Annual Statements Open main menu

Conifer Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2017
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 001-37536
 
 
Conifer Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan
 
27-1298795
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
550 West Merrill Street, Suite 200
 
 
Birmingham, Michigan
 
48009
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
 
(248) 559-0840
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
 
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 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 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, 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 number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, as of May 5, 2017, was 7,633,069.
 



CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
Form 10-Q
 
INDEX
 
 
Page No.
 
 


5





30

31

 
32

32

32

33

34


2


PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands) 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $114,717
and $113,915, respectively)
$
114,086

 
$
113,163

Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $4,291 and $4,283, respectively)
4,773

 
4,579

Short-term investments, at fair value
14,967

 
10,788

Total investments
133,826

 
128,530

 
 
 
 
Cash
10,196

 
12,493

Premiums and agents' balances receivable, net
23,189

 
24,538

Receivable from affiliate
1,484

 
1,751

Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
9,125

 
6,658

Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses
1,061

 
840

Ceded unearned premiums
3,806

 
4,120

Deferred policy acquisition costs
12,956

 
13,290

Other assets
12,323

 
11,481

Total assets
$
207,966

 
$
203,701

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
62,135

 
$
54,651

Unearned premiums
56,336

 
58,126

Senior debt
17,125

 
17,750

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
5,315

 
4,879

Other liabilities
482

 
501

Total liabilities
141,393

 
135,907

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 7,633,069 and 7,633,070 issued and outstanding, respectively)
80,585

 
80,342

Accumulated deficit
(13,266
)
 
(11,468
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(746
)
 
(1,080
)
Total shareholders' equity
66,573

 
67,794

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
207,966

 
$
203,701

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Revenue
 
 
 
Premiums
 
 
 
Gross earned premiums
$
28,264

 
$
23,546

Ceded earned premiums
(4,124
)
 
(3,437
)
Net earned premiums
24,140

 
20,109

Net investment income
577

 
537

Net realized investment gains (losses)
(8
)
 
(8
)
Other income
354

 
245

Total revenue
25,063

 
20,883

 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
15,733

 
12,699

Policy acquisition costs
6,472

 
6,003

Operating expenses
4,530

 
4,139

Interest expense
224

 
157

Total expenses
26,959

 
22,998

 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before equity earnings of affiliates and income taxes
(1,896
)
 
(2,115
)
Equity earnings of affiliates, net of tax
104

 
87

Income tax expense
6

 

 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share, basic and diluted
$
(0.24
)
 
$
(0.27
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
7,633,069

 
7,638,780

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
  
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
Unrealized investment gains:
 
 
 
Unrealized investment gains during the period
385

 
1,459

Income tax expense

 

Unrealized investment gains, net of tax
385

 
1,459

 
 
 
 
Less: reclassification adjustments to:
 
 
 
Net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income (loss)
51

 
(83
)
Income tax expense

 

Total reclassifications included in net income (loss), net of tax
51

 
(83
)
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
334

 
1,542

 
 
 
 
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
(1,464
)
 
$
(486
)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Preferred Stock and Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
  
 
 
No Par, Common Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
 
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
(Accumulated
deficit)
 
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Balances at December 31, 2015
 
7,644,492

 
$
80,111

 
$
(3,031
)
 
$
182

 
$
77,262

Net loss
 

 

 
(2,028
)
 

 
(2,028
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(33,833
)
 
(231
)
 

 

 
(231
)
RSU Expense*
 

 
204

 

 

 
204

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 
1,542

 
1,542

Balances at March 31, 2016
 
7,610,659

 
80,084

 
(5,059
)
 
1,724

 
76,749

Net loss
 

 

 
(6,409
)
 

 
(6,409
)
Repurchase of common stock
 
(54,817
)
 
(394
)
 

 

 
(394
)
RSU Expense*
 
77,228

 
652

 

 

 
652

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 
(2,804
)
 
(2,804
)
Balances at December 31, 2016
 
7,633,070

 
80,342

 
(11,468
)
 
(1,080
)
 
67,794

Net loss
 

 

 
(1,798
)
 

 
(1,798
)
RSU Expense*
 
(1
)
 
243

 

 

 
243

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 
334

 
334

Balances at March 31, 2017
 
7,633,069

 
$
80,585

 
$
(13,266
)
 
$
(746
)
 
$
66,573


* "RSU" - restricted stock units

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In thousands) 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, and intangibles
100

 
92

Amortization of bond premium and discount, net
175

 
148

Net realized losses on investments
8

 
8

Incentive awards expenses - vesting of RSU
243

 
204

Other
104

 
(87
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in:
 
 
 
Premiums and agents' balances receivable
1,616

 
(1,426
)
Reinsurance recoverables
(2,688
)
 
990

Ceded unearned premiums
314

 
(505
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs
334

 
(119
)
Other assets
(1,037
)
 
(411
)
Increase (decrease) in:
 
 
 
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
7,484

 
3,066

Unearned premiums
(1,790
)
 
1,847

Reinsurance premiums payable

 
300

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
880

 
1,010

Other liabilities
(19
)
 
(113
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
3,926

 
2,976

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchase of investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
(10,456
)
 
(5,979
)
Equity securities
(369
)
 
(434
)
Short-term investments
(40,382
)
 
(11,842
)
Proceeds from maturities of investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
2,250

 
2,505

Proceeds from sales of investments:
 
 
 
Fixed maturity securities
6,804

 
2,157

Equity securities
361

 
418

Short-term investments
36,203

 
13,091

Purchases of property and equipment
(9
)
 
(21
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(5,598
)
 
(105
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock

 
(231
)
Borrowings under debt arrangements

 
1,000

Repayment of borrowings under debt arrangements
(625
)
 
(500
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(625
)
 
269

Net (decrease) increase in cash
(2,297
)
 
