HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INC - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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Washington,
D.C. 20549
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FORM
10-K
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(Mark
One)
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x
ANNUAL
REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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For
the fiscal year ended DECEMBER
31, 2007
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Or
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o
TRANSITION
REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
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For
the transition period from _________________________ to
_________________________
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Commission
file number 001-11252
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Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc.
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(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
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Nevada
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87-0447375
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(State
or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
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777
Main Street, Suite 1000, Fort Worth, Texas
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76102
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(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip
Code)
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Registrant's
Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (817)
348-1600
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
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Title
of Each Class
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Name
of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common
Stock $.18 par value
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Nasdaq
Global Market
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer,
as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
o No
x
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Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yeso No x
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No
o
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Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. o
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer,
an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting
company.
See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and
“smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large
accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller
reporting company x
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined
in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o No x
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State
the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity
held
by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the
common
equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such
common
equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently
completed second fiscal quarter. $71,259,673
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Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes
of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 20,785,753 shares
of
common stock, $.18 par value per share, outstanding as of March 15,
2008.
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DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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The
information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from
the
Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end
of the
fiscal year covered by this report.
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Unless
the context requires otherwise, in this Form 10-K the term “Hallmark” refers
solely to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and the terms “we,” “our,” and “us”
refer to Hallmark and its subsidiaries. The direct and indirect subsidiaries
of
Hallmark are referred to in this Form 10-K in the manner identified in the
chart
under “Item 1. Business - Operational Structure.”
Risks
Associated with Forward-Looking Statements Included in this Form
10-K
This
Form
10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are intended to be
covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements include
statements which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future
events or conditions, or which include words such as “expect,” “anticipate,”
“intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate” or similar expressions. These statements
include the plans and objectives of management for future operations, including
plans and objectives relating to future growth of our business activities and
availability of funds. Statements regarding the following subjects are
forward-looking by their nature:
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our
business and growth strategies;
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our
performance goals;
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our
projected financial condition and operating
results;
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· |
our
understanding of our competition;
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industry
and market trends;
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· |
the
impact of technology on our products, operations and business;
and
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any
other statements or assumptions that are not historical
facts.
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The
forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K are based on current
expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating
to these forward-looking statements involve judgments with respect to, among
other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, regulatory
framework, weather-related events and future business decisions, all of which
are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond
our control. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be
inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking
statements included in this Form 10-K will prove to be accurate. In light of
the
significant uncertainties inherent in these forward-looking statements, the
inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation that
our objectives and plans will be achieved.
2
PART
I
Item
1. Business.
Who
We Are
We
are a
diversified property/casualty insurance group that serves businesses and
individuals in specialty and niche markets. We offer standard commercial
insurance, specialty commercial insurance and personal insurance in selected
market subcategories that are characteristically low-severity and short-tailed
risks. We focus on marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing
property/casualty insurance products that require specialized underwriting
expertise or market knowledge. We believe this approach provides us the best
opportunity to achieve favorable policy terms and pricing. The insurance
policies we produce are written by our three insurance company subsidiaries
as
well as unaffiliated insurers.
We
market, distribute, underwrite and service our property/casualty insurance
products through four operating units, each of which has a specific focus.
Our
HGA Operating Unit primarily handles standard commercial insurance, our TGA
Operating Unit concentrates on excess and surplus lines commercial insurance,
our Aerospace Operating Unit specializes in general aviation insurance and
our
Phoenix Operating Unit focuses on non-standard personal automobile insurance.
The subsidiaries comprising our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating
Unit were acquired effective January 1, 2006.
Each
operating unit has its own management team with significant experience in
distributing products to its target markets and proven success in achieving
underwriting profitability and providing efficient claims management. Each
operating unit is responsible for marketing, distribution, underwriting and
claims management while we provide capital management, reinsurance, actuarial,
investment, financial reporting, technology and legal services and back office
support at the parent level. We believe this approach optimizes our operating
results by allowing us to effectively penetrate our selected specialty and
niche
markets while maintaining operational controls, managing risks, controlling
overhead and efficiently allocating our capital across operating
units.
We
expect
future growth to be derived from increased retention of the premiums we write,
organic growth in the premium production of our existing operating units and
selected, opportunistic acquisitions that meet our criteria. In 2005, we
increased the capital of our insurance company subsidiaries, enabling them
to
retain significantly more of the business produced by our operating units.
For
the year ended December 31, 2007, approximately 80% of the total premium we
produced was retained by our insurance company subsidiaries, while the remaining
20% was written for or ceded to unaffiliated insurers. We expect to continue
to
increase our retention of the total premium we produce. We believe increasing
our overall retention will drive greater near-term profitability than focusing
solely on growth in premium production and market share.
What
We Do
We
market
standard commercial, specialty commercial and personal property/casualty
insurance products which are tailored to the risks and coverages required by
the
insured. We believe that most of our target markets are underserved by larger
property/casualty underwriters because of the specialized nature of the
underwriting required. We are able to offer these products profitably as a
result of the expertise of our experienced underwriters. We also believe our
long-standing relationships with independent general agencies and retail agents
and the service we provide differentiate us from larger property/casualty
underwriters.
Our
HGA
Operating Unit primarily underwrites low-severity, short-tailed commercial
property/casualty insurance products in the standard market. These products
have
historically produced stable loss results and include general liability,
commercial automobile, commercial property and umbrella coverages. Our HGA
Operating Unit currently markets its products through a network of approximately
200 independent agents primarily serving businesses in the non-urban areas
of
Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Washington.
Our
TGA
Operating Unit primarily offers commercial property/casualty insurance products
in the excess and surplus lines market. Excess and surplus lines insurance
provides coverage for difficult to place risks that do not fit the underwriting
criteria of insurers operating in the standard market. Our TGA Operating Unit
focuses on small- to medium-sized commercial businesses that do not meet the
underwriting requirements of standard insurers due to factors such as loss
history, number of years in business, minimum premium size and types of business
operation. Our TGA Operating Unit primarily writes general liability, commercial
automobile and commercial property policies. Our TGA Operating Unit markets
its
products through 39 independent general agencies with offices in Texas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas, as well as approximately 730 independent
retail agents in Texas.
3
Our
Aerospace Operating Unit offers general aviation property/casualty insurance
primarily for private and small commercial aircraft and airports. The aircraft
liability and hull insurance products underwritten by our Aerospace Operating
Unit are targeted to transitional or non-standard pilots who may have difficulty
obtaining insurance from a standard carrier. Airport liability insurance is
marketed to smaller, regional airports. Our Aerospace Operating Unit markets
these general aviation insurance products through approximately 200 independent
specialty brokers in 47 states.
Our
Phoenix Operating Unit offers non-standard personal automobile policies which
generally provide the minimum limits of liability coverage mandated by state
law
to drivers who find it difficult to obtain insurance from standard carriers
due
to various factors including age, driving record, claims history or limited
financial resources. Our Phoenix Operating Unit markets this non-standard
personal automobile insurance through approximately 1,640 independent retail
agents in 11 states.
Our
insurance company subsidiaries are American Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas
(“AHIC”), Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company (“PIIC”) and Hallmark Specialty
Insurance Company (“HSIC”) (formerly known as Gulf States Insurance Company).
Effective January 1, 2006, our insurance company subsidiaries entered into
a
pooling arrangement, which was subsequently amended on December 15, 2006,
pursuant to which AHIC would retain 46.0% of the net premiums written, PIIC
would retain 34.1% of the net premiums written and HSIC would retain 19.9%
of
the net premiums written. As of June 5, 2006, A.M. Best Company (“A.M.
Best”),
a
nationally recognized insurance industry rating service and publisher,
pooled
its ratings of our three insurance company subsidiaries and assigned a financial
strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to each
of our individual insurance company subsidiaries and to the pool formed by
our
insurance company subsidiaries.
Our
four
operating units are segregated into three reportable industry segments for
financial accounting purposes. The Standard Commercial Segment presently
consists solely of the HGA Operating Unit and the Personal Segment presently
consists solely of our Phoenix Operating Unit. The Specialty Commercial Segment
includes both our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit. The
following table displays the gross premiums produced by these reportable
segments for affiliated and unaffiliated insurers for the years ended December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, as well as the gross premiums written and net premiums
written by our insurance subsidiaries for these reportable segments for the
same
periods.
Year
Ended December 31,
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2007
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2006
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2005
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(dollars
in thousands)
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Gross
Premiums Produced:
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Standard
Commercial Segment
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$
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90,985
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$
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91,679
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$
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81,721
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Specialty
Commercial Segment (1)
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151,003
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156,490
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-
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Personal
Segment
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55,916
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45,135
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36,345
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Total
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$
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297,904
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$
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293,304
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$
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118,066
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Gross
Premiums Written:
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Standard
Commercial Segment
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$
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90,868
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$
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91,070
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$
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52,952
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Specialty
Commercial Segment (1)
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102,688
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77,740
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-
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Personal
Segment
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55,916
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45,135
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36,515
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Total
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$
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249,472
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$
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213,945
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$
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89,467
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Net
Premiums Written:
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Standard
Commercial Segment
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$
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84,222
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$
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82,220
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$
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51,249
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Specialty
Commercial Segment (1)
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98,005
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75,573
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-
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Personal
Segment
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55,916
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45,135
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37,003
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Total
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$
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238,143
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$
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202,928
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$
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88,252
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1 |
The
subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment were acquired
effective January 1, 2006 and, therefore, are not included in the
year
ended December 31, 2005.
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4
Operational
Structure
Our
insurance company subsidiaries retain a portion of the premiums produced by
our
operating units. The following chart reflects the operational structure of
our
organization, the subsidiaries comprising our operating units and the operating
units included in each reportable segment as of December 31, 2007.
Standard
Commercial Segment / HGA Operating Unit
The
Standard Commercial Segment of our business presently consists solely of our
HGA
Operating Unit. Our HGA Operating Unit markets, underwrites and services
standard commercial lines insurance primarily in the non-urban areas of Texas,
New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington. The subsidiaries comprising
our HGA Operating Unit include American Hallmark Insurance Services, a regional
managing general agency, and ECM, a claims administration company. American
Hallmark Insurance Services targets customers that are in low-severity
classifications in the standard commercial market, which as a group have
relatively stable loss results. The typical customer is a small- to medium-sized
business with a policy that covers property, general liability and automobile
exposures. Our HGA Operating Unit underwriting criteria exclude lines of
business and classes of risks that are considered to be high-severity or
volatile, or which involve significant latent injury potential or other
long-tailed liability exposures. ECM administers the claims on the insurance
policies produced by American Hallmark Insurance Services. Products offered
by
our HGA Operating Unit include the following:
·
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Commercial
automobile. Commercial
automobile insurance provides
third-party bodily injury and property damage coverage and first-party
property damage coverage against losses resulting from the ownership,
maintenance or use of automobiles and trucks in connection with an
insured’s business.
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·
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General
liability. General
liability insurance provides coverage for third-party bodily injury
and
property damage claims arising from accidents occurring on the insured’s
premises or from their general business
operations.
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·
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Umbrella.
Umbrella
insurance provides coverage for third-party liability claims where
the
loss amount exceeds coverage limits provided by the insured’s underlying
general liability and commercial automobile
policies.
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·
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Commercial
property. Commercial
property insurance provides first-party coverage for the insured’s real
property, business personal property, and business interruption losses
caused by fire, wind, hail, water damage, theft, vandalism and other
insured perils.
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·
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Commercial
multi-peril. Commercial
multi-peril insurance provides a combination of property and liability
coverage that can include commercial automobile coverage on a single
policy.
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·
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Business
owner’s. Business
owner’s insurance provides
a package of coverage designed for small- to medium-sized businesses
with
homogeneous risk profiles. Coverage includes general liability, commercial
property and commercial automobile.
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5
Our
HGA
Operating Unit markets its property/casualty insurance products through
approximately 200 independent agencies operating in its target markets. Our
HGA
Operating Unit applies a strict agent selection process and seeks to provide
its
independent agents some degree of non-contractual geographic exclusivity. Our
HGA Operating Unit also strives to provide its independent agents with
convenient access to product information and personalized service. As a result,
the Standard Commercial Segment has historically maintained excellent
relationships with its producing agents, as evidenced by the 19-year average
tenure of the 24 agency groups which each produced more than $1.0 million in
premium during the year ended December 31, 2007. During 2007, the top ten agency
groups produced approximately 39%, and no individual agency group produced
more
than 8%, of the total premium volume of our HGA Operating Unit.
Our
HGA
Operating Unit writes most risks on a package basis using a commercial
multi-peril policy or a business owner’s policy. Umbrella policies are written
only when our HGA Operating Unit also writes the insured’s underlying general
liability and commercial automobile coverage. Through December 31, 2005, our
HGA
Operating Unit marketed policies on behalf of Clarendon National Insurance
Company (“Clarendon”), a third-party insurer. Our HGA Operating Unit earns a
commission based on a percentage of the earned premium it produced for
Clarendon. The commission percentage is determined by the underwriting results
of the policies produced. ECM receives a claim servicing fee based on a
percentage of the earned premium produced, with a portion deferred for casualty
claims. On July 1, 2005, our HGA Operating Unit began marketing new policies
for
AHIC and presently markets all new and renewal policies exclusively for
AHIC.
All
of
the commercial policies written by our HGA Operating Unit are for a term of
12
months. If the insured is unable or unwilling to pay for the entire premium
in
advance, we provide an installment payment plan that allows the insured to
pay
20% down and the remaining payments over eight months. We charge a flat $7.50
installment fee per payment for the installment payment plan.
Specialty
Commercial Segment
The
Specialty Commercial Segment of our business includes both our TGA Operating
Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit. All of the subsidiaries comprising our
TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit were acquired effective
January 1, 2006. Our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit were
reported as separate segments during the first three quarters of 2006, but
were
aggregated into a single segment commencing in the fourth quarter of 2006 in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). During
2007, our TGA Operating Unit accounted for approximately 80% of the aggregate
premiums produced by the Specialty Commercial Segment, with the remaining 20%
coming from our Aerospace Operating Unit.
TGA
Operating Unit.
