ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORP - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

OR

Commission File Number 0-3722

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(404) 266-5500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ☐   Accelerated filer  ☐   Non-accelerated filer  ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Smaller reporting company  ☑   Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes  ☐   No  ☑

The total number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding on March 31, 2020 was 20,438,366.

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ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

ASSETS

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited; Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Note 1.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atlantic American Corporation (the “Parent”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, the “Company”). The Parent’s primary operating subsidiaries, American Southern Insurance Company and American Safety Insurance Company (together known as “American Southern”) and Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company (together known as “Bankers Fidelity”), operate in two principal business units. American Southern operates in the property and casualty insurance market, while Bankers Fidelity operates in the life and health insurance market. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein and these related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”). The Company’s financial condition and results of operations and cash flows as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the financial condition or results of operations and cash flows that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020 or for any other future period.

The Company’s significant accounting policies have not changed materially from those set out in the 2019 Annual Report, except as noted below for the adoption of new accounting standards.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, 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 materially from those estimates.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak a global pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 and related actions to attempt to control its spread began to impact the Company’s business operations in March 2020, and we expect that the pandemic, actions that have been or will be taken in response to it and its overall impact on the economy, will continue to have an effect on our business operations and our operating results. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries may experience difficulties collecting premiums from some policyholders, and policyholders with financial difficulties may decide not to renew insurance policies with the Company.  Although it cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries do not expect a direct material impact from the outbreak of COVID-19 in terms of increased claims and losses, but that may change as more information becomes available.  In addition, economic uncertainty related to COVID-19 has led to a decline in the investment markets, and may continue to create increased volatility.  The impact of COVID-19 on the economy and on the Company is evolving and its future effects are uncertain. The Company is closely monitoring the effects and risks of COVID-19 to assess its impact on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and capital position.

 

On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which is intended to provide fast and direct economic assistance for American workers and families, small businesses, and to preserve jobs in American industries. The CARES Act includes, among other things, provisions relating to payroll tax credits and deferrals, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credits and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property. The Company does not qualify as a small business under the CARES Act and therefore did not apply for any of the government loan programs; however, the Company intends to monitor and assess the availability of resources and other benefits that might be available to the Company under the CARES Act and through other programs.

 

Note 2.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurement – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.  In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). This guidance removes the following disclosure requirements from Topic 820: (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements.  This disclosure also includes the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.  The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill.  In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”).  ASU 2017-04 is intended to simplify the evaluation of goodwill.  The updated guidance requires recognition and measurement of goodwill impairment based on the excess of the carrying value of the reporting unit compared to its estimated fair value, with the amount of the impairment not to exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Under the prior accounting guidance, if the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company allocates the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to determine an implied goodwill value. An impairment loss is then recognized for the excess, if any, of the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill compared to the implied goodwill value.  The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Reference Rate Reform. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to investments, derivatives, or other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. Along with the optional expedients, the amendments include a general principle that permits an entity to consider contract modifications due to reference reform to be an event that does not require contract re-measurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. Additionally, a company may make a one-time election to sell, transfer, or both sell and transfer debt securities classified as held to maturity that reference a rate affected by reference rate reform and that were classified as held to maturity before January 1, 2020. This standard may be elected over time through December 31, 2022 as reference rate reform activities occur. The Company is currently assessing the effect of adopting this guidance on the financial condition and results of operations.

Investments – Equity Securities. In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01 (“ASU 2020-01”) Investments-Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. This update, among others, clarifies the interaction of the accounting for equity securities under Topic 321 and investments under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 when there is a change in level of ownership or degree of influence. ASU 2020-01 is effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2021 and will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

For information regarding accounting standards that the Company has not yet adopted, see the “Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards” section of Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2019 Annual Report.

Note 3.

Investments

The following tables set forth the estimated fair value, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and cost or amortized cost of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities and equity securities, aggregated by type and industry, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Fixed maturities were comprised of the following:

Bonds having an amortized cost of $10,444 and $10,669 and included in the tables above were on deposit with insurance regulatory authorities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, in accordance with statutory requirements.