3,140

Cash at beginning of period
12,493

 
12,703

Cash at end of period
$
10,196

 
$
15,843

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
128

 
$
98

Payable for securities - non cash item
(444
)
 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 Basis of Presentation
 The consolidated financial statements include accounts, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions, of Conifer Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Conifer”), its wholly owned subsidiaries, Conifer Insurance Company ("CIC"), White Pine Insurance Company ("WPIC"), Red Cedar Insurance Company ("RCIC"), and Sycamore Insurance Agency, Inc ("SIA"). CIC, WPIC, and RCIC are collectively referred to as the "Insurance Company Subsidiaries." On a stand-alone basis, Conifer Holdings, Inc. is referred to as the "Parent Company." On December 30, 2016, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, American Colonial Insurance Company ("ACIC") was merged into WPIC, with WPIC as the surviving entity.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The Company has applied the applicable rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting and therefore the consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of items of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated interim financial statements, have been included. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ended December 31, 2017.
These consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017.
 Business
The Company is engaged in the sale of property and casualty insurance products and has organized its business model around two classes of insurance businesses: commercial and personal lines. The Company underwrites a variety of specialty insurance products, including property, general liability, liquor liability, automobile, and homeowners and dwelling policies. The Company markets and sells its insurance products through a network of independent agents and managing general agents. Policies are written in all 50 states in the United States. The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in Birmingham, Michigan with additional office facilities in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
The Company also generates other revenues through investment income and other income which mainly consists of installment fees and policy issuance fees generally related to the policies we write. We also generate equity earnings from SIA's 50% owned agency (the "Affiliate"). The Affiliate places small commercial risks mainly for alarm and security guard markets.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management believes the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements reflect management's best estimates and assumptions, actual results may differ from these estimates.
 Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this update modify the requirements related to the measurement of certain financial instruments in the statement of financial condition and results of operation. For equity investments (other than investments accounted for using the equity method), entities must measure such instruments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Reporting entities may continue to elect to measure equity investments which do not have a readily determinable fair value at cost with adjustments for impairment and observable changes in price. In addition, for a liability (other than a derivative liability) that an entity measures at fair value, any change in fair value related to the instrument-specific credit risk, that is the entity’s own credit risk, should be presented separately in other comprehensive income and not as a component of net income. The amendments are effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted solely for the instrument-specific credit risk for liabilities measured at fair value. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the fiscal year of initial adoption. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which addresses the financial reporting of leasing transactions. This update will require the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability,

8

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




discounted to the present value, for all leases that extend beyond 12 months. For operating leases, the asset and liability will be expensed over the lease term on a straight-line basis, with all cash flows included in the operating section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. For finance leases, interest on the lease liability will be recognized separately from the amortization of the right-of-use asset in the consolidated statement of operations and the repayment of the principal portion of the lease liability will be classified as a financing activity while the interest component will be included in the operating section of the consolidated statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which amends the current methodology and timing for recognizing credit losses. This amendment will replace the current GAAP "incurred loss" methodology for credit losses with a methodology based on expected credit losses. The new guidance will also require expanded consideration of a broader range of reasonable and increased supportable information for the credit loss estimates. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for years beginning after December 15, 2018. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), which clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be presented and classified in the statement of cash flow under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.

2.     Investments
The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and estimated fair value of the investments in securities classified as available for sale at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Estimated
Fair Value 
 
 
Gains
Losses
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
$
6,894

$
35

$
(35
)
$
6,894

State and local government
13,319

163

(163
)
13,319

Corporate debt
37,672

232

(235
)
37,669

Commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
56,832

132

(760
)
56,204

Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
114,717

562

(1,193
)
114,086

Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
Common stocks - Public Utilities
103

33


136

Common stocks - Banks, Trusts and Insurance Companies
586

88

(6
)
668

Common stocks - Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
3,602

440

(73
)
3,969

Total equity securities available for sale
4,291

561

(79
)
4,773

Total securities available for sale
$
119,008

$
1,123

$
(1,272
)
$
118,859


9

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
December 31, 2016
 
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Estimated
Fair Value 
 
Gains
Losses
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
$
5,908

$
31

$
(36
)
$
5,903

State and local government
13,618

106

(205
)
13,519

Corporate debt
34,105

205

(254
)
34,056

Commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
60,284

132

(731
)
59,685

Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
113,915

474

(1,226
)
113,163

Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
Common stocks - Public Utilities
159

25

(1
)
183

Common stocks - Banks, Trusts and Insurance Companies
681

85

(9
)
757

Common stocks - Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
3,443

256

(60
)
3,639

Total equity securities available for sale
4,283

366

(70
)
4,579

Total securities available for sale
$
118,198

$
840

$
(1,296
)
$
117,742

The following table summarizes the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized losses, by security type, of the available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss positions. The table segregates the holdings based on the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as follows (dollars in thousands): 
 
March 31, 2017
 
Less than 12 months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
12

$
4,439

$
(35
)
 

$

$

 
12

$
4,439

$
(35
)
State and local government
19

6,319

(161
)
 
1

99

(2
)
 
20

6,418

(163
)
Corporate debt
19

10,521

(227
)
 
3

1,021

(8
)
 
22

11,542

(235
)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed
47

40,285

(754
)
 
4

547

(6
)
 
51

40,832

(760
)
Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
97

61,564

(1,177
)
 
8

1,667

(16
)
 
105

63,231

(1,193
)
Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks
21

1,041

(73
)
 
2

71

(6
)
 
23

1,112

(79
)
Total equity securities available for sale
21

1,041

(73
)
 
2

71

(6
)
 
23

1,112

(79
)
Total securities
118

$
62,605

$
(1,250
)
 
10

$
1,738

$
(22
)
 
128

$
64,343

$
(1,272
)

10

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
December 31, 2016
 
Less than 12 months
 
Greater than 12 months
 
Total
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
 
No.
of
Issues
Fair Value of
Investments
with Unrealized
Losses
Gross
Un realized
Losses
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
15

$
4,539

$
(36
)
 

$

$

 
15

$
4,539

$
(36
)
State and local government
29

8,217

(202
)
 
1

104

(3
)
 
30

8,321

(205
)
Corporate debt
22

9,031

(239
)
 
7

3,369

(15
)
 
29

12,400

(254
)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed
59

38,048

(722
)
 
5

802

(9
)
 
64

38,850

(731
)
Total fixed maturity securities available for sale
125

59,835

(1,199
)
 
13

4,275

(27
)
 
138

64,110

(1,226
)
Equity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
76

2,472

(61
)
 
2

66

(9
)
 
78

2,538

(70
)
Total equity securities available for sale
76

2,472

(61
)
 
2

66

(9
)
 
78

2,538

(70
)
Total securities
201

$
62,307

$
(1,260
)
 
15

$
4,341

$
(36
)
 
216

$
66,648

$
(1,296
)
 The Company analyzed its investment portfolio in accordance with its other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") review procedures and determined the Company did not need to record a credit-related OTTI loss in net income, nor recognize a non-credit related OTTI loss in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
 The Company’s sources of net investment income are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed maturity securities
$
601

 
$
586

Equity securities
25

 
26

Cash and short-term investments
11

 
2

Total investment income
637

 
614

Investment expenses
(60
)
 
