a6018957.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2009
 
OR
 
[  ]    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 of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
121 North Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)

 
(919) 968-2200
(Registrant's Telephone Number Including Area Code)
 
 
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   X       No ___ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes ___ No ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of  “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one): Large accelerated filer ___
Accelerated filer  _X_
Non-accelerated filer ___
Smaller reporting company ___
 
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ___ No _X_

As of July 24, 2009, there were 2,297,132 common shares of the registrant outstanding.
 

 
 
INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
 
     
 
1
     
  2
     
  3
     
  4
     
 
5
     
18
     
29
     
29
     
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
30
     
31
     
32
     
32
     
     
 
33
 

 
Item 1.    Financial Statements
 
   
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
 
 
As of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
Assets
           
  Investments in securities:
           
     Fixed maturities:
           
       Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: 2009: $457,635; 2008: $462,580)
  $ 446,907     $ 451,681  
       Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2009: $83,291,395; 2008: $85,923,583)
    85,803,489       87,708,500  
     Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: 2009: $9,034,924; 2008: $9,158,785)
    10,392,874       9,965,297  
     Short-term investments
    15,127,184       15,725,513  
     Other investments
    2,400,932       2,040,962  
        Total investments
    114,171,386       115,891,953  
                 
  Cash and cash equivalents
    8,120,607       5,155,046  
  Premiums and fees receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of  
               
     $1,540,000 and $1,297,000 for 2009 and 2008, respectively
    7,956,609       4,933,797  
  Accrued interest and dividends
    1,151,634       1,225,070  
  Prepaid expenses and other assets
    1,521,707       1,215,146  
  Property acquired in settlement of claims
    378,884       395,734  
  Property, net
    4,051,221       4,422,318  
  Current income taxes receivable
    2,073,410       2,777,829  
  Deferred income taxes, net
    2,261,779       3,841,295  
                 
Total Assets
  $ 141,687,237     $ 139,858,188  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
  Reserves for claims
  $ 39,583,000     $ 39,238,000  
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    7,800,818       10,762,300  
      Total liabilities
    47,383,818       50,000,300  
                 
Commitments and Contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
  Class A Junior Participating preferred stock (shares authorized 100,000; no shares issued)
    -       -  
  Common stock-no par value (shares authorized 10,000,000;
               
    2,297,207 and 2,293,268 shares issued and outstanding 2009 and 2008,
               
    respectively, excluding 291,676 shares for 2009 and 2008
               
    of common stock held by the Company's subsidiary)
    1       1  
  Retained earnings
    91,859,793       88,248,452  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
    2,443,625       1,609,435  
      Total stockholders' equity
    94,303,419       89,857,888  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 141,687,237     $ 139,858,188  
                 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
               
 
1

 
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
 
 
For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30
   
June 30
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues:
                       
Underwriting income:
                       
Premiums written
  $ 18,945,561     $ 18,178,892     $ 35,356,158     $ 36,082,654  
Less-premiums for reinsurance ceded
    33,173       50,910       33,950       141,312  
Net premiums written
    18,912,388       18,127,982       35,322,208       35,941,342  
Investment income - interest and dividends
    960,454       1,112,681       1,950,089       2,392,040  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
    9,995       (242,272 )     (289,942 )     (123,703 )
Exchange services revenue
    300,963       66,714       624,727       471,412  
Other
    1,436,759       1,287,695       2,695,886       2,532,628  
Total Revenues
    21,620,559       20,352,800       40,302,968       41,213,719  
                                 
Operating Expenses:
                               
Commissions to agents
    8,831,742       7,949,938       16,363,951       15,269,208  
Provision for claims
    2,751,814       4,298,414       4,798,940       6,347,010  
Salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes
    4,529,066       5,311,626       9,667,242       10,809,562  
Office occupancy and operations
    1,208,140       1,330,815       2,306,722       2,697,188  
Business development
    329,011       567,881       591,828       1,053,332  
Filing fees and taxes, other than payroll and income
    185,204       138,875       342,255       331,504  
Premium and retaliatory taxes
    375,510       451,728       742,772       819,065  
Professional and contract labor fees
    326,673       502,531       628,686       1,023,940  
Other
    214,926       301,926       213,136       538,464  
Total Operating Expenses
    18,752,086       20,853,734       35,655,532       38,889,273  
                                 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
    2,868,473       (500,934 )     4,647,436       2,324,446  
                                 
Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes
    753,000       (227,000 )     1,097,000       474,000  
                                 
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 2,115,473     $ (273,934 )   $ 3,550,436     $ 1,850,446  
                                 
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
  $ 0.92     $ (0.11 )   $ 1.55     $ 0.77  
                                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic
    2,296,644       2,409,206       2,295,298       2,410,852  
                                 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
  $ 0.92     $ (0.11 )   $ 1.54     $ 0.76  
                                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted
    2,296,644       2,409,206       2,300,017       2,434,204  
                                 
Cash Dividends Paid Per Common Share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.07     $ 0.14     $ 0.14  
                                 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                               
 
2

 
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
                               
                     
Accumulated
   
 
 
   
Common Stock
   
Retained
   
Other
Comprehensive
   
Total
Stockholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Equity
 
                               
Balance, December 31, 2007
    2,411,318     $ 1     $ 95,739,827     $ 3,536,012     $ 99,275,840  
Net income
                    1,850,446               1,850,446  
Dividends ($.14 per share)
                    (338,080 )             (338,080 )
Shares of common stock repurchased and retired
    (21,326 )             (1,002,423 )             (1,002,423 )
Issuance of common stock in payment of
                                       
     bonuses and fees
    40               1,946               1,946  
Stock options exercised
    10,450               204,012               204,012  
Share-based compensation expense
                    47,199               47,199  
Amortization related to FASB Statement No. 158
                      6,728       6,728  
Net unrealized loss on investments, net of tax
                      (1,289,888 )     (1,289,888 )
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2008
    2,400,482     $ 1     $ 96,502,927     $ 2,252,852     $ 98,755,780  
                                         
Balance, December 31, 2008
    2,293,268     $ 1     $ 88,248,452     $ 1,609,435     $ 89,857,888  
Net income
                    3,550,436               3,550,436  
Dividends ($.14 per share)
                    (321,385 )             (321,385 )
Shares of common stock repurchased and retired
    (286 )             (8,511 )             (8,511 )
Stock options exercised
    4,225               74,072               74,072  
Share-based compensation expense
                    316,729               316,729  
Amortization related to FASB Statement No. 158
                      7,392       7,392  
Net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax
                      826,798       826,798  
                                         
Balance, June 30, 2009
    2,297,207     $ 1     $ 91,859,793     $ 2,443,625     $ 94,303,419  
                                         
                                         
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
                                 
 
 
3

 
Investors Title Company and Subsidiaries
 
 
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating Activities:
           
Net income
  $ 3,550,436     $ 1,850,446  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
     used in operating activities:
               
