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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies

1) Significant Accounting Policies

 

General Overview of Business

 

Security National Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) operate in three reportable business segments: life insurance, cemetery and mortuary, and mortgages. The life insurance segment is engaged in the business of selling and servicing selected lines of life insurance, annuity products and accident and health insurance marketed primarily in the states located in western, mid-western and southern regions of the United States. The cemetery and mortuary segment of the Company consists of eight mortuaries and five cemeteries in Utah, one cemetery in California, and four mortuaries and one cemetery in New Mexico. The mortgage segment is an approved government and conventional lender that originates and underwrites residential and commercial loans for new construction, existing homes, and real estate projects primarily in Florida, Nevada, Texas, and Utah.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

These consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

Management of the Company has made several estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, reported amounts of revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term are those used in determining the value of derivative assets and liabilities; those used in determining deferred acquisition costs and the value of business acquired; those used in determining the liability for future policy benefits; those used in determining the value of loans held for sale; and those used in determining loan loss reserve. Although some variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes the amounts provided are fairly stated in all material respects.

 

Investments

 

The Company’s management determines the appropriate classifications of investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities at the acquisition date and re-evaluates the classifications at each balance sheet date.

 

Fixed maturity securities available for sale are carried at estimated fair value. Changes in fair values are reported as unrealized gains or losses and are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

Equity securities are carried at estimated fair value. Changes in fair values are reported as unrealized gains or losses and are recorded through net earnings as a component of gains (losses) on investments and other assets.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Mortgage loans held for investment are carried at their unpaid principal balances adjusted for net deferred fees, charge-offs, premiums, discounts, and the related allowance for credit losses. Interest income is included in net investment income on the consolidated statements of earnings and is recognized when earned. The Company defers related material loan origination fees, net of related direct loan origination costs, and amortizes the net fees over the term of the loans. Origination fees are included in net investment income on the consolidated statements of earnings. Mortgage loans are secured by the underlying property and require an appraisal at the time of underwriting and funding. Generally, the Company requires that loans not exceed 80% of the fair market value of the respective loan collateral. For loans of more than 80% of the fair market value of the respective loan collateral, additional collateral or mortgage insurance by an approved third-party insurer is required.

 

Real estate held for investment is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the properties or is adjusted to a new basis for impairment in value, if any. Included, if any, are foreclosed properties. These properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value upon foreclosure. Also, included is residential subdivision land development which is carried at cost.

 

Real estate held for sale is carried at lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Depreciation is not recognized on real estate classified as held for sale.

 

Other investments and policy loans are carried at the aggregate unpaid balances, less allowances for credit losses.

 

Accrued investment income refers to the income earned from investments that has not yet been received by the Company.

 

Gains (losses) on investments (except for equity securities carried at fair value through net earnings) arise when investments are sold and are recorded on the trade date and the cost of the securities sold is determined using the specific identification method. The provision (release) for credit losses for fixed maturity securities held for sale are also included in gains (losses) on investments. See Note 2 for more information regarding the Company’s evaluation of credit losses.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts, which at times exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Loans Held for Sale

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 825, “Financial Instruments”, allows for the option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value initially and at subsequent measurement dates with changes in fair value included in earnings. The option may be applied instrument by instrument, but it is irrevocable. The Company elected the fair value option for loans held for sale. The Company believes the fair value option most closely aligns the timing of the recognition of gains and costs. These loans are intended for sale and the Company believes that fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans. Electing fair value also reduces certain timing differences and better matches changes in the fair value of these assets with changes in the fair value of the related derivatives used for these assets. See Note 3 and Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding loans held for sale.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

The Company, through its mortgage subsidiaries, sells mortgage loans to third-party investors without recourse unless defects are identified in the representations and warranties made at loan sale. It may be required, however, to repurchase a loan or pay a fee instead of repurchasing under certain events, which include the following:

 

Failure to deliver original documents specified by the investor,
The existence of misrepresentation or fraud in the origination of the loan,
The loan becomes delinquent due to nonpayment during the first several months after it is sold,
Early pay-off of a loan, as defined by the agreements,
Excessive time to settle a loan,
Investor declines purchase, and
Discontinued product and expired commitment.

