term securities and other investments, including a small position in equity securities. In all cases, investments for our particular insurance company subsidiaries are required to comply with restrictions imposed by applicable laws and insurance regulatory authorities.

 

Our primary investment objective is to meet our obligations to policyholders and contractholders while increasing value to our stockholders by investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality, income producing securities and other assets. Our investment strategy seeks to optimize investment income without relying on realized investment gains. Our investment strategy focuses primarily on:

 

    minimizing interest rate risk through rigorous management of asset durations relative to policyholder and contractholder obligations;

 

    selecting assets based on fundamental, research-driven strategies;

 

    emphasizing fixed-interest, low-volatility assets;

 

    maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet unexpected financial obligations;

 

    continuously evaluating our asset class mix and pursuing additional investment classes; and

 

    rigorous, continuous monitoring of asset quality.

 

164


Table of Contents

We are exposed to two primary sources of investment risk:

 

    credit risk, relating to the uncertainty associated with the continued ability of a given issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest; and

 

    interest rate risk, relating to the market price and cash flow variability associated with changes in market interest rates.

 

We manage credit risk by analyzing issuers, transaction structures and real estate properties. We use sophisticated analytic techniques to monitor credit risk. For example, we continually measure the probability of credit default and estimated loss in the event of such a default, which provides us with early notification of worsening credits. If an issuer downgrade causes our holdings of that issuer to exceed our risk thresholds, we automatically undertake a detailed review of the issuer’s credit. We also manage credit risk through industry and issuer diversification and asset allocation practices. For commercial real estate loans, we manage credit risk through geographic, property type and product type diversification and asset allocation. We routinely review different issuers and sectors and conduct more formal quarterly portfolio reviews with our Investment Committee.

 

We mitigate interest rate risk through rigorous management of the relationship between the duration of our assets and the duration of our liabilities, seeking to minimize risk of loss in both rising and falling interest rate environments. For further information on our management of interest rate risk, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and invested assets as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Carrying
    value    


       % of    
total


        Carrying    
value


       % of    
total


 

Fixed-maturities, available-for-sale

                          

Public

   $ 40,150    60 %   $ 51,336    64 %

Private

     12,274    18 %     14,149    18 %

Mortgage loans

     6,051    9 %     6,114    8 %

Other investments

     3,996    6 %     3,789    4 %

Policy loans

     1,224    2 %     1,105    1 %

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

     860    1 %     1,069    1 %

Equity securities, available for sale

     374    1 %     600    1 %

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     2,210    3 %     2,513    3 %
    

  

 

  

Total cash and invested assets

   $ 67,139    100 %   $ 80,675    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

Organization

 

Prior to the IPO, GEAM provided investment management services for substantially all of the investment portfolios for the U.S. companies in our Protection and Retirement Income and Investments segments and portions of the investment portfolios of the U.S. and Canadian companies in our Mortgage Insurance segment pursuant to various investment management agreements. In connection with the IPO, we established our own investment department which consists of more than 140 individuals, led by our Chief Investment Officer, who presides over our Investment Committee, which reports to our Board of Directors and the boards of directors of our insurance company subsidiaries. Our investment department includes portfolio management, risk management, finance and accounting functions and, under the direction of the Investment Committee, is responsible for establishing investment policies and strategies, reviewing asset liability management and performing asset allocation. In addition, we manage certain asset classes for our domestic insurance operations that until the IPO were managed by GEAM, including commercial mortgage loans, privately placed debt securities and derivatives.

 

165


Table of Contents

GEAM continues to provide investment management services for our U.S. and Bermudan investment portfolios pursuant to these investment management and services agreements and investment guidelines approved by the boards of directors of our insurance subsidiaries. We have agreed to pay GEAM a management fee for these services on a quarterly basis equal to a percentage of the value of the assets under management to be paid quarterly in arrears. The percentage is established annually by agreement between GEAM and us and is intended to reflect the cost to GEAM of providing its services.

 

We incurred expenses for investment management and related administrative services of $50 million, $67 million and $61 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, of which $33 million, $61 million and $39 million was paid to GEAM for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. GEAM is a registered investment adviser providing a full range of investment management services, primarily to the GE Pension Trust, the funding vehicle for GE’s defined benefit pension plan, and our subsidiaries as well as a wide range of affiliated and non-affiliated institutional clients, including certain other GE-affiliated insurance entities.

 

Management of investments for our non-U.S. operations is overseen by the managing director and boards of directors of the applicable non-U.S. legal entities in consultation with our Chief Investment Officer. Substantially all the assets of our payment protection and mortgage insurance businesses are managed by GE Asset Management Limited, or GEAML, pursuant to agreements that are substantially similar to our agreements with GEAM in the U.S. The majority of the assets of our Canadian, Australian and New Zealand mortgage insurance businesses continue to be managed by unaffiliated investment managers located in their respective countries. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately 8% and 5%, respectively, of our invested assets were held by our international operations and were invested primarily in non-U.S.-denominated securities.

 

Investment results

 

The annualized yield on general account cash and invested assets, excluding net realized investment gains and losses was 5.5%, 5.8% and 6.0% for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decline in investment yields is primarily attributable to purchases of assets in an interest rate environment where current market yields are lower than the existing portfolio yields.

 

The following table sets forth information about our investment income, excluding realized gains and losses, for the components of our investment portfolio for the periods indicated:

 

     For the years ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


       Yield    

    Amount

        Yield    

    Amount

        Yield    

    Amount

 

Fixed maturities—taxable

   5.5 %   $ 2,827     6.2 %   $ 3,354     6.2 %   $ 3,333  

Fixed maturities—non-taxable

   5.1 %     150     4.0 %     128     4.9 %     158  

Mortgage loans

   7.3 %     438     7.2 %     410     7.4 %     361  

Equity securities

   5.5 %     25     2.8 %     27     2.2 %     39  

Other investments

   11.5 %     75     2.4 %     17     2.7 %     41  

Policy loans

   9.3 %     107     8.3 %     88     7.7 %     71  

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

   6.6 %     64     4.9 %     36     0.0 %     —    

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

   0.5 %     12     1.6 %     58     2.2 %     37  
          


       


       


Gross investment income before expenses and fees

   5.6 %     3,698     5.9 %     4,118     6.1 %     4,040  

Expenses and fees

           (50 )           (67 )           (61 )
          


       


       


Net investment income

   5.5 %   $ 3,648     5.8 %   $ 4,051     6.0 %   $ 3,979  
    

 


 

 


 

 


 

166


Table of Contents

Yields are based on average carrying values except for fixed maturities, equity securities and securities lending activity. Yields for fixed maturities and equity securities are based on amortized cost and cost, respectively. Yields for securities lending activity, which is included in other investments, are calculated net of the corresponding securities lending liability.

 

Fixed maturities

 

Fixed maturities, including tax-exempt bonds, consist principally of publicly traded and privately placed debt securities, and represented 78%, 82% and 83% of total cash and invested assets as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Based upon estimated fair value, public fixed maturities represented 77%, 78% and 81% of total fixed maturities as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Private fixed maturities represented 23%, 22% and 19% of total fixed maturities as of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We invest in privately placed fixed maturities in an attempt to enhance the overall value of the portfolio, increase diversification and obtain higher yields than can ordinarily be obtained with comparable public market securities. Generally, private placements provide us with protective covenants, call protection features and, where applicable, a higher level of collateral. However, our private placements are not freely transferable because of restrictions imposed by federal and state securities laws, the terms of the securities, and illiquid trading markets.

 

The Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, evaluates bond investments of U.S. insurers for regulatory reporting purposes and assigns securities to one of six investment categories called “NAIC designations.” The NAIC designations parallel the credit ratings of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations for marketable bonds. NAIC designations 1 and 2 include bonds considered investment grade (rated “Baa3” or higher by Moody’s, or rated “BBB-” or higher by S&P) by such rating organizations. NAIC designations 3 through 6 include bonds considered below investment grade (rated “Ba1” or lower by Moody’s, or rated “BB+” or lower by S&P).

 

The following tables present our public, private and aggregate fixed maturities by NAIC and/or equivalent ratings of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, as well as the percentage, based upon estimated fair value, that each designation comprises. Our non-U.S. fixed maturities generally are not rated by the NAIC and are shown based upon their equivalent rating of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations. Similarly, certain privately placed fixed maturities that are not rated by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations are shown based upon their NAIC designation. Certain securities, primarily non-U.S. securities, are not rated by the NAIC or the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations and are so designated.

 

          December 31,

 

Public fixed maturities


   2004

    2003

 

NAIC
rating


  

Rating agency equivalent designation


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


   % of
total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


                                

1

   Aaa/Aa/A    $ 27,839    $ 28,635    71 %   $ 32,095    $ 33,212    64 %

2

   Baa      8,847      9,344    23 %     13,866      14,778    29 %

3

   Ba      1,339      1,415    4 %     1,829      1,896    4 %

4

   B      646      651    2 %     1,023      979    2 %

5

   Caa and lower      73      63    0 %     295      272    1 %

6

   In or near default      13      15    0 %     96      104    0 %
    

Not rated

     26      27    0 %     92      95    0 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

     Total public fixed maturities    $ 38,783    $ 40,150    100 %   $ 49,296    $ 51,336    100 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

 

167


Table of Contents
          December 31,

 

Private fixed maturities


   2004

    2003

 

NAIC
Rating


  

Rating agency equivalent designation


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


   % of
total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


                                

1

   Aaa/Aa/A    $ 6,272    $ 6,501    53 %   $ 7,029    $ 7,388    52 %

2

   Baa      4,587      4,768    39 %     5,182      5,442    38 %

3

   Ba      574      605    5 %     691      728    5 %

4

   B      198      202    2 %     234      228    2 %

5

   Caa and lower      112      103    1 %     192      177    1 %

6

   In or near default      44      43    0 %     93      86    1 %
    

Not rated

     52      52    0 %     99      100    1 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

     Total private fixed maturities    $ 11,839    $ 12,274    100 %   $ 13,520    $ 14,149    100 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

 

          December 31,

 

Total fixed maturities


   2004

    2003

 

NAIC
rating


  

Rating agency equivalent designation


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


                                

1

   Aaa/Aa/A    $ 34,111    $ 35,136    67 %   $ 39,124    $ 40,600    62 %

2

   Baa      13,434      14,112    27 %     19,048      20,220    31 %

3

   Ba      1,913      2,020    4 %     2,520      2,624    4 %

4

   B      844      853    2 %     1,257      1,207    2 %

5

   Caa and lower      185      166    0 %     487      449    1 %

6

   In or near default      57      58    0 %     189      190    0 %
    

Not rated

     78      79    0 %     191      195    0 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

     Total fixed maturities    $ 50,622    $ 52,424    100 %   $ 62,816    $ 65,485    100 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

 

The following table sets forth the amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities by contractual maturity dates (excluding scheduled sinking funds) as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

     2004

   2003

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


Due in one year or less

   $ 2,026    $ 2,040    $ 1,747    $ 1,761

Due after one year through five years

     10,450      10,749      11,400      11,817

Due after five years through ten years

     11,395      11,842      13,318      13,901

Due after ten years

     15,002      15,916      24,288      25,754
    

  

  

  

Subtotal

     38,873      40,547      50,753      53,233

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed

     11,749      11,877      12,063      12,252
    

  

  

  

Total fixed maturities

   $ 50,622    $ 52,424    $ 62,816    $ 65,485
    

  

  

  

 

168


Table of Contents

We diversify our fixed maturities by security sector. The following table sets forth the estimated fair value of our fixed maturities by sector as well as the percentage of the total fixed maturities holdings that each security sector comprised as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Estimated
fair value


   % of total

 

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 572    1 %   $ 1,055    2 %

State and municipal

     3,030    6 %     3,350    5 %

Government—Non-U.S.

     1,744    3 %     1,551    2 %

U.S. corporate

     21,893    42 %     33,025    50 %

Corporate—Non-U.S.

     6,913    13 %     7,949    12 %

Mortgage-backed

     8,577    17 %     7,848    12 %

Asset-backed

     3,300    6 %     4,404    7 %

Public utilities

     6,395    12 %     6,303    10 %
    

  

 

  

Total fixed maturities

   $ 52,424    100 %   $ 65,485    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

The following table sets forth the major industry types that comprise our corporate bond holdings, based primarily on industry codes established by Lehman Brothers, as well as the percentage of the total corporate bond holdings that each industry comprised as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  

Estimated

fair value


  

% of

total


   

Estimated

fair value


   % of total

 

Finance and insurance

   $ 10,357    30 %   $ 13,069    28 %

Utilities and energy

     7,056    20 %     10,345    22 %

Consumer—non cyclical

     4,351    12 %     6,036    13 %

Consumer—cyclical

     2,666    8 %     4,356    9 %

Industrial

     2,475    7 %     3,340    7 %

Capital goods

     2,240    6 %     2,928    6 %

Technology and communications

     2,223    6 %     2,972    6 %

Transportation

     1,063    3 %     1,970    4 %

Other

     2,770    8 %     2,258    5 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 35,201    100 %   $ 47,274    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We diversify our corporate bond holdings by industry and issuer. The portfolio does not have significant exposure to any single issuer. As of December 31, 2004, our combined corporate bond holdings in the ten issuers to which we had the greatest exposure was $2,154 million, which was approximately 3% of our total cash and invested assets as of such date. The exposure to the largest single issuer of corporate bonds held as of December 31, 2004 was $257 million, which was less than 1% of our total cash and invested assets as of such date.

 

We do not have material unhedged exposure to foreign currency risk in our invested assets. In our non-U.S. insurance operations, both our assets and liabilities are generally denominated in local currencies. Foreign currency denominated securities supporting U.S. dollar liabilities generally are swapped into U.S. dollars using derivative financial instruments.

 

169


Table of Contents

Mortgage-backed securities

 

The following table sets forth the types of mortgage backed securities we held as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

   $ 6,007    70 %   $ 5,348    68 %

Collateralized mortgage obligations

     1,014    12 %     799    10 %

Sequential pay class bonds

     787    9 %     922    12 %

Planned amortization class bonds

     239    3 %     265    4 %

Pass-through securities

     108    1 %     32    0 %

Other

     422    5 %     482    6 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 8,577    100 %   $ 7,848    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We purchase mortgage-backed securities to diversify our portfolio risk characteristics from primarily corporate credit risk to a mix of credit risk and cash flow risk. The principal risks inherent in holding mortgage-backed securities are prepayment and extension risks, which will affect the timing of when cash flow will be received. The majority of the mortgage-backed securities in our investment portfolio have relatively low cash flow variability. Our active monitoring and analysis of this portfolio, focus on stable types of securities and limits on our holdings of more volatile types of securities reduces the effects of interest rate fluctuations on this portfolio.

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS, which represent our largest class of mortgage-backed securities, are securities backed by a diversified pool of first mortgage loans on commercial properties ranging in size, property type and geographic location. The primary risk associated with CMBS is default risk. Prepayment risk on CMBS is generally low because of prepayment restrictions contained in the underlying collateral.

 

The majority of our collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMOs, are guaranteed or otherwise supported by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or Government National Mortgage Association. CMOs separate mortgage pools into different maturity classes called tranches. This separation generally provides for greater cash flow stability than other mortgage-backed securities.

 

Sequential pay class bonds receive principal payments in a prescribed sequence without a pre-determined prepayment schedule. Planned amortization class bonds are bonds structured to provide more certain cash flows to the investor and therefore are subject to less prepayment and extension risk than other mortgage-backed securities.

 

Pass-through securities are the most liquid assets in the mortgage-backed sector. Pass-through securities distribute, on a pro rata basis to their holders, the monthly cash flows of principal and interest, both scheduled and prepayments, generated by the underlying mortgages.

 

170


Table of Contents

Asset-backed securities

 

The following table sets forth the types of asset-backed securities we held as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


    Estimated
fair value


  

% of

total


 

Credit card receivables

   $ 1,139    34 %   $ 1,131    26 %

Home equity loans

     786    24 %     1,043    24 %

Automobile receivables

     496    15 %     1,425    32 %

Other

     879    27 %     805    18 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 3,300    100 %   $ 4,404    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We purchase asset-backed securities both to diversify the overall risks of our fixed maturities portfolio and to provide attractive returns. Our asset-backed securities are diversified by type of asset, issuer and servicer. As of December 31, 2004, approximately $1.99 billion, or 60%, of the total amount of our asset-backed securities were rated “Aaa/AAA” by Moody’s or S&P.

 

The principal risks in holding asset-backed securities are structural, credit and capital market risks. Structural risks include the security’s priority in the issuer’s capital structure, the adequacy of and ability to realize proceeds from the collateral and the potential for prepayments. Credit risks include consumer or corporate credits such as credit card holders, equipment lessees, and corporate obligors. Capital market risks include the general level of interest rates and the liquidity for these securities in the marketplace.

 

Mortgage loans

 

Our mortgage loans are collateralized by commercial properties, including multifamily residential buildings. The carrying value of mortgage loans is stated at original cost net of prepayments and amortization.

 

We diversify our commercial mortgage loans by both property type and geographic region. The following table sets forth the distribution across property type and geographic region for commercial mortgage loans as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Property Type


   Carrying
value


  

% of

total


    Carrying
value


  

% of

total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


          

Office

   $ 1,822    30 %   $ 2,024    33 %

Industrial

     1,797    30 %     1,812    30 %

Retail

     1,574    26 %     1,500    25 %

Apartments

     650    11 %     573    9 %

Mixed use/other

     208    3 %     205    3 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 6,051    100 %   $ 6,114    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

171


Table of Contents
     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Geographic Region


   Carrying
value


   % of
total


    Carrying
value


   % of
total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


          

Pacific

   $ 1,796    30 %   $ 1,867    31 %

South Atlantic

     1,239    20 %     1,194    20 %

Middle Atlantic

     953    16 %     932    15 %

East North Central

     682    11 %     771    12 %

Mountain

     463    8 %     478    8 %

West South Central

     306    5 %     288    5 %

West North Central

     252    4 %     271    4 %

East South Central

     225    4 %     226    4 %

New England

     135    2 %     87    1 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 6,051    100 %   $ 6,114    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

The following table sets forth the distribution of our commercial mortgage loans by loan size as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  

Number of

loans


  

Principal

balance


  

% of

total


   

Number of

loans


  

Principal

balance


  

% of

total


 

Under $5 million

   1,560    $ 3,073    50 %   1,627    $ 3,153    51 %

$5 million but less than $10 million

   210      1,442    24 %   207      1,394    23 %

$10 million but less than $20 million

   73      1,009    17 %   67      948    15 %

$20 million but less than $30 million

   14      334    5 %   13      309    5 %

More than $30 million

   6      237    4 %   8      358    6 %
    
  

  

 
  

  

Total

   1,863    $ 6,095    100 %   1,922    $ 6,162    100 %
    
  

  

 
  

  

 

The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities for our commercial mortgage loans as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  

Carrying

value


  

% of

total


   

Carrying

value


  

% of

total


 

Due in 1 year or less

   $ 50    1 %   $ 68    1 %

Due after 1 year through 2 years

     86    1 %     60    1 %

Due after 2 year through 3 years

     50    1 %     122    2 %

Due after 3 year through 4 years

     333    5 %     64    1 %

Due after 4 year through 5 years

     232    4 %     389    6 %

Due after 5 years

     5,300    88 %     5,411    89 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 6,051    100 %   $ 6,114    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We monitor our mortgage loans on a continual basis. These reviews include an analysis of the property, its financial statements, the relevant market and tenant creditworthiness. Through this monitoring process, we review loans that are restructured, delinquent or under foreclosure and identify those that management considers to be potentially delinquent.

 

172


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the changes in allowance for losses on mortgage loans as of the dates indicated:

 

    

As of or for

the years

ended December 31,


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


       2004    

        2003    

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 50     $ 45  

Additions

     7       8  

Deductions for writedowns and dispositions

     (5 )     (3 )
    


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 52     $ 50  
    


 


 

Equity securities

 

Our equity securities, which are classified as available-for-sale, primarily consist of retained interests in our securitization transactions, as well as mutual funds and investments in publicly-traded preferred and common stocks of U.S. and non-U.S. companies.

 

Other investments

 

The following table sets forth the carrying values of our other investments as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Carrying
value


   % of
total


    Carrying
value


   % of
total


 

Securities lending

   $ 3,202    80 %   $ 3,026    80 %

Limited partnerships

     183    5 %     253    7 %

Real estate

     —      —         120    3 %

Other investments

     611    15 %     390    10 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 3,996    100 %   $ 3,789    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We participate in a securities lending program whereby blocks of securities included in our portfolio are loaned primarily to major brokerage firms. We require a minimum of 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities to be separately maintained as collateral for the loans. The limited partnerships primarily represent interests in pooled investment funds that make private equity investments in U.S. and non-U.S. companies. Real estate consists of ownership of real property, primarily commercial property. Other investments are primarily swaps, amounts on deposit with foreign governments, options and strategic equity investments.

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

We use derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate and currency swaps, currency forwards and option-based financial instruments, as part of our risk management strategy. We use these derivatives to mitigate certain risks, including interest rate risk, currency risk and equity risk, by:

 

    reducing the risk between the timing of the receipt of cash and its investment in the market;

 

    matching the currency of invested assets with the liabilities they support;

 

    converting the asset duration to match the duration of the liabilities;

 

    reducing our exposure to fluctuations in equity market indices that underlie some of our products; and

 

    protecting against the early termination of an asset or liability.

 

173


Table of Contents

As a matter of policy, we have not and will not engage in derivative market-making, speculative derivative trading or other speculative derivatives activities.

 

The following table sets forth our positions in derivative financial instruments as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Notional
value


   % of
total


    Notional
value


   % of
total


 

Interest rate swaps

   $ 8,185    89 %   $ 9,960    86 %

Foreign currency swaps

     542    6 %     697    6 %

Equity index options

     459    5 %     457    4 %

Foreign exchange contracts

     27    —         30    —    

Swaptions

     —      —         474    4 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 9,213    100 %   $ 11,618    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had approximately 6,150 full-time and part-time employees. We believe our employee relations are satisfactory. To the best of our knowledge, none of our employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Some of our employees in Europe may be members of trade unions, but local data privacy laws prohibit us from asking them about their membership in trade unions, and they are not required to inform us.

 

Facilities

 

We own our headquarters facility in Richmond, Virginia, which consists of approximately 461,000 square feet in four buildings, as well as several facilities with approximately 462,000 square feet in Lynchburg, Virginia. In addition, we lease approximately 900,000 square feet of office space in 85 locations throughout the U.S. We also own two buildings outside the U.S. with approximately 40,000 square feet, and we lease approximately 445,000 square feet in various locations outside the U.S.

 

Most of our leases in the U.S. and other countries have lease terms of three to five years, although some leases have terms of up to ten years. Our aggregate annual rental expense under all these leases was $31 million during the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

We believe our properties are adequate for our business as presently conducted.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including the risk of class action lawsuits. Our pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which we operate. In our insurance operations, we are or may become subject to class actions and individual suits alleging, among other things, issues relating to sales or underwriting practices, payment of contingent or other sales commissions, claims payments and procedures, product design, disclosure, administration, additional premium charges for premiums paid on a periodic basis, denial or delay of benefits and breaches of fiduciary or other duties to customers. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. We are also subject to various regulatory inquiries, such as information requests, subpoenas and books and record examinations, from state and federal regulators and other authorities. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

174


Table of Contents

Recently, the insurance industry has become the focus of increased scrutiny by regulatory and law enforcement authorities concerning certain practices within the insurance industry. This scrutiny includes the commencement of investigations and other proceedings by the New York State Attorney General and other governmental authorities relating to allegations of improper conduct in connection with the payment of, and the failure to disclose, contingent commissions by insurance companies to insurance brokers and agents, the solicitation and provision of fictitious or inflated quotes, the use of inducements to brokers or companies in the sale of insurance products and the use of captive reinsurance arrangements. We have not received a subpoena or inquiry from the State of New York with respect to these matters. However, as part of industry-wide inquiries in this regard, we have received inquiries and informational requests with respect to some of these matters from other federal and state regulatory authorities. We have responded to these inquiries and informational requests and will continue to cooperate with these regulatory authorities.

 

Recent industry-wide inquiries also include those regarding market timing and late trading in variable annuity contracts, variable annuity sales practices/exchanges and electronic communication document retention practices. In this regard, we responded in late 2003 to a New York State Attorney General subpoena regarding market timing and late trading in variable products and mutual funds. We have not received any further inquiries from the New York State Attorney General regarding these matters, although we received inquiries and informational requests regarding these matters from other federal and state regulatory authorities. We have responded to these inquiries, follow-up inquiries and informational requests and will continue to cooperate with these regulatory authorities.

 

Although we do not believe that the current investigations and proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, we cannot assure you that this will be the case. In addition, it is possible that related investigations and proceedings may be commenced in the future, and we could become subject to further investigations and have lawsuits filed against us. In any event, increased regulatory scrutiny and any resulting investigations or proceedings could result in new legal precedents and industry-wide regulations or practices that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.

 

In our investment-related operations, we are subject to, and may become subject to further, litigation involving commercial disputes with counterparties or others and class action and other litigation alleging, among other things, that we made improper or inadequate disclosures in connection with the sale of assets and annuity and investment products or charged excessive or impermissible fees on these products, recommended unsuitable products to customers or breached fiduciary or other duties to customers. We are also subject to litigation arising out of our general business activities such as our contractual and employment relationships.

 

One of our insurance subsidiaries is named as a defendant in a lawsuit, McBride v. Life Insurance Co. of Virginia dba GE Life and Annuity Assurance Co., related to the sale of universal life insurance policies. The complaint was filed on November 1, 2000, in Georgia state court, as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased certain universal life insurance policies from that subsidiary and alleges improper practices in connection with the sale and administration of universal life policies. The plaintiffs sought unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On December 1, 2000, we removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. We have vigorously denied liability with respect to the plaintiff’s allegations. Nevertheless, to avoid the risks and costs associated with protracted litigation and to resolve our differences with policyholders, we agreed in principle on October 8, 2003 to settle the case on a nationwide class basis with respect to the insurance subsidiary named in the lawsuit. The settlement provides benefits to the class, and allows us to continue to serve our customers’ needs undistracted by disruptions caused by litigation. The court gave final approval to the settlement on August 12, 2004. In the third quarter of 2003, we accrued $50 million in reserves relating to this litigation, which represents our best estimate of bringing this matter to conclusion. The precise amount of payments in this matter cannot be estimated because they are dependent upon the number of individuals who ultimately will seek relief in the claim form process of the class settlement, the identity of such claimants and whether they are entitled to relief under the settlement terms and the nature of the relief to which they are entitled. That process is currently underway. In addition, approximately 650 class members elected to

 

175


Table of Contents

exclude themselves from the class action settlement. In the fourth quarter of 2004, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the threatened claims of policyholders who had excluded approximately 500 policies from the class action settlement. At that time, we accrued a reserve for the settlement in principle. We have also been named as a defendant in six lawsuits brought by 67 class members who elected to exclude themselves from the class action settlement. We cannot determine at this point whether or how many other class members who have excluded themselves from the class action will initiate individual actions against us, or the effect of such suits or claims, including the six pending lawsuits, on our financial condition, results of operations or business reputation.

 

One of our mortgage insurance subsidiaries is named as a defendant in two lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, William Portis et al. v. GE Mortgage Insurance Corp. and Karwo v. Citimortgage, Inc. and General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation. The Portis complaint was filed on January 15, 2004, and the Karwo complaint was filed on March 15, 2004. Each action seeks certification of a nationwide class of consumers who allegedly were required to pay for our private mortgage insurance at a rate higher than our “best available rate,” based upon credit information we obtained. Each action alleges that the FCRA requires notice to such borrowers and that we violated the FCRA by failing to give such notice. The plaintiffs in Portis allege in the complaint that they are entitled to “actual damages” and “damages within the Court’s discretion of not more than $1,000 for each separate violation” of the FCRA. The plaintiffs in Karwo allege that they are entitled to “appropriate actual, punitive and statutory damages” and “such other or further relief as the Court deems proper.” Similar cases were filed against six other mortgage insurers. Two of those cases, both in the Middle District of Florida, were dismissed after class certification was denied. Class allegations have been stricken from the complaint in a third case because plaintiffs’ counsel failed to meet a filing deadline. We intend to defend vigorously against the actions to which we are a party, but we cannot predict their outcome.

 

We agreed to an injunction as part of a September 2002 settlement of a putative class action, Douglas v. General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation, dba General Electric Capital Mortgage Insurance, and General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation of North Carolina, dba General Electric Capital Mortgage Insurance, alleging that we violated RESPA by providing items of value to induce lenders to refer mortgage insurance business to it. The complaint was filed on December 15, 2000, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. Pursuant to the settlement, we paid $9 million in damages and other costs of settlement. The injunction, which expired on December 31, 2003, provides that so long as certain products and services challenged in the lawsuit, including contract underwriting, captive reinsurance arrangements and certain other products and services, meet the minimum requirements for risk transfer and cost recovery specified in the injunction, they will be deemed to be in compliance with RESPA, thus barring lawsuits by class members for any mortgage insurance-related claim in connection with any loan transaction closed on or before December 31, 2003. The class members gave a general release to our mortgage insurance subsidiary, lenders and the GSEs for all claims on insurance commitments issued December 17, 1997 through December 31, 2003, including claims under RESPA and related state law claims. In accordance with the terms of the injunction, we provide contract underwriting services pursuant to written agreements with lenders at fees that cover our marginal costs of providing these services.

 

It is not clear whether the expiration of the injunction will lead to new litigation by individuals or governmental authorities for monetary relief and/or additional injunctive relief under RESPA and state law against mortgage insurers, including us. Any future claims made against us could allege either that we violated the terms of the injunction or that our pricing structures and business practices violate RESPA or state laws after the expiration of the injunction. We cannot predict whether our pricing structure or business practices, including any changes adopted in response to any changes by our competitors in their pricing structure or business practices or otherwise, or whether any services we or they may provide to mortgage lenders, could be found to violate RESPA, any future injunction that might be issued, or state laws.

 

One of our subsidiaries is involved in an arbitration regarding our delegated underwriting practices. A mortgage lender that underwrote loan applications for mortgage insurance under our delegated underwriting program commenced the arbitration against us in 2003 after we rescinded policy coverage for a number of

 

176


Table of Contents

mortgage loans underwritten by that lender. We rescinded coverage because we believe those loans were not underwritten in compliance with applicable program standards and underwriting guidelines. However, the lender claims that we improperly rescinded coverage. We believe our maximum exposure in the arbitration, based upon the risk in force on the rescinded coverage on loans that are delinquent, is currently approximately $20 million. We believe we had valid reasons to rescind coverage on the disputed loans and therefore believe we have meritorious defenses in the arbitration. We intend to contest vigorously all the claims in this arbitration.

 

One of our insurance subsidiaries is a defendant in six lawsuits brought by individuals claiming that William Maynard, one of our former dedicated sales specialists, and Anthony Allen, one of our former independent producers, converted customer monies and engaged in various fraudulent acts. The six cases are Monger v. Allen, Maynard and GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company (“GELAAC”) (filed October 24, 2003), Warfel v. Allen, Maynard, adVenture Publishing and GELAAC (filed February 6, 2004), Hanrick v. Allen, Maynard and GELAAC (filed March 10, 2004), Modlin v. Allen, et al. (filed June 17, 2004), Clark v. Allen, 66 et al. (filed June 25, 2004) and Rivers v. Allen, et al. (filed February 11, 2005). The Monger and Hanrick cases have been settled. The remaining four cases are in their preliminary stages and are pending in the state court of Cumberland County, North Carolina. The suits allege that GELAAC failed to properly supervise Allen and Maynard and that GELAAC is responsible for Allen’s and Maynard’s conduct. Specifically, Monger alleged conversion, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, constructive fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices, violations of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and negligent supervision. Warfel alleged breach of contract, conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, constructive fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligent supervision and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Hanrick alleged conversion, negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, constructive fraud, unfair and deceptive trade practices and negligent supervision. Modlin, Clark and Rivers make similar allegations. The total amount allegedly invested by the plaintiffs in the four unresolved actions is approximately $980,000. The plaintiff in Warfel seeks damages of $1.4 million, and the plaintiffs in Modlin, Clark and Rivers seek unspecified compensatory damages. In addition, each plaintiff seeks treble damages, as well as punitive damages of an unspecified amount. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2004, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the threatened claims of a putative class of individuals who had dealings with Allen and Maynard. At that time we accrued a reserve for the settlement in principle. In the first quarter of 2005, the settlement in principle became part of the resolution of the case captioned Masters v. Allen, et al., originally filed in the state court of Cumberland County, North Carolina on October 9, 2003, which added GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company and General Electric Capital Assurance Company, two of our insurance subsidiaries, as defendants pursuant to a February 28, 2005 order of the court allowing the amendment of the complaint. On March 7, 2005, the court preliminarily approved the settlement and scheduled a final hearing for May 6, 2005. In October 2003, Allen and Maynard were arrested and charged with conversion in Cumberland County, North Carolina for allegedly failing to remit $30,000 in premiums that they received from a client to GELAAC. Allen has also been indicted in Cumberland County, North Carolina for converting the funds of numerous other individuals. Although we cannot determine the ultimate outcome of these suits, we do not believe they will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. However, we cannot determine whether any related or similar suits or claims will be asserted against us in the future, or the effect of such suits or claims on our financial condition, results of operations or reputation.

 

177


Table of Contents

Regulation

 

Our businesses are subject to extensive regulation and supervision.

 

General

 

Our insurance operations are subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations. State insurance laws regulate most aspects of our U.S. insurance businesses, and our insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the insurance departments of the states in which they are domiciled and licensed. Our non-U.S. insurance operations are principally regulated by insurance regulatory authorities in the jurisdictions in which they are domiciled. Our insurance products and thus our businesses also are affected by U.S. federal, state and local tax laws, and the tax laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions. Insurance products that constitute “securities,” such as variable annuities and variable life insurance, also are subject to U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. securities laws and regulations. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, the National Association of Securities Dealers, or NASD, state securities authorities and non-U.S. authorities regulate and supervise these products.

 

Our securities operations are subject to U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. securities and related laws. The SEC, state securities authorities, the NASD and similar non-U.S. authorities are the principal regulators of these operations.

 

The purpose of the laws and regulations affecting our insurance and securities businesses is primarily to protect our customers and not our stockholders. Many of the laws and regulations to which we are subject are regularly re-examined, and existing or future laws and regulations may become more restrictive or otherwise adversely affect our operations.

 

In addition, insurance and securities regulatory authorities (including state law enforcement agencies and attorneys general or their non-U.S. equivalents) increasingly make inquiries regarding compliance by us and our subsidiaries with insurance, securities and other laws and regulations regarding the conduct of our insurance and securities businesses. We cooperate with such inquiries and take corrective action when warranted.

 

Many of our customers and independent sales intermediaries also operate in regulated environments. Changes in the regulations that affect their operations also may affect our business relationships with them and their ability to purchase or to distribute our products.

 

U.S. Insurance Regulation

 

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are licensed and regulated in all jurisdictions in which they conduct insurance business. The extent of this regulation varies, but most jurisdictions have laws and regulations governing the financial condition of insurers, including standards of solvency, types and concentration of investments, establishment and maintenance of reserves, credit for reinsurance and requirements of capital adequacy, and the business conduct of insurers, including marketing and sales practices and claims handling. In addition, statutes and regulations usually require the licensing of insurers and their agents, the approval of policy forms and related materials and the approval of rates for certain lines of insurance.

 

The types of U.S. insurance laws and regulations applicable to us or our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are described below. Our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries are subject to additional insurance laws and regulations applicable specifically to mortgage insurers discussed below under “—Mortgage Insurance.”

 

Insurance holding company regulation

 

All U.S. jurisdictions in which our U.S. insurance subsidiaries conduct insurance business have enacted legislation that requires each U.S. insurance company in a holding company system, except captive insurance companies, to register with the insurance regulatory authority of its jurisdiction of domicile and to furnish that regulatory authority financial and other information concerning the operations of, and the interrelationships and

 

178


Table of Contents

transactions among, companies within its holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system. These laws and regulations also regulate transactions between insurance companies and their parents and affiliates. Generally, these laws and regulations require that all transactions within a holding company system between an insurer and its affiliates be fair and reasonable and that the insurer’s statutory surplus following any transaction with an affiliate be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. Statutory surplus is the excess of admitted assets over the sum of statutory liabilities and capital. For certain types of agreements and transactions between an insurer and its affiliates, these laws and regulations require prior notification to, and non-disapproval or approval by, the insurance regulatory authority of the insurer’s jurisdiction of domicile.

 

Policy forms

 

Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries’ policy forms are subject to regulation in every U.S. jurisdiction in which such subsidiaries are licensed to transact insurance business. In most U.S. jurisdictions, policy forms must be filed prior to their use. In some U.S. jurisdictions, forms must also be approved prior to use.

 

Dividend limitations

 

As a holding company with no significant business operations of our own, we depend on dividends or other distributions from our subsidiaries as the principal source of cash to meet our obligations, including the payment of interest on, and repayment of, principal of any debt obligations. The payment of dividends or other distributions to us by our U.S. insurance subsidiaries is regulated by the insurance laws and regulations of their respective states of domicile. In general, an insurance company subsidiary may not pay an “extraordinary” dividend or distribution until 30 days after the applicable insurance regulator has received notice of the intended payment and has not objected in such period or has approved the payment within the 30-day period. In general, an “extraordinary” dividend or distribution is defined by these laws and regulations as a dividend or distribution that, together with other dividends and distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater (or, in some jurisdictions, the lesser) of:

 

    10% of the insurer’s statutory surplus as of the immediately prior year end; or

 

    the statutory net gain from the insurer’s operations (if a life insurer) or the statutory net income (if not a life insurer) during the prior calendar year.

 

The laws and regulations of some of these jurisdictions also prohibit an insurer from declaring or paying a dividend except out of its earned surplus or require the insurer to obtain regulatory approval before it may do so. In addition, insurance regulators may prohibit the payment of ordinary dividends or other payments by our insurance subsidiaries to us (such as a payment under a tax sharing agreement or for employee or other services) if they determine that such payment could be adverse to our policyholders or contractholders.

 

Market conduct regulation

 

The laws and regulations of U.S. jurisdictions include numerous provisions governing the marketplace activities of insurers, including provisions governing the form and content of disclosure to consumers, product illustrations, advertising, product replacement, sales and underwriting practices, complaint handling and claims handling. The regulatory authorities in U.S. jurisdictions generally enforce these provisions through periodic market conduct examinations.

 

Statutory examinations

 

As part of their regulatory oversight process, insurance departments in U.S. jurisdictions conduct periodic detailed examinations of the books, records, accounts and business practices of insurers domiciled in their jurisdictions. These examinations generally are conducted in cooperation with the insurance departments of two or three other states or jurisdictions, representing each of the NAIC zones, under guidelines promulgated by the NAIC.

 

179


Table of Contents

In the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, we have not received any material adverse findings resulting from any insurance department examinations of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries.

 

Guaranty associations and similar arrangements

 

Most of the jurisdictions in which our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are licensed to transact business require life insurers doing business within the jurisdiction to participate in guaranty associations, which are organized to pay contractual benefits owed pursuant to insurance policies of insurers who become impaired or insolvent. These associations levy assessments, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in a particular jurisdiction on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed insurer is engaged. Some jurisdictions permit member insurers to recover assessments paid through full or partial premium tax offsets.

 

Aggregate assessments levied against our U.S. insurance subsidiaries totaled $2.7 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Although the amount and timing of future assessments are not predictable, we have established liabilities for guaranty fund assessments that we consider adequate for assessments with respect to insurers that currently are subject to insolvency proceedings.

 

Change of control

 

The laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are domiciled require that a person obtain the approval of the insurance commissioner of the insurance company’s jurisdiction of domicile prior to acquiring control of the insurer. Generally, such laws provide that control over an insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, 10% or more of the voting securities of the insurer. In considering an application to acquire control of an insurer, the insurance commissioner generally will consider such factors as the experience, competence and financial strength of the applicant, the integrity of the applicant’s board of directors and executive officers, the acquiror’s plans for the management and operation of the insurer, and any anti-competitive results that may arise from the acquisition. In addition, a person seeking to acquire control of an insurance company is required in some states to make filings prior to completing an acquisition if the acquiror and the target insurance company and their affiliates have sufficiently large market shares in particular lines of insurance in those states. Approval of an acquisition is not required in these states, but the state insurance departments could take action to impose conditions on an acquisition that could delay or prevent its consummation. These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control involving us, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of our stockholders might consider to be desirable.

 

Policy and contract reserve sufficiency analysis

 

Under the laws and regulations of their jurisdictions of domicile, our U.S. life insurance subsidiaries are required to conduct annual analyses of the sufficiency of their life and health insurance and annuity statutory reserves. In addition, other jurisdictions in which these subsidiaries are licensed may have certain reserve requirements that differ from those of their domiciliary jurisdictions. In each case, a qualified actuary must submit an opinion that states that the aggregate statutory reserves, when considered in light of the assets held with respect to such reserves, make good and sufficient provision for the associated contractual obligations and related expenses of the insurer. If such an opinion cannot be provided, the affected insurer must set up additional reserves by moving funds from surplus. Our U.S. life insurance subsidiaries submit these opinions annually to applicable insurance regulatory authorities. Different reserve requirements exist for our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries. See “Business—Reserves—Mortgage Insurance.”

 

Surplus and capital requirements

 

Insurance regulators have the discretionary authority, in connection with the ongoing licensing of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries, to limit or prohibit the ability of an insurer to issue new policies if, in the regulators’

 

180


Table of Contents

judgment, the insurer is not maintaining a minimum amount of surplus or is in hazardous financial condition. Insurance regulators may also limit the ability of an insurer to issue new life insurance policies and annuity contracts above an amount based upon the face amount and premiums of policies of a similar type issued in the prior year. We do not believe that the current or anticipated levels of statutory surplus of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries present a material risk that any such regulator would limit the amount of new policies that our U.S. insurance subsidiaries may issue.

 

Risk-based capital

 

The NAIC has established risk-based capital standards for U.S. life insurance companies as well as a model act with the intention that these standards be applied at the state level. The model act provides that life insurance companies must submit an annual risk-based capital report to state regulators reporting their risk-based capital based upon four categories of risk: asset risk, insurance risk, interest rate risk and business risk. For each category, the capital requirement is determined by applying factors to various asset, premium and reserve items, with the factor being higher for those items with greater underlying risk and lower for less risky items. The formula is intended to be used by insurance regulators as an early warning tool to identify possible weakly capitalized companies for purposes of initiating further regulatory action.

 

If an insurer’s risk-based capital falls below specified levels, the insurer would be subject to different degrees of regulatory action depending upon the level. These actions range from requiring the insurer to propose actions to correct the capital deficiency to placing the insurer under regulatory control. As of December 31, 2004, the risk-based capital of each of our U.S. life insurance subsidiaries exceeded the level of risk-based capital that would require any of them to take or become subject to any corrective action.

 

Statutory accounting principles

 

Statutory accounting principles, or SAP, is a basis of accounting developed by U.S. insurance regulators to monitor and regulate the solvency of insurance companies. In developing SAP, insurance regulators were primarily concerned with assuring an insurer’s ability to pay all its current and future obligations to policyholders. As a result, statutory accounting focuses on conservatively valuing the assets and liabilities of insurers, generally in accordance with standards specified by the insurer’s domiciliary jurisdiction. Uniform statutory accounting practices are established by the NAIC and generally adopted by regulators in the various U.S. jurisdictions. These accounting principles and related regulations determine, among other things, the amounts our insurance subsidiaries may pay to us as dividends.

 

U.S. GAAP is designed to measure a business on a going-concern basis. It gives consideration to matching of revenue and expenses and, as a result, certain expenses are capitalized when incurred and then amortized over the life of the associated policies. The valuation of assets and liabilities under U.S. GAAP is based in part upon best estimate assumptions made by the insurer. Stockholders’ equity represents both amounts currently available and amounts expected to emerge over the life of the business. As a result, the values for assets, liabilities and equity reflected in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP may be different from those reflected in financial statements prepared under SAP.

 

Regulation of investments

 

Each of our U.S. insurance subsidiaries is subject to laws and regulations that require diversification of its investment portfolio and limit the amount of investments in certain asset categories, such as below investment grade fixed maturities, equity real estate, other equity investments and derivatives. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause investments exceeding regulatory limitations to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes of measuring surplus, and, in some instances, would require divestiture of such non-complying investments. We believe the investments made by our U.S. insurance subsidiaries comply with these laws and regulations.

 

181


Table of Contents

Federal regulation

 

Our variable life insurance and variable annuity products generally are “securities” within the meaning of federal and state securities laws. As a result, they are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and are subject to regulation by the SEC, the NASD and state securities authorities. Federal and state securities regulation similar to that discussed below under “—Securities Regulation” affect investment advice and sales and related activities with respect to these products. In addition, although the federal government does not comprehensively regulate the business of insurance, federal legislation and administrative policies in several other areas, including taxation, financial services regulation and pension and welfare benefits regulation, can also significantly affect the insurance industry.

 

Federal initiatives

 

Although the federal government generally does not directly regulate the insurance business, federal initiatives often and increasingly have an impact on the business in a variety of ways. From time to time, federal measures are proposed which may significantly affect the insurance business, including limitations on antitrust immunity, tax incentives for lifetime annuity payouts, simplification bills affecting tax-advantaged or tax-exempt savings and retirement vehicles, and proposals to modify or make permanent the estate tax repeal enacted in 2001. In addition, various forms of direct federal regulation of insurance have been proposed in recent years. These proposals have included “The Federal Insurance Consumer Protection Act of 2003” and “The State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act.” The Federal Insurance Consumer Protection Act of 2003 would have established comprehensive and exclusive federal regulation over all “interstate insurers,” including all life insurers selling in more than one state. This proposed legislation was not enacted. The State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency Act would maintain state-based regulation of insurance but would change the way that states regulate certain aspects of the business of insurance including rates, agent and company licensing, and market conduct examinations. This proposed legislation remains pending. We cannot predict whether this or other proposals will be adopted, or what impact, if any, such proposals or, if adopted, such laws may have on our business, financial condition or results of operation.

 

Changes in tax laws

 

Changes in tax laws could make some of our products less attractive to consumers. For example, the gradual repeal of the federal estate tax, begun in 2001, is continuing to be phased in through 2010. The repeal and continuing uncertainty created by the repeal of the federal estate tax has resulted in reduced sales, and could continue to adversely affect sales and surrenders, of some of our estate planning products, including survivorship/second-to-die life insurance policies. In May 2003, U.S. President George Bush signed into law the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, which lowered the federal income tax rate on capital gains and certain ordinary dividends. This reduction may provide an incentive for certain of our customers and potential customers to shift assets into mutual funds and away from our products, including annuities, that are designed to defer taxes payable on investment returns.

 

U.K. Insurance Regulation

 

General

 

Insurance and reinsurance businesses in the U.K. are subject to close regulation by the Financial Services Authority, or FSA. We have U.K. subsidiaries that have received authorization from the FSA to effect and carry out contracts of insurance in the U.K. An authorized insurer in the U.K. is able to operate throughout the European Union, subject to certain regulatory requirements of the FSA and in some cases, certain local regulatory requirements. Certain of our U.K. subsidiaries operate in other member states of the European Union through the establishment of branch offices.

 

182


Table of Contents

Supervision

 

The FSA has adopted a risk-based approach to the supervision of insurance companies. Under this approach the FSA periodically performs a formal risk assessment of insurance companies or groups carrying on business in the U.K. After each risk assessment, the FSA will inform the insurer of its views on the insurer’s risk profile. This will include details of any remedial action that the FSA requires and the likely consequences if this action is not taken.

 

The FSA also supervises the management of insurance companies through the approved persons regime, by which any appointment of persons to perform certain specified “controlled functions” within a regulated entity, must be approved by the FSA.

 

In addition, on January 14, 2005, the FSA began to supervise the sale of general insurance, including payment protection insurance and mortgage insurance. Under FSA rules, persons who are involved in the sale of general insurance (including insurers and distributors) are prohibited from offering or accepting any inducement in connection with the sale of general insurance that is likely to conflict materially with their duties to insureds. Although the rules do not generally require disclosure of broker compensation, the insurer or distributor must disclose broker compensation at the insured’s request.

 

Solvency requirements

 

Under FSA rules, insurance companies must maintain a margin of solvency at all times, the calculation of which in any particular case depends on the type and amount of insurance business a company writes. Failure to maintain the required solvency margin is one of the grounds on which wide powers of intervention conferred upon the FSA may be exercised. In addition, an insurer that is part of a group, is required to perform and submit to the FSA a solvency margin calculation return in respect of the following:

 

  Ÿ The solvency capital resources available to the European group to which the U.K. insurance company belongs. The European group is defined by reference to the U.K. insurance company’s ultimate parent company domiciled in the European Economic Area. Currently, this requirement is only a reporting requirement. However, after December 31, 2006, the FSA will be required to take action where the solvency capital requirements of the European group exceed that group’s available capital resources.

 

  Ÿ The solvency capital resources available to the worldwide group to which the U.K. insurance company belongs. The worldwide group is defined by reference to the U.K. insurance company’s ultimate insurance parent company. This requirement is only a reporting requirement.

 

Restrictions on dividend payments

 

English company law prohibits our U.K. subsidiaries from declaring a dividend to their shareholders unless they have “profits available for distribution.” The determination of whether a company has profits available for distribution is based on its accumulated realized profits less its accumulated realized losses.

 

Store card investigation

 

Antitrust authorities in the U.K. currently are investigating the store card sector of the retail financial services market in the U.K. to ascertain whether there are any characteristics that restrict or distort competition in this market. As part of the investigation, the authorities also are examining various insurance products sold to store card holders. These products include payment protection insurance, purchase protection and price protection. Our U.K. payment protection insurance business currently underwrites each of these products that are sold by one of the largest providers of store cards in the U.K. As part of that investigation, we recently received and have responded to an information request.

 

The antitrust authorities have until March 2006 to publish their report and findings. We cannot predict the effect this investigation may have on the store card sector in the U.K., the sale of insurance products linked to store cards or our payment protection insurance business in the U.K.

 

183


Table of Contents

Change of control

 

The acquisition of “control” of any U.K. insurance company will require FSA approval. For these purposes, a party that “controls” a U.K. insurance company includes any company or individual that (together with its or his associates) directly or indirectly acquires 10% or more of the shares in a U.K. authorized insurance company or its parent company, or is entitled to exercise or control the exercise of 10% or more of the voting power in such authorized insurance company or its parent company. In considering whether to approve an application for approval, the FSA must be satisfied that both the acquirer is a fit and proper person to have such “control” and that the interests of consumers would not be threatened by such acquisition of “control.” Failure to make the relevant prior application could result in action being taken against our U.K. subsidiaries by the FSA.

 

Intervention and enforcement

 

The FSA has extensive powers to intervene in the affairs of an insurance company or authorized person and has the power, among other things, to enforce, and take disciplinary measures in respect of, breaches of its rules.

 

Mortgage Insurance

 

State regulation

 

General

 

Mortgage insurers generally are restricted by state insurance laws and regulations to writing mortgage insurance business only. This restriction prohibits our mortgage insurance subsidiaries from directly writing other types of insurance. Mortgage insurers are not subject to the NAIC’s risk-based capital requirements, but are subject to other capital requirements placed directly on mortgage insurers. Generally, mortgage insurers are required by certain states to maintain a risk in-force to capital ratio not to exceed 25:1. As of December 31, 2004, none of our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries had a risk in-force to capital ratio in excess of 25:1.

 

Reserves

 

Our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries are required under state insurance laws to establish a special statutory contingency reserve in their statutory financial statements to provide for losses in the event of significant economic declines. Annual additions to these statutory contingency reserves must equal the greater of (1) 50% of earned premiums or (2) the required level of policyholders position, as defined by state insurance laws. These contingency reserves generally are held until the earlier of (1) the time that loss ratios exceed 35% or (2) ten years. The statutory contingency reserve as of December 31, 2004 for our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries was approximately $2.2 billion. This reserve effectively reduces our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other distributions because it reduces policyholders’ surplus.

 

Federal regulation

 

In addition to federal laws that directly affect mortgage insurers, private mortgage insurers are affected indirectly by federal legislation and regulation affecting mortgage originators and lenders, by purchasers of mortgage loans such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and by governmental insurers such as the FHA and VA. For example, changes in federal housing legislation and other laws and regulations that affect the demand for private mortgage insurance may have a material effect on private mortgage insurers. Legislation or regulation that increases the number of people eligible for FHA or VA mortgages could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to compete with the FHA or VA.