        Depreciation
    421,720       555,908  
        Amortization on investments, net
    140,438       156,259  
        Amortization of prior service cost
    11,200       10,194  
        Issuance of common stock in payment of bonuses and fees
    -       1,946  
        Share-based compensation expense related to stock options
    316,729       47,199  
        Allowance for doubtful accounts on premiums receivable
    243,000       (241,000 )
        Net loss on disposals of property
    13,136       1,999  
        Net realized loss on investments
    289,942       123,703  
        Net earnings from other investments
    (881,715 )     (499,924 )
        Provision for claims
    4,798,940       6,347,010  
        Provision for deferred income taxes
    1,117,000       592,000  
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
        Increase in receivables and other assets
    (3,482,087 )     (719,882 )
        Decrease in current income taxes receivable
    704,419       -  
        Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (2,961,482 )     (1,392,846 )
        Decrease in current income taxes payable
    -       (1,747,877 )
        Payments of claims, net of recoveries
    (4,453,940 )     (6,086,010 )
    Net cash used in operating activities
    (172,264 )     (1,000,875 )
                 
Investing Activities:
               
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    (2,910,021 )     (2,293,775 )
  Purchases of short-term securities
    (2,004,425 )     (8,906,105 )
  Purchases of other investments
    (176,759 )     (494,795 )
  Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
    5,435,206       12,999,142  
  Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities
    5,000       505,000  
  Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term securities
    2,602,754       160,984  
  Proceeds from sales and distributions of other investments
    505,653       390,001  
  Purchases of property
    (69,925 )     (87,155 )
  Proceeds from the sale of property
    6,166       -  
    Net cash provided by investing activities
    3,393,649       2,273,297  
                 
Financing Activities:
               
  Repurchases of common stock, net
    (8,511 )     (1,002,423 )
  Exercise of options
    74,072       204,012  
  Dividends paid
    (321,385 )     (338,080 )
    Net cash used in financing activities
    (255,824 )     (1,136,491 )
                 
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    2,965,561       135,931  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
    5,155,046       3,000,762  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
  $ 8,120,607     $ 3,136,693  
                 
Supplemental Disclosures:
               
Cash (Received) Paid During the Period for:
               
  Income Taxes, (refunds) payments, net
  $ (724,000 )   $ 2,314,400  
                 
Non cash net unrealized (gain) loss on investments, net of deferred tax
         
(provision) benefit of  ($458,708) and $676,032 for 2009 and 2008,
               
respectively
  $ (826,798 )   $ 1,289,888  
                 
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
               
 
4

 
INVESTORS TITLE COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2009
(Unaudited)


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Reference should be made to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" of Investors Title Company’s (“the Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 for a complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Investors Title Company and its subsidiaries (Investors Title Insurance Company, Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company, Investors Title Exchange Corporation, Investors Title Accommodation Corporation, Investors Title Management Services, Inc., Investors Title Commercial Agency, LLC, Investors Capital Management Company, and Investors Trust Company), and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been included.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used.

Reclassification - Certain 2008 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2009 classifications.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

Subsequent Events – The Company has evaluated and concluded that there are no subsequent events through July 31, 2009, which is the date of financial statement issuance.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards –   In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.”  This Statement replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)  No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” and establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized as applicable to nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP.  Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants.  This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect of adopting this new Statement and anticipates that the Statement will not have a significant impact on the reporting of the Company’s results of operations.
 
5

 
In April 2009, the FASB issued its Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.” This FSP provides for additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased.  This Position is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and shall be applied prospectively.  Adopting this new Position did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments.” The objective of an other-than-temporary impairment analysis under U.S. GAAP is to determine whether the holder of an investment in a debt or equity security for which changes in fair value are not regularly recognized in earnings, such as securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale, should recognize a loss in earnings when the investment is impaired.  This FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments of debt and equity securities in the financial statements.  This FSP does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This Position is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.  Adopting this new Position did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28 to require disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This Position is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009.  Adopting this new Position did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 
Note 2 - Reserves for Claims
 
Transactions in the reserves for claims for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:
 
     
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 39,238,000     $ 36,975,000  
 
Provision, charged to operations
    4,798,940       15,206,637  
 
Payments of claims, net of recoveries
    (4,453,940 )     (12,943,637 )
 
Ending balance
  $ 39,583,000     $ 39,238,000  
 
 
6

 
The total reserve for all reported and unreported losses the Company incurred through June 30, 2009 is represented by the reserves for claims. The Company's reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are 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. Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that the reserves are adequate to cover claim losses which might result from pending and future claims for policies issued through June 30, 2009.  The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available.  Adjustments resulting from such reviews may be significant.

Claims and losses paid are charged to the reserves 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.

   
Note 3 - Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $2,732,732 and $(942,733), respectively.  Comprehensive income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $4,384,626 and $567,286, respectively.  Other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s available-for-sale securities, net of tax and amortization of prior service cost and unrealized gains and losses in net periodic benefit costs related to postretirement liabilities, net of tax.


Note 4 - Earnings (Loss) 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 includes 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, the exercise price of a share-based award, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of estimated tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital, if any, when the share-based awards are exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.  The incremental dilutive potential common shares, calculated using the treasury stock method were 4,719 and 23,352 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
7

 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30:

   
Three months ended June 30,
   
Six months ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 2,115,473     $ (273,934 )   $ 3,550,436     $ 1,850,446  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Basic
    2,296,644       2,409,206       2,295,298       2,410,852  
Incremental shares outstanding assuming
                               
    the exercise of dilutive stock options and SARs (share settled)
    -       -       4,719       23,352  
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted
    2,296,644       2,409,206       2,300,017       2,434,204  
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.92     $ (0.11 )   $ 1.55     $ 0.77  
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
  $ 0.92     $ (0.11 )   $ 1.54     $ 0.76  

There were 17,200 shares for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and 17,200 and 6,000 shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, because these shares were anti-dilutive.

The Company has adopted employee stock award plans (the "Plans") under which restricted stock, and options or stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to purchase shares (not to exceed 500,000 shares) of the Company's stock may be granted to key employees or directors of the Company at a price not less than the market value on the date of grant.  SARs and options (which have predominantly been incentive stock options) awarded under the Plans thus far are exercisable and vest immediately or within one year or at 10% to 20% per year beginning on the date of grant and generally expire in five to ten years.  All SARs issued to date have been share settled only.  There have not been any SARs exercised in 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
 
8

 
A summary of share-based award transactions for all share-based award plans follows:

         
Weighted
   
Average
       
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Number
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Of Shares
   
Price
   
Term (years)
   
Value
 
Outstanding as of January 1, 2007
   
74,051
   
$
21.82
     
4.34
   
$
2,338,246
 
SARs granted
   
3,000
     
49.04
                 
Options exercised
   
(15,390
)
   
23.74
                 
Options/SARs cancelled/forfeited/expired
   
(1,181
)
   
17.38
                 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2007
   
60,480
   
$
22.77
     
4.11
   
$
1,377,390
 
SARs granted
   
3,000
     
47.88
                 
Options exercised
   
(12,360
)
   
18.67
                 
Options/SARs cancelled/forfeited/expired
   
(4,050
)
   
29.96
                 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2008
   
47,070
   
$
24.83
     
3.67
   
$
666,079
 
SARs granted
   
78,000
     
28.13
                 
Options exercised
   
(4,225
)
   