Our TGA
Operating Unit markets, underwrites, finances and services commercial lines
insurance in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma with a particular emphasis
on commercial automobile, general liability and commercial property risks
produced on an excess and surplus lines basis. Excess and surplus lines
insurance provides coverage for difficult to place risks that do not fit the
underwriting criteria of insurers operating in the standard market. Our TGA
Operating Unit also markets, underwrites and services certain non-strategic
legacy personal lines insurance products in Texas, including dwelling fire,
homeowners and non-standard personal automobile coverages. During 2007, our
TGA
Operating Unit completed the transition of new and renewal business for
non-standard personal automobile coverages to our Phoenix Operating Unit. The
subsidiaries comprising our TGA Operating Unit include Texas General Agency,
which is a regional managing general agency, TGASRI, which brokers mobile home
insurance, and PAAC, which provides premium financing for policies marketed
by
Texas General Agency and certain unaffiliated general and retail agents. Texas
General Agency accounts for approximately 95% of the premium volume financed
by
PAAC.
Our
TGA
Operating Unit focuses on small- to medium-sized commercial businesses that
do
not meet the underwriting requirements of traditional standard insurers due
to
issues such as loss history, number of years in business, minimum premium size
and types of business operation. During 2007, commercial automobile, general
liability and commercial property insurance accounted for approximately 97%
of
the premiums produced by our TGA Operating Unit, with the remaining 3% coming
from legacy personal lines products. Target risks for commercial automobile
insurance are small- to medium-sized businesses with ten or fewer vehicles
which
include artisan contractors, local light- to medium-service vehicles and retail
delivery vehicles. Target risks for general liability insurance are small
business risk exposures including artisan contractors, sales and service
organizations, and building and premiums exposures. Target risks for commercial
property insurance are low- to mid-value structures including office buildings,
mercantile shops, restaurants and rental dwellings, in each case with aggregate
property limits of less than $500 thousand. The commercial insurance products
offered by our TGA Operating Unit include the following:
·
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Commercial
automobile. Commercial
automobile insurance provides third-party bodily injury and property
damage coverage and first-party property damage coverage against
losses
resulting from the ownership, maintenance or use of automobiles and
trucks
in connection with an insured’s
business.
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6
·
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General
liability. General
liability insurance provides coverage for third-party bodily injury
and
property damage claims arising from accidents occurring on the insured’s
premises or from their general business
operations.
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·
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Commercial
property. Commercial
property insurance provides
first-party coverage for the insured’s real property, business personal
property, theft and business interruption losses caused by fire,
wind,
hail, water damage, theft, vandalism and other insured perils. Windstorm,
hurricane and hail are generally excluded in coastal
areas.
|
Our
TGA
Operating Unit produces business through a network of 39 general agents with
57
offices in four states, as well as through approximately 730 retail agents
in
Texas. Our TGA Operating Unit strives to simplify the placement of its excess
and surplus lines policies by providing prompt quotes and signature-ready
applications to its independent agents. During 2007, general agents accounted
for approximately 79% of total premiums produced by our TGA Operating Unit,
with
the remaining 21% being produced by retail agents. During 2007, the top ten
general agents produced approximately 47%, and no general agent produced more
than 10%, of the total premium volume of our TGA Operating Unit. During the
same
period, the top ten retail agents produced approximately 4%, and no retail
agent
produced more than 1%, of the total premium volume of our TGA Operating Unit.
All
business of our TGA Operating Unit is currently produced under a fronting
agreement with member companies of the Republic Group (“Republic”) which grants
our TGA Operating Unit the authority to develop underwriting programs, set
rates, appoint retail and general agents, underwrite risks, issue policies
and
adjust and pay claims. During 2006 and 2007, AHIC assumed 50% and 60%,
respectively, of the premium written under this fronting agreement pursuant
to a
reinsurance agreement with Republic which expires on December 31, 2008. AHIC
may
assume a maximum of 70% of the written premium produced in 2008. Commission
revenue is also generated under the fronting agreement on the portion of
premiums not assumed by AHIC. An additional commission may be earned if certain
loss ratio targets are met. Additional revenue is generated from fully earned
policy fees and installment billing fees charged on the legacy personal lines
products.
The
majority of the commercial policies written by our TGA Operating Unit are for
a
term of 12 months. Exceptions include a few commercial automobile policies
that
are written for a term that coincides with the annual harvest of crops and
special event general liability policies that are written for the term of the
event, which is generally one to two days. Commercial lines policies are paid
in
full up front or financed with various premium finance companies, including
PAAC.
Aerospace
Operating Unit.
Our
Aerospace Operating Unit markets, underwrites and services general aviation
property/casualty insurance in 47 states. The subsidiaries comprising our
Aerospace Operating Unit include Aerospace Insurance Managers, which markets
standard aviation coverages, ASRI, which markets excess and surplus lines
aviation coverages, and ACMG, which handles claims management. Aerospace
Insurance Managers is one of only a few similar entities in the U.S. and has
focused on developing a well-defined niche centering on transitional pilots,
older aircraft and small airports and aviation-related businesses. Products
offered by our Aerospace Operating Unit include the following:
·
|
Aircraft.
Aircraft
insurance provides third-party bodily injury and property damage
coverage
and first-party hull damage coverage against losses resulting from
the
ownership, maintenance or use of
aircraft.
|
·
|
Airport
liability. Airport
liability insurance provides coverage for third-party bodily injury
and
property damage claims arising from accidents occurring on airport
premises or from their operations.
|
Our
Aerospace Operating Unit generates its business through approximately 200
aviation specialty brokers. These specialty brokers submit to Aerospace
Insurance Managers requests for aviation insurance quotations received from
the
states in which we operate and our Aerospace Operating Unit selectively
determine the risks fitting its target niche for which it will prepare a quote.
During 2007, the top ten independent specialty brokers produced approximately
31%, and no broker produced more than 6%, of the total premium volume of our
Aerospace Operating Unit.
Our
Aerospace Operating Unit independently develops, underwrites and prices each
coverage written. We target pilots who may lack experience in the type of
aircraft they have acquired or are transitioning between types of aircraft.
We
also target pilots who may be over the age limits of other insurers. We do
not
accept aircraft that are used for hazardous purposes such as crop dusting or
heli-skiing. Liability limits are controlled, with approximately 93% of the
aircraft written in 2007 bearing per-occurrence limits of $1,000,000 and
per-passenger limits of $100,000 or less. The average insured aircraft hull
value for aircraft written in 2007 was approximately $141,000.
7
Prior
to
July 1, 2006, our Aerospace Operating Unit produced policies for American
National Property & Casualty Insurance Company (“ANPAC”) under a reinsurance
program which ceded 100% of the business to several reinsurers. Under this
arrangement, revenue was generated primarily from commissions based on written
premiums net of cancellations and endorsement return premiums. An additional
commission may be earned based upon the profitability of the business to the
reinsurers. Beginning July 1, 2006, we began issuing general aviation policies
through our insurance companies and currently 35 of the 47 states are written
through our insurance companies with the remaining 12 states written under
a
fronting arrangement with ANPAC and reinsured by AHIC.
Personal
Segment / Phoenix Operating Unit
The
Personal Segment of our business presently consists solely of our Phoenix
Operating Unit. Our Phoenix Operating Unit markets and services non-standard
personal automobile policies in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Louisiana, Missouri and Montana. We conduct this
business under the name Phoenix General Agency. Phoenix General Agency provides
management, policy and claims administration services to PIIC and includes
the
operations of American Hallmark General Agency, Inc. and Hallmark Claims
Services, Inc. Our non-standard personal automobile insurance generally provides
for the minimum limits of liability coverage mandated by state laws to drivers
who find it difficult to purchase automobile insurance from standard carriers
as
a result of various factors, including driving record, vehicle, age, claims
history, or limited financial resources. Products offered by our Phoenix
Operating Unit include the following:
·
|
Personal
automobile liability. Personal
automobile liability insurance provides coverage primarily at the
minimum
limits required by law for automobile liability exposures, including
bodily injury and property damage, arising from accidents involving
the
insured.
|
·
|
Personal
automobile physical damage. Personal
automobile physical damage insurance provides collision and comprehensive
coverage for physical damage exposure to the insured vehicle as a
result
of an accident with another vehicle or object or as a result of causes
other than collision such as vandalism, theft, wind, hail or water.
|
Our
Phoenix Operating Unit markets its non-standard personal automobile policies
through approximately 1,640 independent agents operating in its target
geographic markets. Subject to certain criteria, our Phoenix Operating Unit
seeks to maximize the number of agents appointed in each geographic area in
order to more effectively penetrate its highly competitive markets. However,
our
Phoenix Operating Unit periodically evaluates its independent agents and
discontinues the appointment of agents whose production history does not satisfy
certain standards. During 2007, the top ten independent agency groups produced
approximately 14%, and no individual agency group produced more than 3%, of
the
total premium volume of our Phoenix Operating Unit.
During
2007, personal automobile liability coverage accounted for approximately 75%
and
personal automobile physical damage coverage accounted for the remaining 25%
of
the total premiums produced by our Phoenix Operating Unit. Phoenix General
Agency currently offers one-, two-, three-, six- and twelve-month policies.
Our
typical non-standard personal automobile customer is unable or unwilling to
pay
a full or half year's premium in advance. Accordingly, we currently offer a
direct bill program where the premiums are directly billed to the insured on
a
monthly basis. We charge installment fees for each payment under
the direct bill program.
Our
Phoenix Operating Unit markets non-standard personal automobile policies in
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Louisiana,
Missouri, and Montana directly for PIIC. In Texas, our Phoenix Operating Unit
markets non-standard personal automobile policies both through reinsurance
arrangements with unaffiliated companies and, since the fourth quarter of 2005,
directly for PIIC. We provide non-standard personal automobile coverage in
Texas
through a reinsurance arrangement with Old American County Mutual Fire Insurance
Company (“OACM”). Phoenix General Agency holds a managing general agency
appointment from OACM to manage the sale and servicing of OACM policies. PIIC
reinsures 100% of the OACM policies produced by Phoenix General Agency under
these reinsurance arrangements.
Our
Competitive Strengths
We
believe that we enjoy the following competitive strengths:
·
Specialized
market knowledge and underwriting expertise.
All of
our operating units possess extensive knowledge of the specialty and niche
markets in which they operate, which we believe allows them to effectively
structure and market their property/casualty insurance products. Our Phoenix
Operating Unit has a thorough understanding of the unique characteristics of
the
non-standard personal automobile market. Our HGA Operating Unit has significant
underwriting experience in its target markets for standard commercial
property/casualty insurance products. In addition, our TGA Operating Unit and
Aerospace Operating Unit have developed specialized underwriting expertise
which
enhances their ability to profitably underwrite non-standard property/casualty
insurance coverages.
8
·
Tailored
market strategies.
Each of
our operating units has developed its own customized strategy for penetrating
the specialty or niche markets in which it operates. These strategies include
distinctive product structuring, marketing, distribution, underwriting and
servicing approaches by each operating unit. As a result, we are able to
structure our property/casualty insurance products to serve the unique risk
and
coverage needs of our insureds. We believe that these market-specific strategies
enable us to provide policies tailored to the target customer which are
appropriately priced and fit our risk profile.
·
Superior
agent and customer service.
We
believe that performing the underwriting, billing, customer service and claims
management functions at the operating unit level allows us to provide superior
service to both our independent agents and insured customers. The easy-to-use
interfaces and responsiveness of our operating units enhance their relationships
with the independent agents who sell our policies. We also believe that our
consistency in offering our insurance products through hard and soft markets
helps to build and maintain the loyalty of our independent agents. Our
customized products, flexible payment plans and prompt claims processing are
similarly beneficial to our insureds.
·
Market
diversification.
We
believe that operating in various specialty and niche segments of the
property/casualty insurance market diversifies both our revenues and our risks.
We also believe our operating units generally operate on different market
cycles, producing more earnings stability than if we focused entirely on one
product. As a result of the pooling arrangement among our insurance company
subsidiaries, we are able to allocate our capital among these various specialty
and niche markets in response to market conditions and expansion opportunities.
We believe that this market diversification reduces our risk profile and
enhances our profitability.
·
Experienced
management team. Our
senior corporate management has an average of over 20 years of insurance
experience. In addition, our operating units have strong management teams,
with
an average of more than 25 years of insurance industry experience for the heads
of our operating units and an average of more than 15 years of underwriting
experience for our underwriters. Our management has significant experience
in
all aspects of property/casualty insurance, including underwriting, claims
management, actuarial analysis, reinsurance and regulatory compliance. In
addition, Hallmark’s senior management has a strong track record of acquiring
businesses that expand our product offerings and improve our profitability
profile.
Our
Strategy
We
are
striving to become a leading diversified property/casualty insurance group
offering products in specialty and niche markets through the following
strategies:
·
Focusing
on underwriting discipline and operational efficiency.
We seek
to consistently generate an underwriting profit on the business we write in
hard
and soft markets. Our operating units have a strong track record of underwriting
discipline and operational efficiency which we seek to continue. We believe
that
in soft markets our competitors often offer policies at a low or negative
underwriting profit in order to maintain or increase their premium volume and
market share. In contrast, we seek to write business based on its profitability
rather than focusing solely on premium production. To that end, we provide
financial incentives to many of our underwriters and independent agents based
on
underwriting profitability.
·
Increasing
the retention of business written by our operating units.
Our
operating units have a strong track record of writing profitable business in
their target markets. Historically, the majority of those premiums were retained
by unaffiliated insurers. During 2005, we increased the capital of our insurance
company subsidiaries which has enabled us to retain significantly more of the
premiums our operating units produce. We expect to continue to increase the
portion of our premium production retained by our insurance company
subsidiaries. We believe that the underwriting profit earned from this newly
retained business will drive our profitability growth in the
near-term.
·
Achieving
organic growth in our existing business lines.
We
believe that we can achieve organic growth in our existing business lines by
consistently providing our insurance products through market cycles, expanding
geographically, expanding our agency relationships and further penetrating
our
existing customer base. We believe that our extensive market knowledge and
strong agency relationships position us to compete effectively in our various
specialty and niche markets. We also believe there is a significant opportunity
to expand some of our existing business lines into new geographical areas and
through new agency relationships while maintaining our underwriting discipline
and operational efficiency. In addition, we believe there is an opportunity
for
some of our operating units to further penetrate their existing customer bases
with additional products offered by other operating units.
9
·
Pursuing
selected, opportunistic acquisitions.
We seek
to opportunistically acquire insurance organizations that operate in specialty
or niche property/casualty insurance markets that are complementary to our
existing operations. We seek to acquire companies with experienced management
teams, stable loss results and strong track records of underwriting
profitability and operational efficiency. Where appropriate, we intend to
ultimately retain profitable business produced by the acquired companies that
would otherwise be retained by unaffiliated insurers. Our management has
significant experience in evaluating potential acquisition targets, structuring
transactions to ensure continued success and integrating acquired companies
into
our operational structure.