(77
)
Net investment income
$
577

 
$
537



11

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




The following table summarizes the gross realized gains and losses from sales or maturities of available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Fixed maturity securities:
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
$

 
$
16

Gross realized losses
(7
)
 
(6
)
Total fixed maturity securities
(7
)
 
10

Equity securities:
 
 
 
Gross realized gains
29

 
56

Gross realized losses
(30
)
 
(74
)
Total equity securities
(1
)
 
(18
)
Total realized losses
$
(8
)
 
$
(8
)
 Proceeds from the sales of debt and equity securities available for sale were $7.2 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 The table below summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity at March 31, 2017. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties (dollars in thousands):
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
9,657

 
$
9,664

Due after one year through five years
29,272

 
29,349

Due after five years through ten years
11,494

 
11,531

Due after ten years
7,462

 
7,338

Securities with contractual maturities
57,885

 
57,882

Commercial mortgage and asset backed
56,832

 
56,204

Total Fixed maturity securities
$
114,717

 
$
114,086

 At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Insurance Company Subsidiaries had an aggregate of $9.1 million and $9.6 million, respectively, on deposit in trust accounts to meet the deposit requirements of various state insurance departments.  At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $10.4 million and $10.3 million held in trust accounts to meet collateral requirements with other third-party insurers, relating to various fronting arrangements. There are withdrawal and other restrictions on these deposits, including the type of investments that may be held, however, the Company may generally invest in high-grade bonds and short-term investments and earn interest on the funds. 

3.     Fair Value Measurements
 The Company’s financial instruments include assets and liabilities carried at fair value, as well as assets and liabilities carried at cost or amortized cost but disclosed at fair value in these consolidated financial statements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principally most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In determining fair value, the Company applies the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are prioritized into a three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices from sources independent of the reporting entity (“observable inputs”) and the lowest priority to prices determined by the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (“unobservable inputs”). The fair value hierarchy is as follows:


 Level 1—Valuations that are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

12

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 Level 2—Valuations that are based on observable inputs (other than Level 1 prices) such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
 Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent the Company’s best assumption of how market participants would price the assets or liabilities.
The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, classified by the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
$
6,894

 
$

 
$
6,894

 
$

State and local government
13,319

 

 
13,319

 

Corporate debt
37,669

 

 
37,669

 

Commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
56,204

 

 
56,204

 

Total fixed maturity securities
114,086

 

 
114,086

 

Equity Securities
4,773

 
4,663

 
110

 

Short-term investments
14,967

 
14,967

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value
$
133,826

 
$
19,630

 
$
114,196

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior debt*
$
17,125

 
$

 
$
17,125

 
$

Total Liabilities measured at fair value
$
17,125

 
$

 
$
17,125

 
$

 * Carried at cost or amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet


13

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
December 31, 2016
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Maturity Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government obligations
$
5,903

 
$

 
$
5,903

 
$

State and local government
13,519

 

 
13,519

 

Corporate debt
34,056

 

 
34,056

 

Commercial mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
59,685

 

 
59,685

 

Total fixed maturity securities
113,163

 

 
113,163

 

Equity Securities
4,579

 
4,469

 
110

 

Short-term investments
10,788

 
10,788

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value
$
128,530

 
$
15,257

 
$
113,273

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior debt*
$
17,750

 
$

 
$
17,750

 
$

Total Liabilities measured at fair value
$
17,750

 
$

 
$
17,750

 
$

 * Carried at cost or amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet
Level 1 investments consist of equity securities traded in an active exchange market. The Company uses unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value. Level 1 also includes money market funds and other interest-bearing deposits at banks, which are reported as short-term investments. The fair value measurements that were based on Level 1 inputs comprise 14.7% of the fair value of the total investment portfolio as of March 31, 2017.
Level 2 investments include fixed maturity securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, state and local municipal bonds (including those held as restricted securities), corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. The Company obtains pricing for each security from independent pricing services, investment managers or consultants to assist in determining fair value for its Level 2 investments. The fair value of securities included in the Level 2 category based on the market values obtained from a third party pricing service were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid and other observable market information. The third party pricing service monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events. The fair value measurements that were based on Level 2 inputs comprise 85.3% of the fair value of the total investment portfolio as of March 31, 2017.
 To validate that these quoted prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, the Company performs various quantitative and qualitative procedures, such as (i) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, (ii) analysis of recent sales activity, (iii) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices and (iv) comparison of the pricing services’ fair value to other pricing services’ fair value for the same investment. No markets for the investments were determined to be inactive at period-ends. Based on these procedures, the Company did not adjust the prices or quotes provided from independent pricing services, investment managers or consultants.
The Level 2 financial instruments also include our senior debt. The fair value of borrowings under the senior debt, consisting of the revolving credit facility and term loans, approximates its carrying amount because interest is based on a short-term, variable, market-based rate.
 The Company’s policy on recognizing transfers between hierarchy levels is applied at the end of each reporting period. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.




14

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
The Company defers costs incurred which are incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of new or renewal insurance business, net of corresponding amounts of ceded reinsurance commissions. Net deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized and charged to expense in proportion to premium earned over the estimated policy term. The Company anticipates that its deferred policy acquisition costs will be fully recoverable and there were no premium deficiencies for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The activity in deferred policy acquisition costs, net of reinsurance transactions, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
13,290

 
$
12,102

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
 
6,138

 
6,122

Amortization of policy acquisition costs
 
(6,472
)
 
(6,003
)
Net change
 
(334
)
 
119

 
 
 
 
 
Balance at end of period
 
$
12,956

 
$
12,221


5.     Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
 The Company establishes reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") which represent the estimated ultimate cost of all losses incurred that were both reported and unreported (i.e., incurred but not yet reported losses; or “IBNR”) and LAE incurred that remain unpaid at the balance sheet date. The Company’s reserving process takes into account known facts and interpretations of circumstances and factors including the Company’s experience with similar cases, actual claims paid, historical trends involving claim payment patterns and pending levels of unpaid claims, loss management programs, product mix and contractual terms, changes in law and regulation, judicial decisions, and economic conditions. In the normal course of business, the Company may also supplement its claims processes by utilizing third party adjusters, appraisers, engineers, inspectors, and other professionals and information sources to assess and settle catastrophe and non-catastrophe related claims. The effects of inflation are implicitly considered in the reserving process.
 Reserves are estimates of unpaid portions of losses that have occurred, including IBNR losses; therefore the establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain and complex process. The ultimate cost of losses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management’s best estimates. The highest degree of uncertainty is associated with reserves for losses incurred in the current reporting period as it contains the greatest proportion of losses that have not been reported or settled. The Company regularly updates its reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported in the results of operations in the period such changes are determined to be needed and recorded.
  Management believes that the reserve for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables, is appropriately established in the aggregate and adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of reported and unreported claims arising from losses which had occurred by the date of the consolidated financial statements based on available facts and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
 The table below provides the changes in the reserves for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables, for the periods indicated as follows (dollars in thousands):