17.53
                 
Options/SARs cancelled/forfeited/expired
   
(2,050
   
20.61
                 
Outstanding as of June 30, 2009
   
118,795
   
$
27.33
     
5.54
   
$
245,718
 
                                 
Exercisable as of June 30, 2009
   
68,025
   
$
27.38
     
5.04
   
$
200,631
 
                                 
Unvested as of June 30, 2009
   
50,770
   
$
27.26
     
6.22
   
$
45,087
 


During the second quarter of 2009, the Company issued 3,000 share settled SARs to the directors 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.  As such, these were valued using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  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 following table. Expected volatilities are based on both the implied and historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate SAR exercise and employee termination 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 for periods during 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 value for the SARs issued was $10.81 and was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:

 
2009
Expected Life in Years
5.0
Volatility
38.76%
Interest Rate
2.05%
Yield Rate
0.93%
   
 
 
9

 
The following table provides the Black-Scholes weighted-average components for all grants during the respective years:
 
 
2009
2008
2007
Expected Life in Years
5.0
5.0
5.0
Volatility
34%
24%
25%
Interest Rate
1.9%
3.1%
4.6%
Yield Rate
0.9%
0.6%
0.5%
 
There was approximately $317,000 of compensation expense relating to SARs or options vesting on or before June 30, 2009 included in salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes of the consolidated statements of income.  As of June 30, 2009, there was approximately $501,000 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 1.3 years.

There have been no stock options or SARs granted where the exercise price was less than the market price on the date of grant.


Note 5 – Segment Information

Consistent with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information ,” the Company has aggregated its operating segments into two reportable segments: 1) title insurance services; and 2) tax-deferred exchange 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 residential, institutional, commercial and industrial properties.

The tax-deferred exchange services segment acts as an intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investing and serves as the exchange accommodation titleholder, holding property for exchangers in reverse exchange transactions.  Revenues are derived from fees for handling exchange transactions.
   
Provided below is selected financial information about the Company’s operations by segment: 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 
Title
Insurance
   
Exchange
Services
   
All
Other
   
Intersegment
Eliminations
   
Total
 
 
Operating revenues
  $ 19,685,359     $ 304,627     $ 853,507     $ (193,383 )   $ 20,650,110  
Investment income
    800,799       50       180,023       (20,418 )     960,454  
Net realized gain (loss)
     on investments
    35,806       -       (25,811 )     -       9,995  
Total revenues
  $ 20,521,964     $ 304,677     $ 1,007,719     $ (213,801 )   $ 21,620,559  
Operating expenses
    17,786,954       193,720       964,795       (193,383 )     18,752,086  
Income before
     income taxes
  $ 2,735,010     $ 110,957     $ 42,924     $ (20,418 )   $ 2,868,473  
Assets, net
  $ 104,029,922     $ 465,690     $ 37,191,625     $ -     $ 141,687,237  
 
 
10

 
Three Months Ended
 
Title
Insurance
   
Exchange
Services
   
All
Other
   
Intersegment
Eliminations
   
Total
 
June 30, 2008
                             
Operating revenues
  $ 18,712,575     $ 66,714     $ 901,621     $ (198,519 )   $ 19,482,391  
Investment income
    902,757       27,369       202,973       (20,418 )     1,112,681  
Net realized loss on
     investments
    (233,618 )     (99 )     (8,555 )     -       (242,272 )
Total revenues
  $ 19,381,714     $ 93,984     $ 1,096,039     $ (218,937 )   $ 20,352,800  
Operating expenses
    19,634,063       365,876       1,052,314       (198,519 )     20,853,734  
Income (loss) before
     income taxes
  $ (252,349 )   $ (271,892 )   $ 43,725     $ (20,418 )   $ (500,934 )
Assets, net
  $ 108,834,556     $ 161,240     $ 37,246,841     $ -     $ 146,242,637  
 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Operating revenues
  $ 36,747,997     $ 628,391     $ 1,651,645     $ (385,212 )   $ 38,642,821  
Investment income
    1,609,318       148       381,458       (40,835 )     1,950,089  
Net realized loss on
     investments
    (90,489 )     -       (199,453 )     -       (289,942 )
Total revenues
  $ 38,266,826     $ 628,539     $ 1,833,650     $ (426,047 )   $ 40,302,968  
Operating expenses
    33,964,253       244,679       1,831,812       (385,212 )     35,655,532  
Income before
     income taxes
  $ 4,302,573     $ 383,860     $ 1,838     $ (40,835 )   $ 4,647,436  
Assets, net
  $ 104,029,922     $ 465,690     $ 37,191,625     $ -     $ 141,687,237  
 
 
Six Months Ended
                             
June 30, 2008
                             
Operating revenues
  $ 37,082,541     $ 471,412     $ 1,781,959     $ (390,530 )   $ 38,945,382  
Investment income
    1,852,216       35,378       545,281       (40,835 )     2,392,040  
Net realized loss on
     investments
    (115,236 )     -       (8,467 )     -       (123,703 )
Total revenues
  $ 38,819,521     $ 506,790     $ 2,318,773     $ (431,365 )   $ 41,213,719  
Operating expenses
    36,465,168       678,964       2,135,671       (390,530 )     38,889,273  
Income (loss) before
     income taxes
  $ 2,354,353     $ (172,174 )   $ 183,102     $ (40,835 )   $ 2,324,446  
Assets, net
  $ 108,834,556     $ 161,240     $ 37,246,841     $ -     $ 146,242,637  


Operating revenues represent net premiums written and other revenues.

 
 Note 6 – Retirement and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

On November 17, 2003, the Company’s subsidiary, Investors Title Insurance Company, 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, vision and life insurance. The benefits are unfunded.  The following sets forth the net periodic benefits cost for the executive benefits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
 
11

 
   
For the Three
Months Ended
June 30,
   
For the Six
Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Service cost – benefits earned during the year
  $ 5,958     $ 4,334     $ 11,916     $ 8,668  
Interest cost on the projected benefit obligation
    6,743       4,761       13,486       9,522  
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
    5,098       5,097       10,195       10,194  
Amortization of unrecognized gains
    503       -       1,005       -  
Net periodic benefits costs
  $ 18,302     $ 14,192     $ 36,602     $ 28,384  

 
Note 7 - Fair Value Measurement
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for interim periods within those years. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands the related disclosure requirements.  Relative to SFAS 157, the FASB recently issued FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) 157-1, 157-2 and 157-3.  FSP 157-1 amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” and its related interpretive accounting pronouncements that address leasing transactions, while FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of the application of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.  FSP 157-3 clarifies the principles in SFAS 157 on the fair value measurement of liabilities.  The Company adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008.
 
Valuation Hierarchy. SFAS 157 establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows.  Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology 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.
 
The following table presents, by level, the financial assets carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2009.  The table does not include cash on hand and also does not include assets which are measured at historical cost or any basis other than fair value.
 
12

 
Available-for-sale securities
 
Carrying Balance
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
  $ 71,964,228     $ -     $ 64,181,573     $ 7,782,655  
Corporate debt securities
    13,839,261       -       13,839,261       -  
Equity
    10,392,874       10,392,874       -       -  
Total
  $ 96,196,363     $ 10,392,874     $ 78,020,834     $ 7,782,655  
 
The following table presents the changes in the Company’s assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in SFAS 157 at June 30, 2009:

Changes in fair value during the period ended June 30, 2009:
 
Level 3
 
Beginning balance at January 1, 2009
  $ 7,596,920  
Unrealized gains - included in other comprehensive income
    185,735  
Ending balance at June 30, 2009
  $ 7,782,655  
 
Valuation Techniques.  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.
 