Distribution
We
market
our property/casualty insurance products solely through independent general
agents, retail agents and specialty brokers. Therefore, our relationships with
independent agents and brokers are critical to our ability to identify, attract
and retain profitable business. Each of our operating units has developed its
own tailored approach to establishing and maintaining its relationships with
these independent distributors of our products. These strategies focus on
providing excellent service to our agents and brokers, maintaining a consistent
presence in our target niche and specialty markets through hard and soft market
cycles and fairly compensating the agents and brokers who market our products.
Our operating units also regularly evaluate independent general and retail
agents based on the underwriting profitability of the business they produce
and
their performance in relation to our objectives.
Except
for the products of our Aerospace Operating Unit, the distribution of
property/casualty insurance products by our business segments is geographically
concentrated. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, five states
accounted for approximately 79% of the gross premiums retained by our insurance
subsidiaries. The following table reflects the geographic distribution of our
insured risks, as represented by direct and assumed premiums written by our
business segments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007.
State
|
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
Specialty
Commercial Segment
|
Personal
Segment
|
Total
|
Percent
of Total
|
|||||||||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Texas
|
$
|
22,870
|
$
|
70,346
|
$
|
15,839
|
$
|
109,055
|
43.7
|
%
|
||||||
Oregon
|
32,467
|
500
|
512
|
33,479
|
13.4
|
%
|
||||||||||
New
Mexico
|
14,623
|
381
|
9,091
|
24,095
|
9.7
|
%
|
||||||||||
Idaho
|
14,062
|
439
|
1,781
|
16,282
|
6.5
|
%
|
||||||||||
Arizona
|
-
|
1,154
|
12,824
|
13,978
|
5.6
|
%
|
||||||||||
All
other states
|
6,846
|
29,868
|
15,869
|
52,583
|
21.1
|
%
|
||||||||||
Total
gross premiums written
|
$
|
90,868
|
$
|
102,688
|
$
|
55,916
|
$
|
249,472
|
||||||||
Percent
of total
|
36.4
|
%
|
41.2
|
%
|
22.4
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
10
Underwriting
The
underwriting process employed by our operating units involves securing an
adequate level of underwriting information, identifying and evaluating risk
exposures and then pricing the risks we choose to accept. Each of our operating
units offering commercial or aviation insurance products employs its own
underwriters with in-depth knowledge of the specific niche and specialty markets
targeted by that operating unit. We employ a disciplined underwriting approach
that seeks to provide policies appropriately tailored to the specified risks
and
to adopt pricing structures that will be supported in the applicable market.
Our
experienced commercial and aviation underwriters have developed underwriting
principles and processes appropriate to the coverages offered by their
respective operating units.
We
believe that managing the underwriting process through our operating units
capitalizes on the knowledge and expertise of their personnel in specific
markets and results in better underwriting decisions. All of our underwriters
have established limits of underwriting authority based on their level of
experience. We also provide financial incentives to many of our underwriters
based on underwriting profitability.
To
better
diversify our revenue sources and manage our risk, we seek to maintain an
appropriate business mix among our operating units. At the beginning of each
year, we establish a target net loss ratio for each operating unit. We then
monitor the actual net loss ratio on a monthly basis. If any line of business
fails to meet its target net loss ratio, we seek input from our underwriting,
actuarial and claims management personnel to develop a corrective action plan.
Depending on the particular circumstances, that plan may involve tightening
underwriting guidelines, increasing rates, modifying product structure,
re-evaluating independent agency relationships or discontinuing unprofitable
coverages or classes of risk.
An
insurance company's underwriting performance is traditionally measured by its
statutory loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, its statutory expense ratio
and its statutory combined ratio. The statutory loss and loss adjustment expense
ratio, which is calculated as the ratio of net losses and loss adjustment
expenses incurred to net premiums earned, helps to assess the adequacy of the
insurer’s rates, the propriety of its underwriting guidelines and the
performance of its claims department. The statutory expense ratio, which is
calculated as the ratio of underwriting and operating expenses to net premiums
written, assists in measuring the insurer’s cost of processing and managing the
business. The statutory combined ratio, which is the sum of the statutory loss
and loss adjustment expense ratio and the statutory expense ratio, is indicative
of the overall profitability of an insurer’s underwriting activities, with a
combined ratio of less than 100% indicating profitable underwriting
results.
The
following table shows, for the periods indicated, (i) our gross premiums written
(in thousands); and (ii) our underwriting results as measured by the net
statutory loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) ratio, the statutory expense
ratio, and the statutory combined ratio.
Year
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$
|
249,472
|
$
|
213,945
|
$
|
89,467
|
||||
Statutory
loss & LAE ratio
|
61.7
|
%
|
61.5
|
%
|
60.3
|
%
|
||||
Statutory
expense ratio
|
30.1
|
%
|
29.4
|
%
|
32.8
|
%
|
||||
Statutory
combined ratio
|
91.8
|
%
|
90.9
|
%
|
93.1
|
%
|
Our
HSIC
insurance company subsidiary was acquired effective January 1, 2006 and,
therefore, is not included in the statutory ratios for 2005. These statutory
ratios do not reflect the deferral of policy acquisition costs, investment
income, premium finance revenues, or the elimination of inter-company
transactions required by GAAP.
The
premium-to-surplus percentage measures the relationship between net premiums
written in a given period (premiums written, less returned premiums and
reinsurance ceded to other carriers) to policyholders surplus (admitted assets
less liabilities), determined on the basis of statutory accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities. Insurance companies
are expected to maintain a premium-to-surplus percentage of not more than 300%.
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, our consolidated
premium-to-surplus ratios were 151%, 151%, 81%, respectively. The increase
in
premium-to-surplus percentage in 2006 reflects additional retention of premiums
produced by the Standard Commercial Segment and Specialty Commercial Segment,
as
well as increased premiums written in the Personal Segment.
11
Claims
Management and Administration
We
believe that effective claims management is critical to our success and that
our
claims management process is cost-effective, delivers the appropriate level
of
claims service and produces superior claims results. Our claims management
philosophy emphasizes the delivery of courteous, prompt and effective claims
handling and embraces responsiveness to policyholders and agents. Our claims
strategy focuses on thorough investigation, timely evaluation and fair
settlement of covered claims while consistently maintaining appropriate case
reserves. We seek to compress the cycle time of claim resolution in order to
control both loss and claim handling cost. We also strive to control legal
expenses by negotiating competitive rates with defense counsel and vendors,
establishing litigation budgets and monitoring invoices.
Each
of
our operating units uses its own staff of specialized claims personnel to manage
and administer claims arising under policies produced through their respective
operations. The claims process is managed through a combination of experienced
claims managers, seasoned claims supervisors, trained staff adjusters and
independent adjustment or appraisal services, when appropriate. All adjusters
are licensed in those jurisdictions for which they handle claims that require
licensing. Limits on settlement authority are established for each claims
supervisor and staff adjuster based on their level of experience. Independent
adjusters have no claim settlement authority. Claim exposures are periodically
and systematically reviewed by claim supervisors and managers as a method of
quality and loss control. Large loss exposures are reviewed at least quarterly
with senior management of the operating unit and monitored by Hallmark senior
management.
Claims
personnel receive in-house training and are required to attend various
continuing education courses pertaining to topics such as best practices, fraud
awareness, legal environment, legislative changes and litigation management.
Depending on the criteria of each operating unit, our claims adjusters are
assigned a variety of claims to enhance their knowledge and ensure their
continued development in efficiently handling claims. As of December 31, 2007,
our operating units had a total of 49 claims managers, supervisors and adjusters
with an average of approximately 19 years experience.
12
Analysis
of Losses and LAE
Our
consolidated financial statements include an estimated reserve for unpaid losses
and loss adjustment expenses. We estimate our reserve for unpaid losses and
loss
adjustment expenses by using case-basis evaluations and statistical projections,
which include inferences from both losses paid and losses incurred. We also
use
recent historical cost data and periodic reviews of underwriting standards
and
claims management practices to modify the statistical projections. We give
consideration to the impact of inflation in determining our loss reserves,
but
do not discount reserve balances.
The
amount of reserves represents our estimate of the ultimate net cost of all
unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred. These estimates are subject
to the effect of trends in claim severity and frequency. We regularly review
the
estimates and adjust them as claims experience develops and new information
becomes known. Such adjustments are included in current operations, including
increases and decreases, net of reinsurance, in the estimate of ultimate
liabilities for insured events of prior years.
Changes
in loss development patterns and claim payments can significantly affect the
ability of insurers to estimate reserves for unpaid losses and related expenses.
We seek to continually improve our loss estimation process by refining our
ability to analyze loss development patterns, claim payments and other
information within a legal and regulatory environment which affects development
of ultimate liabilities. Future changes in estimates of claim costs may
adversely affect future period operating results. However, such effects cannot
be reasonably estimated currently.
Reconciliation
of reserve for unpaid losses and LAE.
The
following table provides a reconciliation of our beginning and ending reserve
balances on a net-of-reinsurance basis for the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005, to the gross-of-reinsurance amounts reported in our balance
sheets at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
13
As
of and for Year Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||
(dollars
in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance recoverables, January
1
|
$
|
72,801
|
$
|
25,997
|
$
|
17,700
|
||||
Acquisitions
of subsidiaries effective January 1
|
-
|
4,562
|
-
|
|||||||
Provision
for losses and LAE for claims occurring in the current
period
|
139,332
|
88,294
|
36,184
|
|||||||
Increase
(decrease) in reserve for unpaid losses and LAE for claims occurring
in
prior periods
|
(6,414
|
)
|
(1,177
|
)
|
(2,400
|
)
|
||||
Payments
for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance:
|
||||||||||
Current
period
|
(54,809
|
)
|
(28,154
|
)
|
(17,414
|
)
|
||||
Prior
periods
|
(30,061
|
)
|
(16,721
|
)
|
(8,073
|
)
|
||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and LAE at December 31, net of reinsurance
recoverable
|
$
|
120,849
|
$
|
72,801
|
$
|
25,997
|
||||
Reinsurance
recoverable on unpaid losses and LAE at December 31
|
4,489
|
4,763
|
324
|
|||||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and LAE at December 31, gross of
reinsurance
|
$
|
125,338
|
$
|
77,564
|
$
|
26,321
|
The
$6.4
million, $1.2 million and $2.4 million favorable development in prior accident
years recognized in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, represent normal changes
in our loss reserve estimates attributable to favorable loss development in
each
of our segments. The loss reserve estimates for prior years were decreased
to
reflect this favorable loss development when the available information indicated
a reasonable likelihood that the ultimate losses would be less than the previous
estimates.
SAP/GAAP
reserve reconciliation. The
differences between the reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
reported in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with
GAAP and those reported in our annual statements filed with the Texas Department
of Insurance, the Arizona Department of Insurance and the Oklahoma Insurance
Department in accordance with statutory accounting practices (“SAP”) as of
December 31, 2007 and 2006 are summarized below.
As
of December 31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and LAE on a SAP basis (net of reinsurance recoverables
on unpaid losses)
|
$
|
120,798
|
$
|
72,796
|
|||
Loss
reserve discount from the PIIC acquisition
|
-
|
(11
|
)
|
||||
Unamortized
risk premium reserve discount from the PIIC acquisition
|
1
|
16
|
|||||
Estimated
future unallocated LAE reserve for claim service subsidiaries
|
50
|
-
|
|||||
Reserve
for unpaid losses and LAE on a GAAP basis (net of reinsurance recoverables
on unpaid losses)
|
$
|
120,849
|
$
|
72,801
|
Analysis
of loss and LAE reserve development. The
following table shows the development of our loss reserves, net of reinsurance,
for years ended December 31, 1997 through 2007. Section A of the table shows
the
estimated liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of
reinsurance, recorded at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years.
This liability represents the estimated amount of losses and loss adjustment
expenses for claims arising in prior years that are unpaid at the balance sheet
date, including losses that have been incurred but not yet reported to us.
Section B of the table shows the re-estimated amount of the previously recorded
liability, based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The
estimate is increased or decreased as more information becomes known about
the
frequency and severity of claims.
Cumulative
Redundancy/Deficiency (Section C of the table) represents the aggregate change
in the estimates over all prior years. Thus, changes in ultimate development
estimates are included in operations over a number of years, minimizing the
significance of such changes in any one year.
14
ANALYSIS
OF LOSS AND LAE DEVELOPMENT
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
As
of and for Year Ended December
31
|
|
|
|
1997
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
1999
|
|
|
2000
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A.
Reserve for Unpaid Losses & LAE, Net of Reinsurance
Recoverables
|
$
|
4,668
|
$
|
4,580
|
$
|
5,409
|
$
|
7,451
|
$
|
7,919
|
$
|
8,411
|
$
|
21,197
|
$
|
17,700
|
$
|
25,997
|
$
|
72,801
|
$
|
120,849
|
||||||||||||
B.
Net Reserve Re-estimated as of :
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One
year later
|
4,985
|
4,594
|
5,506
|
7,974
|
8,096
|
8,875
|
20,003
|
15,300
|
24,820
|
66,387
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two
years later
|
4,954
|
4,464
|
5,277
|
7,863
|
8,620
|
8,881
|
19,065
|
15,473
|
24,903
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three
years later
|
4,884
|
4,225
|
5,216
|
7,773
|
8,856
|
8,508
|
19,698
|
13,962
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Four
years later
|
4,757
|
4,179
|
5,095
|
7,901
|
8,860
|
8,446
|
18,551
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Five
years later
|
4,732
|
4,111
|
5,028
|
7,997
|
8,855
|
8,478
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six
years later
|
4,687
|
4,101
|
5,153
|
7,999
|
8,884
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seven
years later
|
4,695
|
4,209
|
5,153
|
8,026
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eight
years later
|
4,675
|
4,203
|
5,182
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine
years later
|
4,674
|
4,227
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ten
years later
|
4,698
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C.
Net Cumulative Redundancy (Deficiency)
|
(30
|
)
|
353
|
227
|
(575
|
)
|
(965
|
)
|
(67
|
)
|
2,646
|
3,738
|
1,094
|
6,414
|
||||||||||||||||||||
D.