 

Loan purchase commitments generally specify a date 30 to 45 days after delivery upon which the underlying loans should be settled. Depending on market conditions, these commitment settlement dates can be extended at a cost to the Company.

 

It is the Company’s policy to cure any documentation problems regarding such loans at a minimal cost for up to a six-month period and to pursue efforts to enforce loan purchase commitments from third-party investors concerning the loans. The Company believes that six months allows adequate time to remedy any documentation issues, to enforce purchase commitments, and to exhaust other alternatives. Remedial methods include the following:

 

Research reasons for rejection,
Provide additional documents,
Request investor exceptions,
Appeal rejection decision to purchase committee, and
Commit to secondary investors.

 

Once purchase commitments have expired and other alternatives to remedy are exhausted, which could be earlier than the six-month period, the loans are repurchased and transferred to mortgage loans held for investment at the lower of cost or fair value and previously recorded mortgage fee income that was to be received from a third-party investor is written off against the loan loss reserve. Any loan that later becomes delinquent is evaluated by the Company at that time and any impairment is adjusted accordingly.

 

Determining Fair Value

 

The cost for loans held for sale is equal to the amount paid to the warehouse bank and the amount originally funded by the Company. Fair value is often difficult to determine and may contain significant unobservable inputs, but is based on the following guidelines:

 

For loans that are committed, the Company uses the commitment price.
For loans that are non-committed that have an active market, the Company uses the market price.
For loans that are non-committed where there is no market but there is a similar product, the Company uses the fair value for the similar product.
For loans that are non-committed where no active market exists, the Company determines that the unpaid principal balance best approximates the fair value, after considering the fair value of the underlying real estate collateral, estimated future cash flows, and the loan interest rate.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

The appraised value of the real estate underlying the original mortgage loan adds support to the Company’s determination of fair value because if the loan becomes delinquent the Company has sufficient value to collect the unpaid principal balance or the carrying value of the loan, thus minimizing credit losses. Most loans originated are sold to third-party investors. The amounts expected to be sold to investors are shown on the consolidated balance sheets as loans held for sale.

 

Mortgage Fee Income

 

Mortgage fee income consists of origination fees, processing fees, interest income and other income related to the origination and sale of mortgage loans held for sale. All revenues and costs are recognized when the mortgage loan is funded and any changes in fair value are shown as a component of mortgage fee income. See Note 3 and Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding loans held for sale and mortgage fee income.

 

Loan Loss Reserve

 

The loan loss reserve is an estimate of probable losses at the balance sheet date that the Company will realize in the future on loans sold to third-party investors classified as loans held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company may be required to reimburse third-party investors for costs associated with early payoff of loans within six months of origination of such loans and to repurchase loans where there is a default, in any, of the first four monthly payments to the investors or, in lieu of repurchase, to pay a negotiated fee to the investors. The Company’s estimates are based upon historical loss experience and the best estimate of the probable loan loss liabilities.

 

Upon completion of a transfer that satisfies the conditions to be accounted for as a sale, the Company initially measures at fair value liabilities incurred in a sale relating to any guarantee or recourse provisions in the event of defects in the representation and warranties made at loan sale. The Company accrues a monthly allowance for indemnification losses to investors based on total production. This estimate is based on the Company’s historical experience and is included as a component of mortgage fee income. Subsequent updates to the recorded liability from changes in assumptions are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of provision for loan loss reserve. The estimated liability for indemnification losses is included in other liabilities and accrued expenses.

 

The loan loss reserve analysis involves mortgage loans that have been sold to third-party investors, which were believed to have met investor underwriting guidelines at the time of sale, where the Company has received a demand from the investor. There are generally three types of demands: make whole, repurchase, or indemnification. These types of demands are further described as follows:

 

Make whole demand — A make whole demand occurs when an investor forecloses on a property and then sells the property. The make whole amount is calculated as the difference between the original unpaid principal balance, payments received, accrued interest and fees, less the sale proceeds.

 

Repurchase demand — A repurchase demand usually occurs when there is a significant payment default, error in underwriting or detected loan fraud.

 

Indemnification demand — On certain loans the Company has negotiated a set fee that is to be paid in lieu of repurchase. The fee varies by investor and by loan product type.