Equity securities were comprised of the following:

The carrying value and amortized cost of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 by contractual maturity were as follows. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The evaluation for an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, changes in general economic conditions, an issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects and the effects of changes in interest rates. In evaluating a potential impairment, the Company considers, among other factors, management’s intent and ability to hold the securities until price recovery, the nature of the investment and the expectation of prospects for the issuer and its industry, the status of an issuer’s continued satisfaction of its obligations in accordance with their contractual terms, and management’s expectation as to the issuer’s ability and intent to continue to do so, as well as ratings actions that may affect the issuer’s credit status.

There were no OTTI charges recorded during the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were sixty-nine and thirty securities, respectively, in an unrealized loss position which primarily included certain of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities within the financial services, other diversified business and other diversified consumer sectors. The increase in the number and value of securities in an unrealized loss position during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, was primarily attributable to the volatility and weakening of the financial markets as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Company does not currently intend to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Based upon the Company’s expected continuation of receipt of contractually required principal and interest payments and its intent and ability to retain the securities until price recovery, as well as the Company’s evaluation of other relevant factors, including those described above, the Company has deemed these securities to be temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2020.

The following table is a summary of realized investment gains (losses) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

The following table presents the portion of unrealized gains (losses) related to equity securities still held for the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Variable Interest Entities

The Company holds passive interests in a number of entities that are considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) under GAAP guidance. The Company’s VIE interests principally consist of interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies formed for the purpose of achieving diversified equity returns. The Company’s VIE interests, carried as a part of other invested assets, totaled $9,775 and $9,960 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The Company’s VIE interests, carried as a part of investment in unconsolidated trusts, totaled $1,238 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The Company does not have power over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of these VIEs and thus is not the primary beneficiary. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated these VIEs. The Company’s involvement with each VIE is limited to its direct ownership interest in the VIE. The Company has no arrangements with any of the VIEs to provide other financial support to or on behalf of the VIE. The Company’s maximum loss exposure relative to these investments was limited to the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the VIEs, which amount to $11,013 and $11,198, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has outstanding commitments totaling $1,997, whereby the Company is committed to fund these investments and may be called by the partnership during the commitment period to fund the purchase of new investments and partnership expenses.

Note 4.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using available market information from various market sources and appropriate valuation methodologies as of the respective dates.  However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and to develop the estimates of fair value.  Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts which the Company could realize in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

The following describes the fair value hierarchy and provides information as to the extent to which the Company uses fair value to measure the value of its financial instruments and information about the inputs used to value those financial instruments. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels.

As of March 31, 2020, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:

As of December 31, 2019, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:

The Company does not have any fixed maturities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The following table sets forth the carrying amount, estimated fair value and level within the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Note 5.

Liabilities for Unpaid Losses, Claims and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The roll-forward of liabilities for unpaid losses, claims and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

Following is a reconciliation of total incurred losses to total insurance benefits and losses incurred:

Note 6.

Junior Subordinated Debentures

The Company has two unconsolidated Connecticut statutory business trusts, which exist for the exclusive purposes of: (i) issuing trust preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts; (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Preferred Securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”) of Atlantic American; and (iii) engaging in those activities necessary or incidental thereto.

The financial structure of each of Atlantic American Statutory Trust I and II as of March 31, 2020 was as follows:

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the earnings (loss) per common share calculations is as follows:

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
		Loss				Weighted Average Shares (In thousands)				Per Share Amount
Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share:
Net loss		$	(8,087	)			20,470
Less preferred stock dividends			(99	)			—
Net loss applicable to common shareholders		$	(8,186	)			20,470			$	(.40	)

The assumed conversion of the Company’s Series D preferred stock was excluded from the diluted loss per common share calculation for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, since its impact would have been antidilutive.

Note 8.

Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory income tax rate and income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:

The components of income tax expense (benefit) were:

In addition, the Company determined there were no significant tax implications as a result of the CARES Act.

Note 9.

Leases

The Company has identified two operating lease agreements, each for the use of office space in the ordinary course of business.

The first lease renews annually on an automatic basis and based on original assumptions, management is reasonably certain to exercise the renewal option for an additional eight years from the January 1, 2019 effective date of the new lease guidance. The original term of the second lease was ten years and amended in January 2017 to provide for an additional seven years, with a termination date on September 30, 2026. The rate used in determining the present value of lease payments is based upon an estimate of the Company’s incremental secured borrowing rate commensurate with the term of the underlying lease.