Cumulative Amount of Claims Paid, Net of Reinsurance Recoveries,
through:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One
year later
|
3,326
|
2,791
|
3,229
|
5,377
|
5,691
|
5,845
|
12,217
|
8,073
|
16,721
|
30,061
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Two
years later
|
4,287
|
3,476
|
4,436
|
7,070
|
7,905
|
7,663
|
15,814
|
12,004
|
22,990
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three
years later
|
4,387
|
3,911
|
4,909
|
7,584
|
8,603
|
8,228
|
18,162
|
13,113
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Four
years later
|
4,571
|
4,002
|
5,014
|
7,810
|
8,798
|
8,374
|
17,997
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Five
years later
|
4,618
|
4,051
|
4,966
|
7,960
|
8,821
|
8,417
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six
years later
|
4,643
|
4,061
|
5,116
|
7,970
|
8,853
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seven
years later
|
4,664
|
4,204
|
5,124
|
7,995
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eight
years later
|
4,675
|
4,203
|
5,151
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine
years later
|
4,674
|
4,227
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ten
years later
|
4,698
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Net
Reserve, December 31
|
$
|
120,849
|
$
|
72,801
|
|||
Reinsurance
Recoverables
|
4,489
|
4,763
|
|||||
Gross
Reserve, December 31
|
$
|
125,338
|
$
|
77,564
|
|||
Net
Re-estimated Reserve
|
66,387
|
||||||
Re-estimated
Reinsurance Recoverable
|
8,052
|
||||||
Gross
Re-estimated Reserve
|
$
|
74,439
|
|||||
Gross
Cumulative Redundancy
|
$
|
3,125
|
Reinsurance
We
reinsure a portion of the risk we underwrite in order to control our exposure
to
losses and to protect our capital resources. We cede to reinsurers a portion
of
these risks and pay premiums based upon the risk and exposure of the policies
subject to such reinsurance. Ceded reinsurance involves credit risk and is
generally subject to aggregate loss limits. Although the reinsurer is liable
to
us to the extent of the reinsurance ceded, we are ultimately liable as the
direct insurer on all risks reinsured. Reinsurance recoverables are reported
after allowances for uncollectible amounts. We monitor the financial condition
of reinsurers on an ongoing basis and review our reinsurance arrangements
periodically. Reinsurers are selected based on their financial condition,
business practices and the price of their product offerings. Our reinsurance
facilities are subject to annual renewal.
15
The
following table presents our gross and net premiums written and earned and
reinsurance recoveries for each of the last three years.
Year
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$
|
249,472
|
$
|
213,945
|
$
|
89,467
|
||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(11,329
|
)
|
(11,017
|
)
|
(1,215
|
)
|
||||
Net
premiums written
|
$
|
238,143
|
$
|
202,928
|
$
|
88,252
|
||||
Gross
premiums earned
|
$
|
238,080
|
$
|
162,216
|
$
|
59,632
|
||||
Ceded
premiums earned
|
(12,777
|
)
|
(10,155
|
)
|
(448
|
)
|
||||
Net
premiums earned
|
$
|
225,303
|
$
|
152,061
|
$
|
59,184
|
||||
Reinsurance
recoveries
|
$
|
3,862
|
$
|
5,225
|
$
|
(492
|
)
|
Our
insurance company subsidiaries presently retain 100% of the risk associated
with
all non-standard personal automobile policies marketed by our Phoenix Operating
Unit. We currently reinsure the following exposures on business generated by
our
HGA Operating Unit, our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating
Unit:
·
|
Property
catastrophe.
Our property catastrophe reinsurance reduces the financial impact
a
catastrophe could have on our commercial property insurance lines.
Catastrophes might include multiple claims and policyholders. Catastrophes
include hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, explosions,
severe winter weather and fires. Our property catastrophe reinsurance
is
excess-of-loss reinsurance, which provides us reinsurance coverage
for
losses in excess of an agreed-upon amount. We utilize catastrophe
models
to assist in determining appropriate retention and limits to purchase.
The
terms of our property catastrophe reinsurance, effective July 1,
2007,
are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $2.0 million of property catastrophe losses;
and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us 100% for each $1.00 of loss in excess of
our $2.0
million retention up to $28.0 million for each catastrophic occurrence,
subject to a maximum of two events for the contractual
term.
|
·
|
Commercial
property.
Our commercial property reinsurance is excess-of-loss coverage intended
to
reduce the financial impact a single-event or catastrophic loss may
have
on our results. The terms of our commercial property reinsurance,
effective July 1, 2007, are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $1.0 million of loss for each commercial property
risk;
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $5.0 million for each commercial
property risk; and
|
·
|
Individual
risk facultative reinsurance is purchased on any commercial property
with
limits above $6.0 million.
|
·
|
Commercial
casualty.
Our commercial casualty reinsurance is excess-of-loss coverage intended
to
reduce the financial impact a single-event loss may have on our results.
The terms of our commercial casualty reinsurance, effective July
1, 2007,
are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $1.0 million of any commercial liability risk: and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $5.0 million for each commercial
liability risk.
|
·
|
Aviation.
We
purchase reinsurance specific to the aviation risks underwritten
by our
Aerospace Operating Unit. This reinsurance provides aircraft hull
and
liability coverage and airport liability coverage on a per occurrence
basis on the following terms:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $350,000 of each aircraft hull or liability loss
or
airport liability loss;
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $1.15 million of each aircraft
hull
loss and for the next $650,000 of each airport liability loss;
and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers provide additional reimbursement of $4.0 million for each
airport liability loss and aircraft liability loss, excluding passenger
liability.
|
16
Investment
Portfolio
Our
investment objective is to maximize current yield while maintaining safety
of
capital together with sufficient liquidity for ongoing insurance operations.
Our
investment portfolio is composed of fixed-income and equity securities. As
of
December 31, 2007, we had total invested assets of $267.6 million. If market
rates were to increase by 1%, the fair value of our fixed-income securities
as
of December 31, 2007 would decrease by approximately $5.5 million. The following
table shows the fair values of various categories of fixed-income securities,
the percentage of the total fair value of our invested assets represented by
each category and the tax equivalent book yield based on fair value of each
category of invested assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
As
of December 31, 2007
|
As
of December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Fair
|
|
Percent
of
|
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
Percent
of
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Value
|
|
Total
|
|
Yield
|
|
Value
|
|
Total
|
|
Yield
|
|||||||
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||
Category
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
bonds
|
50,096
|
20.0
|
%
|
6.8
|
%
|
40,483
|
25.6
|
%
|
6.6
|
%
|
|||||||||
Municipal
bonds
|
98,923
|
39.5
|
%
|
7.2
|
%
|
52,132
|
32.9
|
%
|
6.5
|
%
|
|||||||||
US
Treasury bonds
|
99,047
|
39.5
|
%
|
4.7
|
%
|
40,407
|
25.5
|
%
|
4.0
|
%
|
|||||||||
US
Treasury bills and other
|
|||||||||||||||||||
short-term
|
2,625
|
1.0
|
%
|
4.8
|
%
|
25,275
|
16.0
|
%
|
3.8
|
%
|
|||||||||
Mortgage
backed securities
|
3
|
0.0
|
%
|
6.8
|
%
|
8
|
0.0
|
%
|
7.6
|
%
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
250,694
|
100.0
|
%
|
6.1
|
%
|
$
|
158,305
|
100.0
|
%
|
5.5
|
%
|
The
weighted average credit rating for our fixed-income portfolio, using ratings
assigned by Standard and Poor’s Rating Services (a division of the McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.), was AA at December 31, 2007. The following table shows the
distribution of our fixed-income portfolio by Standard and Poor’s rating as a
percentage of total market value as of December 31, 2007 and 2006:
As
of
|
As
of
|
||||||
December
31, 2007
|
December
31, 2006
|
||||||
Rating:
|
|||||||
"AAA"
|
73.6
|
%
|
68.5
|
%
|
|||
"AA"
|
6.4
|
%
|
6.4
|
%
|
|||
"A"
|
6.3
|
%
|
3.4
|
%
|
|||
"BBB"
|
4.7
|
%
|
11.6
|
%
|
|||
"BB"
|
6.1
|
%
|
8.8
|
%
|
|||
"B"
|
2.9
|
%
|
1.3
|
%
|
|||
"CCC"
|
0.0
|
%
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||
Total
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
17
The
following table shows the composition of our fixed-income portfolio by remaining
time to maturity as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
As
of December 31, 2007
|
As
of December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||||
|
Percentage
of
|
|
Percentage
of
|
||||||||||
Total
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Remaining
time to maturity:
|
|||||||||||||
Less
than one year
|
15,189
|
6.1
|
%
|
67,060
|
42.4
|
%
|
|||||||
One
to five years
|
162,524
|
64.8
|
%
|
44,018
|
27.8
|
%
|
|||||||
Five
to ten years
|
53,305
|
21.3
|
%
|
42,616
|
26.9
|
%
|
|||||||
More
than ten years
|
19,673
|
7.8
|
%
|
4,603
|
2.9
|
%
|
|||||||
Mortgage-backed
securities
|
3
|
0.0
|
%
|
8
|
0.0
|
%
|
|||||||
Total
|
250,694
|
100.0
|
%
|
158,305
|
100.0
|
%
|
Our
investment strategy is to conservatively manage our investment portfolio by
investing primarily in readily marketable, investment-grade fixed-income
securities. As of December 31, 2007, 6.3% of our investment portfolio was
invested in equity securities. Our investment portfolio is managed internally.
We
regularly review our portfolio for declines in value. If a decline in value
is
deemed temporary, we record the decline as an unrealized loss in other
comprehensive income on our consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and
comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income on our
consolidated balance sheet. If the decline is deemed other than temporary,
we
write down the carrying value of the investment and record a realized loss
in
our consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2007, we had
a net
unrealized loss of $1.1 million on our investments. The following table details
the net unrealized loss (gain) balance by invested asset category as of December
31, 2007.
Net
Unrealized
|
||||
Category
|
Loss
(Gain) Balance
|
|||
(in
thousands)
|
||||
Corporate
bonds
|
$
|
1,690
|
||
Municipal
bonds
|
(376
|
)
|
||
Equity
securities
|
(79
|
)
|
||
US
Treasury securities
|
(147
|
)
|
||
Short
term
|
(3
|
)
|
||
$
|
1,085
|
As
part
of our overall investment strategy, we also maintain an integrated cash
management system utilizing on-line banking services and daily overnight
investment accounts to maximize investment earnings on all available
cash.
Technology
The
majority of our technology systems are based on products licensed from
insurance-specific technology vendors which have been substantially customized
to meet the unique needs of our various operating units. Our technology systems
primarily consist of integrated central processing computers, a series of
server-based computer networks and various communications systems that allow
our
branch offices to share systems solutions and communicate to the home office
in
a timely, secure and consistent manner. We maintain backup facilities and
systems through a contract with a leading provider of computer disaster recovery
services. Each operating unit bears the information services expenses specific
to its operations as well as a portion of the corporate services expenses.
Vendor license and service fees are capped per annum and are not directly tied
to premium volume or geographic expansion.
We
believe the implementation of our various technology systems has increased
our
efficiency in the processing of our business, resulting in lower operating
costs. Additionally, our systems enable us to provide a high level of service
to
our agents and policyholders by processing our business in a timely and
efficient manner, communicating and sharing data with our agents and providing
a
variety of methods for the payment of premiums. We believe these systems have
also improved the accumulation and analysis of information for our
management.
18
Ratings
Many
insurance buyers, agents and brokers use the ratings assigned by A.M. Best
and
other rating agencies to assist them in assessing the financial strength and
overall quality of the companies from which they are considering purchasing
insurance. As
of
June 5, 2006, A.M. Best pooled its ratings of our three insurance company
subsidiaries and assigned a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) and an
issuer credit rating of “a-” to each of our individual insurance company
subsidiaries and to the pool formed by our insurance company subsidiaries.
An
“A-”
rating is the fourth highest of 15 rating categories used by A.M. Best. In
evaluating an insurer’s financial and operating performance, A.M. Best reviews
the company’s profitability, indebtedness and liquidity, as well as its book of
business, the adequacy and soundness of its reinsurance, the quality and
estimated market value of its assets, the adequacy of its loss reserves, the
adequacy of its surplus, its capital structure, the experience and competence
of
its management and its market presence. A.M. Best’s ratings reflect its opinion
of an insurer’s financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet
its obligations to policyholders and are not an evaluation directed at investors
or recommendations to buy, sell or hold an insurer’s stock.
Competition
The
property/casualty insurance market, our primary source of revenue, is highly
competitive and, except for regulatory considerations, has very few barriers
to
entry. According to A.M. Best, there were 3,141 property/casualty insurance
companies and 2,017 property/casualty insurance groups operating in North
America as of July 23, 2007. Our HGA Operating Unit competes with a variety
of
large national standard commercial lines carriers such as The Hartford, Zurich
North America, St. Paul Travelers and Safeco, as well as numerous smaller
regional companies. The primary competition for our TGA Operating Unit’s excess
and surplus lines products includes such carriers as Atlantic Casualty Insurance
Company, Colony Insurance Company, Burlington Insurance Company, Penn America
Insurance Group and, to a lesser extent, a number of national standard lines
carriers such as Zurich North America and The Hartford. Our Aerospace Operating
Unit considers its primary competitors to be Houston Casualty Corp.,
Britt-Paulk, Global Aerospace, Phoenix Aviation, W. Brown & Company, AIG and
London Aviation Underwriters. Although our Phoenix Operating Unit competes
with
large national insurers such as Allstate, State Farm and Progressive, as a
participant in the non-standard personal automobile marketplace its competition
is most directly associated with numerous regional companies and managing
general agencies. Our competitors include entities which have, or are affiliated
with entities which have, greater financial and other resources than we
have.
Generally,
we compete on price, customer service, coverages offered, claims handling,
financial stability, agent commission and support, customer recognition and
geographic coverage. We compete with companies who use independent agents,
captive agent networks, direct marketing channels or a combination
thereof.
Insurance
Regulation
Our
insurance operations are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, the
Arizona Department of Insurance and the Oklahoma Insurance Department, as well
as the applicable insurance department of each state in which we issue policies.
AHIC, PIIC and HSIC are required to file quarterly and annual statements of
their financial condition prepared in accordance with statutory accounting
practices with the Texas Department of Insurance, the Arizona Department of
Insurance and the Oklahoma Insurance Department, respectively, and the
applicable insurance department of each state in which they write business.
The
financial conditions of AHIC, PIIC and HSIC, including the adequacy of surplus,
loss reserves and investments, are subject to review by the insurance department
of their respective states of domicile. We do not write the majority of our
Texas non-standard personal automobile insurance directly, but assume business
written through a county mutual insurance company. Under Texas insurance
regulation, premium rates and underwriting guidelines of county mutuals have
historically not been subject to the same degree of regulation imposed on
standard insurance companies.