Publicly traded equity securities are measured at fair value using quoted active market prices and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
 
 The Level 2 category generally includes corporate bonds, U.S. government corporations and agency bonds and municipal bonds.  The fair value of fixed maturity investments included in the Level 2 category was based on the market values obtained from pricing services.  If the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, a financial security’s hierarchy level is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  A number of the Company’s investment grade corporate bonds are frequently traded in active markets and traded market prices for these securities existed at June 30, 2009.  However, these securities were classified as Level 2 at June 30, 2009, because the third party pricing services from which the Company has obtained fair values for such instruments also use valuation models, which use observable market inputs, in addition to traded prices.  Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace or can be derived or supported by observable market data.
 
The Company’s investments in student loan auction rate securities (“ARS”) are its only Level 3 assets, and were transferred from Level 2 in 2008 because quoted prices from broker-dealers were unavailable due to the failure of auctions.  Valuations using discounted cash flow models were used to determine the estimated fair value of these investments as of June 30, 2009. Some of the inputs to this model are unobservable in the market and are significant.
 
ARS were structured to provide purchase and sale liquidity through a Dutch auction process.  Due to the increasingly stressed and liquidity-constrained environment in money markets, the auction process for ARS began failing in February 2008 as broker-dealers ceased supporting auctions with their own capital.  The credit quality of the ARS the Company holds is high, as all are rated investment grade and are comprised entirely of student loan ARS, substantially guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, and the Company continues to receive interest income.
 
13

 
Note 8 – Investments in Securities

The aggregate estimated fair value, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and cost or amortized cost for securities by major security type are as follows:

   
Gross
Gross
Estimated
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
June 30, 2009
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Fixed Maturities-
       
  Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost-
       
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$         446,907
$        10,728
$                 -
$        457,635
     Total
$         446,907
$        10,728
$                 -
$        457,635
Fixed Maturities-
       
  Available-for-sale, at fair value:
       
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$    83,291,395
$   3,365,516
$     853,422
$   85,803,489
     Total
$    83,291,395
$   3,365,516
$     853,422
$   85,803,489
Equity Securities, available-for-sale at fair value-
       
  Common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks
$      9,034,924
$   1,948,986
$     591,036
$   10,392,874
     Total
$      9,034,924
$   1,948,986
$     591,036
$   10,392,874
Short-term investments-
       
  Certificates of deposit and other
$    15,127,184
$                  -
$                -
$   15,127,184
     Total
$    15,127,184
$                  -
$                -
$   15,127,184
         
   
Gross
Gross
Estimated
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
December 31, 2008
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Fixed Maturities-
       
  Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost-
       
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$         451,681
$        10,899
$                 -
$        462,580
     Total
$         451,681
$        10,899
$                 -
$        462,580
Fixed Maturities-
       
  Available-for-sale, at fair value:
       
     Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$    72,818,413
$   2,178,686
$     986,503
$   74,010,596
     Corporate debt securities
13,105,170
606,001
13,267
13,697,904
     Total
$    85,923,583
$   2,784,687
$     999,770
$   87,708,500
Equity Securities, available-for-sale at fair value-
       
  Common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks
$      9,158,785
$   1,446,389
$     639,877
$     9,965,297
     Total
$      9,158,785
$   1,446,389
$     639,877
$     9,965,297
Short-term investments-
       
  Certificates of deposit and other
$    15,725,513
$                  -
$                -
$   15,725,513
     Total
$    15,725,513
$                  -
$                -
$   15,725,513

The fair value of debt and equity securities was determined primarily using estimated market prices obtained from independent third party pricing services and quoted market prices.
 
14

 
  The scheduled maturities of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
   
Available-for-Sale
   
Held-to-Maturity
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Cost
   
Value
 
Due in one year or less
  $ 6,514,276     $ 6,650,375     $ 2,000     $ 2,097  
Due after one year through five years
    25,811,372       27,116,280       -       -  
Due five years through ten years
    37,300,735       38,553,618       444,907       455,538  
Due after ten years
    13,665,012       13,483,216       -       -  
     Total
  $ 83,291,395     $ 85,803,489     $ 446,907     $ 457,635  
 
Proceeds and gross realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities for the six months ended June 30 are summarized as follows:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Proceeds
  $ 5,435,206     $ 12,999,142  
                 
Gross realized gains:
               
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions
  $ -     $ 24,726  
  Common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks
    253,477       239,677  
     Total
    253,477       264,403  
Gross realized losses:
               
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions
    -       (460 )
  Common stocks and nonredeemable preferred stocks
    (33,978 )     (158,188 )
     Total
    (33,978 )     (158,648 )
Net realized gain
  $ 219,499     $ 105,755  

Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method.  Also included in net realized gain (loss) on sales of investments in the Consolidated Statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 is $(41,509) and $5,600 of (losses) and gains from the sale of other investments.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at June 30, 2009.

   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Longer
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
                                     
Auction rate securities
  $ -     $ -     $ 7,782,655     $ (667,345 )   $ 7,782,655     $ ( 667,345 )
Obligations of states and  political subdivisions
    7,804,463       ( 130,180 )     1,369,761       ( 55,897 )     9,174,224       ( 186,077 )
Total Fixed Income Securities
    7,804,463       ( 130,180 )     9,152,416       ( 723,242 )     16,956,879       ( 853,422 )
Equity Securities
    2,842,298       ( 504,284 )     386,768       ( 86,752 )     3,229,066       (591,036 )
Total temporarily impaired securities
  $ 10,646,761     $ (634,464 )   $ 9,539,184     $ ( 809,994 )   $ 20,185,945     $ (1,444,458 )

 
As of June 30, 2009, the majority of the Company’s unrealized losses relate to its portfolio of fixed income securities.  The Company’s unrealized losses on its fixed income securities were caused by interest rate increases, for the most part, and widening credit spreads.  The unrealized losses related to holdings of equity securities were caused by market changes that the Company considers to be temporary.  Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost.  A total of 64 securities had unrealized losses at June 30, 2009.  Since the decline in fair value was attributable to changes in interest rates and temporary market changes, and not credit quality, and the Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities until a recovery of fair value, the Company does not consider these investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
15

 
Reviews of the values of 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.  During the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $167,000 related to several of its equity securities that were deemed other-than-temporarily impaired.  Impairment charges relating to the equity securities were based on the duration of the unrealized loss and inability to predict the time to recover if the investment continued to be held.

The current disruptions in the capital and credit markets have resulted in volatility and disruption in the financial markets.  These and other factors including the tightening of credit markets, failures of significant financial institutions, uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of governmental solutions, and a general slowdown in economic activity are contributing to decreases in the fair value of the investment portfolio as of June 30, 2009.  It is expected that any future other than temporary impairments will depend primarily on these factors.  It is possible that future events or information may lead the Company to determine that a decline in value is other than temporary and recognize potential future impairment losses on some securities it owns at June 30, 2009.

Other investments consist primarily of investments in title insurance agencies structured as limited liability companies, which are accounted for under the equity or cost method of accounting.  The aggregate cost of the Company’s cost method investments totaled $828,932 and $821,617 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, 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.

Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various 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.

In administering tax-deferred property exchanges, the Company’s subsidiary, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”), serves as a qualified intermediary for exchanges, holding the net proceeds from sales transactions 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 limited liability companies 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 $20,350,000 and $88,124,000 as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  These amounts are not considered the Company’s assets and, therefore, are excluded from the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; however, the Company remains contingently liable for the disposition of these deposits and for the transfers of property, disbursements of proceeds and the return on the proceeds at the agreed upon rate.  These like-kind exchange funds are primarily invested in money market and other short-term investments, including $4.6 million of ARS, at June 30, 2009.  The Company does not believe the current illiquidity of these securities will impact its operations, as it believes it has sufficient capital to provide continuous and immediate liquidity as necessary.
 
16

 
 Note 10 – Related Party Transactions
 
The Company does business with unconsolidated limited liability companies that it has investments in that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. These unconsolidated companies are title insurance agencies.  The following table sets forth the approximate values by period found within each financial statement classification:
 
Financial Statement Classification
   
June 30,
     
December 31,
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
   
2009
     
2008
 
Other investments
  $
1,572,000
   
1,146,000
 
Premiums and fees receivable
  $
719,000
   
432,000
 
 
Financial Statement Classification
 
For the three months ended June 30,
   
For the six months ended June 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Other income
  $ 607,000     $ 348,000     $ 1,158,000     $ 740,000  
 
 
17

 
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K should be read in conjunction with the following discussion since it contains important information for evaluating the Company’s operating results and financial condition.
 
Overview

Investors Title Company (the “Company”) is a holding company that engages primarily in two segments of business: title insurance and exchange services.  These segments are described below.
 
Title Insurance:  Its primary business activity is the issuance of title insurance through two subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and Northeast Investors Title Insurance Company (“NE-ITIC”), which accounted for 95.1% of the Company’s operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Through ITIC and NE-ITIC, 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.
 
There are two basic types of title insurance policies - one for the mortgage lender and one for the real estate owner.  A lender often requires property owners to purchase title insurance 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 their investment.  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 claim is made against real property, title insurance provides indemnification against insured defects.
 
ITIC issues title insurance policies through issuing agencies and also directly through home and branch offices.  Issuing agents are typically real estate attorneys 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 premiums written.

Revenues for this segment 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.

Volume is a factor in the Company's profitability due to the existence of fixed operating costs.  These expenses will be incurred by the Company regardless of the level of premiums written. The resulting operating leverage has historically tended 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 minimize risks such as interest rate changes or defaults or impairments of assets.
 
18


 
The Company’s volume of title insurance premiums is affected by the overall level of residential and commercial real estate activity which includes sales, mortgage financing and mortgage refinancing.  In turn, real estate activity is generally 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.  Another important factor in the level of residential and commercial real estate activity is the effect of changes in interest rates.

The cyclical nature of the residential and commercial real estate markets – and consequently, the land title insurance industry - has historically caused fluctuations in revenues and profitability, and it is expected to continue to do so in the future.  Additionally, there are seasonal influences in real estate activity and accordingly in revenue levels for title insurers.

Exchange Services: The Company’s second business segment provides customer services in connection with tax-deferred real property exchanges through its subsidiaries, Investors Title Exchange Corporation (“ITEC”) and Investors Title Accommodation Corporation (“ITAC”).  ITEC serves as a qualified intermediary in like-kind exchanges of real or personal property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 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 sale of the old property and the purchase of the new property, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property within the required identification period.  ITAC serves as exchange accommodation titleholder in reverse exchanges.  As exchange accommodation titleholder, ITAC offers a vehicle for accommodating a reverse exchange when the taxpayer must acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property.

Factors that influence the title insurance industry will also generally affect the exchange services industry.  In addition, the services provided by the Company’s exchange services segment are pursuant to provisions in the Internal Revenue Code.  From time to time, these exchange provisions 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 segment.

Other Services:  Other operating business segments not required to be reported separately are reported in a category called All Other.  Other services include those offered by the parent holding company and by its wholly owned subsidiaries, Investors Trust Company (“Investors Trust”), Investors Capital Management Company (“ICMC”) and Investors Title Management Services, Inc. (“ITMS”).  In conjunction with Investors Trust, ICMC provides investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks and trusts.  ITMS offers consulting services to clients.


Business Trends and Recent Conditions

The continued downturn in U.S. economic activity and the ongoing decline in real estate transactions were primary drivers behind the lower premiums written in the title industry during 2008 and in the first six months of 2009.
 
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During the real estate boom, many lenders loosened their underwriting guidelines, particularly in the sub prime market.  These lower underwriting standards, when combined with new methods of financing loans created a supply of inexpensive credit which led to a build up in mortgage loans to high risk borrowers.  As a result, there has been a substantial increase in loan defaults and mortgage foreclosures.  Lenders are now returning to stricter loan underwriting standards, which results in lower overall loan volume.  Moreover, the depressed economy has contributed to lower levels of new home purchases, which also negatively affects loan volume.  This lower loan volume has, in turn, resulted in a lower level of title premiums generated in the marketplace.  In addition, the downturn in housing and related mortgage finance industries has contributed to higher claims costs.  An increase in property foreclosures tends to reveal title defects.  A slowing pace of real estate activity also triggers the likelihood of certain types of title claims, such as mechanics’ liens on newly constructed property.  These factors have historically caused title claims to increase in past real estate market cyclical downturns and the Company has experienced such increases during the current downturn.

Steps taken by the U.S. government to relieve the current economic situation may have a positive effect on the Company’s sales of title insurance.  Under the administration’s Home Affordable Refinance Program, homeowners with a solid payment history on an existing mortgage owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, who would otherwise be unable to get a refinancing loan because of a loss in home value increasing their loan-to-value ratio above 80%, would be able to get a refinancing loan.  The Treasury Department estimates that many of the homeowners who fit this description would be eligible to refinance their loans under this program.  In addition, President Obama signed the Economic Stimulus Bill that included an $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers.

Management also believes the Company’s premiums written benefited from the very low mortgage interest rate environment during the first half of the year, which spurred an increase in mortgage refinancing.  According to data published by Freddie Mac, the six month average 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates in the United States decreased to 5.05% for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared with 5.99% for the six months ended June 30, 2008.  Management believes the further reduction in rates in the second quarter of 2009 resulted in an increase in the Company’s refinance order volumes.

Historically, activity in real estate markets has varied over the course of market cycles in response to evolving economic factors.  The Company anticipates that current market conditions, including the sub prime lending crisis, rising foreclosures, weakening home sales and falling home prices, will be primary influences on the Company’s operations until some stabilization occurs.  It is too early to predict what impact any government measures may have on the Company’s business.  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

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures surrounding contingencies and commitments.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company made no material changes in its critical accounting policies as previously disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

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Results of Operations

For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, net premiums written increased 4.3% to $18,912,388, investment income decreased 13.7% to $960,454 and total revenues increased 6.2% to $21,620,559 compared with the prior year period.  The Company reported net income in the second quarter of $2,115,473 compared with a net loss of $273,934 for the same quarter in 2008.  Net income per diluted share was $0.92, versus net loss per diluted share of $0.11 in the same period of 2008.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, net premiums written decreased 1.7% to $35,322,208, investment income decreased 18.5% to $1,950,089, total revenues decreased 2.2% to $40,302,968 and net income increased 91.9% to $3,550,436, all compared with the first six months of 2008.  Net income per basic and diluted common share increased 101.3% and 102.6% to $1.55 and $1.54, respectively, compared with the six-month period ended June 30, 2008.