 

The Company believes the loan loss reserve represents probable loan losses incurred as of the balance sheet date.

 

Additional information related to the Loan Loss Reserve is included in Note 3.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Restricted Assets

 

Restricted assets are assets held in a trust account for future mortuary services and merchandise. Restricted assets also include escrows held for borrowers and investors under servicing and appraisal agreements relating to mortgage loans, funds held by warehouse banks in accordance with loan purchase agreements and funds held in escrow for certain real estate construction development projects. Additionally, the Company funded its medical benefit safe-harbor limit based on the qualified direct costs and has included this amount as a component of restricted cash. Additional information related to restricted assets is included in Notes 2 and 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Investments

 

Cemetery endowment care trusts have been set up for five of the seven cemeteries owned by the Company. Under endowment care arrangements a portion of the price for each lot sold is withheld and invested in a portfolio of investments like those described in the prior paragraph. The earnings stream from the investments is designed to fund future maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. Additional information related to cemetery perpetual care trust investments is included in Notes 2 and 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Cemetery Land and Improvements

 

The development of a cemetery involves not only the initial acquisition of raw land but also the installation of roads, water lines, landscaping, and other costs to establish a marketable cemetery lot. The costs of developing the cemetery are shown as an asset on the balance sheet. The amount on the balance sheet is reduced by the total cost assigned to the development of a particular lot when the criterion for recognizing a sale of that lot is met.

 

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

 

Commissions and other costs, net of commission and expense allowances for reinsurance ceded, that vary with and are primarily related to the production of new insurance business have been deferred. Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DAC”) for traditional life insurance are amortized over the premium paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policy benefit reserves. For interest-sensitive insurance products, deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized generally in proportion to the present value of expected gross profits from surrender charges, investment, mortality, and expense margins. This amortization is adjusted when estimates of current or future gross profits to be realized from a group of products are reevaluated. Deferred acquisition costs are written off when policies lapse or are surrendered.

 

When accounting for DAC, the Company considers internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts. An internal replacement is a modification in product benefits, features, rights, or coverage that occurs by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. Modifications that result in a replacement contract that is substantially changed from the replaced contract are accounted for as an extinguishment of the replaced contract. Unamortized DAC, unearned revenue liabilities and deferred sales inducements from the replaced contract are written off. Modifications that result in a contract that is substantially unchanged from the replaced contract are accounted for as a continuation of the replaced contract.

 

Value of Business Acquired

 

Value of business acquired (“VOBA”) is the present value of estimated future profits of the acquired business and is amortized like deferred policy acquisition costs. The critical issues explained for deferred acquisition costs would also apply for the value of business acquired.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Premium Deficiency and Loss Recognition Testing

 

At least annually, the Company tests the adequacy of the net benefit reserves (liability for future policy benefits, net of DAC and VOBA) recorded for life insurance and annuity products. The Company tests for recoverability by using the Company’s current best-estimate assumptions as to policyholder mortality, persistency, maintenance expenses and invested asset returns. These tests evaluate whether the present value of future contract-related cash flows will support the capitalized DAC and VOBA assets. These cash flows consist primarily of premium income, less benefits, and expenses. If the current contract liabilities plus the present value of future premiums is greater than the sum of the present values of future policy benefits, commissions, and expenses plus the current DAC and VOBA less unearned premium reserve balances, then the capitalized assets are deemed recoverable. The present values are calculated using the best estimate of the after-tax net investment earned rate.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”) arise from contractual agreements between the Company and third-party investors (or their agents) when mortgage loans are sold. Under these contracts, the Company retains and provides loan servicing functions on loans sold, in exchange for fees and other remuneration. The servicing functions typically performed include, among other responsibilities, collecting and remitting loan payments; responding to borrower inquiries; accounting for principal and interest, holding custodial (impound) funds for payment of property taxes and insurance premiums; counseling delinquent mortgagors; and supervising the acquisition of real estate owned and property dispositions.