15

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Gross reserves - beginning of period
$
54,651

 
$
35,422

Less: reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
6,658

 
5,405

Net reserves - beginning of period
47,993

 
30,017

 
 
 
 
Add: incurred losses and LAE, net of reinsurance:
 
 
 
Current period
12,654

 
11,111

Prior period
3,079

 
1,588

Total net incurred losses and LAE
15,733

 
12,699

 
 
 
 
Deduct: loss and LAE payments, net of reinsurance:
 
 
 
Current period
1,903

 
1,999

Prior period
8,813

 
7,244

Total net loss and LAE payments
10,716

 
9,243

 
 
 
 
Net reserves - end of period
53,010

 
33,473

Plus: reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses
9,125

 
5,015

Gross reserves - end of period
$
62,135

 
$
38,488

The Company’s incurred losses during the three months ended March 31, 2017, include prior-year adverse reserve development of $3.1 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, there was adverse development of $1.6 million from the commercial property line, $1.3 million from the commercial liability line of business, $325 thousand from the Florida homeowners line, and $201 thousand from the personal auto line of business. The adverse development was offset by $456 thousand of favorable development in other lines of business.
The Company’s incurred losses during the three months ended March 31, 2016, reflect prior-year adverse reserve development of $1.6 million. The adverse development was generated by the Florida homeowners, personal automobile, and commercial automobile lines, totaling $758 thousand, $547 thousand, and $858 thousand, respectively. This adverse development was partially offset by favorable development of $271 thousand and $253 thousand in commercial multi-peril and workers compensation lines. respectively.

6.     Reinsurance
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to minimize the loss that may arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with reinsurers. The Company participates in reinsurance agreements in order to limit its loss exposure including protecting against catastrophe losses. The Company primarily ceded all specific commercial risks in excess of $500 thousand in both 2017 and 2016. Reinsurance does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors the concentration of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities, or economic characteristics of the reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. To date, the Company has not experienced any significant difficulties in collecting reinsurance recoverables.
The Company assumes written premiums under a few fronting arrangements, most of which are net of other reinsurance arrangements. The fronting arrangements are with unaffiliated insurers who write on behalf of the Company in markets that require a higher A.M. Best rating than the Company’s current rating, where the policies are written in a state where the Company is not licensed or for other strategic reasons. Assumed premiums is comprised entirely of these arrangements other than where there are premiums assumed from Citizens Property and Casualty Corporation.
The following table presents the effects of such reinsurance and assumption transactions on premiums and losses and LAE (dollars in thousands):

16

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Written premiums:
 
 
 
Direct
$
20,900

 
$
21,600

Assumed
5,574

 
3,793

Ceded
(4,150
)
 
(3,343
)
Net written premiums
$
22,324

 
$
22,050

 
 
 
 
Earned premiums:
 
 
 
Direct
$
22,060

 
$
22,241

Assumed
6,204

 
1,305

Ceded
(4,124
)
 
(3,437
)
Net earned premiums
$
24,140

 
$
20,109

 
 
 
 
Losses and LAE:
 
 
 
Direct
$
16,033

 
$
13,939

Assumed
3,875

 
909

Ceded
(4,175
)
 
(2,149
)
Net Losses and LAE
$
15,733

 
$
12,699

 
 
 
 
7.     Senior Debt
The Company's senior debt facility ("Credit Facility") is comprised of three notes: a $17.5 million revolving line of credit ("Revolver") which commenced in October 2013; a $5.0 million five-year term note ("Term Note") which commenced in October 2013; and a $7.5 million five-year term note which commenced in September 2014 ("2014 Term Note"). A summary of the outstanding senior debt is as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Revolver
$
10,500

 
$
10,500

Term Note
1,500

 
1,750

2014 Term Note
5,125

 
5,500

Total
$
17,125

 
$
17,750

 The undrawn portion of the Revolver was $7.0 million as of March 31, 2017, and was available to finance working capital, fund other general corporate purposes and provide surplus contributions to the Company's Insurance Company Subsidiaries to support premium growth or strategic acquisitions.
The Credit Facility contains various restrictive covenants that relate to the Company’s shareholders’ equity, premiums-to-statutory capital and surplus ratios, fixed-charge coverage ratios, risk-based capital ratios, and A.M. Best ratings of its Insurance Company Subsidiaries. At March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all of its Credit Facility financial covenants.

8.     Shareholders’ Equity
 On February 25, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to $2.1 million of its outstanding common stock over a one-year period. Under this program, management was authorized to repurchase shares at prevailing market prices through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program was determined by management in its discretion and depended on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s stock, general market conditions, and other factors. The plan expired on February

17

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




25, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had not repurchased or retired any shares of stock. In 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 88,650 shares of stock valued at approximately $625 thousand.

9. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
(1,080
)
 
$
182

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
385

 
1,459

Less: amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
51

 
(83
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
334

 
1,542

Balance at end of period
$
(746
)
 
$
1,724


10. Earnings Per Share
 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share, as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares, basic and diluted*
7,633,069

 
7,638,780

 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share, basic and diluted
$
(0.24
)
 
$
(0.27
)
* The 413,000 nonvested shares of the restricted stock units were anti-dilutive as of March 31, 2017. Therefore, the basic and diluted weighted average common shares are equal for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

11.     Stock-based Compensation

In 2015, the Company issued 390,352 RSUs to executive officers and other employees to be settled in shares of common stock. The total RSUs were valued at $4.1 million on the date of grant. In 2016, the Company issued 111,281 RSUs to executive officers and other employees valued at $909 thousand on the date of grant.
 
The following summarizes our restricted stock unit "RSU" activity (units in thousands):

18

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




 
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
390

 
$
10.48

Units granted

 

Units vested

 

Units forfeited

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2016
390

 
$
10.48

Units granted
111

 
8.17

Units vested
(77
)
 
10.48

Units forfeited
(8
)
 
9.95

Outstanding at December 31, 2016
416

 
$
9.87

Units granted

 

Units vested

 

Units forfeited
(3
)
 
9.01

Outstanding at March 31, 2017
413

 
$
9.88

The Company recorded $243 thousand and $204 thousand of compensation expense related to the RSUs for the year ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of the restricted stock units which has not been recognized as of March 31, 2017, was $3.5 million.

