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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

☒  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

☐  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the transition period from __to __

Commission file number  0-11774

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
North Carolina 56-1110199
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

121 North Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, North Carolina  27514
(919) 968-2200
(Address and telephone number of principal executive office)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, no par value ITIC The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐     No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐     No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☒     No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes ☐    No ☒

The aggregate market value of the shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2020 was $170,768,212 based on the closing price on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

As of February 19, 2021, there were 1,894,122 common shares of the registrant outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of Investors Title Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 19, 2021 are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.


Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as information included in future filings by Investors Title Company (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and information contained in written material, press releases and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company, contains, or may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that reflect management’s current outlook for future periods. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “should,” “could,” “would” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company’s strategy for growth, product and service development, market share position, claims, expenditures, financial results and cash requirements, are forward-looking statements. Without limitation, projected developments in mortgage interest rates and the overall economic environment set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Business Trends and Recent Conditions” constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a description of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those projected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

•the impact of COVID-19, or other pandemics;
•changes in interest rates and real estate values;
•changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including the performance of the financial and real estate markets;
•potential reform of government-sponsored entities;
•the level of real estate transaction volumes, the level of mortgage origination volumes (including refinancing), the mix of title insurance between markets with varying real estate values, changes to the insurance requirements of the participants in the secondary mortgage market, and the effect of these factors on the demand for title insurance;
•the possible inadequacy of provisions for claims to cover actual claim losses;
•the incidence of fraud-related losses;
•unanticipated adverse changes in securities markets that could result in material losses to the Company’s investments;
•significant competition that the Company’s operating subsidiaries face, including the Company’s ability to develop and offer products and services that meet changing industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner and expansion into new geographic locations;
•the Company’s reliance upon the North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina markets for a significant portion of its premiums, comprising approximately 36.8%, 18.6%, 11.4% and 9.1% of premiums written, respectively;
•compliance with government regulation, including pricing regulation, and significant changes to applicable regulations or in their application by regulators;
•the impact of governmental oversight of compliance of the Company’s service providers, including the application of financial regulation designed to protect consumers;
•possible downgrades from a rating agency, which could result in a loss of underwriting business;
•the inability of the Company to manage, develop and implement technological advancements and prevent system interruptions or unauthorized system intrusions;
•statutory requirements applicable to the Company’s insurance subsidiaries that require them to maintain minimum levels of capital, surplus and reserves and that restrict the amount of dividends they may pay to the Company without prior regulatory approval;
•the desire to maintain capital above statutory minimum requirements for competitive, marketing and other reasons;
•heightened regulatory scrutiny and investigations of the title insurance industry;
•the Company’s dependence on key management and marketing personnel, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
•difficulty managing growth, whether organic or through acquisitions;
•unfavorable economic or other conditions could cause the Company to record impairment charges for all or a portion of its goodwill and other intangible assets;
•policies and procedures for the mitigation of risks may be insufficient to prevent losses;
•the shareholder rights plan could discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control; and
•other risks detailed elsewhere in this document and in the Company’s other filings with the SEC.

These and other risks and uncertainties may be described from time to time in the Company’s other reports and filings with the SEC. The Company is not under any obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) and does not undertake to update or alter any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. You should consider the possibility that actual results may differ materially from our forward-looking statements.
2


INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Business
4
Executive Officers of the Company
9
Item 1A. Risk Factors
10
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
15
Item 2. Properties
16
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
16
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
16
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Shares
17
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
17
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
18
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
33
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
72
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
72
Item 9B. Other Information
72
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
73
Item 11, Executive Compensation
73
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
73
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
73
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
73
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
74
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
85
Signatures
86

3


PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL    

Investors Title Company (the “Company”) is a holding company that operates through its subsidiaries and was incorporated as a corporation under the laws of the state of North Carolina in 1973. The Company became operational in 1976, when it acquired Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”), which had itself been operating since 1972, as a wholly owned subsidiary under a plan of exchange of shares of common stock. In 1983, the Company acquired National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”), formerly Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, which had itself been operating since 1973, as a wholly owned subsidiary under a plan of exchange of shares of common stock. The Company’s executive offices are located at 121 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514 and its telephone number is (919) 968-2200. The Company maintains a website at www.invtitle.com. The contents of the Company’s website are not and shall not be a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other SEC filing.

OVERVIEW OF THE BUSINESS

The Company’s primary business activity, and its only reportable operating segment, is the issuance of residential and commercial title insurance through ITIC and NITIC. Additionally, the Company provides (i) tax-deferred real property exchange services through its subsidiaries, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”) and Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”); (ii) investment management and trust services to individuals, trusts and other entities through its subsidiary Investors Trust Company (“Investors Trust”); and (iii) management services to title insurance agencies through its subsidiary, Investors Title Management Services (“ITMS”). Refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) for additional information related to the revenues, income and assets attributable to the Company’s primary operating segment.
        
Title Insurance

Through its two wholly owned title underwriting subsidiaries, ITIC and NITIC, the Company underwrites title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer. ITIC and NITIC offer primary title insurance coverage to owners and mortgagees of real estate and assume reinsurance of title insurance risks from other title insurance companies. The commitments and policies are predominantly issued using standard forms approved by the American Land Title Association (“ALTA”).

Title insurance protects against losses resulting from title defects affecting real property. Upon a real estate closing, the seller of real property executes a deed to the new owner, and typically, the property is encumbered with a new mortgage. When real property is conveyed from one party to another, occasionally there is an undisclosed or undiscovered defect in the title or a mistake or omission in a prior deed or mortgage that may give a third party a legal claim against such property or result in the invalidity or unenforceability of the insured mortgage. If a claim is made against the title to real property, title insurance provides indemnification against covered defects.

Numerous types of defects could jeopardize the property owner’s or mortgagee’s interest in the property for which a title policy may provide coverage. Such risks include title being vested in an individual or entity other than the insured, lack of a right of access to the property, invalidity or unenforceability of the insured mortgage, or other liens or encumbrances that make the property unmarketable. The policy may provide coverage for defects arising from prior unsatisfied mortgages, judgments, tax liens or confirmed assessments, or encumbrances against the property arising through easements, restrictions or other existing covenants. Title insurance may also protect against deeds or mortgages that were forged or improperly acknowledged or delivered, that were executed by spouses without the other spouse’s signature or that were conveyed by minors or other persons who lack legal capacity.

Title Insurance Policies: The Company issues title insurance policies based on a search of public records. The title search documents the current status of title to the property. There are two basic types of title insurance policies – one for the mortgage lender and one for the real property owner. A lender often requires property owners to purchase title insurance to protect the priority of its mortgage loan, but the lender’s title insurance policy does not protect the property owner. The property owner has to purchase a separate owner’s title insurance policy to protect its investment.

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Insured Risk on Policies in Force: Generally, the amount of the insured risk under a title insurance policy is equal to the purchase price, the loan amount or the fair market value of the insured property. If a claim is made against an insured property’s title, the insurer can choose to pay the cost of eliminating the covered title defects or to defend the insured party against the covered title defects affecting the property. In the alternative, the insurer may opt to pay the policy limits to the insured or, if the loss is less than the policy limits, the amount of the insured’s actual loss due to such title defects, at which time the insurer’s duty to defend the claim and all other obligations of the insurer with respect to the claim are satisfied.

At any given time, the insurer’s actual risk of monetary loss under outstanding policies is only a portion of the aggregate insured risk, or total face amount, of all policies in force. The lower risk results primarily from the reissuance of title insurance policies for the same property by other underwriters over time when such property is subsequently conveyed or refinanced. The coverage on a lender’s title insurance policy is reduced and eventually terminated as the mortgage loan is paid. An owner’s policy is effective as long as the insured has an ownership interest in the property or has liability under warranties of title. Due to the variability of these factors, the aggregate contingent liability of the Company’s title underwriters on outstanding policies cannot be determined with precision.

Losses and Reserves: While most other forms of insurance provide for the assumption of risk of loss arising from unforeseen events, title insurance is based upon a process of loss avoidance. Title insurance generally serves to protect the policyholder from the risk of loss from events that predate the issuance of the policy. Losses on policies typically occur when a title defect is not discovered during the examination and settlement process or upon the occurrence of certain hidden risks which cannot be determined from an accurate search of public land records. The maximum amount of liability under a title insurance policy is generally the face amount of the policy plus the cost of defending the insured’s title against an adverse claim, if agreed to by the insurer prior to payment of loss under the policy, and any inflation protection clause associated with the policy. The reserve for claim losses is established from known claims, as well as estimated losses incurred but not yet reported to the Company based upon historical experience and other factors.

Title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, are affected by economic and market conditions and may involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. Therefore, reserve estimates are subject to variability. For a more complete description of the Company’s reserve for claims, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Title Insurance Underwriting Operations: ITIC and NITIC issue title insurance through the Company’s home and branch offices and through a network of agents. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries determine the terms and conditions upon which they will insure title to real property according to the Company’s underwriting standards, policies and procedures. Title insurance premiums written reflect a one-time premium payment, with no recurring premiums.

Generally, premiums for title insurance are recorded and recognized as revenue at the closing of the related transaction, when the earnings process is considered complete. When the policy is issued directly through a home or branch office, the premiums collected are retained by the Company. When the policy is issued through a title insurance agent, the agent retains a majority of the premium as a commission and remits the net amount to the Company. Title insurance commissions earned by the Company’s agents are recognized as expenses concurrently with premium recognition. The percentage of the premium retained by agents varies by region and is sometimes regulated by the states where the property is located.

For a description of the level of net premiums written by direct and agency operations, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Geographic Operations: ITIC was incorporated in North Carolina in 1972, and is licensed to write title insurance in 44 states and the District of Columbia. ITIC currently writes title insurance as a primary insurer in 21 states and the District of Columbia, primarily located in the eastern half of the United States, and as a reinsurer for NITIC and third-party title insurance companies.

NITIC was incorporated in South Carolina in 1973, and is licensed to write title insurance in 20 states and the District of Columbia. In November 2014, NITIC redomesticated to Texas. NITIC currently writes title insurance as a primary insurer in Texas, and as a reinsurer for ITIC.

Premiums from title insurance written on properties located in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina represent the largest source of revenue for the title insurance segment. In North Carolina, a majority of the Company’s title insurance commitments and policies are issued through branch offices. In Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and other states, title policies are primarily issued through issuing agents. For a description of the level of net premiums written geographically for significant states, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Each state license authorizing ITIC or NITIC to write title insurance must be renewed annually. These licenses are necessary for the companies to operate as a title insurer in each state in which they write premiums.

Ratings: The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are regularly assigned ratings by independent agencies designed to indicate their financial condition and/or their claims paying ability. The rating agencies determine ratings primarily by analyzing financial data.

Reinsurance: The Company assumes and cedes reinsurance with other insurance companies in the normal course of business. Reinsurance is a contractual arrangement whereby one insurer assumes some or all of the risk exposure written by another insurer. Ceded reinsurance is comprised of excess of loss treaties, which outline the conditions in which the reinsurance company will pay claims and protect the ceding insurer against losses over certain agreed amounts.

In the ordinary course of business, ITIC and NITIC reinsure certain risks with other title insurers to limit their risk exposure and to comply with state insurance regulations. They also assume reinsurance for certain risks of other title insurers for which they receive additional income in the form of reinsurance premiums. For each of the last two years, revenues from reinsurance activities accounted for less than 1% of total premium volume.

Exchange Services, Investment Management and Trust Services, and Management Services

The Company’s other lines of business include services offered by wholly owned subsidiaries ITEC, ITAC, Investors Trust, and ITMS.

In 1988, the Company established ITEC to provide services in connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. ITEC acts as a qualified intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, and its income is derived from fees for handling exchange transactions and interest earned on client deposits held by the Company. In its role as qualified intermediary, ITEC coordinates the exchange aspects of the real estate transaction, and its duties include drafting standard exchange documents, holding the exchange funds between the time the old property is sold and the new property is purchased, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property within the required identification period. ITAC provides services as an exchange accommodation titleholder for accomplishing “parking transactions” as set forth in the safe harbor contained in Internal Revenue Procedure 2000-37.  These transactions include reverse exchanges when taxpayers decide to acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property, or “build to suit” exchanges, when improvements must be made to the replacement property before the taxpayer acquires the improved replacement property. The services provided by the Company’s exchange services division, ITEC and ITAC, are pursuant to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. From time to time, these laws are subject to review and changes, which may negatively affect the demand for tax-deferred exchanges in general, and consequently, the revenues and profitability of the Company’s exchange services division.

Investors Trust provides investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts.

ITMS offers various consulting and management services to provide clients with the technical expertise to start and successfully operate a title insurance agency.

None of these other lines of business is currently a reportable segment for which separate financial information is presented; instead, they are collectively included and reported in the category “All Other” in the segment information in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

CYCLICALITY AND SEASONALITY

Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Title insurance premiums are closely related to the level of real estate activity and the average price of real estate sales. The availability of funds to finance purchases directly affects real estate sales. Other factors include mortgage interest rates, consumer confidence, economic conditions, supply, demand and family income levels. The Company’s premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.

Historically, the title insurance business tends to be seasonal as well as cyclical. Because home sales are typically strongest in periods of favorable weather, the first calendar quarter tends to have the lowest activity levels, while the spring and summer quarters tend to be more active. Refinance activity is generally less seasonal, but is subject to interest rate fluctuations.

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MARKETING

The Company markets its title insurance services to a broad range of customers in the residential and commercial market sectors of the real estate industry. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory.

ITIC and NITIC strive to provide superior service to their customers and consider this an important factor in attracting and retaining customers. Branch and corporate personnel strive to develop new business and agency relationships to increase market share while ITIC’s Commercial Services Division focuses on services provided to commercial clients.

REGULATION

Any material change in the Company’s regulatory environment may have an adverse effect on its business.

Title Insurance

The Company is an insurance holding company and therefore, it is subject to regulation in the states in which its insurance subsidiaries do business. These regulations, among other things, require insurance holding companies to register and file certain reports, and require prior regulatory approval of the payment of extraordinary dividends and other intercompany distributions or transfers.

Title insurance companies are extensively regulated under applicable state laws. All states have requirements for admission to do business as an insurance company, including minimum levels of capital, surplus and reserves. State regulatory authorities monitor the stability and service of insurance companies and possess broad powers with respect to the licensing of title insurers and agents, approving rate schedules and policy forms, financial reporting and accounting practices, reserve requirements, investments and dividend restrictions, approving related party transactions, as well as examining and auditing title insurers. At December 31, 2020, both ITIC and NITIC met the statutory premium reserve requirements and the minimum capital and surplus requirements of the states where they are licensed. A substantial portion of the assets of the Company’s title insurance subsidiaries consists of their portfolios of investment securities. Both of these subsidiaries are required by various state laws to maintain assets of a defined minimum quality and amount.

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to examination at any time by the insurance regulators in the states where they are licensed as well as required periodic examinations. These and other governmental authorities have the power to enforce state and federal laws to which the title insurance subsidiaries are subject. These governmental authorities include, but are not limited to, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), which enforces the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”), the primary federal regulatory guidance governing the real estate settlement industry. The CFPB has the authority to identify and address, through regulation, unfair, deceptive and abusive practices in the mortgage industry and certain other settlement service industries.

In recent years, the CFPB, Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve have issued memorandums to banks that communicated those agencies’ heightened focus on vetting third-party providers. Such increased regulatory involvement may affect the Company's agents and approved providers. Further proposals to change regulations governing insurance holding companies and the title insurance industry are often introduced in Congress, in state legislatures and before various insurance regulatory agencies. Although the Company regularly monitors such proposals, the likelihood and timing of passage of any such regulation, and the possible effects of any such regulation on the Company and its subsidiaries, cannot be determined at this time.

Exchange Services, Investment Management and Trust Services, and Management Services

Investors Trust is regulated by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

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COMPETITION

The title insurance industry is highly competitive. The four largest title insurance companies typically maintain greater than 80% of the market for title insurance in the United States, with smaller regional companies holding the balance of the market. The number and size of competing companies varies in the respective geographic areas in which the Company conducts business. Key competitive factors in the title insurance industry are the financial strength and size of the insurer, timeliness and quality of service, price and expertise in certain transactions. Title insurance underwriters also compete for agents based upon service and commission levels. Some title insurers currently have greater financial resources, larger distribution networks and more extensive computerized databases of property records and related information than the Company. In addition, there are numerous industry-related regulations and statutes that set out conditions and requirements to conduct business. Changes to or the removal of such regulations and statutes could result in additional competition from alternative title insurance products or new entrants into the industry that could materially affect the Company’s business operations and financial condition.

CUSTOMER AND LENDER CONCENTRATION

The Company is not dependent upon any single title insurance customer or a few customers, and the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Lending institutions benefit from title insurance policies that are purchased by borrowers on the lending institutions’ behalf as a condition to the making of loans. Refusal by major market lenders to accept our product offerings could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Company and its subsidiaries derive a substantial portion of their income from investments in municipal government securities and investment grade corporate fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company’s fixed maturity securities are classified as available for sale and carried at estimated fair value. Equity securities are also carried at estimated fair value. The Company’s investment policy is designed to maintain a high quality portfolio and maximize income. Some state laws impose restrictions upon the types and amounts of investments that can be made by the Company’s insurance subsidiaries. The Company’s investment portfolio is managed internally and via a wholly owned subsidiary. The securities in the Company’s portfolio are subject to economic conditions and normal market risks. Equity securities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of investments in various industry groups. The Company’s investment portfolio did not include any significant investments in banks, trust or insurance companies at December 31, 2020 or 2019. Short-term investments, which consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, commercial paper, money market instruments and certificates of deposit which have an original maturity of one year or less, are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short duration to maturity. In addition, at December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company held investments that are accounted for using the equity method and measurement alternative method (refer to Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

Refer to Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the major categories of investments, scheduled maturities, fair values of investment securities and earnings by category.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The title insurance policies ITIC and NITIC currently issue exclude any liability for environmental risks and contamination unless a notice of violation relating to an environmental protection law, ordinance or regulation is recorded prior to the date of such policy or the Company issues a specific policy endorsement providing coverage for environmental liens recorded prior to the date of such policy. The Company has not experienced, and does not anticipate that it or its subsidiaries will incur, any significant expenses related to environmental claims.

In connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property, ITAC may temporarily hold title to property pursuant to an accommodation titleholder agreement. In order for ITAC to enter into such arrangements, each person or entity for which title is being held must (a) execute an indemnification agreement under which it agrees to indemnify ITAC for any environmental or other claims which may arise as a result of the arrangement, and (b) provide due diligence materials regarding any known environmental issues, in the form of an environmental questionnaire and/or applicable environmental engineering studies, if indicated for review by ITAC, as applicable.

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EMPLOYEES AND HUMAN CAPITAL

The Company and its subsidiaries had 396 full-time employees and 60 part-time employees as of December 31, 2020. None of the employees are covered by any collective bargaining agreements. Management considers its relationship with its employees to be favorable.

Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel and key talent is important to the Company’s success. The Company’s business results depend in part on its ability to successfully manage its human capital resources. Factors that may affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees include employee morale, competition from other employers and availability of qualified individuals.