 

The total residential mortgage loans serviced for others consist primarily of agency conforming fixed-rate mortgage loans. The value of MSRs is derived from the net cash flows associated with the servicing contracts. The Company receives a servicing fee of generally about 0.25% annually on the remaining outstanding principal balances of the loans. Based on the result of the cash flow analysis, an asset or liability is recorded for mortgage servicing rights. The servicing fees are collected from the monthly payments made by the mortgagors. The Company generally receives other remuneration including rights to various mortgagor-contracted fees such as late charges, and collateral reconveyance charges and the Company is generally entitled to retain the interest earned on funds held pending remittance of mortgagor principal, interest, tax, and insurance payments. Contractual servicing fees and late fees are included in other revenues on the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

The Company’s subsequent accounting for MSRs is based on the class of MSRs. The Company has identified two classes of MSRs: MSRs backed by mortgage loans with an initial term of 30 years and MSRs backed by mortgage loans with an initial term of 15 years. The Company distinguishes between these classes of MSRs due to their differing sensitivities to change in value as the result of changes in the market. After being initially recorded at fair value, MSRs backed by mortgage loans are accounted for using the amortization method. Amortization expense is included in other expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings. MSR amortization is determined by amortizing the MSR balance in proportion to, and over the period of the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.

 

Interest rate risk, prepayment risk, and default risk are inherent risks in MSR valuation. Interest rate changes largely drive prepayment rates. Refinance activity generally increases as rates decline. A significant decrease in rates beyond expectation could cause a decline in the value of the MSR. On the contrary, if rates increase borrowers are less likely to refinance or prepay their mortgage, which extends the duration of the loan and MSR values are likely to rise. Because of these risks, discount rates and prepayment speeds are used to estimate the fair value.

 

The Company periodically assesses MSRs for impairment. Impairment occurs when the current fair value of the MSR falls below the asset’s carrying value (carrying value is the amortized cost reduced by any related valuation allowance). If MSRs are impaired, the impairment is recognized in current period earnings and the carrying value of the MSRs is adjusted through a valuation allowance.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

The Company periodically reviews the various loan strata to determine whether the value of the MSRs in each stratum is impaired and likely to recover. When management deems recovery of the value to be unlikely in the foreseeable future, a write-down of the cost of the MSRs for that stratum to its estimated recoverable value is charged to the valuation allowance.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to forty years. Leasehold improvements paid for by the Company as a lessee are amortized over the lesser of the useful life or remaining lease terms.

 

Long-lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets to be held and used, including property and equipment and real estate held for investment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. When required, impairment losses on assets to be held and used are recognized based on the fair value of the asset, and long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

Mortgage Banking Derivatives

 

Loan Commitments

 

The Company is exposed to price risk due to the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the values of loan commitments from the time a loan commitment is made to an applicant to the time the loan that would result from the exercise of that loan commitment is funded. Managing price risk is complicated by the fact that the ultimate percentage of loan commitments that will be exercised (i.e., the number of loans that will be funded) fluctuates. The probability that a loan will not be funded, or the loan application is denied or withdrawn within the terms of the commitment is driven by several factors, particularly the change, if any, in mortgage rates following the issuance of the loan commitment.

 

In general, the probability of funding increases if mortgage rates rise and decreases if mortgage rates fall. This is due primarily to the relative attractiveness of current mortgage rates compared to the applicant’s committed rate. The probability that a loan will not be funded within the terms of the mortgage loan commitment also is influenced by the source of the applications (retail, broker, or correspondent channels), proximity to rate lock expiration, purpose for the loan (purchase or refinance), product type and the application approval status. The Company has developed fallout estimates using historical data that consider all the variables, as well as renegotiations of rate and point commitments that tend to occur when mortgage rates fall. These fallout estimates are used to estimate the number of loans that the Company expects to be funded within the terms of the loan commitments and are updated periodically to reflect the most current data.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of a loan commitment based on the change in estimated fair value of the underlying mortgage loan, quoted mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) prices, estimates of the fair value of mortgage servicing rights, and an estimate of the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the commitment net of estimated commission expense. The change in fair value of the underlying mortgage loan is measured from the date the loan commitment is issued and is shown net of related expenses. Following issuance, the value of a loan commitment can be either positive or negative depending upon the change in value of the underlying mortgage loans. Fallout rates and other factors from the Company’s recent historical data are used to estimate the quantity and value of mortgage loans that will fund within the terms of the commitments.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Forward Sale Commitments

 

The Company utilizes forward commitments to economically hedge the price risk associated with its outstanding mortgage loan commitments. A forward commitment protects the Company from losses on sales of the loans arising from exercise of the loan commitments. Management expects these types of commitments will experience changes in fair value in contrast to changes in fair value of the loan commitments, thereby reducing earnings volatility related to the recognition in earnings of changes in the values of the commitments.