 
12.     Commitments and Contingencies
 Legal proceedings
 The Company and its subsidiaries are subject at times to various claims, lawsuits and proceedings relating principally to alleged errors or omissions in the placement of insurance, claims administration, and other business transactions arising in the ordinary course of business. Where appropriate, the Company vigorously defends such claims, lawsuits and proceedings. Some of these claims, lawsuits and proceedings seek damages, including consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. Most of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are related to the insurance policy issued. On the basis of current information, the Company does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss exceeding amounts already accrued, if any, will result from any of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings to which the Company is subject, either individually, or in the aggregate.

13.     Segment Information
 The Company is engaged in the sale of property and casualty insurance products and has organized its business model around two classes of insurance businesses: commercial and personal lines. Within these two insurance businesses, the Company offers various insurance products. Such insurance businesses are engaged in underwriting and marketing insurance coverages, and administering claims processing for such policies.
 The Company defines its operating segments as components of the business where separate financial information is available and used by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to its segments and in assessing its performance. In assessing performance of its operating segments, the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews a number of financial measures including gross written premiums, net earned premiums, losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoveries. However, the primary measure used for making decisions about resources to be allocated to an operating segment and assessing performance is segment underwriting gain or loss which is defined as segment revenues, consisting of net earned premiums and other income, less segment expenses, consisting of losses and LAE, policy acquisition costs and other underwriting and operating expenses of the operating segments. Other underwriting and operating expenses primarily include compensation and related benefits for underwriting personnel, licensing of policy issuance and claims systems, rent and utilities. The Company markets, distributes and sells its insurance products primarily through a network of independent agents. All of the Company’s insurance activities are conducted in the United States with a concentration of

19

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




activity in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, gross written premiums attributable to these four states were 58% of the Company’s total gross written premiums.
 In addition to the reportable operating segments, the Company maintains a Corporate and Other category to reconcile segment results to the consolidated totals. The Corporate and Other category includes: (i) corporate operating expenses such as salaries and related benefits of the Company’s executive management team and finance and information technology personnel, and other corporate headquarters expenses, (ii) interest expense on the Company’s senior debt obligations; (iii) depreciation and amortization on property and equipment, and (iv) all investment income activity. All investment income activity is reported within net investment income and net realized investment gains on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s assets on the consolidated balance sheet are not allocated to the reportable segments.
The Company redefined its operating segments during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 into two segments, and presented the segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2017, in a manner consistent with the new operational management structure. The segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2016, has been recast to be consistent with the new format.
The following tables present information by reportable operating segment (dollars in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Commercial Lines
 
Personal Lines
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
Gross written premiums
 
$
21,644

 
$
4,830

 
$

 
$
26,474

Net written premiums
 
$
19,479

 
$
2,845

 
$

 
$
22,324

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
 
$
19,689

 
$
4,451

 
$

 
$
24,140

Other income
 
164

 
151

 
39

 
354

Segment revenue
 
19,853

 
4,602

 
39

 
24,494

Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
 
12,468

 
3,265

 

 
15,733

Policy acquisition costs
 
5,022

 
1,450

 

 
6,472

Operating expenses
 
2,472

 
569

 
1,489

 
4,530

Segment expenses
 
19,962

 
5,284

 
1,489

 
26,735

Segment underwriting gain (loss)
 
$
(109
)
 
$
(682
)
 
$
(1,450
)
 
$
(2,241
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
 

 
 

 
577

 
577

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 

 
 

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Interest expense
 
 

 
 

 
(224
)
 
(224
)
Income (loss) before equity earnings of affiliates and income taxes
 
 

 
 

 
$
(1,105
)
 
$
(1,896
)

20

CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)




Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Commercial Lines
 
Personal Lines
 
Corporate
& Other
 
Total
Gross written premiums
 
$
19,144

 
$
6,249

 
$

 
$
25,393

Net written premiums
 
$
16,986

 
$
5,064

 
$

 
$
22,050

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
 
$
15,279

 
$
4,830

 
$

 
$
20,109

Other income
 
98

 
132

 
15

 
245

Segment revenue
 
15,377

 
4,962

 
15

 
20,354

Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
 
8,635

 
4,064

 

 
12,699

Policy acquisition costs
 
4,388

 
1,615

 

 
6,003

Operating expenses
 
1,734

 
669

 
1,736

 
4,139

Segment expenses
 
14,757

 
6,348

 
1,736

 
22,841

Segment underwriting gain (loss)
 
$
620

 
$
(1,386
)
 
$
(1,721
)
 
$
(2,487
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net investment income
 
 

 
 

 
537

 
537

Net realized investment gains (losses)
 
 

 
 

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Interest expense
 
 

 
 

 
(157
)
 
(157
)
Income (loss) before equity earnings of affiliates and income taxes
 
 

 
 

 
$
(1,349
)
 
$
(2,115
)

21



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
For the Periods Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
 
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 15, 2017 with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-Looking Statements 
Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “seek” and similar terms and phrases, or the negative thereof, may be used to identify forward-looking statements. 
The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our Form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.
Business Overview 
We are an insurance holding company that markets and services our product offerings through specialty commercial and specialty personal insurance business lines. Our growth has been significant since our founding in 2009. Currently, we are authorized to write insurance as an excess and surplus lines carrier in 44 states. We are also licensed to write insurance as an admitted carrier in 40 states and we offer our insurance products in all 50 states.
Our revenues are primarily derived from premiums earned from our insurance operations. We also generate other revenues through investment income and other income which mainly consists of installment fees and policy issuance fees generally related to the policies we write.
Our expenses consist primarily of losses and loss adjustment expenses, agents’ commissions, and other underwriting and administrative expenses. We organize our operations in two insurance businesses: commercial insurance lines and personal insurance lines.
Through our commercial insurance product lines, we offer coverage for both commercial property and commercial liability. We also offer coverage for commercial automobiles and workers’ compensation. Our insurance policies are sold to targeted small and mid-sized businesses on a single or multiple-coverage basis.
Through our personal insurance product lines, we offer homeowners insurance and dwelling fire insurance policies to individuals in several states. Our specialty homeowners insurance product line is primarily comprised of either wind-exposed homeowners insurance providing hurricane and wind coverage to underserved homeowners in Texas, Hawaii and Florida or low-value dwelling insurance tailored for owners of lower valued homes, which we have historically offered in Illinois and Indiana, and have now expanded to Louisiana and Texas (where we have an office in Waco). Due to recent Florida-based industry events, we have been de-emphasizing our Florida homeowners' business and reducing our exposures in that state. Otherwise, there has been little change in our approach to managing or evaluating these lines.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 In certain circumstances, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions periodically on an on-going basis based on a variety of factors. There can be no assurance, however, that actual results will not be materially different than our estimates and assumptions, and that reported results of operation will not be affected by accounting adjustments needed to reflect changes in these estimates and assumptions. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, there were no

22


material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates, which are disclosed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017.