Compensation and Benefits

The Company strives to provide robust compensation and benefits to its employees. In addition to competitive salaries, compensation and benefit programs include annual bonuses, a generous 401(k) plan, employer paid healthcare, life insurance, long and short term disability benefits, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and paid time off. The Company’s ability to attract and retain key personnel who are necessary to the operation of the business is critical to its success.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The health and wellness of the Company’s employees is also critical to its success. In an effort to keep the Company’s employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has implemented a number of new health-related measures, including protocols governing social distancing and the use of face masks while on company property, a flexible policy for working from home, cleaning procedures at the Company’s corporate headquarters, and limitations on in-person meeting and other gatherings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The Company’s internet address is www.invtitle.com. The contents of the Company’s website, including the “Investor Relations” section, are not and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other SEC filing. The Company makes available free of charge through its internet website its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC, and also makes available the Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 of its insiders no later than the end of the business day following such filings. The information is free of charge and may be reviewed and downloaded from the website at any time. The “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website also includes its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees of its Board of Directors.

Executive Officers of the Company

Following is information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of February 21, 2021. Each officer is appointed at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors to serve until the next annual meeting of the Board or until his or her respective successor has been elected and qualified.
Name Age Position with Registrant
J. Allen Fine 86 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
James A. Fine, Jr. 58 President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Director
W. Morris Fine 54 Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director

J. Allen Fine has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company since its incorporation in 1973. He also served as President of the Company until May 1997. He is the father of James A. Fine, Jr. and W. Morris Fine.

James A. Fine, Jr. was named Vice President of the Company in 1987. In 1997, he was named President and Treasurer and appointed as a Director of the Company. In 2002, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. He is the son of J. Allen Fine and the brother of W. Morris Fine.

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W. Morris Fine was named Vice President of the Company in 1992. In 1993, he was named Treasurer of the Company and served in that capacity until 1997. In 1997, he was named Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company. In 1999, he was appointed as a Director of the Company. He is the son of J. Allen Fine and the brother of James A. Fine, Jr.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The risk factors listed in this section and other factors noted herein could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements or could result in a significant or material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 AND OTHER POTENTIAL PANDEMICS, HEALTH CRISES OR OTHER CATASTROPHIC EVENTS

Our business could be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or the occurrence of another catastrophic event.

The U.S. and other countries continue to experience an outbreak of COVID-19. This contagious disease outbreak has continued to spread globally and has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders, and shutdowns. These measures have impacted and may continue to impact the Company’s workforce and operations. The spread of COVID-19 has caused the Company to modify its business practices (including employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences), and the Company may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that the Company believes is in the best interests of its employees. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company's future operations will depend on uncertain developments, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, actions taken to contain the spread of the virus, regulatory actions taken as a result of the outbreak and any deterioration in economic conditions. This situation is continually changing, and additional impacts may arise that the Company is not aware of currently. It is not currently possible to predict the extent that COVID-19 will impact the Company's financial position or results of operation, although it is possible that it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.

Any other catastrophic events, such as future pandemic diseases, natural disasters and terrorist attacks, could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. The Company’s business operations could be impacted, including availability of key Company personnel and disruptions to the real estate environment, financial markets or the Company's information technology systems.

RISKS RELATED TO THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS

Adverse changes in economic conditions, especially those related to real estate activity, may negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The demand for the Company’s title insurance and other real estate transaction products and services varies from year to year and is dependent upon, among other factors, the volume of residential and commercial real estate transactions and mortgage financing transactions. The volume of these transactions has historically been influenced by factors such as the overall state of the economy, the average price level of real estate sales, housing inventory, and the availability and pricing of mortgage financing. Real estate activity generally decreases when the economy is weak or uncertain, home prices are increasing, housing inventory is limited, the availability of mortgage credit is limited, or mortgage interest rates are increasing. The cyclical nature of the Company’s business has caused volatility in revenue and profitability in the past and could do so in the future.

Demand for title insurance also depends in part upon the requirement by mortgage lenders and other participants in the secondary mortgage market that title insurance policies be obtained on residential and commercial real property.

The Company may experience material losses resulting from fraud, defalcation or misconduct.

Underwriting agents and approved settlement providers, which can include issuing agents and approved attorneys, perform a significant portion of the work necessary to issue the Company’s title insurance policies. These agents and providers operate with a substantial degree of independence from the Company, subject to certain contractual limitations and reinsurance agreements. As a result, the Company’s use of title agents and approved providers could result in claims on the Company’s policies and other expenses due to fraud and negligence. Fraud, defalcation, errors and other misconduct by the Company’s agents, approved attorneys and employees are risks inherent in the Company’s business. Agents and approved attorneys typically handle large sums of money in trust pursuant to the closing of real estate transactions. Misappropriation of funds by any of these parties could result in title claims, some of which could be large and have a material negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

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The Company relies upon the North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina markets for a significant portion of its premiums. Changes in the economic or regulatory environments in these states could have an adverse impact on the Company.

North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina are the largest sources of premium revenue for the Company’s title insurance subsidiaries. In 2020, these states represented 36.8%, 18.6%, 11.4% and 9.1% of total premiums written by the Company, respectively. A decrease in the level of real estate activity in these states, whether driven by weak economic conditions, changes in regulatory environments or other factors that influence demand, could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results.

Adverse deviation of actual claims experience from expected claims experience will result in lower net earnings.

The Company’s net income is affected by the extent to which its actual claims experience differs from the assumptions used in establishing the reserve for claims. The reserve for claims is established based on actuarial estimates of future payments for reported claims, as well as claims which have been incurred but not yet reported. In addition, management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims and other relevant factors in determining loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims.

Due to the nature of the underlying risks and the high degree of uncertainty associated with the estimation of the reserve for claims, the Company cannot determine precisely the amounts which it will ultimately pay to settle its claims. Factors contributing to the complexity in establishing reserves can include varying loss potentials, timing, unfavorable market or economic conditions and the legal environment. The timing of claims is difficult to estimate as payments may not occur until well into the future. Higher levels of defaults and foreclosures upon insured properties are more prevalent in times of unfavorable economic conditions and can lead to an increase in title insurance claims. The Company may also incur higher than normal claim payment experience or large losses. To the extent that actual claims experience is greater than estimated, the Company could be required to increase the reserve.

Competition affects the Company’s results of operations.

The title insurance industry is highly competitive with only a few insurers comprising a large percentage of the market. Key competitive factors are quality of service, price within regulatory parameters, expertise, timeliness and the financial strength and size of the insurer. Title insurance underwriters compete for premiums by choosing various distribution channels which may include company-owned operations, independent agents and agency relationships with real estate attorneys, subsidiaries of community and regional lending institutions, realtors, builders and other settlement service providers. Title insurance underwriters compete for agents on the basis of service, technology and commission levels. Some title insurers currently have greater financial resources, larger distribution networks and more extensive computerized databases of property records and information than the Company. The number and size of competing companies varies in the different geographic areas in which the Company operates, and any reductions to current regulatory barriers within any of the different geographic areas could increase the number of competitors entering into the title insurance market. Competition among the major providers of title insurance or the acceptance of alternative products to traditional title products by the regulatory authorities and the marketplace could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.

The Company may encounter difficulties managing growth, which could adversely affect its operating results.

The Company’s future growth plans involve expansion into new geographic locations and further penetration into established markets through new or existing agents, or through acquisitions. Such growth may subject the Company to associated risks, such as diverting management’s attention, incurring unanticipated liabilities from an acquired business, difficulty integrating an acquired entity, or retaining its employees or customers and realization of synergies. The occurrence of any of these risks may deprive the Company of some or all of the anticipated value of an acquisition or other growth initiatives, resulting in lower returns on investments and result in a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations. These risks could be particularly significant if the Company incurs significant costs in pursuing an acquisition or other initiatives.

The Company depends on its ability to attract and retain key personnel and agents, and its inability to do so could adversely affect its business.

Competition for skilled and experienced personnel in the Company’s industry is high, and the success of the Company is substantially dependent on its ability to attract and retain such personnel. The Company may have difficulty hiring and retaining the necessary marketing and management personnel to support future growth plans. Also, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected if it is unsuccessful in attracting and retaining new agents.

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Mortgage lending is highly concentrated and changes in relationships with lenders or reform of government-sponsored entities could adversely affect the Company.

Refusal by major market lenders to accept our product offerings could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Furthermore, government-sponsored entities, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), often require the purchase of title insurance for home loans they securitize. The federal government has had discussions about the possible reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Changes to these entities could impact the entire mortgage loan process and as a result, could impact the demand for title insurance. The timing and results of reform are currently unknown; however, changes to these entities could adversely impact the Company and its results of operations.

Unfavorable economic or other conditions could cause the Company to record impairment charges for all or a portion of its goodwill and other intangible assets.

As a result of acquisition activity, the Company has goodwill and other intangible assets that comprise approximately 3.5% of total assets as of December 31, 2020. Quarterly, the Company performs an impairment analysis that reviews changes in events or circumstances that could lead to the carrying value not being recoverable. Economic downturns or poor performance of the acquisitions could result in the Company recognizing an impairment of a portion or all of the goodwill and intangible assets on the Company’s books and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO REGULATORY AND COMPLIANCE MATTERS

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to complex government regulations. Changes in regulations may have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulations that are intended to protect policyholders and consumers.

The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations by the CFPB, created by the Dodd-Frank Act. The CFPB has extensive regulatory and enforcement authority over real estate and mortgage markets, including RESPA, the primary federal regulatory guidance governing the real estate settlement industry. The manner and extent to which the CFPB will implement new regulations is not fully known; however, any new regulations implemented could result in changes to internal processes, including changes to systems and forms.

In addition to federal regulation, title insurance subsidiaries are subject to state regulations. The nature and extent of state regulations, which vary from state to state, typically involve, among other matters, licensing and renewal requirements and trade and marketing practices, including, but not limited to the following:
• licensing of insurers and agents;
• capital and surplus requirements;
• approval, regulation or establishment of premium rates for insurance;
• limitations on types and amounts of investments;
• limitations on the size of risks that may be insured by a single company;
• filing of annual and other reports with respect to financial condition;
• the amount of dividends and other payments made by insurance subsidiaries;
• establishing reserves;
• accounting and financing practices;
• deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders;
• trade and marketing practices;
• regulation of reinsurance;
• approval of policy forms; and
• use of personal information, including cybersecurity regulations.

Insurance holding companies are subject to periodic examinations and the regulation of acquisitions, intercompany transactions and changes in control, among other regulations, by state regulators.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to certain federal regulations established by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency, the Federal Reserve and various other governmental agencies.
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The Company’s other businesses also operate within state and federal guidelines. Any changes in the regulatory environment could restrict its existing or future operations and could possibly make it more burdensome and costly to conduct them.

New regulations, or differing interpretations of existing laws, could change business processes, products and services and have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

A downgrade from a rating agency could result in a loss of underwriting business.

The competitive positions of title insurance companies rely partly on ratings published by independent rating services. Government-sponsored entities and lending institutions utilize these ratings, among other items, to evaluate a title insurer’s strength and stability. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are currently rated by A.M. Best Company and Demotech, Inc. The ratings issued by independent rating agencies are not credit ratings, but represent the opinion of the individual rating agency regarding the title insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance, and ability to meet policyholder obligations. These insurer ratings are subject to periodic review and there can be no assurance that the Company’s insurance subsidiaries will maintain their current respective ratings. A significant downgrade in the ratings of either of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries could negatively impact the ability to compete for new business, retain existing business and maintain the necessary licenses to operate as title insurance companies in various states.

Title insurance rate regulation could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Rates for title insurance vary by state and are subject to extensive regulation. Statutes generally provide that rates must not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The process of implementing a rate change in most states involves pre-approval by the applicable state insurance regulator. This regulation could impact the Company’s ability to adjust prices in the face of rapidly changing market conditions, which could adversely affect results of operations.

Regulatory investigations of the title insurance industry by governmental entities could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations.

The title insurance industry is subject to scrutiny by both federal and state regulators focusing on violations of state insurance codes, RESPA and similar state and federal laws, among others. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries occasionally receive inquiries from regulators involving market conduct. Future inquiries could lead to fines for violations, settlements with regulating authorities that could result in fines or requirements to pay claims, and the potential for further regulation. The results of future inquiries could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The Company relies on distributions from its insurance subsidiaries.

The Company is an insurance holding company and it has no substantial operations of its own. Its principal assets are investments in its operating subsidiaries, primarily its insurance subsidiaries. The Company’s ability to pay dividends and meet its obligations is dependent, among other factors, on the ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or repay intercompany loans. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to regulations that limit the amount of dividends, loans or advances they may make to the Company. The restriction on these amounts is based on the amount of the insurance subsidiaries’ unassigned surplus and net income, with certain adjustments. Additionally, these subsidiaries are required to maintain minimum amounts of capital, surplus and reserves. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $104.1 million of consolidated shareholders’ equity represented the net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that cannot be transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the Company. In general, dividends in excess of prescribed limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require prior approval by the appropriate regulatory body. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends may be constrained by business considerations, such as the impact of dividends on insurer ratings or competitive position. These dividend restrictions could limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders or fund growth opportunities.
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RISKS RELATED TO INVESTMENTS AND DEPOSITS

Deterioration in financial markets may cause a decline in the performance of the Company’s investments and could have a material adverse impact on net income.

The Company derives a substantial portion of its income from its investment portfolio that primarily includes fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company’s investment policy is designed to comply with regulatory requirements and to balance the competing objectives of asset quality and investment returns. The Company’s investment portfolio is subject to risk from changes in general economic conditions, prices of marketable fixed maturity securities and equity securities, interest rates, liquidity, credit markets, and other external factors. The risk of loss is increased during periods of economic uncertainty and tight credit markets as these factors could limit the ability of some issuers to repay their debt obligations.

Fixed maturity securities and equity securities are carried at estimated fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. If the carrying value of the Company’s fixed maturity securities exceeds the estimated fair value, and the decline in estimated fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the Company will be required to write down the value of its investments. Unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments, without regard as to whether a decline in value is deemed to be temporary or other-than-temporary. Changes in the estimated fair value of securities in the Company’s investment portfolio could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Financial institution failures could adversely affect the Company.

The Company has substantial deposits with financial institutions, including fiduciary deposits that are owned by third parties. There is no guarantee the Company, whether through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or otherwise, would recover the funds it has deposited should one or more of the financial institutions at which the Company maintains deposits fail.

RISKS RELATED TO CYBERSECURITY, TECHNOLOGY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Breaches and failures of, and other disruptions to, the Company’s information technology systems may disrupt the Company’s operations, result in monetary losses and harm the Company’s reputation.

The Company relies on information technology (“IT”) systems for a wide range of activities involved in the delivery of its products and services, including, but not limited to the following:
• process title insurance applications and policy issuances;
• perform due diligence on land titles;
• manage substantial cash, investment assets, bank deposits, trust assets and escrow account balances on behalf of the Company and its customers;
• manage billing, collections and payables, including insurance premiums and agent commissions;
• manage accounting and financial reporting; and
• manage payroll and human resources information.

The Company’s IT systems may be disrupted or fail, and information stolen or otherwise misappropriated, for a number of reasons, including:
• hacking, computer viruses, malware, ransomware or other cyberattacks;
• software “bugs”, hardware defects or human error;
• natural disasters, like fires, or pandemics; or
• power loss.

Any of these events could disrupt operations both internally and externally, which may result in the loss of revenues. These events could also result in the unauthorized release of proprietary and/or non-public information, or even defalcation of corporate or client funds.

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Like all companies, the Company’s IT systems have been, and likely will continue to be the target of computer viruses, cyberattacks, phishing attacks and other malicious activity. To date, the Company has not experienced a known material breach; however, the occurrence or scope of such events is not always immediately apparent. The Company invests resources in maintaining the security of its systems and adapting to evolving security threats. There is, however, no guarantee that its security measures will be adequate to prevent all cyberattacks. There is similarly no guarantee that the Company’s backup systems or disaster recovery procedures will be adequate to mitigate losses due to IT system disruptions in a timely fashion, and the Company may incur significant expense in correcting IT system emergencies. The Company’s reputation may also be damaged in the event of a serious IT breach or failure. Furthermore, as technology develops, and as cybercriminals become more capable, the difficulty and expense of maintaining IT security and redundancy may increase.

To the extent the Company’s IT systems store non-public personal information, and information about its employees, security breaches may expose the Company to other serious liabilities and reputational harm if such data is misappropriated. Non-public personal information may include, but is not limited to, names, addresses, social security numbers, and banking information.

Furthermore, the Company is required by law and by certain contracts, particularly contracts with financial institutions, to notify various parties, consumers and customers in the event that confidential or personal information may have been or was accessed by unauthorized third parties. Such an event could potentially result in a breach of contract, and any required notifications could result in, among other things, the loss of customers, negative publicity, distraction of management, fines, lawsuits for breach of contract, regulatory inquiries or involvement and a decline in sales.

The Company seeks to mitigate the financial risk associated with unauthorized disclosure of non-public information by maintaining cyber liability insurance coverage. As cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated, the costs to insure against cyberattacks may rise.

The Company may encounter difficulties managing system or technological changes, which could adversely affect its financial and operating results.

Technological changes in the title insurance industry are driven primarily by evolution in technology, competitive factors and regulatory changes. These changes have resulted in faster information delivery and efficient, highly automated production processes. The inability of the Company to manage, develop or successfully implement new systems or technological changes could negatively impact profitability.

Policies and procedures for the mitigation of risk may not be sufficient.

The Company has policies and procedures in place to help identify, analyze, and measure the risks associated with the issuance of title insurance policies, investment risks, interest rate risks and legal risks, among others. In evaluating risks, the Company considers enterprise risk management, information technology risk management, disaster recovery, business continuity, and vendor risk management. Because a significant degree of judgment is involved with the establishment of policies and processes as well as the measurement of risks, it is possible not all risks have been identified or anticipated. Misidentified or unanticipated risks could adversely impact the Company and its results of operations.

RISKS RELATED TO OWNING THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK

Certain provisions in the Company’s organizational law, North Carolina law, organizational documents, and the Company’s shareholder rights plan may deter or discourage a takeover of the Company.

The Company’s articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that could delay, prevent or discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control, including transactions that may involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices to the Company’s common shareholders. In addition, the Company has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Plan”). The provisions in the Company’s organizational documents and the rights set forth in the Plan are not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company, and the Company believes these protective measures are beneficial to the Company and its shareholders in the event of negotiations with a potential acquirer. These provisions are described in further detail in “Description of the Company’s Securities” incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns two adjacent office buildings and property located on the corner of North Columbia and West Rosemary streets in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which serve as the Company’s corporate headquarters. The main building contains approximately 23,000 square feet and has on-site parking facilities. The Company’s subsidiaries, principally ITIC and NITIC, lease office space throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan and Nebraska. The Company believes that each of the office facilities occupied by the Company and its subsidiaries are in good condition, adequately insured and sufficient for its present operations.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to their business. In the Company’s opinion, based on the present status of these proceedings, any potential liability of the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to these legal proceedings, will not, in the aggregate, be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or operations. Additional information about the Company’s legal proceedings is included in Note 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Common Stock Data and Dividends

The common stock of the Company is traded under the symbol “ITIC” on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. The number of record holders of common stock at December 31, 2020 was 229. The number of record holders is based upon the actual number of holders registered on the books of the Company at such date and does not include holders of shares in “street name” or persons, partnerships, associations, corporations or other entities identified in security position listings maintained by securities depositories.

