Washington, D.C. 20549
|X| Annual Report Pursuant To Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2000
Commission file number 1-12338
J. GORDON GAINES, INC.
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
VESTA INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
3760 River Run Drive
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
(Name of Issuer of the Securities Held
Pursuant to the Plan and the Address
of its Principal Executive Office
REQUIRED INFORMATION
(a) Financial Statements for the J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| (i) | Report of Independent Accountants | 1 | |
| (ii) | Audited statements of net assets available for plan benefits as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 | 2 | |
| (iii) | Audited statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the year ended December 31, 2000 | 3 |
(b) Exhibits
The following exhibit is filed herewith as a part of this annual report:
| Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Accountants |
SIGNATURES
THE PLAN. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the Administrator of the J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
J. GORDON GAINES, INC.
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
By:
J. Gordon Gaines, Inc.,
Administrator of the Plan
Date: June 28, 2001
J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan
Table of Contents
Pages
Report of Independent Accountants 1
Financial Statements:
Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits
December 31, 2000 and 1999 2
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits
For the Year Ended December 31, 2000 3
Notes to Financial Statements 4 - 8
Supplemental Schedules:
Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes
December 31, 2000 9
Schedule of Reportable Transactions
For the Year Ended December 31, 2000 10 - 11
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for plan benefits and the related statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for plan benefits of the J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan) at December 31, 2000 and 1999 and the changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the year ended December 31, 2000 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules listed in the table of contents are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
June 22, 20011
2000 1999
Investments at fair value:
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. (Vesta) common stock $ 988,197 $ 474,901
Mutual funds and trusts 4,619,312 3,922,124
Loans to participants 157,017 112,051
---------- ----------
Total investments 5,764,526 4,509,076
Cash 9,683 2,403
Accrued income receivable 5,439 3,407
Employee contributions receivable 75,060 31,481
Employer contributions receivable 37,264 17,393
---------- ----------
Total other assets 127,446 54,684
---------- ----------
Net assets available for plan benefits $5,891,972 $4,563,760
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
2
Additions to net assets available for plan benefits:
Dividend income (includes dividends from Vesta common stock
of $9,131) $ 405,359
Interest income 7,759
Net depreciation in fair value of investments (167,702)
Employee contributions 1,030,367
Employer contributions 550,120
Rollover contributions 590,150
Other 8,506
-----------
Total additions 2,424,559
Deductions from net assets available for plan benefits:
Distributions to participants 1,092,594
Administrative expenses 3,753
-----------
Total deductions 1,096,347
-----------
Net increase 1,328,212
Net assets available for plan benefits:
Beginning of year 4,563,760
-----------
End of year $ 5,891,972
===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
3
Organization - The J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the Plan) was adopted on November 15, 1993. The Plan includes a salary reduction feature which permits employees who participate (participants) in the Plan to defer and save part of their compensation, as provided for under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan is subject to the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (ERISA) and is funded by discretionary employee and employer contributions.
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying financial statements of the Plan have been prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. (the Company or Sponsor) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. (Vesta).
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions and deductions during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan provides for various investment options in a combination of stocks, mutual funds and other investment securities. Generally all investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances, and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for plan benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits.
Investments Valuation - Investments in mutual funds and in Vesta common stock are stated at fair value, based on quotations obtained from national securities exchanges. The Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust Fund is valued at cost plus interest earned, which approximates market. Purchase and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses are calculated using the average cost method.
For cash and receivables, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the
short-term nature of these instruments.
Loans to participants are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
4
Plan Expenses - Merrill Lynch Trust Company serves as the trustee and administrator of the Plan. Administration fees paid to the trustee and all other administrative expenses are paid by the Sponsor.
Net Appreciation (Depreciation) - The Plan presents in the statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits the net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of its investments, which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments.
Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made in the previously reported financial statements and accompanying notes to make the prior year amounts comparable to those of the current year. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net assets available for plan benefits.
The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions. The Plan was approved to provide retirement benefits for eligible employees of Vesta and its subsidiaries.
