Bay Street News

GWG Holdings Reports Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2018

GWGH Announces share repurchase program

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GWG Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GWGH), a leading provider of liquidity to consumers owning life insurance policies, an owner of a portfolio of alternative assets, and the developer of epigenetic technology for the life insurance industry, today announced its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

GWGH Common Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a common stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to $1.5 million in shares of the common stock. The timing and exact amount of repurchases will be subject to various factors, including the Company’s capital position, liquidity, alternative uses of capital, stock trading price and general market conditions, and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

Financial and Operating Highlights for the Quarter

“The Beneficient Transaction is transformative for our growth as we expand our alternative asset portfolio to include new assets managed by Beneficient and look to offer Beneficient’s suite of liquidity products to the independent-broker dealer and RIA channels,” said Jon Sabes, GWGH Chief Executive Officer. “And our insurtech initiative to bring step-change epigenetic technology into the life insurance industry is under way with our groundbreaking research study. We believe both parts of our business present strong opportunities for growth as we continue to build from our core competencies.”

1.  Financial & Operating Highlights

($ Thousands except per share information)   Q3 2018   Q3 2017   YTD Q3 2018   YTD Q3 2017
Revenue   $ 16,653     $ 14,697     $ 55,509     $ 46,453  
Expenses     27,175       21,524       75,267       62,737  
Per Share Data1:                                
  Net Income (Loss)2     (2.52 )     (1.31 )     (5.50 )     (2.96 )
  Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)3,4     (0.11 )     0.69       2.20       2.88  
Capital Raised5     66,627       64,782       218,515       178,615  
Liquidity6     131,416       135,762       131,416       135,762  
Life Insurance Portfolio7     1,961,598       1,622,627       1,961,598       1,622,627  
Life Insurance Acquired7     120,430       106,871       333,078       300,366  
Face Value of Matured Policies     7,973       9,747       50,100       39,657  
TTM Benefits / Premiums8     135.8 %     115.4 %     135.8 %     115.4 %

         

  1. Attributable to common shareholders
  2. Per basic and fully diluted share outstanding
  3. Per fully diluted share outstanding
  4. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below
  5. Excludes the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Seller Trust L Bonds issued in conjunction with the initial transfer of the Beneficient Transaction
  6. Includes cash, restricted cash and policy benefits receivable, if any
  7. Face amount of policy benefits
  8. The ratio of policy benefits recognized to premiums paid on a trailing twelve month (TTM) basis

2.  Revenue and Expense Discussion

Third Quarter 2018 vs. Third Quarter 2017:

Third Quarter Year-to-Date 2018 vs. Third Quarter Year-to-Date 2017:
                  

3.  Life Insurance Portfolio Statistics

Portfolio Summary:

Total portfolio face value of policy benefits   $ 1,961,598,000  
Average face value per policy   $ 1,805,000  
Average face value per insured life   $ 2,018,000  
Average age of insured (years)     82.1  
Average life expectancy estimate (years)     6.7  
Total number of policies     1,087  
Number of unique lives     972  
Demographics     76% Males; 24% Females  
Number of smokers     43  
Largest policy as % of total portfolio     0.68 %
Average policy as % of total portfolio     0.09 %
Average annual premium as % of face value     2.90 %

Distribution of Policies and Benefits by Current Age of Insured:

                        Percentage of Total        
Min Age     Max Age     Number of
Policies
    Policy
Benefits
    Number of
Policies
    Policy
Benefits
    Wtd. Avg.
LE (yrs.)
 