Executive Overview
The Company reported a net loss of $1.8 million, or $0.24 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or $0.27 per share, for the same period in 2016.
Adjusted operating loss, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.8 million, or $0.24 per share, and $2.0 million, or $0.27, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Our combined ratio decreased 3.1 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2017, to 109.1%, compared to 112.2% for the same period in 2016.
Our premium results for the three months ended March 31, 2017, reflect the continued expansion of our commercial lines and repositioning of our personal lines. Our commercial lines gross written premiums organically grew by 13.1% in the three months ended months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. Our personal lines gross written premiums decreased 22.7% for the three months ended months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, as we de-emphasized Florida homeowners and Texas wind-exposed business.

23


Results of Operations For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016
 The following table summarizes our operating results for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
Summary of Operating Results
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Gross written premiums
$
26,474

 
$
25,393

 
$
1,081


4.3
 %
Net written premiums
$
22,324

 
$
22,050

 
$
274

 
1.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earned premiums
$
24,140

 
$
20,109

 
$
4,031

 
20.0
 %
Other income
354

 
245

 
109

 
44.5
 %
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net
15,733

 
12,699

 
3,034

 
23.9
 %
Policy acquisition costs
6,472

 
6,003

 
469

 
7.8
 %
Operating expenses
4,530

 
4,139

 
391

 
9.4
 %
Underwriting gain (loss)
(2,241
)
 
(2,487
)
 
246

 
(9.9
)%
Net investment income
577

 
537

 
40

 
7.4
 %
Net realized investment gains
(8
)
 
(8
)
 

 
*
Interest expense
224

 
157

 
67

 
42.7
 %
Income (loss) before equity earnings in affiliate and income taxes
(1,896
)
 
(2,115
)
 
219

 
(10.4
)%
Equity earnings (losses) of affiliates, net of tax
104

 
87

 
17

 
19.5
 %
Income tax expense (benefit)
6

 

 
6

 
*
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
 
$
230

 
(11.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Underwriting Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss ratio (1)
64.2
%
 
62.4
%
 
 

 
 

Expense ratio (2)
44.9
%
 
49.8
%
 
 

 
 

Combined ratio (3)
109.1
%
 
112.2
%
 
 

 
 

(1)
The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income.
(2)
The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and operating expenses to net earned premiums and other income.
(3)
The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.
*Percentage change is not meaningful
Premiums 
Earned premiums are earned ratably over the term of the policy, whereas written premiums are reflected on the effective date of the policy. All commercial lines and homeowners products have annual policies, under which premiums are earned evenly over one year. The resulting net earned premiums are impacted by the gross and ceded written premiums, earned ratably over time. 
Our premiums are presented below for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands): 

24


Summary of Premium Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Gross written premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial lines
$
21,644

 
$
19,144

 
$
2,500

 
13.1
 %
Personal lines
4,830

 
6,249

 
(1,419
)
 
(22.7
)%
Total
$
26,474

 
$
25,393

 
$
1,081

 
4.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net written premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Commercial lines
$
19,479

 
$
16,986

 
$
2,493

 
14.7
 %
Personal lines
2,845

 
5,064

 
(2,219
)
 
(43.8
)%
Total
$
22,324

 
$
22,050

 
$
274

 
1.2
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Earned premiums
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Commercial lines
$
19,689

 
$
15,279

 
$
4,410

 
28.9
 %
Personal lines
4,451

 
4,830

 
(379
)
 
(7.8
)%
Total
$
24,140

 
$
20,109

 
$
4,031

 
20.0
 %
 
Gross written premiums increased $1.1 million, or 4.3%, to $26.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $25.4 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was driven by continued growth in our commercial lines, reflecting the execution of our growth initiative in the niche commercial insurance markets and our strategic change in the mix of business of our personal lines.
 Commercial lines gross written premiums increased $2.5 million, or 13.1%, to $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to $19.1 million for the first quarter of 2016. This increase was primarily driven by the organic growth in our hospitality programs.
 Personal lines gross written premiums decreased $1.4 million, or 22.7%, to $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, as compared to $6.2 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease was the result of management's strategic decision to decrease our Florida homeowners business. Also, as of October 1, 2016, we no longer wrote Texas wind-exposed homeowners products through one agent that represented approximately $7.0 million of 2015 annual premiums. Our low-value dwelling homeowners business, however, continues to expand. It grew by 26.7% in the first quarter of 2017, while our Florida homeowners business decreased 14.9%, compared to the same period in 2016.
 Net written premiums increased $274 thousand, or 1.2%, to $22.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $22.1 million for the same period in 2016. This increase is consistent with the increase in gross written premiums for the same period, slightly tempered by an increase in catastrophe reinsurance costs beginning in June 2016.
Other income 
Other income consists primarily of fees charged to policyholders by the Company for services outside of the premium charge, such as installment billings and policy issuance costs. Commission income is also received by the Company’s insurance agencies for writing policies for third party insurance companies. Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $109 thousand, or 44.5%, to $354 thousand as compared to $245 thousand for the same period in 2016 due in some measure to policy growth in lines that have more fees associated with them.
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses 
The tables below detail our losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) and loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands). 