Participant Contributions - Effective July 1, 1998, all employees are eligible to participate in the Plan upon employment and may elect to have from 1% to 15% of their compensation deferred and contributed to the Plan. There were 575 participants as of December 31, 2000. Participants are fully vested upon their enrollment in the Plan.
Investment Options - As of December 31, 2000, participants may allocate their contributions (and the corresponding employer matching contributions), in multiples of 5%, to any of the investment funds offered by the Plan. There are a total of 36 options available to participants, which consist of investment in the Company’s common stock, thirty-one various mutual fund portfolios, one collective trust fund, and three managed investment models. Plan participants may choose to allocate plan assets in any variety of these funds.
Employer Matching Contributions – Vesta and its subsidiaries (the Employer), at its sole discretion, may make matching contributions in an amount determined by the board of directors of the Company. For 2000, the matching contribution was 100% of employee contributions up to 3% and 50% of employee contributions from 3% to 5% not to exceed a maximum of 4% of the employee’s compensation.
Participant Accounts - Each participant’s account is credited with the Employer’s corresponding matching contribution and an allocable share of investment earnings or loss. Allocations are based on contribution rates specified in the Plan and the time-weighted value of account balances. Participants are entitled to the benefits that can be provided from the distributable value of their participant accounts.
5
Vesting - The Plan was amended on January 1, 1999 to provide for 100% immediate vesting of Employer contributions for all participants and all future plan participants. Participant contributions and income thereon are fully vested at all times.
Forfeitures - At December 31, 2000, forfeited nonvested amounts totaled approximately $80,800. These amounts, which relate to nonvested participant accounts prior to January 1, 1999, will be reallocated to participants in the same manner as employee contributions.
Loans - Participants are able to borrow up to the lesser of one half of their account balances or $50,000 minus the highest outstanding loan balance from the Plan during the past year in accordance with the plan provisions. Only one loan outstanding is allowed. Repayment periods do not exceed five years unless the loan proceeds are used to purchase a home. The interest rates on the loans are at least equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal at the time of application or some higher rate that reflects current commercial lending rates as determined by the plan administrator. Repayments are made in equal installments collected through payroll deductions. Loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Withdrawal Provisions - Participants may request that all or part of their accounts attributable to elective contributions be paid to them to meet an immediate and extreme financial hardship for which funds are not reasonably available to them from other sources. The amount paid to a participant in this fashion will be taxable and may not be repaid to the Plan. Such a withdrawal would require the participant to cease making contributions to the Plan for a period of at least twelve months following the receipt of the hardship withdrawal.
Benefit Payments - Participants are eligible for benefit payments upon reaching age sixty-five (65). The Plan also provides for distributions to participants, or their beneficiaries, upon death, disability, early retirement at or after age fifty-five with seven years of service, and termination of employment. Participants may choose to have benefits paid directly to them or to another qualified retirement plan or individual retirement arrangement on their behalf. Benefits are recorded when paid.
Priorities Upon Termination - Upon termination of the Plan, all participants’ funds shall become fully vested. The trust will continue until the plan benefits of each participant has been distributed.
The Plan is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Plan obtained its latest determination letter on June 29,
1993, in which the Internal Revenue Service stated that the Plan, as then
designed, was in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Internal
Revenue Code. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination
letter. However, the plan administrator and the Plan’s tax counsel believe
that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the
applicable
6
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
The investments of the Plan as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 are summarized as follows:
2000 1999
------------------------------ -------------------------------
Market Cost Market Cost
-------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. common stock $ 988,197 $ 1,373,199 $ 474,901 $ 1,069,029
Mutual funds 3,898,965 4,007,838 3,461,086 3,216,619
Collective trust fund 720,347 720,347 461,038 461,038
Loans to participants 157,017 157,017 112,051 112,051
-------------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
$ 5,764,526 $ 6,258,401 $4,509,076 $ 4,858,737
============== ============== =============== ===============
The following is a summary of assets held in excess of 5% of the Plan's net assets at December 31:
2000 1999
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. $ 988,197 $ 474,901
Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust Fund $ 720,347 $ 461,038
Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund (Intermediate Term Portfolio) $ 236,217
Davis New York Venture Fund $ 1,770,135 $ 1,724,812
Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund $ 671,375 $ 600,977
Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Fund $ 585,359 $ 357,471
During 2000, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year) appreciated/(depreciated) in value by $(167,702) as follows:
Vesta common stock $ 209,146
Mutual funds and trust fund (376,848)
----------------
$ (167,702)
================
7
The Sponsor pays administrative expenses on behalf of the Plan, including legal, trust, administrative and accounting fees. During 2000, the Plan acquired and sold Vesta common stock as follows:
Selling
Price/
Shares Cost Fair Value
----------- ------------- -------------
Acquired 99,869 $ 505,235 $ 505,235
Sold 27,205 201,085 132,239
------------ ------------- ------------
72,664 $ 304,150 $ 372,996
============ ============= ============
Annually, the Company files, on behalf of the Plan, an information return (Form 5500) that includes financial information prepared on the basis of cash receipts and disbursements. The accompanying financial statements differ from the Form 5500 primarily due to the accruals reflected in the financial statements.