Net operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 were primarily impacted by a decline in total operating expenses, including a decrease in the provision for claims of $1.5 million, because the prior year quarter included a $2.4 million charge resulting from the occurrence of a large fraud-related claim in 2008.  The claim during 2008 resulted from the theft of settlement funds from an attorney’s trust account intended to satisfy prior deeds of trusts. Total operating expenses also declined due to decreases in salaries and related costs.

Operating revenues: Operating revenues include net premiums written plus other fee income and exchange services segment income. Investment income and realized investment gains and losses are not included in operating revenues and are discussed separately following operating revenues.

Although net premiums written in the first six months of 2009 decreased slightly over the same period in 2008, the volume or total number of title orders issued increased in the first six months of 2009 to 123,830, compared with 112,884 policies and commitments issued in the same period in 2008, with the increase reflecting growth in mortgage refinancing transactions.

The average fee per order declined, with the decrease reflecting an increase in the proportion of title premiums originating from refinance transactions.  The fee per order tends to change as the mix of refinance and purchase transactions changes, because refinance transactions are discounted and typically only require a lender’s policy, resulting in a lower premium.

Following is a breakdown between branch and agency premiums for the three and six months ended June 30:
 
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Three Months Ended June 30,
         
Six Months Ended June 30,
       
   
2009
   
%
   
2008
   
%
   
2009
   
%
   
2008
   
%
 
Branch
  $ 6,656,374      
35
    $ 6,901,291      
38
    $ 12,699,378      
36
    $ 14,266,121      
40
 
Agency
    12,256,014      
65
      11,226,691      
62
      22,622,830      
64
      21,675,221      
60
 
Total
  $ 18,912,388      
100
    $ 18,127,982      
100
    $ 35,322,208      
100
    $ 35,941,342      
100
 

Title insurance premiums increased 4.3% to $18,912,388 in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the comparable period in 2008.  Total premiums written were positively impacted by an increase in the Company’s agency premiums.

Net premiums written from branch operations decreased 3.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in the prior year.  Net premiums written from branch operations decreased 11.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 from the same period in the prior year, primarily, management believes, due to the downturn in the real estate market. Of the Company’s 29 branch locations that underwrite title insurance policies, 27 are located in North Carolina, and as a result, branch premiums written primarily represent North Carolina business.

Agency net premiums increased 9.2% for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in the prior year, as a result of an increase in refinance activity, growth in the customer base, increases in the percentage of Company policies originated by established agencies, as well as the addition of new agencies to the Company’s network.  Agency net premiums increased 4.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in the prior year.

Following is a schedule of premiums written for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 in all states in which the Company’s two insurance subsidiaries ITIC and NE-ITIC currently underwrite insurance:
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
State
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Illinois
  $ 765,631     $ 564,584     $ 1,857,221     $ 1,154,553  
Kentucky
    949,874       815,131       1,820,177       1,631,941  
Michigan
    1,778,422       904,735       2,630,695       1,950,562  
New York
    880,406       685,689       1,835,843       1,197,887  
North Carolina
    8,293,158       8,767,479       15,857,365       17,716,146  
Pennsylvania
    876,633       522,147       1,485,818       965,276  
South Carolina
    1,345,921       2,012,755       2,531,851       3,916,135  
Tennessee
    752,791       614,000       1,318,559       1,155,674  
Virginia
    1,472,687       1,686,833       2,700,451       3,208,627  
West Virginia
    610,139       641,537       1,157,720       1,112,435  
Other States
    1,219,899       963,802       2,159,658       1,976,874  
   Direct Premiums
    18,945,561       18,178,692       35,355,358       35,986,110  
Reinsurance Assumed
    -       200       800       96,544  
Reinsurance Ceded
    (33,173 )     (50,910 )     (33,950 )     (141,312 )
   Net Premiums
  $ 18,912,388     $ 18,127,982     $ 35,322,208     $ 35,941,342  
 
 
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Operating revenues from the Company’s two subsidiaries that provide tax-deferred exchange services (ITEC and ITAC) increased 351.1% in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the second quarter of 2008.  For the first six months ended June 30, 2009, operating revenues from ITEC and ITAC increased 32.5% compared with the first six months of 2008.

In July 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) finalized its proposed regulations regarding treatment of funds held by qualified intermediaries.  As originally proposed, these rules would have negatively affected the ability of qualified intermediaries to retain a portion of the interest income earned on exchange fund deposits held by the Company during exchange transactions, which could have had a material adverse effect upon the profitability of the Company’s exchange segment.  As adopted however, the new regulations apply only to individual exchange account balances over $2 million.  The regulations have only recently been adopted, and therefore the Company has had only limited experience under this new regime; it is possible that these new regulations may have unanticipated consequences on the revenues and profitability of the Company’s exchange services segment.

Other revenues primarily include investment management fee income, income related to the Company’s other equity method investments and agency service fees, as well as search fee and other ancillary fees.  Other revenues were $2,695,886 for the first six months of 2009 compared with $2,532,628 in the prior year period.  

Nonoperating revenues: Investment income and realized gains and losses from sales and impairments of investments are included in nonoperating revenues.

           The Company derives a substantial portion of its income from investments in municipal and corporate bonds and equity securities.  The Company’s title insurance subsidiaries are required by statute to maintain minimum levels of investments in order to protect the interests of policyholders.  In formulating its investment strategy, the Company has emphasized after-tax income.  The investments are primarily in fixed maturity securities and, to a lesser extent, equity securities.

As new funds become available, they are invested in accordance with the Company’s investment policy and corporate goals.  Securities purchased may include a combination of taxable fixed-income securities, tax-exempt securities and equities.  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.
 
Investment income decreased 18.5% to $1,950,089 in the first six months of 2009, compared with $2,392,040 in the same period in 2008 and decreased 13.7% to $960,454 from $1,112,681 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008.  The decline in investment income in 2009 was due primarily to lower levels of interest earned on short-term funds, as the capital markets experienced significant distress beginning in the second quarter of 2008.  The decline was also due to declines in the average investment portfolio balance.

The Company’s investment policies have been designed to balance multiple investment goals, including, to assure a stable source of income from interest and dividends, protect capital, provide sufficient liquidity to meet insurance underwriting and other obligations as they become payable in the future and capital appreciation.  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 amount of net realized investment gains and losses are affected by assessments of securities’ valuation for other-than-temporary impairment.  As a result of the interaction of these factors and considerations, net realized investment gains or losses can vary significantly from period to period.  The Company generally intends to hold securities in unrealized loss positions until they mature or recover.  However, the Company does sell securities in unrealized loss positions under certain circumstances, such as when it has evidence of a significant deterioration in the issuer’s creditworthiness.
 