The Company’s current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company’s future earnings, financial condition and capital requirements. The Company’s ability to pay dividends is also subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by its insurance subsidiaries as described in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table provides information about purchases by the Company (and all affiliated purchasers) during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

Average Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan 		Additional Shares Approved for Repurchase Under the Plan Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plan *
Beginning of period 428,186 
October 1 through
October 31, 2020 		—  $ —  —  —  428,186 
November 1 through
November 30, 2020 		25  173.44  25  —  428,161 
December 1 through
December 31, 2020 		—  —  —  —  428,161 
Total 25  $ 173.44  25  —  428,161 

*For the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Company purchased 25 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $173.44 pursuant to the Company’s ongoing purchase program that was initially announced on June 5, 2000. On November 9, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the purchase of an additional 163,335 shares pursuant to the Company’s repurchase plan, such that there was authority remaining under the plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the plan immediately after this approval. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company purchased a total of 25 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average per share price of $173.44 under the Company’s repurchase plan. As of December 31, 2020, there was authority remaining under the plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 428,161 shares of the Company’s common stock. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Directors, the plan will expire when all shares authorized for purchase under the plan (as such number may be amended by the Board from time to time) have been purchased. The Company anticipates making further purchases under this plan from time to time in the future, depending on such factors as the prevailing market price of the Company’s common stock, the Company’s available cash and then existing alternative uses for such cash.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Item not required for smaller reporting companies.

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes in this report. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary. See the sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled “Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A that could affect forward-looking statements.

Overview

Investors Title Company (the “Company”) is a holding company that engages primarily in issuing title insurance through two subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”). Total revenues from the title segment accounted for 95.8% of the Company’s revenues in 2020. Through ITIC and NITIC, the Company underwrites land title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer.

Title insurance protects against loss or damage resulting from title defects that affect real property. When real property is conveyed from one party to another, occasionally there is an undisclosed defect in the title or a mistake or omission in a prior deed, will or mortgage that may give a third party a legal claim against such property. If a covered claim is made against real property, title insurance provides indemnification against insured defects.

There are two basic types of title insurance policies – one for the mortgage lender and one for the real property owner. A lender often requires the property owner to purchase a lender’s title insurance policy to protect its position as a holder of a mortgage loan, but the lender’s title insurance policy does not protect the property owner. The property owner has to purchase a separate owner’s title insurance policy to protect its investment.

The Company issues title insurance policies through its home and branch offices and through a network of agents. Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys, independent agents or subsidiaries of community and regional mortgage lending institutions, depending on local customs and regulations and the Company’s marketing strategy in a particular territory. The ability to attract and retain issuing agents is a key determinant of the Company’s growth in title insurance premiums written.

Revenues for the title insurance segment primarily result from purchases of new and existing residential and commercial real estate, refinance activity and certain other types of mortgage lending such as home equity lines of credit.

Title insurance premiums vary from state to state and are subject to extensive regulation. Statutes generally provide that rates must not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. The process of implementing a rate change in most states involves pre-approval by the applicable state insurance regulator.

Volume is a factor in the Company’s profitability due to fixed operating costs that are incurred by the Company regardless of title insurance premium volume. The resulting operating leverage tends to amplify the impact of changes in volume on the Company’s profitability. The Company’s profitability also depends, in part, upon its ability to manage its investment portfolio to maximize investment returns and to minimize risks such as interest rate changes, defaults and impairments of assets.

The Company’s volume of title insurance premiums is affected by the overall level of residential and commercial real estate activity, which includes property sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing. Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Real estate activity is affected by a number of factors, including the availability of mortgage credit, the cost of real estate, consumer confidence, employment and family income levels, and general United States economic conditions. Interest rate volatility is also an important factor in the level of residential and commercial real estate activity.

The Company’s title insurance premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.

Services other than title insurance provided by operating divisions of the Company are not reported separately, but rather are reported collectively in a category called “All Other”.  These other services include those offered by the Company and by its wholly owned subsidiaries, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”), Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”), Investors Trust Company (“Investors Trust”) and Investors Title Management Services, Inc. (“ITMS”).

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The Company’s exchange services division, consisting of the operations of ITEC and ITAC, provides customer services in connection with tax-deferred real property exchanges. ITEC acts as a qualified intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of real property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, and its income is derived from fees for handling exchange transactions and interest earned on client deposits held by the Company. In its role as qualified intermediary, ITEC coordinates the exchange aspects of the real estate transaction, and its duties include drafting standard exchange documents, holding the exchange funds between the time the old property is sold and the new property is purchased, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property within the required identification period. ITAC provides services as an exchange accommodation titleholder for accomplishing “parking transactions” as set forth in the safe harbor contained in Internal Revenue Procedure 2000-37.  These transactions include reverse exchanges when taxpayers decide to acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property, or “build to suit” exchanges, when improvements must be made to the replacement property before the taxpayer acquires the improved replacement property. The services provided by the Company’s exchange services division, ITEC and ITAC, are pursuant to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code. From time to time, these laws are subject to review and changes, which may negatively affect the demand for tax-deferred exchanges in general, and consequently, the revenues and profitability of the Company’s exchange services division.

The Company’s trust services division, Investors Trust, provides investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts. 

ITMS offers various consulting and management services to provide clients with the technical expertise to start and successfully operate a title insurance agency.

Business Trends and Recent Conditions; COVID-19 Pandemic

    The housing market is heavily influenced by government policies and overall economic conditions. Regulatory reform and initiatives by various governmental agencies, including the Federal Reserve's monetary policy and other regulatory changes, could impact lending standards or the processes and procedures used by the Company. The current real estate environment, including interest rates and general economic activity, typically influence the demand for real estate. Changes in either of these areas would likely impact the Company's results of operations.

The U.S. and other countries continue to experience the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This contagious disease outbreak has continued to spread across the globe, including in U.S. states where the Company conducts business, and is impacting worldwide economic activity and financial markets. In response, the U.S. government and its agencies have taken a number of significant measures to provide fiscal and monetary stimulus. Such actions include an unscheduled cut to the federal funds rate, the introduction of new programs to preserve market liquidity, extended unemployment and sick leave benefits, mortgage loan forbearance actions, low-interest loans for working capital access and payroll assistance, and other relief measures for both workers and businesses. The Company is fully operational and did not have any reductions in workforce during 2020. A large portion of the Company's workforce is performing their job functions remotely.  The Company has not taken stimulus relief funding or incurred any other forms of debt.

The primary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s first quarter results of operations was a reduction in value of the investment portfolio. In the last three quarters and the full-year 2020, the Company recognized income from changes in the estimated fair value of equity securities as the Company's equity holdings rebounded. Purchase volume and refinance activity were strong in the third and fourth quarters, as lower average mortgage interest rates, a tight real estate supply and pent-up demand spurred real estate activity and prices. It is unclear if real estate activity will remain as resilient in future periods. It is possible that net premiums written could decline in the future due to the pandemic and the economic disruption it is causing. Because of the inherent uncertainty regarding the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy, as well as uncertainty regarding the effects of government measures already taken, and which may be taken or continued in the future, to combat the spread of the virus, and/or provide additional economic stimulus, the Company is currently unable to predict what the ultimate impact of the pandemic on its business will be.

Regulatory Environment

    The Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the Federal Reserve issues disclosures on a periodic basis that include projections of the federal funds rate and expected actions. In response to risk posed to economic activity by COVID-19, on March 15, 2020, the FOMC lowered the target range between 0.00% and 0.25%. The FOMC has maintained this target range, and expects to continue to do so until it is confident that the U.S. economy has weathered recent events and is on track to meet its goals. In normal economic situations, future adjustments to the rate are expected to be based on realized and expected economic developments to achieve maximum employment and inflation near the FOMC's symmetric long-term 2.0% objective.

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In 2008, the federal government took control of the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) in an effort to keep these government-sponsored entities from failing. The primary functions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are to provide liquidity to the nation's mortgage finance system by purchasing mortgages on the secondary market, pooling them and selling them as mortgage-backed securities. In order to securitize, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac typically require the purchase of title insurance for loans they acquire. Since the federal takeover, there have been various discussions and proposals regarding their reform. Changes to these entities could impact the entire mortgage loan process and, as a result, could affect the demand for title insurance. The timing and results of reform are currently unknown; however, any changes to these entities could affect the Company and its results of operations.

In recent years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”), Office of the Comptroller of Currency and the Federal Reserve have issued memorandums to banks that communicated those agencies’ heightened focus on vetting third-party providers. Such increased regulatory involvement may affect the Company's agents and approved providers. Further proposals to change regulations governing insurance holding companies and the title insurance industry are often introduced in Congress, in state legislatures and before various insurance regulatory agencies. Although the Company regularly monitors such proposals, the likelihood and timing of passage of any such regulation, and the possible effects of any such regulation on the Company and its subsidiaries, cannot be determined at this time.

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the structure of the CFPB is unconstitutional, but has allowed the work of the agency to continue. The timing and nature of any reforms are currently unknown, especially with the changes in the presidential administration and Congress in January 2021; however, any changes to the CFPB could affect the Company and its results of operations.

Real Estate Environment

The Mortgage Bankers Association's (“MBA”) January 20, 2021 Mortgage Finance Forecast (“MBA Forecast”) projects 2021 purchase activity to increase 10.5% to $1,574 billion and refinance activity to decrease 46.7% to $1,145 billion, resulting in a decrease in total mortgage originations of 23.9% to $2,719 billion, all from 2020 levels. In 2020, purchase activity accounted for 39.9% of all mortgage originations and is projected in the MBA Forecast to represent 57.9% of all mortgage originations in 2021. The MBA Forecast is projecting continued decreases in total mortgage originations for 2022 and 2023. Due to the rapidly changing environment brought on by COVID-19, these projections and the impact of actual future developments on the Company could be subject to material change.

    According to data published by Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates in the United States were 3.1% and 3.9% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Per the MBA Forecast, mortgage interest rates are projected to increase over the subsequent 3-year period, reaching 4.4% by 2023.    
    
Historically, activity in real estate markets has varied over the course of market cycles by geographic region and in response to evolving economic factors. Operating results can vary from year to year based on cyclical market conditions and do not necessarily indicate the Company's future operating results and cash flows.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

This discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Company’s management makes various estimates and judgments when applying policies affecting the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting policies of the Company are discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Following are the accounting estimates and policies considered critical to the Company.

Reserve for Claim Losses

The Company’s reserve for claims is established using estimates of amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). The total reserve for all losses incurred but unpaid as of December 31, 2020 is represented by the reserve for claims totaling $33.6 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheets included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”). Of that total, approximately $3.6 million was reserved for specific claims which have been reported to the Company, and approximately $30.0 million was reserved for IBNR claims.
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A provision for estimated future claims payments is recorded at the time the related policy revenue is recorded. The Company records the claims provision as a percentage of net premiums written. This loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies. By their nature, title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, vary in number due to economic and market conditions such as an increase in mortgage foreclosures, and involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. In addition, some claims may require a number of years to settle and determine the final liability for indemnity and loss adjustment expense. The payment experience may extend for more than 20 years after the issuance of a policy. Events such as fraud, defalcation and multiple property defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in estimates of losses. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, these estimates are subject to variability.

Management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors in determining its loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims. In establishing the reserve, actuarial projections are compared with recorded reserves to evaluate the adequacy of such recorded claims reserves and any necessary adjustments are then recorded in the current period’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. As the most recent claims experience develops and new information becomes available, the loss reserve estimate related to prior periods will change to more accurately reflect updated and improved emerging data. The Company reflects any adjustments to the reserve in the results of operations in the period in which new information (principally claims experience) becomes available.

The Company initially reserves for each known claim based upon an assessment of specific facts and updates the reserve amount as necessary over the course of administering each claim. Loss ratios for earlier years tend to be more reliable than recent policy years, as those years are more fully developed. In making loss estimates, management determines a loss provision rate, which it then applies to net premiums written.

The Company assumes the reported liability for known claims and IBNR, in the aggregate, will be comparable to its historical claims experience unless factors, such as loss experience and charged premium rates, change significantly. Also affecting the Company’s assumptions are large losses related to fraud and defalcation, as these can cause significant variances in loss emergence patterns. Management defines a large loss as one where incurred losses exceed $500,000. Due to the small volume of large claims, the long-tail nature of title insurance claims and the inherent uncertainty in loss emergence patterns, large claim activity can vary significantly between policy years. The estimated development of large claims by policy year is therefore, subject to significant changes as experience develops. The loss provision rate is set to provide for losses on current year policies and changes in prior year estimates.

Management also considers actuarial analyses in evaluating the claims reserve. The actuarial methods used to evaluate the reserve are loss development methods, Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods and Cape Cod methods, all of which are accepted actuarial methods for estimating ultimate losses and, therefore, loss reserves. In the loss development method, each policy year’s paid or incurred losses are projected to an ultimate level using loss development factors. In the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, a type of expected loss method, losses for each policy year are estimated based on an expected loss ratio derived directly from a previous estimate of ultimate loss for each policy year plus an additional provision for losses that have not been reported or paid as of the evaluation date. Bornhuetter-Ferguson methods produce more stable ultimate loss estimates than do loss development methods, which are more responsive to the current loss data but can lead to volatile results. The Cape Cod method, a special case of the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, blends the results of the loss development and expected loss methods. For more recent policy years, the Cape Cod methods give more weight to the results of the expected loss methods; for older policy years, more weight is given to the loss development method results.

The key actuarial assumptions are principally loss development factors and expected loss ratios. The selected loss development factors are based on a combination of the Company’s historical loss experience and title industry loss experience. Expected loss ratios are estimated for each policy year based on the Company’s own experience and title industry loss ratios. When updated data is incorporated into the actuarial models, the resulting loss development factors and expected loss ratios will likely change from the prior values. Changes in these values for historical policy years have generally been the result of actual Company and industry experience during the calendar years.
21



If one or more of the variables or assumptions used changed such that the Company’s recorded loss ratio, or loss provision as a percentage of net title premiums, increased or decreased three loss ratio percentage points, the impact on after-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2020 would be as follows:  
(in thousands)
Increase in loss ratio of three percentage points $ 4,868 
Decrease in loss ratio of three percentage points  $ (4,868)

Company management believes that using a sensitivity of three loss percentage points for the loss ratio provides a reasonable benchmark for analysis of the calendar year loss provision of the Company based on historical loss ratios by year.

Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that, based on historical claims experience and actuarial analysis, the Company’s reserve for claims is adequate to cover claim losses resulting from pending and future claims for policies issued through December 31, 2020. The ultimate settlement of claims will likely vary from the reserve estimates included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available. There are no known claims that are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or operating results.

Premiums Written and Commissions to Agents

Generally, title insurance premiums are recognized at the time of settlement of the related real estate transaction, as the earnings process is then considered complete, irrespective of the timing of the issuance of a title insurance policy or commitment. Expenses typically associated with premiums, including agent commissions, premium taxes, and a provision for future claims are recognized concurrent with recognition of related premium revenue.

Premium revenues from certain agency operations include accruals for transactions which have settled but have not been reported as of the balance sheet date. These accruals are based on estimates of the typical lag time between settlement of real estate transactions and the agent’s reporting of these transactions to the Company. Reporting lag times vary by market. In certain markets, the lag time may be very short, but in others, can be as high as 100 days. The Company reviews and adjusts lag time estimates periodically, using historical experience and other factors, and reflects any adjustments in the result of operations in the period in which new information becomes available.

Quarterly, the Company evaluates the collectability of receivables. Write-offs of receivables have not been material to the Company. 

Valuation and Impairment of Investments in Securities

Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities – Fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. Securities are regularly reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. In evaluating available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or requirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which estimated fair value is less than amortized cost, whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. If the Company intends to sell an available-for-sale security in an unrealized loss position, or determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, the security is impaired and it is written down to estimated fair value with all losses recognized in earnings. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for which the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the estimated fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the estimated fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings.

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Both the ACL and the adjustment to the Consolidated Statements of Operations may be reversed if conditions change. Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale fixed maturity security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Impairment reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities.

Investments in Equity Securities – Equity securities represent ownership interests held by the Company in entities for investment purposes.  Unrealized holding gains and losses are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments. Realized investment gains and losses from sales are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the Company’s investments in equity securities.

Other Investments – Other investments consist of investments in unconsolidated affiliated entities, typically structured as limited liability companies (“LLCs”), without readily determinable fair values. Other investments are accounted for under either the equity method or the measurement alternative method. The measurement alternative method is used when an investment does not qualify for the equity method or the practical expedient in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, which estimates fair value using the net asset value per share. Under the measurement alternative method, investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the estimated fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.

The fair values of the majority of the Company’s investments are based on quoted market prices from independent pricing services. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the Company’s valuation techniques.

Deferred Taxes

The Company recorded net deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019. The deferred tax liabilities recorded during both periods primarily relate to net unrealized gains on investments, the excess of tax over book depreciation, intangible assets, and the recorded reserve for claims, net of statutory premium reserves. Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company’s deferred taxes.

Cyclicality and Seasonality

Real estate activity, home sales and mortgage lending are cyclical in nature. Title insurance premiums are closely related to the level of real estate activity and the average price of real estate sales. Real estate activity is affected by a number of factors, including the availability of mortgage credit, the cost of real estate, consumer confidence, employment and family income levels, and general United States economic conditions.  Interest rate volatility is also an important factor in the level of residential and commercial real estate activity. The Company’s premiums in future periods are likely to fluctuate due to these and other factors which are beyond management’s control.

Historically, the title insurance business tends to be seasonal as well as cyclical. Because home sales are typically strongest in periods of favorable weather, the first calendar quarter tends to have the lowest activity levels, while the spring and summer seasons tend to be more active. Refinance activity is generally less seasonal, but is subject to interest rate fluctuations.

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Results of Operations

The following table presents certain Consolidated Statement of Operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
For the Years Ended December 31, (in thousands) 2020 2019
Revenues:
Net premiums written $ 205,418  $ 145,842 
Escrow and other title-related fees 8,321  7,474 
Non-title services 8,693  9,922 
Interest and dividends 4,393  4,752 
Other investment income 3,723  3,191 
Net realized investment gains 333  1,340 
Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments 4,904  10,303 
Other 623  678 
Total Revenues 236,408  183,502 
Operating Expenses:    
Commissions to agents 106,807  72,780 
Provision for claims 5,204  3,532 
Personnel expenses 51,929  46,058 
Office and technology expenses 9,951  9,254 
Other expenses 12,856  12,055 
Total Operating Expenses 186,747  143,679 
Income before Income Taxes 49,661  39,823 
Provision for Income Taxes 10,241  8,365 
Net Income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 

Insurance Revenues

Insurance revenues include net premiums written and escrow and other title-related income that includes escrow fees, commissions and settlement fees. Non-title services revenue, investment-related revenues and other revenues are discussed separately below. The following is a summary of the Company’s total revenue broken out between the title insurance segment and all other revenues with intersegment eliminations netted with each segment; therefore, the individual segment amounts will not agree to Note 12 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
(in thousands, except percentages) 2020 % 2019 %
Title Insurance $ 226,480  95.8  $ 170,374  92.8 
All Other 9,928  4.2  13,128  7.2 
Total $ 236,408  100.0  $ 183,502  100.0 

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Net Premiums Written

Net premiums written increased 40.8% in 2020 to $205.4 million, compared with $145.8 million in 2019. The increase in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily driven by increased refinance activity and strong purchase volume, as lower average mortgage interest rates continued to spur real estate activity.

Title insurance companies typically issue title insurance policies directly through home and branch offices or through title agencies. Following is a breakdown of premiums generated by branch and agency operations for the years ended December 31:
(in thousands, except percentages) 2020 % 2019 %
Home and Branch $ 53,204  25.9  $ 40,638  27.9 
Agency 152,214  74.1  105,204  72.1 
Total $ 205,418  100.0  $ 145,842  100.0 

Home and Branch Office Net Premiums: In the Company’s home and branch operations, the Company issues the insurance policy and retains the entire premium, as no commissions are paid in connection with these policies. Net premiums written from home and branch operations increased 30.9% in 2020 to $53.2 million, compared with $40.6 million in 2019. The increase in net premiums written from home and branch operations for 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily attributable to increased refinance activity and strong purchase volume, as lower average mortgage interest rates continued to spur real estate activity.