 

The Homeowners Protection Act provides for the automatic termination, or cancellation upon a borrower’s request, of private mortgage insurance upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The Homeowners Protection Act applies to owner-occupied residential mortgage loans regardless of lien priority and to borrower-paid mortgage insurance closed after July 29, 1999. FHA loans are not covered by the Homeowners Protection Act. Under the Homeowners Protection Act, automatic termination of mortgage insurance would generally occur once the loan-to-value ratio reaches 78%. A borrower generally may request cancellation of mortgage insurance once the loan-

 

184


Table of Contents

to-value reaches 80% of the home’s original value or when actual payments reduce the loan balance to 80% of the home’s original value, whichever occurs earlier. For borrower-initiated cancellation of mortgage insurance, the borrower must have a “good payment history” as defined by the Homeowners Protection Act.

 

The Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act of 1974, or RESPA, applies to most residential mortgages insured by private mortgage insurers. Mortgage insurance has been considered in some cases to be a “settlement service” for purposes of loans subject to RESPA. Subject to limited exceptions, RESPA precludes us from providing services to mortgage lenders free of charge, charging fees for services that are lower than their reasonable or fair market value, and paying fees for services that others provide that are higher than their reasonable or fair market value. In addition, RESPA prohibits persons from giving or accepting any portion or percentage of a charge for a real estate settlement service, other than for services actually performed. Although many states prohibit mortgage insurers from giving rebates, RESPA has been interpreted to cover many non-fee services as well. Both mortgage insurers and their customers are subject to the possible sanctions of this law, which may be enforced by HUD, state insurance departments and state attorneys general and also provides for private rights of action.

 

In July 2002, HUD proposed a rule under RESPA entitled “Simplifying and Improving the Process of Obtaining Mortgages to Reduce Settlement Costs to Consumers.” Under this proposed rule, lenders and other packagers of loans were given the choice of offering a “Guaranteed Mortgage Package” or providing a “Good Faith Estimate” where the estimated fees are subject to a 10% tolerance. Qualifying packages would be entitled to a “safe harbor” from RESPA’s anti-kickback rules. Mortgage insurance is included in the package “to the extent an upfront premium is charged.” In March 2004, HUD withdrew the proposed rule but stated that it would reexamine and possibly revise the proposed rule and resubmit it for public comment. It is unclear whether a revised rule will be proposed and adopted or what impact it may have on the mortgage insurance industry.

 

Most originators of mortgage loans are required to collect and report data relating to a mortgage loan applicant’s race, nationality, gender, marital status and census tract to HUD or the Federal Reserve under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, or HMDA. The purpose of HMDA is to detect possible impermissible discrimination in home lending and, through disclosure, to discourage such discrimination. Mortgage insurers are not required to report HMDA data although, under the laws of several states, mortgage insurers currently are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of certain classifications. Mortgage insurers have, through MICA, entered voluntarily into an agreement with the Federal Financial Institutions Examinations Council to report the same data on loans submitted for insurance as is required for most mortgage lenders under HMDA.

 

International regulation

 

Canada

 

The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, or OSFI, provides oversight to all federally incorporated financial institutions, including our Canadian mortgage insurance company. OSFI does not have enforcement powers over market conduct issues in the insurance industry. Market conduct issues are a provincial responsibility. The Federal Bank Act, Insurance Companies Act and Trust and Loan Companies Act prohibits Canadian banks, trust companies and insurers from extending mortgage loans where the loan value exceeds 75% of the property’s value, unless mortgage insurance is obtained in connection with the loan. As a result, all mortgages issued by these financial institutions with loan-to-value ratio exceeding 75% must be insured by a qualified insurer or the CMHC. We currently are the only qualified private insurer.

 

In February 2005, as part of a periodic review of the federal financial services regulatory framework, the Canadian Department of Finance issued a consultation document seeking comment on a wide variety of potential initiatives relating to the regulation of financial services, including whether to remove the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance on all loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 75%. The consultation period concludes June 1, 2005, after which the Canadian government may produce draft policy proposals and its recommendations for regulatory changes, if any. To the extent that amendments to this requirement are adopted,

 

185


Table of Contents

they are expected to become effective in October 2006. The removal of the statutory requirement for mortgage insurance, in whole or in part, may result in a reduction in the amount of business we write in future years in Canada.

 

We have an agreement with the Canadian government under which it guarantees the benefits payable under a mortgage insurance policy, less 10% of the original principal amount of an insured loan, in the event that we fail to make claim payments with respect to that loan because of insolvency. We pay the Canadian government a risk premium for this guarantee and make other payments to a reserve fund in respect of the government’s obligation. Because banks are not required to maintain regulatory capital on an asset backed by a sovereign guarantee, our 90% sovereign guarantee permits lenders purchasing our mortgage insurance to reduce their regulatory capital charges for credit risks on mortgages by 90%.

 

The legislative requirement in Canada to obtain mortgage insurance on high loan-to-value mortgages and the favorable capital treatment given to financial institutions because of our 90% sovereign guarantee effectively precludes these financial institutions from issuing simultaneous second mortgage products similar to those offered in the U.S.

 

Australia

 

APRA regulates all financial institutions in Australia, including general, life and mortgage insurance companies. Effective July 1, 2002, APRA provided new regulatory standards for all general insurers, including mortgage insurance companies. APRA’s license conditions currently require Australian mortgage insurance companies, including us, to be mono-line insurers, which are insurance companies that offer just one type of insurance product.

 

APRA also sets authorized capital levels and regulates corporate governance requirements, including our risk management strategy. In this regard, APRA reviews our management, controls, processes, reporting and methods by which all risks are managed, including a periodic review of outstanding insurance liabilities by an approved actuary, and a reinsurance management strategy, which outlines our use of reinsurance in Australia.

 

In addition, APRA determines the capital requirements for depository institutions and provides for reduced capital requirements for depository institutions that insure residential mortgages with loan-to-value ratios above 80% (in the case of standard loans) and, from October 1, 2004, with loan-to-value ratios above 60% (in the case of non-standard type loans). APRA’s regulations currently require APRA-regulated lenders to determine the criteria for determining if a loan is a non-standard type loan. Currently, to be entitled to this reduced capital requirement, the loan must be insured with an “A” rated, or equivalently rated, mortgage insurance company that is regulated by APRA. Our insurance subsidiaries that serve the Australian and New Zealand markets have financial-strength ratings of “AA” (Very Strong) from S&P and Fitch and a rating of “Aa2” (Excellent) from Moody’s. The “AA” rating is the third-highest of S&P’s 21 ratings categories and the third-highest of Fitch’s 24 ratings categories. The “Aa2” rating is the third-highest of Moody’s 21 ratings categories.

 

APRA currently is proposing to increase the capital requirements that govern mortgage insurers in Australia, particularly in the event of a severe recession accompanied by a significant decline in housing values. If, after completing its review process, APRA concludes that the capital requirements that currently govern mortgage issuers are not sufficient and decides to increase the amount of capital required for mortgage insurers, we may, depending on the amount of such increase, be required to increase the capital in our Australian mortgage insurance business. This would reduce our returns on capital from those operations.

 

United Kingdom and Continental Europe

 

The U.K. is a member of the European Union and applies the harmonized system of regulation set out in the European Union directives. Our authorization to provide mortgage insurance in the U.K. enables us to offer our products in all the European Union member states, subject to certain regulatory requirements of the FSA and, in some cases, local regulatory requirements. We can provide mortgage insurance only in the classes for which we

 

186


Table of Contents

have authorization under applicable regulations and must maintain required risk capital reserves. We are also subject to the oversight of other regulatory agencies in other countries where we do business throughout Europe. For more information about U.K. insurance regulation that affects our mortgage subsidiaries that operate in the U.K., see “—U.K. Insurance Regulation.”

 

Other Non-U.S. Insurance Regulation

 

We operate in a number of countries around the world in addition to the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia. These countries include Mexico, Spain, Bermuda and a number of other countries in Europe. Generally, our subsidiaries (and in some cases our branches) conducting business in these countries must obtain licenses from local regulatory authorities and satisfy local regulatory requirements, including those relating to rates, forms, capital, reserves and financial reporting.

 

Other Laws and Regulations

 

Securities regulation

 

Certain of our U.S. subsidiaries and certain policies and contracts offered by them, are subject to various levels of regulation under the federal securities laws administered by the SEC. Certain of our U.S. subsidiaries are investment advisers registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Certain of their respective employees are licensed as investment advisory representatives in the states where those employees have clients. Our U.S. investment adviser subsidiaries also manage investment companies that are registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, some of our insurance company separate accounts are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Some annuity contracts and insurance policies issued by some of our U.S. subsidiaries are funded by separate accounts, the interests in which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Certain of our subsidiaries are registered and regulated as broker/dealers under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are members of, and subject to regulation by, the NASD, as well as by various state and local regulators. The registered representatives of our broker/dealers are also regulated by the SEC and NASD and are further subject to applicable state and local laws.

 

These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investors in the securities markets and generally grant supervisory agencies broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict the conduct of business for failure to comply with such laws and regulations. In such event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include suspension of individual employees, limitations on the activities in which the investment adviser or broker/dealer may engage, suspension or revocation of the investment adviser or broker/dealer registration, censure or fines. We may also be subject to similar laws and regulations in the states and other countries in which we provide investment advisory services, offer the products described above or conduct other securities-related activities.

 

Certain of our U.S. subsidiaries also sponsor and manage investment vehicles that rely on certain exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933. Nevertheless, certain provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933 apply to these investment vehicles and the securities issued by such vehicles. The Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933, including the rules promulgated thereunder, are subject to change which may affect our U.S. subsidiaries that sponsor and manage such investment vehicles.

 

Environmental considerations

 

As an owner and operator of real property, we are subject to extensive U.S. federal and state and non-U.S. environmental laws and regulations. Potential environmental liabilities and costs in connection with any required remediation of such properties also is an inherent risk in property ownership and operation. In addition, we hold equity interests in companies and have made loans secured by properties that could potentially be subject to environmental liabilities. We routinely have environmental assessments performed with respect to real estate being acquired for investment and real property to be acquired through foreclosure. We cannot provide assurance

 

187


Table of Contents

that unexpected environmental liabilities will not arise. However, based upon information currently available to us, we believe that any costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations or any remediation of such properties will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

ERISA considerations

 

We provide certain products and services to certain employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code. As such, our activities are subject to the restrictions imposed by ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, including the requirement under ERISA that fiduciaries must perform their duties solely in the interests of ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries and the requirement under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that fiduciaries may not cause a covered plan to engage in certain prohibited transactions with persons who have certain relationships with respect to such plans. The applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code are subject to enforcement by the U.S. Department of Labor, the IRS and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

USA Patriot Act

 

The USA Patriot Act of 2001, or the Patriot Act, enacted in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, contains anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and mandates the implementation of various new regulations applicable to broker/dealers and other financial services companies including insurance companies. The Patriot Act seeks to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering. Anti-money laundering laws outside of the U.S. contain similar provisions. The increased obligations of financial institutions to identify their customers, watch for and report suspicious transactions, respond to requests for information by regulatory authorities and law enforcement agencies, and share information with other financial institutions, require the implementation and maintenance of internal practices, procedures and controls. We believe that we have implemented, and that we maintain, appropriate internal practices, procedures and controls to enable us to comply with the provisions of the Patriot Act.

 

Privacy of consumer information

 

U.S. federal and state laws and regulations require financial institutions, including insurance companies, to protect the security and confidentiality of consumer financial information and to notify consumers about their policies and practices relating to their collection and disclosure of consumer information and their policies relating to protecting the security and confidentiality of that information. Similarly, federal and state laws and regulations also govern the disclosure and security of consumer health information. In particular, regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulate the disclosure and use of protected health information by health insurers and others, the physical and procedural safeguards employed to protect the security of that information and the electronic transmission of such information. Congress and state legislatures are expected to consider additional legislation relating to privacy and other aspects of consumer information.

 

In Europe, the collection and use of personal information is subject to strict regulation. The European Union’s Data Protection Directive establishes a series of privacy requirements that EU member states are obliged to enact in their national legislation. European countries that are not EU member states have similar privacy requirements in their national laws. These requirements generally apply to all businesses, including insurance companies. In general, companies may process personal information only if consent has been obtained from the persons concerned or if certain other conditions are met. These other requirements include the provision of notice to customers and other persons concerning how their personal information is used and disclosed, limitations on the transfer of personal information to countries outside the European Union, registration with the national privacy authorities, where applicable, and the use of appropriate information security measures against the access or use of personal information by unauthorized persons. Similar laws and regulations protecting the security and confidentiality of consumer and financial information are also in effect in Canada, Australia and other countries in which we operate.

 

188


Table of Contents

Management

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our directors and executive officers:

 

Name


   Age

  

Positions


Michael D. Fraizer

   46    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Thomas H. Mann

   54    President and Chief Executive Officer—Mortgage Insurance

Pamela S. Schutz

   50   

President and Chief Executive Officer—Retirement Income and Investments

George R. Zippel

   46    President and Chief Executive Officer—Protection

K. Rone Baldwin

   46    Senior Vice President—Employee Benefits Group

Mark W. Griffin

   46    Senior Vice President—Chief Risk Officer

Michael S. Laming

   53    Senior Vice President—Human Resources

Scott J. McKay

   44    Senior Vice President—Operations & Quality and Chief Information Officer

Richard P. McKenney

   36    Senior Vice President—Chief Financial Officer

Victor C. Moses

   57    Senior Vice President—Chief Actuary

Joseph J. Pehota

   44    Senior Vice President—Business Development

Jean S. Peters

   53   

Senior Vice President—Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Leon E. Roday

   51    Senior Vice President—General Counsel and Secretary

William R. Wright, Jr.

   52    Senior Vice President—Chief Investment Officer

Frank J. Borelli

   69    Director

Elizabeth J. Comstock

   44    Director

Pamela Daley

   52    Director

Dennis D. Dammerman

   59    Director

J. Robert Kerrey

   61    Director

David R. Nissen

   53    Director

James A. Parke

   59    Director

Thomas B. Wheeler

   68    Director

 

Executive Officers and Directors

 

The following sets forth certain biographical information with respect to our executive officers and directors listed above.

 

Michael D. Fraizer has been our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was a Vice President of GE since December 1995 and a Senior Vice President of GE since June 2000. Mr. Fraizer was Chairman of the Board of GEFAHI from November 1996 to May 2004 and President and Chief Executive Officer of GEFAHI from April 1997 to June 2004. Mr. Fraizer also has been a director of GE Capital and General Electric Capital Services, Inc. Mr. Fraizer led the Consumer Savings and Insurance Group, a predecessor of GEFAHI, from February 1996 until the formation of GEFAHI in October 1996. Prior to that time, Mr. Fraizer was President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Capital Commercial Real Estate, an affiliate of our company, from July 1993 to December 1996, leading both the GE Consumer Savings and Insurance Group and GE Capital Commercial Real Estate from February to December of 1996. From July 1991 to June of 1993, he was Vice President—Portfolio Acquisitions and Ventures of GE Capital Commercial Real Estate. From December 1989 to June 1991, Mr. Fraizer was President and Managing Director, GE Japan, an affiliate of our company. From July 1983 to November 1989 Mr. Fraizer served in various capacities as a member of GE’s Corporate Audit Staff and Corporate Business Development after joining GE in June 1980 in its Financial Management Program. Mr. Fraizer received a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College in 1980. He is a member of the board of the American Council of Life Insurers.

 

189


Table of Contents

Thomas H. Mann has been our President and Chief Executive Officer—Mortgage Insurance since the completion of the IPO and has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation, or GE Mortgage, a subsidiary of our company, since May 1996. Prior to the IPO, he was a Vice President of GE since April 1996. From March 1990 to April 1996, Mr. Mann served as Vice President of GE Capital and General Manager of GE Capital Vendor Financial Services. Prior to that time, he served as Executive Vice President—Operations with GE Mortgage from August 1986 to March 1990. From November 1984 to August 1986, Mr. Mann served as Manager—Finance Operations at GE Capital’s Real Estate Financial Services Division, and from August 1976 to November 1984, he served in various capacities as a member of GE’s Corporate Audit Staff. Mr. Mann received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973. He is a member of the Housing Policy Council Executive Committee, part of the Financial Services Roundtable.

 

Pamela S. Schutz has been our President and Chief Executive Officer—Retirement Income and Investments since the completion of the IPO and has been President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Life and Annuity Assurance Company, a subsidiary of our company, since June 1998. Prior to the IPO, she was a Vice President of GE since October 2000. From May 1997 to July 1998, Ms. Schutz served as President of The Harvest Life Insurance Company, then an affiliate of our company. Prior to that time, Ms. Schutz served in various capacities with GE Capital Commercial Real Estate from February 1978 to May 1997, attaining the position of President, GE Capital Realty Group in May 1994. Ms. Schutz received a B.A. in Urban Planning from Briarcliff College in 1976 and an M.S. in Business from American University in 1978. She is a member of the boards of the National Association of Variable Annuities and MIB Group, Inc.

 

George R. Zippel has been our President and Chief Executive Officer—Protection since the completion of the IPO and has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Brokerage Group, a business unit of our company, since September 1999. Prior to the IPO, he was a Vice President of GE since July 2001. From July 1997 to September 1999, he was President of GE Lighting Systems, a division of GE. Prior to that time, Mr. Zippel served in various capacities with GE Industrial Systems from July 1991 to July 1997. Prior thereto, he was a Manager of Corporate Initiatives from September 1989 to July 1991. From September 1984 to September 1989, he held various positions on GE’s Corporate Audit Staff. Prior thereto, Mr. Zippel participated in GE’s Financial Management Program, and upon graduating from the program, worked as a Financial Analyst for GE Semiconductor. Mr. Zippel received a B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College in 1981.

 

K. Rone Baldwin has been our Senior Vice President—Employee Benefits Group since the completion of the IPO and has been Senior Vice President—Employee Benefits Group of GEFAHI since March 2004. Prior to the IPO, he was Senior Vice President—Strategic Development at GE Insurance, a business unit of GE Capital, from September 2002 to February 2004 and a Vice President of GE since July 2000. From September 1998 to September 2002, he was the President and CEO of GE Edison Life Insurance Company, then an affiliate of our company. Prior to that time, Mr. Baldwin was President of GE Capital Japan from March 1997 to September 1998 and Vice President—Business Development at GE Capital from December 1994 to March 1997. From September 1989 to December 1994, Mr. Baldwin was Senior Vice President at Mutual of New York. Prior thereto, Mr. Baldwin held positions with Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Booz Allen & Hamilton. Mr. Baldwin received a B.A. in Physics from Amherst College in 1980 and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1982.

 

Mark W. Griffin has been our Senior Vice President—Chief Risk Officer since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was the Chief Risk Manager of GE Insurance, a business unit of GE Capital, since August 2002. From January 2000 to August 2002, Mr. Griffin was Chief Risk Manager of GEFAHI. Prior thereto, Mr. Griffin was Vice President, Risk Markets & Executive Director, Pension & Insurance with Goldman, Sachs & Co. from August 1994 to December 1999. From December 1986 to August 1994, Mr. Griffin was Executive Director—Fixed Income and Principal, Fixed Income Sales with Morgan Stanley. Prior thereto, Mr. Griffin was an Assistant Actuary with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company from July 1982 to December 1986. Mr. Griffin received a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Waterloo in 1982. Mr. Griffin is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He holds an

 

190


Table of Contents

FRM, or Financial Risk Manager, designation from the Global Association of Risk Professionals and a PRM, or Professional Risk Manager, designation from the Professional Risk Management International Association.

 

Michael S. Laming has been our Senior Vice President—Human Resources since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was a Senior Vice President of GE Insurance, a business unit of GE Capital, since August 2001 and a Vice President of GE since April 2003. From July 1996 to August 2001, Mr. Laming was a Senior Vice President at GEFAHI and its predecessor companies. Prior thereto, he held a broad range of human resource positions in operating units of GE and at GE corporate headquarters. He graduated from the GE Manufacturing Management Program in 1978. Mr. Laming received both a B.S. in Business Administration in 1974 and a Masters of Organization Development in 1983 from Bowling Green State University.

 

Scott J. McKay has been our Senior Vice President—Operations & Quality and Chief Information Officer since August 2004. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice President Operations & Quality from the completion of the IPO to August 2004. Prior to the IPO was the Senior Vice President, Operations & Quality of GEFAHI since December 2002. From July 1993 to December 2002, Mr. McKay served in various information technology related positions at GEFAHI’s subsidiaries, including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer of Federal Home Life Assurance Company. Prior thereto, he was Officer and Director of Applications for United Pacific Life Insurance Company from July 1992 to July 1993, and an IT consultant for Sycomm Systems and Data Executives, Inc. from January 1985 to July 1992. Mr. McKay received a B.S. in Computer Science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1983.

 

Richard P. McKenney has been our Senior Vice President—Chief Financial Officer since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was, since December 2002, a Senior Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of GEFAHI. From May 2000 to October 2002, he was Vice President of Business Planning and Analysis of GEFAHI. Prior thereto, Mr. McKenney was Manager of Financial Planning from October 1996 to April 1998 and Chief Financial Officer from April 1998 to May 2000 at GE Life & Annuity Assurance Company, an affiliate of our company. From July 1993 to October 1996, he held various positions on GE’s Corporate Audit Staff. Prior thereto, Mr. McKenney was in the GE Manufacturing Management Program from June 1991 to July 1993. Mr. McKenney received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University in 1991.

 

Victor C. Moses has been our Senior Vice President—Chief Actuary since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was Senior Vice President—Actuarial/Capital Management of GEFAHI since January 2000. From 1971 to 1983 Mr. Moses worked in various positions at SAFECO Life Insurance Company and from 1983 to 1993 he served in various capacities with GNA, ultimately serving as both Chief Actuary and Chief Financial Officer. In 1993, GNA was acquired by GE Capital, and from then until December 1999, Mr. Moses was Senior Vice President—International Business Development at GEFAHI and its predecessor companies. Mr. Moses received a B.A. in Math from Seattle Pacific University in 1970. Mr. Moses is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Seattle Pacific University.

 

Joseph J. Pehota has been our Senior Vice President—Business Development since the completion of the IPO and prior to the IPO was Senior Vice President—Business Development of GEFAHI since August 1998. From February 1996 to July 1998, he was the Chief Risk Manager for GE Equity, an affiliate of our company. Prior thereto, Mr. Pehota was Vice President and Manager of Global Distribution for the GE Capital Structured Finance Group, an affiliate of our company, from January 1995 to February 1996. From March to December 1994, he was the Vice President of Restructuring and Underwriting—North America, for GE Capital’s Aviation Services business, an affiliate of our company. Prior thereto, Mr. Pehota held various leadership positions with GE Capital’s Structured Finance Group, an affiliate of our company, from July 1988 to February 1994. Mr. Pehota received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Connecticut in 1983 and an M.B.A. from New York University in 1988.

 

Jean S. Peters has been our Senior Vice President—Investor Relations and Corporate Communications since May 2004. From January 1999 to April 2004, she was the Senior Vice President of Investor Relations for John

 

191


Table of Contents

Hancock Financial Services, Inc. From February 1994 to January 1999, Ms. Peters was the Vice President of Investor Relations for Allmerica Financial Corporation. Prior thereto, she was the Second Vice President of Investor Relations from August 1989 to February 1994, and the Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications from January 1986 to August 1989, for Capital Holding Corporation. From August 1984 to January 1986, Ms. Peters was the Business Editor for the Dayton Daily News and Journal Herald. Prior thereto, from February 1982 to August 1984, she was a business writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal. Ms. Peters received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University in 1974. She is a member of the board of the National Investor Relations Institute, Boston Chapter.

 

Leon E. Roday has been our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since the completion of the IPO and prior to the completion of the IPO was Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and a Director of GEFAHI and its predecessor companies since May 1996 and a Vice President of GE since November 2002. From October 1982 through May 1996, Mr. Roday was at the law firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP, and he was a partner at that firm from 1991 to 1996. Mr. Roday received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1977 and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1982. Mr. Roday is a member of the New York Bar Association.

 

William R. Wright, Jr. has been our Senior Vice President—Chief Investment Officer since the completion of the IPO and prior to the completion of the IPO was Executive Vice President and CIO of Fixed Income—Insurance at GEAM, since April 2003. From March 2000 to March 2003, he was the Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of GE Edison Life Insurance Company, in Tokyo, Japan. From January 1996 to March 2000 he was the Managing Director of GEAM’s first non-U.S. subsidiary in London. Prior thereto, Mr. Wright was the Vice President/Portfolio Manager of International Fixed Income for GE Investments Corporation from May 1993 to January 1996. Prior to joining GE, he was a global fixed income portfolio manager at Continental Asset Management, a subsidiary of Continental Corporation, from 1985 to 1993. From 1980 to 1985 he held various positions with Bankers Trust Company. Mr. Wright received an MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business Administration in 1987, a Diploma in Chinese Mandarin from Defense Language Institute, and a B.A. in Political Science and East Asian Studies from Wittenberg University in 1975. He is a member of both the New York Society of Security Analysts and the Association of Investment Management and Research.

 

Frank J. Borelli is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Borelli has been a Senior Advisor to MMC Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., since his retirement from Marsh & McLennan on January 2, 2001. Prior thereto, he was Senior Vice President of Marsh & McLennan from April to December 2000 and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from September 1984 to April 2000. He is a director and Audit Committee Chairman of Express Scripts, Inc. and is Presiding Director of the Interpublic Group of Companies. He was a Director of Marsh & McLennan from May 1988 to October 2000. Mr. Borelli is past Chairman and Director of the Financial Executives International and is also Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the New York City Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a Trustee of St. Thomas Aquinas College and Chairman of the Nyack Hospital. Mr. Borelli received a B.B.A. in Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York in 1956.

 

Elizabeth J. Comstock is a member of our board of directors. Ms. Comstock has been Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of GE since July 2003. From 1998 to 2003 Ms. Comstock was Vice President of Corporate Communications at GE. From 1996 to 1998 Ms. Comstock was Senior Vice President of NBC Communications and from 1993 to 1996 was Vice President of NBC News Communications. Prior thereto, Ms. Comstock served as an entertainment media director at CBS Television from 1992 to 1993 and as the New York-based head of communications for Turner Broadcasting from 1990 to 1992. Prior thereto, from 1986 to 1990 she held various positions at NBC News. Ms. Comstock received a B.S. degree in Biology from the College of William and Mary in 1982. Ms. Comstock was designated to our board of directors by GE.

 

Pamela Daley is a member of our board of directors. Ms. Daley has been Vice President, Corporate Business Development at GE since July 2004, and was Vice President and Senior Counsel for Transactions at GE

 

192


Table of Contents

from 1991 to 2004, was Senior Counsel for Transactions at GE from 1990 to 1991 and was Tax and Finance Counsel at GE from 1989 to 1990. Prior thereto, Ms. Daley was a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, from 1986 to 1989 and an associate at that firm from 1979 to 1986. Ms. Daley received an A.B. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Princeton University in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Ms. Daley was designated to our board of directors by GE.

 

Dennis D. Dammerman is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Dammerman has been a Vice Chairman and Executive Officer of GE and the Chairman of GE Capital Services, Inc. since 1998. Mr. Dammerman has also been a Director of GE since 1994. From 1984 to 1998 he was Senior Vice President—Finance and Chief Financial Officer at GE, and from 1981 to 1984 he was Vice President and General Manager of GE Capital’s Real Estate Financial Services Division. Prior thereto, from 1967 to 1981 he had various financial assignments in several GE businesses. Mr. Dammerman received a B.A. from the University of Dubuque in 1967. Mr. Dammerman was designated to our board of directors by GE.

 

J. Robert “Bob” Kerrey is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Kerrey has been the President of New School University since 2001. From January 1989 to December 2000, he was a U.S. Senator for the State of Nebraska. Mr. Kerrey was a democratic candidate for President in 1992. From January 1982 to December 1987, Mr. Kerrey served as Governor of Nebraska. Prior thereto, Mr. Kerrey was an independent businessman and founder of a chain of restaurants and health clubs. Mr. Kerrey served in Vietnam as a Navy SEAL from 1966 to 1969, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. He serves on the boards of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Mr. Kerrey received a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Nebraska in 1966.

 

David R. Nissen is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Nissen has been President and CEO of GE Consumer Finance since 1993 and a Senior Vice President at GE since 2001. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Nissen was General Manager of U.S. Consumer Financial Services at Monogram Bank, an affiliate of GE. Prior thereto, from 1980 to 1990 he held various management positions in several GE businesses. Mr. Nissen received a B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University in 1973 and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago in 1975. Mr. Nissen was designated to our board of directors by GE.

 

James A. Parke is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Parke has been Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of GE Capital and a Senior Vice President at GE since 2002. From 1989 to 2002 he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at GE Capital and a Vice President of GE. Prior thereto, from 1981 to 1989 he held various management positions in several GE businesses. Mr. Parke received a B.A. in History, Political Science and Economics from Concordia College in Minnesota in 1968. Mr. Parke was designated to our board of directors by GE.

 

Thomas B. Wheeler is a member of our board of directors. Mr. Wheeler was a member of the Massachusetts Mutual (now known as MassMutual Financial Group) field sales force from May 1962 to June 1983, serving as Agent and General Agent, and served as Executive Vice President of Massachusetts Mutual’s insurance and financial management line from July 1983 to December 1986. He became President and Chief Operating Officer of MassMutual in January 1987, President and Chief Executive Officer of MassMutual in October 1988 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MassMutual in March 1996. He retired as Chief Executive Officer in January 1999 and retired as Chairman in December 2000. Mr. Wheeler is a former director of BankBoston, a director of EstateWorks and a director of Textron, Inc. He is a trustee of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Conservancy of S.W. Florida and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Mr. Wheeler received a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University.

 

Composition of the Board of Directors

 

Until the first date on which GE owns 50% or less of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors will consist of nine persons, each of whom will serve a one-year term. When GE owns at least 10% but not more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors will consist of eleven persons. Beginning on

 

193


Table of Contents

the first date on which GE owns less than 10% of our outstanding common stock, the number of persons constituting our board of directors may be fixed from time to time by resolution of our board of directors, but under our certificate of incorporation, cannot be less than one nor more than fifteen. So long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock and the board of directors consists of nine members, GE, in its capacity as the holder of our Class B Common Stock, will have the right to elect five members, and holders of our Class A Common Stock will have the right to elect four members. The size of our board of directors and the election rights of the holders of each class of our common stock will change as GE’s percentage ownership of our common stock decreases and are subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of our preferred stock to elect directors under certain limited circumstances. For a detailed description of these election rights, see “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.”

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The three standing committees of our board of directors are the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Management Development and Compensation Committee. These committees are described below. Our board of directors may also establish various other committees to assist it in its responsibilities. However, our certificate of incorporation provides that until the first date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors will not establish an executive committee or any other committee having authority typically reserved for an executive committee.

 

Since the completion of the IPO, the board held five meetings during 2004, and all our directors attended more than 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the board of directors, and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the board on which he or she served.

 

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of three “independent” directors as defined under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Borelli, who serves as the chair of the committee, Mr. Kerrey and Mr. Wheeler. This committee is concerned primarily with the accuracy and effectiveness of the audits of our financial statements by our internal audit staff and by our independent auditors. Its duties include:

 

    selecting independent auditors;

 

    reviewing the scope of the audit to be conducted by them, as well as the results of their audit;

 

    approving audit and non-audit services provided to us by the independent auditor;

 

    reviewing the organization and scope of our internal system of audit, financial and disclosure controls;

 

    overseeing our financial reporting activities, including our annual report, and the accounting standards and principles followed; and

 

    conducting other reviews relating to compliance by our employees with our policies and applicable laws.

 

The Audit Committee has determined that in view of the increasing demands and responsibilities of the committee, its members generally should not serve on more than two additional audit committees of other public companies. Following our IPO, there were seven meetings of the Audit Committee during 2004.

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Wheeler, who serves as the chair of the committee, Mr. Borelli, Mr. Dammerman, Mr. Fraizer and Mr. Kerrey. This committee’s responsibilities include the selection of potential candidates for our board of directors and the development and annual review of our governance principles. So long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, this committee makes recommendations of candidates for election to our board of directors directly to our stockholders. When GE owns 50% or less of our outstanding common stock, this committee will make recommendations of candidates for election directly to our board of directors to our board of directors, and our board of directors will make

 

194


Table of Contents

recommendations to our stockholders. This committee does not make recommendations regarding directors designated by GE. This committee also annually reviews director compensation and benefits, and oversees annual self-evaluations of our board and its committees. It also makes recommendations to our board concerning the structure and membership of the other board committees. So long as GE beneficially owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consist of five directors, one of whom will be designated by GE, one of whom will be our chief executive officer and three of whom will be “independent” under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. When GE beneficially owns 50% or less of our outstanding common stock, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consist of three directors, each of whom will be “independent” under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Following our IPO, there were four meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during 2004.

 

Management Development and Compensation Committee. The members of the Management Development and Compensation Committee are Mr. Dammerman, who serves as the chair of the committee, Mr. Borelli and Mr. Wheeler. This committee has two primary responsibilities: (1) to monitor our management resources, structure, succession planning, development and selection process as well as the performance of key executives; and (2) to review and approve executive compensation and broad-based and incentive compensation plans. So long as GE beneficially owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, the Management Development and Compensation Committee consists of three directors, one of whom is designated by GE, two of whom are “independent” under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange and all of whom will qualify as outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. When GE beneficially owns 50% or less of our outstanding common stock, the Management Development and Compensation Committee will be comprised of three directors, each of whom will be “independent” under the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Following our IPO, there were four meetings of the Management Development and Compensation Committee during 2004.

 

Director Compensation

 

Each independent director is paid an annual fee of $160,000 in quarterly installments, following the end of each quarter of service. Of this amount, 40% (or $64,000) of the annual fee is paid in cash and 60% (or $96,000) is paid in deferred stock units, or DSUs. Instead of receiving a cash payment, directors may elect to have up to 100% of their annual fee paid in DSUs. The board has elected not to adopt a policy of meeting fees because attendance is expected at all scheduled board and committee meetings, absent exceptional cause. Each DSU is equal in value to a share of our stock but does not have voting rights. DSUs accumulate regular quarterly dividends which are reinvested in additional DSUs. The DSUs will be paid out in cash beginning one year after the director leaves the board. Directors may elect to take their DSU payments as a lump sum or in equal payments spread out for up to ten years.

 

Our independent directors are eligible to participate in our program of charitable contributions on the same terms as Genworth’s and GE’s employees (including the GE-designated directors). Under that program, we match up to $25,000 per year in contributions by each director to an eligible institution. This benefit will continue until at least the date that GE ceases to own at least 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Benefit Plans—Transition from GE to Genworth Plans

 

Prior to the IPO, our employees were covered under GE benefit plans. For so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will be part of the GE group, and our employees generally will continue to be eligible to participate in GE benefit plans, except as noted below. These GE benefit plans include the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan providing stock options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock unit awards, or RSUs, and long-term performance incentive awards; the GE Incentive Compensation Plan providing annual incentive compensation; retirement programs providing pension, 401(k), health and life insurance benefits; medical, dental and vision benefits for active employees; disability and life insurance protection; and severance.

 

195


Table of Contents

When GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we anticipate that our employees will be covered by the benefit plans that we expect to establish. However, for our non-U.S. employees, benefit transition may be delayed, by mutual agreement between GE and us, for up to six months following the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock (such date, whether delayed or not, is referred to as the “International Benefit Transition Date”).

 

Prior to the IPO, some of the employees of our business received certain awards under the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The treatment of these outstanding awards in connection with the IPO are described below under “—GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan.” Following the completion of the IPO, our employees are no longer eligible to receive new awards under the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

In connection with the IPO, we established plans for our selected employees providing for cash or other bonus awards, stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, other equity-related awards and long-term performance awards. However, certain of our employees continue to participate in the GE Incentive Compensation Plan based on our company- and individual-specific performance measures. Our corresponding plan providing for annual cash or other bonus awards will not become effective until the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. See “—Omnibus Incentive Plan” and “—Incentive Compensation Program” for information concerning these plans.

 

Until GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock or, in the case of our applicable non-U.S. employees, the International Benefit Transition Date, we will continue to reimburse GE for the costs incurred by GE and its affiliates for continuing coverage of our employees in the GE benefit plans. We also will continue to reimburse GE for the reasonable costs incurred by GE and its affiliates for cooperating in the operation and administration of our benefit plans, including our plans providing for stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, other equity-related awards and long-term performance awards and, to some extent, for the tax benefits we realize in connection with these compensation and benefit plans and arrangements. See “Arrangements between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Employee Matters Agreement” for information concerning our benefit plans, our reimbursement obligations to GE, and other employment matters, and see “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Tax Matters Agreement.”

 

GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Prior to the IPO, some of our executive employees received stock options, SARs, RSUs and long-term performance incentive awards under the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The following is a description of the treatment of those awards in connection with the IPO and our separation from GE.

 

Vested GE stock options as of our IPO. After the completion of the IPO, all GE stock options that were vested and held by our employees (other than Mr. Fraizer’s vested GE stock options) remain exercisable in accordance with their terms and the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Each such GE stock option permits the holder, generally for a period of ten years from the date of grant or, if earlier, five years from the date that GE ceases to own 50% or more of our outstanding common stock, to purchase one share of GE stock from GE at the market price of GE stock on the date of grant. GE remains responsible for the GE stock options of our employees that were vested as of May 24, 2004 (other than Mr. Fraizer’s vested GE stock options). We have no obligations with respect to those options, except to reimburse GE for any tax benefits we realize in connection with those options.

 

Vested GE stock options of Mr. Fraizer, unvested GE stock options, SARs and RSUs, each as of our IPO. In connection with the IPO, all of Mr. Fraizer’s GE stock options (whether or not vested) and all other GE stock options that were unvested and held by our employees were canceled by GE and converted into options to purchase our Class A Common Stock based on a ratio equal to the initial offering price of our Class A Common Stock ($19.50) divided by the weighted-average stock price of GE common stock for the trading day immediately preceding the pricing date of the IPO ($30.52) (the “Conversion Ratio”). These converted options, if unvested, generally will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of their original grants and the GE 1990

 

196


Table of Contents

Long-Term Incentive Plan (generally in five equal annual installments from the first anniversary of the date of grant for options granted in 2002 and thereafter, or in two equal installments three and five years after they were originally granted for options granted before 2002) and generally will remain exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of original grant. GE has no further liability with respect to these options, and we are responsible for the converted options.

 

Mr. Fraizer is the only named executive officer who held GE SARs that were exercisable for GE stock. These rights, which were granted in 2003, were canceled by GE and converted into our SARs in connection with the IPO based upon the Conversion Ratio. These converted SARs will continue to vest in accordance with the terms of their original grant and the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan (in five equal annual installments from the first anniversary of the date of original grant) and will remain exercisable for a period of ten years from the date of original grant.

 

All GE RSUs held by our employees (other than GE RSUs with restrictions that have lapsed as described in this paragraph) were canceled by GE and converted into our RSUs in connection with the IPO based upon the Conversion Ratio and generally have the same terms as their original grant under the GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Such RSUs entitle the holder to receive regular quarterly payments from us equal to the quarterly dividend on our stock. Also, provided the holder is still employed by us when the restrictions lapse, the holder will receive one share of our Class A Common Stock from us in exchange for each RSU. The restrictions on the converted RSUs granted in September 2003 will lapse in 50% increments after three and five years from the date of original grant. The restrictions on the GE RSUs granted in February 2003 to 21 senior executives lapse in 50% increments. The first increment of GE RSUs lapsed prior to the completion of the IPO, and the remaining increment of converted RSUs will lapse on May 25, 2005. The restrictions on most of the converted RSUs granted in 2002 will lapse in 25% increments after three, five and ten years from the date of original grant, with the final 25% lapsing at retirement. The restrictions on most of the converted RSUs granted before 2002 will lapse in 25% increments after three and seven years from the date of original grant, with the final 50% lapsing at retirement. Any converted RSUs as to which restrictions have not lapsed will be forfeited if the executive leaves our company prior to the lapse of the restrictions.

 

GE has no further liability with respect to the GE SARs and GE RSUs that were canceled by GE and converted into Genworth SARs and RSUs, respectively, and we are responsible for the converted awards.

 

GE long-term performance awards. In March 2003, the management development and compensation committee of GE’s board of directors granted long-term performance incentive awards to select GE executives for the 2003 to 2005 period to provide a continued emphasis on specified financial performance goals that the committee considered to be important contributors to GE’s long-term shareowner value. The awards will only be payable if GE achieves, on an overall basis for the three-year 2003 to 2005 period, specified goals for one or more of the following four measurements, all as adjusted by the committee to remove the effects of unusual events and the effect of pensions on income: average earnings per share growth rate; average revenue growth rate; cumulative return on total capital; and cumulative cash generated. GE expects the awards to be payable in 2006 if the performance goals are met. The awards are subject to forfeiture if the executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than disability, death, or retirement before December 31, 2005.

 

197


Table of Contents

For purposes of determining eligibility for long-term performance incentive awards granted to our executives in March 2003, employment with us will be deemed to be continued employment with GE (or an applicable GE affiliate). A prorated award (equal to one-third of the amount otherwise payable) will be paid by GE in 2006 when such awards are otherwise payable under the plan, provided the executives otherwise satisfy the conditions of the original award. We will not be liable for any such payments. The following table shows, for the individuals identified below under “—Executive Compensation,” the multiple of the salary rate in effect and the annual bonus awarded in February 2003 that would be payable in 2006 under these awards if GE precisely attained the threshold, target, or maximum goals set by the committee for all applicable performance measurements and before taking into account the proration as described above:

 

     Performance
period


   Threshold
payment


   Target
payment


   Maximum
payment


Michael D. Fraizer

   1/03-12/05    1x    2x    2.5x

Thomas H. Mann

   1/03-12/05    0.5x    1x    2x

Pamela S. Schutz

   1/03-12/05    0.25x    0.5x    1x

George R. Zippel

   1/03-12/05    0.25x    0.5x    1x

K. Rone Baldwin

   1/03-12/05    0.25x    0.5x    1x

 

Prior to the one-third proration described above, each measurement is weighted equally, and payments will be made for achieving any of the three goals (threshold, target or maximum) for any of the four measurements. For example, the executives in the table above would receive only one-quarter of the threshold payment if GE met at the end of the three-year period only a single threshold goal for a single measurement. Also, payments will be further prorated for performance that falls between goals.

 

Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Our key employees (including officers) will be covered by the GE Incentive Compensation Plan (the “GE IC Plan”) until the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, although the performance measures will be specifically based on our company-specific and individual-specific performance measures subject to the approval of our Management Development and Compensation Committee. For 2004, the performance goals for our executive officers were positive annual net earnings as determined under U.S. GAAP, which we refer to as Net Earnings, and positive annual earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and accounting changes as determined under U.S. GAAP, which we refer to as Consolidated Operating Earnings. Our chief executive officer was eligible for an award under the GE IC Plan of up to one percent (1.0%) of the greater of Net Earnings or Consolidated Operating Earnings, and each of our other executive officers was eligible for an award under the GE IC Plan of up to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the greater of Net Earnings or Consolidated Operating Earnings. However, no participant could receive an award greater than one percent (1.0%) of Net Earnings or Consolidated Operating Earnings, or the total amount available under the terms of the GE IC Plan, and our Management Development and Compensation Committee had absolute discretion to determine the amounts of incentive compensation, if any, awarded to our executive officers, subject to the maximum award limits described above. On March 16, 2005, our Management Development and Compensation Committee established the same performance goals for 2005 as were in effect for 2004.

 

The following summary relates to the GE IC Plan:

 

Reserve. The GE IC Plan authorizes its board of directors to appropriate to an Incentive Compensation Reserve (the “Reserve”) each year an amount based on the consolidated net earnings of the company. The maximum amount that may be appropriated for this Reserve in any year is 10% of the amount by which consolidated net earnings exceed 5% of average capital investment, each as defined in the GE IC Plan. Any amounts in the Reserve appropriated but not awarded in any year may be carried forward and used for future awards.

 

Administration. The management development and compensation committee of GE’s board of directors determines eligibility for participation in the GE IC Plan, the aggregate amount to be awarded from the Reserve in any year, and the specific amount to be awarded to any executive officer upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals.

 

198


Table of Contents

Eligibility. Incentive compensation allotments are granted to key employees (including officers) of GE and its affiliates.

 

Payment of allotments. Incentive compensation allotments under the GE IC Plan are paid as soon as practicable following award, except that participants may elect to defer all or part of their allotment. The management development and compensation committee of GE’s board of directors may determine that portions of deferred allotments are forfeitable for activity deemed to be harmful to the interests of GE or its affiliates occurring either during employment or after termination.

 

Method of accounting for deferred allotments. Participants may elect to have deferred allotments (including deferred allotments after termination of employment) accounted for as (1) GE stock units, (2) Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P Index) units or (3) cash units. The value of a GE stock unit will be equal to the average of the closing price of GE common stock as reported on the consolidated tape of New York Stock Exchange Listed Securities for the twenty trading days immediately preceding the date of allotment. The value of an S&P Index unit is equal to the average value of such unit as reported by Standard and Poor’s for the twenty trading days immediately preceding the date of allotment. Deferred allotments, to the extent accounted for as GE stock units or S&P Index units, are credited with dividend equivalents applicable to such accounting media, and deferred allotments accounted for as cash units are credited with interest equivalents.

 

Switching. A participant may elect up to four times a year to change the method or methods of accounting for all deferred allotments.

 

Method of payment. The portion, if any, of an allotment not made on a deferred payment basis may, in the discretion of the management development and compensation committee of GE’s board of directors, be made wholly or partly in cash, GE common stock, other securities, or any combination thereof. The deferred allotment is paid following the termination of a participant’s employment with GE and its affiliates, subject to the terms and conditions, and in accordance with the procedures, of the GE IC Plan. The management development and compensation committee of GE’s board of directors has discretionary authority to pay any installment of any deferred allotment entirely in cash or in such other manner as it may specify.

 

Termination and amendment. The GE IC Plan may be amended or terminated by GE’s board of directors at any time, without the approval of stockholders or participants, provided that no action may, without a participant’s consent, apply to the payment to the participant of any allotment made to such participant prior to the effective date of such action and no amendment may be made which will increase the amount which may be appropriated to the Reserve under the GE IC Plan without stockholder approval.

 

Section 162(m). Compensation to be paid to the applicable employees under the GE IC Plan is intended to be qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Executive Deferred Salary Plan

 

Our named executive officers, other executives and top managers currently participate in various GE executive deferred salary plans in effect between 1991 and 2003. Under all these plans, salary deferrals are contingently credited by GE with 9.5% to 14% interest. The participants generally must remain employed by GE and its affiliates for at least four years following the deferral, or retire or transfer to a successor employer (which includes Genworth after GE ceases to own 50% or more of our outstanding common stock) after a year of deferral, in order to obtain the stated interest rate on salary deferrals, otherwise the applicable interest rate on salary deferrals will be 0% to 3% interest. We are deemed an affiliate of GE for so long as GE owns 50% or more of our outstanding common stock. The Summary Compensation table (see “—Executive Compensation”) includes the difference between market interest rates determined pursuant to SEC regulations and the contingently credited interest on such salary deferrals.

 

199


Table of Contents

Executive Compensation

 

The following table sets forth the compensation paid or awarded to our chief executive officer and to each of the persons who were the four other most highly compensated executive officers in 2004. We refer to these individuals as our “named executive officers.”

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

        Annual compensation

  Long-term compensation

   
                    Awards

  Payouts

   

Name and principal position


  Year

 

Salary

($)


 

Bonus

($)


 

Other annual
compensation(1)

($)


 

Restricted
stock
units(2)

($)


  Securities
underlying
options/
SARs(3) (#)


  LTIP
payouts(4)
($)


 

All other
compensation
(5)(6)(7)

($)


Michael D. Fraizer(8)

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

  2004
2003
2002
  1,025,000
962,500
900,000
  1,800,000
1,525,000
1,375,000
  —  
—  
—  
  —  
1,366,321
—  
  1,900,000
195,000
300,000
  —  
—  
2,881,300
  103,500
94,390
113,629

Thomas H. Mann

President and Chief Executive Officer—Mortgage Insurance

  2004
2003
2002
  556,190
500,000
460,000
  1,200,000
1,150,000
1,050,000
  —  
—  
—  
  —  
940,360
—  
  680,000
54,000
90,000
  —  
—  
1,232,400
  70,745
67,388
59,317

Pamela S. Schutz

President and Chief Executive Officer—Retirement Income and Investments

  2004
2003
2002
  457,143
392,500
365,000
  700,000
560,000
510,000
  —  
52,164
—  
  —  
721,763
—  
  550,000
22,800
38,000
  —  
—  
197,200
  41,375
35,712
32,407

George R. Zippel

President and Chief Executive Officer—Protection

  2004
2003
2002
  401,270
350,000
300,000
  475,000
335,000
300,000
  —  
—  
—  
  —  
696,539
—  
  550,000
19,200
30,000
  —  
—  
129,800
  30,215
45,184
39,367

K. Rone Baldwin(9)

Senior Vice President—Employee Benefits Group

  2004
2003
2002
  450,000
450,000
430,000
  475,000
503,764
415,000
  —  
—  
—  
  —  
751,180
—  
  400,000
27,000
45,000
  —  
—  
256,000
  37,621
51,692
50,100

(1) Includes the aggregate incremental cost of providing perquisites and personal benefits to the named executive officers for each of the last three years. The amounts reported in this column for Ms. Schutz, which represent at least 25% of the total amounts reported for a particular year, are $21,812 for financial counseling and $22,971 for the use of a company vehicle. No other named executive officer received perquisites or other personal benefits in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000 in any of the periods included in this column.
(2) For 2002 and 2003, this column shows the market value of GE RSUs on the date of grant. In connection with our IPO, all outstanding GE RSUs held by our employees were canceled by GE and converted to our RSUs. The aggregate holdings and market value of our RSUs held on December 31, 2004 are: Mr. Fraizer, 449,343 units/$12,132,261; Mr. Mann, 173,343 units/$4,680,261; Ms. Schutz, 92,061 units/$2,485,647; Mr. Baldwin, 128,739 units/$3,475,953; and Mr. Zippel, 43,853 units/$1,184,031. The restrictions on most of these units lapse on a scheduled basis over the executive officer’s career, or upon death, with the restrictions on 25% of the units generally scheduled to lapse three and seven years after the original date of grant, and the restrictions on the remaining 50% scheduled to lapse at retirement. The restrictions on RSUs granted in February 2003 lapse in two 50% increments. The first increment lapsed prior to the completion of the IPO, and the second increment will lapse one year thereafter. Regular quarterly dividend equivalents are paid on the RSUs held by these individuals.
(3) All amounts shown for 2002 and 2003, except amounts for Mr. Fraizer in 2003, are denominated in shares of GE stock. Amounts shown for Mr. Fraizer in 2003 are denominated in GE SARs. All amounts shown for 2004 are denominated in shares of our stock and reflect awards of SARs made in connection with our IPO, as described below under “—Omnibus Incentive Plan—Awards in connection with our IPO.” Amounts shown for 2004 do not include the conversion of previously granted GE stock options and SARs to our options and SARs, as described above under “—GE 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan—Vested GE stock options of Mr. Fraizer, unvested GE stock options, SARs and RSUs, each as of our IPO.”