These leases are accounted for as operating leases, whereby lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease expense reported for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019 was $254.

Additional information regarding the Company’s real estate operating leases is as follows:

The following table presents maturities and present value of the Company’s lease liabilities:

As of March 31, 2020, the Company has no operating leases that have not yet commenced.

Note 10.

Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is, and expects to continue to be, involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to and in the ordinary course of its businesses. In the opinion of management, any such known claims are not expected to have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

Note 11.

Segment Information

The Parent’s primary insurance subsidiaries, American Southern and Bankers Fidelity, operate in two principal business units, each focusing on specific products. American Southern operates in the property and casualty insurance market, while Bankers Fidelity operates in the life and health insurance market. Each business unit is managed independently and is evaluated on its individual performance. The following sets forth the assets, revenue and income (loss) before income taxes for each business unit as of and for the periods ended 2020 and 2019.

Since March 31, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause material disruption to financial markets and the economy.  As a result of the pandemic, the Company could experience future losses in its investment portfolio as a result of the weakened and volatile markets.  Additionally, the Company can experience increased risk of loss any time unforeseen infectious diseases impact large portions of a population. Specifically, the Company’s life and health business could experience significant loss due to increased claims volume arising from COVID-19. The duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time and it is not possible to reliably estimate the impact on the financial condition, operating results or liquidity of the Company and its operating subsidiaries in future periods.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Atlantic American Corporation (“Atlantic American” or the “Parent”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, the “Company”) as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein, as well as with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Annual Report”).

Atlantic American is an insurance holding company whose operations are conducted primarily through its insurance subsidiaries: American Southern Insurance Company and American Safety Insurance Company (together known as “American Southern”) and Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company (together known as “Bankers Fidelity”). Each operating company is managed separately, offers different products and is evaluated on its individual performance.

Recent Events and Outlook

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic.  In March 2020, the impact of COVID-19 and related actions to attempt to control its spread began to impact our business operations, and we expect that the pandemic, actions that have been or will be taken in response to it and its overall impact on the economy, will continue to have an effect on our business operations and our operating results. See “Expected Impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Critical Accounting Policies

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 reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. The Company has identified certain estimates that involve a higher degree of judgment and are subject to a significant degree of variability. The Company’s critical accounting policies and the resultant estimates considered most significant by management are disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report. Except as disclosed in Note 2 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company’s critical accounting policies are consistent with those disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report.

Overall Corporate Results

The following presents the Company’s revenue, expenses and net income (loss) for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and the comparable period in 2019:

Management also considers and evaluates performance by analyzing the non-GAAP measure operating income (loss), and believes it is a useful metric for investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others because it isolates the “core” operating results of the Company before considering certain items that are either beyond the control of management (such as taxes, which are subject to timing, regulatory and rate changes depending on the timing of the associated revenues and expenses) or are not expected to regularly impact the Company’s operational results (such as any realized and unrealized investment gains, which are not a part of the Company’s primary operations and are, to a limited extent, subject to discretion in terms of timing of realization).

A reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating loss for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and the comparable period in 2019 is as follows:

On a consolidated basis, the Company had a net loss of $8.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to net income of $4.2 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the three month period ended March 31, 2019. Premium revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 increased $0.8 million, or 1.7%, to $45.6 million. The increase in premium revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in the automobile physical damage line of business in the property and casualty operations. Operating loss decreased $0.6 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period of 2019. The decrease in operating loss was primarily due to favorable loss experience in the life and health operations.

A more detailed analysis of the individual operating segments and other corporate activities follows.

American Southern

The following summarizes American Southern’s premiums, losses, expenses and underwriting ratios for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and the comparable period in 2019:

Gross written premiums at American Southern increased $1.9 million, or 25.0%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019. The increase in gross written premiums was primarily attributable to an increase in premiums written in the automobile physical damage line of business due to a new agency that started in the second half of 2019 and increased writings from certain existing agencies.

Ceded premiums increased slightly during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019 due primarily to an increase in earned premiums in certain accounts within the automobile physical damage and general liability lines of business, which are subject to reinsurance.

The following presents American Southern’s net earned premiums by line of business for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and the comparable period in 2019:

Net earned premiums increased $1.1 million, or 8.1%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019. The increase in net earned premiums was primarily attributable to an increase in automobile physical damage coverage resulting from the addition of an automobile account as previously mentioned. Premiums are earned ratably over their respective policy terms, and therefore premiums earned in the current year are related to policies written during both the current year and immediately preceding year.