All of the Company’s home office operations and the majority of branch offices are located in North Carolina; as a result, the home and branch office net premiums written are primarily for North Carolina title insurance policies.

Agency Net Premiums: When a policy is written through a title agency, the premium is shared between the agency and the underwriter. Total premiums include an estimate of premiums for policies that have been issued by agents, but not reported to the Company as of the balance sheet date. To determine the estimated premiums, the Company uses historical experience, as well as other factors, to make certain assumptions about the average elapsed time between the policy effective date and the date the policies are reported. From time to time, the Company adjusts the inputs to the estimation process as agents report transactions and new information becomes available. In addition to estimating revenues, the Company also estimates and accrues agent commissions, claims provision, premium taxes, income taxes, and other expenses associated with the estimated revenues that have been accrued. The Company reflects any adjustments to the accruals in the results of operations in the period in which new information becomes available.

Agency net premiums written increased 44.7% in 2020 to $152.2 million, compared with $105.2 million in 2019. The increase in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily attributable to increased refinance activity and strong purchase volume, as lower average mortgage interest rates continued to spur real estate activity.

The following is a schedule of net premiums written in select states in which the Company’s two insurance subsidiaries, ITIC and NITIC, currently underwrite title insurance:
State (in thousands) 2020 2019
North Carolina $ 75,697  $ 57,132 
Texas 38,350  26,652 
Georgia 23,502  16,422 
South Carolina 18,752  13,796 
All Others 49,410  32,249 
   Premiums Written 205,711  146,251 
Reinsurance Assumed 3  2 
Reinsurance Ceded (296) (411)
   Net Premiums Written $ 205,418  $ 145,842 

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Escrow and Other Title-Related Fees

Escrow and other title-related fees consists primarily of commission income, escrow and other various fees associated with the issuance of a title insurance policy including settlement, examination and closing fees. In 2020, escrow and other title-related fee revenue increased 11.3% to $8.3 million, compared with $7.5 million in 2019, primarily due to an increase in fee income, partially offset by a decline in commission income.

Revenue from Non-Title Services

Revenue from non-title services includes trust services, agency management services and exchange services income. Non-title service revenues decreased 12.4% in 2020 to $8.7 million, compared with $9.9 million in 2019. The decrease in 2020, compared with 2019, primarily related to decreased exchange services income due to the impact of lower interest rates, partially offset by increased agency management and trust services income.

Investment Related Revenues

Investment related revenues include interest and dividends, other investment income, net realized investment gains and changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments.

Interest and Dividends

The Company derives a substantial portion of its income from investments in fixed maturity securities, which are primarily municipal and corporate fixed maturity securities, and equity securities. The Company’s investment policy is designed to comply with regulatory requirements and to balance the competing objectives of asset quality and investment returns. The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are required by statute to maintain minimum levels of investments in order to protect the interests of policyholders. Fixed maturity securities totaling approximately $7.2 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were deposited with the insurance departments of the states in which business is conducted.

The Company’s investment strategy emphasizes after-tax income and principal preservation. The Company’s investments are primarily in fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, equity securities. The average effective maturity of the majority of the fixed maturity securities is less than 10 years. The Company’s invested assets are managed to fund its obligations and evaluated to ensure long term stability of capital accounts.

As the Company generates cash from operations, it is invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy and corporate goals. The Company’s investment policy has been designed to balance multiple goals, including the assurance of a stable source of income from interest and dividends, the preservation of principal, and the provision of liquidity sufficient to meet insurance underwriting and other obligations as they become payable in the future. Securities purchased may include a combination of taxable or tax-exempt fixed maturity securities and equity securities. The Company also invests in short-term investments that include money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. The Company strives to maintain a high quality investment portfolio. Interest and investment income levels are primarily a function of general market performance, interest rates and the amount of cash available for investment.

Interest and dividends were $4.4 million in 2020, compared with $4.8 million in 2019. The decrease in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily due to lower interest rates on fixed maturity securities. Refer to Note 3 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for the major categories of investments, scheduled maturities, amortized costs, estimated fair values of investment securities and earnings by security category.

Other Investment Income

Other investment income consists primarily of income related to investments in unconsolidated affiliates, typically structured as LLCs, accounted for under either the equity method of accounting or the measurement alternative for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The measurement alternative method requires investments without readily determinable fair values to be recorded at cost, less impairments, and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair values of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.

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Other investment income was $3.7 million in 2020, compared with $3.2 million in 2019. Changes in other investment income are impacted by fluctuations in the carrying value of the underlying investment and or distributions received.

Net Realized Investment Gains

Dispositions of equity securities at a realized gain or loss reflect such factors as industry sector allocation decisions, ongoing assessments of issuers’ business prospects and tax planning considerations. Additionally, the amounts included in net realized investment gains are affected by assessments of securities’ valuation for other-than-temporary impairment. As a result of the interaction of these factors and considerations, the net realized investment gain or loss can vary significantly from period to period.

The net realized investment gains were $333 thousand for 2020, compared with $1.3 million for 2019. The net realized investment gains in 2020 included impairment charges of $482 thousand for certain fixed maturity securities the Company determined were other-than-temporarily impaired, offset by a net realized gain on the sales of investments and other assets of $815 thousand. There were no impairments recorded in 2019. Management believes unrealized losses on remaining fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2020 are temporary in nature.

The securities in the Company’s investment portfolio are subject to economic conditions and market risks. The Company considers relevant facts and circumstances in evaluating whether a credit or interest-related impairment of a fixed maturity security is other-than-temporary. Relevant facts and circumstances include the extent and length of time the fair value of an investment has been below cost.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties inherent in the process of monitoring impairments and determining if an impairment is other-than-temporary. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that the economic outlook will be worse than expected or have more of an impact on the issuer than anticipated; the risk that the Company’s assessment of an issuer’s ability to meet all of its contractual obligations will change based on changes in the characteristics of that issuer; the risk that information obtained by the Company or changes in other facts and circumstances leads management to change its intent to sell the fixed maturity security; and the risk that management is making decisions based on misstated information in the financial statements provided by issuers.

Changes in the Estimated Fair Value of Equity Security Investments

Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments were $4.9 million in 2020 and $10.3 million in 2019. Such fluctuations are the result of changes in general market conditions during the respective periods.

Other Revenues

Other revenues primarily include miscellaneous revenues, gains and losses on the disposal of fixed assets and state tax credit income. Other revenues were $623 thousand in 2020, compared with $678 thousand for 2019. The decrease in 2020, compared with 2019, primarily related to a decline in state tax credit income, partially offset by an increase in miscellaneous revenues.

Expenses

The Company's operating expenses consist primarily of commissions to agents, personnel expenses, office and technology expenses and the provision for claims. Operating expenses increased 30.0% in 2020, compared with 2019, primarily due to increases in commissions to agents, personnel expenses and the provision for claims.

Following is a summary of the Company’s operating expenses for 2020 and 2019. Intersegment eliminations have been netted; therefore, the individual segment amounts will not agree to Note 12 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
(in thousands, except percentages) 2020 % 2019 %
Title Insurance $ 177,784  95.2  $ 134,667  93.7 
All Other 8,963  4.8  9,012  6.3 
Total $ 186,747  100.0  $ 143,679  100.0 

The Company’s after-tax profit margin varies according to a number of factors, including the volume and type of real estate activity. On a combined basis, the after-tax profit margins were 16.7% and 17.1% in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in after-tax margin in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily related to increases in expenses from commissions to agents, personnel expenses and the provision for claims, partially offset by an increase in revenue from net premiums written. The Company continually strives to enhance its competitive strengths and market position, including ongoing initiatives to manage its operating expenses.

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Total Company

Personnel Expenses:  Personnel expenses include base salaries, benefits and payroll taxes, bonuses paid to employees and contract labor expenses. Personnel expenses were $51.9 million and $46.1 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Personnel expenses increased by approximately 12.7% in 2020, compared with 2019, primarily due to additions to staffing in support of strategic growth initiatives, additional staffing required to support volume increases, and increased levels of incentive compensation. On a consolidated basis, personnel expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 22.0% and 25.1% in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Office and Technology Expenses: Office and technology expenses primarily include facilities expenses, software and hardware expenses, depreciation expense, telecommunications expenses, and business insurance. Office and technology expenses were $10.0 million and $9.3 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in office and technology expenses in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily related to ongoing investments in software and technology related initiatives.

Other Expenses: Other expenses primarily include business development expenses, premium-related taxes and licensing, professional services, title and service fees, amortization of intangible assets and other general expenses. Other expenses were $12.9 million and $12.1 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily related to increases in premium-related taxes and licensing, title and service fees and professional services, partially offset by a decline in business development expenses.

Title Insurance

Commissions to Agents: Agent commissions represent the portion of premiums retained by agents pursuant to the terms of their respective agency contracts. In 2020, commissions to agents increased 46.8% to $106.8 million, compared with $72.8 million in 2019. Commission expense as a percentage of net premiums written by agents was 70.2% and 69.2% in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increases in commission expense, and commission expense as a percentage of net premiums written, when comparing 2020 with 2019, were primarily related to increased premiums written by agents and changes in geographic mix. Commission rates vary by market due to local practice, competition and state regulations.

Provision for Claims: The provision for claims as a percentage of net premiums written was 2.5% and 2.4% in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in the provision for claims in 2020, compared with 2019, was primarily due to additional underwriting risks caused by the increase in premiums written and a reduction in favorable loss development.

The increase in the loss provision rate in 2020, from the 2019 level, resulted in approximately $229 thousand more in reserves than would have been recorded at the lower 2019 level. Loss provision rates are subject to variability and are reviewed and adjusted as experience develops.

Title claims are typically reported and paid within the first several years of policy issuance. The provision for claims reflects actual payments of claims, net of recovery amounts, plus adjustments to the specific and incurred but not reported claims reserves, the latter of which are actuarially determined based on historical claims experience. Actual payments of claims, net of recoveries, were $3.0 million and $3.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Reserve for Claims: At December 31, 2020, the total reserve for claims was $33.6 million. Of that total, approximately $3.6 million was reserved for specific claims, and approximately $30.0 million was reserved for claims for which the Company had no notice. Because of the uncertainty of future claims, changes in economic conditions and the fact that many claims do not materialize for several years, reserve estimates are subject to variability.

Changes from prior periods in the expected liability for claims reflect the uncertainty of the claims environment, as well as the limited predictive power of historical data. The Company continually updates and refines its reserve estimates as current experience develops and credible data emerges. Such data includes payments on claims closed during the quarter, new details that emerge on open cases that cause claims adjusters to increase or decrease the case reserves, and the impact that these types of changes have on the Company’s total loss provision. Adjustments may be required as new information develops which often varies from past experience.

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Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $10.2 million and $8.4 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Income tax expense, including federal and state taxes, as a percentage of income before income taxes was 20.6% and 21.0% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective income tax rate for 2020 differs from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% primarily due to changes in tax-exempt income, as tax-exempt income lowers the effective tax rate.

The Company believes it is more likely than not that the tax benefits associated with recognized impairments and unrecognized losses recorded through December 31, 2020 will be realized. However, this judgment could be impacted by further market fluctuations. Information regarding the components of income tax expense and the items included in the reconciliation of the effective rate with the federal statutory rate can be found in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s current cash requirements primarily include general operating expenses (including the payment of title claims), income taxes, capital expenditures and dividends on its common stock. Cash flows from operations have historically been the primary source of financing for expanding operations, whether through organic growth or outside investments.

The Company evaluates nonorganic growth opportunities, such as mergers and acquisitions, from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Because of the episodic nature of these events, related incremental liquidity and capital resource needs can be difficult to predict.

The Company’s operating results and cash flows are heavily dependent on the real estate market. The Company’s business has certain fixed costs such as personnel; therefore, changes in the real estate market are monitored closely, and operating expenses such as staffing levels are managed and adjusted accordingly. The Company believes that its significant working capital position and management of operating expenses will aid its ability to manage cash resources through fluctuations in the real estate market.

The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company's future operations will depend on future developments which cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, actions taken to contain the spread of the virus, and regulatory actions taken as a result of the outbreak.  Currently, the Company is fully operational and has not had any reductions in workforce during 2020. A large portion of the Company's workforce is performing their job functions remotely.  The Company has not taken stimulus relief funding or incurred any other forms of debt.

Cash Flows: Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $34.1 million and $20.9 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash flows from operating activities increased in 2020, from 2019, primarily due to net income increasing before and after adjustments for non-cash items, such as changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments, and the timing of tax and payable disbursements. This was partially offset by changes in other assets and the timing of the collection of receivables.

Cash flows from non-operating activities have historically consisted of purchases and proceeds from investing activities, the issuance of dividends and repurchases of common stock. In 2020, the Company had more dividends paid and a net shift to investment purchases outpacing investment proceeds, compared with net investment proceeds outpacing investment purchases in 2019. In the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2019, the Company paid special cash dividends in the amounts of $15.00 and $8.00 per share, respectively, in addition to regular cash dividends. Total dividends paid per share were $16.76 and $9.60 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company maintains a high degree of liquidity within its investment portfolio in the form of cash, short-term investments, and other readily marketable securities. As of December 31, 2020, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $13.7 million, short-term investments of $15.2 million, available-for-sale fixed maturity securities of $117.7 million and equity securities of $64.9 million. The net effect of all activities on total cash and cash equivalents was a decrease of $12.2 million for 2020.

Capital Resources: The amount of capital resources the Company maintains is influenced by state regulation, the need to maintain superior financial ratings from third-party rating agencies and other marketing and operational considerations.

The Company's significant sources of funds are dividends and distributions from its subsidiaries, primarily its two title insurance subsidiaries. Cash is received from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends and as reimbursements for operating and other administrative expenses that it incurs. The reimbursements are executed within the guidelines of management agreements between the Company and its subsidiaries.

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The ability of the Company's title insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company is subject to state regulation from their respective states of domicile. Each state regulates the extent to which title underwriters can pay dividends or make distributions and requires prior regulatory approval of the payment of dividends and other intercompany transfers. The maximum dividend permitted by law is not necessarily indicative of an insurer’s actual ability to pay dividends. Depending on regulatory conditions, the Company may in the future need to retain cash in its title insurance subsidiaries in order to maintain their statutory capital position. As of December 31, 2020, both ITIC and NITIC met the minimum capital, surplus and reserve requirements for each state in which they are licensed.

As of December 31, 2020, approximately $104.1 million of the consolidated shareholders’ equity represented net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that are restricted by regulation from being transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the parent company without prior approval from the respective state insurance department. The Company believes, however, that amounts available for transfer from the insurance and other subsidiaries are adequate to meet the Company’s current operating needs.

During 2021, the maximum distributions the insurance subsidiaries can make to the Company without prior approval from applicable regulators total approximately $37.2 million.

While state regulations and the need to cover risks may set a minimum level for capital requirements, other factors necessitate maintaining capital resources in excess of the required minimum amounts. For instance, the Company’s capital resources help it maintain high ratings from insurance company rating agencies. Superior ratings strengthen the Company's ability to compete with larger, well known title insurers with national footprints.

A strong financial position provides the necessary flexibility to fund potential acquisition activity, to invest in the Company's core business, and to minimize the financial impact of potential adverse developments. Adverse developments that generally require additional capital include adverse financial results, changes in statutory accounting requirements by regulators, reserve charges, investment losses or costs incurred to adapt to a changing regulatory environment, including costs related to CFPB regulation of the real estate industry.

The Company bases its capitalization levels in part on net coverage retained. Since the Company's geographical focus has been and continues to be concentrated in states with average premium rates typically lower than the national average, capitalization relative to premiums will usually appear higher than industry averages.

Due to the Company’s historical ability to consistently generate positive cash flows from its consolidated operations and investment income, management believes that funds generated from operations will enable the Company to adequately meet its current operating needs for the foreseeable future. However, especially with the onset and continued spread of COVID-19, there can be no assurance that future experience will be similar to historical experience, since it is influenced by such factors as the interest rate environment, real estate activity, the Company’s claims-paying ability and its financial strength ratings. In addition to operational and investment considerations, taking advantage of opportunistic external growth opportunities may necessitate obtaining additional capital resources. The Company is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation and any other trends that are likely to result in material adverse liquidity changes, and will continually assess its capital allocation strategy, including decisions relating to payment of dividends, repurchasing the Company’s stock and/or conserving cash.

Purchase of Company Stock: On November 9, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the purchase of an additional 163,335 shares pursuant to the Company’s repurchase plan, such that there was authority remaining under the plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the plan immediately after this approval. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Directors, the plan will expire when all shares authorized for purchase under the plan have been purchased. Pursuant to the Company’s ongoing purchase program, the Company purchased 25 shares in 2020 and 109 shares in 2019, at average per share prices of $173.44 and $165.08, respectively. The Company anticipates making further purchases under this plan from time to time in the future, depending on such factors as the prevailing market price of the Company’s common stock, the Company’s available cash and then existing alternative uses for such cash.

Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures were approximately $3.2 million and $1.5 million during 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company has plans for various capital improvement projects, including increased investment in a number of technology and system development initiatives and hardware purchases which are anticipated to be funded via cash flows from operations. All material anticipated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and revision and may vary depending on a number of factors.

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Contractual Obligations: As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a claims reserve totaling $33.6 million. The amounts and timing of these obligations are estimated and not set contractually. Events such as fraud, defalcation, and multiple property title defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in both the amount and timing of estimated title insurance loss payments and loss cost trends whereby increases or decreases in inflationary factors (including the value of real estate) will influence the ultimate amount of title insurance loss payments and could increase total obligations and influence claim payout patterns. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, claim estimates are subject to variability and future payments could increase or decrease from these estimated amounts in the future.

ITIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into employment agreements with certain executive officers. The amounts accrued for these agreements at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $12.5 million and $12.2 million, respectively, which includes postretirement compensation and health benefits, and was calculated based on the terms of the contracts. These executive contracts are accounted for on an individual contract basis. As payments are based upon the occurrence of specific events, including death, disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control, payment periods are currently uncertain. Information regarding retirement agreements and other postretirement benefit plans can be found in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company enters into lease agreements that are primarily used for office space. These leases are accounted for as operating leases. A portion of the Company's current leases include an option to extend or cancel the lease term, and the exercise of such an option is solely at the Company's discretion. The total of undiscounted future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020 is $2.8 million, which includes lease payments related to options to extend or cancel the lease term if the Company determined at the date of adoption that the lease was expected to be renewed or extended. Information leases can be found in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into other contractual commitments for goods and services needed for operations. Such commitments are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As a service to its customers, the Company, through ITIC, administers escrow and trust deposits representing earnest money received under real estate contracts, undisbursed amounts received for settlement of mortgage loans and indemnities against specific title risks. Cash held by the Company for these purposes was approximately $16.5 million and $21.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits.

In addition, in administering tax-deferred property exchanges, ITEC serves as a qualified intermediary for exchanges, holding the net sales proceeds from relinquished property to be used for purchase of replacement property. ITAC serves as exchange accommodation titleholder and, through LLCs that are wholly owned subsidiaries of ITAC, holds property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions. Like-kind exchange deposits and reverse exchange property held by the Company for the purpose of completing such transactions totaled approximately $237.9 million and $214.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These exchange deposits are held at third-party financial institutions. Exchange deposits are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the return on the proceeds at the agreed upon rate. Exchange services revenue includes earnings on these deposits; therefore, investment income is shown as other revenue rather than investment income. These like-kind exchange funds are primarily invested in money market and other short-term investments.