 

200


Table of Contents
(4) Represents the dollar value of payouts pursuant to the GE long-term performance incentive awards granted in 2000.
(5) Includes payments made pursuant to GE employee savings plans. These amounts are: Mr. Fraizer ($62,575 in 2004, $62,850 in 2003 and $53,400 in 2002); Mr. Mann ($39,575 in 2004, $35,620 in 2003 and $32,400 in 2002); Ms. Schutz ($25,775 in 2004, $21,300 in 2003 and $21,300 in 2002); Mr. Baldwin ($23,775 in 2004, $21,600 in 2003 and $21,600 in 2002); and Mr. Zippel ($19,875 in 2004, $15,200 in 2003 and $15,200 in 2002).
(6) This column includes the estimated dollar value of GE’s portion of insurance premium payments for supplemental split-dollar life insurance provided to GE officers prior to the effective date of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on July 30, 2002. GE will recover all split-dollar premiums paid by it from the policies. The estimated value is calculated, in accordance with SEC rules, as if the 2002 premiums were advanced to the named executive officers without interest until the time GE expects to recover its premium payments. This column also includes taxable payments made to executives to cover premiums for a universal life insurance policy owned by the executive, which is provided to more than 4,400 of GE’s executives, including the named executives. These amounts are: Mr. Fraizer ($11,700 in 2004, $9,500 in 2003 and $44,430 in 2002); Mr. Mann ($21,728 in 2004, $24,716 in 2003 and $21,938 in 2002); Ms. Schutz ($7,367 in 2004, $7,045 in 2003 and $4,514 in 2002); Mr. Baldwin ($4,531 in 2004, $21,775 in 2003 and $21,074 in 2002); and Mr. Zippel ($2,797 in 2004, $23,265 in 2003 and $18,181 in 2002).
(7) Includes the difference between market interest rates determined pursuant to SEC rules and the 9.5% to 14% interest contingently credited by GE on salary deferred by the executive officers under various salary deferral plans. Under all such plans, the executive officers generally must remain employed by GE and its affiliates for at least four years following the deferrals, or retire or transfer to a successor employer (in this case, including Genworth when GE ceases to own 50% or more of our outstanding common stock) after a year of deferral, in order to obtain the stated interest rate. These amounts are: Mr. Fraizer ($29,225 in 2004, $22,040 in 2003 and $15,799 in 2002); Mr. Mann ($9,442 in 2004, $7,052 in 2003 and $4,979 in 2002); Ms. Schutz ($8,233 in 2004, $7,367 in 2003 and $6,593 in 2002); Mr. Baldwin ($9,315 in 2004, $8,317 in 2003 and $7,426 in 2002); and Mr. Zippel ($7,543 in 2004, $6,719 in 2003 and $5,986 in 2002).
(8) Does not include a special one-time incentive bonus of $2 million (net of applicable taxes) paid by GE to Mr. Fraizer in his capacity as an officer of GE for executing GE’s overall insurance strategy of selling or repositioning various GE insurance businesses and completing the IPO. Mr. Fraizer was also paid $977,077 by GE to offset the taxes applicable to this special one-time incentive bonus.
(9) Excludes certain cost of living allowances and tax gross-up payments paid by GE in connection with Mr. Baldwin’s overseas assignment from July 2000 to August 2002. These amounts were $98,530 in 2003 and $195,699 in 2002.

 

On March 16, 2005, our Management Development and Compensation Committee approved the following base salaries, effective May 1, 2005, for our named executive officers: Michael D. Fraizer, $1,125,000; Thomas H. Mann, $615,000; Pamela S. Schutz, $500,000; George R. Zippel, $500,000; and K. Rone Baldwin, $475,000.

 

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

In connection with our IPO, in May 2004, we granted to our executive officers an aggregate of 6.0 million SARs and to our other employees nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 10.0 million shares of our Class A Common Stock. We granted these SARs and stock options as incentives for superior performance that we believe should create long-term stockholder value. As of December 31, 2004, more than 5,250 of our employees below the executive officer level held stock options granted under the broad-based stock option program initiated in connection with our IPO. Each stock option permits the employee, generally for a period of ten years, to purchase from us one share of our Class A Common Stock at the market price on the date of grant.

 

The table below provides information, for our named executive officers, on SARs granted in 2004, all of which were granted in connection with our IPO. Each of these SARs permits the executive officer to receive an amount equal to the difference between the SAR exercise price and the fair market value of one share of our

 

201


Table of Contents

Class A Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised. The amount of this difference, multiplied by the number of SARs exercised, is payable and delivered in shares of our Class A Common Stock. These SARs are exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning two years after the grant date and have the same economic value to the executive, and the same cost to the company, as stock options. We anticipate that we will issue annual grants to our executive officers and periodic grants to our other employees, subject to the approval of our Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

SARs Granted in 2004

 

Name


   Number of
SARs
Granted


   % of Total
SARs and
Options
Granted(1)


    Threshold
Base Price
Per Share


   Expiration
Date


   Grant Date
Present Value
($)(2)


Michael D. Fraizer

   1,900,000    11.8707 %   $ 19.50    5/25/14    $ 12,633,290

Thomas H. Mann

   680,000    4.2485 %   $ 19.50    5/25/14    $ 4,521,388

Pamela S. Schutz

   550,000    3.4363 %   $ 19.50    5/25/14    $ 3,657,005

George R. Zippel

   550,000    3.4363 %   $ 19.50    5/25/14    $ 3,657,005

K. Rone Baldwin

   400,000    2.4991 %   $ 19.50    5/25/14    $ 2,659,640

(1) Represents the percent of total SARs and stock options granted as new awards in 2004; excludes awards granted to replace canceled GE awards.
(2) These estimated hypothetical values are based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with SEC rules. We used the following assumptions in estimating these values: potential SAR term, 10 years; risk-free rate of return, 3.5%; expected volatility, 34.2%; and expected dividend yield, 1.3%.

 

The following table sets forth information on the Genworth SARs and stock options (1) exercised by the named executive officers in 2004, and (2) held by them as of December 31, 2004:

 

Aggregated SARs/Stock Options Exercised in 2004, and December 31, 2004 SAR/Option Values

 

Name


  

Options/
SARs
exercised

(#)(1)


  

Value
realized

($)(1)


   Number of unexercised
options/SARs at
December 31, 2004 (#)


  

Value of unexercised
in-the-money

options/SARs at
December 31, 2004 ($)(2)


         Exercisable

   Unexercisable

   Exercisable

   Unexercisable

Michael D. Fraizer

   —      —      1,407,895    2,758,507    12,157,610    19,000,757

Thomas H. Mann

   —      —      133,122    971,047    611,730    6,512,018

Pamela S. Schutz

   —      —      46,426    663,539    238,579    4,714,967

George R. Zippel

   —      —      43,969    647,213    205,231    4,605,967

K. Rone Baldwin

   —      —      59,714    536,719    292,140    3,701,770

(1) The values reported in this column relate to the exercise of Genworth options and SARs. Prior to the IPO, Mr. Fraizer exercised 36,000 GE options, realizing a value of $804,240 upon exercise, and Ms. Schutz exercised 18,000 GE options, realizing a value of $396,173 upon exercise.
(2) Stock option and SAR values are based upon the difference between the December 31, 2004 closing price for our Class A Common Stock of $27.00 per share, and the exercise prices of all outstanding options and SARs awarded in 2004 or converted from GE options and SARs in connection with the IPO.

 

Executive Officer Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

Stock ownership requirement. To help demonstrate the alignment of the personal interest of our executive officers with the interests of stockholders, we have established the following guidelines for the amount of Genworth stock, as a multiple of the executive’s base salary, that must be held by our executive officers:

 

Position


   Multiple

  

Time to attain


CEO

   5x    5 years

Segment Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents

   2x    5 years

 

202


Table of Contents

The number of shares of stock that must be held is determined by multiplying the executive officer’s annual base salary in effect on the date the executive officer becomes subject to the ownership requirements by the applicable multiple shown above, and dividing the result by the average closing price of our Class A Common Stock during the immediately preceding 12 months. In the case of executive officers who became subject to the ownership guidelines in 2004, the number of shares was established by dividing the executive officer’s annual base salary in effect on the date of our IPO by the initial public offering price ($19.50) of our Class A Common Stock. In order to meet this stock ownership requirement, an executive officer may count all shares of stock owned by the executive officer, including stock held in our 401(k) plan, stock units held in any deferral plan and company RSUs, but excluding any RSUs that lapse upon retirement. Each executive officer must attain ownership of the required stock ownership level within five years after GE ceases to own more than 50% of the company’s outstanding stock (or if later, within five years of becoming an executive officer) and maintain ownership of at least such amount of the company’s stock while they hold office.

 

In order to assist any particular executive officer in obtaining the required level of stock ownership, each executive officer will be given the option, exercisable at any time during the five-year period above, to elect to receive a portion of his or her annual incentive compensation, including long-term performance awards, in shares of our Class A Common Stock. In the event that an executive officer fails to reach a required level of stock ownership during the five-year period above, we will require the executive officer to be paid, in lieu of any annual incentive payments, in shares of our Class A Common Stock until the applicable required level of stock ownership is obtained.

 

Stock Option Holding Period. In order to minimize any possible appearance of an incentive for senior executives to seek to cause short-term increases in the price of our Class A Common Stock to exercise stock options and sell that stock for unwarranted personal gains, the Management Development and Compensation Committee determined that senior executive officers should be required to hold for at least nine months the shares of our Class A Common Stock that they receive by exercising stock options (net of any shares applied for a cashless exercise or to pay applicable taxes). This requirement applies to our Chief Executive Officer, the Presidents of each of our operating segments and each of our Senior Vice Presidents.

 

Retirement Benefits

 

Our U.S. employees will be covered by the GE retirement plans for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. Thereafter, we anticipate that our U.S. employees will be covered by the retirement plans that we expect to establish. The summary below relates to the GE retirement plans.

 

Under the GE retirement plans, employees are generally eligible to retire with unreduced benefits under such plans at age 60 or later, and with social security benefits at age 62 or later. The estimated total annual retirement benefits provided under the GE retirement plans (GE Pension Plan, GE Supplementary Pension Plan and GE Excess Benefit Plan) and social security for our employees in higher salary classifications retiring directly from GE and its affiliates at age 62 or later are as follows:

 

Earnings credited for

retirement benefits


   Years of service at retirement

   20

   25

   30

   35

   40

$ 500,000

   187,300    229,820    272,340    300,000    300,000

   750,000

   274,800    339,195    403,590    450,000    450,000

1,000,000

   362,300    448,570    534,840    600,000    600,000

1,500,000

   537,300    667,320    797,340    900,000    900,000

2,000,000

   712,300    886,070    1,059,840    1,200,000    1,200,000

2,500,000

   887,300    1,104,820    1,322,340    1,500,000    1,500,000

3,000,000

   1,062,300    1,323,570    1,584,840    1,800,000    1,800,000

Note: The amounts shown above are applicable to employees retiring in 2005 at age 62.

 

203


Table of Contents

Amounts shown as “earnings credited for retirement benefits” in this table represent the average annual covered compensation paid for the highest 36 consecutive months out of the last 120 months prior to retirement. For 2004, covered compensation for the individuals named in the Summary Compensation table is the same as the total of their salary and bonus amounts shown in that table. As of December 31, 2004, the executive officers named in that table had the following years of credited service with the company: Mr. Fraizer, 24 years; Mr. Baldwin, 10 years; Mr. Mann, 31 years; Ms. Schutz, 26 years; and Mr. Zippel, 23 years. The approximate annual retirement benefits provided under the GE retirement plans are payable in fixed monthly payments for life, with a guaranteed minimum term of five years.

 

Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, our Board of Directors and GEFAHI, as our former sole stockholder, adopted the 2004 Genworth Financial, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the Genworth Omnibus Plan.

 

The Genworth Omnibus Plan is intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which limits the deductibility of certain compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid by a publicly traded corporation to “Covered Employees.” “Covered Employees” are determined at the end of the tax year, and are the Chief Executive Officer plus the other four most highly compensated employees of Genworth whose compensation is reported to stockholders under applicable SEC rules.

 

As a publicly traded company, in order to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and to qualify the compensation payable to Covered Employees under the Genworth Omnibus Plan for exclusion from the Section 162(m) deduction limit, we will submit the Genworth Omnibus Plan to stockholders for approval at our 2005 annual meeting. If the Genworth Omnibus Plan is approved by our stockholders, it will permit us to continue to issue stock-based, stock-denominated and other awards to Covered Employees.

 

Available awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan include:

 

    stock options (but not incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code),

 

    SARs,

 

    restricted stock and RSUs (including performance shares and performance units),

 

    other awards valued in whole or in part by reference to or otherwise based on our common stock (other stock-based awards),

 

    non-employee director awards (including Director Stock Units, or DSUs),

 

    dividend equivalents,

 

    cash-based awards, and

 

    covered employee annual incentive awards.

 

The following is a description of the Genworth Omnibus Plan and the treatment of awards made in connection with the IPO and those to be made in the future.

 

Awards in connection with our IPO. In connection with our IPO, we granted to our executive officers an aggregate of 6.0 million SARs and to our other employees nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 10.0 million shares of our Class A Common Stock. The exercise price of these SARs and options is $19.50, equal to the initial offering price in our IPO. These SARs and options vest in 25% annual increments commencing on the second anniversary of the date of grant.

 

204


Table of Contents

Each of these SARs permits the executive officer to receive an amount equal to the difference between the SAR exercise price and the fair market value of one share of our Class A Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised. The amount of this difference, multiplied by the number of SARs exercised, is payable and delivered in shares of our Class A Common Stock. We anticipate that we will issue annual grants to our executives and periodic grants to our other employees under the Genworth Omnibus Plan subject to the approval of our Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

Under the Genworth Omnibus Plan, in connection with our IPO, we granted long-term performance awards for the 2004 to 2006 period to our executive officers, subject to stockholder approval of the Genworth Omnibus Plan at the 2005 annual meeting, and to other key employees. The awards will only be payable if we achieve, on an overall basis for such period, specified goals for average annual return on equity growth or average annual operating earnings growth, or both, each as adjusted by our Management Development and Compensation Committee, to remove the effects of unusual events. We expect to pay these awards in the first quarter of 2007 in cash, our Class A Common Stock, or both, as determined by our Management Development and Compensation Committee, if the performance goals are met. The awards will be subject to forfeiture if the executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than disability, death, or retirement before December 31, 2006.

 

The following table shows the multiple of the named executives’ salary rate as of March 1, 2004 and the most recent annual bonus awarded by GE prior to the completion of our IPO that would be payable in 2007 under these awards if we precisely attained the threshold, target, or maximum goals set by our Management Development and Compensation Committee for all applicable performance measurements:

 

Name of Executive


   Performance
Period


   Threshold
Payment


   Target
Payment


   Maximum
Payment


Michael D. Fraizer

   1/04-12/06    1x    2x    2.5x

Thomas H. Mann

   1/04-12/06    0.5x    1x    2x

Pamela S. Schutz

   1/04-12/06    0.5x    1x    2x

George R. Zippel

   1/04-12/06    0.5x    1x    2x

K. Rone Baldwin

   1/04-12/06    0.5x    1x    2x

 

Each measurement is weighted equally, and payments will be made for achieving any of the three goals (threshold, target or maximum) for any of the two measurements. For example, the executives in the table above would receive only one-half of the threshold payment if we met at the end of the three-year period only a single threshold goal for a single measurement. Also, payments will be prorated for performance that falls between goals.

 

Effective date and term. The Genworth Omnibus Plan became effective prior to the completion of the IPO and authorizes the granting of awards for a term of up to 10 years.

 

Administration. The Genworth Omnibus Plan generally is administered by our Management Development and Compensation Committee (although non-employee director awards are administered by our board of directors). The Management Development and Compensation Committee is able to select eligible participants to whom awards are granted; determine the types of awards to be granted and the number of shares covered by such awards; set the terms and conditions of such awards (including any terms and conditions relating to a change of control of our company); and cancel, suspend, and amend awards. The Management Development and Compensation Committee’s determinations and interpretations under the Genworth Omnibus Plan are binding on all interested parties. The Management Development and Compensation Committee is empowered to delegate to one or more of its members, to one or more officers of our company or its affiliates, or to one or more agents or advisors such administrative duties or powers it may deem advisable. In addition, subject to certain restrictions, the Management Development and Compensation Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of our company to (1) designate employees and other individuals providing services to Genworth and our participating affiliates to receive awards and (2) determine the terms and conditions of such awards.

 

205


Table of Contents

Eligibility. Awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan may be granted to employees, non-employee directors and other individuals providing services to Genworth and our participating affiliates.

 

Number of shares available for issuance. Subject to adjustment as described below, 38,000,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock (including authorized and unissued shares and treasury shares) are available for granting awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan. If any shares subject to any award under the Genworth Omnibus Plan are forfeited, or if any such award terminates or is settled without the delivery of shares, the shares previously used or reserved for such awards will be available for future awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan. As of December 31, 2004, 22,925,176 shares of our Class A Common Stock were issuable pursuant to awards outstanding as of that date.

 

Adjustments. In the event of a corporate event or transaction such as a stock split, stock dividend, or other extraordinary corporate event, the Management Development and Compensation Committee will be able to adjust the number and type of shares which may be made the subject of new awards or are then subject to outstanding awards and other award terms. The Management Development and Compensation Committee is also authorized, for similar purposes, to make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting our company or our financial statements or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles. The awards that may be granted under the Genworth Omnibus Plan cannot presently be determined. In addition, nothing contained in the Genworth Omnibus Plan will prevent us or any affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements.

 

Awards. Awards generally will be granted for no cash consideration. Under the Genworth Omnibus Plan, awards may provide that upon exercise the participant will receive cash, stock, other securities, other awards, other property, or any combination thereof, as the Management Development and Compensation Committee will determine. The exercise price per share of Class A Common Stock purchasable under any stock option, the grant price of any SAR, and the purchase price of any security which may be purchased under any other stock-based award will be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock or other security on the date of the grant of such option, SAR, or right, or, if the Management Development and Compensation Committee so determines, in the case of certain awards retroactively granted in tandem with or in substitution for other awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan or for any other outstanding awards, on the date of grant of such other awards. It is intended that, under the Genworth Omnibus Plan, any exercise or purchase price may be paid in cash or, if permitted by the Management Development and Compensation Committee, by surrender of shares.

 

Annual award limits. The awards which may be granted under the Genworth Omnibus Plan are generally subject to the following limits (each, an “Annual Award Limit”). The maximum number of our shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which stock options or SARs may be granted or measured to any participant in a calendar year is 5,000,000 shares. The maximum number of our shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which restricted stock or RSUs may be granted or measured to any participant in any calendar year is 2,000,000 shares. The maximum number of our shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which other stock-based awards, not otherwise described in the Genworth Omnibus Plan, may be granted or measured to any participant in any calendar year is 1,000,000 shares. The maximum amount that may be paid or credited to any executive officer whom the Management Development and Compensation Committee identifies as a potential “covered employee” subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “Covered Employee”) in any calendar year in respect of a Covered Employee annual incentive award is $5,000,000. The maximum amount of any cash-based awards that may be paid, credited or vested to any participant in any calendar year is $10,000,000. These provisions are designed so that compensation resulting from awards can qualify as tax deductible performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Stock options. A participant granted an option will be entitled to purchase a specified number of shares of Class A Common Stock during a specified term at a fixed price, affording the participant an opportunity to benefit from the appreciation in the market price of our stock from the date of grant.

 

206


Table of Contents

SARs. A participant granted a SAR will be entitled to receive the excess of the fair market value (calculated as of the exercise date) of a share of our Class A Common Stock over the grant price of the SAR in cash, our shares of Class A Common Stock, a combination thereof, or any other manner approved by the Management Development and Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. The terms and conditions of any SARs will be determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee at the time of grant.

 

Restricted stock and RSUs. Restricted stock and RSUs are awards that will be non-transferable and subject to a risk of forfeiture upon certain kinds of employment terminations, as determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee, during a restricted period specified by the Management Development and Compensation Committee. Restricted stock will provide a participant with all of the rights of a share owner of our company, including the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends, at the end of a specified period. An RSU will represent a right to receive a share of Class A Common Stock, or an equivalent value as the Management Development and Compensation Committee may determine, together with dividend equivalent payments in cash or as additional shares if specified by the Management Development and Compensation Committee, at the end of a specified period. After lapse of these restrictions, settlement of RSUs may be further deferred. Restricted stock and RSUs may be awarded, or their restrictions may lapse, based upon achievement of a pre-established performance goal as described below and are referred to as performance shares and performance units, respectively. The Management Development and Compensation Committee will have discretion to vary the forfeiture conditions of restricted stock and RSUs. RSUs will be settled in cash, shares, other securities, additional awards or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

Other stock-based awards. Other stock-based awards are awards for which the Management Development and Compensation Committee will establish virtually all terms and conditions.

 

Non-employee director awards. Non-employee director awards are awards to non-employee directors for which our board of directors will establish virtually all terms and conditions, and includes awards granted in satisfaction of annual fees that are otherwise payable to non-employee directors, such as DSUs. The maximum number of our shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued as non-employee director awards is 1,000,000 shares, and the maximum number of our shares of Class A Common Stock with respect to which non-employee director awards may be granted or measured to any non-employee director in any calendar year is 25,000 shares.

 

Dividend equivalents. Dividend equivalents granted to participants will represent a right to receive payments equivalent to dividends or interest with respect to a specified number of shares.

 

Cash-based awards. Cash-based awards are awards for which the Management Development and Compensation Committee will establish virtually all terms and conditions. For example, the three-year long-term performance award which we granted as described above under “—Omnibus Incentive Plan—Awards in connection with our IPO” represents a contingent right to receive a payment, the amount of which would be a multiple of the salary rate as of March 1, 2004 and the most recent annual bonus awarded by GE prior to the completion of the IPO. The percentage, if any, of such compensation to be used to determine the amount payable under the performance award will be contingent upon the extent of achievement of the pre-established performance goals during the three-year period. Under a long-term performance award, the Management Development and Compensation Committee will determine, after the end of the performance period, whether a participant has become entitled to a settlement of his or her performance award, and whether that settlement will be paid in cash, a distribution of shares of Class A Common Stock, or crediting of stock units, provided that the Management Development and Compensation Committee may permit the participant to elect the form of settlement for all or a portion of the award.

 

Performance-based compensation. One type of performance-based compensation award is the Covered Employee annual incentive award. In addition, the Management Development and Compensation Committee may design any award so that the granting, vesting, crediting and/or payment of such award meets the

 

207


Table of Contents

requirements for performance-based compensation. The performance goals to be established by the Management Development and Compensation Committee for performance-based compensation may be based on any or all of the following measures applicable to our company, its affiliates, or any of their business units: net earnings or net income (before or after taxes); earnings growth; earnings per share; net sales (including net sales growth); gross profits or net operating profit; return measures (including, but not limited to, return on assets, capital, equity, or sales); cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on capital and statutory cash measures); revenue growth; earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation, and/or amortization; productivity ratios; share price (including, but not limited to, growth measures and total stockholder return); expense targets; margins (including, but not limited to, gross or operating margins); operating efficiency; customer satisfaction or increase in the number of customers; attainment of budget goals; division working capital turnover; market share; cost reductions; working capital targets; and EVA® and other value-added measures.

 

Change of control. The Genworth Omnibus Plan provides that, unless the Management Development and Compensation Committee determines otherwise or unless otherwise specifically prohibited under applicable laws or by the rules and regulations of any governing governmental agencies or stock exchange on which shares of our Class A Common Stock are listed, in the event of a change of control (as defined in the Genworth Omnibus Plan) in which a successor entity fails to assume and maintain awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan:

 

    Awards, the vesting of which depends upon a participant’s continuation of service for a period of time, will fully vest as of the effective date of the change of control, will be distributed or paid to the participant, and will thereafter terminate.

 

    Awards, the vesting of which is based on achievement of performance criteria (other than the Covered Employee annual incentive awards), will fully vest as of the effective date of the change of control, will be deemed earned based on the target performance being attained for the performance period in which the change of control occurs, will be distributed or paid to the participant pro rata based on the portion of the performance period elapsed on the date of the change of control, and will thereafter terminate.

 

    Covered Employee annual incentive awards will be based on the Consolidated Operating Earnings or Net Earnings of the calendar year in which the change of control occurs (or such other method of payment as may be determined by the Management Development and Compensation Committee at the time of such award or thereafter but prior to the change of control), will be distributed or paid to the participant pro rata based on the portion of the year elapsed on the date of the change of control, and will thereafter terminate.

 

The foregoing change of control provisions will apply to:

 

    the awards which we granted in connection with the IPO described above under “—Omnibus Incentive Plan—Awards in connection with our IPO,” and

 

    the GE stock options, GE SARs and GE RSUs granted in September 2003 which were canceled by GE and replaced with our stock options, SARs and RSUs, respectively, in connection with our IPO,

 

provided that a change of control occurs in which a successor entity assumes and maintains awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan but the participant’s service with us and our affiliates is terminated without cause or for good reason within 12 months following the effective date of such change of control.

 

Deferrals. The Management Development and Compensation Committee also will be able to require or permit award payments to be deferred and may authorize crediting of dividends or interest or their equivalents in connection with any such deferral.

 

Transferability. Awards generally will be non-transferable except upon the death of a participant, although the Management Development and Compensation Committee may permit a participant to transfer awards subject to such conditions as the Management Development and Compensation Committee may establish.

 

208


Table of Contents

Tax Consequences

 

The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of transactions under the Genworth Omnibus Plan, based on current U.S. federal income tax laws. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive, does not constitute tax advice and, among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences.

 

Nonqualified options. No taxable income is realized by a participant upon the grant of an option. Upon the exercise of an option, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares of Class A Common Stock received over the aggregate option exercise price (the spread), even though that common stock may be subject to a restriction on transferability or may be subsequently forfeited, in limited circumstances. Income and payroll taxes are required to be withheld by the participant’s employer on the amount of ordinary income resulting to the participant from the exercise of an option. The spread is generally deductible by the participant’s employer for federal income tax purposes, subject to the possible limitations on deductibility of compensation paid to some executives under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The participant’s tax basis in shares of common stock acquired by exercise of an option will be equal to the exercise price plus the amount taxable as ordinary income to the participant.

 

Upon a sale of the shares of Class A Common Stock received by the participant upon exercise of the option, any gain or loss will generally be treated for federal income tax purposes as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the holding period of that stock. The participant’s holding period for shares acquired after the exercise of an option begins on the date of exercise of that option.

 

If the participant pays the exercise price in full or in part by using shares of previously acquired Class A Common Stock, the exercise will not affect the tax treatment described above and no gain or loss generally will be recognized to the participant with respect to the previously acquired shares. The shares received upon exercise which are equal in number to the previously acquired shares used will have the same tax basis as the previously acquired shares surrendered to us, and will have a holding period for determining capital gain or loss that includes the holding period of the shares used. The value of the remaining shares received by the participant will be taxable to the participant as compensation, even though those shares may be subject to sale restrictions. The remaining shares will have a tax basis equal to the fair market value recognized by the participant as compensation income and the holding period will commence on the exercise date. Shares used to pay applicable income and payroll taxes arising from that exercise will generate taxable income or loss equal to the difference between the tax basis of those shares and the amount of income and payroll taxes satisfied with those shares. The income or loss will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending on the holding period of the shares used. Where the shares used to pay applicable income and payroll taxes arising from that exercise generate a loss equal to the difference between the tax basis of those shares and the amount of income and payroll taxes satisfied with those shares, that loss may not be currently recognizable if, within a period beginning 30 days before the exercise date and ending 30 days after that date, the participant acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire additional common stock.

 

SARs. The grant of a SAR will create no tax consequences for the participant or us. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the participant will recognize compensation income, in an amount equal to the cash or the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock received from the exercise. The participant’s tax basis in the shares of Class A Common Stock received in the exercise of the SAR will be equal to the compensation income recognized with respect to the Class A Common Stock. The participant’s holding period for shares acquired after the exercise of a SAR begins on the exercise date. Income and payroll taxes are required to be withheld on the amount of compensation attributable to the exercise of the SAR, whether the income is paid in cash or shares. Upon the exercise of a SAR, we generally will be entitled to a deduction in the amount of the compensation income recognized by the participant.

 

209


Table of Contents

Other awards. Other awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan, including restricted stock, RSUs and performance awards, generally will result in ordinary income to the participant at the later of the time of delivery of cash, shares or other property, or (in the absence of an appropriate election) the time that either the risk of forfeiture or restriction on transferability lapses on previously delivered cash, shares or other property. We generally would be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection with an award.

 

Requirements regarding “deferred compensation.” Certain awards under the Genworth Omnibus Plan may constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a recently enacted provision governing “non-qualified deferred compensation plans.” Failure to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code’s provisions regarding participant elections and the timing of payment distributions could result in the affected participants being required to recognize ordinary income for tax purposes earlier than the times otherwise applicable as described in the discussion above and to pay substantial penalties. Although the law in this area is still developing, stock options, RSUs and SARs that are settled in shares of our Class A Common Stock with a per-share exercise or grant price equal to the fair market value of a share of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant generally would not be subject to the requirements of Section 409A.

 

Certain limitations on deductibility of executive compensation. With some exceptions, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits our deduction to us for compensation paid to Covered Employees in excess of $1 million per executive per taxable year. However, compensation paid to Covered Employees will not be subject to that deduction limit if it is considered “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Compensation to be paid to Covered Employees under the Genworth Omnibus Plan is generally intended to be qualified performance-based compensation, and the Genworth Omnibus Plan may not be used to make awards to Covered Employees unless the plan is approved by stockholders at our annual meeting in 2005, the award is a stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock or restricted stock unit made prior to such stockholders’ meeting, or the award is made subject to such stockholder approval.

 

Amendment and termination. The Genworth Omnibus Plan may be amended or terminated by our board of directors at any time, subject to certain limitations, and the awards granted under the plan may be amended or terminated by the Management Development and Compensation Committee at any time, provided that no such action may, without a participant’s written consent, adversely affect in any material way any previously granted award, and no amendment that would require stockholder approval under applicable law may become effective without stockholder approval.

 

Change of Control Plan

 

On February 2, 2005, our Management Development and Compensation Committee, pursuant to specific authority delegated to it by the Board of Directors, adopted the Genworth Financial, Inc. 2005 Change of Control Plan (the “Change of Control Plan”) to offer severance benefits to a selected group of key executives, including executive officers, in the event that their employment is terminated in connection with a change of control of our company. The Management Development and Compensation Committee and the Board adopted the Plan as part of their ongoing review of our compensation and benefit programs, recognizing the importance of reducing the risk that the fear of job loss will influence executives considering strategic opportunities that may include a change of control of our company, and avoiding distractions that may result from potential, rumored or actual changes of control.

 

The Change of Control Plan includes two tiers of benefits that apply to executives who are designated by a committee of the Board. Tier I benefits initially apply to our President and Chief Executive Officer, and several of his direct reports. Tier II benefits initially apply to selected other executives. At the time of adoption of the Plan, there were a total of 21 executives designated by the Management Development and Compensation Committee for participation in the Plan, including all of our executive officers.

 

210


Table of Contents

Benefits under the Change of Control Plan are paid only upon the occurrence of two clearly defined events. First, a change of control must have occurred. A change in control generally includes the following events:

 

    any person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of more than 20% of our then outstanding voting securities (excluding an acquisition by General Electric Company or its affiliates);

 

    a majority of our current directors or their approved successors cease to constitute a majority of the Board;

 

    the occurrence of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation to which we are a party, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, unless (a) the beneficial owners of our voting securities prior to such transaction are the beneficial owners of more than 50% of the voting power of the combined company, (b) no person (excluding any successor entity) beneficially owns 20% or more of the voting power of the combined company, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such transaction, and (c) at least a majority of the combined company’s directors were our directors or their approved successors; or

 

    stockholder approval of a liquidation or dissolution of our company.

 

Second, in order to be eligible for benefits under the Change of Control Plan, the designated executive’s employment must either be terminated without cause (and not as a result of death or permanent disability), or by the designated executive for good reason, in each case within three years from the date of a change of control. The executive would have good reason to terminate his or her employment because of:

 

    a reduction in compensation (including base salary and bonus), and/or failure to timely pay compensation when due, except for an across-the-board reduction of less than 15%,

 

    a substantial reduction in benefits, except for an across-the-board reduction,

 

    a relocation of his or her principal business location to an area outside a 100-mile radius of its current location, or

 

    with respect to Tier I executives only, a significant and material diminution in his or her duties or responsibilities.

 

We refer to any of these employment terminations as a “Qualified Termination.”

 

Upon the occurrence of a Qualified Termination, a participating executive will receive the following severance benefits:

 

    Cash payment. We will pay a Tier I executive 200% of the sum of his or her base salary and a targeted annual incentive payment. We will pay a Tier II executive 150% of the sum of his or her base salary and a targeted annual incentive payment.

 

    Short-term incentive award. We will pay the participating executive a pro-rated bonus earned for the portion of the year worked in which termination occurs. We will base the amount of this pro-rated bonus on the executive’s targeted annual incentive payment, pro-rated for the number of days in the year prior to the Qualified Termination.

 

    Long-term performance award. We will pay the participating executive a pro rated portion of his or her earned long-term performance incentive award. We will base the amount on the compensation payable at the target level, pro-rated for the number of days in the year prior to the Qualified Termination.

 

    Equity-based incentive awards. All outstanding stock options and other equity-based awards will become immediately vested, and all restrictions on shares subject to awards will lapse, except for the portion of any award of restricted stock units that vest upon retirement.

 

211


Table of Contents
    Retirement provisions. The participating executive will be fully and immediately vested in any funded or unfunded or nonqualified pension or deferred compensation plans in which he or she participates, with payment being made in accordance with the terms of such plans.

 

    Health and welfare benefits. We will provide health and welfare benefit coverage for 24 months (in the case of a Tier I executive) or 18 months (in the case of a Tier II executive).

 

    Excise tax gross-up. Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an excise tax on individuals who receive compensation in connection with a change of control that exceeds certain specified limits (the “IRS Limit”). If the total severance payments to an executive under the Plan exceed 110% of the IRS Limit, we will pay that executive an additional amount such that the net amount after deduction of the excise tax will equal the total payments that the executive would have been entitled to receive absent the excise tax. Total severance benefits will be capped at the IRS Limit if they do not exceed 110% of the IRS Limit.

 

    Fees and expenses. We will reimburse a participating executive for all costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred in seeking to enforce any right or benefit provided by the Plan, provided that the participant is successful on at least one element of his or her claim.

 

In addition, upon a Qualified Termination, if a participating executive elects to enter into a non-competition agreement for 18 months, then he or she will be entitled to receive the following enhanced benefits, in addition to the benefits described above:

 

    Cash payment. Upon the expiration and successful completion of the non-competition agreement, a Tier I executive will receive an additional payment equal to 100% of the sum of his or her base salary and a targeted annual incentive payment. A Tier II executive will receive an additional payment equal to 50% of the sum of his or her base salary and a targeted annual incentive payment.

 

    Equity-based incentive awards. The restrictions on an award of restricted stock units that vest upon retirement shall immediately lapse.

 

    Health and welfare benefits. Health and welfare benefit coverage will be extended to 36 months (in the case of a Tier I executive) or 24 months (in the case of a Tier II executive).

 

To receive any severance benefits under the Change of Control Plan, a participant must execute a general release of claims against the company and agree to certain restrictive covenants, including restrictions on the use of confidential information and restrictions on the solicitation of customers and employees for 18 months following a Qualified Termination.

 

212


Table of Contents

Arrangements Between GE and Our Company

 

Relationship with GE

 

In connection with our IPO, we entered into a master agreement and a number of other agreements with GE for the purpose of accomplishing our separation from GE, transferring our businesses to us and setting forth various matters governing our relationship with GE while GE remains a significant stockholder in our company. These agreements govern the relationship between GE and us and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and other liabilities and obligations attributable or related to periods or events prior to and in connection with the IPO. In addition, a number of the existing agreements between us and our subsidiaries and GE and its subsidiaries relating to various aspects of our business remain in effect following the IPO, and we also entered into additional relationships with GE following the completion of the IPO. The agreements summarized below have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The summaries of these agreements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements.

 

Master Agreement

 

We entered into a master agreement with GE in connection with the IPO. We refer to this agreement as the Master Agreement. The Master Agreement sets forth our agreements with GE regarding the principal transactions that were required to effect the transfer of assets and the assumption of liabilities necessary to separate our company from GE. It also sets forth other agreements governing our relationship after our separation from GE.

 

In consideration for the assets that we acquired and the liabilities that we assumed in connection with our separation from GE, we issued to GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc., or GEFAHI, 489,527,145 shares of our Class B Common Stock, $600 million of our Equity Units, $100 million of our Series A Preferred Stock, a $2.4 billion note and the $550 million Contingent Note. We also paid GEFAHI interest and contract adjustment payments on the Equity Units and dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, in each case accrued from and including the date we issued those securities to GEFAHI (May 24, 2004), to but excluding the date of the completion of the IPO (May 28, 2004).

 

The Master Agreement also contains covenants between us and GE with respect to:

 

    provision to GE of our historical financial information and financial projections, access to our books and records, the issuance of our quarterly and annual earnings releases and the filing of our quarterly and annual reports with the SEC;

 

    exchange of information to comply with reporting, audit or tax requirements, for use in judicial proceedings, and to comply with obligations;

 

    our right to continue coverage under GE’s insurance policies for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock;

 

    restrictions on our ability to take any action that limits GE’s ability to freely sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of our stock;

 

    restrictions on our ability to enter into any agreement that binds or purports to bind GE;

 

    restrictions on our ability to take any action or enter into any agreement that would cause GE to violate any law, agreement or judgment;

 

    litigation and settlement cooperation between us and GE;

 

    restrictions on GE’s ability to use the “GE” mark or monogram or the name “General Electric” in connection with the marketing or underwriting on a primary basis of the products that we offer;

 

213


Table of Contents
    proposed intercompany transactions, including material amendments to the agreements accomplishing our separation from GE, all of which must be approved by a majority of our independent directors;

 

    GE’s right to appoint one member of our Management Development and Compensation Committee and one member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock;

 

    our obligation to comply with GE’s policies applicable to its subsidiaries for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, except (1) to the extent such policies conflict with our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or any of the agreements between us and GE, or (2) as otherwise agreed with GE or superseded by any policies adopted by our board of directors;

 

    restrictions (subject to certain limited exceptions) on our ability to repurchase shares of our outstanding Class A Common Stock or any other securities convertible into or exerciseable for Class A Common Stock, for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock;

 

    confidentiality of our and GE’s information;

 

    release and discharge of liabilities existing or arising between GE and us on or before our separation from GE; and

 

    indemnification obligations of GE and us to each other with respect to various matters.

 

In addition, pursuant to the Master Agreement, GE agreed to pay or reimburse us for all out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses (including all legal, accounting and printing expenses) incurred prior to the completion of the IPO in connection with our separation from GE and the IPO, the offerings of Equity Units, Series A Preferred Stock, senior notes and commercial paper and the debt and credit facilities that we entered into shortly after the completion of the IPO.

 

Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, described below under “—Relationship with GE—Stock Purchase Agreement,” we agreed to amend the Master Agreement to add a provision to provide that until the date that is at least 185 days after the date of the consummation of a sale by GEFAHI of shares of our Class B Common Stock that results in GEFAHI owning less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will not, without the prior written consent of GE, (1) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any shares of our Class A Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the price per share received by GEFAHI in such sale by GEFAHI, (2) engage in any derivative security transaction with respect to shares of our common stock (including a derivative security such as an option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right) that would be equivalent economically to a transaction of the type described in clause (1), or (3) agree to do any of the foregoing. This amendment will be effective concurrently with the closing of this offering and the stock repurchase.

 

Transition Services Agreement

 

We entered into a transition services agreement with GE in connection with the IPO to provide each other, on a transitional basis, certain administrative and support services and other assistance in the U.S. consistent with the services provided before the separation. To comply with European regulatory requirements, we entered into a similar transition services agreement relating to transition services in Europe with respect to our payment protection insurance business. We refer to these agreements collectively as the Transition Services Agreement.

 

Pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, we provide GE various services related to the businesses not transferred to us that had received services from GEFAHI prior to the separation. GE also provides certain support services to us, including treasury, payroll, human resources, legal and related services, information systems various corporate services and procurement and sourcing support. GE has agreed to pay us $40 million in equal quarterly installments during each of the first two years after the IPO for our provision of transition services to GE. The charges for the transition services generally are intended to allow the providing company to fully recover the allocated direct costs of providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses,

 

214


Table of Contents

generally without profit. The agreement also provides that certain one-time costs associated with enabling us to provide the services to ourselves or to receive them directly from a third party will, up to an agreed upon cap, be borne by GE.

 

Under the Transition Services Agreement, we and GE each have the right to purchase goods or services, use intellectual property licensed from third parties and realize other benefits and rights under the other party’s agreements with third-party vendors to the extent allowed by such vendor agreements. With respect to GE’s Six Sigma program, GE, at no cost to us, will ensure that we will be able to continue to use our Six Sigma program in a manner consistent with our use prior to the completion of the IPO.

 

Under the Transition Services Agreement and other agreements described below, GE is obligated to provide to us a number of services until GE no longer owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. These services include, among others, treasury, tax, payroll, employees benefits, email and other network services. We have been preparing for the transition of these services from GE to us or to third-party providers. We anticipate that we will be in position to complete the transition of those services on or before GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

We also have agreed to provide certain management consulting services to GE for a period of five years. These services include delivering training, providing consultation and strategic advice with respect to historical and emerging issues, planning and participating in meetings with rating agencies and regulators, participating in government relations activities and various other activities. In consideration for these services, GE has agreed to pay us a fee of $1 million per month during the first four years following the completion of the IPO and $500,000 per month during the fifth year. The Transitional Services Agreement also contains customary indemnification provisions subject to caps and limitations set forth in the agreement.

 

The services provided under the Transition Services Agreement will terminate at various times specified in the agreement (generally ranging from 3 months to 60 months after the completion of the IPO), but the receiving party may terminate any service by giving at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the provider of the service. However, GE may not, without our consent, terminate the receipt of any service without cause prior to the expiration of two years from the date of the IPO.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

We entered into a registration rights agreement with GE in connection with the IPO to provide GE with registration rights relating to shares of our common stock held by GE after the IPO. We refer to this agreement as the Registration Rights Agreement. GE may assign its rights under the Registration Rights Agreement to any person that acquires shares of our common stock subject to the agreement and agrees to be bound by the terms of the agreement. GE and its permitted transferees may require us, subject to certain restrictions, to register under the Securities Act of 1933 all or any portion of these shares, a so-called “demand request.” This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed pursuant to a demand registration that GE has delivered to us.

 

The demand registration rights are subject to certain limitations. We are not obligated to effect:

 

    a demand registration within 60 days after the effective date of a previous demand registration, other than a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

    a demand registration unless the demand request is for a number of shares with a market value that is equal to at least $150 million; and

 

    more than two demand registrations during the first 12 months after completion of the IPO or more than three demand registrations during any 12-month period thereafter.

 

We may defer the filing of a registration statement after a demand request has been made if (1) at the time of such request we are engaged in confidential business activities, which would be required to be disclosed in the registration statement, and our board of directors determines that such disclosure would be materially detrimental

 

215


Table of Contents

to us and our stockholders, or (2) prior to receiving such request, our board of directors had determined to effect a registered public offering of our securities for our account and we have taken substantial steps to effect such offering. However, with respect to two demand requests only, if GE or any of its affiliates makes a demand request during the two-year period after the completion of the IPO, we will not have the right to defer such demand registration or to not file such registration statement during that period.

 

In addition, GE and its permitted transferees have so-called “piggyback” registration rights, which means that GE and its permitted transferees may include their respective shares in any future registrations of our equity securities, whether or not that registration relates to a primary offering by us or a secondary offering by or on behalf of any of our stockholders.

 

GE or its permitted transferees will pay all costs and expenses in connection with any demand registration. We will pay all costs and expenses in connection with any “piggyback” registration, except underwriting discounts, commissions or fees attributable to the shares of common stock sold by our stockholders.

 

The Registration Rights Agreement sets forth customary registration procedures, including an agreement by us to make our management available for road show presentations in connection with any underwritten offerings. We also agreed to indemnify GE and its permitted transferees with respect to liabilities resulting from untrue statements or omissions in any registration statement used in any such registration, other than untrue statements or omissions resulting from information furnished to us for use in the registration statement by GE or any permitted transferee.

 

The rights of GE and its permitted transferees under the Registration Rights Agreement will remain in effect with respect to the shares covered by the agreement until those shares:

 

    have been sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

    have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

    have been transferred in a transaction where subsequent public distribution of the shares would not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

    are no longer outstanding.

 

In addition, the registration rights under the agreement will cease to apply to a holder other than GE or its affiliates when such holder holds less than 3% of the then outstanding shares covered by the agreement and such shares are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Investment agreements

 

Our U.S. and Bermudan insurance subsidiaries are parties to investment management and services agreements with GEAM, a GE-owned provider of investment management services, that were amended in connection with the IPO. GEAM provides investment management services for our U.S. and Bermudan investment portfolios pursuant to these agreements and investment guidelines approved by the boards of directors of our insurance subsidiaries. We have agreed to pay GEAM a management fee for these services on a quarterly basis equal to a percentage of the value of the assets under management to be paid quarterly in arrears. The percentage is established annually by agreement between GEAM and us and is intended to reflect the cost to GEAM of providing its services.

 

The initial term of our amended agreements with GEAM is three years from the completion of the IPO. We have the option to extend the initial term for up to two additional one-year terms. We also have the right to terminate the amended agreements upon one year’s prior notice to GEAM or immediately upon a change of control of our company. Our amended agreements with GEAM are non-exclusive, and we are permitted to engage unaffiliated investment advisers. After expiration of the initial three-year term, GEAM may terminate the agreements upon the occurrence of certain other specified events.

 

216


Table of Contents

Substantially all the assets of our European payment protection and mortgage insurance businesses are managed by GE Asset Management Limited, GEAM’s affiliate in the U.K., pursuant to agreements that are substantially similar to our agreements with GEAM in the U.S. However, the management fee in our European investment agreements includes an agreed margin of 5% and may be reset if our European companies withdraw more than one-third of their assets in the first year of the agreements or more than two-thirds of their assets in the second year of the agreements.

 

Derivatives Management Services Agreement

 

In 2002, GE Capital, GEFAHI, GEAM and certain of our insurance company subsidiaries that use derivative instruments entered into a derivatives management services agreement and a related administrative services agreement which set forth the parties’ responsibilities with respect to derivatives transactions. Pursuant to this agreement, GE Capital agreed to execute, manage and administer derivatives transactions on behalf of our insurance company subsidiaries and to delegate authority to perform these services to GEAM, as investment adviser to those subsidiaries. GEFAHI agreed, as necessary, to provide guarantees on behalf of the insurance company subsidiaries for the benefit of derivative counterparties.

 

In connection with the IPO, we, GE Capital, and our insurance company subsidiaries that use derivative instruments entered into a new derivatives management services agreement on substantially the same terms as the prior agreement, except that GE Capital may delegate authority to execute, manage and administer derivatives transactions to us, rather than to GEAM, which will no longer manage our derivatives. In addition, we, rather than GEFAHI, are responsible for providing any required guarantees to derivative counterparties unless otherwise agreed by GE Capital and us. We do not expect to pay any compensation to GE Capital under the derivatives management services agreement, other than reimbursement of GE Capital’s expenses, if any. The derivatives management services agreement automatically renews on January 1 of each year for successive terms of one year. The derivatives management services agreement may be terminated by either GE Capital or us during the initial term or any renewal term upon 60 days’ prior written notice. Both the derivatives management services agreement and the related administrative services agreement will automatically terminate when GE ceases to beneficially own at least 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Asset Management Services

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we offered a broad range of institutional asset management services to third parties. GEAM provided the portfolio management services for this business, and we provided marketing, sales and support services. We did not acquire the institutional asset management services business from GEFAHI, but pursuant to an agreement among GEAM, GEFAHI and us, we have agreed to continue to provide services to GEAM and GEFAHI related to this asset management business, including client introduction services, asset retention services and compliance support. GEFAHI has agreed to pay us a fee of up to $10 million per year for four years to provide these services. The fee will be determined based upon the level of third-party assets under management managed by GEAM over the four-year term following the completion of the IPO.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, we received an aggregate of $10 million for services provided pursuant to the Asset Management Agreement.

 

In the ordinary course of business, we regularly bid on and issue GICs that are purchased by third parties in their capacity as trustee of a GE-affiliated fund. Outstanding balances of these GICs were $8 million and $16 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

In the ordinary course of business, our structured settlement annuity contracts sold through independent third-party brokers are issued to GE and its affiliates to fund settlements related to liability claims for personal injury or workers compensation coverages. Sales were $33 million, $39 million and $38 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

217


Table of Contents

We offer asset management services to affluent individual investors and we retain investment advisors to recommend securities for our separately managed advisory services. We paid $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 to a GE affiliate in connection with these services. We no longer retain that GE affiliate as a portfolio adviser.

 

Liability and Portfolio Management Services

 

We entered into three liability and portfolio management agreements with affiliates of GE, effective as of January 1, 2004. We refer to these agreements as the Liability and Portfolio Management Agreements. Pursuant to two of the Liability and Portfolio Management Agreements we manage a pool of municipal guaranteed investment contracts issued by Trinity Plus Funding Company, LLC and Trinity Funding Company, LLC, which we refer to collectively as Trinity. Pursuant to these agreements, we have agreed to originate GIC liabilities, advise Trinity as to the investment of the assets that support these liabilities, administer these assets and assist Trinity in hedging its portfolio.

 

Under each of the Trinity Liability and Portfolio Management Agreements, we are entitled to receive an administration fee at a rate equal to 0.165% per annum of the maximum program size for those GE affiliates, which is $15 billion. We also receive reimbursement of our operating expenses under each of these agreements. Trinity can terminate each Liability and Portfolio Management Agreement in the event that Trinity exercises its option to replace substantially all of its portfolio with GE Capital debt, upon the payment of a break-up fee equal to 0.165% per annum of the program size, multiplied by the percentage derived by dividing the number of days remaining in the initial three-year term of each agreement by 365.

 

We also entered into a Liability and Portfolio Management Agreement with GE Capital and with GE Funding Capital Market Services, Inc., a GE affiliate, which we refer to as GE Funding. Pursuant to this agreement, we agreed to provide liability management and other services relating to GE Funding’s origination and issuance of guaranteed investment contracts or similar liabilities. Under this Liability Management and Portfolio Agreement, we receive a management fee of 0.10% per annum of the book value of the investment contracts or similar securities issued by GE Funding after January 1, 2003, which was $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2004. The fee we receive on the contracts issued by GE Funding before January 1, 2003 will be based upon a pricing arrangement that varies depending upon the maturities of those contracts and GE Funding’s cost of capital. The book value of the contracts issued before January 1, 2003 was $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2004 and generated a weighted average fee of approximately 0.35% in 2005. We also receive reimbursement of our operating expenses under each of the Liability and Portfolio Management Agreements.

 

The initial term of each Liability and Portfolio Management Agreement will expire December 31, 2006, and unless terminated at the option of either party, each agreement automatically will renew on January 1 of each year for successive terms of one year. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we received an aggregate of $34 million from Trinity and GE Funding pursuant to the Liability and Portfolio Management Agreements.

 

In addition to providing hedging services for Trinity’s GIC liabilities, pursuant to a hedging services agreement, we also provide hedging, structuring and accounting for certain loans originated by an affiliate of GE prior to their securitization. We do not receive a fee for providing these services, although GE reimburses us for our costs, which are less than $1 million per year. This hedging services agreement has a two-year term beginning in November 2004 and, unless terminated at the option of either party, will renew for successive terms of one year.

 

Agreement regarding continued reinsurance by Viking

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, Viking Insurance Company, one of our subsidiaries, and GE Capital entered into an agreement relating to the continued engagement of Viking as reinsurer of credit insurance covering the credit card accounts of certain customers of GE Capital’s GE Consumer Finance—Americas unit, or GECFA, and as reinsurer of collateral protection insurance purchased by GE’s Vendor Financial Services unit, or

 

218


Table of Contents

VFS. This agreement provides that GE Capital will cause GECFA to take all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the existing relationship with the relevant insurer and to retain Viking as the reinsurer of the credit insurance provided or offered by GECFA. To the extent that GE terminates or replaces this credit insurance program, GE Capital will be obligated to pay Viking an amount equal to the net underwriting income that Viking was projected to receive as the reinsurer of such terminated or replaced credit insurance from the time of such termination or replacement through December 31, 2008. This agreement will terminate no later than December 31, 2008. If, however, Viking continues to reinsure GECFA credit insurance or VFS collateral protection insurance beyond December 31, 2008, Viking will be obligated to pay to GE Capital 90% of Viking’s net underwriting income on such reinsured business, and GE Capital will be obligated to pay to Viking 110% of Viking’s net underwriting loss on such reinsured business.

 

Mortgage Services Agreement

 

We entered into a mortgage services agreement with GE Mortgage Services, an affiliate of GE. Under this agreement, we have agreed to provide a variety of management services to GE Mortgage Services until December 31, 2005, for which GE Mortgage Services will reimburse us for our actual personnel and other expenses incurred. In addition, GE Mortgage Services will manage and service any residential loans that it agrees to purchase from us from time to time in connection with the loss mitigation activities of our U.S. mortgage insurance business, for which we have agreed to reimburse GE Mortgage Services for its out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition and disposition of those loans and to indemnify it for any losses relating to those loans. We also have agreed to purchase from GE Mortgage Services at fair market value any residential loans (or real estate resulting from foreclosure thereon) that it still holds at the termination of the Mortgage Services Agreement.

 

Arrangements regarding our operations in India

 

In connection with the IPO, we entered into an outsourcing services separation agreement with GE Capital International Services, or GECIS, an affiliate of GE. We refer to this as the Outsourcing Services Separation Agreement. Our arrangement with GECIS provides us with a substantial team of professionals in India who provide a variety of services to us, including customer service, transaction processing, and functional support including finance, investment research, actuarial, risk and marketing resources to our insurance operations.