Periodic
financial and market conduct examinations.
The
Texas Department of Insurance, the Arizona Department of Insurance and the
Oklahoma Insurance Department have broad authority to enforce insurance laws
and
regulations through examinations, administrative orders, civil and criminal
enforcement proceedings, and suspension or revocation of an insurer’s
certificate of authority or an agent’s license. The state insurance departments
that have jurisdiction over our insurance company subsidiaries may conduct
on-site visits and examinations of the insurance companies' affairs, especially
as to their financial condition, ability to fulfill their obligations to
policyholders, market conduct, claims practices and compliance with other laws
and applicable regulations. Typically, these examinations are conducted every
three to five years. In addition, if circumstances dictate, regulators are
authorized to conduct special or target examinations of insurance companies
to
address particular concerns or issues. The results of these examinations can
give rise to regulatory orders requiring remedial, injunctive or other
corrective action on the part of the company that is the subject of the
examination, assessment of fines or other penalties against that company. In
extreme cases, including actual or pending insolvency, the insurance department
may take over, or appoint a receiver to take over, the management or operations
of an insurer or an agent’s business or assets.
19
Guaranty
funds.
All
insurance companies are subject to assessments for state-administered funds
which cover the claims and expenses of insolvent or impaired insurers. The
size
of the assessment is determined each year by the total claims on the fund that
year. Each insurer is assessed a pro rata share based on its direct premiums
written in that state. Payments to the fund may be recovered by the insurer
through deductions from its premium taxes over a specified period of
years.
Transactions
between insurance companies and their affiliates.
Hallmark
is also regulated as an insurance holding company by the Texas Department of
Insurance, the Arizona Department of Insurance and the Oklahoma Insurance
Department. Financial transactions between Hallmark or any of its affiliates
and
AHIC, PIIC or HSIC are subject to regulation. Transactions between our insurance
company subsidiaries and their affiliates generally must be disclosed to state
regulators, and prior regulatory approval generally is required before any
material or extraordinary transaction may be consummated or any management
agreement, services agreement, expense sharing arrangement or other contract
providing for the rendering of services on a regular, systematic basis is
implemented. State regulators may refuse to approve, or may delay approval
of
such a transaction, which may impact our ability to innovate or operate
efficiently.
Dividends.
Dividends and distributions to Hallmark by AHIC, PIIC or HSIC are restricted
by
the insurance regulations of the respective state in which each insurance
company subsidiary is domiciled. As a property/casualty insurance company
domiciled in the State of Texas, AHIC is limited in the payment of dividends
to
the amount of surplus profits arising from its business. In estimating such
profits, AHIC must exclude all unexpired risks, all unpaid losses and all other
debts due and payable or to become due and payable by AHIC. In addition, AHIC
must obtain the approval of the Texas Department of Insurance before the payment
of extraordinary dividends, which are defined as dividends or distributions
of
cash or other property the fair market value of which combined with the fair
market value of each other dividend or distribution made in the preceding 12
months exceeds the greater of: (1) statutory net income as of the prior
December 31st
or
(2) 10% of statutory policyholders' surplus as of the prior December
31st.
PIIC,
domiciled in Arizona, may pay dividends out of that part of its available
surplus funds which is derived from realized net profits on its business.
Without prior written approval from the Arizona Department of Insurance, PIIC
may not pay extraordinary dividends, which are defined as dividends or
distributions of cash or other property the fair market value of which combined
with the fair market value of each other dividend or distribution made in the
preceding 12 months exceeds the lesser of: (1) 10% of statutory
policyholders’ surplus as of the prior December 31st
or
(2) net investment income as of the prior December 31st.
HSIC,
domiciled in Oklahoma, may only pay dividends out of that part of its available
surplus funds which is derived from realized net profits on its business.
Without prior written approval from the Oklahoma Insurance Department, HSIC
may
not pay extraordinary dividends, which are defined as dividends or distributions
of cash or other property the fair market value of which combined with the
fair
market value of each other dividend or distribution made in the preceding 12
months exceeds the greater of: (1) 10% of statutory policyholders’ surplus
as of the prior December 31st
or
(2) statutory net income as of the prior December 31st,
not
including realized capital gains.
Risk-based
capital requirements.
The
National Association of Insurance Commissioners requires property/casualty
insurers to file a risk-based capital calculation according to a specified
formula. The purpose of the formula is twofold: (1) to assess the adequacy
of an
insurer’s statutory capital and surplus based upon a variety of factors such as
potential risks related to investment portfolio, ceded reinsurance and product
mix; and (2) to assist state regulators under the RBC for Insurers Model Act
by
providing thresholds at which a state commissioner is authorized and expected
to
take regulatory action. As of December 31, 2007, the adjusted capital under
the
risk-based capital calculation of each of our insurance company subsidiaries
substantially exceeded the minimum requirements.
20
Required
licensing.
American
Hallmark Insurance Services, Texas General Agency, Phoenix General Agency and
Aerospace Insurance Managers are each subject to and in compliance with the
licensing requirements of the department of insurance in each state in which
they produce business. These licenses govern, among other things, the types
of
insurance coverages, agency and claims services and products that we may offer
consumers in these states. Such licenses typically are issued only after we
file
an appropriate application and satisfy prescribed criteria. Generally, each
state requires one officer to maintain an agent license. Claims adjusters
employed by us are also subject to the licensing requirements of each state
in
which they conduct business. Each employed claim adjuster either holds or has
applied for the required licenses. Our premium finance subsidiaries are subject
to licensing, financial reporting and certain financial requirements imposed
by
the Texas Department of Insurance, as well as regulations promulgated by the
Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner.
Regulation
of insurance rates and approval of policy forms.
The
insurance laws of most states in which our subsidiaries operate require
insurance companies to file insurance rate schedules and insurance policy forms
for review and approval. State insurance regulators have broad discretion in
judging whether our rates are adequate, not excessive and not unfairly
discriminatory and whether our policy forms comply with law. The speed at which
we can change our rates depends, in part, on the method by which the applicable
state's rating laws are administered. Generally, state insurance regulators
have
the authority to disapprove our rates or request changes in our rates.
Restrictions
on cancellation, non-renewal or withdrawal.
Many
states have laws and regulations that limit an insurance company's ability
to
exit a market. For example, certain states limit an automobile insurance
company’s ability to cancel or not renew policies. Some states prohibit an
insurance company from withdrawing from one or more lines of business in the
state, except pursuant to a plan approved by the state insurance department.
In
some states, this applies to significant reductions in the amount of insurance
written, not just to a complete withdrawal. State insurance departments may
disapprove a plan that may lead to market disruption.
Investment
restrictions.
We are
subject to state laws and regulations that require diversification of our
investment portfolios and that limit the amount of investments in certain
categories. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations would cause
non-conforming investments to be treated as non-admitted assets for purposes
of
measuring statutory surplus and, in some instances, would require
divestiture.
Trade
practices.
The
manner in which we conduct the business of insurance is regulated by state
statutes in an effort to prohibit practices that constitute unfair methods
of
competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Prohibited practices
include disseminating false information or advertising; defamation; boycotting,
coercion and intimidation; false statements or entries; unfair discrimination;
rebating; improper tie-ins with lenders and the extension of credit; failure
to
maintain proper records; failure to maintain proper complaint handling
procedures; and making false statements in connection with insurance
applications for the purpose of obtaining a fee, commission or other benefit.
Unfair
claims practices.
Generally, insurance companies, adjusting companies and individual claims
adjusters are prohibited by state statutes from engaging in unfair claims
practices on a flagrant basis or with such frequency to indicate a general
business practice. Examples of unfair claims practices include:
·
|
misrepresenting
pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverages
at
issue;
|
·
|
failing
to acknowledge and act reasonably promptly upon communications with
respect to claims arising under insurance
policies;
|
·
|
failing
to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation
and settlement of claims arising under insurance
policies;
|
·
|
failing
to affirm or deny coverage of claims within a reasonable time after
proof
of loss statements have been completed;
|
·
|
attempting
to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable
person
would have believed such person was
entitled;
|
·
|
attempting
to settle claims on the basis of an application that was altered
without
notice to, or knowledge and consent of, the
insured;
|
·
|
compelling
insureds to institute suits to recover amounts due under policies
by
offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered
in suits
brought by them;
|
·
|
refusing
to pay claims without conducting a reasonable
investigation;
|
·
|
making
claim payments to an insured without indicating the coverage under
which
each payment is being made;
|
·
|
delaying
the investigation or payment of claims by requiring an insured, claimant
or the physician of either to submit a preliminary claim report and
then
requiring the subsequent submission of formal proof of loss forms,
both of
which submissions contain substantially the same
information;
|
·
|
failing,
in the case of claim denials or offers of compromise or settlement,
to
promptly provide a reasonable and accurate explanation of the basis
for
such actions; and
|
21
·
|
not
attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable
settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably
clear.
|
Employees
As
of
December 31, 2007, we employed 361 people on a full-time basis. None of
our employees are represented by labor unions. We consider our employee
relations to be good.
Item
1A. Risk Factors.
Our
success depends on our ability to price accurately the risks we underwrite.
Our
results of operations and financial condition depend on our ability to
underwrite and set premium rates accurately for a wide variety of risks.
Adequate rates are necessary to generate premiums sufficient to pay losses,
loss
settlement expenses and underwriting expenses and to earn a profit. To price
our
products accurately, we must collect and properly analyze a substantial amount
of data; develop, test and apply appropriate pricing techniques; closely monitor
and timely recognize changes in trends; and project both severity and frequency
of losses with reasonable accuracy. Our ability to undertake these efforts
successfully, and as a result price our products accurately, is subject to
a
number of risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside our control,
including:
· |
the
availability of sufficient reliable data and our ability to properly
analyze available data;
|
· |
the
uncertainties that inherently characterize estimates and assumptions;
|
· |
our
selection and application of appropriate pricing techniques; and
|
· |
changes
in applicable legal liability standards and in the civil litigation
system
generally.
|
Consequently,
we could underprice risks, which would adversely affect our profit margins,
or
we could overprice risks, which could reduce our sales volume and
competitiveness. In either case, our profitability could be materially and
adversely affected.
Our
results may fluctuate as a result of cyclical changes in the property/casualty
insurance industry.
Our
revenue is primarily attributable to property/casualty insurance, which as
an
industry is cyclical in nature and has historically been characterized by soft
markets followed by hard markets. A soft market is a period of relatively high
levels of price competition, less restrictive underwriting standards and
generally low premium rates. A hard market is a period of capital shortages
resulting in lack of insurance availability, relatively low levels of
competition, more selective underwriting of risks and relatively high premium
rates. If we find it necessary to reduce premiums or limit premium increases
due
to competitive pressures on pricing in a softening market, we may experience
a
reduction in our premiums written and in our profit margins and revenues, which
could adversely affect our financial results.
Estimating
reserves is inherently uncertain. If our loss reserves are not adequate, it
will
have an unfavorable impact on our results.
We
maintain loss reserves to cover our estimated ultimate liability for unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses for reported and unreported claims incurred
as of the end of each accounting period. Reserves represent management’s
estimates of what the ultimate settlement and administration of claims will
cost
and are not reviewed by an independent actuary. These estimates, which generally
involve actuarial projections, are based on management’s assessment of facts and
circumstances then known, as well as estimates of future trends in claim
severity and frequency, judicial theories of liability, and other factors.
These
variables are affected by both internal and external events, such as changes
in
claims handling procedures, inflation, judicial trends and legislative changes.
Many of these factors are not quantifiable. Additionally, there may be a
significant lag between the occurrence of an event and the time it is reported
to us. The inherent uncertainties of estimating reserves are greater for certain
types of liabilities, particularly those in which the various considerations
affecting the type of claim are subject to change and in which long periods
of
time may elapse before a definitive determination of liability is made. Reserve
estimates are continually refined in a regular and ongoing process as experience
develops and further claims are reported and settled. Adjustments to reserves
are reflected in the results of the periods in which such estimates are changed.
For example, a 1% change in December 31, 2007 unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses would have produced a $1.3 million change to pretax earnings. Our
gross
loss and loss adjustment expense reserves totaled $125.3 million at December
31,
2007. Our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, net of reinsurance
recoverables, were $120.4 million at that date. Because setting reserves is
inherently uncertain, there can be no assurance that the current reserves will
prove adequate.
22
Our
failure to maintain favorable financial strength ratings could negatively impact
our ability to compete successfully.
Third-party
rating agencies assess and rate the claims-paying ability of insurers based
upon
criteria established by the agencies. During 2005, A.M. Best upgraded the
financial strength rating of PIIC from “B” (Fair) to “B+” (Very Good) and
upgraded the financial strength rating of AHIC from “B” (Fair) to “A-”
(Excellent). Our insurance company subsidiaries have historically been rated
on
an individual basis. However, effective January 1, 2006, our insurance company
subsidiaries entered into a pooling arrangement,
which
was subsequently amended on December 15, 2006, whereby
AHIC would retain 46.0% of the net premiums written, PIIC would retain 34.1%
of
the net premiums written and HSIC would retain 19.9% of the net premiums
written. In June 2006, A.M. Best notified us that our insurance company
subsidiaries would be rated on a pooled basis and assigned a rating of “A-”
(Excellent) to each
of
our individual insurance company subsidiaries and to the pool formed by our
insurance company subsidiaries.
These
financial strength ratings are used by policyholders, insurers, reinsurers
and
insurance and reinsurance intermediaries as an important means of assessing
the
financial strength and quality of insurers. These ratings are not evaluations
directed to potential purchasers of our common stock and are not recommendations
to buy, sell or hold our common stock. Our ratings are subject to change at
any
time and could be revised downward or revoked at the sole discretion of the
rating agencies. We believe that the ratings assigned by A.M. Best are an
important factor in marketing our products. Our ability to retain our existing
business and to attract new business in our insurance operations depends largely
on these ratings. Our failure to maintain our ratings, or any other adverse
development with respect to our ratings, could cause our current and future
independent agents and insureds to choose to transact their business with more
highly rated competitors. If A.M. Best downgrades our ratings or publicly
indicates that our ratings are under review, it is likely that we would not
be
able to compete as effectively with our competitors, and our ability to sell
insurance policies could decline. If that happens, our sales and earnings would
decrease. For example, many of our agencies and insureds have guidelines that
require us to have an A.M. Best financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) or
higher. A reduction of our A.M. Best rating below “A-” would prevent us from
issuing policies to insureds or potential insureds with such ratings
requirements. Because lenders and reinsurers will use our A.M. Best ratings
as a
factor in deciding whether to transact business with us, the failure of our
insurance company subsidiaries to maintain their current ratings could dissuade
a lender or reinsurance company from conducting business with us or might
increase our interest or reinsurance costs. In
addition, a ratings downgrade by A.M. Best below “A-” would require us to post
collateral in support of our obligations under certain of our reinsurance
agreements pursuant to which we assume business.