The performance of an insurance company is often measured by its combined ratio. The combined ratio represents the percentage of losses, loss adjustment expenses and other expenses that are incurred for each dollar of premium earned by the company. A combined ratio of under 100% represents an underwriting profit while a combined ratio of over 100% indicates an underwriting loss. The combined ratio is divided into two components, the loss ratio (the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to premiums earned) and the expense ratio (the ratio of expenses incurred to premiums earned).

Net loss and loss adjustment expenses at American Southern increased $0.5 million, or 5.4%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019. As a percentage of earned premiums, net loss and loss adjustment expenses were 63.9% in the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to 65.5% in the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in the loss ratio was primarily due to a decrease in the severity of claims in the automobile liability line of business during the three month period ended March 31, 2020. Partially offsetting the decrease in the loss ratio during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 was less favorable loss experience in the automobile physical damage line of business due to an increase in frequency of claims from the new agency.

Commissions and underwriting expenses increased $0.6 million, or 14.3%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019. As a percentage of earned premiums, underwriting expenses were 32.3% in the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to 30.5% in the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The increase in the expense ratio was primarily due to American Southern’s use of a variable commission structure with certain agents, which compensates the participating agents in relation to the loss ratios of the business they write. During periods in which the loss ratio decreases, commissions and underwriting expenses will generally increase, and conversely, during periods in which the loss ratio increases, commissions and underwriting expenses will generally decrease.  During the three month period ended March 31, 2020, variable commissions at American Southern increased $0.1 million from the comparable period in 2019 due to favorable loss experience from accounts subject to variable commissions.

Bankers Fidelity

The following summarizes Bankers Fidelity’s earned premiums, losses, expenses and underwriting ratios for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and the comparable period in 2019:

Net earned premium revenue at Bankers Fidelity decreased $0.3 million, or 1.1%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019. Gross earned premiums from the Medicare supplement line of business decreased slightly during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, due primarily to non-renewals exceeding the level of new business writings. Other health product premiums increased $0.2 million, or 9.7%, during the same comparable period, primarily as a result of new sales of the company’s group health products. Gross earned premiums from the life insurance line of business increased $0.1 million, or 5.4%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 from the comparable period in 2019 due to an increase in the group life products premium. Partially offsetting the increase in gross earned premiums from the life insurance line was a decrease in individual life products premium, resulting from the redemption and settlement of existing individual life policy obligations exceeding the level of new individual life sales. Premiums ceded increased $0.6 million, or 3.7%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019. The increase in ceded premiums for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 was due to an increase in Medicare supplement premiums subject to reinsurance.

Benefits and losses decreased $2.2 million, or 8.4%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019. As a percentage of earned premiums, benefits and losses were 78.5% in the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to 84.8% in the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in the loss ratio for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019, was primarily attributable to favorable loss experience in the Medicare supplement line of business.

Net Investment Income and Realized Gains

Investment income decreased $0.3 million, or 12.6%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019. The decrease in investment income during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to a decrease in the equity in earnings from investments in real estate partnerships of $0.2 million over the comparable period in 2019.

The Company had net realized investment gains of $0.2 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to net realized investment gains of $1.4 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2019. The net realized investment gains in the three month period ended March 31, 2020 resulted from the disposition of several of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities. The net realized investment gains in the three month period ended March 31, 2019 resulted primarily from the disposition of several of the Company’s investments in equity securities. Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio and makes adjustments for impairments and/or divests investments as may be determined to be appropriate.