 

On December 30, 2004, GE completed the sale of a 60% interest in GECIS to an acquisition vehicle owned by funds of General Atlantic Partners, LLC and Oak Hill Capital Partners, L.P. In connection with that sale, we entered into a consideration agreement, pursuant to which (1) we received consideration of $40 million from an affiliate of GE, and (2) we entered into an outsourcing services amendment agreement, which we refer to as the Service Agreement, with GECIS’s parent company, Gecis International Holdings, Luxembourg, Swiss Branch Zug, which we refer to as GIH. Pursuant to the Service Agreement, we committed to purchase a minimum volume of services from GIH during an eight-year period. Our minimum volume commitment during each of the first five years of the Service Agreement will be $24 million, and our minimum volume commitment during the sixth, seventh and eighth years will be $18 million, $12 million and $6 million, respectively. In addition, we have agreed (1) to irrevocably waive our rights to acquire certain assets of GECIS, (2) to irrevocably waive certain non-compete rights with respect to GECIS and (3) to cause our subsidiaries to enter into new servicing agreements with GIH to replace existing service agreements, subject to the receipt of any required regulatory approvals.

 

Tax Matters Agreement

 

We entered into the Tax Matters Agreement with GE in connection with the IPO. The Tax Matters Agreement, among other things, governs our continuing tax sharing arrangements with GE relating to pre-separation periods, and also allocates responsibility and benefits associated with the elections made in connection with the separation as described below. The Tax Matters Agreement also allocates rights, obligations and responsibilities in connection with certain administrative matters relating to taxes.

 

219


Table of Contents

Tax elections

 

In connection with our separation from GE, GE has made, and we have joined GE in making, tax elections under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code that treat (for tax purposes) many of the companies in our group as having sold all their assets in fully taxable sales in connection with our IPO. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE controls the making of these elections and related determinations. GE also is responsible for all current taxes resulting from the making of these tax elections.

 

Tax benefit payments

 

As a result of the section 338 tax elections, we will be entitled to certain tax savings that are expected to be realized by us over time in the ordinary course of our business and that otherwise would not have been available to us, which we refer to as the Noncontingent Benefits. These tax savings initially will be recorded on our balance sheet as a $718 million reduction in net deferred income tax liabilities. We are obligated, pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, to pay to GE, on an after-tax basis, 80% of the amount of tax, subject to a maximum amount, that we are projected to save for each tax period as a result of these increased tax benefits. The present value of this obligation to GE is approximately $389 million, and we have recorded this liability on our balance sheet as well. Although these amounts reflect considered judgments and assessments as to the underlying facts and assumptions, the amounts remain subject to change if, in the future, these facts or assumptions are not borne out. However, we have agreed with GE that, with certain exceptions relating to specified contingent benefits and excluding interest on payments we defer, our total payments to GE for these Noncontingent Benefits will not exceed $640 million.

 

The amount of our obligation under the Tax Matters Agreement generally will be reduced (or, subject to the $640 million cap, increased) as a result of a change in the tax returns on which the section 338 sales are reported. However, if, and to the extent, our actual tax savings are less than the projected tax savings because we fail to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character or because tax rates are reduced, we will remain obligated to pay to GE 80% of the projected tax savings (as opposed to actual savings). In such circumstances, we generally will have the option to defer the payments until as late as 2029, in which case we will incur interest on the deferred amount at the rate of 5.72%, or to make the payments before 2029 from sources other than the projected tax savings.

 

There also may be circumstances in which we do realize projected tax savings, but we realize the savings later than projected. If this occurs as a result of a change in the tax returns on which the section 338 sales are reported, our payment schedule to GE generally will be adjusted to correspond to the timing of our actual realization of the tax savings. In certain circumstances, however, we may realize tax savings later than projected in calculating the schedule of corresponding payments to GE, but our payment schedule to GE would not be changed. In these circumstances we will remain obligated to pay amounts to GE even before we realize the corresponding tax savings, although we can choose to defer such payments. There are two categories of such circumstances. First, in certain limited instances the Tax Matters Agreement establishes binding factual assumptions pursuant to which we are scheduled to make payments to GE in advance of the time we currently anticipate realizing the corresponding tax savings. As noted below, we will have the option to defer these scheduled payments until we actually realize the corresponding tax savings; if we choose to defer the payments in question until we actually realize the corresponding tax savings, we estimate that we would incur additional interest expense of approximately $25 million over the life of the Tax Matters Agreement. The second, broader category of such circumstances are those situations in which our actual tax savings are delayed beyond the time we currently project for any reason other than a change in the tax returns on which the section 338 sales are reported. It is also possible that unanticipated changes could result in our being obligated to make payments to GE earlier than scheduled; if we realize tax savings and make corresponding payments to GE earlier than scheduled, GE would owe us interest, at 5.72% per annum, for the length of time by which the payment was accelerated.

 

In any of these situations in which we are obligated to make payments to GE before we realize the corresponding tax savings, we have the option to defer making the scheduled payments to GE until we actually

 

220


Table of Contents

realize the corresponding tax savings. Such deferred payments would bear interest at the rate of 5.72% per annum. We may also, at our option, defer payment of any interest on these deferred amounts until 2029, in which case the deferred interest payments would bear interest at the rate of 5.72% per annum. The payments in respect of the Noncontingent Benefits are subordinated in right of payment to all of our debt and other obligations.

 

In addition to Noncontingent Benefits under the Tax Matters Agreement, we have agreed to share equally with GE certain benefits or detriments, which we refer to as the Contingent Amounts, that generally will not be realized absent an intervening event we do not specifically foresee, such as the sale of a subsidiary. Contingent Amounts also include tax benefits resulting from deductions attributable to compensation amounts to be funded by GE for our employees, which include the exercise by our employees of GE stock options as well as amounts under GE-sponsored deferred compensation arrangements. In connection with these GE-funded compensation amounts, we anticipate that the Noncontingent Benefits we subsequently realize will be reduced without a corresponding reduction in the amount we owe to GE in respect of Noncontingent Benefits. Payments by us in respect of the Contingent Amounts are not subject to the $640 million limit on our payments in respect of Noncontingent Benefits under the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

Under our Tax Matters Agreement with GE, if any person or group of persons other than GE or its affiliates gains the power to direct the management and policies of our company (other than through a sale of our stock by GE), we could become obligated immediately to pay to GE the total present value of all tax benefit payments due to GE under the agreement from the time of the change in control until the end of the 25-year term of the agreement. Similarly, if any person or group of persons other than us or our affiliates gains effective control of one of our subsidiaries (other than through a sale of our stock by GE), we could become obligated to pay to GE the total present value of all such payments due to GE allocable to that subsidiary, unless the subsidiary assumes the obligation to pay these future amounts under the Tax Matters Agreement and certain conditions are met. The acceleration of payments would be subject to the approval of certain state insurance regulators, and we are obligated to use our reasonable best efforts to seek these approvals.

 

As a result of these obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement, we will be entitled to retain a portion of the tax savings generated by the section 338 elections. If for any reason, however, some or all of the elections are invalidated for any reason (for example, if GE fails to divest itself of the requisite amount of our stock within the time period specified in the tax ruling obtained in connection with the IPO), then all or a portion of the tax savings would not be realized. See “Ownership of Common Stock.”

 

Tax sharing arrangements

 

Prior to the IPO, we were party to a number of tax sharing arrangements, both formal and informal, with the GE group. Under these arrangements, the companies in our group shared financial and administrative responsibilities with GE for U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes for the periods during which we are affiliated. In certain respects, the Tax Matters Agreement governs our continuing tax sharing arrangements with GE relating to pre-separation periods and provides that tax sharing between us and GE not governed by any existing written agreements will be governed by existing tax sharing practices in place within GE at the time of our separation from GE, as determined in GE’s reasonable discretion.

 

Under these arrangements, we generally remain responsible for all taxes arising in pre-separation periods attributable to our companies (excluding any tax resulting from the section 338 elections and certain other transactions done in connection with the separation). GE will generally control both the return preparation and audits and contests relating to pre-separation periods and taxes for which we are responsible, although we will not be liable for tax resulting from returns filed or matters settled by GE without our consent if the return or settlement position is found to be unreasonable, taking into account the liability that we incur as well as any non-Genworth tax benefit.

 

From 2000 until a time immediately prior to the pre-separation period, UFLIC was a member of our life insurance consolidated group for federal tax return purposes. Although UFLIC is now owned by GE, UFLIC will, under our tax allocation arrangements with GE, remain responsible for all of its taxes with respect to the

 

221


Table of Contents

time when it was a member of our life insurance consolidated group, including its share of any favorable or unfavorable adjustments by the IRS with respect to such taxes.

 

Under an election to be made by GE, we expect that our life insurance group will join the GE consolidated tax group for the period during 2004 in which we were owned by GE. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE has agreed to reimburse us if this results in any additional cost to us, and we will pay to GE any benefit we may realize as a result of any such tax consolidation.

 

Tax indemnities

 

Under the Tax Matters Agreement, GE has agreed to indemnify us against liability for any tax relating to a pre-separation period not attributable to our group, as well as certain taxes attributable to our group, including any tax resulting from the section 338 elections and the various transactions implemented in connection with the separation (other than the reinsurance transactions with UFLIC). We have agreed to indemnify GE against any liability for all other tax attributable to our group.

 

International tax matters agreements

 

We entered into tax matters agreements with GE in connection with the IPO that cover certain non-U.S. operations which are not part of the Tax Matters Agreement described above. These agreements vary according to the jurisdiction involved but generally govern our continuing tax sharing arrangements with GE relating to pre-separation periods, as necessary, and also allocate certain rights, obligations and responsibilities in connection with certain administrative matters relating to taxes.

 

Under the Canadian tax matters agreement, GE had the right to direct our Canadian mortgage insurance subsidiary to accelerate and pay approximately CDN$74 million of deferred taxes, and it exercised that right in December 2004. To fund the payment of these taxes, GE provided us with a $60 million interest-free loan, which we will repay as our Canadian mortgage subsidiary recovers the accelerated tax by reducing its future tax installments. We expect that the loan will be repaid in full by December 2005.

 

Under the Australian tax matters agreement, we assumed from GE the liability for taxes in pre-closing periods of the company through which we formerly conducted our Australian mortgage insurance business.

 

Employee Matters Agreement

 

We entered into an agreement with GE in connection with the IPO relating to certain employee, compensation and benefits matters. We refer to this agreement as the Employee Matters Agreement. Under the Employee Matters Agreement, we generally assumed or retained, and agreed to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in accordance with their respective terms, obligations and liabilities relating to the employment or services, or termination of employment or services, of any person with respect to our business before or after the completion of the IPO.

 

Continuation on GE payroll and in GE plans. Prior to the IPO, some of the employees of our business were paid through GE’s payroll system and were covered under GE plans. These employees generally will continue to be paid through GE’s payroll system and be eligible to participate in the GE plans for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. GE plans include retirement programs providing pension, 401(k), health and life insurance benefits; medical, dental and vision benefits for active employees; disability and life insurance protection; and severance. For our applicable non-U.S. employees, benefit transition may be delayed, by mutual agreement between GE and us, for up to six months following the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. We refer to this date as the International Benefit Transition Date.

 

Compensation. Until at least one year after the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, our employees will receive at least the same (on an aggregate basis) salary, wages,

 

222


Table of Contents

bonus opportunities and, in the case of our non-U.S. employees, other compensation, as were provided to such employees prior to the completion of the IPO.

 

Equity/long-term performance award and incentive compensation plans. In connection with the IPO, we established plans for selected employees providing for cash or other bonus awards, stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, other equity-related awards and long-term performance awards. However, certain of our employees continue to participate in the GE Incentive Compensation Plan based on our company- and individual-specific performance measures, and our corresponding plan providing for annual cash or other bonus awards will not become effective until the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Reimbursement to GE. We have agreed to reimburse GE for the costs, including expenses, incurred by GE and its affiliates for maintaining our employees on the GE payroll and in the GE plans consistent with practices and procedures established and uniformly applied to GE businesses. In no event will we be billed more for the services relating to maintaining our U.S. employees in the GE plans than the cost we would have incurred if we had established mirror plans for our U.S. employees in connection with the IPO until the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. We also have agreed to reimburse GE for the reasonable costs incurred by GE and its affiliates for cooperating in the operation and administration of our plans, including our plans providing for stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, other equity-related awards and long-term performance awards, consistent with practices and procedures established for such plans in effect prior to the completion of the IPO, or, in the event of a new plan, on a cost liquidation basis.

 

Transition to our benefit plans. Effective as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, our U.S. employees will cease to participate in the GE plans and will participate in employee benefit plans established and maintained by us. For at least the year following the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will maintain plans that will provide our employees with benefits that are at least substantially comparable in the aggregate to the value of those benefits provided by the GE plans immediately prior to the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock. Our plans will include retirement programs providing pension, 401(k), health and life insurance benefits; medical, dental and vision benefits for active employees; disability and life insurance protection; and severance. We will recognize prior GE service for all purposes (except benefit accrual under our pension plan) under our new plans and programs to the same extent such service is recognized under corresponding GE plans.

 

After completion of the IPO, we assumed or continued benefit plans for our non-U.S. employees. If applicable, effective as of the International Benefit Transition Date, we will establish new benefit plans for our non-U.S. employees that, together with any benefit plans we assume or continue, will provide such non-U.S. employees with benefits that are at least substantially comparable in the aggregate to the value of those benefits provided by the benefit plans in effect immediately prior to the International Benefit Transition Date. In addition, the benefits or employment practices provided by us to our non-U.S. employees will be at such level and design so that no severance or similar payment to such non-U.S. employees will be triggered, and will comply with applicable law. In the event that any such severance or similar payment is triggered under a GE plan, we will reimburse GE for such amounts. We will maintain these existing or new plans for our non-U.S. employees for a period of at least one year following the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock (or such longer period required by applicable law or practice).

 

Treatment of our U.S. employees under certain GE plans. Effective as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, (1) our employees will cease to accrue any benefits under the GE retirement plans and (2) our employees will fully vest in the GE retirement plans. However, with respect to the GE Supplementary Pension Plan, only those employees who have at least ten years of qualified pension service as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock will vest in such plan. GE will be responsible for paying directly to our eligible employees (including their surviving spouses and beneficiaries) any vested benefits to which they are entitled under the GE retirement plans when eligible under the terms of such plans to receive such payments.

 

223


Table of Contents

GE generally remains obligated to provide post-retirement welfare benefits under the GE Life, Disability and Medical Plan, consistent with the terms of the plan as in effect from time to time, to our employees and their eligible dependents who, as of the date GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, are participants in such plan and either (1) have completed 25 years of continuous service or pension qualified service with us, our affiliates and their respective predecessors or (2) have attained at least 60 years of age and have completed at least ten years of continuous service, in either case upon such employee’s election to participate in the GE Life, Disability and Medical Plan. Participation by our employees will be under circumstances and at the applicable contribution levels entitling them to receive such benefits pursuant to the terms of the GE Life, Disability and Medical Plan. GE will be responsible for paying directly to our eligible employees and their eligible dependents any post-retirement welfare benefits pursuant to such coverage. We will have certain reimbursement obligations to GE.

 

GE generally retains responsibility under the GE plans that are welfare benefit plans in which our employees participate with respect to all amounts that are payable by reason of, or in connection with, any and all welfare benefit claims made by such employees and their eligible dependents to the extent the claims were incurred prior to the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

We will have certain obligations for reimbursing GE for any payments of welfare benefits made by GE or its affiliates on or after the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock to our eligible employees and their eligible dependents pursuant to any self-insured GE plans with respect to claims incurred up to the day before the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, or any payments of welfare benefits made by GE or its affiliates on or after the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock to our eligible employees who are inactive as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock and their eligible dependents pursuant to any self-insured GE plans with respect to claims incurred the day before such employees’ return to active employment with us. In addition, we will have certain obligations for reimbursing GE for any payments of premiums made by GE or its affiliates on behalf of our eligible employees who are inactive as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock and their eligible dependents pursuant to any insured GE plans with respect to coverage ending the day before such employees’ return to active employment with us. We will otherwise be responsible for welfare benefit claims made by our employees and their eligible dependents to the extent such claims were incurred on or after the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

Agreements not to solicit or hire GE’s or our employees. We have agreed with GE that for so long as GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, neither of us will, directly or indirectly, solicit or hire for employment each other’s employees. In addition, we have agreed that for a period of one year from the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment certain individuals employed by GE. Finally, we have agreed that for a period of two years from the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment any officer of GE.

 

GE has agreed that for a period of one year from the date that it ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, it will not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment certain individuals employed by us. For a period of two years from the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, GE has agreed that it will not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment any person employed by us who was an officer of GE prior to such date.

 

The foregoing restrictions will not prohibit GE or us from soliciting or hiring any employee subject to such restrictions after the termination of the employee’s employment by the applicable employer. We and GE will also not be prohibited from placing public advertisements or conducting any other form of general solicitation for employees so long as it is not specifically targeted towards each other’s employees that are subject to such restrictions.

 

224


Table of Contents

Intellectual Property Arrangements

 

We entered into the following two intellectual property license agreements with GE in connection with the IPO:

 

    A Transitional Trademark License Agreement; and

 

    An Intellectual Property Cross-License.

 

Transitional Trademark License Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Transitional Trademark License Agreement, GE granted us a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable license (with no right to sublicense) to use the “GE” mark and monogram for up to five years throughout the world and in any medium in connection with our commercialized products and services and in the general promotion of our business. These products and services include both those currently sold or rendered in the current conduct of our business, and products and services sold or rendered by us in the future that are the same as or similar to those we currently sell or render.

 

We have agreed not to use the “GE” mark and monogram in the underwriting or marketing of primary life insurance in the U.K. (other than credit life insurance underwriting) or asset management services or products (other than asset management services or products sold on behalf of GE or otherwise currently being marketed or offered by us). GE also granted us the right to use “GE”, “General Electric” or “GE Capital” in the corporate names of our subsidiaries until the earlier of twelve months after the date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock and five years from the date of the agreement (May 24, 2009).

 

Intellectual Property Cross-License

 

Pursuant to the Intellectual Property Cross-License, we and GE granted each other a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free, fully paid-up, worldwide, perpetual license under certain intellectual property rights that we each own or license. The license allows us and GE to make, have made, use, sell, have sold, import and otherwise commercialize products and services, and to use and practice the licensed intellectual property rights for internal purposes. Each party will only be able to sublicense its license rights to acquirors of its businesses, operations or assets, and only assign its license rights to an acquiror of all or substantially of its assets or equity or the surviving entity in its merger, consolidation, equity exchange or reorganization. Each party may permit its customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business to use any training and productivity-enhancing software and documentation that is subject to the license granted by the other person and is for general use by customers and suppliers. Each party will own any modifications, derivative works and improvements it creates.

 

Credit Card Services

 

We recently entered into two agreements with GE Corporate Payment Services, or GECPS, relating to our global credit card programs. We selected GECPS after a competitive process and believe that terms of these credit card agreements are comparable to those we could obtain from other providers.

 

Under these agreements, GECPS will issue credit cards for our employees to use in connection with travel and entertainment expenses and other business purchasing expenses. As the issuing bank of the credit cards, GECPS will retain a customary percentage of amounts charged to the credit cards as a transaction fee. The aggregate amount of transaction fees received by GECPS will depend on the volume of credit card usage, and will be partially offset by payments made to us by GECPS in consideration of our exclusive use of GECPS’s credit cards in the U.S. The term of each agreement is three years. We may terminate either agreement for convenience upon 30 days’ notice, whereby we are obligated to pay GECPS the unearned portion of a contingent signing payment.

 

225


Table of Contents

Contingent Note

 

As part of the consideration for the assets that GEFAHI transferred to us in connection with our IPO, we issued to GEFAHI the $550 million Contingent Note. We were required to repay the Contingent Note solely to the extent that statutory contingency reserves from our U.S. mortgage insurance business in excess of $150 million were released and paid to us as a dividend. The release of these reserves and payment of the dividend were subject to statutory limitations, regulatory approvals and other conditions. In July 2004, we amended the Contingent Note to provide that we were required to use reasonable best efforts to achieve the satisfaction of such conditions and to repay the Contingent Note by December 31, 2004. We received from GEFAHI a payment of $0.6 million to reimburse us for costs in consideration of that effort.

 

On December 23, 2004, all conditions to the release of statutory contingency reserves from our U.S. mortgage insurance business and the payment of a dividend by that business to us were satisfied. As a result, on December 23, 2004, our U.S. mortgage insurance business paid a $700 million dividend to us, and we used a portion of the dividend proceeds to repay the Contingent Note in full.

 

Stock Purchase Agreement

 

On March 14, 2005, we entered into a stock purchase agreement with GEFAHI, GE, GE Capital and GEI, Inc., pursuant to which we agreed to purchase from GEFAHI, concurrently with the closing of this offering, $500 million of our Class B Common Stock at a price per share equal to the net proceeds per share that GEFAHI will receive from the underwriters in this offering. We refer to this agreement as the Stock Purchase Agreement. We will finance the stock repurchase with cash available at our holding company. The closing of the repurchase will be contingent on the closing of this offering.

 

Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, we also agreed to amend the Master Agreement to add a provision to provide that until the date that is at least 185 days after the date of the consummation of a sale by GEFAHI of shares of our Class B Common Stock that results in GEFAHI owning less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, we will not, without the prior written consent of GE, (1) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any shares of our Class A Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the price per share received by GEFAHI in such sale by GEFAHI, (2) engage in any derivative security transaction with respect to shares of our common stock (including a derivative security such as an option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right) that would be equivalent economically to a transaction of the type described in clause (1), or (3) agree to do any of the foregoing. This amendment will be effective concurrently with the closing of this offering and the stock repurchase.

 

In addition, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, GEFAHI agreed to deliver to us, upon the closing of this offering and the stock repurchase, (1) an irrevocable consent to permit us to effect acquisitions for consideration of up to $1 billion at any time that GEFAHI owns 45% or less of our outstanding common stock, and (2) an irrevocable proxy to permit us to vote GEFAHI’s shares of Class B Common Stock in favor of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation in the event that we elect to amend our certificate of incorporation to permit such acquisitions without GE’s consent. Our certificate of incorporation currently provides that until the first date on which GE beneficially owns less than 20% of Genworth’s outstanding common stock, the prior affirmative vote or written consent of GE is required for any acquisition for consideration of more than $700 million. See “Description of Capital Stock—Approval Rights of Holders of Class B Common Stock.”

 

Both we and GEFAHI have the right to terminate the Stock Purchase Agreement if this offering is not consummated prior to April 4, 2005.

 

226


Table of Contents

Reinsurance Transactions

 

General

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions. We refer to these transactions as the Reinsurance Transactions. In the Reinsurance Transactions, we ceded to UFLIC the following business:

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force structured settlement annuities reflected as policyholder reserves on our U.S. GAAP statement of financial position on December 31, 2003, or reinsured by us under reinsurance agreements in effect prior to January 1, 2004. This business had aggregate reserves of $11.8 billion as of December 31, 2004.

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force variable annuity contracts reflected as policyholder reserves on our U.S. GAAP statement of financial position on December 31, 2003, other than our GERA product and a limited number of variable annuity products that we no longer offer. UFLIC will also assume any benefit or expense resulting from third party reinsurance that we have on this business. This business had aggregate general account reserves of $2.7 billion as of December 31, 2004.

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force long-term care insurance policies issued by Travelers prior to January 1, 2004 and reinsured by us. This business had aggregate reserves of $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2004.

 

For each of these ceded blocks of business, we paid UFLIC an initial reinsurance premium, and UFLIC paid us a ceding commission. With respect to the structured settlement and long-term care blocks, the initial reinsurance premium was equal to our statutory reserves with respect to the ceded business. With respect to the variable annuity business, the initial reinsurance premium was equal to only those statutory reserves that were attributable to the general account portion of the variable annuity business. We have retained the assets that are attributable to the separate account portion of the variable annuity business and will make any payments with respect to that separate account portion directly from these assets.

 

The ceding commission for each of the blocks was the sum of the following (in each case excluding, where applicable, any related mark-to-market adjustments for SFAS 115 requirements):

 

    an amount (which may be negative) equal to the excess of (1) our statutory general account reserves with respect to the ceded block as of the close of business on December 31, 2003 over (2) our U.S. GAAP general account reserves with respect to the ceded block of business as of such date;

 

    an amount equal to our unamortized PVFP intangible asset balance with respect to the ceded block as of the close of business on December 31, 2003, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP;

 

    an amount equal to our unamortized DAC with respect to the ceded block as of the close of business on December 31, 2003, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP;

 

    an amount (which may be negative) equal to the excess of the U.S. GAAP book value of the assets transferred to UFLIC in payment of the initial reinsurance premium with respect to the ceded block over the statutory book value of those assets measured as of the close of business on December 31, 2003; and

 

    with respect to the long-term care block only, an amount equal to the balance, as of the close of business on December 31, 2003, of the Loss Carry Forward Amount under our reinsurance agreement with Travelers, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

The ceding commission was netted against the initial reinsurance premium and we transferred to UFLIC invested assets (including interest thereon) with a statutory book value equal to the amount by which the reinsurance premium exceeded the ceding commission, together with an amount equal to the cash flows on such invested assets between January 1, 2004 and the date of transfer of such invested assets. The fair value of the transferred assets was $16.0 billion at the time of transfer.

 

227


Table of Contents

In addition, UFLIC ceded to us all of its liabilities under substantially all in-force Medicare supplement insurance policies it issued prior to January 1, 2004 or reinsured under reinsurance agreements in effect prior to January 1, 2004, including renewals of these policies. This business had aggregate reserves of $16 million as of December 31, 2004. We assumed responsibility for the administration of the Medicare supplement business we reinsure, including claims administration.

 

The Reinsurance Transactions were completed prior to our corporate reorganization and the IPO and were accounted for at book value for financial reporting purposes. At the time the reinsurance agreements were executed, UFLIC was a wholly owned subsidiary. As a result, the initial ceded premium, benefits and commissions were eliminated in consolidation.

 

Under the reinsurance agreements with UFLIC, we continue to be responsible for the administration of the three blocks of businesses we ceded, including paying claims and benefits in accordance with our current policy administration practices. To fund the payment of claims under the structured settlement and long-term care business, UFLIC has established and periodically funds claims paying accounts from which we are entitled to withdraw funds. To reimburse us for claims under the variable annuity business, UFLIC established a settlement account by which we and UFLIC settle contractholder amounts due each other on a daily basis. UFLIC pays us a monthly expense allowance to reimburse us for our expenses in administering this business. The expense allowance is a specified amount per policy that is subject to subsequent adjustments in accordance with methodologies and procedures agreed to by us and UFLIC. The expense allowance with respect to the long-term care business is based on a per policy fee, as well as on the level of pending or open claims.

 

UFLIC will be entitled to assume responsibility for administration of the structured settlement and variable annuity blocks and the long-term care policies that are novated to us, as described below, if (1) a voluntary or involuntary conservation, rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding is commenced in any jurisdiction by or against us, (2) there is a material breach by us that is not cured or (3) we are unable to perform the administration for a prescribed period of time. In addition, 15 years after the effective date of the Reinsurance Transactions, UFLIC will be entitled to assume administration of this business at its own expense. In these cases, the expense allowances described above payable to us will terminate.

 

To secure the payment of its obligations to us under these reinsurance agreements, UFLIC has agreed to establish trust accounts and to maintain in these trust accounts an aggregate amount of assets with a statutory book value at least equal to the statutory general account reserves attributable to the reinsured business less an amount equal to the amounts required to be held in the claims paying accounts described above. A trustee administers the trust accounts solely for our benefit. We are permitted to withdraw from the trust accounts any amount due to us pursuant to the terms of the applicable reinsurance agreements and not otherwise paid by UFLIC. Quarterly, UFLIC is required to contribute assets to the trust accounts if the statutory book value of the assets held in the trust accounts is less than the statutory general account reserves attributable to the reinsured business (less amounts in the claims paying accounts) or we are required to withdraw from the trust accounts and pay to UFLIC any amounts held in the trust accounts that exceed the statutory general account reserves attributable to the reinsured business (less amounts in the claims paying accounts). UFLIC is not permitted to directly withdraw or substitute assets in the trust without our prior written consent. There are limits on the types of assets UFLIC is permitted to place in the trust account. All interest, dividends and other income earned on the assets in the trust account is the property of UFLIC and is deposited in a bank account maintained by UFLIC outside of the trust.

 

Novation of Travelers long-term care block

 

The long-term care insurance we ceded to UFLIC originally was written by Travelers, and Travelers retains direct liability for these policies. In connection with the transaction pursuant to which we reinsured Travelers’ liability for this business, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to “novate” these policies not later than July 31, 2008. The effect of this novation will be to substitute us for Travelers as the insurer with direct liability for any policy for which the owner thereof consents (or is deemed under applicable insurance law to consent) to the novation. The novated policies will continue to be reinsured with UFLIC.

 

228


Table of Contents

Experience refund

 

In addition to the ceding commission we will receive on the long-term care block described above, UFLIC may be required to pay us experience refunds based on the profitability of the long-term care business with respect to the period beginning on the effective date of the long-term care reinsurance agreements and ending on December 31, 2018. Specifically, unless UFLIC assumes the administration of the long-term care insurance block pursuant to the long-term care reinsurance agreements, for so long as we continue to administer all of the long-term care business, we will be entitled to receive a specified percentage of the excess (if any) of actual statutory basis pre-tax income earned on the long-term care business over projected statutory basis pre-tax income earned on that business.

 

Business Services Agreement

 

We entered into a Business Services Agreement with UFLIC pursuant to which we agreed to continue to perform various management and support services with respect to the structured settlements business, the variable annuity business and the long-term care insurance business that we ceded to UFLIC pursuant to the Reinsurance Transactions. In consideration for our performance of these services, we will be reimbursed for expenses incurred in performing such services. These expenses will be subject to annual and tri-annual adjustment. The Business Services Agreement may be terminated by UFLIC if (1) we are unable to perform the services for any reason for thirty 30 consecutive days, other than as a result of a force majeure, or (2) a voluntary or involuntary conservation, rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding is commenced in any jurisdiction by or against us or our subsidiaries and affiliates, but only if the services performed by the subject of such proceeding are not assumed or performed by us or our subsidiaries or affiliates that are not the subject of such proceeding, or (3) there is a willful, material breach by us of our obligations under the agreement, which breach is not cured within a specified period of time. In addition, the Business Services Agreement will terminate with respect to the portion of any business reinsured in the Reinsurance Transactions as to which UFLIC becomes entitled to assume administration as described above under “—Reinsurance Transactions—Business we ceded to UFLIC.”

 

Recapitalization of UFLIC

 

At the time of the closing of the Reinsurance Transactions, GEFAHI made a capital contribution of $1.836 billion to UFLIC. In addition, GE Capital contributed $330 million to GEFAHI, which GEFAHI also contributed to UFLIC for a total contribution of $2.166 billion. This contribution provided UFLIC with additional capital needed to support its reinsurance obligations. GEFAHI obtained the funds to make its portion of the contribution from various sources, including dividends and surplus note redemption payments from several of our subsidiaries, some of which ceded business to UFLIC in the Reinsurance Transactions.

 

Capital Maintenance Agreement with GE Capital

 

Pursuant to a Capital Maintenance Agreement, GE Capital has agreed to maintain sufficient capital in UFLIC to maintain UFLIC’s risk-based capital at not less than 150% of its company action level, as defined from time to time by the NAIC. GE Capital may not assign or amend the Capital Maintenance Agreement without the consent of the ceding companies and their domestic insurance regulators (which consent, in the case of the ceding companies, may not be unreasonably withheld). The Capital Maintenance Agreement terminates at such time as UFLIC’s obligations to us under the reinsurance agreements terminate, or on such other date as may be agreed by UFLIC and GE Capital with the consent of the domestic regulators and us.

 

Administrative Services Agreement

 

In connection with the reinsurance transactions, we entered into an Administrative Services Agreement with UFLIC, pursuant to which we administer certain group and individual insurance policies and contracts that were issued, reinsured or administered by UFLIC, or which had incurred or open claims, on the date that the Administrative Services Agreement became effective. We provide all the administrative services with respect to those insurance policies and contracts, including the billing and collection of premiums and reinsurance premiums, the defense, adjustment, settlement and payment of all claims and the provision of other required

 

229


Table of Contents

business support services. As consideration for our provision of administrative services to UFLIC, UFLIC pays us an expense allowance equal to our actual cost of providing the administrative services, plus a reasonable provision for overhead expenses.

 

The Administrative Services Agreement has an initial two-year term and thereafter automatically renews for one-year terms. UFLIC has the right to terminate the Administrative Services Agreement at the end of any such term upon 90 days’ written notice. If not earlier terminated, the Administrative Services Agreement will terminate in its entirety on the date UFLIC’s liability under all the insurance contracts is terminated in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, we received an aggregate of $0.8 million for services provided pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement.

 

Other Related-Party Transactions

 

Support services provided by GE

 

GE historically has provided a variety of support services for our businesses, and we have reimbursed GE for the costs of providing these services to us. Our total expenses for these services were $65 million, $87 million and $74 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The services we have received from GE include:

 

    Customer service, transaction processing and a variety of functional support services provided by Gecis’s predecessor, for which we incurred expenses of $24 million, $37 million and $26 million, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Employee benefit processing and payroll administration, including relocation, travel, credit card processing, and related services, for which we incurred expenses of $12 million, $10 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Employee training programs, including access to GE training courses and payment for employees in management development programs, for which we incurred expenses of $1 million, $4 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Insurance coverage under the GE insurance program, for which we incurred expenses of $11 million, $17 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Information systems, network and related services, for which we incurred expenses of $11 million, $9 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Leases for vehicles, equipment and facilities, for which we incurred expenses of $4 million, $3 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    Other financial and advisory services such as tax consulting, capital markets services, research and development activities, and trademark licenses, for which we incurred expenses of $2 million, $7 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

GE continues to provide us with many of the support services described above on a transitional basis, and we are arranging to procure other services pursuant to arrangements with third parties or through our own employees. See “—Relationship with GE” above.

 

Allocation of corporate overhead expenses

 

GE historically has allocated to us a share of its corporate overhead expenses for certain services provided to us, which are not specifically billed to us, including public relations, investor relations, treasury, and internal audit services. Our total expense for this allocation was $14 million, $50 million and $49 million, for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We have not reimbursed these amounts to GE, and have recorded them as a capital contribution in each year. Following the completion of the IPO, GE no longer allocates any of its corporate overhead expenses to us.

 

230


Table of Contents

Investment management services

 

We receive investment management and related administrative services provided by GEAM, for which we incurred expenses of $33 million, $61 million and $39 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We are continuing to receive these services pursuant to agreements that were, with limited exceptions, amended in connection with the IPO. See “—Relationship with GE—Investment Agreements.”

 

Employee benefit plans

 

We have reimbursed GE for benefits it provides to our employees under various employee benefit plans.

 

Our employees participate in GE’s retirement plan and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans. Some of our employees also participate in GE’s Supplementary Pension Plan and other retiree benefit plans. We incurred expenses associated with these plans of $57 million, $54 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Our employees participate in GE’s defined contribution savings plan that allows the employees to contribute a portion of their pay to the plan on a pre-tax basis. GE matches 50% of these contributions up to 7% of the employee’s pay. We incurred expenses associated with these plans of $12 million, $14 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

We also provide life and health insurance benefits to our employees through the GE benefit program, as well as through plans sponsored by other GE affiliates. We incurred expenses associated with these plans of $39 million, $41 million and $45 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In addition to the employee benefit expenses for which we have reimbursed GE, we have incurred expenses of $2 million, $9 million and $6 million for certain GE stock option and restricted stock unit grants to certain of our senior executives for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. As in the case of the allocation of corporate overhead, these amounts were not paid to GE and have been recorded as a capital contribution.

 

See notes 13 and 17 to our audited historical financial statements and “Management” and “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Employee Matters Agreement” for information concerning the participation of our employees in GE employee benefit plans prior to and after the completion of the IPO.

 

Reinsurance transactions

 

In addition to our arrangements with UFLIC, we have entered into reinsurance transactions with affiliates of GE under which we have reinsured some of the risks of our insurance policies on terms comparable to those we could obtain from third parties. We have paid premiums to ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation (formerly an affiliate of GE) of $39 million, $56 million and $60 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In addition, in 2002, one of our subsidiaries entered into a life reinsurance agreement with an affiliated company, GE Pensions Limited, to reinsure 95% of our liabilities under certain life insurance policies. We have paid premiums to this affiliate of $100 million and $94 million for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. This agreement was terminated as of December 31, 2003.

 

Credit arrangements and other amounts due from or owed to GE

 

Prior to the completion of the IPO, we had outstanding borrowings from GE pursuant to various credit arrangements. In connection with the IPO, we replaced the lines of credit and revolving credit agreement described below with revolving credit and other debt facilities entered into with unaffiliated third-parties. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Description of Certain Indebtedness.”

 

231


Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2003, we had several notes receivable from various GE affiliates in the aggregate amount of $209 million. These notes were scheduled to mature at various dates through 2017 and bore interest at rates between 5.46% and 6.63%.

 

As of December 31, 2002, our Japanese life insurance business had ¥62.8 billion ($530 million) of long-term borrowings from various GE affiliates. This debt was scheduled to mature at various dates through 2008 and bore interest at rates between 2.25% and 2.64%. This debt has been recorded in liabilities associated with discontinued operations.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had approximately €2 million ($2 million) of notes payable to various GE affiliates. These notes were scheduled to mature in 2011 and 2007 and bore interest at the six-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate and 8.80%.

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we had certain operating receivables of $21 million and $254 million, respectively, and payables of $318 million and $673 million, respectively, with certain affiliated companies.

 

Until the completion of the IPO, we had a line of credit with GE that had an aggregate borrowing limit of $2.5 billion. Outstanding borrowings under this line of credit bore interest at the three-month US$ London Interbank Offered Rate plus 25 basis points. Interest accrued and was settled quarterly, in arrears. We incurred interest expense under this line of credit of $4 million, $1 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We also had a line of credit with an affiliate of GE Capital with an aggregate borrowing limit of £10 million. There was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2003 or 2002, and we did not incur any interest expense under this line of credit.

 

Until the completion of the IPO, we, along with GE Capital, were participants in a revolving credit agreement that involved an international cash pooling arrangement on behalf of a number of GE subsidiaries in Europe, including some of our European subsidiaries. In these roles, either participant could make short-term loans to the other as part of the cash pooling arrangement. Each such borrowing was repayable upon demand, but not later than 364 days after borrowed. This unsecured line of credit bore interest at a rate equal to GE Capital’s cost of funds for the currency in which such borrowing was denominated. We had a net receivable of $9 million and $85 million under this credit facility as of December 31, 2003, and 2002, respectively.

 

Sale of securities to affiliate

 

During 2002, we sold certain available-for-sale fixed maturities to a subsidiary of GE Capital that is not consolidated in our financial statements, at fair value, which resulted in net realized investment gains of $114 million.

 

Real estate and loan transactions

 

We sell to GE Mortgage Services, an affiliate of GE, properties acquired through claim settlement in our U.S. mortgage insurance business at a price equal to the product of the property’s fair value and an agreed-upon price factor. Under these arrangements, we received from GE Mortgage Services $3 million, $9 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We expect to phase out over time the arrangements under which we sell properties to GE Mortgage Services, as we take on the role ourselves of holding and disposing of these properties. During 2003 and 2004, we also arranged for the sale to GE Mortgage Services of some residential loans acquired in connection with loss mitigation activities in our U.S. mortgage insurance business and agreed to indemnify GE Mortgage Services for any loss relating to those loans.

 

Advertising

 

After the completion of the IPO, we have purchased advertising time from NBC Universal, which is an affiliate of GE, to air television commercials for our company on the NBC Television Network. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we paid NBC Universal an aggregate of approximately $0.8 million for this advertising time.

 

232


Table of Contents

Guarantees provided by GE

 

GE Capital from time to time has provided guarantees or other support arrangements on our behalf, including performance guarantees and support agreements relating to securitizations and comfort letters provided to government agencies. We have not incurred charges or reimbursed GE under any of these arrangements. Following the IPO, many of the guarantees continued as provided under their existing terms. We have not incurred any charges for the provision of these guarantees or other support arrangements, other than pursuant to our obligations under the Master Agreement to indemnify GE for losses arising out of these arrangements.

 

GE agreements with third parties

 

Historically, we have received services provided by third parties pursuant to various agreements that GE has entered into for the benefit of its affiliates. We pay the third parties directly for the services they provide to us or reimburse GE for our share of the actual costs incurred under the agreements. We expect to continue to procure some of these third-party services through GE to the extent we are permitted (and elect to) or required to do so.

 

Products and services provided to GE

 

We have provided various products and services to GE on terms comparable to those we provide to third parties. We have continued to provide most of these services following the completion of the IPO. These products and services include the following:

 

    We distribute our payment protection insurance in part through arrangements with GE’s consumer finance division and other related GE entities, for which we have received gross written premiums of $380 million, $293 million and $218 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    We reinsure lease obligation insurance and credit insurance marketed by GE Capital, for which we received premiums of $40 million, $94 million and $105 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    We provide long-term care insurance to certain GE employees, for which we have received premiums of $25 million, $24 million and $20 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

    We distribute GE mutual funds through our wholly-owned broker-dealers, and provide administrative support for our variable annuity customers that have GE mutual funds within their contracts, for which we received $6 million, $4 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, from the mutual funds and GEAM, the asset manager of these funds.

 

    We historically have marketed a mortgage unemployment credit insurance product underwritten by a GEFAHI subsidiary that we did not acquire in connection with our corporate reorganization. We received no revenues in connection with this arrangement, but were reimbursed for actual costs. Following the IPO, we market and underwrite this product using a third-party provider.

 

    In November 2004, an indirect subsidiary of GE agreed to acquire the Australian Financial Investments Group, or AFIG. AFIG’s business includes mortgage lending, and AFIG purchases mortgage insurance from our Australian mortgage insurance subsidiary. We received premiums of $28 million, $19 million and $12 million from AFIG during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We do not expect the acquisition to result in any changes to the commercial arrangements that are currently in place between AFIG and our Australian mortgage insurance subsidiary.

 

233


Table of Contents

Ownership of Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth information as of March 1, 2005 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by:

 

    all persons known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of any class of our common stock;

 

    our chief executive officer and each of the persons who were the four other most highly compensated executive officers in 2004;

 

    each of our directors; and

 

    all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

The table below reflects actual beneficial ownership, and the beneficial ownership as adjusted for this offering and the stock repurchase. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options or conversion of other securities held by that person that are currently exercisable or convertible, or are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of March 1, 2005, are deemed to be issued and outstanding. These shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of each other stockholder.

 

Except for GEFAHI, each of the persons listed below is the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A Common Stock. GEFAHI is the beneficial owner of all 343,088,145 outstanding shares of our Class B Common Stock and no shares of our Class A Common Stock. The Class B Common Stock may be owned only by GE and its affiliates. Upon any sale or other disposition by GE and its affiliates of shares of Class B Common Stock to any person other than GE or an affiliate of GE, such shares of Class B Common Stock automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, on the first date on which GE and its affiliates no longer beneficially owns at least 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding, all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock automatically convert into shares of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock convert into shares of Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.

 

Upon completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, GE will beneficially own approximately 52% of our outstanding common stock (consisting of 100% of our outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and no shares of Class A Common Stock). This offering and the stock repurchase are part of GE’s plan to dispose of more than 50% by value of its interest in us. GE’s transfer of assets to us in our corporate reorganization has been structured to qualify for the election under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code, and GE has received a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that the transfer will qualify for that election provided that certain conditions are met. Among those conditions is that GE must complete its disposition of more than 50% by value of its interest in our company within two years after the completion of the IPO. GE has informed us that its failure to satisfy this condition and to qualify for the tax election would result both in significant additional tax liability for GE and in elimination of the section 338 benefit (and Genworth’s associated liability) that is the subject of the Tax Matters Agreement, as discussed under “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Tax Matters Agreement.” Accordingly, GE has informed us that it fully intends to and expects to meet this condition and has adopted a Plan of Divestiture under which it will effect the divestiture of more than 50% of our stock. GE has informed us that it intends to implement methods that it deems suitable to divest of our common stock in order to carry out the Plan of Divestiture and to satisfy this divestiture condition.

 

234


Table of Contents

The address of each director and executive officer listed below is c/o Genworth Financial, Inc., 6620 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner


  

Beneficial Ownership

Prior to the Completion of
this Offering and the Stock
Repurchase


    Number of Shares
to be Sold in
this Offering and
the Stock Repurchase


    Beneficial Ownership
as Adjusted for
this Offering and
the Stock Repurchase


 
   Number

  Percentage(1)

      Number

  Percentage(1)

 

GEFAHI(2)

   343,088,145   70.1 %   99,871,586 (3)   243,216,559   51.7 %

NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC(4)

   16,090,930   3.3     —       16,090,930   3.4 %

Dodge & Cox(5)

   15,992,200   3.3     —       15,992,200   3.4 %

FMR Corp.(6)

   12,397,300   2.5     —       12,397,300   2.6 %

Capital Research and Management Company(7)

   11,300,000   2.3     —       11,300,000   2.4 %

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(8)

   7,961,615   1.6     —       7,961,615   1.7 %

Michael D. Fraizer(9)

   1,423,726   *     —       1,423,726   *  

Thomas H. Mann(10)

   150,735   *     —       150,735   *  

Pamela S. Schutz(10)

   56,209   *     —       56,209   *  

George R. Zippel(10)

   43,969   *     —       43,969   *  

K. Rone Baldwin(10)

   59,714   *     —       59,714   *  

Frank J. Borelli

   —     *     —       —     *  

Elizabeth J. Comstock(11)

   —     *     —       —     *  

Pamela Daley(11)

   —     *     —       —     *  

Dennis D. Dammerman(11)

   —     *     —       —     *  

J. Robert Kerrey

   —     *     —       —     *  

David R. Nissen(11)

   —     *     —       —     *  

James A. Parke(11)

   —     *     —       —     *  

Thomas B. Wheeler

   —     *     —       —     *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (22 persons)

   1,869,917   *     —       1,869,917   *  

* Less than 1%.
(1) Beneficial ownership prior to the completion of this offering and the stock repurchase is based on 489,608,099 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Beneficial ownership as adjusted for this offering and the stock repurchase is based on 470,236,513 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
(2) The address for GEFAHI is 6620 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230. GE, as the ultimate parent of GEFAHI, beneficially owns all shares of our common stock owned of record by GEFAHI. The address for GE is 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut 06828.
(3) Includes 80,500,000 shares to be sold in this offering and 19,371,586 shares to be sold to us in the stock repurchase.
(4) Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2005 by NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC (“NWQ”). NWQ reported that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 13,765,475 shares and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 16,090,930 shares. NWQ reported that such securities are beneficially owned by its clients, which clients may include investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or employee benefit plans, pension funds, endowment funds or other institutional clients. The address for NWQ is 2049 Century Park East, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90067.
(5) Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2005 by Dodge & Cox. Dodge & Cox reported that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 15,145,500 shares, shared power to vote or to direct the vote of 132,700 shares, and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 15,992,200 shares. Dodge & Cox reported that such securities are beneficially owned by its clients, which clients may include investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or employee benefit plans, pension funds, endowment funds or other institutional clients. The address for Dodge & Cox is 555 California Street, 40th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104.

 

235


Table of Contents
(6) Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2005 by FMR Corp. (“FMR”). FMR reported that it has no power to vote or to direct the vote of any shares that it beneficially owns and that it has sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 12,397,300 shares. FMR reported that it filed such report as a parent holding company. FMR further reported that various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, our common stock and that no one person’s interest is more than five percent of our total outstanding common stock. The address for FMR is 82 Devonshire St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(7) Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2005 by Capital Research and Management Company. Capital Research and Management Company reported that it is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 11,300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 4,800,000 of our Equity Units. Such Equity Units are not convertible into shares of Class A Common Stock within 60 days of March 1, 2005. Capital Research and Management Company reported that it has no power to vote or to direct the vote of any of the shares that it is deemed to beneficially own, and it has sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of all such shares. Capital Research and Management Company disclaimed beneficial ownership of all the shares that it is deemed to beneficially own. The address for Capital Research and Management Company is 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071.
(8) Information obtained solely by reference to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2005 by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”). Price Associates reported that it has sole power to vote or direct the vote of 1,070,490 shares and sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 7,961,615 shares. Price Associates also reported that it does not serve as custodian of the assets of any of its clients; accordingly, in each instance only the client or the client’s custodian or trustee bank has the right to receive dividends paid with respect to, and proceeds from the sale of, such securities. In addition, Price Associates reported that the ultimate power to direct the receipt of dividends paid with respect to, and the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, is vested in the individual and institutional clients which Price Associates serves as investment adviser. Price Associates also reported that any and all discretionary authority which has been delegated to Price Associates may be revoked in whole or in part at any time. The address for Price Associates is 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.
(9) Reflects (a) shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of unvested employee stock options, to the extent that such unvested employee stock options vest within 60 days of March 1, 2005, (b) shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of vested employee stock options, and (c) shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights, to the extent that such restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights vest within 60 days of March 1, 2005.
(10) Reflects (a) shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of unvested employee stock options, to the extent that such unvested employee stock options vest within 60 days of March 1, 2005, and (b) shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units, to the extent that such restricted stock units vest within 60 days of March 1, 2005.
(11) Each of the specified persons is a director or officer of GE and disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of our common stock owned by GEFAHI.

 

236


Table of Contents

Description of Capital Stock

 

We were incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2003. The following descriptions are summaries of the material terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and relevant sections of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, referred to as the DGCL. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and we refer to them in this prospectus as the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, respectively. The summaries of these documents are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the documents.

 

General

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,500,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 700,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As of the date of this prospectus, 146,519,954 shares of Class A Common Stock and 343,088,145 shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding. Upon completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, there will be outstanding 227,019,954 shares of Class A Common Stock and 262,588,145 shares of Class B Common Stock, including 19,371,586 shares to be held in treasury as a result of the stock repurchase. As of the date of this prospectus, 2,000,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock have been designated Series A Preferred Stock and are outstanding.

 

Common Stock

 

Conversion

 

The Class B Common Stock may only be owned by GE and its affiliates. Upon any sale or other disposition by GE of shares of Class B Common Stock to any person other than GE or an affiliate of GE, such shares of Class B Common Stock will automatically be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock. In addition, on the first date on which GE no longer beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock, all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock will automatically be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, and we will no longer be authorized to issue Class B Common Stock.

 

Voting Rights

 

Except for the approval rights of the holders of the Class B Common Stock over certain corporate actions and except with respect to the election and removal of directors, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have identical rights and are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. However, except as required by applicable law, holders of common stock are not entitled to vote on any matter that solely relates to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock or the number of shares of such series and does not affect the number of authorized shares of preferred stock or the powers, privileges and rights pertaining to the common stock.

 

Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of our preferred stock, our certificate of incorporation provides that until the first date on which GE owns 50% or less of the outstanding shares of our common stock, the number of authorized directors of our company will be 9. Beginning on the first date on which GE owns 50% or less but at least 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, the number of authorized directors of our company will be 11. Beginning on the first date on which GE owns less than 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, the number of authorized directors of our company will be fixed from time to time by a resolution adopted by our board of directors, but will not be less than 1 nor more than 15. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that until the first date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, our board of directors will not establish an executive committee or any other committee having authority typically reserved for an executive committee.

 

237


Table of Contents

At each election of members of our board of directors:

 

    when GE owns more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock will be entitled to elect five directors and the holders of the Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect four directors;

 

    when GE owns at least 33% and no more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock will be entitled to elect four directors, the holders of the Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect five directors, and the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect all remaining directors entitled to be elected by the holders of our common stock;

 

    when GE owns at least 20% but less than 33% of our outstanding common stock, GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock will be entitled to elect three directors, the holders of the Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect five directors, and the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect all remaining directors entitled to be elected by the holders of our common stock;

 

    when GE owns at least 10% but less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock will be entitled to elect one director, the holders of the Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect five directors and the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, will be entitled to elect all remaining directors entitled to be elected by the holders of our common stock; and

 

    when GE owns less than 10% of our common stock, all shares of Class B Common Stock held by GE will automatically convert into Class A Common Stock, and the holders of the Class A Common Stock will be entitled to elect all directors entitled to be elected by the holders of our common stock.