  95       100       14     $ 19,954,000       1.3 %     1.0 %     1.2  
  90       94       129       254,332,000       11.9 %     13.0 %     2.8  
  85       89       215       458,646,000       19.8 %     23.4 %     4.6  
  80       84       239       468,474,000       22.0 %     23.9 %     6.2  
  75       79       212       383,160,000       19.5 %     19.5 %     8.9  
  70       74       195       289,030,000       17.9 %     14.7 %     10.5  
  60       69       83       88,002,000       7.6 %     4.5 %     9.7  
  Total                1,087     $  1,961,598,000       100.0 %     100.0 %     6.7  

   

4.  Life Insurance Policy Origination

Life Insurance Portfolio Activity:

      Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
      September 30,
2018
    September 30,
2017
    September 30,
2018
    September 30,
2017
 
                           
Total policy benefits purchased   $ 120,418,000   $ 106,871,000   $ 333,078,000   $ 300,366,000  
Total life insurance policies purchased     89     65     233     187  
Average policy benefit purchased   $ 1,353,000   $ 1,644,000   $ 1,430,000   $ 1,606,000  
Direct policy benefits purchased   $ 16,524,000   $ 2,734,000   $ 29,561,000   $ 43,878,000  
Direct insurance policies purchased     17     10     39     40  

5.  Beneficient Transaction

As we reported in our second quarter earnings release on August 10, 2018, we completed the initial transfer of the Beneficient Transaction. As part of the initial transfer, and among other consideration exchanged, we received a $50 million investment in a newly issued Series B preferred stock that will convert into common stock at $10.00 per share upon the final closing.

On November 9, 2018, we filed a Preliminary Information statement with the SEC which represents an important step and further progress towards the final closing of the Beneficient Transaction. The preliminary information statement can be found on the SEC’s website. We are optimistic that we will reach a final closing at or near year-end 2018.

Since the consummation of the initial transfer in August 2018, the parties have made substantial progress in exploring the strategic opportunities that we envisioned since first evaluating this transaction. We anticipate that these opportunities will be realized for the parties’ mutual benefit in the coming quarters.

6.  Insurtech Initiatives

We expanded our insurtech capability through the addition of YouSurance, a new subsidiary that seeks to deliver on the promise of epigenetic technology. “The launch of YouSurance.com where consumers can purchase life insurance and receive information about their health and wellness demonstrates the confidence that we have in our ability to commercialize epigenetic technology,” Sabes said. “In combination with the findings we anticipate receiving from our research study of 1,300 individuals, we expect to have a profound impact on the way life insurance is underwritten and sold.”

Insurtech highlights:

7.  Additional Information

Gain on Life Insurance Policies:

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Change in estimated probabilistic cash flows (1)   $ 19,069,000     $ 12,568,000     $ 55,483,000     $ 40,033,000  
Unrealized gain on acquisitions (2)     9,021,000       7,217,000       21,790,000       25,863,000  
Premiums and other annual fees     (14,765,000 )     (13,174,000 )     (39,670,000 )     (36,124,000 )
Change in discount rates (3)           7,987,000             12,130,000  
Change in life expectancy evaluation (4)     73,000       (5,370,000 )     (4,890,000 )     (13,974,000 )
Face value of matured policies     7,973,000       9,747,000       50,100,000       39,657,000  
Fair value of matured policies     (5,650,000 )     (4,554,000 )     (29,883,000 )     (22,468,000 )
Gain on life insurance policies, net   $ 15,721,000     $ 14,421,000     $ 52,930,000     $ 45,117,000  

             

  1. Change in fair value of expected future cash flows relating to our investment in life insurance policies that are not specifically attributable to changes in life expectancy, discount rate or policy maturity events.
  2. Gain resulting from fair value in excess of transaction price for policies acquired during the reporting period.
  3. The discount rate of 10.45% as of September 30, 2018 remained unchanged from both the prior quarter and year-end dates. The discount rate of 10.54% as of September 30, 2017 reflected a decrease from the 10.81% rate used at June 30, 2017 and 10.96% used at December 31, 2016.
  4. The change in fair value due to updating life expectancy estimates on certain life insurance policies in our portfolio.