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Equity Securities

Investments in equity securities are measured at fair value at the end of the reporting period, with any changes in fair value reported in net income during the period, with certain exceptions. The Company recognized net unrealized losses on equity securities still held of $8.5 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 and unrealized gains on equity securities still held of $6.5 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2019.  Changes in unrealized gains on equity securities for the applicable periods are primarily the result of fluctuations in the market values of the Company’s equity investments.  The increase in the number and value of securities in an unrealized loss position during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, was primarily attributable to the volatility and weakening of the financial markets  as a result of COVID-19.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.1 million, or 12.8%, during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 over the comparable period in 2019. Changes in interest expense were primarily due to changes in the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), as the interest rates on the Company’s outstanding junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”) are directly related to LIBOR.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary cash needs of the Company are for the payment of claims and operating expenses, maintaining adequate statutory capital and surplus levels, and meeting debt service requirements. Current and expected patterns of claim frequency and severity may change from period to period but generally are expected to continue within historical ranges. The Company’s primary sources of cash are written premiums, investment income and proceeds from the sale and maturity of its invested assets. The Company believes that, within each operating company, total invested assets will be sufficient to satisfy all policy liabilities and that cash inflows from investment earnings, future premium receipts and reinsurance collections will be adequate to fund the payment of claims and operating expenses as needed.

Cash flows at the Parent are derived from dividends, management fees, and tax-sharing payments, as described below, from the subsidiaries. The principal cash needs of the Parent are for the payment of operating expenses, the acquisition of capital assets and debt service requirements, as well as the repurchase of shares and payments of any dividends as may be authorized and approved by the Company’s board of directors from time to time. At March 31, 2020, the Parent had approximately $4.5 million of unrestricted cash and investments.

The Parent’s insurance subsidiaries reported a statutory net income of $0.2 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to statutory net loss of $0.7 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2019. Statutory results are impacted by the recognition of all costs of acquiring business. In periods in which the Company’s first year premiums increase, statutory results are generally lower than results determined under GAAP. Statutory results for the Company’s property and casualty operations may differ from the Company’s results of operations under GAAP due to the deferral of acquisition costs for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s life and health operations’ statutory results may differ from GAAP results primarily due to the deferral of acquisition costs for financial reporting purposes, as well as the use of different reserving methods.

Over 90% of the invested assets of the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries are invested in marketable securities that can be converted into cash, if required; however, the use of such assets by the Company is limited by state insurance regulations. Dividend payments to a parent corporation by its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries are subject to annual limitations and are restricted to 10% of statutory surplus or statutory earnings before recognizing realized investment gains of the individual insurance subsidiaries. At March 31, 2020, American Southern had $42.0 million of statutory surplus and Bankers Fidelity had $27.5 million of statutory surplus. In 2020, dividend payments by the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries in excess of $4.6 million would require prior approval. Through March 31, 2020, the Parent received dividends of $0.9 million from its subsidiaries.

The Parent provides certain administrative and other services to each of its insurance subsidiaries. The amounts charged to and paid by the subsidiaries include reimbursements for various shared services and other expenses incurred directly on behalf of the subsidiaries by the Parent. In addition, there is in place a formal tax-sharing agreement between the Parent and its insurance subsidiaries. As a result of the Parent’s tax loss, it is anticipated that the tax-sharing agreement will continue to provide the Parent with additional funds from profitable subsidiaries to assist in meeting its cash flow obligations.

The Company has two statutory trusts which exist for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts and investing the gross proceeds of the trust preferred securities in Junior Subordinated Debentures. The outstanding $18.0 million and $15.7 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures mature on December 4, 2032 and May 15, 2033, respectively, are callable quarterly, in whole or in part, only at the option of the Company, and have an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin ranges from 4.00% to 4.10%. At March 31, 2020, the effective interest rate was 5.56%. The obligations of the Company with respect to the issuances of the trust preferred securities represent a full and unconditional guarantee by the Parent of each trust’s obligations with respect to the trust preferred securities. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Company may elect from time to time to defer Junior Subordinated Debenture interest payments, which would result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related trust preferred securities. As of March 31, 2020, the Company has not made such an election.

The Company intends to pay its obligations under the Junior Subordinated Debentures using existing cash balances, dividend and tax-sharing payments from the operating subsidiaries, or from potential future financing arrangements.

At March 31, 2020, the Company had 55,000 shares of Series D preferred stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) outstanding. All of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock are held by an affiliate of the Company’s controlling shareholder. The outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock have a stated value of $100 per share; accrue annual dividends at a rate of $7.25 per share (payable in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the board of directors of the Company) and are cumulative. In certain circumstances, the shares of the Series D Preferred Stock may be convertible into an aggregate of approximately 1,378,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain adjustments and provided that such adjustments do not result in the Company issuing more than approximately 2,703,000 shares of common stock without obtaining prior shareholder approval; and are redeemable solely at the Company’s option. The Series D Preferred Stock is not currently convertible. At March 31, 2020, the Company had accrued but unpaid dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock totaling $0.1 million.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $12.9 million at December 31, 2019 to $8.3 million at March 31, 2020. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the three month period ended March 31, 2020 was primarily attributable to net cash used in operating activities of $10.5 million, partially offset by a $6.0 million increase resulting from investment sales and maturity of securities exceeding purchases of securities.