 

Each director elected by the holders of the common stock will serve until the earlier of his or her death, resignation, disqualification, removal or until his successor is elected and qualified. The common stock will not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

 

Rights to Dividends and on Liquidation, Dissolution and Winding Up

 

Subject to the prior rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, holders of Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our board of directors. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive such assets as are available for distribution to stockholders after there will have been paid or set apart for payment the full amounts necessary to satisfy any preferential or participating rights to which the holders of each outstanding series of preferred stock are entitled by the express terms of such series.

 

Other Rights

 

Our common stock does not have any preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights (except for the automatic conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock as described under “—Common Stock—Conversion”). Subject to the approval rights of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, additional shares of authorized common stock may be issued, as determined by our board of directors from time to time, without stockholder approval, except as may be required by applicable stock exchange requirements.

 

Listing

 

The Class A Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GNW.”

 

238


Table of Contents

Approval Rights of Holders of Class B Common Stock

 

In addition to any other vote required by law or by our certificate of incorporation, until the first date on which GE owns less than 15% of our outstanding common stock, the prior affirmative vote or written consent of GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock is required to authorize us to adopt or implement any stockholder rights plan or similar takeover defense measure. Also, in addition to any other vote required by law or by our certificate of incorporation, until the first date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, the prior affirmative vote or written consent of GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock is required for the following actions (subject in each case to certain agreed exceptions):

 

    a merger involving us or any of our subsidiaries (other than mergers involving our subsidiaries to effect acquisitions permitted under the certificate of incorporation);

 

    acquisitions by us or our subsidiaries of the stock or assets of another business for a price (including assumed debt) in excess of $700 million;

 

    dispositions by us or our subsidiaries of assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions for a price (including assumed debt) in excess of $700 million;

 

    incurrence or guarantee of debt by us or our subsidiaries in excess of $700 million outstanding at any one time or that would reasonably be expected to result in a negative change in any of our credit ratings, which does not apply to debt incurred in connection with our corporate reorganization, the $1.9 billion of senior notes issued in June 2004, $500 million of commercial paper, intercompany debt (within Genworth) or liabilities under certain agreed excluded transactions (provided that any debt (other than debt incurred under our five-year and 364-day revolving credit facilities to fund liabilities under funding agreements or guaranteed investment contracts issued by our subsidiaries that are regulated life insurance companies, or cash payments in connection with insurance policy surrenders and withdrawals) in excess of $500 million outstanding at any one time incurred under those credit facilities or our commercial paper program will be subject to the $700 million limitation described above);

 

    issuance by us or our subsidiaries of capital stock or other securities convertible into capital stock;

 

    dissolution, liquidation or winding up of our company; and

 

    alteration, amendment, termination or repeal of or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws relating to our authorized capital stock, the role of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the establishment of an executive committee of our board of directors (or any committee having authority typically reserved for an executive committee), the rights granted to the holders of the Class B Common Stock, amendments to our bylaws, stockholder action by written consent, stockholder proposals and meetings, limitation of liability of and indemnification of our officers and directors, the rights of holders of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to elect directors, the size of our board of directors, corporate opportunities and conflicts of interest between our company and GE, and Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, GEFAHI agreed to deliver to us, upon the closing of this offering and the stock repurchase, (1) an irrevocable consent to permit us to effect acquisitions for consideration of up to $1 billion at any time that GEFAHI owns 45% or less of our outstanding common stock, and (2) an irrevocable proxy to permit us to vote GEFAHI’s shares of Class B Common Stock in favor of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation in the event that we elect to amend our certificate of incorporation to permit such acquisitions without GE’s consent.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of our preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any series of our preferred stock, the terms and rights of such series, including:

 

    the designation of the series;

 

239


Table of Contents
    the number of shares of each series, which number our board of directors may thereafter, except where otherwise provided in the applicable certificate of designation, increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding;

 

    the rights in respect of any dividends or method of determining such dividends payable to the holders of the shares of such series, any conditions upon which such dividends will be paid and the dates or method of determining the dates upon which such dividends will be payable;

 

    whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or noncumulative;

 

    the terms of redemption, if any, for shares of the series;

 

    the amount payable to holders of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

    whether the shares of the series will be convertible or exchangeable into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other corporation, and, if so, the terms of such conversion or exchange;

 

    restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series;

 

    the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the shares of the series; and

 

    any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of the series.

 

Other than the Series A Preferred Stock, the terms of which are generally described below, no preferred stock is outstanding. We believe that the ability of our board of directors to issue one or more additional series of our preferred stock will provide us with flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions, and in meeting other corporate needs which might arise. Subject to the approval rights of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, the authorized shares of our preferred stock, as well as shares of our common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. the New York Stock Exchange currently requires stockholder approval in several instances as a prerequisite to listing shares, including where the present or potential issuance of shares could result in an increase in the number of shares of common stock, or in the amount of voting securities outstanding, of at least 20%. If the approval of our stockholders is not required for the issuance of shares of our preferred stock or our common stock, our board of directors may determine not to seek stockholder approval.

 

Although our board of directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could issue a series of our preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. Our board of directors will make any determination to issue such shares based on its judgment as to the best interests of us and our stockholders. Our board of directors, in so acting, could issue our preferred stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an acquiror may be able to change the composition of our board of directors, including a tender offer or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then-current market price of such stock.

 

Series A Preferred Stock

 

As part of our corporate reorganization, we issued $100 million of Series A Preferred Stock to GEFAHI. GEFAHI sold all the Series A Preferred Stock in a public offering concurrent with the IPO.

 

General

 

The Series A Preferred Stock currently is limited in aggregate amount to $100 million. This amount is the sum of the aggregate liquidation amount per share of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference per share equal to $50 per share, plus unpaid dividends received to the date of liquidation and is fully paid and non-assessable. The Series A Preferred Stock ranks junior to all of our

 

240


Table of Contents

indebtedness and other liabilities and ranks senior to our common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into shares of common stock or any other securities of our company and does not have preemptive rights.

 

Dividends

 

Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are fixed at an annual rate equal to 5.25% of the sum of (1) the stated liquidation value of $50 per share, plus (2) accumulated and unpaid dividends. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2004.

 

Dividends taxable as dividends to corporate holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” as specified in Section 243(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, subject to various limitations. In the event the percentage of the dividends received deduction is changed, certain adjustments will be made with respect to dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Redemption

 

We are required to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock on June 1, 2011 in whole at a price of $50.00 per share, plus unpaid dividends accrued to the date of redemption. There are no provisions for early redemption.

 

Voting rights

 

No voting rights. Except as described below or otherwise required by applicable law, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

 

Right to elect two additional directors during default period. During any period, which we refer to in this section as the default period, in which accumulated distributions (whether or not earned or declared, and whether or not funds are then legally available in an amount sufficient therefor) have not been paid for six quarters (whether or not consecutive) or if we fail to perform our mandatory redemption obligation on June 1, 2011, the number of directors constituting our board of directors will automatically be increased by two and the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock, together with holders of every other series of preferred stock that we may issue from time to time with the same voting rights that are then exercisable resulting from the failure to pay dividends or the failure to redeem, will possess full voting powers (to the exclusion of the holders of all other series and classes of our capital stock), voting together as a single class, to elect two directors to fill such newly created directorships.

 

A default period will continue unless and until all accumulated and unpaid distributions on all shares of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding have been paid at which time the voting rights described in the preceding paragraph will cease, subject always, however, to the revesting of such voting power in the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock upon the commencement of an additional default period.

 

Rights under applicable law. Under current provisions of the DGCL, the holders of issued and outstanding preferred stock are entitled to vote as a class, with the consent of the majority of the class being required, to amend, alter or repeal any provision of our certificate of incorporation or by-law which would adversely affect the powers, preferences or rights of the preferred stock.

 

Liquidation rights

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of each share of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding will be entitled to receive and to be paid, out of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders after satisfying claims of creditors but before any payment or dissolution of assets is made to holders of our common stock or any other shares of our company of any class ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock upon such a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, liquidating distributions in an amount per share of $50.00, plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid

 

241


Table of Contents

dividends (whether or not earned or declared) to and including the date of final dissolution. If, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the our company, the amounts payable with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock and any parity stock are not paid in full, the holders of such preferred stock will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of our company in proportion to the full respective amounts to which they are entitled.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Board of Directors

 

A director of our company may be removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock (and any series of preferred stock entitled to vote in the election of directors), voting together as a single class. A director elected by the holders of the Class B Common Stock may be removed from office at any time, without cause, solely by the affirmative vote of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class. A director elected by the vote of the holders of our Class A Common Stock may be removed from office at any time, without cause, solely by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding Class A Common Stock, voting together as a single class. A director elected by the vote of the holders of our Class A and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, may be removed from office at any time, without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding Class A and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

For so long as GE beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock, vacancies in our board of directors resulting from an increase in the size of our board of directors from 9 to 11 when GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock (as provided by our certificate of incorporation) will be filled in the following manner:

 

    the first such vacancy will be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock; and

 

    the second such vacancy will be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

For so long as GE owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock, vacancies among the directors elected by the holders of the Class B Common Stock may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the Class B Common Stock directors remaining in office or, if there are none, by the holders of the Class B Common Stock. Vacancies among the directors elected by the holders of the Class A Common Stock may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the Class A Common Stock directors remaining in office or, if there are none, by the holders of the Class A Common Stock. Vacancies among the directors elected by the holders of the Class A and Class B Common Stock voting together as a single class may be filled only by the vote of a majority of the directors elected by the holders of the Class A and Class B Common Stock remaining in office or, if there are none, by the holders of the Class A and Class B Common Stock voting together as a single class.

 

Stockholder action by written consent; special meetings

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that except for actions taken by written consent by the holders of the Class B Common Stock with respect to matters subject to the approval only of the holders of the Class B Common Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such holders. Until the first date on which GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, except as required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any of our preferred stock, special meetings of our stockholders for any purpose or purposes may only be called by a majority of the whole board of directors or by GE as the holder of the Class B Common Stock. When GE owns less than 20% of our outstanding common stock, except as required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any of our preferred stock, special meetings of our stockholders for any purpose or purposes may only be called by a majority of the whole board of

 

242


Table of Contents

directors or upon the written request of the holders of at least 40% of our outstanding common stock. No business other than that stated in the notice will be transacted at any special meeting. These provisions may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting unless a special meeting is called by our board, GE or our stockholders as described above.

 

Advance notice requirements for nominations

 

Except with respect to candidates nominated for election by holders of our Class B Common Stock, our bylaws contain advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals related to the nomination of candidates for election as directors. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals related to stockholder nominations for the election of directors must be received by our corporate secretary, in the case of an annual meeting, no later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. However, if the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after that anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting or not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made by us of the date of such meeting. If the number of directors to be elected to our board of directors at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by us naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice will be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it is delivered to our corporate secretary not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by us.

 

Stockholder nominations for the election of directors at a special meeting must be received by our corporate secretary no earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of such special meeting and of the nominees proposed by our board of directors to be elected at such meeting.

 

A stockholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth information related to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner (if any) on whose behalf the nomination is made, including:

 

    the name and record address of the stockholder and the beneficial owner;

 

    the class and number of shares of our capital stock which are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder and the beneficial owner;

 

    a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of our stock entitled to vote at that meeting and that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring the nomination before the meeting; and

 

    a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of our outstanding capital stock required to elect the nominee, or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such nomination.

 

As to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:

 

    all information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

    the nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected.

 

243


Table of Contents

Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals

 

Our bylaws contain advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals not related to director nominations. These notice procedures, in the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, are the same as the notice requirements for stockholder proposals related to director nominations discussed above insofar as they relate to the timing of receipt of notice by our corporate secretary.

 

A stockholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth, as to each matter the stockholder and the beneficial owner (if any) proposes to bring before the meeting:

 

    a description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and if such business includes a proposal to amend our bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting the business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made;

 

    the name and record address of the stockholder and beneficial owner;

 

    the class and number of shares of our capital stock which are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder and the beneficial owner;

 

    a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of our stock entitled to vote at the meeting and that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business; and

 

    a representation as to whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of our outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the business proposal, or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal.

 

Amendments

 

Subject to the right of the holders of our Class B Common Stock to withhold their consent to the amendment of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to our authorized capital stock, the rights granted to the holders of the Class B Common Stock, the establishment of an executive committee of our board of directors (or any committee having authority typically reserved for an executive committee), amendments to our bylaws, stockholder action by written consent, the calling of stockholder meetings, the limitation of liability of and indemnification of our officers and directors, the rights of holders of our Class A and Class B Common Stock to elect directors, the size of our board of directors, corporate opportunities and conflicts of interest between our company and GE, and Section 203 of the DGCL, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock.

 

Subject to the right of the holders of our Class B Common Stock to withhold their consent to the amendment of the provisions of our bylaws relating to the role of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in meetings of our stockholders, advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals related to directors’ nominations and other proposed business, and our board of directors, the provisions of our bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding common stock or by the affirmative vote of a majority of our entire board of directors.

 

Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation Relating to Related-Party Transactions and Corporate Opportunities

 

In order to address potential conflicts of interest between us and GE, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions regulating and defining the conduct of our affairs as they may involve GE and its officers and directors, and our powers, rights, duties and liabilities and those of our officers, directors and stockholders in connection with our relationship with GE. In general, these provisions recognize that we and GE may engage in the same or similar business activities and lines of business, have an interest in the same areas of corporate opportunities and will continue to have contractual and business relations with each other, including officers and directors of GE serving as our directors.

 

244


Table of Contents

Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any written agreement to the contrary, GE will have no duty to refrain from:

 

    engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us; or

 

    doing business with any of our clients, customers or vendors.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that if GE acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both us and GE, such corporate opportunity will belong to GE unless the corporate opportunity was expressly offered to GE in its capacity as a stockholder of Genworth. GE will to the fullest extent permitted by law have satisfied its fiduciary duty with respect to such a corporate opportunity and will not be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as our stockholder by reason of the fact that GE acquires or seeks the corporate opportunity for itself, directs that corporate opportunity to another person or does not present that corporate opportunity to us.

 

If one of our directors or officers who is also a director or officer of GE learns of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both us and GE, our certificate of incorporation provides that the director or officer will have satisfied his or her fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders with respect to the corporate opportunity, and we will have renounced our interest in the corporate opportunity if the director or officer acts in good faith in a manner consistent with the following policy:

 

    a corporate opportunity offered to any of our directors who is not one of our officers and who is also a director or officer of GE will belong to us only if that opportunity is expressly offered to that person solely in his or her capacity as our director, and otherwise will belong to GE; and

 

    a corporate opportunity offered to any of our officers who is also an officer of GE will belong to us, unless that opportunity is expressly offered to that person solely in his or her capacity as an officer of GE, in which case that opportunity will belong to GE.

 

If one of our officers or directors, who also serves as a director or officer of GE, learns of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both us and GE in any manner not addressed in the foregoing descriptions, our certificate of incorporation provides that the director or officer will have no duty to communicate or present that corporate opportunity to us and will not be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of fiduciary duty by reason of GE’s actions with respect to that corporate opportunity.

 

For purposes of our certificate of incorporation, “corporate opportunities” include, but are not limited to, business opportunities that we are financially able to undertake, that are, from their nature, in our line of business, are of practical advantage to us and are ones in which we have an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of GE or its officers or directors will be brought into conflict with our self-interest.

 

By becoming a stockholder in our company, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation related to corporate opportunities that are described above.

 

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

 

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers, as well as other employees and individuals, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, that are incurred in connection with various actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, known as a derivative action, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such actions, and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification if the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute

 

245


Table of Contents

provides that it is not excluding other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of us, or has or had agreed to become a director of us, or, while a director or officer of us, is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is the alleged action of such person in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, will be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that we will pay the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, subject to the provisions of the DGCL. These rights are not exclusive of any other right that any person may have or acquire under any statute, provision of our certificate of incorporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of these provisions will in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of us under our certificate of incorporation in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification. Our certificate of incorporation also specifically authorizes us to maintain insurance and to grant similar indemnification rights to our employees or agents.

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors will be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except, to the extent required by the DGCL, for liability:

 

    for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

    for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    for payments of unlawful dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions under Section 174 of the DGCL; or

 

    for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this provision will eliminate or reduce the effect of the provision in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim that, but for the provision, would accrue or arise, prior to the amendment or repeal.

 

The Master Agreement also provides for indemnification by us of GE and its directors, officers and employees for specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

In addition, GE maintains liability insurance for its directors and officers and for the directors and officers of its majority-owned subsidiaries, including us. This insurance provides for coverage, subject to certain exceptions, against loss from claims made against directors and officers in their capacity as such, including claims under the federal securities laws. We have also obtained additional liability insurance for our directors and officers to reduce the deductible payable under the policy maintained by GE.

 

Delaware Business Combination Statute

 

Our certificate of incorporation contains a provision by which we expressly elect not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL, which is described below, until the moment in time, if ever, immediately following the time at which both of the following conditions exist: (a) Section 203 by its terms would, but for the terms of our certificate of incorporation, apply to us and (b) there occurs a transaction in which GE no longer owns at least 15% of our

 

246


Table of Contents

outstanding common stock. Accordingly, we are not currently subject to Section 203. Any person that acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common stock in the same transaction in which GE ceases to own at least 15% of our outstanding common stock will not be an interested stockholder under Section 203 as a result of that transaction.

 

Section 203 of the DGCL provides that, subject to exceptions set forth therein, an interested stockholder of a Delaware corporation shall not engage in any business combination, including mergers or consolidations or acquisitions of additional shares of the corporation, with the corporation for a three-year period following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

 

    prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

    upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an “interested stockholder,” the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, other than statutorily excluded shares; or

 

    at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Except as otherwise set forth in Section 203, an interested stockholder is defined to include:

 

    any person that is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within three years immediately prior to the date of determination; and

 

    the affiliates and associates of any such person.

 

Our election to not be subject to Section 203 may have positive or negative consequences, depending on the circumstances. Being subject to Section 203 may make it more difficult for a person who would be an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with us for a three-year period. Section 203 also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management. Section 203 also could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which our stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests. If the provisions of Section 203 were applicable, they may cause persons interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors. In addition, because we did not elect to be subject to Section 203, GE, as a controlling stockholder, may find it easier to sell its controlling interest to a third party because Section 203 would not apply to such third party. The restrictions on business combinations set forth in Section 203 would not have been applicable to GE so long as GE continued to hold 15% or more of our common stock.

 

Insurance Regulations Concerning Change of Control

 

The insurance holding company laws of many states regulate changes of control of insurance holding companies, such as our company. Generally, these laws provide that control over an insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, 10% or more of the voting securities of the insurer. Control also may be found to exist through contractual or other arrangements notwithstanding stock ownership. The Delaware, New York, North Carolina and Virginia insurance holding company laws, and similar laws in the U.K. and other jurisdictions in which we operate, require filings in connection with proposed acquisitions of control of domestic insurance companies. These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change of control involving us, including through transactions, and in particular unsolicited transactions, that some or all of our stockholders might consider to be desirable.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A Common Stock and our Series A Preferred Stock is The Bank of New York.

 

247


Table of Contents

Description of Equity Units

 

In this description, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Genworth and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

Summary

 

As part of our corporate reorganization, we issued $600 million of our Equity Units to GEFAHI, and GEFAHI sold all these Equity Units in a public offering concurrent with the IPO. The Equity Units initially were issued in the form of Corporate Units. Each Corporate Unit consists of:

 

    a contract to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock, which we refer to as the stock purchase contracts; and

 

    a $25 ownership interest in our 3.84% senior notes due 2009, which we refer to in this section as the notes.

 

The stock purchase contract that is a component of an Equity Unit requires the holder to purchase, and us to sell, for $25, on May 16, 2007, which we refer to as the purchase contract settlement date, a number of newly issued shares of our Class A Common Stock equal to a settlement rate based on the average trading price of our Class A Common Stock at that time. We will also pay quarterly contract adjustment payments on each stock purchase contract at an annual rate of 2.16% of the stated amount of $25 per Equity Unit.

 

As described below, the notes will be remarketed to new purchasers immediately prior to the purchase contract settlement date to generate the cash necessary for the holders of Corporate Units to satisfy their obligations to purchase our Class A Common Stock pursuant to the stock purchase contracts. The interest rate on the notes will be reset in the remarketing to whatever interest rate is necessary to induce purchasers to purchase all the notes remarketed at 100% of their principal amount. If the notes are not successfully remarketed prior to the purchase contract settlement date, all holders of notes will have the right to require us to purchase their notes on the purchase contract settlement date at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest.

 

The Stock Purchase Contracts

 

Each stock purchase contract that is a component of an Equity Unit obligates the holder of the stock purchase contract to purchase, and obligates us to sell, on May 16, 2007, for $25 in cash, a number of newly issued shares of our Class A Common Stock equal to the settlement rate. The settlement rate, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, will be calculated as described below:

 

    if the applicable market value of our Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $23.5950, which we refer to as the threshold appreciation price, the settlement rate will be 1.0595 shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

    if the applicable market value of our Class A Common Stock is less than the threshold appreciation price but greater than $19.5000, which we refer to as the reference price, the settlement rate will be a number of shares of our Class A Common Stock equal to the stated amount of $25 divided by the applicable market value. The reference price is the initial public offering price of our Class A Common Stock in the IPO.

 

    if the applicable market value is less than or equal to the reference price of $19.5000, the settlement rate will be 1.2821 shares of our Class A Common Stock.

 

By applicable market value we mean the average of the closing price per share of our Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on each of the twenty consecutive trading days ending on the third trading day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date. The reference price is equal to the initial public offering price of our Class A Common Stock in the IPO ($19.50).

 

We will pay holders of Equity Units quarterly contract adjustment payments on each stock purchase contract at a rate of 2.16% per year of the stated amount of $25 per Equity Unit, or $0.54 per year.

 

248


Table of Contents

On the purchase contract settlement date, an Equity Unit holder may satisfy its obligations under the stock purchase contracts by:

 

    in the case of the Corporate Units, (1) through the automatic application of the proceeds of the remarketing or if the Treasury portfolio has replaced the notes as a component of the Corporate Units as a result of a special event redemption, as defined below, through the automatic application of the proceeds of the Treasury portfolio, (2) by exercising its right to require us to purchase its notes if the remarketing of the notes is not successful, or (3) by delivering $25 in cash; or

 

    in the case of the Treasury Units, as defined below, through the automatic application of the proceeds of the Treasury securities.

 

The ownership interest in each note that is a component of a Corporate Unit is pledged to us to secure the holder’s obligations to purchase our Class A Common Stock from us under the stock purchase contract.

 

The stock purchase contracts and the obligations of both us and the holders of the Equity Units under the stock purchase contracts automatically terminate without any further action upon certain events relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

 

Early Settlement of Stock Purchase Contracts

 

Holders of Equity Units may elect to settle the stock purchase contracts early by delivering $25 in cash at any time following May 28, 2005 (the date 12 calendar months following the completion of the IPO) through the seventh business day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date in the case of Corporate Units or any time through the second business day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date using cash in the case of Treasury Units, in which case 1.0595 shares of our Class A Common Stock will be issued pursuant to each stock purchase contract. We refer to this as optional early settlement. Optional early settlement of the stock purchase contracts results in the issuance of a number of shares of our Class A Common Stock equal to the minimum settlement rate, which is the same number that would be issued on the purchase contract settlement date if the applicable market value was equal to or greater than the threshold appreciation price of $23.5950, regardless of the actual market value of our Class A Common Stock at the time of the optional early settlement.

 

If we are involved in a merger in which at least 30% of the consideration for our Class A Common Stock consists of cash or cash equivalents, then each holder of an Equity Unit will have the right to settle the component stock purchase contract at the settlement rate in effect immediately before the closing of the cash merger, based on the applicable market value of our Class A Common Stock as if the closing date of the merger was the purchase contract settlement date, by delivering $25 in cash. We refer to this as cash merger early settlement. If a holder elects cash merger early settlement, we will deliver to such holder on the cash merger early settlement date the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that such holder would have been entitled to receive in the cash merger if it had settled the stock purchase contract immediately before the cash merger.

 

Following either optional early settlement or cash merger early settlement, the Equity Units of which the settled stock purchase contracts were a component will be cancelled and the related note or Treasury Security will be released to the holder and then will be separately transferable.

 

Both optional early settlement and cash merger early settlement are subject to the condition that if required under the U.S. federal securities laws, we have a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 in effect and a prospectus available covering the Class A Common Stock or other securities deliverable upon settlement of a stock purchase contract. We have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to have a registration statement in effect and to provide a prospectus covering such Class A Common Stock or other securities if so required by the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

Remarketing

 

Remarketing allows holders of Corporate Units to satisfy their obligations under the related stock purchase contracts by reselling the notes through the remarketing agent and using the proceeds of the remarketing to pay

 

249


Table of Contents

the purchase price under the related stock purchase contracts. Holders of notes that are separate from the Corporate Units also may elect to participate in the remarketing. Unless one of the conditions to remarketing, which include the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, if required by the U.S. federal securities laws, is not satisfied, the notes that underlie each outstanding Corporate Unit (other than Corporate Units for which the holder has elected to settle the related stock purchase contracts with separate cash on the purchase contract settlement date), as well as any other notes the holders of which have decided to have included in the remarketing, will be remarketed on the fifth business day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date. If such remarketing is not successful, remarketings will also be attempted on the fourth business day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date, and, if necessary, the third business day immediately preceding the purchase contract settlement date.

 

Upon a successful remarketing, the portion of the proceeds equal to the aggregate principal amount of the notes remarketed that underlie the Corporate Units will automatically be applied to satisfy in full the Corporate Units holders’ obligations to purchase our Class A Common Stock under the related stock purchase contracts. If any proceeds remain after satisfying such obligations, the remarketing agent will remit such remaining proceeds to the purchase contract agent for the benefit of the holders. We will pay a separate fee to the remarketing agent for its services, and holders of notes will not in any way be responsible for paying any fee to the remarketing agent.

 

If the notes have not been successfully remarketed on or prior to the third business day immediately prior to the purchase contract settlement date, either because the remarketing agent cannot obtain a price of at least 100% of the total principal amount of the notes remarketed or because one of the conditions to the remarketing has not been satisfied, holders of all notes will have the right to require us to purchase their notes for an amount equal to the principal amount of their notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, on the purchase contract settlement date. A holder of Corporate Units will be deemed to have automatically exercised this right with respect to the notes underlying such Corporate Units, unless such holder has settled the related stock purchase contracts with separate cash on or prior to the purchase contract settlement date, and will be deemed to have elected to apply the amount of the proceeds equal to the principal amount of the notes against such holder’s obligations to us under the related stock purchase contracts, thereby satisfying such obligations in full. Upon the application of such proceeds, we will deliver to such holder our Class A Common Stock pursuant to the related stock purchase contracts.

 

Creation of Treasury Units

 

At any time on or prior to the seventh business day preceding the purchase contract settlement date, holders of Corporate Units will have the right to substitute a zero coupon U.S. Treasury security with a principal amount equal to that of the notes that matures on May 15, 2007, thereby creating Treasury Units. The Treasury security that underlies the Treasury Units will be pledged to us to secure the holder’s obligations under the stock purchase contract. Holders of Treasury Units may recreate Corporate Units at any time on or prior to the seventh business day preceding the purchase contract settlement date by substituting notes having a principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount at stated maturity of the Treasury securities for which substitution is being made.

 

The components of the Corporate Units and the Treasury Units are not separately transferable while a part of the unit. Stock purchase contracts are never transferable except as part of a Corporate Unit or Treasury Unit. Notes are not transferable except as part of a Corporate Unit unless they are separated from the Corporate Unit, either through collateral substitution and creation of a Treasury Unit or following settlement of the stock purchase contracts. Treasury securities that are a component of a Treasury Unit are not transferable except as part of such Treasury Unit.

 

Notes

 

Initially, interest on the notes will be payable quarterly at the annual rate of 3.84% of the principal amount of the notes, to, but excluding May 16, 2007, the purchase contract settlement date. Holders of Corporate Units will receive their pro rata share of interest payments on the notes underlying their Corporate Units.

 

250


Table of Contents

Upon a successful remarketing, the reset rate will be the rate determined by the remarketing agent as the interest rate the notes should bear in order for the notes remarketed to have an aggregate market value on the remarketing date of at least 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes remarketed. The reset rate may not exceed the maximum rate, if any, permitted by applicable law. Following a reset of the interest rate, the interest rate on the notes will equal the reset rate from, and including, the purchase contract settlement date, to but excluding, May 16, 2009, the maturity date of the notes. The interest rate on the notes will not be reset if there is not a successful remarketing and interest will continue to be payable at the initial rate from and including the purchase contract settlement date to but excluding the maturity date of the notes. Following the purchase contract settlement date, interest will be paid semi-annually, commencing November 16, 2007, whether or not there has been a successful remarketing.

 

Prior to the earlier of a successful remarketing and the purchase contract settlement date, the notes are redeemable at our option, in whole but not in part, upon the occurrence and continuance of certain tax events or accounting events. If any such redemption, which we refer to as a special event redemption, occurs, the redemption price for the notes that underlie the Corporate Units will be paid to the collateral agent holding the notes as security for the obligations of the holders under the purchase contracts, who will apply such redemption price to purchase a portfolio of United States Treasury securities. Thereafter, the applicable ownership interests in such Treasury portfolio will replace the notes as a component of the Corporate Units and will be pledged to us. Holders of notes that do not underlie the Corporate Units will receive the redemption price in the special event redemption.

 

The notes rank equally and ratably with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations.

 

Listing

 

The Corporate Units are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GNW Pr E.” Neither the Treasury Units nor the notes are currently listed, but if they are separately traded to a sufficient extent that the applicable exchange listing requirements are met, we will endeavor to cause the Treasury Units and the notes to be listed on the exchange on which the Corporate Units are listed.

 

Accounting Treatment

 

The fair value of the Corporate Units we issued to GEFAHI has been recorded in our financial statements based on an allocation between the purchase contracts and the notes in proportion to their respective fair market values. The present value of the contract adjustment payments on the purchase contracts has been recorded as a liability and a reduction of stockholders’ equity. This liability increases over three years by interest charges to the statement of earnings based on a constant rate calculation. Contract adjustment payments paid on the purchase contracts reduce this liability.

 

The purchase contracts are forward transactions in our Class A Common Stock. Upon settlement of each stock purchase contract, we will receive $25 for the purchase contract and will issue the requisite number of shares of our Class A Common Stock. The $25 that we receive will increase stockholders’ equity.

 

Before the issuance of our Class A Common Stock upon settlement of the purchase contracts, the purchase contracts will be reflected in our diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of our Class A Common Stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share (based on the settlement rate applied at the end of the reporting period) will be deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares that would be issued upon settlement of the purchase contracts at such time over the number of shares that could be purchased by us in the market (at the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon settlement. Consequently, we anticipate there will be no dilutive effect on our earnings per share except during periods when the average market price of our Class A Common Stock is above the threshold appreciation price of $23.5950.

 

251


Table of Contents

Description of Certain Indebtedness

 

In this description, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Genworth and not to any of its subsidiaries.

 

Senior Notes

 

On June 15, 2004, we completed a public offering of $1.9 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. The net proceeds of that offering were used to repay the majority of the borrowings under a $2.4 billion short-term credit facility with a syndicate of banks that we established concurrently with the completion of the IPO. The senior notes were issued in four series as follows:

 

    2007 notes. We issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 2007. The 2007 notes bear interest at a rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to three-month LIBOR plus 0.15%, payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year. We have entered into hedging arrangements such that our effective interest rate on the 2007 Notes is 3.53%.

 

    2009 notes. We issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% notes due 2009. Interest on the 2009 notes is payable semiannually in arrears in June and December of each year. We have entered into hedging arrangements such that our effective interest rate on the 2009 Notes is 4.48%.

 

    2014 notes. We issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.750% notes due 2014. Interest on the 2014 notes is payable semiannually in arrears in June and December of each year. We have entered into hedging arrangements such that our effective interest rate on the 2014 Notes is 5.51%.

 

    2034 notes. We issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.500% due 2034. Interest on the 2034 notes is payable semiannually in arrears in June and December of each year. We have entered into hedging arrangements such that our effective interest rate on the 2034 Notes is 6.35%.

 

We issued all four series of the senior notes pursuant to an indenture, dated June 15, 2004, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. Pursuant to the indenture, the senior notes are our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The notes rank equally with all our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The indenture does not limit our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries, to issue or incur other debt or issue preferred stock.

 

Commercial Paper Facility

 

We have established a $1 billion commercial paper program and had $500 million of commercial paper outstanding under that program as of December 31, 2004. We used the proceeds of the issuance of this commercial paper to repay borrowings under the short-term credit facility that we established concurrently with the completion of the IPO. See “—Senior Notes.”

 

Yen Notes

 

In June 2001, GEFAHI sold ¥60 billion of 1.6% notes due June 20, 2011 in a public offering. These notes were issued under an indenture dated June 26, 2001 between GEFAHI and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee. Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, we assumed all obligations under the indenture and these notes in connection with our corporate reorganization and the transfer of substantially all of GEFAHI’s assets to us. Accordingly, GEFAHI has been released from all its obligations under the indenture and the notes. GEFAHI owned ¥3 billion of these notes at the time of our corporate reorganization. These notes were transferred to us and were subsequently retired.

 

These existing senior notes constitute unsecured senior indebtedness and are senior in right of payment to all our existing and future subordinated indebtedness and will be pari passu with the new senior notes. The notes are not subject to redemption prior to maturity or to any sinking fund, except that the notes are redeemable as a result

 

252


Table of Contents

of certain changes in the tax laws of the U.S. The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, will restrict our ability to engage in mergers, consolidations and transfers of substantially all of our assets.

 

We have entered into arrangements to swap our obligations under these notes to a principal obligation of $491 million bearing interest at a rate of 4.84% per annum.

 

Non-recourse Funding Obligations

 

On July 28, 2003 and December 16, 2003, River Lake Insurance Company issued $300 million and $300 million, respectively, of non-recourse funding obligations. On December 3, 2004, River Lake Insurance Company II issued $300 million of non-recourse funding obligations. Each of these companies is a special purpose captive insurance company that is wholly owned by our subsidiary, First Colony Life Insurance Company.

 

The non-recourse obligations are represented by notes that bear a floating rate of interest based on one-month LIBOR and were issued to fund additional statutory reserves required by Regulation XXX. They mature in 2033, in the case of the 2003 issuances, and 2035, in the case of the 2004 issuance. The floating rate notes have been deposited into a series of trusts that have issued money market securities. Both principal and interest payments on the money market securities are guaranteed by a third party insurance company. The holders of the notes cannot require repayment from us or any of our subsidiaries, other than River Lake Insurance Company or River Lake Insurance Company II, the direct issuers of the notes. First Colony Life Insurance Company has agreed to indemnify the issuers and the third party insurer for certain limited costs.

 

Interest on the principal amount of the notes accrues at a floating rate of interest determined every 28 days and is payable at the end of each 28-day period. Any payment of principal of, including by redemption, or interest on the notes may only be made with the prior approval of the Director of Insurance of the State of South Carolina in accordance with the terms of its licensing order and in accordance with applicable law. The holders of the notes have no rights to accelerate payment of principal of the notes under any circumstances, including without limitation, for nonpayment or breach of any covenant. Each issuer reserves the right to repay the notes that it has issued at any time, subject to prior regulatory approval.

 

Credit Facilities

 

On May 28, 2004, we entered into two revolving credit facilities, each with a syndicate of banks and each with JPMorgan Chase Bank and Bank of America, N.A. acting as co-administrative agents. One of these is a $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility, which matures on May 28, 2009, and the other is a $1 billion 364-day revolving credit facility, which matures on May 27, 2005. Both revolving credit facilities are unsecured. We expect to replace the 364-day facility upon its maturity with a similar or longer-term credit facility.

 

The five-year facility bears interest based upon, at our option, (1) the prime rate or (2) the Eurodollar rate, plus a margin of 0.17% to 0.60%. The 364-day facility bears interest based upon, at our option, (1) the prime rate or (2) the Eurodollar rate, plus a margin of 0.19% to 0.625%. In each case, the margin is determined based upon our senior, unsecured long-term debt rating.

 

Each facility requires us to maintain stockholders’ interest, excluding accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest, at the end of each fiscal quarter, that exceeds the sum of (1) $6.9 billion and (2) 40% of our consolidated net income for each completed fiscal year ending on or prior to the end of such fiscal quarter (without any deductions for any fiscal year as to which there is a consolidated net loss). Each facility also limits our ability to create liens on our assets, enter into mergers and consolidations and enter into certain transactions with our affiliates.

 

253


Table of Contents

Events of default under each facility include (1) the acquisition of more than 50% of our common stock by any person or group (other than GE), and (2) the occupation of a majority of the seats on our board of directors by persons who were neither nominated by our board of directors or by GE or appointed by directors so nominated.

 

Our ability to borrow under these facilities is subject to GE’s right as the holder of the Class B Common Stock to approve our incurrence of debt in excess of $700 million outstanding at any one time (subject to certain exceptions). See “Description of Capital Stock—Approval Rights of Holders of Class B Common Stock.”

 

There currently are no amounts outstanding under either of these credit facilities.

 

254


Table of Contents

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

 

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after this offering or the perception that such sales could occur could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise equity capital in the future on terms favorable to us. We can make no prediction as to the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of common stock or the availability of shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Our Class A Common Stock and the Equity Units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Class B Common Stock is not listed on any stock exchange.

 

Sale of Restricted Shares

 

Upon completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, we will have outstanding 227.0 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 262.6 million shares of Class B Common Stock, including 19.4 million shares to be held in treasury as a result of the stock repurchase. All the shares of Class A Common Stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act of 1933, except for any shares purchased by or owned by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. As defined in Rule 144, an affiliate of an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the issuer. Shares held by affiliates may not be resold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to an exemption from registration, including, among others, the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. Upon completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, approximately 1.9 million of our shares of Class A Common Stock and 243.2 million shares of our Class B Common Stock will be beneficially owned by our officers, directors and other affiliates.

 

Upon completion of this offering and the stock repurchase, GE will beneficially own approximately 52% of our outstanding common stock (consisting of 100% of our outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock and no shares of Class A Common Stock). This offering and the stock repurchase are part of GE’s plan to dispose of more than 50% by value of its interest in us. GE’s transfer of assets to us in our corporate reorganization has been structured to qualify for the election under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code, and GE has received a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that the transfer will qualify for that election provided that certain conditions are met. Among those conditions is that GE must complete its disposition of more than 50% by value of its interest in our company within two years after the completion of the IPO. GE has informed us that its failure to satisfy this condition and to qualify for the tax election would result both in significant additional tax liability for GE and in elimination of the section 338 benefit (and Genworth’s associated liability) that is the subject of the Tax Matters Agreement, as discussed under “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Tax Matters Agreement.” Accordingly, GE has informed us that it fully intends to and expects to meet this condition and has adopted a Plan of Divestiture under which it will effect the divestiture of more than 50% of our stock. GE has informed us that it intends to implement methods that it deems suitable to divest of our common stock in order to carry out the Plan of Divestiture and to satisfy this divestiture condition.

 

We are unable to predict whether significant numbers of shares will be sold in the open market or otherwise in anticipation of or following any sales of our shares by GE.

 

Rule 144

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who has beneficially owned for at least one year shares of common stock that are restricted securities would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

    1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding or approximately 4.9 million shares of common stock immediately after this offering; or

 

255


Table of Contents
    the average weekly trading volume of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

 

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain restrictions on the manner of sale, certain notice requirements, and the availability of current public information about us.

 

Under Rule 144(k), a person who has not been one of our affiliates at any time during the three months before a sale, and who has beneficially owned the restricted shares for at least two years, is entitled to sell the shares immediately after the date of this prospectus without complying with the manner of sale, public information, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

We, our executive officers and directors and GEFAHI have agreed with the underwriters pursuant to lock-up agreements that, subject to limited exceptions described in “Underwriters,” for a period of 180 days, in the case of Genworth and GEFAHI, or 90 days, in the case of our executive officers and directors after the date of this prospectus, we and they will not directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock, or in any manner transfer all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of shares of common stock, or cause a registration statement covering any shares of common stock to be filed, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.

 

Registration Rights

 

As described in “Arrangements Between GE and Our Company—Relationship with GE—Registration Rights Agreement,” we entered into a registration rights agreement with GE in connection with our separation from GE. We do not have any other contractual obligations to register our common stock. This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed pursuant to a demand registration that GE delivered to us on February 2, 2005.

 

Equity Units

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Equity Units, we have agreed to issue and sell, on May 16, 2007, between 25,428,000 shares and 33,770,400 shares of our Class A Common Stock. However, holders of Equity Units may elect to settle the stock purchase contracts early at any time after May 28, 2005. See “Description of Equity Units.”

 

256


Table of Contents

Certain U.S. Federal Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Our Common Stock

 

This section summarizes material U.S. federal income and, to a limited extent, certain U.S. federal estate tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that holds such stock as a capital asset and is generally an individual, corporation, estate or trust other than:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

    a corporation (or an entity taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S. or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; and

 

    a trust if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or such trust has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

If a partnership holds common stock, the tax treatment of a partner of the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Special rules may apply if a Non-U.S. Holder is a “controlled foreign corporation” or “passive foreign investment company,” as defined under the Internal Revenue Code, and to certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S. If you fall within any of the foregoing categories, you should consult your own tax adviser to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences that may be relevant to you.

 

This summary does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by a prospective Non-U.S. Holder in light of that investor’s particular circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address alternative minimum taxes or state, local or foreign taxes.

 

This section is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, judicial decisions, final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, published rulings and other administrative pronouncements, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

Please consult your own tax adviser as to the particular tax consequences to you of purchasing, holding and disposing of our common stock in your particular circumstances under the Internal Revenue Code and under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

U.S. Trade or Business Income

 

For purposes of the discussion below, dividends and gains on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock will be considered to be “U.S. trade or business income” if such income or gain is:

 

    effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business; and

 

    in the case of a treaty resident, attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment (or, in the case of an individual, a fixed base) maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.

 

Generally, U.S. trade or business income is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. Any U.S. trade or business income received by a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may, under specific circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or a lower rate that may be specified by an applicable tax treaty).

 

257


Table of Contents

Dividends

 

Dividends, if any, that are paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate that may be specified by an applicable tax treaty). However, dividends that are U.S. trade or business income are not subject to the withholding tax. To claim an exemption from withholding in the case of U.S. trade or business income, or to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must provide us or our paying agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (in the case of U.S. trade or business income) or IRS Form W-8BEN (in the case of a treaty), or any successor form that the IRS designates, as applicable, prior to the payment of the dividends. The information provided in these IRS forms must be periodically updated. In certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder who is claiming the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be required (a) to obtain and to provide a U.S. taxpayer identification number or (b) to provide certain documentary evidence issued by governmental authorities of a foreign country to prove the Non-U.S. Holder’s residence in that country. Also, Treasury regulations provide special procedures for payments of dividends through qualified intermediaries.

 

Sale or Exchange of Our Common Stock

 

Except as described below and subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale or exchange of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless:

 

    the gain is U.S. trade or business income;

 

    subject to certain exceptions, the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meets certain other requirements; or

 

    we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (a “USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition of our common stock and the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period for our common stock.

 

The tax relating to stock in a USRPHC does not apply to a Non-U.S. Holder whose holdings, actual and constructive, amount to 5% or less or our common stock at all times during the applicable period, provided that our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market. As of the date of this offering, our common stock is traded on an established securities market.

 

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests” equals 50% or more of the sum of the fair market values of (a) its worldwide real property interests and (b) its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we have not been and are not currently a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, nor do we anticipate becoming a USRPHC in the future. However, no assurance can be given that we will not become a USRPHC. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisers to determine the application of these rules to their disposition of our common stock.

 

Federal Estate Taxes

 

Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a Non-U.S. Holder (as specifically defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

 

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

 

We must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder any dividend that is paid to such Non-U.S. Holder. Copies of these information returns also may be made available under the provisions of a treaty or other agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides. Treasury regulations provide

 

258


Table of Contents

that the backup withholding tax on such dividends (currently at a rate of 28%), as well as certain information reporting requirements, will not apply to dividends paid on our common stock if (a) the Non-U.S. Holder, prior to payment, provides a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN certifying that the claimed Non-U.S. Holder is in fact not a U.S. person, or otherwise establishes an exemption, and (b) neither we nor our paying agent have actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the claimed Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

 

The payment of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock to or through the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, will be subject to information reporting and possible backup withholding unless (a) the Non-U.S. Holder, prior to payment, certifies its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption, and (b) the broker does not have actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the claimed Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. The payment of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding unless the non-U.S. broker has certain types of relationships with the U.S. that render the broker a “U.S.-related person.” In the case of the payment of the gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock to or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is either a U.S. person or a U.S.-related person, Treasury regulations require information reporting (but not backup withholding) on the payment unless (a) the broker, prior to payment, has documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a Non-U.S. Holder, and (b) the broker has no knowledge, or reason to know, to the contrary.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely provided to the IRS.

 

The preceding discussion of material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences is general information only and is not tax advice. Accordingly, you should consult your own tax adviser as to the particular tax consequences to you of purchasing, holding or disposing of our common stock, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or Non-U.S. tax laws, and of any changes or proposed changes in applicable law.

 

259


Table of Contents

Underwriters

 

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and GEFAHI, the selling stockholder, has agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock indicated below:

 

Name


   Number of
Shares


      

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

   19,923,745

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   9,961,875
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                     Incorporated
   9,961,875

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   9,961,875

Banc of America Securities LLC

   3,984,750

Credit Suisse First Boston LLC

   3,984,750

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

   3,984,750

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

   3,984,750

Lehman Brothers Inc.

   3,984,750

UBS Securities LLC

   3,984,750

ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC

   597,713

BB&T Capital Markets, A division of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.

   597,713

Blaylock & Partners, L.P.

   597,713

CMG Institutional Trading LLC

   597,713

Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc.

   597,713

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

   597,713

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated

   597,713

Ramirez & Co., Inc.

   597,713

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

   597,713

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

   597,713

Dowling & Partners Securities, LLC

   402,500

Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.

   402,500
    

Total

   80,500,000
    

 

The underwriters are offering the shares of Class A Common Stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from the selling stockholder and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken.

 

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Class A Common Stock directly to the public at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $0.45 a share under the public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares of Class A Common Stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

 

The underwriters do not have an option to purchase additional shares from the selling stockholder or from us.

 

260


Table of Contents

We estimate that our expenses for this offering will be approximately $5.4 million, which includes legal, accounting and printing costs and various other fees. All offering expenses will be payable by the selling stockholder.

 

Each of Genworth and the selling stockholder has agreed that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, it will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus:

 

    offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock;

 

    file or cause to be filed any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock; or

 

    enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock;

 

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions described in this paragraph do not apply to:

 

    the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock to the underwriters;

 

    the issuance by us of Class A Common Stock pursuant to the conversion of the Equity Units or the filing of any registration statement relating thereto to the extent required by the terms of the Equity Units;

 

    the grant by us of stock options, restricted stock or other awards pursuant to our benefit plans as described in this prospectus, provided that such options, restricted stock or awards do not become exercisable or vest during such 180-day period;

 

    the issuance by us of shares of Class A Common Stock in connection with the acquisition of another corporation or entity or the acquisition of assets or properties of any such corporation or entity, so long as the aggregate amount of such issuances does not exceed $500 million and each of the recipients of the Class A Common Stock agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions described in this paragraph for the remainder of such 180-day period;

 

    the private transfer by the selling stockholder of restricted shares of common stock, so long as the recipient of such common stock agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions described in this paragraph for the remainder of such 180-day period;

 

    the issuance by us of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on or prior to the date of this prospectus and which is described in this prospectus of which the underwriters have been advised in writing;

 

    transactions by the selling stockholder relating to shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering; or

 

    the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of stock options, restricted stock and other awards pursuant to our benefit plans.

 

Each of the directors and executive officers of our company has agreed that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, he or she will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this prospectus:

 

    offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock; or

 

261


Table of Contents
    enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock;

 

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions described in this paragraph do not apply to:

 

    transfers by directors or executive officers of shares of Class A Common Stock by gift or to immediate family members, so long as the recipient of such Class A Common Stock agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions described in this paragraph for the remainder of such 90-day period;

 

    dispositions of shares of Class A Common Stock to us following 45 days after the date of this prospectus to cover only withholding tax obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units;

 

    the sale of shares of Class A Common Stock following 45 days after the date of this prospectus to cover only the payment of withholding tax obligations related to the exercise of stock options; or

 

    transactions relating to shares of Class A Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering.

 

In order to facilitate this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Class A Common Stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a “naked” short position for their account. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Class A Common Stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of Class A Common Stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the Class A Common Stock. The underwriting syndicate may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Class A Common Stock, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed Class A Common Stock to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the Class A Common Stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the Class A Common Stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the Class A Common Stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

 

Genworth, the selling stockholder and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Selling Restrictions

 

Shares of the Class A Common Stock may not be offered or sold into the United Kingdom, except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses (or in other circumstances that do not constitute an offer to the public in the United Kingdom for the purposes of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995), and any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) in connection with the issue or sale of shares of the Class A Common Stock may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. All applicable provisions of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 and the FSMA must be complied with in respect of anything done to shares of the Class A Common Stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

Neither we nor the selling stockholder has authorized any offer of the Class A Common Stock to the public in Belgium. This offering is exclusively conducted under applicable private placement exemptions and, therefore, it has not been notified to, and the prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Class A Common Stock has not been approved by, the Belgium Banking and Finance Commission (Commission Bancaire et Financière/Commissie voor het Bank- en Financiewezen). Accordingly, the offering may not be advertised and

 

262


Table of Contents

no offers, sales, resales, transfers or deliveries of the Class A Common Stock or any distributions of the prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Class A Common Stock may be made directly or indirectly, to any individual or legal entity in Belgium other than: (1) investors required to invest a minimum of €250,000 (per investor and per transaction); (2) institutional investors as defined in Article 3, 2°, of Belgian Royal Decree of 7 July 1999 on the public character of financial transactions, acting for their own account; and (3) persons for which the acquisition of the Class A Common Stock subject to the offering is necessary to enable them to exercise their professional activity.

 

The shares of Class A Common Stock may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent, or in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares of Class A Common Stock may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder.

 

The shares of Class A Common Stock have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and are not being offered or sold and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any resident of Japan, except: (1) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, or otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and (2) in compliance with any other applicable requirements of Japanese law.

 

The shares of Class A Common Stock may not be offered, transferred or sold in the Netherlands to any person other than to natural or legal persons who trade or invest in securities in the conduct of their profession or trade within the meaning of section 2 of the Exemption Regulation pursuant to The Netherlands Securities Market Supervision Act of 1995 (Vrijstellingsregeling Wet toezicht effectenverkeer 1995), which includes banks, securities intermediaries (including dealers and brokers), insurance companies, central governments, large international and supernational institutions, pension funds, other institutional investors and commercial enterprises which, as an ancillary activity, regularly invest in securities in the conduct of a business or a profession.

 

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation or subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase of the shares, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than under circumstances in which such offer, sale or invitation does not constitute an offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares to the public in Singapore.

 

Relationships with Underwriters

 

The underwriters and their affiliates have from time to time provided, and expect to provide in the future, investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services to us and our affiliates, including GE and the selling stockholder, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Affiliates of certain underwriters are also lenders under our $1.0 billion 364-day revolving credit facility and our $1.0 billion 5-year revolving credit facility. We believe that the fees and commissions paid in respect of participation in the credit facilities were customary for borrowers with a credit profile similar to ours, for a similar-size financing and for borrowers in our industry.

 

263


Table of Contents

Legal Matters

 

The validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York.

 

Experts

 

The financial statements and schedules for Genworth Financial, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 have been included in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere in such registration statement, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit reports refer to a change in accounting for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate accounts in 2004, variable interest entities in 2003, and goodwill and other intangible assets in 2002.

 

Additional Information

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 with respect to the Class A Common Stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules that are part of the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our Class A Common Stock, reference is made to the registration statement and exhibits and schedules thereto. You may read and copy any document we file, including the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s public reference rooms and the website of the SEC referred to above.

 

264


Table of Contents

Index to Financial Statements

 

     Page

Annual Financial Statements:

    

Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Statement of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-3

Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

   F-4

Statement of Stockholders’ Interest for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-5

Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

   F-6

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-7

 

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Genworth Financial, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of financial position of Genworth Financial, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statements of earnings, stockholders’ interest, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Genworth Financial, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

As discussed in note 2 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for certain nontraditional long-duration contracts and for separate accounts in 2004, its method of accounting for variable interest entities in 2003, and its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets in 2002.