 

The net changes in fair value of loan commitments and forward sale commitments are shown in current earnings as a component of mortgage fee income on the consolidated statements of earnings. Mortgage banking derivatives are shown in other assets and other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Call and Put Option Derivatives

 

The Company discontinued its use of selling “out of the money” call options on its equity securities and the use of selling put options as a source of revenue in the first quarter of 2023. The net changes in the fair value of call and put options are shown in current earnings as a component of realized gains (losses) on investments and other assets. Call and put options were shown in other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Allowances for Credit Losses

 

The Company records allowances for current expected credit losses from fixed maturity securities available for sale, mortgage loans held for investment, other investments, and receivables in accordance with GAAP. The allowances for credit losses are valuation accounts that are reported as a reduction of the financial asset’s cost basis and are measured on a pool basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company estimates allowances for credit losses using relevant available information from both internal and external sources. The Company considers its historical loss experience, analyzes current market conditions and forecasts and uses third-party assistance to arrive at current expected credit losses. Amounts are written off against the allowance for credit losses when determined to be uncollectible. See below under Recent Accounting Pronouncements regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-13. See Notes 2 and 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements regarding the Company’s evaluation of allowances for credit losses.

 

Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims

 

Future policy benefit reserves for traditional life insurance are computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to investment yields, lapse rates, surrender rates, dividend crediting rates, mortality, morbidity, and other assumptions based on the life insurance subsidiaries’ historical experience, industry standards, and best estimate of future results, modified as necessary to give effect to anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations. Such liabilities are, for some plans, graded to equal statutory values or cash values at or prior to maturity, which are deemed a reasonable equivalent for GAAP. The range of assumed interest rates for all traditional life insurance policy reserves was 4% to 10%. Benefit reserves for traditional limited-payment life insurance policies include the deferred portion of the premiums received during the premium-paying period. Deferred premiums are recognized as income over the life of the policies. Policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period the claims are incurred. Increases in future policy benefits are charged to expense.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Future policy benefit reserves for interest-sensitive insurance products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period more than related policy account balances. Interest credit rates for interest-sensitive insurance products ranged from 3% to 6.5%.

 

The Company records an unpaid claims liability for claims in the course of settlement equal to the death benefit amount less any reinsurance recoverable amount for claims reported. There is also an unpaid claims liability for claims incurred but not reported. This liability is based on the historical experience of the net amount of claims that were reported in reporting periods subsequent to the reporting period when claims were incurred.

 

Unearned Premium Reserve

 

The universal life products the Company services have significant policy initiation fees (front-end load) that are deferred and amortized into revenues over the estimated expected gross profits from surrender charges and investment, mortality, and expense margins. The same issues that impact deferred acquisition costs apply to unearned revenue.

 

Participating Insurance

 

Participating business constituted 2% of insurance in force for the years ended 2024 and 2023. The provision for policyholders’ dividends included in policyholder obligations is based on dividend scales anticipated by management. The amounts to be paid are determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The expense recognized for policyholder dividends is included in surrenders and other policy benefits on the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

Recognition of Insurance Premiums and Other Considerations

 

Premiums and other considerations for traditional life insurance products (which include those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits and consist principally of whole life insurance policies, limited payment life insurance policies, and certain annuities with life contingencies) are recognized as revenues when due from policyholders. Premiums and other consideration for interest-sensitive insurance policies (which include universal life policies, interest-sensitive life policies, deferred annuities, and annuities without life contingencies) are reflected as increases in liabilities for policyholder account balances and not as revenues. Revenues reported for these products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, administration charges, amortization of policy initiation fees and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances. Surrender benefits paid relating to these products are reflected as decreases in liabilities for policyholder account balances and not as expenses. The Company receives investment income earned from the funds deposited into account balances, a portion of which is passed through to the policyholders in the form of interest credited. Interest credited to policyholder account balances and benefit claims more than policyholder account balances are reported as expenses, included in death benefits, in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Reinsurance

 

The Company follows the procedure of reinsuring risks of more than $100,000 to provide for greater diversification of business to allow management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks and provide additional capacity for growth. The Company remains liable for amounts ceded in the event the reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations.