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Net realized loss on investments totaled $289,942 for the six months ended June 30, 2009, compared with net realized loss of $123,703 for the corresponding period in 2008.  The 2009 net loss, which included impairment charges totaling $460,203 on certain equity and equity method investments in the Company’s portfolio that were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired,  was partially offset by net realized gains on sales of investments of $170,261.  Management has determined that the unrealized losses from remaining fixed income and equity securities at June 30, 2009 are temporary in nature.

Operating Expenses:  The Company’s operating expenses consist primarily of commissions to agents, salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes, provisions for claims and office occupancy and operations.  Total operating expenses decreased 10.1% and 8.3% for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same periods in 2008.  The total decrease in year-to-date operating expenses resulted primarily from decreases in the provision for claims and salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes.

Following is a summary of the Company’s operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.  Intersegment eliminations have been netted with each segment; therefore, the individual segment amounts will not agree to Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
         
Six Months Ended June 30,
       
   
2009
   
%
   
2008
   
%
   
2009
   
%
   
2008
   
%
 
Title insurance
  $ 17,616,715       94     $ 19,463,209       93     $ 33,625,564       94     $ 36,127,202       93  
Exchange services
    182,178       1       351,185       2       221,471       1       650,352       2  
All other
    953,193       5       1,039,340       5       1,808,497       5       2,111,719       5  
Total
  $ 18,752,086       100     $ 20,853,734       100     $ 35,655,532       100     $ 38,889,273       100  

On a combined basis, profit margins were 8.8% and 4.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Total revenues decreased 2.2% in the first six months of 2009 and operating expenses decreased 8.3%, contributing to a higher combined profit margin for 2009.

Agent commissions represent the portion of premiums retained by agents pursuant to the terms of their respective agency contracts.  Commissions to agents increased 11.1% from the prior year second quarter primarily due to increased premiums from agency operations in 2009 as noted previously.  Commission expense as a percentage of net premiums written by agents was 72.1% and 70.8% for the second quarter 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Commission rates vary by the geographic area in which the commission is paid and may be influenced by state regulations.
 
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The provision for claims as a percentage of net premiums written (loss provision ratio) was 14.6% for the second quarter of 2009 versus 23.7% for the same period in 2008.  For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the loss provision ratio was 13.6% and 17.7%, respectively.  The high loss provision ratios in the second quarter of 2008 reflect the negative impact of large fraud-related claims that were reported in the prior year period.  Loss provision ratios are subject to variability and are reviewed and adjusted as experience develops.  Declining economic conditions and/or declines in transaction volumes have historically been drivers of increased claim expenses due to increased mechanics liens, defalcations and other matters which may be discovered during property foreclosures.  The decrease in the loss provision ratio for the second quarter of 2009 from the 2008 level resulted in approximately $1.7 million less in reserves than would have been recorded at the higher 2008 level.  If material occurrences of mortgage-related fraud and other similar types of claims occur, the Company’s ultimate loss estimates for recent policy years could increase, which could result in an increase in the provision for claims in current operations.

Paid claims were higher than expected during the second quarter of 2009 primarily due to unfavorable claims experience in policy years 2006, 2008 and 2009.  The loss provision ratio remained elevated relative to historic ranges due in part to the ongoing upward trend of mortgage foreclosures, but compared favorably to the prior year period due to a $2.4 million charge for a large fraud-related claim in that quarter.  Management considers the loss provision ratios for the second quarter and first six months of 2009 to be appropriate given the long-tail nature of title insurance claims and the inherent uncertainty in title insurance claims emergence patterns.

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, among other factors.  Actual payments of claims, net of recoveries, were $4,453,940 and $6,086,010 in the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Payments of claims in the second quarter of 2008 were significantly impacted by a $2.1 million payment from the occurrence of the large fraud claim previously discussed.

At June 30, 2009, the total reserves for claims were $39,583,000.  Of that total, $6,848,311 was reserved for specific claims, and $32,734,689 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 in the expected liability for claims for prior periods reflect the uncertainty of the claims environment, as well as the limited predicting power of historical data.  The Company continually updates and refines its reserve estimates as current experience develops and credible data emerges.  Adjustments may be required as new information develops which often varies from past experience.  Movements in the reserves related to prior periods were primarily the result of changes to estimates to better reflect the latest reported loss data, rather than as a result of material changes to underlying key actuarial assumptions or methodologies.  Such changes include payments on claims closed during the quarter, new details that emerge on still-open cases that cause claims adjusters to increase or decrease the case reserve and the impact that these types of changes have on the Company’s total loss provision.
 
25

 
  Salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes were $9,667,242 and $10,809,562 for the fist six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Salaries and related costs decreased about $1.1 million for the six months ended 2009, partially due to a reduction in headcount.  On a consolidated basis, salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes as a percentage of total revenues were 20.9% and 26.1% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  For the first six months of the year, salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes as a percentage of total revenues were 24.0% and 26.2% for 2009 and 2008, respectively. The title insurance segment’s total salaries, employee benefits and payroll taxes accounted for 85.0% and 83.9% of the total consolidated amount for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Overall office occupancy and operations as a percentage of total revenues was 5.6% and 6.5% for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and 5.7% and 6.5% for the first six months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease in office occupancy and operations expense in 2009 compared with 2008 was due to a decrease in various items, including maintenance, depreciation, postage and telecommunications.

Title insurance companies are generally not subject to state income or franchise taxes.  However, in most states they are subject to premium and retaliatory taxes.  Tax rates and bases vary from state to state.  Premium and retaliatory taxes as a percentage of net premiums written were 2.1% and 2.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Professional and contract labor fees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 decreased primarily due to a decrease in contract labor fees associated with investments in infrastructure and technology compared with the first six months of 2008.

Other operating expenses primarily include miscellaneous operating expenses of the trust division and other miscellaneous expenses of the title segment.  These amounts typically fluctuate in relation with transaction volume of the title segment and the trust division.

Income Taxes:  The provision for income taxes was 23.6% and 20.4% of income before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The effective income tax rates for the quarters were below the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate (34%), primarily due to a change in the proportion of tax-exempt investment income to pre-tax income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity:  Due to the Company’s historical ability to 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 cash needs for the foreseeable future.  However, there can be no assurance that future experience will be similar to historical experience, since they are influenced by such factors as the interest rate environment, the Company’s claims-paying ability and its financial strength ratings.  The Company is unaware of any trend or occurrence that is likely to result in material adverse liquidity changes, but continually assesses its capital allocation strategy.  The Company’s cash requirements include general operating expenses, income taxes, capital expenditures and dividends on its common stock declared by the Board of Directors and share repurchases.  In addition to operational liquidity, the Company maintains a high degree of liquidity within its investment portfolio in the form of short-term investments and other readily marketable securities.
 
26

 
The majority of the Company’s investment portfolio is considered as available-for-sale.  The Company reviews the status of each of its securities quarterly to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  The Company’s criteria generally includes the degree to which the fair value of a security is less than 80% of its amortized cost  and the investment rating of the security, as well as how long the security has been in an unrealized loss position.  The Company’s securities that have had an unrealized loss in excess of one year are primarily investment-grade, long-term bonds and equities that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until a recovery of fair value, which may be until maturity for fixed income securities.

Cash Flows:  Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 amounted to $172,264, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $1,000,875 for the same six-month period of 2008.  The decrease in net cash used in operating activities in 2009 was primarily attributable to the increase in net income in 2009 and decreased claims payments in 2009.  These decreases in cash used were partially offset by the increase in receivables and other assets.