 

 

 

/s/    KPMG LLP

 

Richmond, Virginia

February 11, 2005

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Statement of Earnings

(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

   2003

    2002

 

Revenues:

                       

Premiums

   $ 6,559    $ 6,707     $ 6,107  

Net investment income

     3,648      4,051       3,979  

Net realized investment gains

     26      10       204  

Policy fees and other income

     824      915       939  
    

  


 


Total revenues

     11,057      11,683       11,229  
    

  


 


Benefits and expenses:

                       

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     4,804      5,270       4,640  

Interest credited

     1,432      1,624       1,645  

Underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     1,812      1,916       1,808  

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     1,154      1,351       1,221  

Interest expense

     217      140       124  
    

  


 


Total benefits and expenses

     9,419      10,301       9,438  
    

  


 


Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and accounting change

     1,638      1,382       1,791  

Provision for income taxes

     493      413       411  
    

  


 


Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

     1,145      969       1,380  

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        186       (206 )

Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     7      (74 )     —    
    

  


 


Net earnings before accounting change

     1,152      1,081       1,174  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     5      —         —    
    

  


 


Net earnings

   $ 1,157    $ 1,081     $ 1,174  
    

  


 


Basic and diluted earnings per common share (see note 3)

   $ 2.36    $ 2.21     $ 2.40  
    

  


 


 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Statement of Financial Position

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

   2003

 

Assets

               

Investments:

               

Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value

   $ 52,424    $ 65,485  

Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value

     374      600  

Mortgage and other loans, net of valuation allowance of $52 and $50

     6,051      6,114  

Policy loans

     1,224      1,105  

Short-term investments

     818      531  

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

     860      1,069  

Other invested assets

     3,996      3,789  
    

  


Total investments

     65,747      78,693  

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,392      1,982  

Accrued investment income

     733      970  

Deferred acquisition costs

     5,020      5,788  

Intangible assets

     780      1,346  

Goodwill

     1,465      1,728  

Reinsurance recoverable

     18,535      2,334  

Other assets ($24 and $65 restricted in securitization entities)

     1,322      2,346  

Separate account assets

     8,884      8,244  
    

  


Total assets

   $ 103,878    $ 103,431  
    

  


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Interest

               

Liabilities:

               

Future annuity and contract benefits

   $ 61,698    $ 59,257  

Liability for policy and contract claims

     3,329      3,207  

Unearned premiums

     3,597      3,616  

Other policyholder liabilities

     638      465  

Other liabilities ($3 and $59 restricted in securitization entities)

     6,792      7,051  

Non-recourse funding obligations

     900      600  

Short-term borrowings

     559      2,239  

Long-term borrowings

     2,442      529  

Senior notes underlying equity units

     600      —    

Preferred stock

     100      —    

Deferred tax liability

     624      1,405  

Borrowings related to securitization entities

     849      1,018  

Separate account liabilities

     8,884      8,244  
    

  


Total liabilities

     91,012      87,631  
    

  


Commitments and Contingencies

               

Stockholders’ interest:

               

Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value;
1.5 billion shares authorized; 146.5 million shares issued and outstanding

     —        —    

Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value;
700 million shares authorized; 343.1 million shares issued and outstanding

     —        —    

Additional paid-in capital

     10,612      8,377  
    

  


Accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest:

               

Net unrealized investment gains

     1,019      1,518  

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

     268      (5 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     322      159  
    

  


Accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest

     1,609      1,672  

Retained earnings

     645      5,751  
    

  


Total stockholders’ interest

     12,866      15,800  
    

  


Total liabilities and stockholders’ interest

   $ 103,878    $ 103,431  
    

  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Statement of Stockholders’ Interest

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

    

Paid-in

capital


  

Accumulated

non-owner

changes in

stockholders’

interest


   

Retained

earnings


   

Total

stockholders’

interest


 

Balances as of December 31, 2001

   $ 7,994    $ (664 )   $ 6,835     $ 14,165  
                           


Changes other than transactions with stockholder:

                               

Net earnings

     —        —         1,174       1,174  

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities

     —        1,514       —         1,514  

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

     —        70       —         70  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        (85 )     —         (85 )
                           


Total changes other than transactions with stockholder

     —        —         —         2,673  

Dividends and other transactions with stockholder

     85      —         (171 )     (86 )
    

  


 


 


Balances as of December 31, 2002

     8,079      835       7,838       16,752  
                           


Changes other than transactions with stockholder:

                               

Net earnings

     —        —         1,081       1,081  

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities

     —        300       —         300  

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

     —        93       —         93  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        444       —         444  
                           


Total changes other than transactions with stockholder

     —        —         —         1,918  

Dividends and other transactions with stockholder

     298      —         (3,168 )     (2,870 )
    

  


 


 


Balances as of December 31, 2003

     8,377      1,672       5,751       15,800  
                           


Changes other than transactions with stockholders:

                               

Net earnings

     —        —         1,157       1,157  

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities

     —        (465 )     —         (465 )

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

     —        273       —         273  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     —        163       —         163  
                           


Total changes other than transactions with stockholders

                            1,128  

Dividends and other transactions with stockholder prior to our corporate reorganization

     2,190      (34 )     (6,199 )     (4,043 )

Transactions subsequent to our corporate reorganization:

                               

Dividends to stockholders

     —        —         (64 )     (64 )

Stock-based compensation

     29      —         —         29  

Capital contributions from majority stockholder

     16      —         —         16  
    

  


 


 


Balances as of December 31, 2004

   $ 10,612    $ 1,609     $ 645     $ 12,866  
    

  


 


 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollar amounts in millions)

 

     Years Ended December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                        

Net earnings

   $ 1,157     $ 1,081     $ 1,174  

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

                        

Amortization of investment discounts and premiums

     81       18       (5 )

Net realized investment gains

     (26 )     (10 )     (204 )

Charges assessed to policyholders

     (301 )     (295 )     (198 )

Acquisition costs deferred

     (1,047 )     (1,758 )     (1,906 )

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     1,154       1,351       1,221  

Deferred income taxes

     (1,196 )     (63 )     (55 )

Corporate overhead allocation

     14       36       31  

Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes

     (5 )     —         —    

Net (earnings) loss from discontinued operations

     —         (186 )     206  

Net (gain) loss from sale of discontinued operations

     (7 )     74       —    

Change in certain assets and liabilities:

                        

Accrued investment income and other assets

     618       (136 )     (223 )

Insurance reserves

     2,566       3,105       3,218  

Current tax liabilities

     1,689       476       466  

Other liabilities and other policy-related balances

     801       23       1,158  
    


 


 


Net cash from operating activities

     5,498       3,716       4,883  
    


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                        

Proceeds from maturities and repayments of investments:

                        

Fixed maturities

     5,854       8,198       5,999  

Mortgage, policy and other loans

     866       1,711       533  

Other invested assets

     9       73       9  

Proceeds from sales and securitizations of investments:

                        

Fixed maturities and equity securities

     4,677       16,253       22,266  

Other invested assets

     246       110       74  

Purchases and originations of investments:

                        

Fixed maturities and equity securities

     (15,186 )     (26,597 )     (33,004 )

Mortgage, policy and other loans

     (1,372 )     (2,653 )     (1,438 )

Other invested assets

     (304 )     (248 )     (236 )

Dividends received from discontinued operations

     —         495       62  

Payments for businesses purchased, net of cash acquired

     (9 )     44       (61 )

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

     10       1,631       —    

Short-term investment activity, net

     (195 )     302       (729 )
    


 


 


Net cash from investing activities

     (5,404 )     (681 )     (6,525 )
    


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                        

Proceeds from issuance of investment contracts

     7,109       8,262       9,749  

Redemption and benefit payments on investment contracts

     (7,163 )     (8,994 )     (7,279 )

Short-term borrowings activity, net

     (2,340 )     373       (289 )

Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse funding obligations

     300       600       —    

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     1,895       —         —    

Net commercial paper borrowings

     499       16       212  

Repayment of contingent note

     (550 )     —         —    

Cash transferred in connection with our corporate reorganization

     (838 )     —         —    

Dividends paid to stockholders

     (1,613 )     (3,232 )     (132 )

Capital contribution received from stockholder

     1,910       261       32  
    


 


 


Net cash from financing activities

     (791 )     (2,714 )     2,293  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     107       92       37  
    


 


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (590 )     413       688  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     1,982       1,569       881  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 1,392     $ 1,982     $ 1,569  
    


 


 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(1) Formation of Genworth and Basis of Presentation

 

Genworth Financial, Inc. (“Genworth”) was incorporated in Delaware on October 23, 2003 in preparation for the corporate reorganization of certain insurance and related subsidiaries of General Electric Company (“GE”) and an initial public offering of Genworth common stock, which was completed on May 28, 2004 (“IPO”). In connection with the IPO, Genworth acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc. (“GEFAHI”). Prior to its IPO, Genworth was a wholly-owned subsidiary of GEFAHI. GEFAHI is an indirect subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corporation (“GE Capital”), which in turn is an indirect subsidiary of GE. Prior to the corporate reorganization, GEFAHI was a holding company for a group of companies that provide life insurance, long-term care insurance, group life and health insurance, annuities and other investment products and U.S. mortgage insurance. At the same time, Genworth also acquired certain other insurance businesses previously owned by other GE subsidiaries. These businesses include international mortgage insurance, payment protection insurance based in Europe, a Bermuda reinsurer, and mortgage contract underwriting.

 

In consideration for the assets and liabilities Genworth acquired in connection with the corporate reorganization, Genworth issued to GEFAHI 489.5 million shares of its Class B Common Stock, $600 million of its 6.00% Equity Units (“Equity Units”), $100 million of its 5.25% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) which is mandatorily redeemable, a $2.4 billion short-term note, and a $550 million contingent non-interest-bearing note (“Contingent Note”). The liabilities Genworth assumed included ¥60 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.6% notes due 2011 issued by GEFAHI. The transactions above, which are accounted for at book value as transfers between entities under common control, are referred to as our corporate reorganization. Shares of Class B Common Stock convert automatically into shares of Class A Common Stock when they are held by any person other than GE or an affiliate of GE or when GE no longer beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock. Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have identical voting rights, except Class B shares have approval rights over certain corporate actions and rights with respect to the election and removal of directors. As a result, all of the 146.4 million shares of common stock sold in Genworth’s IPO consisted of Class A Common Stock.

 

For the periods prior to our corporate reorganization, the accompanying financial statements include the accounts of certain indirect subsidiaries and businesses of GE that represent the predecessor of Genworth. The companies and businesses included in the predecessor combined financial statements are GEFAHI, Financial Insurance Company Ltd., FIG Ireland Ltd., WorldCover Direct Ltd., RD Plus S.A., CFI Administrators Ltd., Financial Assurance Company Ltd., Financial Insurance Group Services Ltd., Consolidated Insurance Group Ltd., Viking Insurance Co. Ltd., GE Mortgage Insurance Ltd., GE Mortgage Insurance Pty Ltd., GE Mortgage Insurance (Guernsey) Ltd., Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada, GE Capital Mortgage Insurance Corp. (Australia) Pty Ltd., The Terra Financial Companies, Ltd., GE Capital Insurance Agency, Inc., CFI Pension Trustees Ltd., Financial Insurance Guernsey PCC Ltd., GE Financial Assurance Compania De Seguros y Reaseguros de Vida S.A., GE Financial Insurance Compania De Seguros y Reaseguros de Vida S.A. and GE Residential Connections Corp., Assocred SA, Ennington Properties Limited and the consumer protection insurance business of Vie Plus S.A. All of the combined companies were indirect subsidiaries of GE. For these periods, we refer to the combined predecessor companies and businesses as the “company”, “we”, “us”, or “our” unless the context otherwise requires.

 

For the periods subsequent to our reorganization, the accompanying financial statements include on a consolidated basis the accounts of Genworth and our affiliate companies in which we hold a majority voting or economic interest, which for these periods we refer to as the “company,” “we”, “us”, or “our” unless the context otherwise requires.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

a) Nature of Business

 

Directly and indirectly through our subsidiaries we sell a variety of insurance and investment-related products in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, we operated five business segments: (i) Protection, (ii) Retirement Income and Investments, (iii) Mortgage Insurance, (iv) Affinity and (v) Corporate and Other. As part of our corporate reorganization we did not acquire any of the Affinity segment businesses from GEFAHI. Accordingly, the results of the Affinity segment are included in our historical results of operations through May 24, 2004, but excluded thereafter. During 2003, we sold our Japanese life and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses, which are shown as discontinued operations.

 

Protection includes life insurance, long-term care insurance and, for companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, group life and health insurance. Protection also includes consumer payment protection insurance, which helps consumers meet their payment obligations in the event of illness, involuntary unemployment, disability or death.

 

Retirement Income and Investments includes fixed and variable deferred annuities, income annuities, variable life insurance, asset management and specialized products, including guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), funding agreements and structured settlements.

 

Mortgage Insurance includes mortgage insurance products offered in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages.

 

Corporate and Other includes net realized investment gains (losses), interest and other debt financing expenses that are incurred at our holding company level, unallocated corporate income and expenses (including amounts accrued in settlement of class action lawsuits), and the results of several small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments.

 

b) Premiums

 

For traditional long-duration insurance contracts, we report premiums as earned when due. For short-duration insurance contracts, we report premiums as revenue over the terms of the related insurance policies on a pro-rata basis or in proportion to expected claims.

 

For single premium mortgage insurance contracts, we report premiums over the policy life in accordance with the expiration of risk.

 

Premiums received under annuity contracts without significant mortality risk and premiums received on investment and universal life products are not reported as revenues but rather as deposits and are included in liabilities for future annuity and contract benefits.

 

c) Net Investment Income and Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses

 

Investment income is recorded when earned. Realized investment gains and losses are calculated on the basis of specific identification.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Investment income on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities is initially based upon yield, cash flow, and prepayment assumptions at the date of purchase. Subsequent revisions in those assumptions are recorded using the retrospective or prospective method. Under the retrospective method, used for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities of high credit quality (ratings equal to or greater than AA or that are U.S. Agency backed) which cannot be contractually prepaid, amortized cost of the security is adjusted to the amount that would have existed had the revised assumptions been in place at the date of purchase. The adjustments to amortized cost are recorded as a charge or credit to net investment income. Under the prospective method, which is used for all other mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, future cash flows are estimated and interest income is recognized going forward using the new internal rate of return. As of December 31, 2004, all our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities that have had subsequent revisions in yield, cash flow or prepayment assumptions are accounted for under the retrospective method.

 

d) Policy Fees and Other Income

 

Policy fees and other income consists primarily of insurance charges assessed on universal life contracts, fees assessed against policyholder account values and commission income. Charges to policyholder accounts for universal life cost of insurance are recognized as revenue when due. Variable product fees are charged to variable annuity and variable life policyholders based upon the daily net assets of the policyholder’s account values and are recognized as revenue when charged. Policy surrender fees are recognized as income when the policy is surrendered.

 

e) Investment Securities

 

We have designated all of our investment securities as available-for-sale and report them in our Statement of Financial Position at fair value. We obtain values for actively traded securities from external pricing services. For infrequently traded securities, we obtain quotes from brokers, or we estimate values using internally developed pricing models. These models are based upon common valuation techniques and require us to make assumptions regarding credit quality, liquidity and other factors that affect estimated values. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments, net of the effect on deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), present value of future profits (“PVFP”) and deferred income taxes, are reflected as unrealized investment gains or losses in a separate component of accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest and, accordingly, have no effect on net income.

 

We regularly review investment securities for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy, which includes both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Quantitative criteria include length of time and amount that each security is in an unrealized loss position, and for fixed maturities, whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Qualitative criteria include the financial strength and specific prospects for the issuer as well as our intent to hold the security until recovery. Our impairment reviews involve our finance, risk and asset management teams, as well as the portfolio management and research capabilities of GE Asset Management Incorporated (“GEAM”) and other third party asset managers, as required. We actively perform comprehensive market research, monitor market conditions and segment our investments by credit risk in order to minimize impairment risks. Certain risks are inherent in reviewing the impairment of any investment security, including that market results may differ from expectations; facts and circumstances may change in the future and differ from estimates and assumptions; or we may later decide to sell an investment security before it recovers in value as a result of changed circumstances. If we change our estimate to conclude that a decline in the value of an investment security is other than temporary, we will reflect a charge for the impairment in the period our estimate changes.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

f) Mortgage, Policy and Other Loans

 

Mortgage, policy and other loans are stated at the unpaid principal balance of such loans, net of allowances for estimated uncollectible amounts. The allowance for losses is determined on the basis of management’s best estimate of probable losses, including specific allowances for known troubled loans, if any.

 

g) Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Certificates of deposit, money market funds, and other time deposits with original maturities of less than 90 days are considered cash equivalents in the Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Cash Flows. Items with maturities greater than 90 days but less than one year at the time of acquisition are included in short-term investments.

 

h) Securities Lending Activity

 

We engage in certain securities lending transactions, which require the borrower to provide collateral, primarily consisting of cash and government securities, on a daily basis, in amounts equal to or exceeding 102% of the fair value of the applicable securities loaned. We maintain effective control over all loaned securities and, therefore, continue to report such securities as fixed maturities in the Statement of Financial Position.

 

Cash collateral received on securities lending transactions is reflected in other invested assets with an offsetting liability recognized in other liabilities for the obligation to return the collateral. Non-cash collateral, such as a security received by us, is not reflected in our assets in the Statement of Financial Position as we have not repledged or sold the collateral. The fair value of collateral held and included in other invested assets is $3.2 billion and $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. We had non-cash collateral of $44 million and $0 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

i) Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC)

 

Acquisition costs include costs, which vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of insurance and investment contracts. Such costs are deferred and amortized as follows:

 

Long-Duration Contracts—Acquisition costs include commissions in excess of ultimate renewal commissions, solicitation and printing costs, sales material and some support costs, such as underwriting and contract and policy issuance expenses. Amortization for traditional long-duration insurance products is determined as a level proportion of premium based on commonly accepted actuarial methods and reasonable assumptions established when the contract or policy is issued about mortality, morbidity, lapse rates, expenses and future yield on related investments. Amortization for annuity contracts without significant mortality risk and investment and universal life products is based on estimated gross profits and is adjusted as those estimates are revised.

 

Short-Duration Contracts—Acquisition costs consist primarily of commissions and premium taxes and are amortized ratably over the terms of the underlying policies.

 

We regularly review all of these assumptions and periodically test DAC for recoverability. For deposit products, if the current present value of estimated future gross profits is less than the unamortized DAC for a line of business, a charge to income is recorded for additional DAC amortization. For other products, if the benefit reserve plus anticipated future premiums and interest earnings for a line of business are less than the current estimate of future benefits and expenses (including any unamortized DAC), a charge to income is recorded for additional DAC amortization or for increased benefit reserves.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

j) Intangible Assets

 

Present Value of Future Profits—In conjunction with the acquisition of a block of insurance policies or investment contracts, a portion of the purchase price is assigned to the right to receive future gross profits arising from existing insurance and investment contracts. This intangible asset, called PVFP, represents the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from the acquired policies. PVFP is amortized, net of accreted interest, in a manner similar to the amortization of DAC.

 

We regularly review all of these assumptions and periodically test PVFP for recoverability. For deposit products, if the current present value of estimated future gross profits is less than the unamortized PVFP for a line of business, a charge to income is recorded for additional PVFP amortization. For other products, if the benefit reserve plus anticipated future premiums and interest earnings for a line of business are less than the current estimate of future benefits and expenses (including any unamortized PVFP), a charge to income is recorded for additional PVFP amortization or for increased benefit reserves.

 

Deferred Sales Inducements to Contractholders. We defer sales inducements to contractholders for features on variable annuities that entitle the contractholder to an incremental amount to be credited to the account value upon making a deposit, and for fixed annuities with crediting rates higher than the contract’s expected ongoing crediting rates for periods after the inducement. Our sales inducements to contractholders deferred prior to the adoption of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position 03-1 (“SOP 03-1”) Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts which we included in unamortized deferred acquisition costs, were reinsured effective January 1, 2004. Deferred sales inducements to contractholders are reported as a separate intangible asset and amortized in benefits and other changes in policy reserves using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize deferred acquisition costs.

 

Other Intangible Assets—We amortize the costs of other intangibles over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are deemed indefinite. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually based on undiscounted cash flows, which requires the use of estimates and judgment, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested at least annually for impairment and written down to fair value as required.

 

k) Goodwill

 

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually using a fair value approach, which requires the use of estimates and judgment, at the “reporting unit” level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment (the “component” level) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at the component level. We recognize an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. We use discounted cash flows to establish fair values. When available and as appropriate, we use comparative market multiples to corroborate discounted cash flow results. When a business within a reporting unit is disposed of, goodwill is allocated to the business using the relative fair value methodology to measure the gain or loss on disposal.

 

l) Reinsurance

 

Premium revenue, benefits, underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses are reported net of the amounts relating to reinsurance ceded to other companies. Amounts due from reinsurers for incurred and estimated future

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

claims are reflected in the reinsurance recoverable asset. The cost of reinsurance is accounted for over the terms of the related treaties using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying reinsured policies.

 

m) Separate Accounts

 

The separate account assets represent funds for which the investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to the variable annuity contract holders and variable life policyholders. We assess mortality risk fees and administration charges on the variable mutual fund portfolios. The separate account assets are carried at fair value and are at least equal to the liabilities that represent the policyholders’ equity in those assets.

 

n) Future Annuity and Contract Benefits

 

Future annuity and contract benefits consist of the liability for investment contracts, insurance contracts and accident and health contracts. Investment contract liabilities are generally equal to the policyholder’s current account value. The liability for life insurance and accident and health contracts is calculated based upon actuarial assumptions as to mortality, morbidity, interest, expense and withdrawals, with experience adjustments for adverse deviation where appropriate.

 

o) Liability for Policy and Contract Claims

 

The liability for policy and contract claims represents the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the end of the respective reporting period. The estimated liability includes requirements for future payments of (a) claims that have been reported to the insurer, (b) claims related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated, and (c) claim adjustment expenses. Claim adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees and costs to record, process, and adjust claims.

 

For our mortgage insurance policies, reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on notices of mortgage loan defaults and estimates of defaults that have been incurred but have not been reported by loan servicers, using assumptions of claim rates for loans in default and the average amount paid for loans that result in a claim. As is common accounting practice in the mortgage insurance industry and in accordance with U.S. GAAP, loss reserves are not established for future claims on insured loans that are not currently in default.

 

Management considers the liability for policy and contract claims provided to be satisfactory to cover the losses that have occurred. Management monitors actual experience, and where circumstances warrant, will revise its assumptions. The methods of determining such estimates and establishing the reserves are reviewed continuously and any adjustments are reflected in operations in the period in which they become known. Future developments may result in losses and loss expenses greater or less than the liability for policy and contract claims provided.

 

p) Income Taxes

 

For periods prior to our corporate reorganization, our non-life insurance entities were included in the consolidated federal income tax return of GE and subject to a tax-sharing arrangement that allocates tax on a separate company basis, but provides benefit for current utilization of losses and credits. For periods prior to 2004, our U.S. life insurance entities filed a consolidated life insurance federal income tax return separate from GE and are subject to a separate tax-sharing agreement, as approved by state insurance regulators, which also allocates taxes on a separate company basis but provides benefit for current utilization of losses and credits. For

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

2004, through the date of our corporate reorganization, we expect our US life insurance entities to be included in the consolidated federal income tax return of GE, and subject to separate company principles similar to those applicable to our non-life insurance entities. Intercompany balances under all agreements are settled at least annually.

 

Effective with our corporate reorganization, our U.S. non-life insurance entities are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of Genworth and subject to a tax-sharing arrangement that allocates tax on a separate company basis, but provides benefit for current utilization of losses and credits. Also effective with our corporate reorganization, our U.S. life insurance entities will file a consolidated life insurance federal income tax return, and are subject to a separate tax-sharing agreement, as approved by state insurance regulators, which allocates taxes on a separate company basis but provides benefit for current utilization of losses and credits.

 

Deferred federal and foreign taxes are provided for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.

 

q) Foreign Currency Translation

 

The local currency is the functional currency of our foreign operations. The determination of the functional currency is made based on the appropriate economic and management indicators. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the Statement of Financial Position date. Translation adjustments are included as a separate component of accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest. Revenue and expenses of the foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a foreign currency are included in earnings.

 

r) Accounting Changes

 

In July 2003, the AICPA issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-1, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Nontraditional Long-Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts, which we adopted on January 1, 2004. This statement provides guidance on separate account presentation and valuation, the accounting for sales inducements paid to contractholders and the classification and valuation of long-duration contract liabilities.

 

A two-tiered annuity has two crediting rates applied to the account value. A lower rate is used to calculate the account value if the contractholder elects to surrender (the “lower tier”). A higher rate is used to calculate contractholder account value for annuitization or death (the “upper tier”). As of January 1, 2004, account values calculated using the crediting rates for the lower tier and the upper tier are $121 million and $143 million, respectively. Prior to adopting SOP 03-1, we held reserves for two-tiered annuities of $138 million as of December 31, 2003, which assumed that all policyholders moved from the lower tier to the upper tier ratably over the accumulation phase. Because we no longer sell these products and due to the aging of our in-force block, our carried reserve was closer to the upper tier account value. SOP 03-1 requires that during the accumulation phase we hold the lower-tier account value plus an additional liability, $7 million as of January 1, 2004 and $6 million as of December 31, 2004, for the estimated annuitization benefit in excess of the accrued account balance based on our actual experience, which includes annual assumptions of 10% for annuitization and 4.5% for surrenders. To record these reserves in accordance with SOP 03-1, we released $10 million, or 7%, of our two- tiered annuity reserves. After giving effect to the impact of additional amortization of deferred acquisition costs related to these reserve releases, we recorded a $5 million benefit in cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of taxes.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

As described in note 10, in connection with our corporate reorganization, we reinsured our in-force variable annuities, excluding the GE Retirement Answer (“GERA”) product and a small block of contracts in run-off, to an affiliate, effective as of January 1, 2004. We have continued to sell variable annuities and are retaining that business for our own account, subject to third-party reinsurance transactions in the ordinary course of business. The reinsurance transaction for the separate account of the variable annuities is structured as modified coinsurance. As such, the separate account assets remain with us. Essentially all of our separate account assets and liabilities relate to variable annuities. Investment income and investment gains and losses accrue directly to, and investment risk is borne by, the contractholder for assets allocated to the separate account option. Our variable contracts also include fixed accounts, which are accounted for and recognized as general account assets and liabilities.

 

Our variable annuities provide for a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”), which provides a minimum account value to be paid on the annuitant’s death. Our contractholders have the option to purchase, at an additional charge, a GMDB rider that provides for enhanced death benefits. The minimum death benefit that we contractually guarantee to be paid on receipt of proof of the annuitant’s death is either one of the following specified amounts or, in some cases, the greater of one or more of these amounts: (a) current account value, (b) return of premium, which is no less than net deposits made to the contract reduced by any amounts withdrawn from the policy, (c) the highest contract value on a specified anniversary date (“ratchet”), adjusted for subsequent premiums and withdrawals, if any, or (d) premium accumulated at a stated interest rate (“roll-up”), adjusted for any amounts withdrawn from the policy. In addition, we offer an Earnings Protection Rider (“EPR”), which pays a death benefit up to 40% of the gain in the contract. GERA, a variable deferred annuity and two variable annuity riders, the Guaranteed Income Advantage and Principal Protection Advantage, also provide for a GMDB. Essentially all of our separate account guarantees are death benefits.

 

The total account value (excluding the block of business reinsured through the transaction mentioned above) of our variable annuities with GMDBs, including both separate account and fixed account assets, is approximately $203 million and $1,068 million at January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004, respectively, with related death benefit exposure (or net amount at risk) of approximately $0 million and $1 million, respectively. The death benefit exposure for the EPR is $0 million at January 1, 2004 and $3 million at December 31, 2004.

 

The following table presents our variable annuity exposure, net of reinsurance, by GMDB type at December 31, 2004:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Account
Value


  

Net

Amount

at Risk(a)


Return of premium

   $ 587    $ —  

Ratchet

     189      —  

Roll-up

     174      1

Ratchet and roll-up

     118      —  
    

  

Total

   $ 1,068    $ 1
    

  


(a) Net amount at risk represents the guaranteed minimum death benefit exposure, in excess of the current account value, if all contractholders died on December 31, 2004.

 

The average attained age of our variable annuity contractholders with GMDBs, weighted by net amount at risk, is 63 years of age as of December 31, 2004.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

The liability for our GMDBs and EPR on variable annuity contracts, net of reinsurance, is $1 million at December 31, 2004. Incurred GMDB and EPR, net of reinsurance, is $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Our GMDB and EPR liability is determined by estimating the expected value of death benefits in excess of the projected account value (or death benefit up to 40% of the gain in the contract for EPR) and recognizing the excess ratably over the accumulation period based on total expected assessments. We regularly evaluate estimates used and adjust the additional liability balance, with a related charge or credit to benefits and other changes in policy reserves, if actual experience or other evidence suggests that earlier assumptions should be revised.

 

The following assumptions are used to determine the variable annuity GMDB and EPR liability at December 31, 2004: data used is 1,000 stochastically generated investment performance scenarios; geometric mean equity growth assumed to be 8.9% and volatility assumed to be 20% for the portion of account value invested in equity securities; mortality assumed to be 95% of the 1983 Basic Table mortality; lapse rates, which vary by contract type and duration, assumed to range from 1% to 25% and correspond closely to lapse rates used for deferred acquisition cost amortization; and discount rate assumed to be 8%.

 

The assets supporting the separate accounts of the variable contracts are primarily mutual fund equity securities and are reflected in our Statement of Financial Position at fair value and reported as summary total separate account assets with an equivalent summary total reported for liabilities. Amounts assessed against the contractholders for mortality, administrative, and other services are included in revenues. Changes in liabilities for minimum guarantees are included in benefits and other changes in policy reserves.

 

Separate account net investment income, net investment gains and losses, and the related liability changes are offset within the same line item in the Statement of Earnings. There are no gains or losses on transfers of assets from the general account to the separate account.

 

We defer sales inducements to contractholders for features on variable annuities that entitle the contractholder to an incremental amount to be credited to the account value upon making a deposit, and for fixed annuities with crediting rates higher than the contract’s expected ongoing crediting rates for periods after the inducement. Our sales inducements to contractholders deferred prior to the adoption of SOP 03-1, which we included in unamortized deferred acquisition costs, were reinsured effective January 1, 2004. At December 31, 2004 the unamortized sales inducements to contractholders balance was $14 million. Deferred sales inducements to contractholders are reported as a separate intangible asset and amortized in benefits and other changes in policy reserves using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize deferred acquisition costs. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we deferred new sales inducements to contractholders of $15 million, and we amortized sales inducements to contractholders of $1 million.

 

We adopted FASB Interpretation 46 (“FIN 46”), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities on July 1, 2003.

 

GE Capital, our former indirect parent, provides credit and liquidity support to a funding conduit it sponsored, which exposes it to a majority of the risks and rewards of the conduit’s activities and therefore makes GE Capital the primary beneficiary of the funding conduit. Upon adoption of FIN 46, GE Capital was required to consolidate the funding conduit because of this financial support. As a result, assets and liabilities of certain previously off-balance sheet securitization entities, for which we were the transferor, were required to be included in our financial statements

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

because the funding conduit no longer qualified as a third party. Because these securitization entities lost their qualifying status, we were required to include $1.2 billion of securitized assets and $1.1 billion of associated liabilities in our Statement of Financial Position in July 2003. The assets and liabilities associated with these securitization entities have been reported in the corresponding financial statement captions in our Statement of Financial Position, and the assets are noted as restricted due to the lack of legal control we have over them. We apply the same accounting policies to these restricted assets and liabilities as we do to our unrestricted assets and liabilities.

 

While FIN 46 represents a significant change in accounting principles governing consolidation, it does not change the economic or legal characteristics of asset sales. Entities consolidated are those that GE Capital sponsored and/or to which GE Capital provided financial support, but are not controlled by GE Capital or us. These entities were associated with asset securitization and other asset sales. Liabilities included in these entities are not our legal obligations but will be repaid with cash flows generated by the related assets, which are designated solely for the repayment of these liabilities and are not available for sale by us. As we no longer sell or securitize assets into these entities, the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities will decrease over time. Our July 1, 2003 consolidation of FIN 46 entities had no effect on previously reported earnings.

 

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 133 Implementation Issue B36, Modified Coinsurance Arrangements with Debt Instruments that Incorporate Credit Risk Exposures that are Unrelated or Only Partially Related to the Creditworthiness of the Obligor under those Instruments (“B36”), which was effective for us on October 1, 2003. B36 provides that modified coinsurance arrangements, where the ceding insurer withholds funds, may include an embedded derivative that must be bifurcated from the host instrument. The adoption of B36 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

We adopted SFAS 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, as of July 1, 2003. SFAS 150 requires certain financial instruments previously classified as either entirely equity or between the liabilities section and the equity section of the Statement of Financial Position be classified as liabilities. SFAS 150 requires issuers to classify as liabilities the following three types of freestanding financial instruments: mandatorily redeemable financial instruments, obligations to repurchase the issuers equity shares by transferring assets and certain obligations to issue a variable number of shares. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

On November 25, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ratified the disclosure consensuses reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) in Issue No. 03-1. Accordingly, effective December 31, 2003, we have included additional disclosures for debt and equity securities in an unrealized loss position for which other-than-temporary impairments have not been recognized.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

We adopted the stock option expense provisions of SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, for stock options granted by GE to our employees in 2002. A comparison of reported and pro forma net earnings, including effects of expensing stock options, follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net earnings, as reported

   $ 1,157     $ 1,081     $ 1,174  

Stock option expense included in net earnings

     19       2       1  

Total stock option expense per SFAS 123(a)

     (21 )     (8 )     (10 )
    


 


 


Net earnings, on pro forma basis

   $ 1,155     $ 1,075     $ 1,165  
    


 


 


Pro forma basic earnings per common share

   $ 2.36     $ 2.20     $ 2.38  
    


 


 


Pro forma diluted earnings per common share

   $ 2.35     $ 2.20     $ 2.38  
    


 


 



(a) As if we had applied SFAS 123 to expense stock options in all periods. Includes amounts actually recognized in net earnings for the years presented.

 

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. Previous guidance required expenses for exit or disposal activities to be accrued when the exit or disposal plan was approved by management and the liability was probable and quantifiable regardless of when the expense would be incurred. This standard requires that liabilities or costs associated with such activities be recognized when incurred. This standard also requires that any such liability be recognized initially at fair value. The provisions of this standard are effective for exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

We adopted SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, effective January 1, 2002. Under SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer amortized but is tested for impairment using a fair value methodology. We were required to test all existing goodwill for impairment as of January 1, 2002, on a reporting unit basis, and recorded a non-cash charge of $376 million, net of tax, which relates to the domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance business, primarily as a result of heightened price competition in the auto insurance industry. This is reflected in net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the financial statements. No impairment charge had been required under our previous goodwill impairment policy, which was based on undiscounted cash flows. Further information about goodwill is provided in note 9.

 

s) Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 123R Share-Based Payments—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 123 and 95, which we will adopt on July 1, 2005. This statement provides additional guidance on accounting for share based payments and will require all such awards to be measured at fair value with the related compensation cost recognized in income on a prospective basis. We currently recognize compensation cost using the fair value method for all stock based awards issued after January 1, 2002 and do not expect the adoption of SFAS 123R to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(3) Earnings per Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2004, by 489.5 million weighted average basic shares outstanding and by 490.5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, respectively. Weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2004 are determined as if our reorganization had occurred at the beginning of the year. Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing historical net earnings by 489.5 million pro forma shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. The number of shares used in our calculation of diluted earnings per share increased in 2004 due to additional shares of Class A Common Stock issuable under stock options and restricted stock units and is calculated using the treasury method.

 

     2004

   2003

    2002

 

Basic earnings per common share:

                       

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 2.34    $ 1.98     $ 2.82  

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        0.38       (0.42 )

Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01      (0.15 )     —    

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     0.01      —         —    
    

  


 


Basic earnings per common share

   $ 2.36    $ 2.21     $ 2.40  
    

  


 


Diluted earnings per common share:

                       

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 2.33    $ 1.98     $ 2.82  

Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        0.38       (0.42 )

Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01      (0.15 )     —    

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     0.01      —         —    
    

  


 


Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 2.36    $ 2.21     $ 2.40  
    

  


 


Weighted-average shares used in basic earnings per common share calculations

     489.5      489.5       489.5  

Dilutive securities

                       

Stock options

     0.5      —         —    

Restricted stock units

     0.5      —         —    
    

  


 


Weighted-average shares used in diluted earnings per common share calculations

     490.5      489.5       489.5  
    

  


 


 

(4) Acquisitions

 

Each of the following acquisitions has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the accompanying financial statements reflect the corresponding results of operations from the respective dates of acquisition.

 

In January 2004, we acquired Hochman & Baker, Inc. for $10 million, including goodwill of $9 million. Hochman & Baker, Inc. has wholly-owned subsidiaries consisting of a broker-dealer, registered investment advisor, and insurance agency.

 

In May 2003, we acquired Spread Eagle Insurance Company Limited, renamed GE Mortgage Insurance (Guernsey) Limited, for approximately $54 million, including identifiable intangible assets of approximately $20 million.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(5) Discontinued Operations

 

Upon completion of our corporate reorganization described in note 1, we no longer have continuing involvement with the Japanese life insurance and domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance businesses (together “Japan/Auto”), which was sold in August 2003, and accordingly, those operations have been accounted for as discontinued operations. Therefore, the results of operations of these businesses are reflected as discontinued operations and removed from the Statement of Cash Flows for all periods presented in the financial statements.

 

On August 29, 2003, we completed the sale of our Japan/Auto businesses to American International Group, Inc. for aggregate cash proceeds of approximately $2.1 billion, consisting of $1.6 billion paid to us and $0.5 billion paid to other GE affiliates, plus pre-closing dividends of $495 million. The sale resulted in a loss of $74 million (net of taxes of $158 million). Summary operating results of discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2003

   2002

 

Revenues

   $ 1,985    $ 2,622  
    

  


Earnings before income taxes and accounting changes

   $ 284    $ 229  

Provision for income taxes

     98      59  
    

  


Earnings before accounting change

     186      170  

Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of deferred taxes of $0 and $158

     —        (376 )
    

  


Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ 186    $ (206 )
    

  


 

As a result of a settlement related to the sale of our Japan/Auto business, we recognized a gain of $7 million, net of $4 million taxes, during the first quarter of 2004.

 

The domestic auto and homeowners’ insurance business declared and paid a dividend of $62 million in 2002.

 

(6) Investments

 

(a) Net Investment Income

 

For the years ended December 31, sources of net investment income are as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Fixed maturities—taxable

   $ 2,827     $ 3,354     $ 3,333  

Fixed maturities—non-taxable

     150       128       158  

Mortgage and other loans

     438       410       361  

Equity securities

     25       27       39  

Other investments

     75       17       41  

Policy loans

     107       88       71  

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

     64       36       —    

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-terms

     12       58       37  
    


 


 


Gross investment income before expenses and fees

     3,698       4,118       4,040  

Expenses and fees

     (50 )     (67 )     (61 )
    


 


 


Net investment income

   $ 3,648     $ 4,051     $ 3,979  
    


 


 


 

F-19


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

(b) Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

 

For the years ended December 31, gross realized investment gains and losses resulting from the sales of investment securities classified as available for sale are as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Gross realized investment:

                        

Gains

   $ 90     $ 473     $ 790  

Losses, including impairments(a)

     (64 )     (463 )     (586 )
    


 


 


Net realized investment gains

   $ 26     $ 10     $ 204  
    


 


 



(a) Impairments are $26 million, $224 million and $343 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities classified as available for sale are reduced by deferred income taxes and adjustments to PVFP and DAC that would have resulted had such gains and losses been realized. Net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities reflected as a separate component of accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest as of December 31, are summarized as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities:

                        

Fixed maturities

   $ 1,802     $ 2,669     $ 1,336  

Restricted fixed maturities

     (19 )     —         —    

Equity securities

     70       52       (208 )
    


 


 


Subtotal

     1,853       2,721       1,128  

Adjustments to present value of future profits and deferred acquisition costs

     (286 )     (388 )     (74 )

Deferred income taxes, net

     (548 )     (815 )     (372 )
    


 


 


Subtotal

     1,019       1,518       682  

Net unrealized gains on investment securities included in assets associated with discontinued operations, net of deferred taxes of $0, $0 and $(295)

     —         —         536  
    


 


 


Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities

   $ 1,019     $ 1,518     $ 1,218  
    


 


 


 

F-20


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

The change in the net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities reported in accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities as of January 1

   $ 1,518     $ 1,218     $ (296 )
    


 


 


Unrealized gains on investment arising during the period:

                        

Unrealized gain on investment securities

     62       1,569       2,046  

Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs

     99       (231 )     (75 )

Adjustment to present value of future profits

     3       (83 )     (59 )

Provision for deferred income taxes

     (53 )     (434 )     (677 )
    


 


 


Unrealized gains on investment securities

     111       821       1,235  

Unrealized gains associated with securities transferred in connection with our reorganization, net of deferred taxes of $(317), $0 and $0

     (593 )     —         —    

Reclassification adjustments to net realized investment gains (losses) net of deferred taxes of $(9), $9 and $(75)

     (17 )     15       (129 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities included in assets associated with discontinued operations arising during the period, net of deferred taxes of $0, $(293) and $229

     —         (532 )     511  

Reclassification adjustment to net earnings from discontinued operations, net of deferred taxes of $0, $(2) and $(55)

     —         (4 )     (103 )
    


 


 


Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities as of December 31

   $ 1,019     $ 1,518     $ 1,218  
    


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the amortized cost or cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of our fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale are as follows:

 

2004


   Amortized
cost or
cost


   Gross
unrealized
gains


   Gross
unrealized
losses


  

Estimated
fair

value


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                   

Fixed maturities:

                           

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 552    $ 21    $ 1    $ 572

State and municipal

     2,908      123      1      3,030

Government—non U.S.

     1,681      66      3      1,744

U.S. corporate

     21,019      1,005      131      21,893

Corporate—non U.S.

     6,677      254      18      6,913

Public utilities

     6,036      373      14      6,395

Mortgage and asset-backed

     11,749      175      47      11,877
    

  

  

  

Total fixed maturities

     50,622      2,017      215      52,424

Equity securities

     304      72      2      374
    

  

  

  

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 50,926    $ 2,089    $ 217    $ 52,798
    

  

  

  

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

2003


   Amortized
cost or
cost


   Gross
unrealized
gains


   Gross
unrealized
losses


  

Estimated
fair

value


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                   

Fixed maturities:

                           

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 1,025    $ 48    $ 18    $ 1,055

State and municipal

     3,221      130      1      3,350

Government—non U.S.

     1,510      49      8      1,551

U.S. corporate

     31,454      1,863      292      33,025

Corporate—non U.S.

     7,624      378      53      7,949

Public utilities

     5,919      411      27      6,303

Mortgage and asset-backed

     12,063      269      80      12,252
    

  

  

  

Total fixed maturities

     62,816      3,148      479      65,485

Equity securities

     548      60      8      600
    

  

  

  

Total available-for-sale securities

   $ 63,364    $ 3,208    $ 487    $ 66,085
    

  

  

  

 

We regularly review investment securities for impairment in accordance with our impairment policy, which includes both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Quantitative criteria include length of time and amount that each security is in an unrealized loss position, and for fixed maturities, whether the issuer is in compliance with terms and covenants of the security. Our qualitative criteria include the financial strength and specific prospects for the issuer as well as our intent to hold the security until recovery. Our impairment reviews involve our finance, risk, and asset management teams, as well as the portfolio management and research capabilities of GEAM and other third party asset managers, as required. Our qualitative review attempts to identify those issuers with a greater than 50% chance of default in the coming twelve months. These securities are characterized as “at-risk” of impairment. As of December 31, 2004, securities “at risk” of impairment had aggregate unrealized losses of approximately $50 million.

 

For fixed maturities, we recognize an impairment charge to earnings in the period in which we determine that we do not expect either to collect principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the instruments or to recover based upon underlying collateral values, considering events such as a payment default, bankruptcy or disclosure of fraud. For equity securities, we recognize an impairment charge in the period in which we determine that the security will not recover to book value within a reasonable period. We determine what constitutes a reasonable period on a security-by-security basis based upon consideration of all the evidence available to us, including the magnitude of an unrealized loss and its duration. In any event, this period does not exceed 18 months for common equity securities. We measure impairment charges based upon the difference between the book value of a security and its fair value. Fair value is based upon quoted market price, except for certain infrequently traded securities where we estimate values using internally developed pricing models. These models are based upon common valuation techniques and require us to make assumptions regarding credit quality, liquidity and other factors that affect estimated values. The carrying value of infrequently traded securities as of December 31, 2004 is $12.3 billion.

 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, we recognized impairments of $26 million, $224 million and $343 million, respectively. We generally intend to hold securities in unrealized loss positions until they recover. However, from time to time, we sell securities in the ordinary course of managing our portfolio to meet diversification, credit quality, yield and liquidity requirements. For the twelve months

 

F-22


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

ended December 31, 2004, the pre-tax realized investment loss incurred on the sale of fixed maturities and equity securities is $38 million. The aggregate fair value of securities sold at a loss during the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 is $2.9 billion, which is approximately 98.6% of book value.

 

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of our investment securities, on an historical basis, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual investment securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2004:

 

     Less Than 12 Months

2004


  

Amortized

cost or cost


  

Estimated

fair value


  

Gross

unrealized

losses


   

%

Below
cost


   

# of

securities


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                          

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities:

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 115    $ 114    $ (1 )   0.9 %   15

State and municipal

     89      88      (1 )   1.1 %   28

Government—non U.S.

     225      222      (3 )   1.3 %   32

U.S. corporate

     3,496      3,426      (70 )   2.0 %   400

Corporate—non U.S.

     1,224      1,207      (17 )   1.4 %   155

Asset backed

     857      853      (4 )   0.5 %   125

Mortgage backed

     2,807      2,776      (31 )   1.1 %   259
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal, fixed maturities

     8,813      8,686      (127 )   1.4 %   1,014

Equities securities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 8,799    $ 8,678    $ (121 )   1.4 %   1,002

20-50% Below cost

     14      8      (6 )   42.9 %   6

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       6
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     8,813      8,686      (127 )   1.4 %   1,014
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—equity securities:

                                

<20% Below cost

     7      7      —       —       12

20-50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       —  

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       1
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

   $ 8,026    $ 7,930    $ (96 )   1.2 %   869

Below investment grade

     600      575      (25 )   4.2 %   114

Not rated—fixed maturities

     187      181      (6 )   3.2 %   31

Not rated—equities

     7      7      —       —       13
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 8,820    $ 8,693    $ (127 )   1.4 %   1,027
    

  

  


 

 

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

     12 Months or More

2004


   Amortized
cost or cost


   Estimated
fair value


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    %
Below
cost


    # of
securities


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                          

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities:

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 3    $ 3    $ —       —       1

State and municipal

     1      1      —       —       2

Government—non U.S.

     106      106      —       —       30

U.S. corporate

     834      763      (71 )   8.5 %   127

Corporate—non U.S.

     181      176      (5 )   2.8 %   35

Asset backed

     55      54      (1 )   1.8 %   5

Mortgage backed

     244      233      (11 )   4.5 %   78
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal, fixed maturities

     1,424      1,336      (88 )   6.2 %   278

Equities securities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities:

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 1,319    $ 1,262    $ (57 )   4.3 %   234

20-50% Below cost

     95      69      (26 )   27.4 %   23

>50% Below cost

     10      5      (5 )   50.0 %   21
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,424      1,336      (88 )   6.2 %   278
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—equity securities:

                                

<20% Below cost

     21      20      (1 )   4.8 %   8

20-50% Below cost

     2      1      (1 )   50.0 %   10

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       1
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

   $ 973    $ 934    $ (39 )   4.0 %   188

Below investment grade

     450      401      (49 )   10.9 %   88

Not rated—fixed maturities

     1      1      —       —       2

Not rated—equities

     23      21      (2 )   8.7 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,447    $ 1,357    $ (90 )   6.2 %   297
    

  

  


 

 

 

F-24


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

The following tables present the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of our investment securities, on an historical basis, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual investment securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of December 31, 2003.

 

     Less Than 12 Months

2003


  

Amortized

cost or cost


  

Estimated

fair value


  

Gross

unrealized

losses


   

%

Below
cost


   

# of

securities


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                          

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ 228    $ 210    $ (18 )   7.9 %   11

State and municipal

     119      118      (1 )   0.8 %   31

Government—non U.S.

     501      493      (8 )   1.6 %   142

U.S. corporate (including public utilities)

     5,948      5,738      (210 )   3.5 %   458

Corporate—non U.S.

     1,573      1,530      (43 )   2.7 %   198

Asset backed

     914      900      (14 )   1.5 %   95

Mortgage backed

     2,065      2,001      (64 )   3.1 %   247
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal fixed maturities

     11,348      10,990      (358 )   3.2 %   1,182

Equity securities

     53      51      (2 )   3.8 %   58
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 11,401      11,041      (360 )   3.2 %   1,240
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 11,219    $ 10,898    $ (321 )   2.9 %   1,144

20-50% Below cost

     128      92      (36 )   28.1 %   24

>50% Below cost

     1      —        (1 )   100.0 %   14
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     11,348      10,990      (358 )   3.2 %   1,182
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost equity securities

                                

<20% Below cost

     53      51      (2 )   3.8 %   40

20-50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       9

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       9
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     53      51      (2 )   3.8 %   58
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 11,401    $ 11,041    $ (360 )   3.2 %   1,240
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

   $ 10,471    $ 10,185    $ (286 )   2.7 %   1,032

Below investment grade

     810      739      (71 )   8.8 %   141

Not rated—fixed maturities

     67      66      (1 )   1.5 %   9

Not rated—equities

     53      51      (2 )   3.8 %   58
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 11,401    $ 11,041    $ (360 )   3.2 %   1,240
    

  

  


 

 

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

     12 Months or More

2003


   Amortized
cost or cost


   Estimated
fair value


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    %
Below
cost


    # of
securities


(Dollar amounts in millions)


                          

Description of Securities

                                

Fixed maturities

                                

U.S. government and agencies

   $ —      $ —      $ —       —       —  

State and municipal

     1      1      —       —       1

Government—non U.S.

     12      12      —       —       6

U.S. corporate (including public utilities)

     1,084      975      (109 )   10.1 %   134

Corporate—non U.S.

     158      148      (10 )   6.3 %   30

Asset backed

     111      110      (1 )   0.9 %   9

Mortgage backed

     172      171      (1 )   0.6 %   19
    

  

  


 

 

Subtotal fixed maturities

     1,538      1,417      (121 )   7.9 %   199

Equity securities

     49      43      (6 )   12.2 %   47
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,587    $ 1,460    $ (127 )   8.0 %   246
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost—fixed maturities

                                

<20% Below cost

   $ 1,439    $ 1,352    $ (87 )   6.0 %   169

20-50% Below cost

     92      63      (29 )   31.5 %   23

>50% Below cost

     7      2      (5 )   71.4 %   7
    

  

  


 

 

Total fixed maturities

     1,538      1,417      (121 )   7.9 %   199
    

  

  


 

 

% Below cost equity securities

                                

<20% Below cost

     26      25      (1 )   3.8 %   27

20-50% Below cost

     23      18      (5 )   21.7 %   20

>50% Below cost

     —        —        —       —       —  
    

  

  


 

 

Total equity securities

     49      43      (6 )   12.2 %   47
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,587    $ 1,460    $ (127 )   8.0 %   246
    

  

  


 

 

Investment grade

     718      691      (27 )   3.8 %   90

Below investment grade

     820      726      (94 )   11.5 %   109

Not rated—fixed maturities

     —        —        —       —       —  

Not rated—equities

     49      43      (6 )   12.2 %   47
    

  

  


 

 

Total temporarily impaired securities

   $ 1,587    $ 1,460    $ (127 )   8.0 %   246
    

  

  


 

 

 

The investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2004 for less than twelve months account for $127 million, or 58%, of our total unrealized losses. Of the securities in this category, there are three securities with an unrealized loss in excess of $5 million. These three securities had aggregate unrealized losses of $18 million. The amount of the unrealized loss on these securities is driven primarily by the relative size of the holdings, the par values of which range from $15 million to $386 million, the maturities, which range from 2010 to 2036, and the credit quality of the issuers. The issuer of the investment scheduled to mature in 2010 prepaid the related principal and interest along with a prepayment fee in January 2005.