External assets under management of Investors Trust Company totaled approximately $640.1 million and $568.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

It is not the general practice of the Company to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or issue guarantees to third parties. The Company does not have any material source of liquidity or financing that involves off-balance sheet arrangements. Other than items noted above, off-balance sheet arrangements are generally limited to the future payments due under various agreements with third-party service providers.

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Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 updated guidance to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The update broadened the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimates, and was meant to better reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. In addition, this update amended the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The update was effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2020 with no material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company's investments.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This update removed the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step two of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under the ASU, an entity is required to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and must recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized must not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the ASU clarified that an entity is required to consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The update was effective for the Company for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2020 with no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is intended to reduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes during interim and annual periods and is expected to provide clarity on income tax situations where a diversity in practice has developed. The update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. None of these amendments are expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This update clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. In addition, this update clarifies that, when determining the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options, a company should not consider, whether upon settlement or exercise, if the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method or fair value option. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, including early adoption in an interim period, for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the recently issued accounting standard will have on the Company's financial position and results of operations, and does not expect it to have a material impact.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Item not required for smaller reporting companies.
32


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
1.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
34
2.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
37
3.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
38
4.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
40
5.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
41
6.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
42
7.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
43
8.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
44
9.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
46

The financial statement schedules meeting the requirements of Regulation S-X are attached hereto as Schedules I, II, III, IV and V.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Selected quarterly financial data not required for smaller reporting companies.

33


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Investors Title Company
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for each of the years then ended, and the related notes and schedules (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
34


Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Reserve for Claims

As described in notes 1 and 6 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company’s reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $33.6 million in reserve for claims. Management records a provision for future claim payments at the time the related premium revenue is recognized by applying a loss provision rate against net premiums written. Management determines its loss provision rate through the consideration of factors such as the Company’s historical claim experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors. The Company utilizes accepted actuarial methodologies when performing the actuarial projections.

We identified the reserve for claims as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination of the reserve for claims as a critical audit matter included management’s significant actuarial estimates and assumptions used to estimate the reserve for claims, including the selection of actuarial methods, loss development factors and expected loss ratios. This required a high degree of judgment, subjectivity and effort in auditing the reasonableness of the actuarial methodologies and assumptions used in determining the reserve for claims, including the use of an auditor-engaged specialist.
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Our audit procedures related to the reserve for claims included the following, among others:

•We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and implementation, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over the reserve for claims development process. This included the controls over the determination of the actuarial methods and assumptions utilized to support the reserve for claims calculations, and controls over the completeness and accuracy of historical loss data utilized in the reserve for claims calculations.
•We engaged a third-party actuary with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of the reserving methodologies utilized by the Company’s specialist and evaluating the reasonableness of the assumptions related to loss development factors and expected loss ratios.

•We tested the inputs utilized by the Company’s specialist in developing the reserve for claims. This included testing the accuracy and completeness of the data provided to the Company’s specialist.
•We evaluated the reasonableness of the significant assumptions utilized by the Company in developing the reserve for claims.



/S/ DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.

High Point, North Carolina
March 15, 2021




36


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Because of its inherent limitation, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.

37


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Investors Title Company
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and our report dated March 15, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.



/S/ DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN LLP

High Point, North Carolina
March 15, 2021






39


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2020 2019
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,723  $ 25,949 
Investments:    
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: December 31, 2020: $112,037; December 31, 2019: $100,667)
117,713  104,638 
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: December 31, 2020: $32,478; December 31, 2019: $33,570)
64,919  61,108 
Short-term investments 15,170  13,134 
Other investments 15,493  13,982 
Total investments 213,295  192,862 
Premium and fees receivable 19,427  12,523 
Accrued interest and dividends 1,038  1,033 
Prepaid expenses and other receivables 9,418  5,519 
Property, net 11,160  9,776 
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 9,771  10,275 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,533  4,469 
Other assets 1,560  1,487 
Total Assets $ 282,925  $ 263,893 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity    
Liabilities:    
Reserve for claims $ 33,584  $ 31,333 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 36,020  28,318 
Operating lease liabilities 3,669  4,502 
Current income taxes payable 638  1,340 
Deferred income taxes, net 8,592  7,038 
Total liabilities 82,503  72,531 
Commitments and Contingencies —  — 
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Preferred stock (1,000 authorized shares; no shares issued)
—  — 
Common stock – no par value (10,000 authorized shares; 1,892 and 1,889 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, excluding in each period 292 shares of common stock held by the Company)
—  — 
Retained earnings 196,096  188,262 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,326  3,100 
Total shareholders’ equity 200,422  191,362 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 282,925  $ 263,893 

Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
40


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019
Revenues:    
Net premiums written $ 205,418  $ 145,842 
Escrow and other title-related fees 8,321  7,474 
Non-title services 8,693  9,922 
Interest and dividends 4,393  4,752 
Other investment income 3,723  3,191 
Net realized investment gains 333  1,340 
Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments 4,904  10,303 
Other 623  678 
Total Revenues 236,408  183,502 
Operating Expenses:    
Commissions to agents 106,807  72,780 
Provision for claims 5,204  3,532 
Personnel expenses 51,929  46,058 
Office and technology expenses 9,951  9,254 
Other expenses 12,856  12,055 
Total Operating Expenses 186,747  143,679 
Income before Income Taxes 49,661  39,823 
Provision for Income Taxes 10,241  8,365 
Net Income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Basic Earnings per Common Share $ 20.84  $ 16.66 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic 1,892  1,888 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ 20.80  $ 16.59 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted 1,896  1,896 

Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
41


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019
Net income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Other comprehensive income, before tax:    
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment (143) — 
Unrealized gains on investments arising during the period 1,253  2,727 
Reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income
(30) — 
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income
482  — 
Other comprehensive income, before tax 1,562  2,727 
Income tax benefit related to postretirement health benefits (31) — 
Income tax expense related to unrealized gains on investments arising during the year 262  576 
Income tax benefit related to reclassification adjustment for sale of securities included in net income (6) — 
Income tax expense related to reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities included in net income
111  — 
Net income tax expense on other comprehensive income 336  576 
Other comprehensive income 1,226  2,151 
Comprehensive Income $ 40,646  $ 33,609 

Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
42


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
  Common Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income 		Total
Shareholders’
Equity
  Shares Amount
Balance, January 1, 2019
1,887  $ —  $ 174,690  $ 949  $ 175,639 
Net income     31,458    31,458 
Dividends paid ($9.60 per share)
    (18,131)   (18,131)
Repurchases of common stock
—    (19)   (19)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights
2    —    — 
Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights
    264    264 
Net unrealized gain on investments       2,151  2,151 
Balance, December 31, 2019
1,889  $ —  $ 188,262  $ 3,100  $ 191,362 
Net income 39,420  39,420 
Dividends paid ($16.76 per share)
(31,716) (31,716)
Repurchases of common stock
—  (6) (6)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights
3  1  1 
Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights
229  229 
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation adjustment (112) (112)
Net unrealized gain on investments
  1,338  1,338 
Other (94) (94)
Balance, December 31, 2020
1,892  $ —  $ 196,096  $ 4,326  $ 200,422 

Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
43


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019
Operating Activities    
Net income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation 1,759  1,759 
Amortization of investments, net 872  712 
Amortization of other intangible assets, net 504  505 
Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights 229  264 
Net gain on disposals of property (26) (46)
Net realized gain on securities (311) (1,343)
Net realized (gain) loss on other investments (22) 3 
Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments (4,904) (10,303)
Net earnings from other investments (2,880) (2,209)
Provision for claims 5,204  3,532 
Provision for deferred income taxes 1,218  2,278 
Changes in assets and liabilities:  
Increase in receivables (6,904) (395)
(Increase) decrease in other assets (3,977) 1,654 
Decrease (increase) in operating lease right-of-use assets 842  (4,469)
(Decrease) increase in operating lease liabilities (833) 4,502 
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7,559  583 
Decrease in current income taxes payable (702) (3,641)
Payments of claims, net of recoveries (2,953) (3,928)
Net cash provided by operating activities 34,095  20,916 
Investing Activities    
Purchases of fixed maturity securities (22,209) (26,431)
Purchases of equity securities (11,379) (6,374)
Purchases of short-term investments (16,427) (98,476)
Purchases of other investments (1,714) (2,536)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturity securities 9,509  12,530 
Proceeds from the sale of equity securities 13,234  5,402 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments 14,398  118,364 
Proceeds from sales and distributions of other investments 3,083  3,192 
Proceeds from sales of other assets 22  3 
Purchases of property, equipment and software (3,202) (1,486)
Proceeds from disposals of property 85  301 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (14,600) 4,489 
44


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019
Financing Activities    
Repurchases of common stock (6) (19)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights 1  — 
Dividends paid (31,716) (18,131)
Net cash used in financing activities (31,721) (18,150)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (12,226) 7,255 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 25,949  18,694 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 13,723  $ 25,949 
Supplemental Disclosures:
Cash Paid During the Year for:    
Income tax payments, net $ 10,226  $ 9,734 
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Non cash net unrealized gain on investments, net of deferred tax provision of $(367) and $(576) for December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
$ (1,338) $ (2,151)
Adjustments to postretirement benefits obligation, net of deferred tax benefit of $31 and $0 for December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
$ 112  $ — 
Adjustments to operating lease right-of-use assets for December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively
$ 94  $ — 

Refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
45


Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business: Investors Title Company’s (the “Company”) primary business, and only reportable segment, is title insurance. The title insurance segment, through its two subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”), is licensed to insure titles to residential, institutional, commercial and industrial properties. The Company issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices and through independent issuing agents in 21 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the eastern half of the United States. The majority of the Company’s business is concentrated in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation: The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and operations of Investors Title Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Significant Accounting Policies: The significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with remaining original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity at purchase of these instruments.

Investments in Securities

Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities: Fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax and adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. Securities are regularly reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. In evaluating available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss positions for impairment and the criteria regarding its intent or requirement to sell such securities, the Company considers the extent to which estimated fair value is less than amortized cost, whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuers’ financial condition, among other factors. If the Company intends to sell an available-for-sale security in an unrealized loss position, or determines that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, the security is impaired and it is written down to estimated fair value with all losses recognized in earnings. For available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in an unrealized loss position for which the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the decline in the estimated fair value below the amortized cost basis (impairment) is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Any impairment that is not credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, limited to the amount by which the amortized cost basis exceeds the estimated fair value, with a corresponding adjustment to earnings.

Both the ACL and the adjustment to the Consolidated Statements of Operations may be reversed if conditions change. Changes in the ACL are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the ACL when management believes the uncollectability of an available-for-sale fixed maturity security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. Accrued interest receivable is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. Impairment reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company’s investments in fixed maturity securities.

Investments in Equity Securities: Equity securities represent ownership interests held by the Company in entities for investment purposes.  Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Realized investment gains and losses from sales are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company’s investments in equity securities.

46


Other Investments

Other investments consist of investments in unconsolidated affiliated entities, typically structured as limited liability companies ("LLCs"), without readily determinable fair values. Other investments are accounted for under either the equity method or the measurement alternative method. The measurement alternative method is used when an investment does not qualify for the equity method or the practical expedient in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, which estimates fair value using the net asset value per share. Under the measurement alternative method, investments are recorded at cost, less any impairment and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. The aggregate cost of the Company’s cost method investments totaled $8.7 million and $7.9 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments are comprised of money market accounts which are invested in short-term funds, U.S. Treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and other investments expected to have maturities or redemptions greater than three months and less than twelve months. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments.

Property Acquired in Settlement of Claims

Property acquired in settlement of claims is held for sale and valued at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. Adjustments to reported estimated realizable values and realized gains or losses on dispositions are recorded as increases or decreases in claim costs. Properties acquired in settlement of claims are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated principally under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives (3 to 25 years) of the respective assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses and improvements are capitalized.

Reserve for Claims

The total reserve for all reported and unreported losses the Company incurred through December 31, 2020 is represented by the reserve for claims. The Company’s reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that the reserve is adequate to cover claims losses resulting from pending and future claims for policies issued through December 31, 2020. The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates as necessary to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available. Adjustments resulting from such reviews may be significant.

Claims losses paid are charged to the reserve for claims. Although claims losses are typically paid in cash, occasionally claims are settled by purchasing the interest of the insured or the claimant in the real property. When this event occurs, the acquiring company carries assets at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value, net of any indebtedness on the property.

Income Taxes

The Company makes certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense (benefit) for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. The Company provides for deferred income taxes (benefits) for the tax consequences in future years of temporary differences between the financial statements’ carrying values and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. The Company establishes a valuation allowance if it believes that it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding income taxes.

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Premiums Written and Commissions to Agents

Generally, title insurance premiums are recognized at the time of settlement of the related real estate transaction, as the earnings process is then considered complete, irrespective of the timing of issuance of a title insurance policy or commitment. Expenses typically associated with premiums, including agent commissions, premium taxes, and a provision for future claims are recognized concurrent with recognition of related premium revenue.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Company management continually evaluates the collectability of receivables and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to estimated losses expected to be incurred in the collection of premiums and fees receivable. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected within net premiums written in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amounts are charged off in the period they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Quarterly, the Company evaluates the collectability of receivables. Write-offs of receivables have not been material to the Company.

Exchange Services Revenue

Fees are recognized at the signing of a binding agreement and investment earnings are recognized as they are earned. Exchange services revenue is included in non-title services in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, premium and fees receivable, accrued interest and dividends, accounts payable, commissions payable, reinsurance payable and current income taxes recoverable/payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Estimated fair values for the majority of investment securities are based on quoted market prices. Refer to Note 3 for further information regarding investments in securities and fair value.

Comprehensive Income

The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized holding gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, and unrealized gains or losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities, net of tax. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2020 consists of $4.5 million of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $144 thousand of unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2019 consists of $3.1 million of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $32 thousand of unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value based principles required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Share-based compensation cost is generally measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period.

As the share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired and assumed in a business combination. The fair value of the Company’s goodwill at acquisition is principally based on values obtained from a third-party valuation service.

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Goodwill was reviewed for impairment as of December 31, 2020, and is reviewed at least annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, the Company determines through qualitative analysis whether relevant events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill balances are impaired as of the testing date. If the qualitative analysis does not indicate that an impairment of goodwill is more likely than not, then no other specific quantitative impairment testing is required. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs a quantitative assessment whereby a discounted cash flow analysis is utilized to determine an estimated fair value. The estimated fair value is compared to the carrying value of goodwill as of the measurement date. The discounted cash flows used in estimating fair value are dependent on a number of significant assumptions, and therefore estimated fair value measurements are subject to change given the inherent uncertainty in predicting future results and cash flows.

Other Intangible Assets

The Company’s other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements, referral relationships and a tradename resulting from agency acquisitions; all of which are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. The fair value of the Company’s other intangible assets is principally based on values obtained from a third-party valuation service. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which range from 1 to 30 years; noting that the amortization of certain non-compete contracts will start at a future date when the related employment agreements are terminated. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Title Plants

Title plants represent a historical record of matters affecting title to parcels of land in a particular geographic area. Title plants are recorded at the cost incurred to construct or obtain and organize historical title information to the point it can be used to perform title searches. Costs incurred to maintain, update and operate title plants are expensed as incurred. Title plants are not amortized as they are considered to have an indefinite life with no diminishment of value if properly maintained; but are subject to impairment evaluation, which the Company performs on at least an annual basis.

Leases

At inception, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease. The Company enters into lease agreements that are primarily used for office space, and all current leases are accounted for as operating leases. Amounts related to operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and operating lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the stated lease term. Operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from an operating lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the date of the lease commencement, and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In addition, the Company elected certain practical expedients and therefore (a) chose not to reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases, (b) chose not to reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (c) chose not to reassess initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases. The Company's current leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, thus the Company utilized the average rate over a 10-year term based upon the Moody's seasoned Aaa corporate bond yields in determining the present value of lease payments. A portion of the Company's current leases includes an option to extend or cancel the lease term. The exercise of such an option is solely at the Company's discretion. The operating lease liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes lease payments related to options to extend or cancel the lease term if the Company determined at the date of adoption that the lease was expected to be renewed or extended. A lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Adjustments for straight-line rental expense for the periods presented are not material and as such, the lease expense recognized was reflected in cash used in operating activities for the respective periods. Refer to Note 9 for further information about the Company's leases.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated and concluded that there were no material subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure to its Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 updated guidance to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The update broadened the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimates, and was meant to better reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. In addition, this update amended the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale fixed maturity securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The update was effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2020 with no material impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Refer to Note 3 for further information about the Company's investments.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This update removed the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step two of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under the ASU, an entity is required to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and must recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized must not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the ASU clarified that an entity is required to consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The update was effective for the Company for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this update on January 1, 2020 with no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. ASU 2019-12 is intended to reduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes during interim and annual periods and is expected to provide clarity on income tax situations where a diversity in practice has developed. The update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. None of these amendments are expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This update clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. In addition, this update clarifies that, when determining the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options, a company should not consider, whether upon settlement or exercise, if the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method or fair value option. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted, including early adoption in an interim period, for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the recently issued accounting standard will have on the Company's financial position and results of operations, and does not expect it to have a material impact.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and accompanying consolidated notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions used. The more significant of these estimates and assumptions include the following:

Claims: The Company’s reserve for claims is established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which have been incurred but not reported. A provision for estimated future claims payments is recorded at the time policy revenue is recorded as a percentage of net premiums written. By their nature, title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, vary in number due to economic and market conditions such as an increase in mortgage foreclosures, and involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. In addition, some claims may require a number of years to settle and determine the final liability for indemnity and loss adjustment expense. The payment experience may extend for more than 20 years after the issuance of a policy. Events such as fraud, defalcation and multiple property defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in estimates of losses. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, these estimates are subject to variability.
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Management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors in determining its loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims. In establishing the reserve, actuarial projections are compared with recorded reserves to evaluate the adequacy of such recorded claims reserves and any necessary adjustments are then recorded in the current period’s statements of operations. As the most recent claims experience develops and new information becomes available, the loss reserve estimate related to prior periods will change to more accurately reflect updated and improved emerging data. The Company reflects any adjustments to the reserve in the results of operations in the period in which new information (principally claims experience) becomes available.

Premiums written: Premium revenues from certain agency operations include accruals for transactions which have settled but have not been reported as of the balance sheet date. These accruals are based on estimates of the typical lag time between settlement of real estate transactions and the agent’s reporting of these transactions to the Company. Reporting lag times vary by market. In certain markets, the lag time may be very short, but in others, can be as high as 100 days. The Company reviews and adjusts lag time estimates periodically, using historical experience and other factors, and reflects any adjustments in the result of operations in the period in which new information becomes available.

Impairments: Securities are regularly evaluated and reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in estimated fair value is other-than-temporary. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the estimated fair value of an investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, such investment is written down to its estimated fair value. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in estimated fair value is other-than-temporary include the duration and extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than cost; the probability that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security; whether the Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before recovery in value; and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer (including credit ratings). These factors are reviewed quarterly and any material degradation in the prospect for recovery will be considered in the other-than-temporary impairment analysis. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. The estimated fair values of the majority of the Company’s investments are based on quoted market prices from independent pricing services.

2. Statutory Accounting and Restrictions on Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity and Investments

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which differ in some respects from statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted in the preparation of financial statements for submission to insurance regulatory authorities.