 

The Company entered into coinsurance agreements with unaffiliated insurance companies under which the Company assumed 100% of the risk for certain life insurance policies and certain other policy-related liabilities of the insurance company.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements, and reserves related to reinsured business are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Expense allowances received in connection with reinsurance ceded are accounted for as a reduction of the related policy acquisition costs and are deferred and amortized accordingly.

 

Pre-need Sales and Costs

 

Pre-need contract sales of funeral services and caskets - revenue and costs associated with the sales of pre-need funeral services and caskets are deferred until the performance obligations are fulfilled (services are performed or the caskets are delivered).

 

Sales of cemetery interment rights (cemetery burial property) - revenue and costs associated with the sale of cemetery interment rights are deferred until 10% of the sales price has been collected.

 

Pre-need contract sales of cemetery merchandise (primarily markers and vaults) - revenue and costs associated with the sale of pre-need cemetery merchandise is deferred until the merchandise is delivered to the Company.

 

Pre-need contract sales of cemetery services (primarily merchandise delivery, installation fees and burial opening and closing fees) - revenue and costs associated with the sales of pre-need cemetery services are deferred until the services are performed.

 

Prearranged funeral and pre-need cemetery customer acquisition costs - costs incurred related to obtaining new pre-need contract cemetery and prearranged funeral services, which include only costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new pre-need cemetery and prearranged funeral services, are deferred until the merchandise is delivered or services are performed.

 

Revenues and costs for at-need sales are recorded when a valid contract exists, the services are performed, collection is reasonably assured and there are no significant performance obligations remaining.

 

The Company, through its cemetery and mortuary operations, provides guaranteed funeral arrangements wherein a prospective customer can receive future goods and services at guaranteed prices. To accomplish this, the Company, through its life insurance operations, sells to the customer an increasing benefit life insurance policy that is assigned to the mortuaries. If, at the time of need, the policyholder/potential mortuary customer utilizes one of the Company’s facilities, the guaranteed funeral arrangement contract that has been assigned will provide the funeral goods and services at the contracted price. The increasing life insurance policy will cover the difference between the original contract prices and current prices. Risks may arise if the difference cannot be fully met by the life insurance policy. However, management believes that given current inflation rates and related price increases of goods and services, the risk of exposure is minimal.

 

Goodwill

 

Previous acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases under which assets acquired, and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values with the excess purchase price recognized as goodwill. The Company evaluates annually or when changes in circumstances warrant the recoverability of goodwill and if there is a decrease in value, the related impairment is recognized as a charge against income.

 

Other Intangibles

 

Other intangibles are recognized apart from goodwill whenever an acquired intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability. The Company engages a third-party valuation firm to analyze the value of the intangible assets that result from significant acquisitions. The value of the intangible assets that result from these acquisitions are included in Other Assets and are determined using the income approach, relying on a relief from the royalty method.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes include taxes currently payable plus deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to the temporary differences in the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities and operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Liabilities are established for uncertain tax positions expected to be taken in income tax returns when such positions are judged to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold based on the technical merits of the positions. Deferred tax assets and liabilities require various estimates and judgments and may be affected favorably or unfavorably by various internal and external factors. Factors affecting the deferred tax assets and liabilities include, but are not limited to, changes in tax laws, regulations and/or rates, changing interpretations of existing tax laws or regulations, and changes to overall levels of pre-tax earnings. Changes in these estimates, judgments or factors may result in an increase or decrease to the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities with a related increase or decrease in the Company’s provision for income taxes. Estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax penalties are included as a component of income tax expense.

 

Earnings Per Common Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share, which requires a presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per equivalent Class A common share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of Class A common shares outstanding during each year presented, after the effect of the assumed conversion of Class C Common Stock to Class A Common Stock. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year used to compute basic earnings per share plus dilutive potential incremental shares by application of the treasury stock method. Basic and diluted earnings per share amounts have been adjusted retroactively for the effect of annual stock dividends.