25


Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Commercial
Lines
 
Personal
Lines
 
Total
Accident year net losses and LAE
$
9,634

 
$
3,020

 
$
12,654

Net (favorable) adverse development
2,834

 
245

 
3,079

Calendar year net losses and LAE
$
12,468

 
$
3,265

 
$
15,733

 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident year loss ratio
48.5
%
 
65.6
%
 
51.7
%
Net (favorable) adverse development
14.3
%
 
5.3
%
 
12.5
%
Calendar year loss ratio
62.8
%
 
70.9
%
 
64.2
%
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Commercial
Lines
 
Personal
Lines
 
Total
Accident year net losses and LAE
$
8,279

 
$
2,832

 
$
11,111

Net (favorable) adverse development
356

 
1,232

 
1,588

Calendar year net losses and LAE
$
8,635

 
$
4,064

 
$
12,699

 
 
 
 
 
 
Accident year loss ratio
53.8
%
 
57.1
%
 
54.6
%
Net (favorable) adverse development
2.3
%
 
24.8
%
 
7.8
%
Calendar year loss ratio
56.1
%
 
81.9
%
 
62.4
%

Net losses and LAE increased by $3.0 million, or 23.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. The increase is consistent with the 20.0% increase in net earned premiums. The calendar year loss ratios were 64.2% and 62.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Overall reserve development on prior accident years in the first quarter of 2017 was unfavorable by $3.1 million, or 12.5 percentage points on the loss ratio. This was primarily due to $1.6 million of adverse reserve development in the commercial property line, $1.3 million from the commercial liability line of business, $325 thousand from the Florida homeowners line, and $201 thousand from the personal auto line of business. The adverse development was offset by $456 thousand of favorable development in other lines of business.
Total reserve development on prior accident years in the first quarter of 2016 was unfavorable by $1.6 million, or 7.8 percentage points.  This was primarily due to $758 thousand, $547 thousand, and $858 thousand of adverse reserve development in the Florida homeowners, personal automobile and commercial automobile lines of business, respectively.
Expense Ratio 
Our expense ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting and operating expenses by the sum of net earned premiums and other income. We use the expense ratio to evaluate the operating efficiency of our consolidated operations and each segment. Costs that cannot be readily identifiable as a direct cost of a segment or product line remain in Corporate and Other for segment reporting purposes. 
The table below provides the expense ratio by major component. 

26


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Commercial Lines
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
25.3
%
 
28.5
%
Operating expenses
12.5
%
 
11.3
%
Total
37.8
%
 
39.8
%
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
31.5
%
 
32.5
%
Operating expenses
12.4
%
 
13.5
%
Total
43.9
%
 
46.0
%
 
 
 
 
Corporate and Other
 
 
 
Operating expenses
6.1
%
 
8.5
%
Total
6.1
%
 
8.5
%
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
Policy acquisition costs
26.4
%
 
29.5
%
Operating expenses
18.5
%
 
20.3
%
Total
44.9
%
 
49.8
%
 Our expense ratio decreased 4.9 percentage points in the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the same period in 2016. The decrease in the ratio was mainly due to an increase in net earned premiums on a lower variable expense base.
Policy acquisition costs are costs we incur to issue policies, which include commissions, premium taxes, underwriting reports and underwriter compensation costs. The Company offsets direct commissions with ceded commissions from reinsurers. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the percentage of policy acquisition costs to net earned premiums and other income was 26.4% and 29.5%, respectively. The decrease in the policy acquisition cost ratio was due to improved efficiencies of scale as well as a changing mix of business with lower commission rates.
Operating expenses consist primarily of employee compensation, information technology and occupancy costs, such as rent and utilities. Operating expenses as a percent of net earned premiums and other income was 18.5% and 20.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the operating expense ratio was primarily due to increased net earned premiums and other income combined with a more fixed expense base. We expect this ratio to trend lower as earned premium grows.
Underwriting Results 
We measure the performance of our consolidated results, in part, based on our underwriting gain or loss. The following table provides the underwriting gain or loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):
Underwriting Gain (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Commercial Lines
$
(109
)
 
$
620

 
$
(729
)
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal Lines
(682
)
 
(1,386
)
 
704

 
50.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate and Other
(1,450
)
 
(1,721
)
 
271

 
15.7
%
Total
$
(2,241
)
 
$
(2,487
)
 
$
246

 
9.9
%
*Percentage change is not meaningful

27


Liquidity and Capital Resources 
Sources and Uses of Funds 
At March 31, 2017, we had $25.2 million in cash and short-term investments. Our principal sources of funds, excluding capital raises, are insurance premiums, investment income, proceeds from maturity and sale of invested assets and installment fees. These funds are primarily used to pay claims, commissions, employee compensation, taxes and other operating expenses, and service debt. 
We believe that our existing cash, short-term investments and investment securities balances and the $7.0 million available under our revolving credit line will be adequate to meet our capital and liquidity needs and the needs of our subsidiaries on a short-term and long-term basis. 
We conduct our business operations primarily through our Insurance Company Subsidiaries. Our ability to service debt, and pay administrative expenses is primarily reliant upon our intercompany service fees paid by the Insurance Company Subsidiaries to the holding company for management, administrative, and information technology services provided to the Insurance Company Subsidiaries by the holding company. Secondarily, the holding company may receive dividends from the Insurance Company Subsidiaries; however, this is not the primary means in which the holding company supports its funding as state insurance laws restrict the ability of our Insurance Company Subsidiaries to declare dividends to the holding company. Generally, the limitations are based on the greater of statutory net income for the preceding year or 10% of statutory surplus at the end of the preceding year. There were no dividends paid from our Insurance Company Subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2017
Cash Flows 
Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017, was $3.9 million as compared to $3.0 million provided by operating activities for the same period in 2016. The increase in cash provided by operations was attributable to the overall growth of the business.  
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017, was $5.6 million as compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2016. The fluctuation in the funds used in routine investing activities correlates to the timing of when the portfolio investments matured and securities were repurchased.
Financing Activities. Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017, was $0.6 million as compared to $0.3 million provided by financing activities for the same period in 2016. The cash provided by financing activities in 2016 was from borrowings under debt arrangements, offset by stock repurchases. The only financing activities in 2017 were related to principle repayments on the debt.
Outstanding Debt 
We are party to a $30.0 million senior credit facility with Comerica Bank which currently is comprised of three parts: a $5.0 million five-year term note ("Term Note") which commenced in October 2013; a $7.5 million five-year term note which commenced in September 2014 ("2014 Term Note"); and a $17.5 million revolving line of credit ("Revolver"). Our total outstanding senior debt at March 31, 2017, was $17.1 million. Our minimum principal and interest payments on our senior debt for the remaining nine months of 2017 is estimated to be $2.4 million and $15.8 million for 2018-2019. Refer to Note 7 ~ Senior Debt of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements, for additional information regarding our outstanding debt.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
Statutory Capital and Surplus
  
Statutory capital and surplus is a non-GAAP (accounting principles generally accepted in the United States -“GAAP”) measure. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries’ aggregate statutory capital and surplus was $60.7 million and $62.2 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
 

28


Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Operating Income Per Share
  
Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share are non-GAAP measures that represent net income allocable to common shareholders excluding net realized investment and other gains, net of tax. The most directly comparable financial GAAP measures to adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share are net income and net income per share, respectively. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share are intended as supplemental information and are not meant to replace net income or net income per share. Adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share should be read in conjunction with the GAAP financial results. Our definition of adjusted operating income may be different from that used by other companies. The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss) (dollars in thousands), as well as net income (loss) per share to adjusted operating income (loss) per share:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(1,798
)
 