 

The investment securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2004 for twelve months or more account for $90 million, or 42%, of our total unrealized losses. There are 104 fixed maturities in four industry groups that account for $54 million, or 60%, of the unrealized losses in this category.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

Forty-four of these 104 securities are in the finance and insurance sector. Within this sector, no single issue has unrealized losses greater than $5 million. The unrealized losses of these securities are due to changes in interest rates from the time the securities were purchased.

 

Thirty-five of these 104 securities are in the transportation sector and are related to the airline industry. All of our airline securities, with one exception, are collateralized by commercial jet aircraft associated with several domestic airlines and one cargo airline. The collateral underlying these securities consists of commercial jet aircraft, except for one that is secured by airline ticket receivables. We believe these security holdings are in a temporary loss position as a result of ongoing negative market reaction to difficulties in the commercial airline industry. Within this sector, we have recognized $1 million and $36 million of other-than-temporary impairments in 2004 and 2003, respectively. These holdings were written down to estimated fair value based upon the present value of expected cash flows associated with revised lease terms or the value of the underlying aircraft. As of December 31, 2004, we expect to collect full principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the instruments of our remaining holdings in airline securities. For those airline securities that we have previously impaired, we expect to recover our carrying amount based upon underlying aircraft collateral values.

 

Fourteen of these 104 securities are in the consumer non-cyclical sector of which there is one issuer with unrealized loss in excess of $5 million. This issuer, which had a $7 million unrealized loss, is in the tobacco industry, is current on all terms, shows improving trends with regards to liquidity and security price and is not considered at risk of impairment. Each of the other securities in this sector has unrealized losses of less than $5 million.

 

Eleven of these 104 securities are in the consumer cyclical sector, of which there is one issuer with unrealized losses in excess of $5 million. The aggregate par value of securities is $37 million. The issuer is current on all terms and is not considered risk of impairment.

 

In the remaining industry sectors, one issuer of fixed maturities securities had an unrealized loss of $5 million. The issuer is current on all terms, has sufficient liquidity to service current debt obligation and is seeking additional financing. No other single issuer of fixed maturities in these sectors has an unrealized loss of greater than $5 million.

 

The equity securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2004 for twelve months or more are primarily preferred stocks with fixed maturity-like characteristics. No single security had an unrealized loss greater than $2 million.

 

The scheduled maturity distribution of fixed maturities as of December 31, 2004 is set forth below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


  

Amortized
cost

or cost


   Estimated fair
value


Due one year or less

   $ 2,026    $ 2,040

Due after one year through five years

     10,450      10,749

Due after five years through ten years

     11,395      11,842

Due after ten years

     15,002      15,916
    

  

Subtotal

     38,873      40,547

Mortgage and asset-backed

     11,749      11,877
    

  

Total

   $ 50,622    $ 52,424
    

  

 

F-27


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2004, $6,615 million of our investments (excluding mortgage and asset-backed securities) are subject to certain call provisions.

 

As of December 31, 2004, securities issued by finance and insurance, utilities and energy and consumer—non cyclical industry groups represented approximately 29%, 20% and 12% of our domestic and foreign corporate fixed maturities portfolio, respectively. No other industry group comprises more than 10% of our investment portfolio. This portfolio is widely diversified among various geographic regions in the U.S. and internationally, and is not dependent on the economic stability of one particular region.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we did not hold any fixed maturities in any single issuer, other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, which exceeded 10% of stockholders’ interest.

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, $271 million and $203 million, respectively, of securities are on deposit with various state or foreign government insurance departments in order to comply with relevant insurance regulations.

 

The Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) evaluates bond investments of U.S. insurers for regulatory reporting purposes and assigns securities to one of six investment categories called “NAIC designations.” The NAIC designations parallel the credit ratings of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations for marketable bonds. NAIC designations 1 and 2 include bonds considered investment grade (rated “Baa3” or higher by Moody’s, or rated “BBB-” or higher by S&P) by such rating organizations. NAIC designations 3 through 6 include bonds considered below investment grade (rated “Ba1” or lower by Moody’s, or rated “BB+” or lower by S&P).

 

The following table presents our fixed maturities by NAIC and/or equivalent ratings of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, as well as the percentage, based upon estimated fair value, that each designation comprises. Our non-U.S. fixed maturities generally are not rated by the NAIC and are shown based upon the equivalent rating of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations. Similarly, certain privately placed fixed maturities that are not rated by the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations are shown based upon their NAIC designation. Certain fixed maturities, primarily non-U.S. fixed maturities, are not rated by the NAIC or the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations and are so designated. The following table sets forth NAIC Ratings by amortized cost or cost as of December 31:

 

          2004

    2003

 

NAIC

Rating


  

Rating Agency Equivalent Designation


   Amortized
cost


  

Estimated
fair

value


   % of
total


    Amortized
cost


  

Estimated
fair

value


   % of
total


 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


                                

1

   Aaa/Aa/A    $ 34,111    $ 35,136    67 %   $ 39,124    $ 40,600    62 %

2

   Baa      13,434      14,112    27 %     19,048      20,220    31 %

3

   Ba      1,913      2,020    4 %     2,520      2,624    4 %

4

   B      844      853    2 %     1,257      1,207    2 %

5

   Caa and lower      185      166    —         487      449    1 %

6

   In or near default      57      58    —         189      190    —    

Not rated

   Not rated      78      79    —         191      195    —    
         

  

  

 

  

  

     Total fixed maturities    $ 50,622    $ 52,424    100 %   $ 62,816    $ 65,485    100 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

 

F-28


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

(c) Mortgage Loans

 

Our mortgage loans are collateralized by commercial properties, including multifamily residential buildings. The carrying value of mortgage loans is original cost net of prepayments and amortization.

 

We diversify our commercial mortgage loans by both property type and geographic region. The following table sets forth the distribution across property type and geographic region for commercial mortgage loans as of December 31:

 

     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Carrying
value


   % of
total


    Carrying
value


   % of
total


 

Property Type

                          

Office

   $ 1,822    30 %   $ 2,024    33 %

Industrial

     1,797    30 %     1,812    30 %

Retail

     1,574    26 %     1,500    25 %

Apartments

     650    11 %     573    9 %

Mixed use/other

     208    3 %     205    3 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 6,051    100 %   $ 6,114    100 %
    

  

 

  

Geographic Region

                          

Pacific

   $ 1,796    30 %   $ 1,867    31 %

South Atlantic

     1,239    20 %     1,194    20 %

Middle Atlantic

     953    16 %     932    15 %

East North Central

     682    11 %     771    12 %

Mountain

     463    8 %     478    8 %

West South Central

     306    5 %     288    5 %

West North Central

     252    4 %     271    4 %

East South Central

     225    4 %     226    4 %

New England

     135    2 %     87    1 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 6,051    100 %   $ 6,114    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

We are committed to fund $254 million and $56 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, in U.S. mortgage loans, which will be held for investment purposes.

 

“Impaired” loans are defined by U.S. GAAP as loans for which it is probable that the lender will be unable to collect all amounts due according to original contractual terms of the loan agreement. That definition excludes, among other things, leases, or large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, and therefore applies principally to our commercial loans.

 

Under these principles, we may have two types of “impaired” loans: loans requiring specific allowances for losses (none as of December 31, 2004 and 2003) and loans expected to be fully recoverable because the carrying amount has been reduced previously through charge-offs or deferral of income recognition ($7 million and $5 million, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively).

 

F-29


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Investments (Continued)

 

Average investment in impaired loans during 2004, 2003 and 2002 is $3 million, $5 million and $7 million, respectively, and interest income recognized on these loans while they were considered impaired is $1 million in each of the three years.

 

The following table presents the activity in the allowance for losses during the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Balance as of January 1

   $ 50     $ 45     $ 58  

Provision charged to operations

     7       8       10  

Amounts written off, net of recoveries

     (5 )     (3 )     (23 )
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31

   $ 52     $ 50     $ 45  
    


 


 


 

(7) Deferred Acquisition Costs

 

Activity impacting deferred acquisition costs for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Unamortized balance as of January 1

   $ 6,073     $ 5,386     $ 4,452  

Amounts transferred in connection with our corporate reorganization

     (1,004 )     —         —    

Impact of foreign currency translation

     91       111       88  

Costs deferred

     1,047       1,758       1,906  

Amortization

     (1,001 )     (1,182 )     (1,060 )
    


 


 


Unamortized balance as of December 31

     5,206       6,073       5,386  

Accumulated effect of net unrealized investment gains

     (186 )     (285 )     (54 )
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31

   $ 5,020     $ 5,788     $ 5,332  
    


 


 


 

(8) Intangible Assets

 

The following table presents our intangible assets as of December 31:

 

     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Gross
carrying
amount


   Accumulated
amortization


    Gross
carrying
amount


   Accumulated
amortization


 

Present value of future profits

   $ 2,028    $ (1,347 )   $ 2,761    $ (1,610 )

Capitalized software

     205      (130 )     214      (121 )

Deferred sales inducements to contractholders

     15      (1 )     —        —    

Other

     38      (28 )     329      (227 )
    

  


 

  


Total

   $ 2,286    $ (1,506 )   $ 3,304    $ (1,958 )
    

  


 

  


 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is $153 million, $169 million and $161 million, respectively. Intangible assets with a gross carrying amount of $1,040 million and accumulated amortization of $(605) million were transferred in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(8) Intangible Assets (Continued)

 

Present Value of Future Profits

 

The following table presents the activity in PVFP for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Unamortized balance as of January 1

   $ 1,254     $ 1,349     $ 1,460  

Amounts transferred in connection with corporate reorganization

     (375 )     —         —    

Acquisitions

     —         16       (20 )

Impact of foreign currency translation

     1       1       —    

Interest accreted at 5.8%, 6.0%, 6.3%, respectively

     59       78       88  

Amortization

     (158 )     (190 )     (179 )
    


 


 


Unamortized balance as of December 31

     781       1,254       1,349  

Accumulated effect of net unrealized investment gains

     (100 )     (103 )     (20 )
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31

   $ 681     $ 1,151     $ 1,329  
    


 


 


 

The percentage of the December 31, 2004 PVFP balance net of interest accretion, before the effect of unrealized investment gains or losses, estimated to be amortized over each of the next five years is as follows:

 

2005

   12.0 %

2006

   10.0 %

2007

   8.7 %

2008

   7.5 %

2009

   6.0 %

 

Amortization expenses for PVFP in future periods will be affected by acquisitions, dispositions, realized capital gains/losses or other factors affecting the ultimate amount of gross profits realized from certain lines of business. Similarly, future amortization expenses for other intangibles will depend on future acquisitions, dispositions and other business transactions.

 

(9) Goodwill

 

Our goodwill balance by segment and activity is as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Protection

  

Retirement
Income

and
Investments


   Mortgage
Insurance


   Affinity

    Total

 

Balance as of January 1, 2003

   $ 1,052    $ 332    $ 34    $ 284     $ 1,702  

Acquisitions

     6      5      —        —         11  

Foreign exchange translation

     13      —        2      —         15  
    

  

  

  


 


Balance as of December 31, 2003

     1,071      337      36      284       1,728  

Acquisitions

     —        9      —        —         9  

Foreign exchange translation

     11      —        1      —         12  

Amounts transferred in connection with our corporate reorganization

     —        —        —        (284 )     (284 )
    

  

  

  


 


Balance as of December 31, 2004

   $ 1,082    $ 346    $ 37    $ —       $ 1,465  
    

  

  

  


 


 

F-31


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(10) Reinsurance

 

Prior to our corporate reorganization, we entered into several significant reinsurance transactions (“Reinsurance Transactions”) with other affiliates of GE. In these transactions, we ceded to Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company (“UFLIC”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of GE, in-force blocks of structured settlements, substantially all of our in-force blocks of variable annuities and a block of long-term care insurance policies that we reinsured in 2000 from Travelers Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc. (“Travelers”). Although we remain liable under these contracts and policies as the ceding insurer, the Reinsurance Transactions have the effect of transferring the financial results of the reinsured blocks to UFLIC. As part of the Reinsurance Transactions, we also assumed from UFLIC small in-force blocks of Medicare supplement insurance.

 

In the Reinsurance Transactions, we ceded to UFLIC the following blocks of business:

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force structured settlement annuities reflected as policyholder reserves on December 31, 2003, or reinsured by us under reinsurance agreements in effect prior to January 1, 2004. This block of business had aggregate reserves of $11.8 billion and $12.0 billion as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force variable annuity contracts reflected as policyholder reserves on December 31, 2003, other than our GERA product and a limited number of variable annuity products that we no longer offer. UFLIC also assumed any benefit or expense resulting from third party reinsurance that we have on this block of business. This block of business had aggregate general account reserves of $2.7 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

    All of our liabilities under the in-force long-term care insurance policies issued by Travelers prior to January 1, 2004 and reinsured by us. This block of business had aggregate reserves of $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

The reinsurance transactions have the effect of transferring the financial results of the reinsured blocks of business (except for Medicare supplement insurance) from us to UFLIC and the Medicare supplement insurance block of business from UFLIC to us. With respect to the long-term care insurance policies reinsured to UFLIC, we retained an interest in the future profitability of the block if it exceeds certain thresholds. We also are continuing to administer all the policies reinsured by UFLIC, and we will receive an expense allowance to reimburse us for the costs we incur to service these policies.

 

We transferred to UFLIC invested assets with a statutory book value (including accrued interest) equal to the amount by which the reinsurance premium exceeded the ceding commission, together with an amount equal to the cash flows on such invested assets between January 1, 2004 and May 24, 2004, the date of transfer of such invested assets. As of December 31, 2003, the fair value of the transferred invested assets was $16.0 billion, excluding separate account assets relating to variable annuities that were ceded to UFLIC. As part of these reinsurance transactions, we retained separate account assets of $7.8 billion as of December 31, 2004, attributable to the separate account portion of the variable annuity business. We will make payments with respect to that portion of the variable annuity business directly from these separate account assets.

 

Although we are not relieved of our primary obligations to the contractholders, the Reinsurance Transactions transfer the future financial results of the reinsured blocks to UFLIC. To secure the payment of its obligations to us under the reinsurance agreements governing the Reinsurance Transactions, UFLIC has established trust accounts to maintain an aggregate amount of assets with a statutory book value at least equal to the statutory general account reserves attributable to the reinsured business less an amount required to be held in certain claims paying accounts. A trustee will administer the trust accounts and we will be permitted to withdraw from the trust accounts amounts due to us pursuant to the terms of the reinsurance agreements that are not otherwise paid by UFLIC. In addition, pursuant to a Capital Maintenance Agreement, GE Capital agreed to

 

F-32


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(10) Reinsurance (Continued)

 

maintain sufficient capital in UFLIC to maintain UFLIC’s risk-based capital at not less than 150% of its company action level, as defined from time to time by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

 

We also insure certain policy risks that are reinsured with other insurance companies to limit the amount of loss exposure. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligations to policyholders. In the event that the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations, we remain liable for the reinsured claims. We monitor both the financial condition of individual reinsurers and risk concentrations arising from similar geographic regions, activities and economic characteristics of reinsurers to lessen the risk of default by such reinsurers. Other than with UFLIC, we do not have significant concentrations of reinsurance with any one reinsurer that could have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

The maximum amount of individual ordinary life insurance normally retained by us on any one life policy is $1 million. The following table sets forth net domestic life insurance in force as of December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Direct life insurance in force

   $ 596,765     $ 553,690     $ 520,008  

Amounts assumed from other companies

     25,461       23,749       31,965  

Amounts ceded to other companies

     (168,885 )     (170,961 )     (157,898 )
    


 


 


Net life insurance in force

   $ 453,341     $ 406,478     $ 394,075  
    


 


 


Percentage of amount assumed to net

     6 %     6 %     8 %
    


 


 


 

The following table sets forth the effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned for the years ended December 31:

 

     Written

    Earned

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

    2004

    2003

    2002

 

Direct:

                                                

Life insurance

   $ 2,164     $ 2,266     $ 2,654     $ 2,111     $ 2,283     $ 2,414  

Accident and health insurance

     2,715       3,212       2,583       3,313       3,311       2,547  

Property and casualty insurance

     157       160       109       172       156       105  

Mortgage insurance

     1,199       1,093       954       933       857       795  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Direct

     6,235       6,731       6,300       6,529       6,607       5,861  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Assumed:

                                                

Life insurance

     251       201       247       249       199       214  

Accident and health insurance

     560       541       519       556       543       529  

Property and casualty insurance

     35       57       40       53       27       51  

Mortgage insurance

     15       6       12       9       5       4  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Assumed

     861       805       818       867       774       798  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ceded

                                                

Life insurance

     (318 )     (407 )     (372 )     (290 )     (387 )     (303 )

Accident and health insurance

     (433 )     (155 )     (118 )     (396 )     (128 )     (118 )

Property and casualty insurance

     (10 )     (11 )     (9 )     (9 )     (13 )     (9 )

Mortgage insurance

     (141 )     (149 )     (127 )     (142 )     (146 )     (122 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Ceded

     (902 )     (722 )     (626 )     (837 )     (674 )     (552 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net premiums

   $ 6,194     $ 6,814     $ 6,492     $ 6,559     $ 6,707     $ 6,107  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Percentage of amount assumed to net

                             13 %     12 %     13 %
                            


 


 


 

F-33


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(10) Reinsurance (Continued)

 

Reinsurance recoveries recognized as a reduction of benefit expenses amounted to $1.5 billion, $809 million and $682 million during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

(11) Future Annuity and Contract Benefits

 

Investment Contracts

 

Investment contracts are broadly defined to include contracts without significant mortality or morbidity risk. Payments received from sales of investment contracts are recognized by providing a liability equal to the current account value of the policyholder’s contracts. Interest rates credited to investment contracts are guaranteed for the initial policy term with renewal rates determined as necessary by management.

 

Insurance Contracts

 

Insurance contracts are broadly defined to include contracts with significant mortality and/or morbidity risk. The liability for future benefits of insurance contracts is the present value of such benefits less the present value of future net premiums based on mortality, morbidity, and other assumptions, which are appropriate at the time the policies are issued or acquired. These assumptions are periodically evaluated for potential reserve deficiencies. Reserves for cancelable accident and health insurance are based upon unearned premiums, claims incurred but not reported, and claims in the process of settlement. This estimate is based on our historical experience and that of the insurance industry, adjusted for current trends. Any changes in the estimated liability are reflected in earnings as the estimates are revised.

 

The following table sets forth the major assumptions underlying our recorded liabilities for future annuity and contract benefits as of December 31:

 

    

Withdrawal

assumption


  

Mortality/
morbidity

assumption


   

Interest rate

assumption


  

Future annuity

and contract

benefit liabilities


(Dollar amounts in millions)


           2004

   2003

Investment contracts

   N/A    N/A     N/A    $ 31,994    $ 31,206

Limited-payment contracts

   None    (a )   3.3%-11.0%      13,408      12,655

Traditional life insurance contracts

  

Company

Experience

   (b )   6.0%-7.5%      2,711      2,537

Universal life-type contracts

   N/A    N/A     N/A      5,638      5,867

Accident and health

   Company Experience    (c )   3.0%-7.5%      10      131

Long-term care

   Company Experience    (d )   4.5%-7.0%      7,937      6,861
                    

  

Total future annuity and contract benefits

                   $ 61,698    $ 59,257
                    

  


(a) Either the U.S Population Table, 1983 Group Annuitant Mortality Table or 1983 Individual Annuitant Mortality Table.
(b) Principally modifications of the 1965-70 or 1975-80 Select and Ultimate Tables, 1958 and 1980 Commissioner’s Standard Ordinary Tables and (IA) Standard Table 1996 (modified).
(c) The 1958 and 1980 Commissioner’s Standard Ordinary Tables, 1964 modified and 1987 Commissioner’s Disability Tables and company experience.
(d) The 1983 Individual Annuitant Mortality Table or 2000 Commissioner’s Standard Ordinary Table and the 1985 National Nursing Home Study and company experience.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(12) Liability for Policy and Contract Claims

 

The following table sets forth changes in the liability for policy and contract claims for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Balance as of January 1

   $ 3,207     $ 3,014     $ 2,713  

Less reinsurance recoverables

     (389 )     (323 )     (192 )
    


 


 


Net balance as of January 1

     2,818       2,691       2,521  
    


 


 


Amounts transferred in connection with our corporate reorganization

     (405 )     —         —    

Incurred related to insured events of:

                        

Current year

     1,964       2,200       2,401  

Prior years

     (59 )     (73 )     (193 )
    


 


 


Total incurred

     1,905       2,127       2,208  
    


 


 


Paid related to insured events of:

                        

Current year

     (989 )     (1,236 )     (1,208 )

Prior years

     (768 )     (807 )     (851 )
    


 


 


Total paid

     (1,757 )     (2,043 )     (2,059 )

Foreign currency translation

     27       43       21  
    


 


 


Net balance as of December 31

     2,588       2,818       2,691  
    


 


 


Add reinsurance recoverables

     741       389       323  
    


 


 


Balance as of December 31

   $ 3,329     $ 3,207     $ 3,014  
    


 


 


 

For each of the three years presented above, the change in prior years incurred liabilities primarily relates to positive development in claims incurred but not reported for our mortgage insurance and certain accident and health insurance businesses. In general, our insurance contracts are not subject to premiums experience adjustments as a result of prior-year effects.

 

(13) Benefit Plans

 

Essentially all of our employees participate in GE’s retirement plan (“GE Pension Plan”) and retiree health and life insurance benefit plans (“GE Retiree Benefit Plans”). The GE Pension Plan provides benefits to certain U.S. employees based on the greater of a formula recognizing career earnings or a formula recognizing length of service and final average earnings. Benefit provisions are subject to collective bargaining. The GE Retiree Benefit Plans provide health and life insurance benefits to employees who retire under the GE Pension Plan with 10 or more years of service. Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits. The GE Pension Plan currently is in an overfunded position. Therefore, we have not been required to contribute to this plan for the three years ended December 31, 2004. Certain company employees also participate in GE’s Supplementary Pension Plan (“GE Supplementary Plan”) and other retiree benefit plans. The GE Supplementary Plan is a pay-as-you-go plan providing supplementary retirement benefits primarily to higher-level, longer-service U.S. employees. Other retiree plans are not significant individually or in the aggregate. Our costs associated with these plans are $57 million, $54 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Our employees participate in GE’s defined contribution savings plan that allows the employees to contribute a portion of their pay to the plan on a pre-tax basis. GE matches 50% of these contributions up to 7% of the

 

F-35


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(13) Benefit Plans (Continued)

 

employee’s pay. Our costs associated with these plans are $12 million, $14 million and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

We also provide health and life insurance benefits to our employees through the GE Company’s benefit program, as well as through plans sponsored by other affiliates. Our costs associated with these plans are $39 million, $41 million and $45 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We reimburse GE monthly for our share of the plan costs.

 

Effective as of the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, our applicable employees will cease to participate in the GE plans and will participate in employee benefit plans established and maintained by us. For non-U.S. employees, this date may be delayed, by mutual agreement between GE and us, for up to six months following the date that GE ceases to own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock.

 

(14) Borrowings

 

(a) Short-Term Borrowings

 

Total short-term borrowings as of December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

Commercial paper

   $ 499    $ 1,691

Current portion of long-term borrowings

     —        —  

Canadian Tax Matters Agreement

     60      —  

Short-term line of credit with GE Capital

     —        548
    

  

Total

   $ 559    $ 2,239
    

  

 

Short-term Credit Facility

 

In connection with our IPO, we entered into a $2.4 billion 180-day credit facility with a syndicate of banks. We borrowed the entire amount available under that facility upon the completion of the IPO to repay a $2.4 billion note that we issued to GEFAHI in connection with our corporate reorganization. The amount borrowed under this credit facility was repaid in full with proceeds from our $1.9 billion senior notes offering and from the proceeds of the issuance of $500 million in commercial paper. Under the terms of the facility, we cannot re-borrow any amounts repaid.

 

Commercial Paper Facility

 

On June 9, 2004, we established a $1 billion commercial paper program. We issued approximately $500 million in commercial paper from that program, and we used the proceeds from that issuance for the repayment of the short-term credit facility. The notes under the commercial paper program are offered pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and may have a maturity up to 364 days from the date of issue. As of December 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on commercial paper outstanding is 2.38% and the weighted average maturity is 37 days. As the commercial paper reprices weekly, carrying value approximates fair value at December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

F-36


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(14) Borrowings (Continued)

 

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

We have committed and unsecured credit lines of $2 billion as of December 31, 2004. These include a $1 billion five-year revolving credit facility and a $1 billion 364-day credit facility which contains a feature that allows us to extend the borrowings for one year from the date of expiration of the facility. These facilities bear interest at a variable rate based upon certain indices plus an applicable margin. Each facility requires us to maintain certain minimum levels of stockholders’ interest, excluding accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest, at the end of each fiscal quarter. As of December 31, 2004, there is no balance on either of these facilities.

 

The weighted average interest rate on the short-term line of credit with GE Capital as of December 31, 2003 is 1.3%.

 

In December 2004, GE exercised its right under the Canadian Tax Matters Agreement to direct our Canadian mortgage subsidiary to accelerate and pay CDN $74 million of deferred taxes. To fund the payment of these taxes, GE provided us with a $60 million interest-free loan, which will be repaid as our Canadian mortgage subsidiary recovers the accelerated tax by reducing its tax installments. We expect that the loan will be repaid in full by December 2005.

 

(b) Long-Term Borrowings

 

Total long-term borrowings as of December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

1.6% Notes (Japanese Yen), due 2011

   $ 547    $ 529

LIBOR Floating Rate Senior Notes, due 2007

     500      —  

4.75% Senior Notes, due 2009

     500      —  

5.75% Senior Notes, due 2014

     599      —  

6.50% Senior Notes, due 2034

     296      —  
    

  

Total

   $ 2,442    $ 529
    

  

 

Long-term Senior Notes

 

On June 15, 2004, we issued senior notes having an aggregate principal amount of $1.9 billion (the “Notes”), consisting of $500 million in aggregate principal amount maturing on June 15, 2007 (“2007 Notes”) with an interest rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus 0.15% per year, $500 million in aggregate principal amount maturing on June 15, 2009 (“2009 Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 4.75%, $600 million in aggregate principal amount maturing on June 15, 2014 (“2014 Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 5.75%, and $300 million in aggregate principal amount maturing on June 15, 2034 (“2034 Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 6.50%. As a result of hedging arrangements entered into with respect to these securities, our effective interest rates will be 3.53% on the 2007 Notes, 4.48% on the 2009 Notes, 5.51% on the 2014 Notes and 6.35% on the 2034 Notes. The Notes are direct unsecured obligations and will rank without preference or priority among themselves and equally with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The Notes are not guaranteed by any subsidiary of Genworth. We have the option to redeem all or a portion of the 2009 Notes, the 2014 Notes and the 2034 Notes at any time with proper notice to the note holders at a price equal to the greater of 100% of principal or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted at the then-current treasury rate plus an applicable spread.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(14) Borrowings (Continued)

 

Yen Notes

 

In June 2001, GEFAHI issued ¥60.0 billion of notes through a public offering at a price of ¥59.9 billion. ¥3.0 billion of the notes were retired during 2004. We have entered in arrangements to swap our obligations under these notes to a U.S. dollar obligation with a notional principal amount of $491 million and bearing interest at a rate of 4.84% per annum. The notes are unsecured and mature at par in 2011. As of December 31, 2004, we had $0.7 million interest accrued relating to these notes.

 

(c) Non-recourse Funding Obligations

 

On July 28, 2003 and December 16, 2003, River Lake Insurance Company issued $300 million and $300 million, respectively, of non-recourse funding obligations. On December 3, 2004, River Lake Insurance Company II issued $300 million of non-recourse funding obligations. Each of these companies is a special purpose captive insurance company that is wholly owned by our subsidiary, First Colony Life Insurance Company.

 

The non-recourse obligations are represented by notes that bear a floating rate of interest and mature in 2033, in the case of the 2003 issuances, and 2035, in the case of the 2004 issuance. The floating rate notes have been deposited into a series of trusts that have issued money market securities. Both principal and interest payments on the money market securities are guaranteed by a third party insurance company. The holders of the notes cannot require repayment from us or any of our subsidiaries, other than River Lake Insurance Company or River Lake Insurance Company II, the direct issuers of the notes. First Colony Life Insurance Company has agreed to indemnify the issuers and the third party insurer for certain limited costs.

 

Interest on the principal amount of the notes accrues at a floating rate of interest determined every 28 days and is payable at the end of each 28-day period. Any payment of principal of, including by redemption, or interest on the notes may only be made with the prior approval of the Director of Insurance of the State of South Carolina in accordance with the terms of its licensing orders and in accordance with applicable law. The holders of the notes have no rights to accelerate payment of principal of the notes under any circumstances, including without limitation, for nonpayment or breach of any covenant. Each issuer reserves the right to repay the notes that it has issued at any time, subject to prior regulatory approval.

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, $900 million and $600 million, respectively, of non-recourse funding obligations are outstanding. The weighted average yield as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 is 2.4% and 1.2%, respectively. Because the non-recourse funding obligations bear variable interest rates, carrying value approximates fair value as of December 31, 2004 and 2003.

 

(d) Equity Units

 

As part of our corporate reorganization, we issued $600 million of our Equity Units to GEFAHI, and GEFAHI sold all these Equity Units in a public offering concurrent with the IPO. The Equity Units initially were issued in the form of Corporate Units. Each Corporate Unit consisted of:

 

    a contract to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock, which we refer to as the stock purchase contracts; and

 

    a $25 ownership interest in our 3.84% senior notes due 2009, which we refer to in this section as the notes.

 

The stock purchase contract that is a component of an Equity Unit requires the holder to purchase, and us to sell, for $25, on May 16, 2007, which we refer to as the purchase contract settlement date, a number of newly

 

F-38


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(14) Borrowings (Continued)

 

issued shares of our Class A Common Stock equal to the settlement rate. If the market value of our Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to $23.5960, the threshold appreciation price, the settlement rate will be 1.0595 shares of our Class A Common Stock. If the market value of our class A Common Stock is less than the threshold appreciation price but greater than $19.50, the reference price, the settlement rate will be a number of our Class A Common Stock equal to the stated amount of $25 divided by the market value. If the market value is less than or equal to the reference price, the settlement rate will be 1.2821 shares of our Class A Common Stock. Holders may settle a purchase contract anytime after May 28, 2005. Accordingly, upon settlement in the aggregate, we will receive proceeds of $600 million and issue between 25.4 million and 30.8 million new shares. We will also pay quarterly contract adjustment payments on each stock purchase contract at an annual rate of 2.16% of the stated amount of $25 per Equity Unit. During the year ended December 31, 2004 we paid $6.2 million in contract adjustment payments. We recorded the estimated present value at issuance, $37 million, of the contract adjustment payments on the stock purchase contracts as other liabilities, with an offsetting decrease in additional paid-in-capital. When we make contract adjustment payments, they are charged to other liabilities, and we accrue interest expense on the unpaid balance at the rate of 3.84% per year. The current balance is $31 million at December 31, 2004.

 

On May 9, 2007, the notes will be remarketed. At that time, our remarketing agent will have the ability to reset the interest rate on the notes in order to generate sufficient remarketing proceeds to satisfy the holder’s obligation under the stock purchase contracts. If the initial remarketing is unsuccessful, the remarketing agent will attempt to remarket the notes, as necessary, on May 10 and 11, 2007. If all remarketing attempts are unsuccessful, holders of these notes will have the right to put their notes to us for an amount equal to the principal amount of their notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, on the purchase contract settlement date.

 

The equity units are reflected in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method, and are dilutive when the weighted-average market price of our Class A Common Stock is greater than or equal to the threshold appreciation price. During the period from the date of issuance through December 31, 2004, our weighted-average market price was less than the threshold appreciation price.

 

Initially, interest on the notes will be payable quarterly at the annual rate of 3.84% of the principal amount of the notes, to, but excluding May 16, 2007, the purchase contract settlement date. For the year ended December 31, 2004, we incurred $13.9 million of interest expense. As of December 31, 2004, we had $2.9 million in interest accrued relating to these notes.

 

(e) Preferred Stock

 

As part of our corporate reorganization, we issued $100 million of Series A Preferred Stock to GEFAHI. GEFAHI sold all the Series A Preferred Stock in a public offering concurrent with the IPO. As of December 31, 2004, 2,000,000 shares of our authorized preferred stock have been designated 5.25% Cumulative Series A Preferred Stock and are outstanding. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are fixed at an annual rate equal to 5.25% of the sum of (1) the stated liquidation value of $50 per share, plus (2) accumulated and unpaid dividends. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year. On September 1, 2004 and December 1, 2004, we paid dividends of $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, which has been recorded as interest expense in the accompanying financial statements. We are required to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock on June 1, 2011 in whole at a price of $50.00 per share, plus unpaid dividends accrued to the date of redemption. There are no provisions for early redemption. Except under certain conditions or otherwise required by applicable law, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting rights.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(14) Borrowings (Continued)

 

(f) Liquidity

 

Long-term borrowings, non-recourse funding obligations, senior notes underlying equity units and preferred stock as of December 31, by maturity are as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

2005

   $ —  

2006

     —  

2007

     500

2008

     —  

2009 and thereafter(1)

     3,542
    

Total

   $ 4,042
    


(1) Repayment of $900 million of non-recourse funding agreements requires regulatory approval.

 

Our liquidity requirements are principally met through dividends from our insurance subsidiaries, the Commercial Paper program and our revolving credit facilities. As of December 31, 2004, we have an unused credit capacity within our revolving credit facilities of $2.0 billion.

 

(15) Income Taxes

 

As a consequence of our separation from GE, and our joint election with GE to treat that separation as an asset sale under section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code, we expect to become entitled to additional tax deductions for periods after our corporate reorganization. We expect to realize tax savings from these deductions and have recorded our estimate of these tax savings on our statement of financial position as a $718 million reduction in net deferred income tax liabilities. We are obligated, pursuant to our Tax Matters Agreement with GE, to pay to GE, on an after-tax basis and subject to a cap of $640 million, 80% of the amount of tax we are projected to save for each tax period as a result of these increased tax benefits. We have recorded the $389 million present value of this obligation to GE as a liability on our statement of financial position. These amounts reflect considered judgments and assessments as to the underlying assumptions and facts. However, under the Tax Matters Agreement, with certain exceptions relating to specified contingent benefits and excluding interest on payments we defer, our total payments to GE will not exceed a nominal amount of $640 million.

 

We recorded net interest expense of $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, representing the accretion at the rate of 5.72% in the discounted value of the liability under the Tax Matters Agreement with GE. We will continue to record interest expense at that rate over the 18 years for which we have scheduled payments to GE under the Tax Matters Agreement. We will also incur additional interest expense at that rate to the extent that we defer until as late as 2029 scheduled payments to GE under the Tax Matters Agreement, which we are permitted to do in the event either that we realize the future tax savings more slowly than we are scheduled to make corresponding payments to GE, or that we fail to realize them at all, and there is not a corresponding adjustment to the payment schedule under the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

We have recorded the $329 million difference between the $718 million benefit and the $389 million liability to GE as an increase in stockholders’ interest.

 

F-40


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(15) Income Taxes (Continued)

 

The total provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Current federal income taxes

   $ 1,478     $ 444     $ 441  

Deferred federal income taxes

     (1,194 )     (103 )     (76 )
    


 


 


Total federal income taxes

     284       341       365  
    


 


 


Current state income taxes

     27       (16 )     (26 )

Deferred state income taxes

     31       (11 )     21  
    


 


 


Total state income taxes

     58       (27 )     (5 )
    


 


 


Current foreign income taxes

     184       48       51  

Deferred foreign income taxes

     (33 )     51       —    
    


 


 


Total foreign income taxes

     151       99       51  
    


 


 


Total provision for income taxes

   $ 493     $ 413     $ 411  
    


 


 


 

The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

Increase (reduction) in rate resulting from:

                  

State income tax, net of federal income tax effect

   (0.6 )   (0.6 )   (0.3 )

Net tax benefit related to IPO(a)

   (2.9 )   —       —    

IRS settlement(b)

   —       —       (8.5 )

Tax exempt income

   (2.4 )   (2.8 )   (2.7 )

Other, net

   1.0     (1.7 )   (0.6 )
    

 

 

Effective rate

   30.1 %   29.9 %   22.9 %
    

 

 


(a) Tax benefit of $47 million arising from our separation from GE on May 24, 2004.
(b) In 2002, we reached a favorable settlement with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the treatment of certain reserves for obligations to policyholders on life insurance contracts resulting in a benefit of $152 million. The benefits associated with the settlement are non-recurring.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(15) Income Taxes (Continued)

 

The components of the net deferred income tax liability as of December 31, are as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

Assets:

              

Investments

   $ 295     $ 129

Future annuity and contract benefits

     422       1,394

Present value of future profits

     114       —  

Net unrealized losses on derivatives

     —         33

Accrued commission and general expenses

     111       90

Deferred tax benefits related to IPO

     103       —  

NOL carryforwards

     18       —  

Other

     363       36
    


 

Gross deferred income tax assets

     1,426       1,682

Valuation allowance

     (46 )     —  
    


 

Total deferred income tax assets

     1,380       1,682
    


 

Liabilities:

              

Net unrealized gains on investment securities

     548       815

Net unrealized gains on derivatives

     151       —  

Present value of future profits

     —         526

Deferred acquisition costs

     1,028       1,631

Other

     277       115
    


 

Total deferred income tax liabilities

     2,004       3,087
    


 

Net deferred income tax liability

   $ 624     $ 1,405
    


 

 

We have established a valuation allowance of $46 million for state deferred tax assets and foreign tax credits. The state deferred tax assets relate primarily to the future deductions we expect to claim as a consequence of our separation transaction and joint election with GE, while the excess foreign tax credits reflect inefficiencies in our post-IPO structure. Based on our analysis, we believe it is more likely than not that the results of future operations and implementations of tax planning strategies will generate sufficient taxable income to enable us to realize the deferred tax assets for which we have not established valuation allowances.

 

For tax return purposes, as of December 31, 2004, we have net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) that expire, if unused, in 2019 and foreign tax credit carryforwards (“FTC”) that expire, if unused, in 2014. The approximate amount of the NOL and FTC are $51 million and $7 million, respectively. The benefits of the NOL and FTC carryforwards have been recognized in our financial statements, except to the extent of the valuation allowances described above.

 

The $718 million reduction in deferred tax liabilities relating to our separation from GE and corresponding joint elections is included primarily in investments and present value of future profits in the table above. The other significant changes reflected in the table above relating to future annuity and contract benefits, deferred acquisition cost, present value of future profits and investment, are primarily attributable to the UFLIC reinsurance arrangements.

 

We have not yet completed our evaluation of whether we will repatriate foreign earnings in 2005 under the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision contained in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. We expect to

 

F-42


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(15) Income Taxes (Continued)

 

complete our analysis in the second quarter of 2005. If we do choose to repatriate, we do not anticipate an additional U.S. tax provision, as Genworth’s policy has been to provide U.S. deferred tax liabilities currently on all of its undistributed foreign earnings.

 

Our current income tax liability is $291 million and $222 million, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 respectively.

 

(16) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Net cash (received) paid for taxes is $(128) million, $798 million and $291 million and cash paid for interest is $282 million, $95 million and $73 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

In connection with our corporate reorganization on May 24, 2004, we completed several non-cash transactions with our parent. These transactions included the transfer of the assets and liabilities of entities that did not remain with Genworth, as well as non-cash consideration paid to our then-sole stockholder through the issuance of debt and other liabilities. The following table details these transactions as well as other non-cash items:

 

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Year
ended
December
31, 2004


 

Excluded net assets:

        

Assets (net of cash of $838) excluded in our corporate reorganization

   $ 21,873  

Liabilities excluded in corporate reorganization

     (20,962 )
    


Net assets transferred to majority stockholder in connection with corporate reorganization

   $ 911  
    


Other non-cash transactions in connection with our corporate reorganization:

        

Issuance of senior notes underlying equity units

   $ 600  

Issuance of Series A preferred stock

     100  

Issuance of contingent note

     550  

Issuance of short-term note

     2,400  
    


Total other non-cash transactions in connection with our corporate reorganization

   $ 3,650  
    


Non-cash transactions subsequent to our corporate reorganization

        

Stock-based compensation

   $ 29  

Dividends declared not yet paid

     32  
    


Total non-cash transactions subsequent to our corporate reorganization

   $ 61  
    


 

There are no significant non-cash transactions during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

 

F-43


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(17) Stock Compensation

 

We grant stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and deferred stock units (“DSUs”) to employees and non-employee directors under the 2004 Genworth Financial, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan.

 

In the past, certain of our employees were granted awards under GE’s 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan. In connection with the IPO and our separation from GE, unvested GE stock options, vested stock options held by our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, GE stock appreciation rights and GE restricted stock units were canceled and converted into Genworth awards. Prior to the IPO, our employees held 3,607,855 unvested GE stock options, 195,000 unvested GE SARs and 963,739 GE RSUs. In connection with the IPO, these awards were converted to 5,648,154 Genworth stock options, 305,213 Genworth SARs and 1,508,454 Genworth RSUs. The GE stock options, GE SARs and GE RSUs were converted based upon a ratio equal to the initial offering price of our common stock in the IPO ($19.50), divided by the weighted average stock price of GE common stock for the trading day immediately preceding the pricing date of the IPO ($30.52). The converted securities, if unvested, generally will continue to vest over their original vesting periods. Additionally, during the year ending December 31, 2004, we granted 12,081 stock options and 98 RSUs to replace cancelled GE options and RSUs for employees transferring to our business from GE after the IPO. These additional replacement grants were made using the same conversion methodology described above, but with the conversion ratio based upon the weighted-average price of Genworth common stock divided by the weighted-average price of GE common stock for the trading day immediately prior to the transfer date. As of December 31, 2004, there were a total of 5,550,575 Genworth stock options, 305,213 Genworth SARs and 1,465,504 Genworth RSUs outstanding as a result of these replacement grants.

 

In connection with the IPO, we granted 9,947,500 Genworth stock options and 5,950,000 Genworth SARs to our employees. The exercise price of these options and SARs is equal to the IPO price of our common stock ($19.50), and the exercise term is ten years from the date of the grant. These options and SARs will vest in 25% annual increments commencing on the second anniversary of the date of the grant. During the year ending December 31, 2004, we granted an additional 108,250 Genworth Stock options with exercise prices ranging from $21.41 to $26.66, which equaled the closing market price on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2004, there are 9,646,000 Genworth stock options and 5,950,000 Genworth SARs outstanding from these grants.

 

We have recorded stock-based compensation expense in the amount of $29 million and $9 million for the years ending December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to the cost of the RSUs, SARs and stock options. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized pro rata over the awards’ respective vesting schedule.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(17) Stock Compensation (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes GE stock option activity related to our employees for the three years ended December 31, 2003 and for the period from January 1, 2004 through May 24, 2004.

 

       Shares
Subject
to
Option


    Average per share

(Shares in thousands)


       Exercise
Price


     Market
Price


Balance as of December 31, 2001

     9,293     $ 28.71      $ 40.08

Options granted

     1,774       27.08        27.08

Options transferred in

     426       27.85        —  

Options exercised

     (618 )     9.41        32.17

Options transferred out

     (787 )     25.67        —  

Options terminated

     (252 )     38.13        —  
      

 

    

Balance as of December 31, 2002

     9,836       29.47        24.53

Options granted

     258       31.53        31.53

Options transferred in

     331       26.89        —  

Options exercised

     (906 )     9.50        27.84

Options transferred out

     (1,249 )     31.02        —  

Options terminated

     (341 )     37.69        —  
      

 

    

Balance as of December 31, 2003

     7,929       31.13        30.98

Options granted

     43       30.03        30.03

Options transferred in

     489       29.94        —  

Options exercised

     (358 )     10.62        31.36

Options transferred out

     (1,067 )     31.59        —  

Options terminated

     (129 )     36.84        —  
      

 

    

Balance as of May 24, 2004

     6,907 (1)     31.79        30.52

(1) Represents options held by our employees immediately prior to the IPO. Of these, 3,608 were converted to 5,648 Genworth options based upon a conversion formula and 3,299 remained with GE.

 

The following table summarizes Genworth stock option activity related to our employees for the period May 25, 2004 through December 31, 2004.

 

     Shares
Subject
to
Option


    Average per share

(Shares in thousands)


     Exercise
Price


   Market
Price


Balance as of May 25, 2004

   5,648     $ 21.94    $ 19.50

Options granted

   10,068       19.54      19.54

Options exercised

   (18 )     20.65      26.23

Options terminated

   (501 )     20.45      —  
    

 

  

Balance as of December 31, 2004

   15,197       20.40      27.00

 

F-45


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(17) Stock Compensation (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes information about Genworth employee related stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2004:

 

     Outstanding

   Exercisable

Exercise price range


   Shares in
thousands


   Average
life(1)


   Average
exercise
price


  

Shares

in thousands


   Average
exercise
price


$6.80-14.11

   427    1.6    $ 9.84    427    $ 9.84

16.77-18.51

   1,877    7.3      17.24    677      17.17

19.45-22.67

   10,778    9.2      19.76    474      22.27

23.20-27.95

   1,749    5.9      27.04    1,012      26.51

28.06-36.62

   366    5.7      36.00    132      35.36
    
  
  

  
  

     15,197    8.3      20.40    2,722      21.26

(1) Average contractual life remaining in years

 

The following table contains the Genworth weighted-average grant-date fair value information for 2004 and the GE weighted-average grant-date fair value information for 2003, 2002 and 2001. Fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

    2001

 

Fair value per option

   $ 6.66     $ 9.55     $ 7.68     $ 13.53  

Valuation Assumptions:

                                

Expected Option term

     6.0       6.0       6.0       6.0  

Expected volatility

     34.2 %     34.7 %     33.7 %     30.5 %

Expected dividend yield

     1.3 %     2.5 %     2.7 %     1.6 %

Risk-free interest rate

     3.5 %     3.5 %     3.5 %     4.9 %

 

(18) Related Party Transactions

 

Prior to the IPO, GE provided a variety of products and services to us, and we provided a variety of products and services to GE. The services we received from GE included:

 

    customer service, transaction processing and a variety of functional support services provided by GE Capital International Services, or GECIS;

 

    employee benefit processing and payroll administration;

 

    employee training programs, including access to GE training courses;

 

    insurance coverage under the GE insurance program;

 

    information systems, network and related services;

 

    leases for vehicles, equipment and facilities; and

 

    other financial advisory services such as tax consulting, capital markets services, research and development activities, and trademark licenses.

 

Our total expense for these services is $65 million, $87 million and $74 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We also receive investment management and related

 

F-46


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(18) Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

administrative services provided by GEAM, for which we incurred expenses of $33 million, $61 million and $39 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

Certain of our insurance subsidiaries are parties to investment management and services agreements with GEAM and GE Asset Management Limited (“GEAML”), each a GE-owned provider of investment management services. We have agreed to pay GEAM or GEAML, as applicable, a quarterly management fee for these services equal to a percentage of the value of the assets under management. The percentage is established annually by agreement between GEAM or GEAML and us and is intended to reflect the cost to GEAM or GEAML of providing its services, and, for the agreements with GEAML, a premium of 5%.

 

In addition, we have recorded our allocated share of GE’s corporate overhead for certain services provided to us, which are not specifically billed to us, including public relations, investor relations, treasury, and internal audit services in the amount of $14 million, $50 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We have also recorded expenses associated with GE stock option and restricted stock unit grants in the amount of $2 million, $9 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, as described in note 17. These amounts will not be paid to GE and have been recorded as a capital contribution in each year.

 

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a master agreement and a number of other agreements with GE for the purpose of accomplishing our separation from GE, transferring the businesses to us and setting forth various matters governing our relationship with GE while GE remains a significant stockholder in our company. These agreements govern the relationship between GE and us and provide for the allocation of employee benefit, tax and other liabilities and obligations attributable or related to periods or events prior to and in connection with the IPO. In addition, a number of the existing agreements between us and our subsidiaries and GE and its subsidiaries relating to various aspects of our business remain in effect following the IPO.

 

We entered into a transition services agreement with GE in connection with the IPO to provide each other, on a transitional basis, certain administrative and support services and other assistance in the U.S. consistent with the services provided before the separation. To comply with European regulatory requirements, we entered into a separate transition services agreement relating to transition services in Europe with respect to our payment protection insurance business. The types of services to be provided under the European transition services agreement are substantially similar to the services to be provided under the U.S. transition services agreement. Pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement, we provide GE various services related to the businesses not transferred to us that had received services from GEFAHI prior to the separation, including information systems and network services, legal services and sourcing support. GE will provide services to us, including:

 

    treasury, payroll and other financial related services;

 

    human resources and employee benefits;

 

    legal and related services;

 

    information systems, network and related services;

 

    investment services;

 

    corporate services; and

 

    procurement and sourcing support.

 

We also will provide each other, on a transitional basis, additional services that GE and we may identify during the term of the agreement.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(18) Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

As part of the Transition Services Agreement, GE has agreed to pay us $40 million in equal quarterly installments during each of the first two years following our corporate reorganization for the provision of transition services to GE. During the period from May 25, 2004 to December 31, 2004 GE paid us $23 million associated with the Transition Services Agreement. Prior to our corporate reorganization, GE paid us $17 million for corporate overhead related to companies that were not transferred to us as part of the corporate reorganization.

 

We entered into the Tax Matters Agreement in connection with the IPO. The Tax Matters Agreement, among other things, governs our continuing tax sharing arrangements with GE relating to pre-separation periods, and also allocates responsibility and benefits associated with the elections made in connection with our separation from GE. The Tax Matters Agreement also allocates rights, obligations and responsibilities in connection with certain administrative matters relating to taxes. (See note 15.)

 

We have entered into certain insurance transactions with affiliates of GE. During each of 2004, 2003 and 2002 we collected $25 million, $24 million and $20 million, respectively, of premiums from various GE affiliates for long-term care insurance provided to employees of such affiliates. We have also reinsured some of the risks of our insurance policies with affiliates, and paid premiums of $39 million, $56 million and $60 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, to Employers Reassurance Company and ERC Life Reinsurance Company (an affiliate until December 2003), and $100 million and $94 million to GE Pension Limited in 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

We entered into three liability and portfolio management agreements with affiliates of GE, effective January 1, 2004. Pursuant to two of these agreements, we will manage a pool of municipal guaranteed investment contracts and we have agreed to originate guaranteed investment contract liabilities, and advise the issuing company as to the investment of these assets that support these liabilities and administer these assets. Under each of these agreements, we receive a market rate based administration fee based on the program size.

 

The third agreement is with another GE affiliate. Under this agreement we agreed to provide liability management and other services related to origination and issuance of guaranteed investment contracts or similar liabilities. We will receive an annual management fee calculated using a market rate based on the book value of the investment contracts based on pricing arrangements that will vary depending on the maturities of the contracts. We also receive reimbursement of operating expenses under each of the liability and portfolio management agreements.

 

We have also entered into several significant reinsurance transactions with UFLIC as part of our corporate re-organization. (See note 10.)

 

We distribute some of our products through affiliates. We distribute our payment protection insurance, in part, through arrangements with GE’s consumer finance division and other GE entities, for which we have received gross written premiums of $380 million, $293 million and $218 million during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. We have also reinsured lease obligation insurance and credit insurance marketed by GE’s consumer finance division and other GE entities, for which we received premiums of $40 million, $94 million and $105 million during 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

We sold to GE Mortgage Services, an affiliate of GE, properties acquired through claim settlement in our U.S. mortgage insurance business at a price equal to the product of the property’s fair value and an agreed upon

 

F-48


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(18) Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

price factor. Under these arrangements, we received proceeds of $3 million, $9 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had several notes receivable from various GE affiliates in the aggregate amount of $209 million. These notes were not transferred to us in our corporate reorganization, and there are no notes receivable from GE affiliates as of December 31, 2004.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had approximately €2 million ($2 million), respectively, of notes payable to various GE affiliates, which were paid during 2004.

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, we have operating receivables of $21 million and $254 million, respectively, and payables of $318 million and $673 million, respectively, with certain affiliated companies.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we held $47 million of commercial paper issued by GE Capital.

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had a line of credit with GE that had an aggregate borrowing limit of $2.5 billion. There was an outstanding balance of $548 million as of December 31, 2003, which was paid off in connection with our corporate reorganization. Outstanding borrowings under this line of credit bore interest at the three-month U.S.$ London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 25 basis points. Interest expense under this line of credit is $4 million, $1 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2003, respectively.