 

Stock Based Compensation

 

The cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is recognized in the financial statements and is measured based on the fair value on the grant date of the award. The fair value of stock options is calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model. Stock option compensation expense is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award and is included in personnel expenses on the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

For a description of the concentration risk regarding available for sale debt securities, mortgage loans held for investment and real estate held for investment, refer to Note 2, and for receivables from reinsurers, refer to Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Advertising

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2024

 

ASU No. 2023-07: “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” — Issued in November 2023, ASU 2023-07 requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The key amendments include: (i) disclosures on significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM) and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss on an annual and interim basis; (ii) disclosures on an amount for other segment items by reportable segment and a description of its composition on an annual and interim basis. The other segment items category is the difference between segment revenue less the significant expenses disclosed and each reported measure of segment profit or loss; (iii) providing all annual disclosures on a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets currently required by FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting in interim periods; and (iv) specifying the title and position of the CODM. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 retrospectively for the annual period beginning January 1, 2024, and for the interim periods beginning January 1, 2025. The adoption of ASU 2023-07 did not affect the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Refer to Note 15 for the disclosures regarding the Company’s business segments.

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2023

 

ASU No. 2016-13: “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326)” — Issued in September 2016, ASU 2016-13 amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis (such as mortgage loans held for investment and held to maturity debt securities) and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at an amortized cost basis, Topic 326 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net amount expected to be collected. For available for sale debt securities Topic 326 requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2023, and after a review of the affected assets, decreased the opening balance of retained earnings in stockholders’ equity by $671,506 on January 1, 2023. The allowances for credit losses increased (decreased) by the following amounts.

 

   Amount 
Mortgage loans held for investment:     
Residential  $(192,607)
Residential construction   301,830 
Commercial   555,807 
Total   665,030 
      
Restricted assets - mortgage loans held for investment:     
Residential construction   3,463 
      
Cemetery perpetual care trust investments - mortgage loans held for investment:     
Residential construction   3,013 
      
Grand Total   671,506 

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

 

1) Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

 

ASU No. 2018-12: “Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts” — Issued in August 2018, ASU 2018-12 is intended to improve the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits on traditional long-duration contracts by requiring that assumptions be updated after contract inception and by modifying the rate used to discount future cash flows. The standard is aimed at improving the accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit or account balance contracts, simplifying amortization of deferred acquisition costs while improving and expanding required disclosures. In November 2020, ASU No. 2020-11: “Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Effective Date and Early Application,” was issued. This ASU was issued to provide additional time for the implementation of ASU No. 2018-12 by deferring the effective date by one year. For smaller reporting companies, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2025. The Company will adopt the standard commencing with its annual reporting period ending December 31, 2025. The Company is nearing completion of its analysis and implementation of the new standard, including the identification of cohorts, system updates, and design. The Company has engaged its team of actuaries, accountants, and systems specialists and consulted external system providers as part of the implementation. The adoption of this guidance is expected to have an impact on its financial position, results of operations, and disclosures, as well as systems, processes and controls. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

ASU No. 2023-09: “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” — Issued in December 2023, ASU 2023-09 requires that public business entities, on an annual basis: (i) disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and (ii) provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, the amendments in this update require that all entities disclose on an annual basis the following information about income taxes paid: (i) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes and (ii) the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid (net of refunds received) is equal to or greater than 5 percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company for the annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2025. The Company will adopt the standard commencing with its annual reporting period ending December 31, 2025. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

ASU No. 2024-03: “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income- Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” — Issued in November 2024, ASU 2024-03 requires public business entities to disclose, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, specified information about certain expenses at each interim and annual reporting period. ASU 2024-03 requires disclosures about specific types of expenses (i.e., (a) purchases of inventory, (b) employee compensation, (c) depreciation and (d) intangible asset amortization) included in the expense captions presented on the face of the statement of earnings as well as disclosures about selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 does not change the requirements for the presentation of expenses on the statement of earnings. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Accordingly, the Company will adopt the standard commencing with its annual reporting period ending December 31, 2027. The Company is in the process of estimating the potential impact of the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company has reviewed other recent accounting pronouncements and has determined that they will not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

 

 

SECURITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023