DALLAS, March 31, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GWG Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: GWGH), a financial services holding company committed to transforming the alternative asset industry through innovative liquidity products and related services for the owners of illiquid alternative investments, announced on March 27, 2020 its financial and operating results in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.
Recent Corporate Events
On December 31, 2019, GWGH and The Beneficient Company Group, L.P. (Ben LP) and related entities (collectively, Ben) completed transactions that resulted in GWGH and Ben being consolidated for accounting and financial reporting purposes:
° GWGH acquired the right to appoint a majority of the board of directors of Beneficient Management, L.L.C., the general partner of Ben LP.
° The consolidation resulted in a balance sheet with $3.6 billion of total assets, $1.8 billion of total liabilities and $1.8 billion of total equity, including redeemable non-controlling interests.
° The $3.6 billion of consolidated total assets includes $2.4 billion of goodwill resulting from business combination accounting.
° GWGH recognized a pre-tax gain of $249.7 million related to the increase in the value of GWGH’s pre-existing investment in Ben, due to a one-time remeasurement arising from the change-in-control of Ben.
° All employees at GWGH and Ben are now under one corporate structure with the headquarters of the consolidated company in Dallas.Corporate events occurring in Q1 2020:
° Reported life insurance policy realizations of $24.2 million from 18 policies through March 27, 2020.
° Given the uncertainty of the full financial and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, management has taken actions to ensure clients will have continued access to their investments and the Company’s services. As discussed in our recent press release, GWGH believes our portfolio of life insurance policies in conjunction with Ben’s diversified loan portfolio positions are well positioned to withstand periods of volatility and negative performance in the stock and bond markets.Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial and Operating HighlightsReported 2019 net income of $91.2 million due to a one-time remeasurement of GWGH’s investment in Ben arising from the change-in-control, which resulted in basic and diluted earnings per share of $2.76 and $2.65, respectively. This is the first reported profit since GWGH began trading on Nasdaq in 2014.Reported continued record realizations from our life insurance portfolio:
° Realized $44.2 million of face amount of policy benefits from 25 life insurance policies during the quarter.
° Total 2019 realizations of $125.1 million from 86 policies compared to $71.1 million from 62 policies for 2018.
° Ended the quarter with a life insurance portfolio of $2.0 billion in face amount of policy benefits consisting of 1,151 policies.Continued developments raising capital to fund business through the L Bond investment product:
° L Bond sales for fourth quarter of $125.2 million.
° Hired five new sales executives with strong experience in the sales and marketing of alternative investments; added two new territories for the more than 120 independent broker-dealers and RIAs who offer GWGH’s investment products.Continued shift in focus to investment in Beneficient and management of the existing $2 billion portfolio of life insurance policies and away from new life insurance policy acquisition. As part of that strategic shift, GWGH has ended our Life Care Exchange program for purchasing policies.Reported total liquidity (cash, restricted cash, policy benefits receivable and fees receivable) of $151.5 million at December 31, 2019.“2019 was a pivotal year for the organization,” said Murray Holland, GWGH’s Chief Executive Officer. “In consolidating the two companies’ financial statements, we have in place the key pieces we need to provide solutions to a growing market of investors who need liquidity. The expanded balance sheet and reduced debt ratios of the combined companies are important steps for GWGH, its investors, and clients.”1. Financial & Operating Highlights2. Revenue and Expense DiscussionFourth Quarter 2019 vs. Fourth Quarter 2018:Total revenue was $20.8 million in the current period, compared to ($60.2) million in the prior period primarily due to:
° A net charge of $87.1 million in Q4 2018 resulting from the adoption of a new life insurance portfolio valuation methodology.
° Unrealized gain on acquisition was $6.1 million lower, reflecting lower policy acquisition volume – $1.0 million of face value acquired in the current period compared to $30.1 million in the prior period.
° Net revenue recognized at matured policy event was $11.5 million higher due to increased realization of policy benefits – $44.2 million of life insurance policy benefits realized in the current period compared to $21.0 million in the prior period.
° Change in estimated probabilistic cash flows net of premium and fees was $7.0 million lower.
° Loss attributed to change in life expectancy evaluation was $2.3 higher.
° Net interest income on the Company’s commercial loan, exchange note, and Liquid Trust note was $2.4 million lower.