             
Policy Benefits Recognized and Premiums Paid (TTM):  

Quarter End Date   Portfolio
Face Amount ($)
  12-Month
Trailing
Benefits
Realized ($)
  12-Month
Trailing
Premiums
Paid ($)
  12-Month
Trailing
Benefits/Premium
Coverage
Ratio 
March 31, 2015   754,942,000   46,675,000   23,786,000   196.2
June 30, 2015   806,274,000   47,125,000   24,348,000   193.5 %
September 30, 2015   878,882,000   44,482,000   25,313,000   175.7 %
December 31, 2015   944,844,000   31,232,000   26,650,000   117.2 %
March 31, 2016   1,027,821,000   21,845,000   28,771,000   75.9 %
June 30, 2016   1,154,798,000   30,924,000   31,891,000   97.0 %
September 30, 2016   1,272,078,000   35,867,000   37,055,000   96.8 %
December 31, 2016   1,361,675,000   48,452,000   40,239,000   120.4 %
March 31, 2017   1,447,558,000   48,189,000   42,753,000   112.7 %
June 30, 2017   1,525,363,000   49,295,000   45,414,000   108.5 %
September 30, 2017   1,622,627,000   53,742,000   46,559,000   115.4 %
December 31, 2017   1,676,148,000   64,719,000   52,263,000   123.8 %
March 31, 2018   1,758,066,000   60,248,000   53,169,000   113.3 %
June 30, 2018   1,849,079,000   76,936,000   53,886,000   142.8 %
September 30, 2018   1,961,598,000   75,161,000   55,365,000   135.8 %

Webcast/Conference Call Details

Management will host a webcast/conference call Wednesday, November 21 at 8:30 a.m. EST 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/q32018webcastinvite.

After the webcast is completed, a replay of it can be accessed at http://get.gwgh.com/q32018webcast.

About GWG Holdings, Inc.

GWG Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:GWGH), the parent company of GWG Life, Life Epigenetics and YouSurance, is a leading provider of liquidity to consumers owning life insurance policies, an owner of a portfolio of alternative assets, and the developer of epigenetic technology for the life insurance industry and beyond. GWG Life provides value to consumers owning illiquid life insurance products across America, delivering them more than $564 million for their policies since 2006. GWG Life owns a life insurance policy portfolio of $1.96 billion in face value of policy benefits as of September 30, 2018. Life Epigenetics is commercializing epigenetic technology for life insurance industry and beyond. YouSurance, a digital life insurance agency, is working to embed epigenetic testing into life insurance purchasing to provide consumers a value-added ecosystem that supports their health and wellness while reducing the cost of their insurance.

For more information about GWG Holdings, email info@gwgh.com or visit www.gwgh.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This 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. 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 Contacts:
Dan Callahan
Director of Communication
GWG Holdings, Inc.
(612) 746-1935
dcallahan@gwgh.com

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

    September 30,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
    (unaudited)        
A S S E T S      
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 117,873,668     $ 114,421,491  
Restricted cash     3,069,759       28,349,685  
Investment in life insurance policies, at fair value     791,468,587       650,527,353  
Life insurance policy benefits receivable     10,472,696       16,658,761  
Other assets     13,022,023       8,898,884  
TOTAL ASSETS   $ 935,906,733     $ 818,856,174  
                 
L I A B I L I T I E S & S T O C K H O L D E R S’  E Q U I T Y                
LIABILITIES                
Senior credit facility with LNV Corporation   $ 162,469,172     $ 212,238,192  
L Bonds     570,199,704       447,393,568  
Accounts payable     2,579,323       6,394,439  
Interest and dividends payable     16,228,341       15,427,509  
Other accrued expenses     3,272,758       3,730,723  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     754,749,298       685,184,431  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                
                 
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK                
(par value $0.001; shares authorized 100,000; shares outstanding 97,534 and 98,611; liquidation preference of $98,103,000 and $99,186,000 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)     86,920,335       92,840,243  
SERIES 2 REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK                
(par value $0.001; shares authorized 150,000; shares outstanding 148,444 and 88,709; liquidation preference of $149,310,000 and $89,208,000 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)     129,147,704       80,275,204  
SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK                
(par value $0.001; stated value $10; shares authorized and outstanding 5,000,000)     50,000,000        
COMMON STOCK                
(par value $0.001; shares authorized 210,000,000; shares issued and outstanding 5,980,124 as of September 30, 2018 and 5,813,555 as of December 31, 2017)     5,980       5,813  
Additional paid-in capital            
Accumulated deficit     (84,916,584 )     (39,449,517 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     181,157,435       133,671,743  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY   $ 935,906,733     $ 818,856,174  