Combined capital and surplus on a statutory basis was $196.1 million and $194.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net income on a statutory basis was $33.3 million and $21.3 million and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company has designated approximately $42.0 million and $37.3 million of retained earnings as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as appropriated to reflect the required statutory premium and supplemental reserves. Refer to Note 8 for the tax treatment of the statutory premium reserve.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, approximately $104.1 million and $103.5 million, respectively, of consolidated shareholders’ equity represents net assets of the Company’s subsidiaries that cannot be transferred in the form of dividends, loans or advances to the parent company under statutory regulations without prior insurance department approval. During 2021, the maximum distributions the insurance subsidiaries can make to the Company without prior approval from applicable regulators total approximately $37.2 million.

Fixed maturity securities totaling approximately $7.2 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are deposited with the insurance departments of the states in which business is conducted.

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3. Investments and Estimated Fair Value

Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities
    
The estimated fair value, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and amortized cost for fixed maturity securities by major classification are as follows:
As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Amortized
Cost 		Gross
Unrealized
Gains 		Gross
Unrealized
Losses 		Estimated
Fair
Value
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
Government obligations
$ 24,026  $ 57  $ —  $ 24,083 
General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
17,391  1,262  —  18,653 
Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
44,939  3,270  3  48,206 
Corporate debt securities 25,681  1,114  24  26,771 
Total $ 112,037  $ 5,703  $ 27  $ 117,713 
As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Amortized
Cost 		Gross
Unrealized
Gains 		Gross
Unrealized
Losses 		Estimated
Fair
Value
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
Governmental obligations
$ 25,161  $ 6  $ 4  $ 25,163 
General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
18,887  843  —  19,730 
Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
51,188  2,530  20  53,698 
Corporate debt securities 5,431  621  5  6,047 
Total $ 100,667  $ 4,000  $ 29  $ 104,638 

The special revenue category for both periods presented includes approximately 50 individual fixed maturity securities with revenue sources from a variety of industry sectors.

The scheduled maturities of fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Available-for-Sale
(in thousands) Amortized
Cost 		Fair
Value
Due in one year or less $ 38,775  $ 38,861 
Due after one year through five years 56,388  59,930 
Due five years through ten years 16,058  17,521 
Due after ten years 816  1,401 
Total $ 112,037  $ 117,713 

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities as borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses
Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions $ —  $ —  $ 1,103  $ (3) $ 1,103  $ (3)
Corporate debt securities 20,630  (24) —  —  20,630  (24)
Total temporarily impaired securities $ 20,630  $ (24) $ 1,103  $ (3) $ 21,733  $ (27)
Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Longer Total
As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Unrealized Losses
Government obligations
$ 12,045  $ (4) $ —  $ —  $ 12,045  $ (4)
Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
1,101  (17) 1,118  (3) 2,219  (20)
Corporate debt securities 413  (5) —  —  413  (5)
Total temporarily impaired securities $ 13,559  $ (26) $ 1,118  $ (3) $ 14,677  $ (29)

The decline in estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities can be attributed primarily to changes in market interest rates and changes in credit spreads over Treasury securities. Because the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and will likely not be compelled to sell them before it can recover its cost basis, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

Management evaluates available-for-sale fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss positions to determine whether the impairment is due to credit-related factors or noncredit-related factors. Consideration is given to (1) the extent to which the fair value is less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which the estimated fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and prospects of the issuer (including credit ratings and analyst reports) and macro-economic changes. A total of 12 and six fixed maturity securities had unrealized losses at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company does not have the intent to sell any of these securities and believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell any such securities before a recovery of cost. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. The Company believes that the unrealized losses detailed in the previous table are due to noncredit-related factors, including changes in interest rates and other market conditions, and therefore the unrealized loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Reviews of the values of fixed maturity securities are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover, or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. The Company recorded $482 thousand and $0 of other-than-temporary impairment charges related to fixed maturity securities for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Expenses related to other-than-temporary impairments are recorded in net realized investment gains in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when recognized.

Investments in Equity Securities

The cost and estimated fair value of equity securities are as follows:
As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Cost Estimated
Fair
Value
Equity securities, at fair value:    
Common stocks $ 32,478  $ 64,919 
Total $ 32,478  $ 64,919 
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As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Cost Estimated
Fair
Value
Equity securities, at fair value:    
Common stocks $ 33,570  $ 61,108 
Total $ 33,570  $ 61,108 

Unrealized holding gains and losses are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments.

Interest and Dividends

Earnings on investments for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Fixed maturity securities $ 2,688  $ 2,540 
Equity securities 1,569  1,586 
Invested cash and other short-term investments 133  624 
Miscellaneous interest 3  2 
Investment income $ 4,393  $ 4,752 

Net Realized Investment Gains

Gross realized gains and losses on sales of investments for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Gross realized gains from securities:
Corporate debt securities $ 30  $ — 
Common stocks 3,428  1,725 
Total $ 3,458  $ 1,725 
Gross realized losses from securities:
Common stocks $ (2,665) $ (382)
Other-than-temporary impairment of securities (482) — 
Total $ (3,147) $ (382)
Net realized gains from securities $ 311  $ 1,343 
Net realized other investment gains (losses):
Gains on other investments $ 31  $ 3 
Losses on other investments (9) (6)
Total $ 22  $ (3)
Net realized investment gains $ 333  $ 1,340 

Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method.

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Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds investments in variable interest entities (“VIEs”) that are not consolidated in the Company's financial statements as the Company is not the primary beneficiary. These entities are considered VIEs as the equity investors at risk, including the Company, do not have the power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities; this power resides with a third-party general partner or managing member that cannot be removed except for cause. The following table sets forth details about the Company's variable interest investments in VIEs, which are structured either as limited partnerships ("LPs") or LLCs, as of December 31, 2020:
Type of Investment (in thousands) Balance Sheet Classification Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Maximum Potential Loss *
Tax credit LPs Other investments $ 267  $ 267  $ 1,768 
Real estate LLCs or LPs Other investments 5,152  6,535  7,000 
Small business investment LLCs or LPs Other investments 7,535  7,204  13,295 
Total $ 12,954  $ 14,006  $ 22,063 
* Maximum potential loss is calculated as the total investment in the LLC or LP including any capital commitments that may have not yet been called. The Company is not exposed to any loss beyond the total commitment of its investment.

Valuation of Financial Assets

The FASB has established a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities, such as securities. This hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.

A financial instrument’s classification within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement – consequently, if there are multiple significant valuation inputs that are categorized in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument’s hierarchy level is the lowest level (with Level 3 being the lowest level) within which any significant input falls.

The Level 1 category includes equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities that are measured at estimated fair value using quoted active market prices.

The Level 2 category includes fixed maturity securities such as corporate debt securities, U.S. government obligations, and obligations of U.S. states, territories, and political subdivisions. Estimated fair value is principally based on market values obtained from a third-party pricing service. Factors that are used in determining estimated fair market value include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. The Company receives one quote per security from a third-party pricing service, although as discussed below, the Company does consult other pricing resources when confirming that the prices it obtains reflect the fair values of the instruments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Generally, quotes obtained from the pricing service for instruments classified as Level 2 are not adjusted and are not binding. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not adjust any Level 2 fair values.

A number of the Company’s investment grade corporate debt securities are frequently traded in active markets, and trading prices are consequently available for these securities. However, these securities are classified as Level 2 because the pricing service from which the Company has obtained estimated fair values for these instruments uses valuation models that use observable market inputs in addition to trading prices. Substantially all of the input assumptions used in the service’s model are observable in the marketplace or can be derived or supported by observable market data.

In the measurement of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, other valuation techniques were utilized if quoted market prices were not available. These derived fair value estimates are significantly affected by the assumptions used. Additionally, ASC 820 excludes from its scope certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts, pension and other postretirement benefits, and equity method investments.
 
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In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments presented, the Company used the following methods and assumptions:
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments.
 
Measurement alternative equity investments
 
The measurement alternative method requires investments without readily determinable fair values to be recorded at cost, less impairments, and plus or minus any changes resulting from observable price changes.  The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments.

Accrued interest and dividends

The carrying amount for accrued interest and dividends is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity of these assets.

The following table presents, by level, fixed maturity securities carried at estimated fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 * Level 3 Total
Fixed maturity securities:        
Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions $ 24,083  $ 66,859  $ —  $ 90,942 
Corporate debt securities —  26,771  —  26,771 
Total $ 24,083  $ 93,630  $ —  $ 117,713 
As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 * Level 3 Total
Fixed maturity securities:
Obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions $ 24,160  $ 74,431  $ —  $ 98,591 
Corporate debt securities —  6,047  —  6,047 
Total $ 24,160  $ 80,478  $ —  $ 104,638 

*Denotes fair market value obtained from pricing services.
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The following table presents, by level, estimated fair values of equity investments and other financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:
As of December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets:
Cash $ 13,723  $ —  $ —  $ 13,723 
Accrued interest and dividends 1,038  —  —  1,038 
Equity securities, at fair value:
Common stocks 64,919  —  —  64,919 
Short-term investments:
Money market funds, Treasury bills, commercial paper and certificates of deposit 15,170  —  —  15,170 
Other investments:
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, equity method
—  —  6,752  6,752 
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative
—  —  8,741  8,741 
Total $ 94,850  $ —  $ 15,493  $ 110,343 
As of December 31, 2019 (in thousands) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets:
Cash $ 25,949  $ —  $ —  $ 25,949 
Accrued interest and dividends 1,033  —  —  1,033 
Equity securities, at fair value:
Common stocks 61,108  —  —  61,108 
Short-term investments:
Money market funds and certificates of deposit 13,134  —  —  13,134 
Other investments:
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, equity method
—  —  6,083  6,083 
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative
—  —  7,899  7,899 
Total $ 101,224  $ —  $ 13,982  $ 115,206 

The Company did not hold any Level 3 category debt or marketable equity investment securities as of December 31, 2020 or 2019.

There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the periods presented.

To help ensure that estimated fair value determinations are consistent with ASC 820, prices from our pricing services go through multiple review processes to ensure appropriate pricing. Pricing procedures and inputs used to price each security include, but are not limited to, the following: unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities such as stock market closing prices; non-binding quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active; interest rates; yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals; volatility; prepayment speeds; loss severity; credit risks; and default rates. The Company reviews the procedures and inputs used by its pricing services, and verifies a sample of the services’ quotes by comparing them to values obtained from other pricing resources. In the event the Company disagrees with a price provided by its pricing services, the respective service reevaluates the price to corroborate the market information and then reviews inputs to the evaluation in light of potentially new market data. The Company believes that these processes and inputs result in appropriate classifications and estimated fair values consistent with ASC 820.

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Certain equity investments under the measurement alternative are measured at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis and are reviewed for impairment quarterly. If any such investment is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment charge is recorded against such investment and reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no impairments of such investments made during the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2020 or 2019. The following table presents a rollforward of equity investments under the measurement alternative as of December 31, 2020 and 2019:

(in thousands) 		Balance,
January 1, 2020 		Amounts Impaired Observable Changes Purchases and
Additional Commitments
Paid 		  Sales, Returns
of Capital
and Other
Reductions 		Balance,
December 31, 2020
Other investments:
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative
$ 7,899  $ —  $ —  $ 1,227  $ (385) $ 8,741 
Total $ 7,899  $ —  $ —  $ 1,227  $ (385) $ 8,741 

(in thousands) 		Balance,
January 1, 2019 		Amounts Impaired Observable Changes Purchases and
Additional Commitments
Paid 		  Sales, Returns
of Capital
and Other
Reductions 		Balance,
December 31, 2019
Other investments:
Equity investments in unconsolidated affiliates, measurement alternative
$ 6,589  $ —  $ —  $ 2,241  $ (931) $ 7,899 
Total $ 6,589  $ —  $ —  $ 2,241  $ (931) $ 7,899 

4. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment and estimated useful lives at December 31 are summarized as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Land $ 1,413  $ 1,413 
Office buildings and improvements (25 years)
4,621  4,511 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment (3 to 10 years)
17,902  14,982 
Automobiles (3 years)
1,058  1,048 
Total 24,994  21,954 
Less accumulated depreciation (13,834) (12,178)
Property and equipment, net $ 11,160  $ 9,776 

Included within furniture, fixtures and equipment is software developed by the Company for internal use. Capitalized costs include both direct and indirect costs, such as payroll costs of employees associated with developing software, incurred during the software development stage.

5. Reinsurance

The Company assumes and cedes reinsurance with other insurance companies in the normal course of business. Premiums assumed and ceded were approximately $3 thousand and $296 thousand, respectively, for 2020, and $2 thousand and $411 thousand, respectively, for 2019. Ceded reinsurance is comprised of excess of loss treaties, which outline the conditions in which the reinsurance company will pay claims and protect against losses over certain agreed upon amounts. The Company remains liable to the insured for claims under ceded insurance policies in the event the assuming insurance companies are unable to meet their obligations under these contracts. The Company did not pay or recover any reinsured losses during 2020 and 2019.

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6. Reserve for Claims

Changes in the reserve for claims for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows based on the year in which the policies were written:
 (in thousands) 2020 2019
Balance, beginning of period $ 31,333  $ 31,729 
Provision related to:
Current year 8,877  8,610 
Prior years (3,673) (5,078)
Total provision charged to operations 5,204  3,532 
Claims paid, net of recoveries, related to:
Current year (249) (2,057)
Prior years (2,704) (1,871)
Total claims paid, net of recoveries (2,953) (3,928)
Balance, end of year $ 33,584  $ 31,333 

The Company continually refines its reserve estimates as current loss experience develops and credible data emerges. Movements in the reserve related to prior periods were primarily the result of changes to estimates to better reflect the latest reported loss data. The increase in the provision for claims in 2020, compared to 2019, primarily related to higher premium levels in the current year period. Due to variances between actual and expected loss payments, loss development is subject to significant variability.
The Company does not recognize claim recoveries until an actual payment has been received by the Company. The Company realized claim recoveries of approximately $308 thousand and $815 thousand during 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The provision for claims as a percentage of net premiums written was 2.5% and 2.4% in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

A large claim is defined as a claim with incurred losses exceeding $500 thousand. Due to the small volume of large claims, the long-tail nature of title insurance claims and the inherent uncertainty in loss emergence patterns, large claim activity can vary significantly between policy years. The estimated development of large claims by policy year is therefore subject to significant changes as experience develops.

A summary of the Company’s reserve for claims, broken down into its components of known title claims and IBNR, follows:
 (in thousands, except percentages) 2020 % 2019 %
Known title claims $ 3,585  10.7  $ 3,799  12.1 
IBNR 29,999  89.3  27,534  87.9 
Total reserve for claims $ 33,584  100.0  $ 31,333  100.0 

In management’s opinion, the reserve for claims is adequate to cover claims losses which might result from pending and future claims.

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7. Earnings Per Common Share and Share Awards

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the combination of dilutive potential common stock, comprised of shares issuable under the Company’s share-based compensation plans, and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive common share equivalents include the dilutive effect of in-the-money share-based awards, which are calculated based on the average share price for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, when share-based awards are assumed to be exercised, (a) the exercise price of a share-based award and (b) the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future services that the Company has not yet recognized, are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31:
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019
Net income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic 1,892  1,888 
Incremental shares outstanding assuming the exercise of dilutive SARs (share-settled) 4  8 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted
1,896  1,896 
Basic earnings per common share $ 20.84  $ 16.66 
Diluted earnings per common share $ 20.80  $ 16.59 

There were 18 thousand and 14 thousand potential shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in 2020 and 2019, respectively, due to the out-of-the-money status of the related share-based awards rendering them anti-dilutive.
 
The Company historically has adopted employee stock award plans under which restricted stock, options or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") exercisable for the Company's stock may be granted to key employees or directors of the Company. There is currently one active plan from which the Company may grant share-based awards. The awards eligible to be granted under the active plan are limited to SARs, and the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company available pursuant to the plan for the grant of SARs is 250 thousand shares.

As of December 31, 2020, the only outstanding awards under the plans were SARs, which expire within seven years or less from the date of grant. All outstanding SARs vest and are exercisable within five years or less from the date of grant, and all SARs issued to date have been share-settled only. There have been no stock options or SARs granted where the exercise price was less than the market price on the date of grant.

A summary of share-based award transactions for all share-based award plans follows:
(in thousands, except weighted average exercise price and average remaining contractual term) Number
Of Shares 		Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price 		Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years) 		Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2019 28  $ 110.27  3.64 $ 2,019 
SARs granted 4  162.81     
SARs exercised (2) 50.50 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 30  $ 124.13  3.53 $ 1,352 
SARs granted 14  137.40     
SARs exercised (8) 75.75     
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 36  $ 139.16  4.38 $ 903 
Exercisable as of December 31, 2020 27  $ 139.31  3.69 $ 772 
Unvested as of December 31, 2020 9  $ 138.70  6.44 $ 131 

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock at December 31. The intrinsic values of SARs exercised during 2020 and 2019 were approximately $583 thousand and $364 thousand, respectively.

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There were no options outstanding at December 31, 2020. The following table summarizes information about SARs outstanding at December 31, 2020:
(in thousands, except exercise prices and average remaining contractual term) SARs Outstanding at Year-End SARs Exercisable at Year-End
Range of Exercise Prices Number
Outstanding 		Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life 		Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price 		Number
Exercisable 		Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$ 60.00  — $ 99.99  9  1.38 $ 78.52  9  $ 78.52 
100.00  — 149.99  12  6.43 134.41  3  122.80 
150.00  — 199.99  15  4.48 179.50  15  179.50 
$ 60.00  — $ 199.99  36  4.38 $ 139.16  27  $ 139.31 

In 2020, 6 thousand SARs vested with a fair value of approximately $229 thousand.

During both 2020 and 2019, the Company issued share-settled SARs to directors of the Company. During 2020, the Company also issued share-settled SARs to certain non-executive employees of the Company. SARs give the holder the right to receive stock equal to the appreciation in the value of shares of stock from the grant date for a specified period of time, and as a result, are accounted for as equity instruments. The fair value of each award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the table shown below. Expected volatilities are based on both the implied and historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to project SAR exercises and pre-exercise forfeitures within the valuation model. The expected term of awards represents the period of time that SARs granted are expected to be outstanding. The interest rate assumed for the expected life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The weighted average fair values for the SARs issued during 2020 and 2019 were $36.30 and $51.88, respectively, and were estimated using the weighted average assumptions shown in the table below.
2020 2019
Expected life in years 6.2 - 7.0 7.0 - 7.0
Volatility 29.4% 30.2%
Interest rate 0.7% 2.3%
Yield rate 1.2% 1.0%

There was approximately $229 thousand and $264 thousand of compensation expense relating to SARs vesting on or before December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, included in personnel expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $338 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock award plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

8. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Current:
Federal $ 8,886  $ 5,945 
State 137  142 
Total current 9,023  6,087 
Deferred:
Federal 1,236  2,280 
State (18) (2)
Total deferred 1,218  2,278 
Total $ 10,241  $ 8,365 

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For state income tax purposes, ITIC and NITIC generally pay only a gross premium tax found in other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At December 31, the approximate tax effect of each component of deferred income tax assets and liabilities is summarized as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued benefits and retirement services $ 3,189  $ 3,049 
Other-than-temporary impairment of assets 167  178 
Net operating loss carryforward 118  77 
Allowance for doubtful accounts 65  91 
Postretirement benefit obligation 39  9 
Reinsurance and commission payable 9  36 
Other 1,129  1,329 
Total 4,716  4,769 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Net unrealized gain on investments 8,090  6,691 
Recorded reserve for claims, net of statutory premium reserves 1,199  1,096 
Excess of tax over book depreciation 1,149  947 
Intangible assets 1,086  1,168 
Other 1,784  1,905 
Total 13,308  11,807 
Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (8,592) $ (7,038)

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no valuation allowances recorded. Based upon the Company’s historical results of operations, the existing financial condition of the Company and management’s assessment of all other available information, management believes that it is more likely than not that the benefit of these deferred income tax assets will be realized.