Payment of Dividends from Subsidiaries:  The Company believes that all anticipated cash requirements for current operations will be met from internally generated funds, through cash dividends and distributions from subsidiaries and cash generated by investment securities.  The Company’s significant sources of funds are dividends and distributions from its subsidiaries.  The holding company receives cash from its subsidiaries in the form of dividends and as reimbursements for operating and other administrative expenses.  The reimbursements are executed within the guidelines of management agreements between the holding company and its subsidiaries.  The ability of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to the Company is subject to regulation in the states where the subsidiaries do business.  These regulations, among other things, require prior regulatory approval of the payment of dividends and other intercompany transfers.  The Company believes amounts available for transfer from the insurance subsidiaries are adequate to meet the Company’s current operating needs.

Capital Expenditures: During 2009, the Company has plans for various capital improvement projects, including computer hardware purchases and several software development projects, that are anticipated to be funded via cash flows from operations.  All anticipated capital expenditures are subject to periodic review and may vary depending on a number of factors.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations:  It is not the general practice of the Company to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements; nor is it the policy of the Company to issue guarantees to third parties.  Off-balance sheet arrangements are generally limited to the future payments under noncancelable operating leases, payments due under various agreements with third party service providers, and unaccrued obligations pursuant to certain executive employment agreements.
 
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The total reserve for all reported and unreported losses the Company incurred through June 30, 2009 is represented by the reserves for claims. Information regarding the claims reserves can be found in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q and under “Results of Operations – Operating expenses” above.  Further information on contractual obligations related to the reserves for claims can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a description of the Company’s recent accounting pronouncements, please refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Safe Harbor Statement

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as information included in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 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” 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. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties.

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 the following:

·  
the level of real estate transactions, the level of mortgage origination volumes (including refinancing) and changes to the insurance requirements of participants in the secondary mortgage market, and the effect of these factors on the demand for title insurance;
·  
changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of the capital, credit and real estate markets;
·  
significant changes to applicable government regulations;
·  
the possible inadequacy of provisions for claims to cover actual claim losses;
·  
the incidence of fraud-related losses;
·  
heightened regulatory scrutiny;
·  
unanticipated adverse changes in securities markets including interest rates, which could result in material losses on the Company’s investments;
·  
the Company’s dependence on key management personnel, the loss of whom could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s business;
·  
the Company’s ability to develop and offer products and services that meet changing industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner;
·  
statutory requirements applicable to the Company’s insurance subsidiaries which require them to maintain minimum levels of capital, surplus and reserves and restrict the amount of dividends that they may pay to the Company without prior regulatory approval and
·  
the concentration of key accounting and information systems in a few locations.

 
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These and other risks and uncertainties may be described from time to time in the Company’s other reports and filings with the SEC. For more details on factors that could affect expectations, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.


Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

No material changes in the Company’s market risk or market strategy occurred during the current period.  A detailed discussion of market risk is provided in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.


Item 4.      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, and 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 June 30, 2009, to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.

Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, there was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1A.    Risk Factors

The following should be read in conjunction with and supplements and amends the factors that may affect the Company’s business or operations described under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of the 2008 Annual Report.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to complex government regulations.

The Company’s title insurance businesses are subject to extensive state laws and regulations by state insurance authorities in each state in which they operate.  These laws and regulations are primarily intended for the protection of policyholders and consumers.  The nature and extent of these laws and regulations typically involve, among other matters, licensing and renewal requirements and trade and marketing practices, including, but not limited to:

·  
licensing of insurers and agents;
·  
capital and surplus requirements;
·  
approval of premium rates for insurance;
·  
limitations on types and amounts of investments;
·  
restrictions on the size of risks that may be insured by a single company;
·  
deposits of securities for the benefit of policy holders;
·  
filing of annual and other reports with respect to financial condition;
·  
approval of policy forms; and
·  
regulations regarding the use of personal information.

These laws and regulations are subject to change and may restrict the Company’s ability to implement rate increases or other actions that it may want to take to enhance its operating results or have a negative impact on its ability to generate revenue and earnings.

Some of the Company’s other businesses also operate under specific state and federal guidelines.  Any changes in the applicable regulatory environment or changes in existing regulations could restrict its existing or future operations.  Revenues from the Company’s exchange services segment are closely related to the tax rate on capital gains and other provisions in the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company’s revenues in future periods will continue to be subject to these and other factors which are beyond its control.

In addition, the investment management and trust services is regulated by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

On July 8, 2009, House Resolution 3126 was introduced to enact an Obama Administration proposal which would establish a new independent federal agency, to be called the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (“CFPA”).  If enacted, CFPA will be primarily responsible for “promoting transparency, simplicity, fairness, accountability, and access in the market for consumer financial products and services.”  Regulatory oversight by the CFPA will include title insurance.  The primary mandate under which the CFPA will operate is: “The Agency shall seek to promote transparency, simplicity, fairness, accountability and access in the market for consumer financial products or services.”
 
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As House Resolution 3126 is only in the initial stages of the legislative process, it is premature for the Company to fully assess the potential impact this legislation may have on the Company’s principal line of business.
 
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a)  
None

(b)  
None

(c)  
The following table provides information about purchases by the Company (and all affiliated purchasers) during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 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
   
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plan
 
Beginning of period
                      499,468  
04/01/09– 04/30/09
    -       -       -       499,468  
05/01/09– 05/31/09
    286     $ 29.76       286       499,182  
06/01/09– 06/30/09
    -       -       -       499,182  
Total:
    286     $ 29.76       286       499,182  
 
 
For the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company purchased an aggregate of 286 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the purchase plan (the “Plan”) that was publicly announced on June 5, 2000.  On November 10, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the purchase of an additional 394,582 shares pursuant to the 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.  The Company intends to make further purchases under this Plan.
 
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Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
(a)    Investors Title Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on May 20, 2009.
 
(c)    (1) The voting results for the proposal to elect three Directors to the Company’s Board of  Directors, each for a three-year term, are as follows:
 

Director
 
For
   
Against
   
Abstentions
   
Withheld
   
Broker
Non-votes
 
                               
James A. Fine, Jr.
   
1,910,550
     
N/A
     
N/A
     
86,539
     
N/A
 
H. Joe King, Jr.
   
1,901,221
     
N/A
     
N/A
     
95,868
     
N/A
 
James R. Morton
   
1,768,872
     
N/A
     
N/A
     
228,217
     
N/A
 
 
       (2) Approval of the 2009 Stock Appreciation Right (“SAR”) Plan
 
   
For
   
Against
   
Abstentions
   
Withheld
   
Broker
Non-votes
 
                               
2009 SAR Plan
   
1,461,891
     
274,493
     
5,627
     
0
     
0
 

 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
(a) Exhibits
 
   
10
Investors Title Company 2009 Stock Appreciation Right Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed on April 17, 2009
   
31(i)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31(ii)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32

 
SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and 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
 
       
    
By:
/s/ James A. Fine, Jr.
 
   
James A. Fine, Jr.
 
   
President, Principal Financial Officer and
 
   
Principal Accounting Officer
 
       
       
 
Dated: July 31, 2009
 
 
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