The
loss of key executives could disrupt our business.
Our
success will depend in part upon the continued service of certain key
executives. Our success will also depend on our ability to attract and retain
additional executives and personnel. We do not have employment agreements with
our Chief Executive Officer or any of our executive officers other than
employment agreements entered into in connection with the acquisitions of the
subsidiaries now comprising our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating
Unit. The loss of key personnel, or our inability to recruit and retain
additional qualified personnel, could cause disruption in our business and
could
prevent us from fully implementing our business strategies, which could
materially and adversely affect our business, growth and
profitability.
Our
industry is very competitive, which may unfavorably impact our results of
operations.
The
property/casualty insurance market, our primary source of revenue, is highly
competitive and, except for regulatory considerations, has very few barriers
to
entry. According to A.M. Best, there were 3,141 property/casualty insurance
companies and 2,017 property/casualty insurance groups operating in North
America as of July 23, 2007. Our
HGA
Operating Unit competes with a variety of large national standard commercial
lines carriers such as The Hartford, Zurich North America, St. Paul Travelers
and Safeco, as well as numerous smaller regional companies. The primary
competition for our TGA Operating Unit’s excess and surplus lines products
includes such carriers as Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company, Colony Insurance
Company, Burlington Insurance Company, Penn America Insurance Group and, to
a
lesser extent, a number of national standard lines carriers such as Zurich
North
America and The Hartford. Our Aerospace Operating Unit considers its primary
competitors to be Houston Casualty Corp., Phoenix Aviation, W. Brown &
Company, AIG and London Aviation Underwriters. Although our Phoenix Operating
Unit competes with large national insurers such as Allstate, State Farm and
Progressive, as a participant in the non-standard personal automobile
marketplace its competition is most directly associated with numerous regional
companies and managing general agencies. Our
competitors include entities which have, or are affiliated with entities which
have, greater financial and other resources than we have. In addition,
competitors may attempt to increase market share by lowering rates. In that
case, we could experience reductions in our underwriting margins, or sales
of
our insurance policies could decline as customers purchase lower-priced products
from our competitors. Losing business to competitors offering similar products
at lower prices, or having other competitive advantages, could adversely affect
our results of operations.
23
Our
results may be unfavorably impacted if we are unable to obtain adequate
reinsurance.
As
part
of our overall risk and capacity management strategy, we purchase reinsurance
for significant amounts of risk, especially catastrophe risks that we and our
insurance company subsidiaries underwrite. Our catastrophe and non-catastrophe
reinsurance facilities are generally subject to annual renewal. We may be unable
to maintain our current reinsurance facilities or to obtain other reinsurance
facilities in adequate amounts and at favorable rates. The amount, availability
and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions beyond
our
control, and may affect our ability to write additional premiums as well as
our
profitability. If we are unable to obtain adequate reinsurance protection for
the risks we have underwritten, we will either be exposed to greater losses
from
these risks or we will reduce the level of business that we underwrite, which
will reduce our revenue.
If
the companies that provide our reinsurance do not pay our claims in a timely
manner, we could incur severe losses.
We
purchase reinsurance by transferring, or ceding, part of the risk we have
assumed to a reinsurance company in exchange for part of the premium we receive
in connection with the risk. Although reinsurance makes the reinsurer liable
to
us to the extent the risk is transferred or ceded to the reinsurer, it does
not
relieve us of our liability to our policyholders. Accordingly, we bear credit
risk with respect to our reinsurers. We cannot assure that our reinsurers will
pay all of our reinsurance claims, or that they will pay our claims on a timely
basis. At December 31, 2007, we had a total of $5.2 million due us from
reinsurers, including $5.0 million of recoverables from losses and $0.2 million
in prepaid reinsurance premiums. The largest amount due us from a single
reinsurer as of December 31, 2007 was $1.8 million reinsurance and premium
recoverable from QBE Reinsurance Corporation. If any of our reinsurers are
unable or unwilling to pay amounts they owe us in a timely fashion, we could
suffer a significant loss or a shortage of liquidity, which would have a
material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Catastrophic
losses are unpredictable and may adversely affect our results of operations,
liquidity and financial condition.
Property/casualty
insurance companies are subject to claims arising out of catastrophes that
may
have a significant effect on their results of operations, liquidity and
financial condition. Catastrophes can be caused by various events, including
hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hail storms, explosions, severe winter
weather and fires, and may include man-made events, such as the September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The incidence, frequency,
and
severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable. The extent of losses
from
a catastrophe is a function of both the total amount of insured exposure in
the
area affected by the event and the severity of the event. Claims from
catastrophic events could reduce our net income, cause substantial volatility
in
our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year or otherwise adversely
affect our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. Catastrophes
may also negatively affect our ability to write new business. Increases in
the
value and geographic concentration of insured property and the effects of
inflation could increase the severity of claims from catastrophic events in
the
future.
Catastrophe
models may not accurately predict future losses.
Along
with other insurers in the industry, we use models developed by third-party
vendors in assessing our exposure to catastrophe losses that assume various
conditions and probability scenarios. However, these models do not necessarily
accurately predict future losses or accurately measure losses currently
incurred. Catastrophe models, which have been evolving since the early 1990s,
use historical information about various catastrophes and detailed information
about our in-force business. While we use this information in connection with
our pricing and risk management activities, there are limitations with respect
to their usefulness in predicting losses in any reporting period. Examples
of
these limitations are significant variations in estimates between models and
modelers and material increases and decreases in model results due to changes
and refinements of the underlying data elements and assumptions. Such
limitations lead to questionable predictive capability and post-event
measurements that have not been well understood or proven to be sufficiently
reliable. In addition, the models are not necessarily reflective of company
or
state-specific policy language, demand surge for labor and materials or loss
settlement expenses, all of which are subject to wide variation by catastrophe.
Because the occurrence and severity of catastrophes are inherently unpredictable
and may vary significantly from year to year, historical results of operations
may not be indicative of future results of operations.
We
are subject to comprehensive regulation, and our results may be unfavorably
impacted by these regulations.
We
are
subject to comprehensive governmental regulation and supervision. Most insurance
regulations are designed to protect the interests of policyholders rather than
of the stockholders and other investors of the insurance companies. These
regulations, generally administered by the department of insurance in each
state
in which we do business, relate to, among other things:
·
|
approval
of policy forms and rates;
|
24
·
|
standards
of solvency, including risk-based capital measurements, which are
a
measure developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
and used by the state insurance regulators to identify insurance
companies
that potentially are inadequately
capitalized;
|
·
|
licensing
of insurers and their agents;
|
·
|
restrictions
on the nature, quality and concentration of
investments;
|
·
|
restrictions
on the ability of insurance company subsidiaries to pay
dividends;
|
·
|
restrictions
on transactions between insurance company subsidiaries and their
affiliates;
|
·
|
requiring
certain methods of accounting;
|
·
|
periodic
examinations of operations and
finances;
|
·
|
the
use of non-public consumer information and related privacy
issues;
|
·
|
the
use of credit history in underwriting and
rating;
|
·
|
limitations
on the ability to charge policy
fees;
|
·
|
the
acquisition or disposition of an insurance company or of any company
controlling an insurance company;
|
·
|
involuntary
assignments of high-risk policies, participation in reinsurance facilities
and underwriting associations, assessments and other governmental
charges;
|
·
|
restrictions
on the cancellation or non-renewal of policies and, in certain
jurisdictions, withdrawal from writing certain lines of
business;
|
·
|
prescribing
the form and content of records of financial condition to be
filed;
|
·
|
requiring
reserves for unearned premium, losses and other purposes;
and
|
·
|
with
respect to premium finance business, the federal Truth-in-Lending
Act and
similar state statutes. In states where specific statutes have not
been
enacted, premium finance is generally subject to state usury laws
that are
applicable to consumer loans.
|
State
insurance departments also conduct periodic examinations of the affairs of
insurance companies and require filing of annual and other reports relating
to
the financial condition of insurance companies, holding company issues and
other
matters. Our business depends on compliance with applicable laws and regulations
and our ability to maintain valid licenses and approvals for our operations.
Regulatory authorities may deny or revoke licenses for various reasons,
including violations of regulations. Changes in the level of regulation of
the
insurance industry or changes in laws or regulations themselves or
interpretations by regulatory authorities could have a material adverse affect
on our operations. In addition, we could face individual, group and class-action
lawsuits by our policyholders and others for alleged violations of certain
state
laws and regulations. Each of these regulatory risks could have an adverse
effect on our profitability.
State
statutes limit the aggregate amount of dividends that our subsidiaries may
pay
Hallmark, thereby limiting its funds to pay expenses and
dividends.
Hallmark
is a holding company and a legal entity separate and distinct from its
subsidiaries. As a holding company without significant operations of its own,
Hallmark’s principal sources of funds are dividends and other sources of funds
from its subsidiaries. State insurance laws limit the ability of Hallmark’s
insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends and require our insurance
company subsidiaries to maintain specified minimum levels of statutory capital
and surplus. The aggregate maximum amount of dividends permitted by law to
be
paid by an insurance company does not necessarily define an insurance company’s
actual ability to pay dividends. The actual ability to pay dividends may be
further constrained by business and regulatory considerations, such as the
impact of dividends on surplus, by our competitive position and by the amount
of
premiums that we can write. Without regulatory approval, the aggregate maximum
amount of dividends that could be paid to Hallmark in 2008 by our insurance
company subsidiaries is $16.3 million. State insurance regulators have broad
discretion to limit the payment of dividends by insurance companies and
Hallmark’s right to participate in any distribution of assets of one of our
insurance company subsidiaries is subject to prior claims of policyholders
and
creditors except to the extent that its rights, if any, as a creditor are
recognized. Consequently, Hallmark’s ability to pay debts, expenses and cash
dividends to our stockholders may be limited.
25
Our
insurance company subsidiaries are subject to minimum capital and surplus
requirements. Failure to meet these requirements could subject us to regulatory
action.
Our
insurance company subsidiaries are subject to minimum capital and surplus
requirements imposed under the laws of their respective states of domicile
and
each state in which they issue policies. Any failure by one of our insurance
company subsidiaries to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements imposed
by
applicable state law will subject it to corrective action, which may include
requiring adoption of a comprehensive financial plan, revocation of its license
to sell insurance products or placing the subsidiary under state regulatory
control. Any new minimum capital and surplus requirements adopted in the future
may require us to increase the capital and surplus of our insurance company
subsidiaries, which we may not be able to do.
We
are subject to assessments and other surcharges from state guaranty funds,
mandatory reinsurance arrangements and state insurance facilities, which may
reduce our profitability.
Virtually
all states require insurers licensed to do business therein to bear a portion
of
the unfunded obligations of impaired or insolvent insurance companies. These
obligations are funded by assessments, which are levied by guaranty associations
within the state, up to prescribed limits, on all member insurers in the state
on the basis of the proportionate share of the premiums written by member
insurers in the lines of business in which the impaired, insolvent or failed
insurer was engaged. Accordingly, the assessments levied on us by the states
in
which we are licensed to write insurance may increase as we increase our
premiums written. In addition, as a condition to the ability to conduct business
in certain states, insurance companies are required to participate in mandatory
reinsurance funds. The effect of these assessments and mandatory reinsurance
arrangements, or changes in them, could reduce our profitability in any given
period or limit our ability to grow our business.
We
are
currently monitoring developments with respect to various state facilities,
such
as the Texas FAIR Plan and the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, and the
various guaranty funds in which we participate. The ultimate impact of recent
catastrophe experience on these facilities is currently uncertain but could
result in the facilities recognizing a financial deficit or a financial deficit
greater than the level currently estimated. They may, in turn, have the ability
to assess participating insurers when financial deficits occur, adversely
affecting our results of operations. While these facilities are generally
designed so that the ultimate cost is borne by policyholders, the exposure
to
assessments and the availability of recoupments or premium rate increases from
these facilities may not offset each other in our financial statements.
Moreover, even if they do offset each other, they may not offset each other
in
financial statements for the same fiscal period due to the ultimate timing
of
the assessments and recoupments or premium rate increases, as well as the
possibility of policies not being renewed in subsequent years.
Adverse
securities market conditions can have a significant and negative impact on
our
investment portfolio.
Our
results of operations depend in part on the performance of our invested assets.
As of December 31, 2007, 93.7% of our investment portfolio was invested in
fixed-income securities. Certain risks are inherent in connection with
fixed-income securities, including loss upon default and price volatility in
reaction to changes in interest rates and general market factors. In general,
the fair market value of a portfolio of fixed-income securities increases or
decreases inversely with changes in the market interest rates, while net
investment income realized from future investments in fixed-income securities
increases or decreases along with interest rates. In addition, 19.5% of our
fixed-income securities have call or prepayment options. This subjects us to
reinvestment risk should interest rates fall and issuers call their securities.
Furthermore, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments
that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as
a
result of interest rate fluctuations. An investment has prepayment risk when
there is a risk that cash flows from the repayment of principal might occur
earlier than anticipated because of declining interest rates or later than
anticipated because of rising interest rates. The fair value of our fixed-income
securities as of December 31, 2007 was $250.7 million. If market interest rates
were to change 1%, for example, from 5% to 6%, the fair value of our
fixed-income securities would change approximately $5.5 million as of December
31, 2007. The calculated change in fair value was determined using duration
modeling assuming no prepayments.
In
addition to the general risks described above, although 91.0% of our portfolio
is investment-grade, our fixed-income securities are nonetheless subject to
credit risk. If any of the issuers of our fixed-income securities suffer
financial setbacks, the ratings on the fixed-income securities could fall (with
a concurrent fall in market value) and, in a worst case scenario, the issuer
could default on its obligations. Hallmark has no exposure in its investment
portfolio to sub-prime mortgages and $3 thousand total exposure in mortgage
backed securities. Future changes in the fair market value of our
available-for-sale securities will be reflected in other comprehensive income.
Similar treatment is not available for liabilities. Therefore, interest rate
fluctuations could adversely affect our stockholders’ equity, total
comprehensive income and/or our cash flows.
26
We
rely on independent agents and specialty brokers to market our products and
their failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on our results
of
operations.