GWG HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
2018
    September 30,
2017
    September 30,
2018
    September 30,
2017
 
REVENUE                        
Gain on life insurance policies, net   $ 15,721,513     $ 14,421,353     $ 52,930,008     $ 45,117,438  
Interest and other income     931,145       275,690       2,579,270       1,335,535  
TOTAL REVENUE     16,652,658       14,697,043       55,509,278       46,452,973  
                                 
EXPENSES                                
Interest expense     17,514,962       13,275,407       50,726,149       38,765,647  
Employee compensation and benefits     5,548,771       3,792,096       12,527,139       10,696,455  
Legal and professional fees     1,421,964       1,657,090       3,751,321       3,934,027  
Other expenses     2,688,970       2,799,196       8,262,324       9,340,617  
TOTAL EXPENSES     27,174,667       21,523,789       75,266,933       62,736,746  
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES     (10,522,009 )     (6,826,746 )     (19,757,655 )     (16,283,773 )
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)           (2,764,243 )           (6,481,917 )
                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)     (10,522,009 )     (4,062,503 )     (19,757,655 )     (9,801,856 )
                                 
Preferred stock dividends     4,313,542       3,548,165       12,356,513       7,447,022  
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS   $ (14,835,551 )   $ (7,610,668 )   $ (32,114,168 )   $ (17,248,878 )
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE                                
Basic   $ (2.52 )   $ (1.31 )   $ (5.50 )   $ (2.96 )
Diluted   $ (2.52 )   $ (1.31 )   $ (5.50 )   $ (2.96 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                                
Basic     5,894,639       5,797,800       5,840,880       5,829,808  
Diluted     5,894,639       5,797,800       5,840,880       5,829,808  

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We use non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) financial measures for evaluating financial results, planning and forecasting, and maintaining compliance with covenants contained in our borrowing agreements. The application of current GAAP standards during a period of significant growth in our business, in which period we are building a large and actuarially diverse portfolio of life insurance policies, results in current period operating performance that may not be reflective of our long-term earnings potential. Management believes that our non-GAAP financial measures permit investors to better focus on this long-term earnings performance without regard to the volatility in GAAP financial results that can occur during this phase of growth.

Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by us are provided as additional information to investors in order to provide an alternative method for assessing our financial condition and operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies, including other companies within our industry. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable amounts prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures described above can be found below.

Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income. We calculate the adjusted net income by recognizing the actuarial gain accruing within our life insurance policies at the expected internal rate of return of the policies we own without regard to fair value. We net this actuarial gain against our adjusted costs during the same period to calculate our net income on a non-GAAP basis.

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(unaudited)
 
  2018     2017     2018     2017  
GAAP net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (14,836,000 )   $ (7,611,000 )   $ (32,114,000 )   $ (17,249,000 )
Unrealized fair value gain (1)   (24,840,000 )     (20,182,000 )     (56,058,000 )     (49,301,000 )
Adjusted cost basis increase (2)   29,704,000       24,207,000       83,154,000       68,667,000  
Accrual of unrealized actuarial gain (3)   9,325,000       9,032,000       20,898,000       21,448,000  
Total adjusted non-GAAP net income attributable to common shareholders $ (647,000 )   $ 5,446,000     $ 15,880,000     $ 23,565,000  
Non-GAAP net income per share:                              
Basic   (0.11 )     0.94       2.72       4.04  
Diluted   (0.11 )     0.69       2.20       2.88  
Average shares outstanding:                              
Basic   5,894,639       5,797,800       5,840,880       5,829,808  
Diluted   5,894,639       9,264,817       7,880,678       9,000,574  
  1. Reversal of unrealized GAAP fair value gain on life insurance policies for current period.
  2. Adjusted cost basis is increased to include interest, premiums and servicing fees that are expensed under GAAP (non-GAAP Investment Cost Basis).
  3. Accrual of actuarial gain at the expected internal rate of return based on the non-GAAP Investment Cost Basis for the applicable period.