° Other interest income increased $0.2 million.Total expenses were $45.1 million in the current period, compared to $39.5 million in the prior period primarily due to:
° Interest and fees increased by $6.0 million. This increase was driven by increased interest on L Bonds of $6.2 million as a result of additional amounts outstanding, partially offset by a decrease in interest on the Company’s senior credit facility of $0.2 million.
° Operating expenses decreased by $0.4 million. Compensation and professional expenses increased by $3.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, primarily resulting from performance share unit expense and retention incentives associated with the Purchase and Contribution transaction (the strategic transaction with Ben which occurred in April 2019), as well as increases in legal, audit and other professional fees. Other expenses decreased by $4.2 million due to a decrease in bad debt expense related to a specific life insurance policy that we deemed uncollectable in 2018.Full Year 2019 vs. Full Year 2018:Total revenue was $92.3 million in the current period, compared to ($0.4) million in the prior period primarily due to:
° A net charge of $87.1 million in 2018 resulting from the adoption of a new life insurance portfolio valuation methodology.
° Net revenue recognized at matured policy event was $40.6 million higher, charges on life expectancy updates were $2.5 million lower, unrealized gain on acquisition was $21.1 million lower (as a result of lower life insurance purchases), and a change in estimated probabilistic cash flows net of premiums and fees and change in life expectancy was $19.7 million lower as compared to the prior period.
° Interest income from the commercial loan, exchangeable note, and Liquid Trust promissory note increased $3.1 million and other income increased $0.2 million.Total expenses were $171.9 million in the current period, compared to $119.1 million in the prior period primarily due to:
° Interest and fees increased by $34.7 million year over year. Outstanding L Bonds increased over this time period resulting in $22.7 million of additional interest expense, Seller Trust L Bonds, which were issued in August 2018, increased interest expense by $16.7 million and senior credit facility interest decreased by $4.7 million.
° Operating expenses increased by $18.8 million. Compensation and professional expenses increased by $10.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively, primarily resulting from performance share unit expense and retention incentives associated with the Purchase and Contribution transaction, as well as increases in legal and professional fees.
3. Life Insurance Portfolio StatisticsPortfolio Summary:Distribution of Policies and Benefits by Current Age of Insured:
4. Life Insurance Policy OriginationsLife Insurance Portfolio Activity:5. Ben’s Collateral Portfolio Information
As of December 31, 2019, Ben’s loan portfolio had exposure to 117 professionally managed alternative investment funds, comprised of 362 underlying investments, and approximately 96 percent of Ben’s loan portfolio was backed by investments in private companies. Ben’s loan portfolio diversification spans across these industry sectors, investment strategy types and geographic regions:A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e017fb4f-9d97-4557-bf93-8d60d8b324b4Assets in the collateral portfolio consist primarily of interests in alternative investment vehicles (also referred to as “funds”) that are managed by a group of U.S. and non-U.S. based alternative asset management firms that invest in a variety of financial markets and utilize a variety of investment strategies. The vintages of the funds in the collateral portfolio as of December 31, 2019 ranged from 1998 to 2011.
6. Additional Information
Gain (Loss) on Life Insurance Policies (in thousands):Policy Benefits Realized and Premiums Paid (TTM):
Webcast/Conference Call DetailsManagement will host a webcast/conference call Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. EDT to discuss our financial and operating results. The webcast will give viewers audio and access to PowerPoint slides that illustrate points made during the call. To register for the call and webcast, go to http://get.gwgh.com/q42019webcastinvite.After the webcast is completed, a replay of it can be accessed at http://get.gwgh.com/q42019webcast.About GWG Holdings, Inc. GWG Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: GWGH), a financial services holding company committed to transforming the alternative asset industry through innovative liquidity products and related services for the owners of illiquid alternative investments, is the parent company of GWG Life, which owns a portfolio of $2.02 billion in face value of life insurance policy benefits as of December 31, 2019. GWGH has executed a series of strategic transactions with The Beneficient Company Group, L.P., a financial services company providing proprietary liquidity solutions to owners of alternative assets, resulting in the closer alignment of the two companies. For more information about GWG Holdings, email [email protected] or visit www.gwgh.com.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “would,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about our estimates regarding future revenue and financial performance. We may not actually achieve the expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. More information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results is contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2020. Additional information will also be set forth in our future quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K and other filings that we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.Media Contact:
Dan Callahan
Director of Communication
GWG Holdings, Inc.
(612) 787-5744
[email protected]GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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