We
market
and distribute our insurance programs exclusively through independent insurance
agents and specialty insurance brokers. As a result, our business depends in
large part on the marketing efforts of these agents and brokers and on our
ability to offer insurance products and services that meet the requirements
of
the agents, the brokers and their customers. However, these agents and brokers
are not obligated to sell or promote our products and many sell or promote
competitors’ insurance products in addition to our products. Some of our
competitors have higher financial strength ratings, offer a larger variety
of
products, set lower prices for insurance coverage and/or offer higher
commissions than we do. Therefore, we may not be able to continue to attract
and
retain independent agents and brokers to sell our insurance products. The
failure or inability of independent agents and brokers to market our insurance
products successfully could have a material adverse impact on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
We
may experience difficulty in integrating future acquisitions into our
operations.
The
successful integration of any newly acquired businesses into our operations
will
require, among other things, the retention and assimilation of their key
management, sales and other personnel; the coordination of their lines of
insurance products and services; the adaptation of their technology, information
systems and other processes; and the retention and transition of their
customers. Unexpected difficulties in integrating any acquisition could result
in increased expenses and the diversion of management time and resources. If
we
do not successfully integrate any acquired business into our operations, we
may
not realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, which could have a
material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Further, any potential acquisitions may require significant capital outlays
and,
if we issue equity or convertible debt securities to pay for an acquisition,
the
issuance may be dilutive to our existing stockholders.
Our
geographic concentration ties our performance to the business, economic and
regulatory conditions of certain states.
The
following states accounted for 78.9% of our gross written premiums for 2007:
Texas (43.7%), Oregon (13.4%), New Mexico (9.7%), Idaho (6.5%) and Arizona
(5.6%). Our revenues and profitability are subject to the prevailing regulatory,
legal, economic, political, demographic, competitive, weather and other
conditions in the principal states in which we do business. Changes in any
of
these conditions could make it less attractive for us to do business in such
states and would have a more pronounced effect on us compared to companies
that
are more geographically diversified. In addition, our exposure to severe losses
from localized natural perils, such as windstorms or hailstorms, is increased
in
those areas where we have written significant numbers of property/casualty
insurance policies.
The
exclusions and limitations in our policies may not be enforceable.
Many
of
the policies we issue include exclusions or other conditions that define and
limit coverage, which exclusions and conditions are designed to manage our
exposure to certain types of risks and expanding theories of legal liability.
In
addition, many of our policies limit the period during which a policyholder
may
bring a claim under the policy, which period in many cases is shorter than
the
statutory period under which these claims can be brought by our policyholders.
While these exclusions and limitations help us assess and control our loss
exposure, it is possible that a court or regulatory authority could nullify
or
void an exclusion or limitation, or legislation could be enacted modifying
or
barring the use of these exclusions and limitations. This could result in higher
than anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses by extending coverage
beyond our underwriting intent or increasing the number or size of claims,
which
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. In some
instances, these changes may not become apparent until some time after we have
issued the insurance policies that are affected by the changes. As a result,
the
full extent of liability under our insurance contracts may not be known for
many
years after a policy is issued.
We
rely on our information technology and telecommunications systems and the
failure or disruption of these systems could disrupt our operations and
adversely affect our results of operations.
Our
business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning
of our information technology and telecommunications systems. We rely on these
systems to process new and renewal business, provide customer service, make
claims payments and facilitate collections and cancellations, as well as to
perform actuarial and other analytical functions necessary for pricing and
product development. Our systems could fail of their own accord or might be
disrupted by factors such as natural disasters, power disruptions or surges,
computer hackers or terrorist attacks. Failure or disruption of these systems
for any reason could interrupt our business and adversely affect our results
of
operations.
27
Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not
applicable
Item
2. Properties.
Our
corporate headquarters and HGA Operating Unit are located at 777 Main Street,
Suite 1000, Fort Worth, Texas. The suite is located in a high-rise office
building and contains approximately 27,808 square feet of space. The rent is
currently $33,485 per month pursuant to a lease which expires June 30, 2011.
Our
corporate headquarters also occupies ten offices in an executive suite located
in the same building for $9,675 per month under a lease which expires September
30, 2008.
Our
TGA
Operating Unit is located at 7411 John Smith, San Antonio, Texas. The suite
is
located in a high-rise office building and contains approximately 18,904 square
feet of space. The rent is currently $27,175 per month pursuant to a lease
which
expires June 30, 2010. Our TGA Operating Unit also maintains a small branch
office in Lubbock, Texas. Rent on this branch office is currently $1,025 per
month under a lease which expires April 30, 2009.
Our
Aerospace Operating Unit is located at 14990 Landmark Boulevard, Suite 300,
Addison, Texas. The suite is located in a low-rise office building and contains
approximately 8,925 square feet of space. The rent is currently $13,666 per
month pursuant to a lease which expires September 30, 2010. Our Aerospace
Operating Unit also maintains a branch office in Glendale, California. Rent
on
the 1,196 square foot suite is currently $2,392 per month pursuant to a lease
which expires August 1, 2009.
Our
Phoenix Operating Unit is located at 14651 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400, Dallas,
Texas. The suite is located in a high-rise office building and contains
approximately 25,559 square feet of space. The rent is currently $50,075 per
month pursuant to a lease which expires November 30, 2008.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings.
We
are
engaged in various legal proceedings which are routine in nature and incidental
to our business. None of these proceedings, either individually or in the
aggregate, are believed, in our opinion, to have a material adverse effect
on
our consolidated financial position or our results of operations.
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
During
the fourth quarter of 2007, we did not submit any matter to a vote of our
security holders.
28
PART
II
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market
for Common Stock
Our
common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol
“HALL.” Prior to October 6, 2006, our common stock traded on the American Stock
Exchange under the symbol “HAF”. The following table shows the high and low
sales prices of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market or the American
Stock Exchange for each quarter since January 1, 2006.
Period
|
High
Sale
|
|
Low
Sale
|
||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007:
|
|||||||
First
quarter
|
$
|
12.25
|
$
|
9.64
|
|||
Second
quarter
|
13.15
|
11.86
|
|||||
Third
quarter
|
15.29
|
9.97
|
|||||
Fourth
quarter
|
17.62
|
13.29
|
|||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2006:
|
|||||||
First
quarter
|
$
|
12.30
|
$
|
8.16
|
|||
Second
quarter
|
12.00
|
8.52
|
|||||
Third
quarter
|
14.40
|
10.15
|
|||||
Fourth
quarter
|
11.40
|
8.50
|
Holders
As
of
March 7, 2008 there were approximately 2,418 shareholders of record of our
common stock.
Dividends
Hallmark
has never paid dividends on its common stock. Our board of directors intends
to
continue this policy for the foreseeable future in order to retain earnings
for
development of our business.
Hallmark
is a holding company and a legal entity separate and distinct from its
subsidiaries. As a holding company, Hallmark is dependent on dividend payments
and management fees from its subsidiaries to pay dividends and make other
payments. State insurance laws limit the ability of our insurance company
subsidiaries to pay dividends to Hallmark. As a property/casualty insurance
company domiciled in the State of Texas, AHIC is limited in the payment of
dividends to Hallmark in any 12-month period, without the prior written consent
of the Texas Department of Insurance, to the greater of statutory net income
for
the prior calendar year or 10% of statutory policyholders surplus as of the
prior year end. Dividends may only be paid from unassigned surplus funds. PIIC,
domiciled in Arizona, is limited in the payment of dividends to the lesser
of
10% of prior year policyholders surplus or prior year's net investment income,
without prior written approval from the Arizona Department of Insurance. HSIC,
domiciled in Oklahoma, is limited in the payment of dividends to the greater
of
10% of prior year policyholders surplus or prior year's statutory net income,
without prior written approval from the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
29
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table sets forth information regarding shares of our common stock
authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of
December 31, 2007.
Plan
Category
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
|
Weighted-average
exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans [excluding securities reflected in column
(a)]
|
|||||||
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
||||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders1
|
831,334
|
$
|
10.58
|
115,834
|
||||||
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders2
|
16,666
|
$
|
2.25
|
-
0 -
|
||||||
Total
|
848,000
|
$
|
10.41
|
115,834
|
1
|
Includes
shares of our common stock authorized for issuance under our 2005
Long
Term Incentive Plan, as well as shares of our common stock issuable
upon
exercise of options outstanding under our 1994 Key Employee Long
Term
Incentive Plan and our 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan,
both
of which terminated in accordance with their terms in
2004.
|
2 |
Represents
shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of non-qualified
stock
options granted to our non-employee directors in lieu of cash compensation
for their service on the board of directors during fiscal 1999. The
options became fully exercisable on August 16, 2000, and terminate
on
March 15, 2010, to the extent not previously
exercised.
|
Issuer
Repurchases
We
did
not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of
2007.
30
Performance
Graph
The
line
graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common
stock
from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2007, with the return on the Nasdaq
Composite Index, Nasdaq Insurance Index, and S&P Property & Casualty
Insurance Index for the same period. In accordance with Securities and Exchange
Commission rules, the measurement assumes a $100 initial investment in our
common stock with all dividends reinvested, and a $100 initial investment in
the
indices.
31
Item
6. Selected Financial Data
Year
Ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||
(1)
|
|
(1)
|
|
|||||||||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
||||||||
(in
thousands, except per share data)
|
||||||||||||||||
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
||||||||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$
|
249,472
|
$
|
213,945
|
$
|
89,467
|
$
|
33,389
|
$
|
43,338
|
||||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(11,329
|
)
|
(11,017
|
)
|
(1,215
|
)
|
(322
|
)
|
(6,769
|
)
|
||||||
Net
premiums written
|
238,143
|
202,928
|
88,252
|
33,067
|
36,569
|
|||||||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(12,840
|
)
|
(50,867
|
)
|
(29,068
|
)
|
(622
|
)
|
5,406
|
|||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
225,303
|
152,061
|
59,184
|
32,445
|
41,975
|
|||||||||||
Investment
income, net of expenses
|
13,180
|
10,461
|
3,836
|
1,386
|
1,198
|
|||||||||||
Realized
gains (losses)
|
2,586
|
(1,466
|
)
|
58
|
(27
|
)
|
(88
|
)
|
||||||||
Finance
charges
|
4,702
|
3,983
|
2,044
|
2,183
|
3,544
|
|||||||||||
Commission
and fees
|
28,054
|
35,343
|
16,703
|
21,100
|
17,544
|
|||||||||||
Processing
and service fees
|
657
|
2,330
|
5,183
|
6,003
|
4,900
|
|||||||||||
Other
income
|
16
|
29
|
27
|
31
|
486
|
|||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
274,498
|
202,741
|
87,035
|
63,121
|
69,559
|
|||||||||||
Loss
and loss adjustment expenses
|
132,918
|
87,117
|
33,784
|
19,137
|
30,188
|
|||||||||||
Other
operating costs and expenses
|
94,272
|
83,583
|
38,492
|
35,290
|
37,386
|
|||||||||||
Interest
expense
|
3,914
|
5,798
|
1,264
|
64
|
1,271
|
|||||||||||
Interest
expense from amortization of discount on
|
||||||||||||||||
convertible
notes (2)
|
-
|
9,625
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
2,293
|
2,293
|
27
|
28
|
28
|
|||||||||||
Total
expenses
|
233,397
|
188,416
|
73,567
|
54,519
|
68,873
|
|||||||||||
Income
before income tax and extraordinary gain
|
41,101
|
14,325
|
13,468
|
8,602
|
686
|
|||||||||||
Income
tax expense
|
13,672
|
5,134
|
4,282
|
2,753
|
25
|
|||||||||||
Income
before extrordinary gain
|
27,429
|
9,191
|
9,186
|
5,849
|
661
|
|||||||||||
Extraordinary
gain (3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8,084
|
|||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
$
|
5,849
|
$
|
8,745
|
||||||
Common
stockholders basic earnings per share:
|
||||||||||||||||
Income
before extraordinary gain
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
$
|
0.83
|
$
|
0.14
|
||||||
Extraordinary
gain (3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.66
|
|||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
$
|
0.83
|
$
|
1.80
|
||||||
Common
stockholders diluted earnings per share:
|
||||||||||||||||
Income
before extraordinary gain
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
$
|
0.82
|
$
|
0.13
|
||||||
Extraordinary
gain (3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.64
|
|||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
$
|
0.82
|
$
|
1.77
|
32
As
of December 31, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||
Balance
Sheet Items:
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
|||||||
Total
investments (4)
|
$
|
267,562
|
$
|
162,885
|
$
|
102,956
|
$
|
34,727
|
$
|
34,958
|
||||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
606,314
|
$
|
415,953
|
$
|
208,906
|
$
|
82,511
|
$
|
83,853
|
||||||
Unpaid
loss and loss adjustment expenses
|
$
|
125,338
|
$
|
77,564
|
$
|
26,321
|
$
|
19,648
|
$
|
28,456
|
||||||
Unearned
premiums
|
$
|
102,998
|
$
|
91,606
|
$
|
36,027
|
$
|
6,192
|
$
|
5,862
|
||||||
Total
liabilities
|
$
|
427,127
|
$
|
265,222
|
$
|
123,718
|
$
|
49,855
|
$
|
56,456
|
||||||
Total
stockholders' equity
|
$
|
179,187
|
$
|
150,731
|
$
|
85,188
|
$
|
32,656
|
$
|
27,397
|
||||||
Book
value per share (5)
|
$
|
8.63
|
$
|
7.26
|
$
|
5.89
|
$
|
5.37
|
$
|
4.52
|
1 |
Includes
the results of the Specialty Commercial Segment, all of which was
acquired
effective as of January 1, 2006.
|
2 |
In
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues
Task
Force Issue No. 98-5, “Accounting for Convertible Securities with
Beneficial Conversion Features or Contingently Adjustable Conversion
Ratios,” and Issue No. 00-27, “Application of Issue No. 98-5 to Certain
Convertible Instruments,” at the time of issuance we booked a $9.6 million
deemed discount to convertible notes attributable to their conversion
feature. Prior to conversion, this deemed discount was amortized
as
interest expense over the term of the notes, resulting in a $1.1
million
non-cash interest expense during the first quarter of 2006. As a
result of
the subsequent conversion of the convertible notes, the $8.5 million
balance of the deemed discount was written off as a non-cash interest
expense during the quarter ending June 30, 2006. Neither the deemed
discount on the convertible notes nor the resulting interest expense
have
any ultimate impact on cash flow or book
value.
|
3 |
In
January 2003, we acquired PIIC in satisfaction of $7.0 million of
a $14.85
million balance on a note receivable due from Millers American Group,
Inc.