$
(2,028
)
Net realized losses, net of tax
(8
)
 
(8
)
Adjusted operating income (loss)
$
(1,790
)
 
$
(2,020
)
Weighted average common shares diluted
7,633,069

 
7,638,780

Diluted income (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share
(0.24
)
 
(0.27
)
Net realized gains, net of tax, per share

 

Adjusted operating income (loss) per share
(0.24
)
 
(0.27
)
 
We use adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share to assess our performance and to evaluate the results of our overall business. We believe these measures provide investors with valuable information relating to our ongoing performance that may be obscured by the net effect of realized gains and losses as a result of our market risk sensitive instruments, which primarily relate to fixed income securities that are available for sale and not held for trading purposes. Realized gains and losses may vary significantly between periods and are generally driven by external economic developments, such as capital market conditions. Accordingly, adjusted operating income excludes the effect of items that tend to be highly variable from period to period and highlights the results from our ongoing business operations and the underlying loss or profitability of our business. We believe that it is useful for investors to evaluate adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income per share, along with net income and net income per share, when reviewing and evaluating our performance.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 Refer to Note 1 ~ Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recently Issued Accounting Guidance of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for detailed information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements.

29


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, as well as, other relevant market rates or price changes. The volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the underlying assets are traded directly influence market risk. The following is a discussion of our primary market risk exposures and how those exposures are currently managed as of March 31, 2017. Our market risk sensitive instruments are primarily related to our fixed-income securities.
Interest Rate Risk
At March 31, 2017, the fair value of our investment portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was $133.8 million. Our investment portfolio consists principally of investment-grade, fixed-income securities, all of which are classified as available for sale. Accordingly, the primary market risk exposure to our debt securities is interest rate risk. In general, the fair market value of a portfolio of fixed-income securities increases or decreases inversely with changes in market interest rates, while net investment income realized from future investments in fixed-income securities increases or decreases along with interest rates. We attempt to mitigate interest rate risks by investing in securities with varied maturity dates and by managing the duration of our investment portfolio to a defined range of three to four years. The effective duration of our portfolio as of March 31, 2017, was approximately 3.0 years and 3.2 years at December 31, 2016.
The table below illustrates the sensitivity of the fair value of our fixed-income investments, classified as fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, to selected hypothetical changes in interest rates as of March 31, 2017. The selected scenarios are not predictions of future events, but rather illustrate the effect that events may have on the fair value of the fixed-income portfolio and shareholders’ equity (dollars in thousands). 
 
 
 
Estimated
 
Hypothetical Percentage
Increase (Decrease) in
Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates
Estimated
 
Change in
 
 
 
Shareholders'
As of March 31, 2017
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Equity
200 basis point increase
$
121,310

 
$
(7,743
)
 
(6.0
)%
 
(11.6
)%
100 basis point increase
125,181

 
(3,872
)
 
(3.0
)%
 
(5.8
)%
No change
129,053

 

 
 %
 
 %
100 basis point decrease
132,666

 
3,613

 
2.8
 %
 
5.4
 %
200 basis point decrease
134,731

 
5,678

 
4.4
 %
 
8.5
 %
 
Credit Risk
 An additional exposure to our fixed-income securities portfolio is credit risk. We manage our credit risk by investing only in investment-grade securities. In addition, we comply with applicable statutory requirements which limit the portion of our total investment portfolio that we can invest in any one security.
 We are subject to credit risks with respect to our reinsurers. Although a reinsurer is liable for losses to the extent of the coverage which it assumes, our reinsurance contracts do not discharge our insurance companies from primary liability to each policyholder for the full amount of the applicable policy, and consequently our insurance companies remain obligated to pay claims in accordance with the terms of the policies regardless of whether a reinsurer fulfills or defaults on its obligations under the related reinsurance agreement. To mitigate our credit risk to reinsurance companies, we attempt to select financially strong reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or better and continue to evaluate their financial condition throughout the duration of our agreements.
At March 31, 2017, the net amount due to the Company from reinsurers, including ceded unearned premiums, was $14.0 million. We believe all amounts recorded as due from reinsurers are recoverable. 
Effects of Inflation
We do not believe that inflation has a material effect on our results of operations, except for the effect that inflation may have on interest rates and claims costs. We consider the effects of inflation in pricing and estimating reserves for unpaid losses and LAE. The actual effects of inflation on our results are not known until claims are ultimately settled. In addition to general price inflation, we are exposed to a long-term upward trend in the cost of judicial awards for damages.
 

30


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 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. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that required information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required timeframe as specified in the SEC’s rules and forms of the SEC. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures at March 31, 2017. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, as of March 31, 2017
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

31


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The information required by this item is included under Note 12 ~ Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
There were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 15, 2017.
 
ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
On February 25, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to $2.1 million of its outstanding common stock over a one-year period. Under this program, management was authorized to repurchase shares at prevailing market prices through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program was determined by management in its discretion and depended on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s stock, general market conditions, and other factors. The program expired on February 25, 2017.
Issuer purchase of Equity Securities
Period of purchases
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan or program
 
Maximum dollars yet to be used for stock purchases (in thousands)
February 25, 2016 to February 29, 2016
 

 

 

 
$
2,100

March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016
 
33,833

 
$
6.79

 
33,833

 
1,869

April 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016
 

 

 
33,833

 
1,869

May 1, 2016 to May 31, 2016
 
32,830

 
$
6.65

 
66,663

 
1,649

June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016
 

 

 
66,663

 
1,649

July 1, 2016 to July 31, 2016
 

 

 
66,663

 
1,649

August 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016
 
1,201

 
$
7.50

 
67,864

 
1,640

September 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016
 
20,786

 
$
7.96

 
88,650

 
1,474

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
88,650

 
$
7.02

 
 
 
 
January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017
 

 
$

 
88,650

 
1,474

Total for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 

 
$

 

 




32


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
 
Form
 
Period
Ending
 
Exhibit /
Appendix
Number
 
Filing Date
31.1
Section 302 Certification — CEO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
Section 302 Certification — CFO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1*
Section 906 Certification — CEO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2*
Section 906 Certification — CFO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

33


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CONIFER HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Harold J. Meloche
 
 
Harold J. Meloche
 
 
Chief Financial Officer,
 
 
Principal Financial Officer,
 
 
Principal Accounting Officer
 
Dated: May 10, 2017



34