8
c. Description of Investment Including
b. Identity of Issuer, Borrower, Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, e.Current
a. Lessor, or Similar Party Collateral, Par or Maturity Value d.Cost Value
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ --------------- ---------------
* Vesta Insurance Group, Inc Common Stock $1,373,179 $ 988,197
* Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation
Trust Fund Collective Trust 720,347 720,347
* Merrill Lynch S&P 500 Index Fund Mutual Fund 617,551 585,359
GAM International Fund Mutual Fund 77,168 60,354
PIMCO Small Cap Value Fund Mutual Fund 91,563 104,102
Davis New York Venture Fund Mutual Fund 1,649,463 1,770,135
* Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund Mutual Fund 131,277 116,087
* Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund
(High Income Portfolio) Mutual Fund 104,865 86,955
* Merrill Lynch Corporate Bond Fund
(Intermediate Term Portfolio) Mutual Fund 256,334 252,840
* Merrill Lynch Global Allocation Fund Mutual Fund 722,583 671,375
Morgan Stanley U.S. Real Estate Fund Mutual Fund 2,229 2,281
GAM Global Fund Mutual Fund 1,289 1,213
Davis Convertible Securities Fund Mutual Fund 1,117 1,038
MFS Total Return Fund Mutual Fund 21,500 21,880
Davis Real Estate Fund Mutual Fund 725 748
Alger MidCap Growth Portfolio Fund Mutual Fund 33,467 28,632
John Hancock Financial Industries Fund Mutual Fund 8,187 8,429
Van Kampen Focus Equity Fund Mutual Fund 17,682 14,544
Seligman Henderson Global
Technology Fund Mutual Fund 113,970 70,918
* Merrill Lynch Pacific Fund Mutual Fund 5,743 4,285
Van Kampen Latin America Fund Mutual Fund 5,824 5,814
Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund Mutual Fund 8,228 6,969
Oppenheimer International Bond Fund Mutual Fund 810 826
Seligman Communication and
Information Fund Mutual Fund 57,552 35,670
Alliance Worldwide Privatization Fund Mutual Fund 18 13
AIM Constellation Fund Mutual Fund 14,992 10,807
Alliance New Europe Fund Mutual Fund 3,111 2,927
AIM Global Telecommunications Fund Mutual Fund 54,540 29,712
ING Pilgrim Small Cap Growth Fund Mutual Fund 6,070 5,052
* Loans to participants Loans, interest rates range from
8.75% to 10.5% 157,017 157,017
------------- -------------
$6,258,401 $ 5,764,526
============= =============
* Party-in-interest to the Plan.
9
I. Single transactions exceeding 5% of assets.
NONE
II. Series of transactions involving property other than securities.
NONE
III. Series of transactions of same issue exceeding 5% of assets.
Schedule Attached
IV. Transactions in conjunction with same person involved in reportable single transactions.
NONE
10
No schedule of reportable transactions would be prepared as investments are participant-directed. Only nonparticipant-directed transactions are required to be reported.
11
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-8114) of Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. of our report dated June 22, 2001 related to the financial statements and supplemental schedules of J. Gordon Gaines, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, which appear in this Form 11-K.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
June 27, 2001