 

We, along with GE Capital, were participants in a revolving credit agreement that involves an international cash pooling arrangement on behalf of a number of GE subsidiaries in Europe, including some of our European subsidiaries. In these roles, either participant could make short-term loans to the other as part of the cash pooling arrangement. Each such borrowing was repayable upon demand, but not to exceed 364 days. This unsecured line of credit had an interest rate per annum equal to GE Capital Services’ cost of funds for the currency in which such borrowing was denominated. This credit facility had an annual term, but was automatically extended for successive terms of one year each, unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the agreement. We had a net receivable of $9 million under this credit facility as of December 31, 2003. The credit facility was terminated in connection with our corporate reorganization.

 

GE Capital guaranteed certain obligations under floating-rate funding agreements with a final maturity on or before June 30, 2005. This guarantee covers our obligations to contractholders and requires us to reimburse GE Capital for any payments made to contractholders under the guarantee. As of December 31, 2004, GE Capital’s guarantee covered $1.4 billion of outstanding floating-rate funding agreements.

 

GE Capital from time to time provides guarantees and other support arrangements on our behalf, including performance guarantees and support agreements relating to securitization and comfort letters provided to government agencies. We have not incurred any charges for the provision of these guarantees and other support arrangements.

 

As part of the consideration for the assets transferred to us in connection with our corporate reorganization, we issued to GEFAHI a $550 million Contingent Note. The Contingent Note was a non-interest-bearing, general unsecured obligation of our company and was subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. We were required to repay the Contingent Note solely to the extent that statutory contingency reserves from our U.S. mortgage insurance business in excess of $150 million were released and paid to us as a dividend. The release of these reserves and payment of the dividend were subject to statutory

 

F-49


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(18) Related Party Transactions (Continued)

 

limitations, regulatory approvals and other conditions. In July 2004, we amended the Contingent Note to provide that we were required to use reasonable best efforts to achieve the satisfaction of such conditions and to repay the Contingent Note by December 31, 2004. We received from GEFAHI a payment of less than $1 million to reimburse us for costs in consideration of that effort. On December 23, 2004, all conditions to the release of statutory contingency reserves from our U.S. mortgage insurance business and the payment of a dividend by that business to us were satisfied. As a result, on December 23, 2004, our U.S. mortgage insurance business paid a $700 million dividend to us, and we repaid the Contingent Note in full.

 

In December 2004, we entered into a Consideration Agreement with GE Capital International (Mauritius) (“GECIM”), a subsidiary of GE. The Consideration Agreement set forth the terms in which we participated in GE’s sale of its global outsourcing business. Pursuant to the Consideration Agreement, upon the closing of the sale we received consideration of $40 million from GECIM related to our waiver of certain contractual rights and entered into an Outsourcing Services Amendment Agreement (“Service Agreement”) with Gecis International Holdings, Luxembourg, Swiss Branch Zug, a Luxembourg company. The consideration of $40 million is included in policy fees and other income on the statement of earnings as a result of our waiver of contractual rights under the Service Agreement. We also agreed to purchase a minimum volume of services, at market rates, during an eight-year period. Our minimum volume commitment during the each of the first five years of the service agreement will be $24 million, and our minimum volume commitment during the sixth, seventh and eighth years will be $18 million, $12 million and $6 million, respectively.

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Assets and liabilities that are reflected in the accompanying financial statements at fair value are not included in the following disclosure of fair value; such items include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, separate accounts and derivative financial instruments. Other financial assets and liabilities—those not carried at fair value—are discussed below. Apart from certain of our borrowings and certain marketable securities, few of the instruments discussed below are actively traded and their fair values must often be determined using models. The fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based upon available market information and judgments about the financial instruments, including estimates of the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of counterparties. Such estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time our entire holdings of a particular financial instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In many cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the financial instrument.

 

The basis on which we estimate fair value is as follows:

 

Mortgage loans. Based on quoted market prices, recent transactions and/or discounted future cash flows, using rates at which similar loans would have been made to similar borrowers.

 

Policy Loans. Based on carrying value, which approximates fair value.

 

Other financial instruments. Based on comparable market transactions, discounted future cash flows, quoted market prices, and/or estimates of the cost to terminate or otherwise settle obligations.

 

Borrowings, non-recourse funding obligations, senior notes underlying equity units. Based on market quotes or comparables.

 

F-50


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

 

Investment contract benefits. Based on expected future cash flows, discounted at currently offered discount rates for immediate annuity contracts or cash surrender values for single premium deferred annuities.

 

Insurance—credit life. Based on future cash flows, considering expected renewal premiums, claims, refunds and servicing costs, discounted at a current market rate.

 

Insurance—mortgage. Based on carrying value, which approximates fair value.

 

Preferred Stock. Based on carrying value, which approximates fair value.

 

The following represents the fair value of financial assets and liabilities as of December 31:

 

     2004

   2003

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Notional
amount


    Carrying
amount


   Estimated
fair value


   Notional
amount


    Carrying
amount


   Estimated
fair value


Assets:

                                           

Mortgage loans

   $ (a )   $ 6,051    $ 6,348    $ (a )   $ 6,114    $ 6,414

Policy loans

     (a )     1,224      1,224      (a )     1,105      1,105

Other financial instruments

     (a )     124      124      (a )     34      34

Liabilities:

                                           

Borrowings and related instruments(b):

                                           

Borrowings

     (a )     3,001      3,084      (a )     2,768      2,754

Non-recourse funding obligations

     (a )     900      900      (a )     600      600

Equity units

     (a )     631      778      (a )     —        —  

Preferred stock

     (a )     100      100      (a )     —        —  

Investment contract benefits

     (a )     31,994      32,081      (a )     31,206      31,013

Insurance—credit life

     27,591       1,901      1,901      11,321       2,249      2,249

Performance guarantees, principally letters of credit

     119       —        —        119       —        —  

Insurance—mortgage

     85,711       1,891      1,891      70,300       1,556      1,556

Other firm commitments:

                                           

Ordinary course of business lending commitments

     254       —        —        56       —        —  

Commitments to fund limited partnerships

     20       —        —        41       —        —  

(a) These financial instruments do not have notional amounts.
(b) See note 14.

 

The paragraphs that follow provide additional information about derivatives and hedging relationships.

 

The nature of our business activities necessarily involves management of various financial and market risks, including those related to changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and fluctuations in values of equity market indices. We use derivative financial instruments to mitigate or eliminate certain of those risks.

 

To qualify for hedge accounting, the details of the hedging relationship must be formally documented at inception of the arrangement, including the risk management objective, hedging strategy, hedged item, specific

 

F-51


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

 

risks that are being hedged, the derivative instrument and how effectiveness is being assessed. The derivative must be highly effective in offsetting either changes in fair value or cash flows, as appropriate, for the risk being hedged. Effectiveness is evaluated on a retrospective and prospective basis based on quantitative measures of correlation. If a hedged relationship becomes ineffective, it no longer qualifies as a hedge. Any excess gains or losses attributable to such ineffectiveness, as well as subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative, are recognized in earnings.

 

A reconciliation of current period changes for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, net of applicable income taxes in the separate component of stockholders’ interest labeled “derivatives qualifying as hedges”, follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

    2003

 

Derivatives qualifying as effective accounting hedges as of January 1

   $ (5 )   $ (98 )

Current period increases in fair value, net of deferred taxes

     188       37  

Reclassification to net earnings, net of deferred taxes

     (10 )     20  

Transferred to majority stockholder in connection with our corporate reorganization, net of deferred taxes

     95       —    

Reclassification adjustment from discontinued operations, net of deferred taxes

     —         36  
    


 


Balance as of December 31

   $ 268     $ (5 )
    


 


 

Derivatives and Hedging. Our business activities routinely deal with fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates and other asset prices. We follow strict policies for managing each of these risks, including prohibition on derivatives market-making, speculative derivatives trading or other speculative derivatives activities. These policies require the use of derivative instruments in concert with other techniques to reduce or eliminate these risks.

 

Cash flow hedges. Cash flow hedges are hedges that use simple derivatives to offset the variability of expected future cash flows. Variability can appear in floating rate assets, floating rate liabilities or from certain types of forecasted transactions, and can arise from changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates. For example, we may borrow funds at a variable rate of interest. If we need these funds to make a floating rate loan, there is no exposure to interest rate changes, and no hedge is necessary. However, if a fixed rate loan is made, we may contractually commit to pay a fixed rate of interest to a counterparty who will pay us a variable rate of interest (an “interest rate swap”). This swap will then be designated as a cash flow hedge of the associated variable rate borrowing. If, as would be expected, the derivative is highly effective in offsetting variable rates in the borrowing, changes in its fair value are recorded in a separate component of accumulated non-owner changes in stockholders’ interest and released to earnings contemporaneously with the earnings effects of the hedged item. Further information about hedge effectiveness is provided below.

 

We use currency swaps and forwards as well as forward starting interest rate swaps to optimize investment returns and borrowing costs. For example, currency swaps and non-functional currency borrowings together provide lower funding costs than could be achieved by issuing debt directly in a given currency.

 

As of December 31, 2004, amounts related to derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges resulted in an increase of stockholders’ interest of $188 million, net of tax, of which $10 million is expected to be transferred to net earnings in 2005 as the derivatives and their underlying investments expire or mature according to their original terms, along with the earnings effects of the related forecast transactions in 2004.

 

F-52


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

 

Fair value hedges. Fair value hedges are hedges that eliminate the risk of changes in the fair values of assets, liabilities and certain types of firm commitments. For example, we often purchase assets that pay a fixed rate of interest. If these assets are purchased to support fixed rate liabilities, there is consistency in the interest rate exposure of both. Therefore changes in fair value of the assets and liabilities generally will offset and no additional hedges are necessary. However, if the assets are purchased to support floating rate liabilities, there will be a mismatch between them and we will contractually commit to pay a fixed rate of interest to a counterparty who will pay us a floating rate of interest (an “interest rate swap”). This swap will then be designated as a fair value hedge of the asset purchased. Changes in fair value of derivatives designated and effective as fair value hedges are recorded in net earnings and are offset by corresponding changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged.

 

Derivatives not designated as hedges. Specific criteria must be met in order to apply any of the above forms of hedge accounting. For example, hedge accounting is not permitted for hedged items that are marked to market through earnings. We use derivatives to hedge exposures when it makes economic sense to do so, including circumstances in which the hedging relationship does not qualify for hedge accounting as described in the following paragraph. We will also occasionally receive derivatives in the ordinary course of business. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to market through net earnings.

 

We use option contracts as an economic hedge of changes in interest rates and equity prices on certain types of liabilities. Although these instruments are considered to be derivatives under SFAS 133, our economic risk is similar to, and managed on the same basis as other financial instruments that we hold. Equity options are used to economically hedge price changes in equity indexed annuity liabilities.

 

Earnings effects of derivatives. The table that follows provides additional information about the earnings effects of derivatives. In the context of hedging relationships, “effectiveness” refers to the degree to which fair value changes in the hedging instrument offset corresponding fair value changes in the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. Certain elements of hedge positions cannot qualify for hedge accounting whether effective or not, and must therefore be marked to market through earnings. Time value of purchased options is the most common example of such elements in instruments we use. Pre-tax earnings effects of such items for the year ended December 31, 2004 are shown in the following table as “Amounts excluded from the measure of effectiveness.”

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Cash
flow
hedges


   Fair
value
hedges


Ineffectiveness

   $ —      $ 1

Amounts excluded from the measure of effectiveness

   $ 3    $ —  

 

As of December 31, 2004, the fair value of derivatives in a gain position and recorded in Other invested assets is $442 million and the fair value of derivatives in a loss position and recorded in Other liabilities is $46 million.

 

Counterparty credit risk. The risk that counterparties to derivative contracts will be financially unable to make payments to us according to the terms of the agreements is counterparty credit risk. We manage counterparty credit risk on an individual counterparty basis, which means that we net gains and losses for each counterparty to determine the amount at risk. When a counterparty exceeds credit exposure limits (see table below) in terms of amounts they owe us, typically as a result of changes in market conditions, no additional transactions are permitted to be executed until the exposure with that counterparty is reduced to an amount that is

 

F-53


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(19) Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

 

within the established limit. All swaps are required to be executed under master swap agreements containing mutual credit downgrade provisions that provide the ability to require assignment or termination in the event either party is downgraded below “A3” by Moody’s or “A-” by S&P. If the downgrade provisions had been triggered as of December 31, 2004, we could have been required to disburse up to $5 million and claim up to $245 million from counterparties. This represents the net fair value of losses and gains by counterparty, less $156 million of collateral held. As of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, gross fair value gains are $442 million, $252 million and $278 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, gross fair value losses are $46 million, $281 million and $275 million, respectively.

 

Swaps, purchased options and forwards with contractual maturities longer than one year are conducted within the credit policy constraints provided in the table below. Our policy permits us to enter into derivative transactions with counterparties rated “A3” by Moody’s and “A-” by S&P if the agreements governing such transactions require both us and the counterparties to provide collateral in certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2004, we retained collateral of $164 million related to these agreements. We did not retain any collateral related to these agreements in 2003. Our policy further requires foreign exchange forwards with contractual maturities shorter than one year must be executed with counterparties having a credit rating by Moody’s of “A-1” and by S&P of “P-1” and the credit limit for these transactions is $150 million per counterparty.

 

     Credit Rating

Counterparty credit criteria


   Moody’s

  

Standard

& Poor’s


Term of transaction

         

Up to five years

   Aa3    AA-

Greater than five years

   Aaa    AAA

Credit exposure limit without collateral (1)

         

Up to $50 million

   Aa3    AA-

Up to $75 million

   Aaa    AAA

Credit exposure limit with collateral (1)

         

Up to $5 million

   A3    A-

Up to $50 million

   Aa3    AA-

Up to $100 million

   Aaa    AAA
  (1) Credit exposure limits noted in this table are set by GE Capital and apply in the aggregate to all companies that are consolidated into GE Capital.

 

The following table sets forth our positions in derivative instruments as of the dates indicated:

 

     December 31,

 
     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Notional
value


   % of
total


    Notional
value


   % of
total


 

Interest rate swaps

   $ 8,185    89 %   $ 9,960    86 %

Foreign currency swaps

     542    6 %     697    6 %

Equity index options

     459    5 %     457    4 %

Foreign exchange contracts

     27    —         30    —    

Swaptions

     —      —         474    4 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 9,213    100 %   $ 11,618    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

F-54


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(20) Securitization Entities

 

One of the most common forms of off-balance sheet arrangements is asset securitization. We use GE Capital-sponsored and third party entities to facilitate asset securitizations. As part of this strategy, management considers the relative risks and returns of our alternatives and predominately uses GE Capital-sponsored entities. Management believes these transactions could be readily executed through third party entities at insignificant incremental cost.

 

Assets in entities that were either sponsored by GE Capital or to which GE Capital provided financial support were $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Of the total, $0.9 billion and $1.1 billion are held by entities that are consolidated and $0.8 billion remain off balance sheet in 2004 and 2003. Disclosure requirements related to off-balance sheet arrangements encompass a broader array of arrangements than those at risk for consolidation. These arrangements include transactions with term securitization entities, as well as transactions with conduits that are sponsored by third parties. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, assets in these entities, which are QSPEs, are $1.6 billion. We recognized gains of $0, $43 million and $29 million for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, relating to the securitization of certain financial assets. An analysis of total “securitized assets” as of December 31 is as follows:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

Receivables secured by:

             

Commercial mortgage loans

   $ 1,136    $ 1,246

Fixed maturities

     504      639

Other assets

     804      865
    

  

Total securitized assets

   $ 2,444    $ 2,750
    

  

Consolidated assets held by securitization entities

   $ 884    $ 1,134

Off-balance sheet:

             

Sponsored and supported

     780      800

Other

     780      816
    

  

Total securitized assets

   $ 2,444    $ 2,750
    

  

 

We evaluate the economic, liquidity and credit risk related to the above SPEs and believe that the likelihood is remote that any such arrangements could have a significant adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Financial support for certain SPE’s is provided under credit support agreements, in which we provide limited recourse for a maximum of $119 million of credit losses. Assets with credit support are funded by demand notes that are further enhanced with support provided by GE Capital. We record liabilities for such guarantees based on our best estimate of probable losses. To date, we have not been required to make any payments under any of the credit support agreements. These agreements will remain in place throughout the life of the related entities.

 

The following table summarizes the current balance of assets sold to Qualified Special Purposes Entities (“QSPE’s”) as of December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

Assets—collateralized by:

             

Commercial mortgage loans

   $ 780    $ 816

Other receivables

     780      800
    

  

Total assets

   $ 1,560    $ 1,616
    

  

 

F-55


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(20) Securitization Entities (Continued)

 

Sales of securitized assets to QSPEs result in a gain or loss amounting to the net of sales proceeds, the carrying amount of net assets sold, the fair value of servicing rights and retained interests and an allowance for losses. Amounts recognized in our financial statements related to sales to QSPEs as of December 31 are as follows:

 

     2004

   2003

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Cost

   Fair
value


   Cost

   Fair
value


Retained interests—assets

   $ 136    $ 179    $ 143    $ 171

Servicing asset

     —        —        —        —  

Recourse liability

     —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 136    $ 179    $ 143    $ 171
    

  

  

  

 

Retained interests. In certain securitization transactions, we retain an interest in transferred assets. Those interests take various forms and may be subject to credit prepayment and interest rate risks. When we securitize receivables, we determine fair value based on discounted cash flow models that incorporate, among other things, assumptions including credit losses, prepayment speeds and discount rates. These assumptions are based on our experience, market trends and anticipated performance related to the particular assets securitized. Subsequent to recording retained interests, we review recorded values quarterly in the same manner and using current assumptions.

 

Servicing assets. Following a securitization transaction, we retain the responsibility for servicing the receivables, and, as such, are entitled to receive an ongoing fee based on the outstanding principal balances of the receivables. There are no servicing assets nor liabilities recorded as the benefits of servicing the assets are adequate to compensate an independent servicer for its servicing responsibilities.

 

Recourse liability. As described previously, under credit support agreements we provide recourse for credit losses in special purpose entities. We provide for expected credit losses under these agreements and such amounts approximate fair value.

 

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities associated with these consolidated entities, which are included in our Corporate and Other segment for reporting purposes, as of December 31:

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

Assets

             

Restricted investments held by securitization entities

   $ 860    $ 1,069

Other assets

     24      65
    

  

Total(a)

   $ 884    $ 1,134
    

  

Liabilities

             

Borrowings related to securitization entities

   $ 849    $ 1,018

Other liabilities

     3      59
    

  

Total

   $ 852    $ 1,077
    

  


(a) Includes $31 million and $51 million of former retained interests in securitized assets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, that are consolidated.

 

F-56


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(20) Securitization Entities (Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, restricted investments held by securitization entities consisted of $504 million and $639 million, respectively, of fixed maturities and $356 million and $430 million, respectively, of commercial mortgage loans. These balances will decrease as the assets mature because we will not sell any additional assets to these consolidated entities. In addition, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the borrowings related to securitization entities consisted of $505 million and $608 million, respectively, at a fixed interest rate of 5.528% due June 2025 and $344 million and $410 million, respectively, at a fixed rate of 6.0175% due October 2023. These borrowings are required to be paid down as principal is collected on the restricted investments held by the securitization entities and accordingly the repayment of these borrowings follows the maturity or prepayment, as permitted, of the restricted investments.

 

As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of our restricted fixed maturities held by securitization entities are as follows:

 

2004


   Amortized
cost or
cost


   Gross
unrealized
gains


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    Estimated
fair value


(Dollar amounts in millions)


          

Fixed maturities:

                            

U.S. corporate

   $ 473    $ 3    $ (27 )   $ 449

Public utilities

     20      —        (2 )     18

Mortgage and asset-backed

     31      7      (1 )     37
    

  

  


 

Total restricted fixed maturities

   $ 524    $ 10    $ (30 )   $ 504
    

  

  


 

 

2003


   Amortized
cost or
cost


   Gross
unrealized
gains


   Gross
unrealized
losses


    Estimated
fair value


(Dollar amounts in millions)


          

Fixed maturities:

                            

U.S. corporate

   $ 574    $ 18    $ (21 )   $ 571

Public utilities

     21      —        —         21

Mortgage and asset-backed

     44      4      (1 )     47
    

  

  


 

Total restricted fixed maturities

   $ 639    $ 22    $ (22 )   $ 639
    

  

  


 

 

The scheduled maturity distribution of these restricted fixed maturities as of December 31, 2004 is set forth below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Amortized
cost


   Estimated
fair value


Due 2005

   $ 122    $ 117

Due 2006-2009

     189      186

Due 2010-2014

     140      130

Due 2015 and later

     42      34
    

  

Subtotal

     493      467

Mortgage and asset-backed

     31      37
    

  

Total restricted fixed maturities

   $ 524    $ 504
    

  

 

F-57


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(20) Securitization Entities (Continued)

 

The following table presents our restricted fixed maturities by NAIC designations or equivalent ratings of the Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, as well as the percentage, based upon estimated fair value, that each designation comprised as of December 31:

 

NAIC
Rating


  

Rating Agency Equivalent Designation


   2004

    2003

 
     

Amortized

cost or

cost


  

Estimated

Fair

Value


  

% of

total


   

Amortized

cost or

cost


  

Estimated

Fair

Value


  

% of

total


 
(Dollar amounts in millions)

                
1   

Aaa/Aa/A

   $ 210    $ 206    41 %   $ 222    $ 224    35 %
2   

Baa

     314      298    59 %     415      413    65 %
5   

Caa and lower

     —        —      0 %     2      2    0 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

    

Total restricted fixed maturities

   $ 524    $ 504    100 %   $ 639    $ 639    100 %
         

  

  

 

  

  

 

The following table sets forth the distribution across property type and geographic region for restricted commercial mortgage loans as of December 31:

 

     2004

    2003

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   Carrying
value


   % of
total


    Carrying
value


   % of
total


 

Property Type

                          

Retail

   $ 161    45 %   $ 208    48 %

Office

     101    28 %     106    25 %

Industrial

     50    14 %     61    14 %

Apartments

     24    7 %     28    7 %

Mixed use/other

     20    6 %     27    6 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 356    100 %   $ 430    100 %
    

  

 

  

Region

                          

South Atlantic

   $ 95    27 %   $ 117    27 %

Pacific

     79    22 %     90    21 %

East North Central

     46    13 %     54    13 %

Mountain

     35    10 %     42    10 %

Middle Atlantic

     29    8 %     41    10 %

East South Central

     22    6 %     23    5 %

West North Central

     21    6 %     23    5 %

West South Central

     16    4 %     25    6 %

New England

     13    4 %     15    3 %
    

  

 

  

Total

   $ 356    100 %   $ 430    100 %
    

  

 

  

 

There is no allowance for losses related to these restricted commercial mortgage loans.

 

(21) Restrictions on Dividends

 

Our insurance companies are restricted by state and foreign regulations departments as to the amount of dividends they may pay to their parent without regulatory approval in any year, the purpose of which is to protect

 

F-58


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(21) Restrictions on Dividends (Continued)

 

affected insurance policyholders, depositors or investors. Any dividends in excess of limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require approval. Based on statutory results as of December 31, 2004, our insurance companies could pay dividends of $1,450 million to us in 2005 without obtaining regulatory approval.

 

(22) Supplementary Financial Data

 

We received from our insurance subsidiaries dividends of $2,111 million ($1,244 million of which are deemed “extraordinary”), $1,472 million ($1,400 million of which are deemed “extraordinary”) and $840 million ($375 million of which are deemed “extraordinary”), during 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. During 2003, we also received dividends from insurance subsidiaries related to discontinued operations of $495 million. We declared dividends of $2,093 million, of which $2,061 million were paid in 2004. We declared and paid dividends of $3,168 million to our parent during 2003. We declared dividends of $171 million during 2002 of which $107 million was paid in 2002 and $64 million was paid in 2003.

 

Our U.S. domiciled insurance subsidiaries file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities and the NAIC that are prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities (statutory basis). Statutory accounting practices differ from U.S. GAAP in several respects, causing differences in reported net earnings and stockholders’ interest. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed but that have been specifically allowed by state insurance authorities. Our insurance subsidiaries have no significant permitted accounting practices.

 

Combined statutory net income for our U.S. domiciled insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is $638 million, $389 million and $26 million, respectively. The combined statutory capital and surplus and statutorily required contingency reserves held by our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 is $6.4 billion and $7.0 billion, respectively.

 

The NAIC has adopted Risk-Based Capital (RBC) requirements to evaluate the adequacy of statutory capital and surplus in relation to risks associated with: (i) asset risk, (ii) insurance risk, (iii) interest rate risk, and (iv) business risk. The RBC formula is designated as an early warning tool for the states to identify possible undercapitalized companies for the purpose of initiating regulatory action. In the course of operations, we periodically monitor the RBC level of each of our insurance subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, each of our insurance subsidiaries exceeded the minimum required RBC levels.

 

For statutory purposes, our mortgage insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain a statutory contingency reserve. Annual additions to the statutory contingency reserve must equal the greater of (i) 50% of earned premiums or (ii) the required level of policyholders position, as defined by state insurance laws. These contingency reserves generally are held until the earlier of (i) the time that loss ratios exceed 35% or (ii) ten years. The statutory contingency reserves as of December 31, 2004 for our U.S. mortgage insurance subsidiaries was approximately $2.2 billion.

 

(23) Operating and Geographic Segments

 

(a) Operating Segment Information

 

Prior to our corporate reorganization we conducted our operations in five business segments: (1) Protection, which includes our life insurance, long-term care insurance, group life and health insurance and payment protection insurance; (2) Retirement Income and Investments, which includes our fixed, variable and income

 

F-59


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(23) Operating and Geographic Segments (Continued)

 

annuities, variable life insurance, asset management and specialized products, including GICs, funding agreements and structured settlements; (3) Mortgage Insurance, which includes our mortgage insurance products that facilitate homeownership by enabling borrowers to buy homes with low-down-payment mortgages; (4) Affinity, which includes life and health insurance and other financial products and services offered directly to consumers through affinity marketing arrangements with a variety of organizations, an institutional asset management business and several other small businesses that are not part of our core ongoing business; and (5) Corporate and Other, which includes net realized investment gains (losses), interest and other debt financing expenses and unallocated corporate income and expenses, as well as the results of several small, non-core businesses that are managed outside our operating segments. The lines of business and assets and liabilities of our Affinity segment were not transferred to us in our corporate reorganization, therefore the results or operations of the Affinity segment are only included in our results until May 24, 2004.

 

The following is a summary of segment activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002:

 

2004


   Protection

   Retirement
Income and
Investments


   Mortgage
Insurance


   Affinity

   

Corporate
and

Other


    Total

(Dollar amounts in millions)


               

Premiums

   $ 4,481    $ 1,094    $ 800    $ 88     $ 96     $ 6,559

Net investment income

     1,224      1,996      254      26       148       3,648

Net realized investment gains

     —        —        —        —         26       26

Policy fees and other income

     359      271      36      104       54       824
    

  

  

  


 


 

Total revenues

     6,064      3,361      1,090      218       324       11,057
    

  

  

  


 


 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     2,890      1,633      165      80       36       4,804

Interest credited

     362      1,070      —        —         —         1,432

Underwriting acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     1,094      250      262      123       83       1,812

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     869      170      51      47       17       1,154

Interest expense

     15      1      —        —         201       217
    

  

  

  


 


 

Total benefits and expenses

     5,230      3,124      478      250       337       9,419
    

  

  

  


 


 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     834      237      612      (32 )     (13 )     1,638

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     306      84      186      (18 )     (65 )     493
    

  

  

  


 


 

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

     528      153      426      (14 )     52       1,145
    

  

  

  


 


 

Total assets

   $ 31,806    $ 56,610    $ 6,428    $ —       $ 9,034     $ 103,878
    

  

  

  


 


 

 

F-60


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(23) Operating and Geographic Segments (Continued)

 

2003


   Protection

   Retirement
Income and
Investments


   Mortgage
Insurance


   Affinity

  

Corporate
and

Other


    Total

(Dollar amounts in millions)


                

Premiums

   $ 4,588    $ 1,049    $ 716    $ 244    $ 110     $ 6,707

Net investment income

     1,199      2,511      218      62      61       4,051

Net realized investment gains

     —        —        —        —        10       10

Policy fees and other income

     356      243      48      260      8       915
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total revenues

     6,143      3,803      982      566      189       11,683
    

  

  

  

  


 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     2,997      1,886      115      196      76       5,270

Interest credited

     365      1,259      —        —        —         1,624

Underwriting acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     1,019      239      299      244      115       1,916

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     1,001      190      37      105      18       1,351

Interest expense

     3      —        —        —        137       140
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total benefits and expenses

     5,385      3,574      451      545      346       10,301
    

  

  

  

  


 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     758      229      531      21      (157 )     1,382

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     271      78      162      5      (103 )     413
    

  

  

  

  


 

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 487    $ 151    $ 369    $ 16    $ (54 )   $ 969
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total assets

   $ 29,254    $ 55,614    $ 6,110    $ 2,315    $ 10,138     $ 103,431
    

  

  

  

  


 

 

2002


   Protection

   Retirement
Income and
Investments


   Mortgage
Insurance


   Affinity

   

Corporate
and

Other


    Total

(Dollar amounts in millions)


               

Premiums

   $ 4,088    $ 991    $ 677    $ 247     $ 104     $ 6,107

Net investment income (losses)

     1,136      2,522      231      70       20       3,979

Net realized investment gains

     —        —        —        —         204       204

Policy fees and other income

     381      243      38      271       6       939
    

  

  

  


 


 

Total revenues

     5,605      3,756      946      588       334       11,229
    

  

  

  


 


 

Benefits and other changes in policy reserves

     2,630      1,769      46      180       15       4,640

Interest credited

     362      1,283      —        —         —         1,645

Underwriting acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals

     930      221      233      312       112       1,808

Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and intangibles

     846      210      39      116       10       1,221

Interest expense

     —        —        —        —         124       124
    

  

  

  


 


 

Total benefits and expenses

     4,768      3,483      318      608       261       9,438
    

  

  

  


 


 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

     837      273      628      (20 )     73       1,791

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     283      87      177      (17 )     (119 )     411
    

  

  

  


 


 

Net earnings from continuing operations

   $ 554    $ 186    $ 451    $ (3 )   $ 192     $ 1,380
    

  

  

  


 


 

 

F-61


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(23) Operating and Geographic Segments (Continued)

 

(b) Revenues of Major Product Groups

 

(Dollar amounts in millions)


   2004

   2003

   2002

Long-term care insurance

   $ 2,311    $ 2,408    $ 2,087

Payment protection insurance

     1,549      1,615      1,372

Life insurance

     1,518      1,443      1,432

Group life and health insurance

     686      677      714
    

  

  

Total Protection segment revenues

     6,064      6,143      5,605
    

  

  

Spread-based products

     3,044      3,468      3,447

Fee-based products

     317      335      309
    

  

  

Total Retirement Income and Investments segment revenues

     3,361      3,803      3,756
    

  

  

U.S. mortgage insurance

     609      665      750

International mortgage insurance

     481      317      196
    

  

  

Total Mortgage Insurance segment revenues

     1,090      982      946
    

  

  

Affinity segment revenues

     218      566      588
    

  

  

Corporate and Other segment revenues

     324      189      334
    

  

  

Total revenues

   $ 11,057    $ 11,683    $ 11,229
    

  

  

 

(c) Geographic Segment Information

 

We conduct our operations in two geographic regions: (1) United States and (2) International.

 

The following is a summary of geographic region activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

 

2004


   United
States


   International

   Total

(Dollar amounts in millions)


        

Total revenues

   $ 8,902    $ 2,155    $ 11,057
    

  

  

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 818    $ 327    $ 1,145
    

  

  

Total assets

   $ 96,450    $ 7,428    $ 103,878
    

  

  

2003


              

Total revenues

   $ 9,632    $ 2,051    $ 11,683
    

  

  

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 717    $ 252    $ 969
    

  

  

Total assets

   $ 96,452    $ 6,979    $ 103,431
    

  

  

2002


              

Total revenues

   $ 9,622    $ 1,607    $ 11,229
    

  

  

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 1,217    $ 163    $ 1,380
    

  

  

 

F-62


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(24) Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

 

Our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 are summarized in the table below.

 

     Three months ended

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


   March 31,
2004


   June 30,
2004


   September 30,
2004


   December 31,
2004


Total revenues

   $ 3,024    $ 2,921    $ 2,470    $ 2,642
    

  

  

  

Total benefits and expenses

   $ 2,647    $ 2,482    $ 2,063    $ 2,227
    

  

  

  

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 260    $ 268    $ 271    $ 346

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     7      —        —        —  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     5      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Net earnings

   $ 272    $ 268    $ 271    $ 346
    

  

  

  

Pro forma earnings per share:

                           

Basic earnings per common share:

                           

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 0.53    $ 0.55    $ 0.55    $ 0.71

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01      —        —        —  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     0.01      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.56    $ 0.55    $ 0.55    $ 0.71
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per common share:

                           

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 0.53    $ 0.55    $ 0.55    $ 0.70

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.01      —        —        —  

Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of taxes

     0.01      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.56    $ 0.55    $ 0.55    $ 0.70
    

  

  

  

Shares outstanding:

                           

Basic

     489.5      489.5      489.6      489.6

Diluted

     489.5      490.1      490.4      492.4

 

F-63


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(24) Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Continued)

 

Our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 are summarized in the table below.

 

     Three months ended

 

(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)


   March 31,
2003


   June 30,
2003


   September 30,
2003


    December 31,
2003


 

Total revenues

   $ 2,834    $ 2,867    $ 2,916     $ 3,066  
    

  

  


 


Total benefits and expenses

   $ 2,480    $ 2,473    $ 2,593     $ 2,755  
    

  

  


 


Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 254    $ 265    $ 230     $ 220  

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     77      99      10       —    

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        —        (67 )     (7 )
    

  

  


 


Net earnings

   $ 331    $ 364    $ 173     $ 213  
    

  

  


 


Earnings per share:

                              

Basic earnings per common share:

                              

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 0.52    $ 0.54    $ 0.47     $ 0.45  

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.16      0.20      0.02       —    

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        —        (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    

  

  


 


Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.68    $ 0.74    $ 0.35     $ 0.44  
    

  

  


 


Diluted earnings per common share:

                              

Net earnings from continuing operations before accounting change

   $ 0.52    $ 0.54    $ 0.47     $ 0.45  

Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

     0.16      0.20      0.02       —    

Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes

     —        —        (0.14 )     (0.01 )
    

  

  


 


Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.68    $ 0.74    $ 0.35     $ 0.44  
    

  

  


 


Shares outstanding:

                              

Basic

     489.5      489.5      489.5       489.5  

Diluted

     489.5      489.5      489.5       489.5  

 

(25) Litigation

 

We face a significant risk of litigation and regulatory investigations and actions in the ordinary course of operating our businesses, including class action lawsuits. Our pending legal and regulatory actions include proceedings specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which we operate. Plaintiffs in class action and other lawsuits against us may seek very large or indeterminate amounts, including punitive and treble damages, which may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our financial condition

 

F-64


Table of Contents

Genworth Financial, Inc.

 

Notes to Financial Statements—(Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(25) Litigation (Continued)

 

and results of operations. Moreover, even if we ultimately prevail in the litigation, regulatory action or investigation, we could suffer significant reputational harm, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

One of our insurance subsidiaries is named as a defendant in a lawsuit, McBride v. Life Insurance Co. of Virginia dba GE Life and Annuity Assurance Co., related to the sale of universal life insurance policies. The complaint was filed on November 1, 2000, in Georgia state court, as a class action on behalf of all persons who purchased certain universal life insurance policies from that subsidiary and alleges improper practices in connection with the sale and administration of universal life policies. We have vigorously denied liability with respect to the plaintiff’s allegations. Nevertheless, to avoid the risks and costs associated with protracted litigation and to resolve our differences with policyholders, we agreed in principle on October 8, 2003 to settle the case on a nationwide class basis with respect to the insurance subsidiary named in the lawsuit. The settlement provides benefits to the class, and allows us to continue to serve our customers’ needs undistracted by disruptions caused by litigation. The court gave final approval to the settlement on August 12, 2004. In the third quarter of 2003, we accrued $50 million in reserves relating to this litigation, which represents our best estimate of bringing this matter to conclusion. The precise amount of payments in this matter cannot be estimated because they are dependent upon the number of individuals who ultimately will seek relief in the claim form process of the class settlement, the identity of such claimants and whether they are entitled to relief under the settlement terms and the nature of the relief to which they are entitled. That process is currently underway. In addition, approximately 650 class members elected to exclude themselves from the class action settlement. In the fourth quarter of 2004, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the threatened claims of policyholders who had excluded approximately 500 policies from the class action settlement. At that time, we accrued a reserve for the settlement in principle. We have also been named as a defendant in six lawsuits brought by 67 class members who elected to exclude themselves from the class action settlement. We cannot determine at this point whether or how many other class members who have excluded themselves from the class action will initiate individual actions against us, or the effect of such suits or claims, including the six pending lawsuits, on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

One of our mortgage insurance subsidiaries is named as a defendant in two lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, William Portis et al. v. GE Mortgage Insurance Corp. and Karwo v. Citimortgage, Inc. and General Electric Mortgage Insurance Corporation. The Portis complaint was filed on January 15, 2004, and the Karwo complaint was filed on March 15, 2004. Each action seeks certification of a nationwide class of consumers who allegedly were required to pay for our private mortgage insurance at a rate higher than our “best available rate,” based upon credit information we obtained. Each action alleges that the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) requires an “adverse action” notice to such borrowers and that we violated the FCRA by failing to give such notice. The plaintiffs in Portis allege in the complaint that they are entitled to “actual damages” and “damages within the Court’s discretion of not more than $1,000 for each separate violation” of the FCRA. The plaintiffs in Karwo allege that they are entitled to “appropriate actual, punitive and statutory damages” and “such other or further relief as the Court deems proper.” In the Karwo case, the codefendant, CitiMortgage, filed a motion to dismiss, which was recently denied. Similar cases were filed against six other mortgage insurers. In two of those cases, both in the Middle District of Florida, the judges have denied motions for class certification. A motion for reconsideration has been filed in one of these cases and the other was dismissed following a settlement with the named plaintiff. We intend to defend vigorously against these actions, but we cannot predict their outcome.

 

F-65


Table of Contents

Glossary of Selected Insurance Terms

 

The following Glossary includes definitions of certain insurance, reinsurance, investment and other terms.

 

A.M. Best

A.M. Best Company, a rating agency.

 

Account values

The amounts of investment products held for the benefit of policyholders or contract holders. For mutual funds, account value is equal to fair market value.

 

Accumulation period

The period during which an individual makes regular contributions to a deferred annuity or retirement plan. The period ends when the income payments begin.

 

Annualized first-year premiums

Premium payments related only to new sales and calculated as if they were consistently paid for the year of the sale even if they were actually paid for only a portion of the year of the sale.

 

Annuitization date

The date on which periodic payments by an insurance company to an annuitant begin under an annuity.

 

Annuity

A contract that provides for periodic payments to an annuitant for a specified period, often until the annuitant’s death.

 

Assets under management

Assets we manage directly in our proprietary products, such as our mutual funds and variable annuities, in our separate accounts and in our general account, and assets invested in investment options included in our products that are managed by third-party sub-managers.

 

Bulk insurance

Primary mortgage insurance whereby a portfolio of loans is insured in a single, bulk transaction.

 

Captive reinsurance

In the mortgage insurance industry, a reinsurance program in which the mortgage insurer shares portions of the mortgage insurance risk written on loans originated or purchased by lenders with captive reinsurance companies affiliated with these lenders.

 

Captive reinsurer

In the mortgage insurance industry, any reinsurance company that is wholly-owned by another organization (generally the lender or an affiliate of the lender), the main purpose of which is to insure the risks of the parent organization.

 

Cash value

The amount of cash available to a policyholder on the surrender of or withdrawal from a life insurance policy or annuity contract.

 

Cede

Reinsuring with another insurance company all or a portion of the risk we insure.

 

Credit ratings

The opinions of rating agencies regarding an entity’s ability to repay its indebtedness.

 

G-1


Table of Contents
 

The purpose of Moody’s credit ratings is to provide investors with a simple system of gradation by which relative creditworthiness of securities may be noted. Moody’s long-term obligation ratings currently range from “Aaa (highest quality)” to “C (lowest rated).” Moody’s long-term obligation ratings grade debt according to its investment quality. Moody’s considers “Aa2” and “A3” rated long-term obligations to be upper-medium grade obligations and subject to low risk. Moody’s short-term credit ratings range from “P-1 (superior)” to “NP (not prime).”

 

 

S&P’s credit ratings range from “AAA (highest rating)” to “D (payment default).” S&P publications indicate that an “A+” rated issue is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic condition than obligations in higher rated categories; however, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment to the obligation is still strong. S&P short-term ratings range from “A-1 (highest category)” to “D (payment default).” Within the A-1 category some obligations are designated with a plus sign (+) indicating that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

Crediting rate

The interest rate credited on a life insurance policy or annuity contract, which may be a guaranteed fixed rate, a variable rate or some combination of both.

 

Deferred acquisition costs (DAC)

Commissions and other selling expenses that vary with and are directly related to the production of business and that are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the related insurance policies in conformity with U.S. GAAP. These costs include first-year commissions, direct mail and printing costs, sales material and some support costs, such as underwriting and policy and contract issuance expenses.

 

Deferred annuities

Annuity contracts that delay income payments until the holder chooses to receive them.

 

Defined benefit pension plan

A pension plan that promises to pay a specified amount to each eligible plan member who retires.

 

Defined contribution plan

A plan established under Section 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, under which the benefits to a participant depend on contributions made to, and the investment return on, the participant’s account.

 

Earned premiums

The portion of a premium, net of any amount ceded, that represents coverage already provided or that belongs to the insurer based on the part of the policy period that has passed.

 

Financial strength ratings

The opinions of rating agencies regarding the financial ability of an insurance company to meet its obligations under its insurance policies.

 

 

A.M. Best’s financial strength ratings for insurance companies currently range from “A++” (superior) to “F” (in liquidation).

 

G-2


Table of Contents
 

A.M. Best’s ratings reflect its opinion of an insurance company’s financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. A.M. Best considers “A” and “A-” rated companies to have an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and “B++” companies to have a good ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.

 

 

Fitch’s financial strength ratings currently range from “AAA” (exceptionally strong) to “D” (distressed). These ratings provide an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization and its capacity to meet senior obligations to policyholders and contract holders on a timely basis. According to Fitch’s publications, “AA (very strong)” rated insurance companies are viewed as possessing very strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations. Risk factors are modest, and the impact of any adverse business and economic factors is expected to be very small. The symbol (+) or (-) may be appended to a rating to indicate the relative position of a credit within a rating category. Such suffixes are not added to ratings in the “AAA” category or to ratings below the “CCC” category.

 

 

Moody’s financial strength ratings currently range from “Aaa” (exceptional) to “C” (lowest rated). Moody’s ratings reflect the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policy-holder claims and obligations. Moody’s indicates that “A1” rated insurance companies offer good financial security, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The symbol “1” following “A” shows a company’s relative standing within the “A” rating category.

 

 

S&P’s financial strength ratings currently range from “AAA” (extremely strong) to “R” (regulatory action). These ratings reflect S&P’s opinion of an operating insurance company’s financial capacity to meet the obligations of its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. According to S&P’s publications, “A+” rated insurance companies have strong financial security characteristics, but are somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than insurers with higher ratings. The symbol (+) following “A” shows a company’s relative standing within the “A” rating category.

 

First-year premiums

The amount of premiums on insurance policies sold plus the amount of deposits on variable and universal life policies sold or additional premiums or deposits from conversions received over the specified period. This figure does not reflect policies that lapse in their first year.

 

Fitch

Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its subsidiaries, a rating agency.

 

Fixed annuities

An annuity under which the interest rate credited on the annuity during the accumulation phase is a fixed rate, which may change periodically, until it matures.

 

Flow insurance

Primary mortgage insurance placed on an individual loan when the loan is originated.

 

G-3


Table of Contents

Funding agreements

A contract that guarantees a minimum rate of return, which may be fixed or floating, on the amount invested.

 

General account

All of the assets of our insurance companies recognized for statutory accounting purposes other than those specifically allocated to separate accounts. We bear the risk of our investments held in our general account.

 

Gross written premium

Total premiums for insurance written and reinsurance assumed during a given period.

 

Group insurance

Insurance which is issued to a group, such as an employer, credit union, or trade association, and which provides coverage for individuals and sometimes their dependents.

 

Guaranteed investment contract (GIC)

A contract, usually purchased by ERISA qualified plans, that guarantees a minimum rate of return, which may be fixed or floating, on the amount invested.

 

Immediate annuities

Annuity contracts under which the benefits payable to the annuitant begin to be paid within one year of contract issuance.

 

Income annuities

Annuity contracts that provide for a single premium at the time of issue and guarantee a series of payments beginning within one year of the issue date and continuing over a period of years.

 

In-force

Policies and contracts reflected on our applicable records that have not expired or been terminated as of a given date.

 

Insurance in force

The value of mortgage insurance policies, based on the original principal amount of mortgages covered by mortgage insurance policies that remain in effect.

 

LIMRA International

Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, an association of life insurance and other financial services companies.

 

Loan-to-value

The ratio of the original principal balance of a mortgage loan to the property’s fair market value or appraised value at the time of the loan.

 

Long-term care insurance

Insurance that protects the insured from certain costs of care at home or in an outside facility.

 

Loss adjustment expense

The expense involved in settling a loss, excluding the actual value of the loss.

 

Medical stop loss insurance

Insurance that provides protection against catastrophic or unpredictable losses. It is purchased by employers who have decided to self-fund their employee benefit plans, but do not want to assume 100% of the liability for losses arising from the plans. Under a medical stop loss policy, the insurance company becomes liable for losses that exceed certain limits called deductibles.

 

G-4


Table of Contents

Medicare supplement insurance

Insurance that provides coverage for Medicare-qualified expenses that are not covered by Medicare because of applicable deductibles or maximum limits.

 

Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a rating agency.

 

Morbidity

The incidence of disease or disability in a specific population over a specific period of time.

 

Mortality

The number of deaths in a specific population over a specific period of time.

 

New insurance written

The original principal balance of mortgages covered by newly issued primary mortgage insurance.

 

New risk written

The original principal balance of mortgage loans covered by newly issued primary mortgage insurance, multiplied by the applicable coverage percentage.

 

Non-admitted assets

Certain assets or portions thereof that are not permitted to be reported as admitted assets in an insurer’s annual statement prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles. As a result, certain assets which normally would be accorded value in the financial statements of non-insurance corporations are accorded no value and thus reduce the reported statutory policyholder surplus of the insurer.

 

Payment protection insurance

Insurance that helps consumers meet their payment obligations on outstanding financial commitments, such as mortgage, personal loans or credit cards, in the event of a misfortune, such as accident, illness, involuntary unemployment, temporary incapacity, permanent disability or death.

 

Persistency

Measurement by premiums of the percentage of insurance policies or annuity contracts remaining in force between specified measurement dates.

 

Policy charges

Fees from an insurance policy or annuity contract other than for insurance risks (for example, penalties for early surrender or late premium payment).

 

Policy loans

Loans from an insurer secured by the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy.

 

Policyholder surplus

The excess of admitted assets over liabilities, in each case under statutory accounting practices.

 

Pool insurance

Mortgage insurance coverage on portfolios of loans, typically with an aggregate coverage limit, which is used as a credit enhancement in connection with the securitization of the related portfolio.

 

Portfolio credit enhancement

A form of mortgage insurance purchased by lenders on loans in a portfolio to reduce capital requirements or as a credit enhancement in anticipation of securitization.

 

G-5


Table of Contents

Premiums

Payments and other consideration received on insurance policies issued or reinsurance assumed by an insurance company. Under generally accepted accounting principles, premiums on variable life and other investment-type contracts are not accounted for as revenues.

 

Present value of future profits (PVFP)

An intangible asset that represents the actuarially estimated present value of future cash flows from an acquired block of life insurance policies or annuity contracts and that is amortized over the estimated life of the related insurance policies in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

Primary mortgage insurance

Mortgage insurance, including flow and bulk but excluding pool, that protects mortgage lenders and investors from default-related losses on mortgage loans.

 

Primary mortgage insurance in force

Primary mortgage insurance, as determined by the value of mortgage insurance policies that remain in effect, based on the original principal amount of mortgages covered by such policies.

 

Private mortgage insurance

Mortgage insurance provided by nongovernmental insurers that protects a lender or investor against loss if the borrower defaults.

 

Qualified insurer

A mortgage guaranty insurer that is approved by each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, pursuant to their respective charters, as meeting their requirements for insuring against credit losses on high loan-to-value loans.

 

RBC

Risk-based capital ratio, a tool used by insurance regulators to analyze an insurance company’s total adjusted capital, taking into consideration the risks associated with the company’s particular assets, the risk that losses will be worse than expected, the company’s exposure to interest rate risks, and other business risks. The risk-based capital ratio is a well accepted measure of the strength of a company’s capitalization.

 

Reinsurance

The ceding by one insurance company, called the “reinsured,” to another company, called the “reinsurer,” of all or a portion of a risk for a premium. The ceding of risk to a reinsurer, other than in the case of assumption reinsurance, does not relieve the original insurer (i.e., the reinsured) of its liability to the insured.

 

Reserves

Liabilities established by insurers and reinsurers to reflect the estimated costs of claim payments and the related expenses that the insurer or reinsurer will ultimately be required to pay in respect of insurance or reinsurance it has written. Reserves are established for losses, for loss expenses and for unearned premiums. With respect to mortgage insurance, a statutory contingency reserve is also required to be established by applicable law to protect against catastrophic losses.

 

Risk in force

The original principal amount of mortgage loans, multiplied by the coverage percentage under the mortgage insurance policies that remain in effect.

 

G-6


Table of Contents

S&P

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a rating agency.

 

Sales inducements

Product features that enhance investment yield to the contractholder, including (1) a day-one bonus, which increases the account value at inception, also called an immediate bonus, and (2) enhanced yield, which credits interest for a specified period in excess of rates currently being offered for other similar contracts.

 

Separate accounts

Assets of our insurance companies allocated under certain policies and contracts that are segregated from the general account and other separate accounts. The policyholder or contractholder bears the risk of investments held in a separate account.

 

Statutory accounting principles (SAP)

Accounting practices prescribed or permitted by an insurer’s domiciliary state insurance regulator for purposes of financial reporting to regulators.

 

Statutory reserves

Monetary amounts established by state insurance law that an insurer must have available to provide for future obligations with respect to all policies. Statutory reserves are liabilities on the balance sheet of financial statements prepared in conformity with statutory accounting practices.

 

Statutory surplus

The excess of admitted assets over statutory liabilities as shown on an insurer’s statutory financial statements.

 

Structured settlement

A customized annuity used to provide to a claimant ongoing periodic payments instead of a lump sum payment. A structured settlement provides an alternative to a lump sum settlement generally in a personal injury lawsuit and typically is purchased by a property and casualty insurance company for the benefit of an injured claimant with benefits scheduled to be paid throughout a fixed period or for the life of the claimant.

 

Surrender charge

An amount specified in an insurance policy or annuity contract that is charged to a policyholder or contractholder for early cancellations of, or withdrawal under, that policy or contract.

 

Surrenders and withdrawals

Amounts taken from life insurance policies and annuity contracts representing the full or partial values of these policies or contracts.

 

Term life insurance

Life insurance written for a specified period and under which no cash value is generally available on surrender.

 

Traditional flow mortgage insurance

Primary (first loss) insurance in individual loans with a high loan-to-value ratio that is placed at or shortly after loan closing. Coverage is generally limited to 50% or less of the original loan balance.

 

Underwriting

The process of examining and accepting or rejecting insurance risks, and classifying those risks that are accepted, in order to charge policyholders appropriate premiums.

 

G-7


Table of Contents

Unearned premiums

The portion of a premium, net of any amount ceded, that represents coverage that has not yet been provided or that will belong to the insurer based on the part of the policy period to elapse in the future.

 

Universal life insurance

Interest-sensitive life insurance under which separately identified interest, and mortality and expense charges are made to the policy fund, typically with flexible premiums.

 

U.S. GAAP

Generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

 

Variable annuity

An annuity contract under which values during the accumulation phase fluctuate according to the investment performance of a separate account or accounts supporting such contract that are designated by the contractholder.

 

Variable life insurance

A life insurance policy under which the benefits payable to the beneficiary upon the death of the insured or the surrender of the policy will vary to reflect the investment performance of a separate account or accounts supporting such policy that are designated by the contractholder.

 

Whole life insurance

A life insurance policy for an insured’s whole life that offers the beneficiary benefits in the event of the insured’s death, provided premiums have been paid when due; it also allows for the buildup of cash value but has no investment feature.

 

G-8


Table of Contents

 

LOGO