As computed for the years ended December 31 at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21.0% for 2020 and 2019, to income tax expense follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Anticipated income tax expense $ 10,429  $ 8,362 
Increase (decrease) related to:
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 108  112 
Tax-exempt interest income, net of amortization (1,199) (900)
Other, net 903  791 
Provision for income taxes $ 10,241  $ 8,365 

In accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Company is required to recognize in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on an audit, based on the technical merits of the position. In this regard, an uncertain tax position represents the Company’s expected treatment of a tax position taken in a filed tax return, or planned to be taken in a future tax return, that has not been reflected in measuring income tax expense for financial reporting purposes. There were no unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities as of December 31, 2020.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefit or liability may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons, including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the additions or eliminations of uncertain tax positions.

The Company’s policy is to report interest and penalties related to income taxes in the Other Expenses line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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The Company, or one of its subsidiaries, files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state and local examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2017.

9. Leases

The Company enters into lease agreements that are primarily used for office space. These leases are accounted for as operating leases, with lease expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

A portion of the Company's current leases include an option to extend or cancel the lease term. The exercise of such an option is solely at the Company's discretion. The operating lease liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes lease payments related to options to extend or cancel the lease term if the Company determined at the date of adoption that the lease was expected to be renewed or extended. The Company, in determining the present value of lease payments, utilized the average rate over a 10-year term based upon the Moody's seasoned Aaa corporate bond yields, as explicit rates of interest were not readily determinable in the lease contracts. The Company does not carry debt; thus no incremental borrowing rate was available to the Company.

Lease expense is included in office and technology expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Information regarding the Company’s operating leases for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Operating leases $ 1,293  $ 1,273 
Short-term leases (a) 159  139 
Lease expense $ 1,452  $ 1,412 
Sub-lease income —  — 
Lease cost $ 1,452  $ 1,412 
(a) Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Components of the operating lease liability presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Current:
Operating lease liabilities $ 1,068  $ 1,048 
Non-current:
Operating lease liabilities 2,601  3,454 
Total operating lease liabilities $ 3,669  $ 4,502 

The future minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020, are summarized as follows:
Year Ended (in thousands)
2021 $ 1,208 
2022 974 
2023 686 
2024 515 
2025 327 
Thereafter 322 
Total undiscounted payments $ 4,032 
Less: present value adjustment (363)
Operating lease liabilities $ 3,669 

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Supplemental lease information for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
2020 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years) 4.24 4.84
Weighted average discount rate 4.6  % 4.6  %

The Company does not have any material pending operating or financing lease agreements that become effective in future periods.

10. Retirement Agreements and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan

The Company has a 401(k) savings plan. In order to participate in the plan, individuals must have worked at the Company for at least three months. In order to be eligible for employer contributions, individuals must be employed for a period of one year and work at least 1,000 hours annually. The Company makes a 3% Safe Harbor contribution and also has the option annually to make a discretionary profit share contribution. Individuals may elect to make contributions up to the maximum deductible amount as determined by the Internal Revenue Code. Expenses related to the 401(k) plan were approximately $1.8 million and $1.2 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In November 2003, ITIC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ITIC. These individuals also serve as the Chairman, President and Executive Vice President, respectively, of the Company. The agreements provide compensation and life, health, dental and vision benefits upon the occurrence of specific events, including death, disability, retirement, termination without cause or upon a change in control. The employment agreements also prohibit each of these executives from competing with ITIC and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates in North Carolina while employed by ITIC and for a period of two years following termination of their employment.

In addition, during the second quarter of 2004, ITIC entered into nonqualified deferred compensation plan agreements with these executives. The amounts accrued for all agreements at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $12.5 million and $12.2 million, respectively, which includes postretirement compensation and health benefits, and was calculated based on the terms of the contract. Both the 2020 and 2019 accruals are included in the accounts payable and accrued liabilities line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These executive contracts are accounted for on an individual contract basis. On December 24, 2008, the executive contracts were amended effective January 1, 2009 to bring them into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and were amended and restated to provide for an annual cash payment to the officers equal to the amounts the Company would have contributed to their accounts under its 401(k) plan if such contributions were not limited by the federal tax laws, less the amount of any contributions that the Company actually makes to their accounts under the Company’s 401(k) plan.

On November 17, 2003, ITIC entered into employment agreements with key executives that provide for the continuation of certain employee benefits upon retirement. The executive employee benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and life insurance. The benefits are unfunded. Estimated future benefit payouts expected to be paid for each of the next five years are $15 thousand in 2021, $23 thousand in 2022, $31 thousand in 2023, $28 thousand in 2024, $34 thousand in 2025 and $217 thousand in the next five years thereafter.

Cost of the Company’s postretirement benefits included the following components and is presented in the personnel expenses line of its Consolidated Statements of Operations:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost – benefits earned during the year $ —  $ — 
Interest cost on the projected benefit obligation 31  33 
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost —  — 
Amortization of unrecognized loss —  — 
Net periodic benefits cost at end of year $ 31  $ 33 

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The Company is required to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of the assets and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligations of its postretirement benefits) in its Consolidated Balance Sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The net amount in accumulated other comprehensive income is $(184) thousand, $(144) thousand net of tax, for December 31, 2020, and $(82) thousand, $(32) thousand net of tax, for December 31, 2019, and represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs. The effects of the funded status on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following table:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Funded status
Actuarial present value of future benefits:
Fully eligible active employees $ (1,089) $ (956)
Non-eligible active employees —  — 
Plan assets —  — 
Funded status of accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, recognized in other liabilities $ (1,089) $ (956)

Development of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 includes the following:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Accrued postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of year $ (956) $ (882)
Service cost – benefits earned during the year —  — 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation (31) (33)
Actuarial loss (102) (41)
Accrued postretirement benefit obligation at end of year $ (1,089) $ (956)

The changes in amounts related to accumulated other comprehensive income, pre-tax, are as follows:
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Balance at beginning of year $ 82  $ 41 
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrecognized prior service cost —  — 
Amortization of loss, net —  — 
Actuarial loss 102  41 
Balance at end of year $ 184  $ 82 
 
11. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings: The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings that are incidental to their business. In the Company’s opinion, based on the present status of these proceedings, any potential liability of the Company or its subsidiaries with respect to these legal proceedings, will not, in the aggregate, be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or operations.

Regulation: The Company’s title insurance and trust subsidiaries are regulated by various federal, state and local governmental agencies and are subject to various audits and inquiries. It is the opinion of management based on its present expectations that these audits and inquiries will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or operations.

Escrow and Trust Deposits: As a service to its customers, the Company, through ITIC, administers escrow and trust deposits representing earnest money received under real estate contracts, escrowed funds received under escrow agreements, undisbursed amounts received for settlement of mortgage loans and indemnities against specific title risks. Cash held by the Company for these purposes was approximately $16.5 million and $21.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits.

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Like-Kind Exchange Proceeds: In administering tax-deferred like-kind exchanges pursuant to § 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company’s subsidiary, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”), serves as a qualified intermediary, holding the net sales proceeds from relinquished property to be used for purchase of replacement property. Another Company subsidiary, Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”), serves as exchange accommodation titleholder and, through LLCs that are wholly owned subsidiaries of ITAC, holds property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions. Like-kind exchange deposits and reverse exchange property totaled approximately $237.9 million and $214.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are not considered assets of the Company and, therefore, are excluded from the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the return on the proceeds at the agreed upon rate. Exchange services revenue includes earnings on these deposits; therefore, investment income is shown as other revenue rather than investment income. These like-kind exchange funds are primarily invested in money market and other short-term investments.

12. Segment Information

The Company has one reportable segment, title insurance services. The remaining immaterial segments have been combined into a group called “All Other.”

The title insurance segment primarily issues title insurance policies through approved attorneys from underwriting offices and through independent issuing agents. Title insurance policies insure titles to real estate.

Provided below is selected financial information about the Company’s operations by segment for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
2020 (in thousands) Title
Insurance 		All
Other 		Intersegment
Eliminations 		Total
Insurance and other services revenues $ 225,781  $ 9,606  $ (12,332) $ 223,055 
Investment income 11,622  1,398  —  13,020 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 334  (1) —  333 
Total revenues $ 237,737  $ 11,003  $ (12,332) $ 236,408 
Operating expenses 185,026  9,095  (7,374) 186,747 
Income before income taxes $ 52,711  $ 1,908  $ (4,958) $ 49,661 
Total assets $ 225,974  $ 56,951  $ —  $ 282,925 
2019 (in thousands) Title
Insurance 		All
Other 		Intersegment
Eliminations 		Total
Insurance and other services revenues $ 161,463  $ 11,157  $ (8,704) $ 163,916 
Investment income 15,210  3,036  —  18,246 
Net realized gain on investments 1,251  89  —  1,340 
Total revenues $ 177,924  $ 14,282  $ (8,704) $ 183,502 
Operating expenses 140,376  9,137  (5,834) 143,679 
Income before income taxes $ 37,548  $ 5,145  $ (2,870) $ 39,823 
Total assets $ 196,825  $ 67,068  $ —  $ 263,893 

13. Shareholders’ Equity

On November 12, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors amended the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, creating a series of preferred stock designated Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The Series A Preferred Stock is senior to common stock in dividends or distributions of assets upon liquidations, dissolutions or winding up of the Company. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative and accrue from the quarterly dividend payment date. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company. These shares were reserved for issuance under the Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Plan”), which was adopted on November 21, 2002, by the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company’s common stock acquired by a person or a group buying 15% or more of the Company’s common stock would be diluted, except in transactions approved by the Board of Directors.

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In connection with the Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock paid on December 16, 2002, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2002. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a unit (a “Unit”) consisting of one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. Under the Plan, the Rights detach and become exercisable upon the earlier of (a) 10 days following public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, or (b) 10 business days following the commencement of, or first public announcement of the intent of a person or group to commence, a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 15% or more of such outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price, the kind and the number of shares covered by each right are subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Plan.

If any person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock, each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person or group) will have the right to buy, at the exercise price, common stock of the Company having a market value of twice the exercise price. If the Company is acquired in a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, or the Company engages in a merger or consolidation in which the Company is the surviving corporation and the Company’s common stock is changed or exchanged, or more than 50% of the Company’s assets or earning power is sold or transferred, the Rights entitle a holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to buy, at the exercise price, stock of the acquiring company having a market value equal to twice the exercise price. At any time after a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock, the Company’s Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than the Rights owned by such person or group), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of the Company’s common stock, or one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, per Right.

The Rights are redeemable upon action by the Board of Directors at a price of $0.01 per right at any time before they become exercisable. Until the Rights become exercisable, they are evidenced only by the common stock certificates and are transferred with and only with such certificates.

On October 31, 2012, the Plan was amended to, among other things, extend the expiration date of the plan from November 11, 2012 to October 31, 2022 and increase the exercise price of the stock purchase rights from $80 per unit to $220 per unit. In connection with the amendments to the Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company also amended the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of shares designated under the rights plan as Series A Preferred Stock from 100 thousand shares to 200 thousand shares. There were 1.0 million shares of Preferred Stock authorized as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, with 200 thousand being designated Series A Preferred Stock.

14. Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents into high credit quality security instruments. Deposits which exceed $250 thousand at each institution are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).  Of the $13.7 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2020, $12.3 million was not insured by the FDIC. Of the $25.9 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019, $24.6 million was not insured by the FDIC. The Company mitigates the risk of having cash and cash equivalents not insured by the FDIC by monitoring the credit quality of the financial institutions in which the funds are held. 

15. Business Concentration

The Company generates a significant amount of title insurance premiums in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and South Carolina. In 2020 and 2019, these states generated the following percentage of total premiums written:
State 2020 2019
North Carolina 36.8  % 39.1  %
Texas 18.6  % 18.2  %
Georgia 11.4  % 11.2  %
South Carolina 9.1  % 9.4  %

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16. Related Party Transactions

The Company does business with, and has investments in, unconsolidated LLCs that are primarily title insurance agencies. The Company utilizes the equity method to account for its investments in these LLCs. The following table sets forth the approximate values by year found within each financial statement classification:
Financial Statement Classification, Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands)
2020 2019
Other investments $ 6,752  $ 6,083 
Premium and fees receivable $ 753  $ 410 
Financial Statement Classification, Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands) 2020 2019
Net premiums written $ 24,186  $ 16,040 
Non-title services and other investment income $ 3,543  $ 2,974 
Commissions to agents $ 16,573  $ 10,879 

17. Business Combinations, Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets

 The estimated fair values of intangible assets recognized as the result of title insurance agency acquisitions, all Level 3 inputs, are principally based on values obtained from a third-party valuation service. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, management determined that no events or changes in circumstances occurred during the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 that would indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable, and therefore determined that no identifiable intangible assets were impaired.

Identifiable intangible assets consist of the following as of December 31:
Year Ended (in thousands)
2020 2019
Referral relationships $ 6,416  $ 6,416 
Non-complete agreements 1,406  1,406 
Tradename 560  560 
Total 8,382  8,382 
Accumulated amortization (2,961) (2,456)
Identifiable intangible assets, net $ 5,421  $ 5,926 

The following table provides the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years:
Year Ended (in thousands)
2021 $ 497 
2022 525 
2023 525 
2024 473 
2025 455 
Thereafter 2,946 
Total $ 5,421 

Goodwill and Title Plant

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has reported $4.4 million in goodwill and $690 thousand in a title plant, net of historical impairments, as the result of title agency acquisitions. The title plant is included with other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair values of goodwill and the title plant, both Level 3 inputs, are principally based on values obtained from a third-party valuation service at the time of acquisition. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, management determined that no events or changes in circumstances occurred during the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 that would indicate the carrying amounts may not be recoverable, and therefore concluded that neither goodwill nor the title plant were impaired.

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18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table provide changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
2020 (in thousands) Unrealized Gains and Losses
On Available-for-Sale
Securities 		Postretirement
Benefits Plans
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 1 $ 3,132  $ (32) $ 3,100 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 991  (112) 879 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
347  —  347 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,338  (112) 1,226 
Ending balance $ 4,470  $ (144) $ 4,326 
2019 (in thousands) Unrealized Gains and Losses
On Available-for-Sale
Securities 		Postretirement
Benefits Plans
 
Total
Beginning balance at January 1 $ 981  $ (32) $ 949 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 2,151  —  2,151 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
—  —  — 
Net current-period other comprehensive income 2,151  —  2,151 
Ending balance $ 3,132  $ (32) $ 3,100 

The following table provide significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
2020 (in thousands)    
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components 		Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities:    
Net realized gain on investments $ 30   
Other-than-temporary impairments (482)  
Total $ (452) Net realized investment gains
Tax 105  Provision for Income Taxes
Net of Tax $ (347)  
Amortization related to postretirement benefit plans:
   
Prior year service cost $ —   
Unrecognized loss —   
Total $ —  (b)
Tax —  Provision for Income Taxes
Net of Tax $ —   
Reclassifications for the period $ (347)  
69


2019 (in thousands)    
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components 		Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income 		 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities:    
Net realized gain on investments $ —   
Other-than-temporary impairments —   
Total $ —  Net realized investment gains
Tax —  Provision for Income Taxes
Net of Tax $ —   
Amortization related to postretirement benefit plans:
   
Prior year service cost $ —   
Unrecognized loss —   
Total $ —  (b)
Tax —  Provision for Income Taxes
Net of Tax $ —   
Reclassifications for the period $ —   
(b)These accumulated other comprehensive income components are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The amounts are presented within personnel expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as amortized. Amortization related to postretirement benefit plans is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs, as discussed in Note 10.

19. Revenue Recognition

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance does not apply to revenue associated with insurance contracts (including title insurance policies), financial instruments and lease contracts; and therefore is primarily applicable to the following Company revenue categories.

Escrow and other title-related fees - The Company’s title segment recognizes commission revenue and fees related to items such as searches, settlements, commitments and other ancillary services. Escrow and other title-related fees are recognized as revenue at the time of the related transactions as the earnings process, or performance obligation, is then considered to be complete.

Non-title services - Through various subsidiaries, the Company offers management services, tax-deferred real property exchange services, investment management and trust services. Nonrefundable exchange fees are recognized as revenue upon receipt of the funds, which is at the time of closing of the initial sale of property. All other non-title service fees are recognized as revenue as performance obligations are completed.

Other - The Company occasionally recognizes revenue from other miscellaneous contracts which can include, but is not limited to seminar and education registration fees and software licensing contracts. These revenue streams are deemed immaterial to the operations of the Company, and revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations are completed.

70


The following table provides a breakdown of the Company’s revenue by major business activity:
 (in thousands) 2020 2019
Revenue from contracts with customers:
Escrow and other title-related fees $ 8,321  $ 7,474 
Non-title services 8,693  9,922 
Total revenue from contracts with customers 17,014  17,396 
Other sources of revenue:
Net premiums written 205,418  145,842 
Investment-related revenue 13,353  19,586 
Other 623  678 
Total revenues $ 236,408  $ 183,502 

71


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

No system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that the system of controls has operated effectively in all cases. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, however, are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.

Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020 to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Reports of Management and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management has assessed, and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, has audited, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. The reports of management and Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP thereon are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Effective January 1, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the amended and restated death benefit plan agreement with J. Allen Fine. The amendments updated the beneficiaries under the death benefit plan agreement and simplified the death benefit provision to eliminate outdated thresholds that were no longer meaningful in light of increases to Mr. Fine’s base salary and bonus compensation over the past decade. The amendments did not result in any changes to Mr. Fine’s compensation. The foregoing description of the amendments to the death benefit plan agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

72


PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information called for by this item is incorporated by reference to the material under the captions “Proposals Requiring Your Vote – Proposal 1 – Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance – Board of Directors and Committees – The Audit Committee” and “Corporate Governance – Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 19, 2021, to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2021 Proxy Statement”). Other information with respect to the executive officers of the Company is included at the end of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the separate caption “Executive Officers of the Company.”

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information called for by this item is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The information pertaining to securities ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table provides information about the Company’s compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2020. The Company does not have any equity compensation plans that have not been approved by its shareholders.

Equity Compensation Plan Information (unrounded)

Plan Category
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for Future
Issuance Under
Equity
Compensation Plans
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders 36,500  (a) $ 139.16  231,500  (b)
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders —  —  — 
Total 36,500  $ 139.16  231,500 
(a) Includes 18,000 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) under the 2009 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “2009 Plan”), and 18,500 shares issuable upon exercise of SARs under the 2019 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan (the “2019 Plan”).
(b) Includes shares remaining for future issuance under the 2019 Plan. The 2009 Plan expired in March 2019.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information called for by this item is set forth under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” “Corporate Governance – Independent Directors” and “Proposals Requiring Your Vote – Proposal 1 – Election of Directors” set forth in the Company’s 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information pertaining to principal accountant fees and services is set forth under the caption “Proposals Requiring Your Vote – Proposal 2 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2021 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
73


PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1)  Financial Statements

The following financial statements are filed under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)(2)  Financial Statement Schedules

The following is a list of financial statement schedules filed as part of this Form 10-K Annual Report:
Schedule Number   Description
I   Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties
II   Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
III   Supplementary Insurance Information
IV   Reinsurance
V   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules are omitted, as the required information either is not applicable, is not required, or is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

(a)(3)  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated herein by reference.