The Company believes that existing cash balances as well as the dividends, fees, and tax-sharing payments it expects to receive from its subsidiaries and, if needed, additional borrowings from financial institutions, will enable the Company to meet its liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. Management is not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities, which, if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations.

Expected Impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown at this time and it is not possible for us to reliably estimate the impact on the financial condition, operating results or liquidity of the Company and its operating subsidiaries in future periods.  However, we do not currently expect a significant decline in liquidity or operating results as a result of the disruption caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  To date, the most significant impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s financial position is a decline in fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity and equity investments due to the weakened and volatile financial markets.  At this time, the Company believes the decline in market values are temporary in nature.

We expect that earned premiums could be adversely impacted by a weakened economy leading to a slowdown in new sales and reduced retention of insureds.  Additionally, a number of states have issued bulletins that either encourage or require premium leniency such as extension of grace periods or moratoriums on cancellation of policies for non-payment.  The Company does not expect a significant reduction or delay in payments and continues to monitor state required actions as they develop. 

For the Company’s property and casualty operations, the majority of premium revenue is derived from automobile liability and automobile physical damage lines of business written on a multi-year contract basis with state and local governments.  Although we cannot predict with certainty at this time, we do not expect a significant level of cancellations or non-renewals of our property and casualty contracts in the short term but recognize that a prolonged economic slowdown could adversely affect future results.

Benefits and losses in our property and casualty operations could be adversely impacted as a result of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, due to the nature of our primary product lines, the impact is not currently expected to be material.  Additionally, we expect to see a reduction in frequency and severity of claims in the automobile lines of business as fewer miles are driven and less people are on the roads.  As a result, we do not currently expect a material adverse effect on operating results or liquidity in the property and casualty operations.

The majority of premium revenue in our life and health operations are derived from the senior market segment of the population, or those individuals age sixty-five and up, who maintain Medicare supplement and to a lesser extent, whole life insurance policies with the Company.  We expect that earned premiums could be adversely impacted by the rise in unemployment and economic slowdown, which could lead to a decline in new sales and reduced retention of insureds.  As a result, we currently anticipate that the life and health operations may experience a marginal decline in earned premiums although the actual impact cannot be predicted with certainty at this time.

Unforeseen infectious diseases that impact large portions of a population can have an adverse impact on mortality and morbidity, and resultant benefits and losses incurred by the Company’s life and health operations.  Accordingly, the Company does anticipate incurring higher costs, potentially similar to prior influenza seasons, as it relates to life insurance claims.  However, with much of the country sheltering in place over an extended period, the Company expects a decrease in non-medically necessary services being performed with many of the services deferred until a later date when these procedures are allowed to take place.  Additionally, the Company expects there will be some routine medical services that are deferred indefinitely.  As a result, and although the actual impact cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, the Company does not expect significant adverse development in total benefits and losses incurred in its life and health operations.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applies its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures can prevent all possible errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. There are inherent limitations in all control systems, including the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the intentional acts of one or more persons. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and, while our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to be effective under circumstances where they should reasonably be expected to operate effectively, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to possible errors or fraud may occur and may not be detected. An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains and references certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. Statements, to the extent they are not statements of historical facts, should be considered forward-looking statements, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current assessments of various risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions made in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the federal securities laws. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties, including those identified in filings made by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not known by us, or that we currently determine to not be material, may materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of subsequent developments, changes in underlying assumptions or facts, or otherwise.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

On October 31, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a plan that allows for the repurchase of up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Repurchase Plan”) on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, as determined by an authorized officer of the Company. Any such repurchases can be made from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws and other requirements.

Other than pursuant to the Repurchase Plan, no purchases of common stock of the Company were made by or on behalf of the Company during the periods described below.

The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases by the Company of shares of its common stock on a monthly basis during the three month period ended March 31, 2020.