NWLI National Western Life Group Inc

AUSTIN, Texas, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ross R. Moody, President of National Western Life Insurance Company (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today fourth quarter 2014 consolidated net earnings of $28.1 million, or $7.94 per diluted Class A common share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $27.8 million, or $7.87 per diluted Class A common share, for the fourth quarter of 2013.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reported consolidated net earnings of $105.6 million, or $29.85 per diluted Class A common share, compared with $96.2 million, or $27.19 per diluted Class A common share, a year ago.  The Company's book value per share increased to $428.01 as of December 31, 2014 from $398.36 at December 31, 2013.

The Company reported earnings from operations, excluding net realized gains and losses on investments, of $25.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2014, or $7.05 per diluted Class A common share, compared to $26.9 million, or $7.60 per diluted Class A common share, in the same period for 2013. Mr. Moody commented on the earnings results saying, "Business activity in the fourth quarter finished the year strongly. Annuity sales increased 9% in the fourth quarter of this year compared to last year and life insurance sales increased 6% for the same period. Life insurance sales, in particular, performed well and were up 31% over this year's third quarter." Earnings from operations for the full year of $98.0 million, or $27.72 per diluted Class A common share, represented an increase of 8% over the 2013 amount of $90.6 million, or $25.60 per diluted Class A common share. Mr. Moody observed that the Company's full year results passed the previous record set in 2013. "This past year was a very successful one from an operational standpoint. We decreased operating expenses and benefited from a lower incidence of claims and improved policy benefit experience," Mr. Moody indicated.

Realized gains on investments of $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 added incremental earnings to the Company's outcome for the year. Mr. Moody noted, "We are a buy and hold company given the importance of maintaining discipline in matching asset durations with that of our policyholder liabilities. More often than not, in a low interest rate environment, realized investment gains are the byproduct of bond calls and tenders. Our bond portfolio again performed very well with over 98% of our holdings rated investment grade at the end of the year and we continued our experience of the past several years of avoiding any significant impairments."

Founded in 1956, National Western Life is a stock life insurance company offering a broad portfolio of individual universal life, whole life and term insurance plans, annuity products, and investment contracts meeting the financial needs of its customers in 49 states as well as residents of various countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. The Company has approximately 264 employees and 21,470 contracted independent agents, brokers, and consultants, and at December 31, 2014, maintained total assets of $11.4 billion, stockholders' equity of $1.6 billion, and life insurance in force of $23.1 billion.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains statements which are or may be viewed as forward-looking within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 2005. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the Company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

Investor Relations Contact:
Brian M. Pribyl - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(512) 836-1010
bpribyl@nationalwesternlife.com
www.nationalwesternlife.com

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SOURCE National Western Life Insurance Company