74


INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description Location
3.1(a) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form S-8 filed August 10, 2009, File No. 333-161209
3.1(b) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form S-8 filed August 10, 2009, File No. 333-161209
3.1(c) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form S-8 filed August 10, 2009, File No. 333-161209
3.1(d) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, File No. 11774
3.1(e) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, File No. 11774
3.1(f) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q filed on October 31, 2012, File No. 11774
3.2 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2020, File No. 11774
4.1 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, File No. 11774
4.2 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on November 2, 2012, File No. 11774
10.1* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.2* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.3* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.4* Filed herewith
10.5* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.6* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.7* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.8* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 11774
10.9(a)* Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Proxy Statement dated May 26, 2009, File No. 11774
10.9(b)* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, File No. 11774
75


10.10(a)* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 15, 2019, File No. 333-231486
10.10(b)* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2019, File No. 11774
10.11* Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, File No. 11774
21 Filed herewith
23 Filed herewith
31.1 Filed herewith
31.2 Filed herewith
32 Furnished herewith
101.INS XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) Filed herewith
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document Filed herewith
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document Filed herewith
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document Filed herewith
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document Filed herewith
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Filed herewith
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) Filed herewith
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

76


SCHEDULE I

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS – OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020
Type of Investment (in thousands) Cost (1) Market Value Amount at which shown in the Balance Sheet (3)
Fixed maturity securities:
Government obligations
$ 24,026  $ 24,083  $ 24,083 
General obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions 17,186  18,439  18,439 
Special revenue issuer obligations of U.S. states, territories and political subdivisions
33,635  36,134  36,134 
Public utilities 11,509  12,286  12,286 
Corporate debt securities 25,681  26,771  26,771 
Total fixed maturity securities 112,037  117,713  117,713 
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Public utilities 323  486  486 
Banks, trusts and insurance companies 2,640  5,938  5,938 
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 26,144  46,802  46,802 
Technology 3,371  11,693  11,693 
Total equity securities 32,478  64,919  64,919 
Other investments:
Short-term investments 15,170  15,170  15,170 
Other investments (2) 12,921  12,921  12,921 
Total other investments 28,091  28,091  28,091 
Total investments (2) $ 172,606  $ 210,723  $ 210,723 

(1)Fixed maturity securities are shown at amortized cost and equity securities are shown at original cost.
(2)The above summary of investments does not include investments in related parties accounted for under the cost and equity methods of accounting in the amount of $2,572.
(3)All fixed maturity securities presented are classified as available-for-sale and shown at estimated fair value. Equity securities are shown at fair value.
77


SCHEDULE II

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,680  $ 9,651 
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
27,311  33,244 
Equity securities, at fair value
4,554  4,141 
Short-term investments
5,318  3,806 
Investments in affiliated companies
150,620  133,053 
Other investments
4,215  4,468 
Prepaid expenses and other receivables 2,453  2,306 
Current income taxes receivable 2,487  786 
Accrued interest and dividends 207  321 
Property, net 2,410  2,412 
Total Assets $ 203,255  $ 194,188 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity    
Liabilities:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,313  $ 2,471 
Deferred income taxes, net 520  355 
Total liabilities 2,833  2,826 
Shareholders’ Equity:    
Preferred stock (1,000 authorized shares; no shares issued)
—  — 
Common stock – no par value (10,000 authorized shares; 1,892 and 1,889 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, excluding in each period 292 shares of common stock held by the Company)
—  — 
Retained earnings 196,096  188,262 
Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,326  3,100 
Total shareholders’ equity 200,422  191,362 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $ 203,255  $ 194,188 

Refer to the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
78


SCHEDULE II

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020 2019
Revenues:    
Interest and dividends $ 768  $ 707 
Net realized investment (losses) gains (473) 37 
Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments 265  797 
Rental income 702  853 
Miscellaneous income 392  882 
Total Revenues 1,654  3,276 
Operating Expenses:    
Personnel expenses 908  1,160 
Office and technology expenses 360  375 
Other expenses 1,003  1,024 
Total Operating Expenses 2,271  2,559 
Equity in Net Income of Affiliated Companies 39,685  30,804 
Income before Income Taxes 39,068  31,521 
(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes (352) 63 
Net Income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Basic Earnings per Common Share $ 20.84  $ 16.66 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Basic 1,892  1,888 
Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ 20.80  $ 16.59 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding – Diluted 1,896  1,896 

Refer to the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.

79


SCHEDULE II

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Operating Activities    
Net income $ 39,420  $ 31,458 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries (39,685) (30,804)
Depreciation 99  99 
Amortization, net 198  139 
Share-based compensation expense related to stock appreciation rights 229  264 
Net realized investment losses (gains) 495  (37)
Net realized gain on other investments (22) — 
Changes in the estimated fair value of equity security investments (265) (797)
Net earnings from other investments (90) (226)
Provision for deferred income taxes 73  269 
Increase in receivables (147) (460)
(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable (1,701) 1,652 
Decrease (increase) in other assets 114  (135)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (158) 281 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (1,440) 1,703 
Investing Activities    
Dividends received from subsidiaries 24,043  34,925 
Purchases of fixed maturity and equity securities (691) (24,503)
Purchases of short-term securities (7,590) (39,635)
Purchases of and net earnings from other investments (97) — 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturity and equity securities 6,179  8,200 
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term securities 6,081  45,279 
Proceeds from sales and distributions of other investments 440  904 
Proceeds from sales of other assets 22  — 
Purchases of property (97) (12)
Net cash provided by investing activities 28,290  25,158 
Financing Activities    
Repurchases of common stock (6) (19)
Exercise of stock appreciation rights 1  — 
Capital contribution to subsidiaries (1,100) (600)
Dividends paid (31,716) (18,131)
Net cash used in financing activities (32,821) (18,750)
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (5,971) 8,111 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period 9,651  1,540 
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $ 3,680  $ 9,651 
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income tax payments, net $ 10,113  $ 9,472 

Refer to the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
80


SCHEDULE II

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY (PARENT COMPANY)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
(in thousands)


1.The accompanying Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto of Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries.

2.Cash dividends paid to Investors Title Company by its wholly owned subsidiaries were as follows:
Subsidiaries 2020 2019
Investors Title Insurance Company, net* $ 20,443  $ 32,150 
Investors Title Exchange Corporation 2,000  600 
Investors Title Accommodation Corporation —  25 
Investors Trust Company 500  — 
Investors Title Commercial Agency, LLC 700  600 
National Investors Holdings, LLC 400  1,550 
Total $ 24,043  $ 34,925 

* Total dividends of $25,331 and $34,950 paid to the Parent Company in 2020 and 2019, respectively, netted with dividends of $4,888 and $2,800 received from the Parent Company in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
81


SCHEDULE III

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
Segment Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses Unearned Premiums Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable Premium Revenue Net Investment Income Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Other Operating Expenses Premiums Written
Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands)
Title Insurance $ —  $ 33,584  $ —  $ 1,139  $ 205,418  $ 11,622  $ 5,204  $ —  $ 172,580  N/A
All Other —  —  —  —  —  1,398  —  —  8,963  N/A
$ —  $ 33,584  $ —  $ 1,139  $ 205,418  $ 13,020  $ 5,204  $ —  $ 181,543  N/A
Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands)
Title Insurance $ —  $ 31,333  $ —  $ 695  $ 145,842  $ 15,210  $ 3,532  $ —  $ 131,134  N/A
All Other —  —  —  —  —  3,036  —  —  9,013  N/A
$ —  $ 31,333  $ —  $ 695  $ 145,842  $ 18,246  $ 3,532  $ —  $ 140,147  N/A

82


SCHEDULE IV

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
REINSURANCE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
Gross Amount Ceded to Other Companies Assumed from Other Companies Net Amount Percentages of Amount Assumed to Net
Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands)
Title Insurance $ 205,711  $ 296  $ 3  $ 205,418  —  %
Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands)
Title Insurance $ 146,251  $ 411  $ 2  $ 145,842  —  %


83


SCHEDULE V

INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 AND 2019
Description Balance at Beginning of Period Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses Additions Charge to Other Accounts – Describe Deductions – Describe Balance at End of Period
2020 (in thousands)
Premiums receivable:
Valuation provision $ 261  $ 5,208  $ —  $ (5,296) (a) $ 173 
Reserves for claims $ 31,333  $ 5,204  $ —  $ (2,953) (b) $ 33,584 
2019 (in thousands)
Premiums receivable:
Valuation provision $ 304  $ 4,004  $ —  $ (4,047) (a) $ 261 
Reserves for claims $ 31,729  $ 3,532  $ —  $ (3,928) (b) $ 31,333 

(a)Canceled premiums
(b)Payments of claims, net of recoveries

84


ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None

85


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: /s/ J. Allen Fine 
J. Allen Fine, Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
March 15, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 15th day of March, 2021.
/s/  J. Allen Fine /s/  James A. Fine, Jr.
J. Allen Fine, Chairman of the Board and James A. Fine, Jr., President, Treasurer, Chief
Chief Executive Officer Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and
(Principal Executive Officer)
Director (Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/  W. Morris Fine /s/  Tammy F. Coley
W. Morris Fine, Executive Vice President, Tammy F. Coley, Director
Secretary and Director
/s/  David L. Francis /s/  Richard M. Hutson II
David L. Francis, Director Richard M. Hutson II, Director
/s/  James R. Morton /s/  Elton C. Parker, Jr.
James R. Morton, Director Elton C. Parker, Jr., Director
/s/  James H. Speed, Jr.
James H. Speed, Jr., Director

86


Exhibit 10.4

Investors Title
Investors Title Insurance Company

AMENDED AND RESTATED DEATH BENEFIT PLAN AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DEATH BENEFIT PLAN AGREEMENT, effective January 1, 2021 (the "Agreement"), is by and between Investors Title Insurance Company, a North Carolina corporation (the "Company"), and J. Allen Fine, an individual residing in the State of North Carolina (the "Executive"),

WITNESSETH THAT:

WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company under the terms of an Employment Agreement dated November 17, 2003, as amended from time to time (the "Employment Agreement"), and

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes the valuable services heretofore performed for it by the Executive and wishes to encourage his continued employment; and

WHEREAS, the Executive wishes to be assured that his irrevocably designated beneficiary will be entitled to a certain benefit for some definite period of time from and after the Executive's death; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto previously entered into that certain Death Benefit Plan Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009 (the "Existing Death Benefit Plan Agreement"), which sets forth the terms and conditions upon which the Company will pay such death benefit; and

WHEREAS, the parties deem it appropriate to amend and restate the Existing Death Benefit Plan Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that this Agreement be considered an unfunded arrangement, maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for the Executive, a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company, for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual promises herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.DEATH BENEFIT.

a.In the event of the death of the Executive while employed by the Company, the Company shall thereafter pay to the Executive's designated beneficiary within sixty (60) days of the death of the Executive a lump sum amount equal to:

(i)an amount equal to three (3) times the sum of the Executive's (i) current Base Salary, but in no event less than the amount provided in the current Employment Agreement, plus (ii) average Bonus Compensation for the past three (3) years as defined in the Employment Agreement.



b.The Executive hereby irrevocably designates James A. Fine, Jr. and W. Morris Fine equally as his beneficiaries hereunder.

2.BENEFIT CONTINGENT ON CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

a.In the event that the employment of the Executive by the Company is terminated due to Retirement, Disability, Termination without Cause or Termination by Executive for Good Reason, the Employment Agreement shall govern.

b.In the event that the employment of the Executive by the Company is terminated due to any reason other than his death or a reason listed in Section 2(a), this Agreement shall terminate and the Company shall have no obligation to provide the Executive or his designated beneficiaries with any benefits hereunder.

c.Nothing contained herein shall be construed to be a contract of employment for any term of years, nor as conferring upon the Executive the right to continue to be employed by the Company, in any capacity. It is expressly understood by the parties hereto that this Agreement relates exclusively to a death benefit for the Executive's services, and is not intended to alter in any way the rights and responsibilities under the Employment Agreement, as such may be amended from time to time.

3.NO TRUST CREATED. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions by either party hereto shall create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and the Executive, his designated beneficiaries or any other person.

4.BENEFITS PAYABLE ONLY FROM GENERAL CORPORATE ASSETS; UNSECURED GENERAL CREDITOR STATUS OF EXECUTIVE.

a.The payments to the Executive's designated beneficiaries hereunder shall be made from assets which shall continue, for all purposes, to be a part of the general, unrestricted assets of the Company; no such person shall have nor acquire any interest in any such assets by virtue of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company's obligation hereunder shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company under the provisions hereof, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company; no such person shall have nor require any legal or equitable right, interest or claim in or to any property or assets of the Company.

b.In the event that, in its discretion, the Company purchases an insurance policy or policies insuring the life of the Executive (or any other property) to allow the Company to recover, in whole, or in part, the cost of providing the benefits hereunder, neither the Executive nor any of his designated beneficiaries shall have or acquire any right whatsoever therein or in the proceeds therefrom. The Company shall be the sole owner and beneficiary of any such policy or policies, and, as such, shall possess and may exercise all incidents of ownership therein. No such policy, policies or other property shall be held in any trust for the Executive or any other person nor as collateral security for any obligation of the Company hereunder.




5.NON-ASSIGNABILITY OF BENEFITS. Neither the Executive nor his designated beneficiaries under this Agreement shall have any power or right to transfer, assign, anticipate, hypothecate or otherwise encumber any part or all of the amounts payable hereunder. Such amounts shall not be subject to seizure by any creditor of any such beneficiary, by a proceeding at law or in equity, nor transferable by operation of law in the event of the bankruptcy, insolvency or death of the Executive, his designated beneficiaries, or any other beneficiary hereunder. Any such attempted assignment or transfer shall be void and shall terminate this Agreement; the Company shall thereupon have no further liability hereunder.

6.ADMINISTRATION, DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS, AND CLAIMS PROCEDURE.

a.The Plan shall be administered by the Company's Board of Directors, which shall have the authority, duty and power to interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan as the Board deems appropriate including the authority to determine eligibility for benefits under the Plan. The Board shall have the duty and responsibility of maintaining records, making the requisite calculations and disbursing the payments hereunder. The interpretations, determinations, regulations and calculations of the Board shall be final and binding on all persons and parties concerned. Any benefits payable under this Plan will be paid only if the Plan Administrator decides in its discretion that the applicant is entitled to them.

b.Expenses of administration shall be paid by the Company. The Board shall be entitled to rely on all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions, data and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or retained by the Company with respect to the Plan.

c.Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, neither the Company nor any individual acting as an employee or agent of the Company shall be liable to the Executive the Executive's designated beneficiaries, the Executive's estate or any other person for any claim, loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, unless attributable to fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Company or any such employee or agent of the Company.

d.All claims for benefits shall be handled through the following procedure:

(i)Claim.

A person who believes that he is being denied a benefit to which he is entitled under the Plan (hereinafter referred to as a "Claimant") may file a written request for such benefit with the Company, setting forth his claim. The request must be addressed to the President of the Company at its then principal place of business.

(ii)Claim Decision.

Upon receipt of a claim, the Company shall advise the Claimant that a reply will be forthcoming within ninety (90) days and shall, in fact, deliver such reply within such period. The Company may, however, extend the reply period for an additional ninety (90) days for reasonable cause.




If the claim is denied in whole or in part, the Company shall adopt a written opinion, using language calculated to be understood by the Claimant, setting forth:

(A)The specific reason or reasons for such denial;

(B)The specific reference to pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which such denial is based;

(C)A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect his claim and an explanation why such material or such information is necessary;

(D)Appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to submit the claim for review; and

(E)The time limits for requesting a review under Section 6(e)(iii) and for review under Section 6(e)(iv).

(iii)Request for Review.

Within sixty (60) days after the receipt by the Claimant of the written opinion described above, the Claimant may request in writing that the Assistant Secretary of the Company review the determination of the Company. Such request must be addressed to the Assistant Secretary of the Company, at its then principal place of business. The Claimant or his duly authorized representative may, but need not, review the pertinent documents and submit issues and comments in writing for consideration by the Company. If the Claimant does not request a review of the Company's determination by the Assistant Secretary of the Company within such sixty (60) day period, he shall be barred and estopped from challenging the Company's determination.

(iv)Review of Decision.

Within sixty (60) days after the Assistant Secretary's receipt of a request for review, he will review the Company's determination. After considering all materials presented by the Claimant, the Assistant Secretary will render a written opinion, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, setting forth the specific reasons for the decision and containing specific references to the pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the decision is based. If special circumstances require that the sixty (60) day time period be extended, the Assistant Secretary will so notify the Claimant and will render the decision as soon as possible, but no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request for review.

7.AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. Item l.b. of this Agreement may not be amended, altered, modified, or terminated.

8.CHANGE OF CONTROL. Following a Change of Control (as that term is defined in the Employment Agreement), the Plan shall be continued by the surviving entity, and the Executive's rights under this Agreement shall not be impaired without the consent of the Executive.



9.INUREMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and the Executive, his successors, heirs, executors, administrators and beneficiaries.

10.NOTICES. Any notice, consent or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be signed by the party giving or making the same. If such notice, consent or demand is mailed to a party hereto, it shall be sent by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address as shown on the records of the Company. The date of such mailing shall be deemed the date of notice, consent or demand.

11.GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, and the rights of the parties hereunder, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, in duplicate, as of the day and year first above written.



Investors Title Insurance Company
By: /s/  W. Morris Fine
President
ATTEST:
/s/  L. Dawn Martin
Assistant Secretary
/s/  J. Allen Fine
Executive



Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF REGISTRANT
 
Percent Names Under Which State of
Name of Subsidiary Ownership Subsidiaries Do Business Incorporation
       
Investors Title Insurance Company 100% Investors Title Insurance Company North Carolina
       
National Investors Title Insurance Company 100% National Investors Title Insurance Company Texas
       
Investors Title Exchange Corporation 100% Investors Title Exchange Corporation North Carolina
       
Investors Title Accommodation Corporation 100% Investors Title Accommodation Corporation South Carolina
       
Investors Title Management Services, Inc. 100% Investors Title Management Services, Inc. North Carolina
       
Investors Title Commercial Agency, LLC 100% Investors Title Commercial Agency, LLC North Carolina
       
Investors Trust Company 100% Investors Trust Company North Carolina
       
National Investors Holdings, LLC 100% National Investors Holdings, LLC Texas
United Title Agency, LLC 100% United Title Agency, LLC Michigan
University Title Company 100% University Title Company Texas



Exhibit 23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Investors Title Company
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-231486, 333-109279 and 333-161209) on Forms S-8 of Investors Title Company of our reports dated March 15, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Investors Title Company and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which reports appear in Investors Title Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Sincerely,

/S/ DIXON HUGHES GOODMAN, LLP
High Point, NC
March 15, 2021







Exhibit 31(i)

Certification

I, J. Allen Fine, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Investors Title Company;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of this annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
   
Dated: March 15, 2021 /s/ J. Allen Fine
  J. Allen Fine
  Chief Executive Officer


Exhibit 31(ii)

Certification

I, James A. Fine, Jr., certify that:

1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Investors Title Company;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of this annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
   
Dated: March 15, 2021 /s/ James A. Fine, Jr.
  James A. Fine, Jr.
  Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit 32


Certifications
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Investors Title Company, a North Carolina corporation (the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company does hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to each undersigned's knowledge, that:

(i)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(ii)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

   
Dated: March 15, 2021 /s/ J. Allen Fine
  J. Allen Fine
  Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 15, 2021 /s/ James A. Fine, Jr.
  James A. Fine, Jr.
  Chief Financial Officer
    

This certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Report, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.