This resulted in us recognizing an $8.1 million extraordinary gain
in
2003.
|
4 |
Investment
balances that we reported in Restricted Cash and Investments on the
balance sheet prior to 2007 have been reclassified to debt securities,
available-for-sale, at market value, to conform to current year
presentation.
|
5 |
Book
value per share is calculated as consolidated stockholders’ equity on the
basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles divided by
the
number of outstanding common shares. Book value per share for years
prior
to 2006 has been adjusted to reflect a one-for-six reverse stock
split
effected July 31, 2006.
|
33
Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
The
following discussion should be read together with our consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto. This discussion contains forward-looking
statements. Please see “Risks Associated with Forward-Looking Statements in this
Form 10-K” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the
uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these
statements.
Overview
Hallmark
is an insurance holding company which, through its subsidiaries, engages in
the
sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals.
Our
business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing commercial
insurance in nine states; marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing
non-standard personal automobile insurance in 11 states; marketing,
distributing, underwriting and servicing general aviation insurance in 47
states; and providing other insurance related services. We pursue our business
activities through subsidiaries whose operations are organized into producing
units and are supported by our insurance carrier subsidiaries.
Our
non-carrier insurance activities are organized by producing units into the
following reportable segments:
·
|
Standard
Commercial Segment.
The Standard Commercial Segment includes the standard lines commercial
property/casualty insurance products and services handled by our
HGA
Operating Unit which is comprised of our American Hallmark Insurance
Services and ECM subsidiaries.
|
·
|
Specialty
Commercial Segment.
The Specialty Commercial Segment primarily includes the excess and
surplus
lines commercial property/casualty insurance products and services
handled
by our TGA Operating Unit and the general aviation insurance products
and
services handled by our Aerospace Operating Unit. The Specialty Commercial
Segment also includes a relatively small amount of non-strategic
legacy
personal lines insurance products handled by our TGA Operating Unit.
Our
TGA Operating Unit is comprised of our Texas General Agency, PAAC
and
TGARSI subsidiaries. Our Aerospace Operating Unit is comprised of
our
Aerospace Insurance Managers, ASRI and ACMG subsidiaries. All of
the
subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment were acquired
effective January 1, 2006.
|
·
|
Personal
Segment.
The Personal Segment includes the non-standard personal automobile
insurance products and services handled by our Phoenix Operating
Unit
which is comprised of American Hallmark General Agency, Inc. and
Hallmark
Claims Services, Inc., both of which do business as Phoenix General
Agency.
|
The
retained premium produced by these reportable segments is supported by the
following insurance company subsidiaries:
·
|
American
Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas
presently retains all of the risks on the commercial property/casualty
policies marketed within the Standard Commercial Segment and assumes
a
portion of the risks on the commercial and aviation property/casualty
policies marketed within the Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
·
|
Hallmark
Specialty Insurance Company,
which was acquired effective January 1, 2006, presently assumes a
portion
of the risks on the commercial property/casualty policies marketed
within
the Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
·
|
Phoenix
Indemnity Insurance Company
presently assumes all of the risks on the non-standard personal automobile
policies marketed within the Personal Segment and assumes a portion
of the
risks on the aviation property/casualty products marketed within
the
Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
Effective
January 1, 2006, our insurance company subsidiaries entered into a pooling
arrangement which was subsequently amended on December 15, 2006 pursuant to
which AHIC retains 46.0% of the total net premiums written, PIIC retains 34.1%
of our total net premiums written and HSIC retains 19.9% of our total net
premiums written.
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, the Standard Commercial Segment was referred to as our
Commercial Insurance Operation and the Personal Segment was referred to as
our
Personal Insurance Operation. The retained premium produced by our operating
units prior to January 1, 2006 was supported by our AHIC and PIIC insurance
subsidiaries. Discussions for periods prior to January 1, 2006 do not include
the operations of the Specialty Commercial Segment, all of which was acquired
on
January 1, 2006.
34
Each
of
our four operating units was reported as a separate segment during the first
three quarters of 2006. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2006, our HGA
Operating Unit was designated as the sole component of the Standard Commercial
Segment, our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit were aggregated
in the Specialty Commercial Segment and our Phoenix Operating Unit was
designated as the sole component of the Personal Segment.
Critical
Accounting Estimates and Judgments
The
significant accounting policies requiring our estimates and judgments are
discussed below. Such estimates and judgments are based on historical
experience, changes in laws and regulations, observance of industry trends
and
information received from third parties. While the estimates and judgments
associated with the application of these accounting policies may be affected
by
different assumptions or conditions, we believe the estimates and judgments
associated with the reported consolidated financial statement amounts are
appropriate in the circumstances. For additional discussion of our accounting
policies, see Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included
in this report.
Valuation
of investments.
We
complete a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether any decline in
the
fair value of any investment below cost is deemed other-than-temporary. All
securities with an unrealized loss are reviewed. Unless other factors cause
us
to reach a contrary conclusion, investments with a fair market value
significantly less than cost for more than 180 days are deemed to have a decline
in value that is other-than-temporary. A decline in value that is considered
to
be other-than-temporary is charged to earnings based on the fair value of the
security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the
security.
Risks
and
uncertainties are inherent in our other-than-temporary decline in value
assessment methodology. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to,
incorrect or overly optimistic assumptions about financial condition or
liquidity, incorrect or overly optimistic assumptions about future prospects,
unfavorable changes in economic or social conditions and unfavorable changes
in
interest rates or credit ratings.
Deferred
policy acquisition costs.
Policy
acquisition costs (mainly commission, underwriting and marketing expenses)
that
vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal
business are deferred and charged to operations over periods in which the
related premiums are earned. Ceding commissions from reinsurers, which include
expense allowances, are deferred and recognized over the period premiums are
earned for the underlying policies reinsured.
The
method followed in computing deferred policy acquisition costs limits the amount
of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. A premium deficiency
exists if the sum of expected claim costs and claim adjustment expenses,
unamortized acquisition costs, and maintenance costs exceeds related unearned
premiums and expected investment income on those unearned premiums, as computed
on a product line basis. We routinely evaluate the realizability of deferred
policy acquisition costs. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, there was no premium
deficiency related to deferred policy acquisition costs.
Goodwill.
Our
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007 includes goodwill of acquired
businesses of $30.0 million. This amount has been recorded as a result of prior
business acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, which we adopted
as
of January 1, 2002, goodwill is tested for impairment annually. We completed
our
last annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2007 and determined
that there was no indication of impairment.
A
significant amount of judgment is required in performing goodwill impairment
tests. Such tests include estimating the fair value of our reporting units.
As
required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, we compare
the
estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount, including
goodwill. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, fair value
refers to the amount for which the entire reporting unit may be bought or sold.
Methods for estimating reporting unit values include market quotations, asset
and liability fair values and other valuation techniques, such as discounted
cash flows and multiples of earnings or revenues. With the exception of market
quotations, all of these methods involve significant estimates and
assumptions.
Deferred
tax assets.
We file
a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred federal income taxes reflect
the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets
and
liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end. Deferred
taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby tax rates are applied
to cumulative temporary differences based on when and how they are expected
to
affect the tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for
tax
rate changes. A valuation allowance is provided against our deferred tax assets
to the extent that we do not believe it is more likely than not that future
taxable income will be adequate to realize these future tax benefits.
Reserves
for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Reserves
for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are established for claims which
have already been incurred by the policyholder but which we have not yet paid.
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate
net
cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through each balance sheet
date. The reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated
using individual case-basis valuations and statistical analyses. These reserves
are revised periodically and are subject to the effects of trends in loss
severity and frequency. (See, “Item 1. Business - Analysis of Losses and LAE”
and “-Analysis of Loss and LAE Reserve Development.”)
35
Although
considerable variability is inherent in such estimates, we believe that our
reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. Due to
the
inherent uncertainty in estimating unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses,
the actual ultimate amounts may differ from the recorded amounts. A small
percentage change could result in a material effect on reported earnings. For
example, a 1% change in December 31, 2007 reserves for unpaid losses and loss
adjustment expenses would have produced a $1.3 million change to pretax
earnings. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as experience
develops or new information becomes known. Such adjustments are included in
current operations.
An
actuarial range of ultimate unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is
developed independent of management’s best estimate and is only used to check
the reasonableness of that estimate. There is no exclusive method for
determining this range, and judgment enters into the process. The primary
actuarial technique utilized is a loss development analysis in which ultimate
losses are projected based upon historical development patterns. The primary
assumption underlying this loss development analysis is that the historical
development patterns will be a reasonable predictor of the future development
of
losses for accident years which are less mature. An alternate actuarial
technique, known as the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, combines an analysis of
loss development patterns with an initial estimate of expected losses or loss
ratios. This approach is most useful for recent accident years. In addition
to
assuming the stability of loss development patterns, this technique is heavily
dependent on the accuracy of the initial estimate of expected losses or loss
ratios. Consequently, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method is primarily used to
confirm the results derived from the loss development analysis.
The
range
of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses estimated by our actuary as of
December 31, 2007 was $106.0 million to $135.4 million. Our best estimate of
unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2007 is $125.3
million. Our carried reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
as
of December 31, 2007 is comprised of $61.5 million in case reserves and $63.8
million in incurred but not reported reserves. In setting this estimate of
unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, we have assumed, among other things,
that current trends in loss frequency and severity will continue and that the
actuarial analysis was empirically valid. In the absence of any specific factors
indicating actual experience at either extreme of the actuarial range, we have
established a best estimate of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses which
is approximately $4.6 million higher than the midpoint of the actuarial range.
It would be expected that management’s best estimate would move within the
actuarial range from year to year due to changes in our operations and changes
within the marketplace. Due to the inherent uncertainty in reserve estimates,
there can be no assurance that the actual losses ultimately experienced will
fall within the actuarial range. However, because of the breadth of the
actuarial range, we believe that it is reasonably likely that actual losses
will
fall within such range.
Our
reserve requirements are also interrelated with product pricing and
profitability. We must price our products at a level sufficient to fund our
policyholder benefits and still remain profitable. Because claim expenses
represent the single largest category of our expenses, inaccuracies in the
assumptions used to estimate the amount of such benefits can result in our
failing to price our products appropriately and to generate sufficient premiums
to fund our operations.
Recognition
of profit sharing commissions.
Profit
sharing commission is calculated and recognized when the loss ratio, as
determined by a qualified actuary, deviates from contractual targets. We receive
a provisional commission as policies are produced as an advance against the
later determination of the profit sharing commission actually earned. The profit
sharing commission is an estimate that varies with the estimated loss ratio
and
is sensitive to changes in that estimate.
The
following table details the profit sharing commission revenue sensitivity of
the
Standard Commercial Segment to the actual ultimate loss ratio for each effective
quota share treaty at 5.0% above and below the current estimate, which we
believe is a reasonably likely range of variance ($ in thousands).
Treaty
Effective Dates
|
|||||||||||||
7/1/01
|
7/1/02
|
7/1/03
|
7/1/04
|
||||||||||
Provisional
loss ratio
|
60.0
|
%
|
59.0
|
%
|
59.0
|
%
|
64.2
|
%
|
|||||
Estimated
ultimate loss ratio booked to at December 31, 2007
|
63.5
|
%
|
64.5
|
%
|
67.0
|
%
|
54.6
|
%
|
|||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% above estimated loss ratio at December 31, 2007
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
($2,793
|
)
|
||||||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% below estimated loss ratio at December 31,
2007
|
$
|
1,850
|
$
|
3,055
|
$
|
3,360
|
$
|
2,793
|
36
The
following table details the profit sharing commission revenue sensitivity of
the
Specialty Commercial Segment for the effective quota share treaty with Republic
at 5.0% above and below the current estimate, which we believe is a reasonably
likely range of variance ($ in thousands).
Treaty
Effective Date
|
Treaty
Effective Date
|
||||||
1/1/06
|
1/1/07
|
||||||
Provisional
loss ratio
|
65.0
|
%
|
65.0
|
%
|
|||
Estimated
ultimate loss ratio booked to at December 31, 2007
|
56.0
|
%
|
65.0
|
%
|
|||
Effect
of actual 5.0% above estimated loss ratio at December 31, 2007
|
($3,092
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% below estimated loss ratio at December 31,
2007
|
$
|
1,237
|
$
|
1,897
|
Results
of Operations
Comparison
of Years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31,
2006
Management
overview. During
fiscal 2007, our total revenues were $274.5 million, representing an
approximately 35% increase over the $202.7 million in total revenues for fiscal
2006. Increased retention of business produced by our Specialty Commercial
Segment and Standard Commercial Segment and increased production by our Personal
Segment were the primary causes of the increase in revenue. Specialty Commercial
Segment revenues increased $45.6 million during 2007 as compared to 2006.
Revenues from our Personal Segment increased $11.3 million during 2007, due
largely to geographic expansion into new states. The retention of business
produced by the Standard Commercial Segment that was previously retained by
third parties was the primary reason for that segment’s $10.8 million increase
in revenue during 2007. Net gain on investments of $2.6 million for the period
ended December 31, 2007, as compared to a net loss on investments of $1.5
million for 2006, was the primary reason for an increase in revenue for
Corporate.
We
reported net income of $27.4 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007, compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31,
2006.
On
a
diluted per share basis, net income was $1.32 for fiscal 2007 as compared to
$0.53 for fiscal 2006. During
the period ended December 31, 2006, we recorded $9.6 million of interest expense
from amortization attributable to the deemed discount on convertible promissory
notes issued in January, 2006 and subsequently converted to common stock during
the second quarter of 2006. The increase in net income was also attributable
to
increased revenue as discussed above, including additional investment income
from a larger investment portfolio, primarily resulting from increased retention
of premiums. Prior year favorable loss reserve development of $6.4 million
during 2007 as compared to $1.2 million of prior year favorable development
recognized during 2006 also contributed to the increase in net
income.
37
Segment
information.
The
following is additional business segment information for the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006:
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||
Standard
|
|
Specialty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Personal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Consolidated
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Produced
premium
|
90,985
|
151,003
|
55,916
|
-
|
297,904
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
90,868
|
102,688
|
55,916
|
-
|
249,472
|
|||||||||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(6,646
|
)
|
(4,683
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(11,329
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
premiums written
|
84,222
|
98,005
|
55,916
|
-
|
238,143
|
|||||||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(840
|
)
|
(9,589
|
)
|
(2,411
|
)
|
(12,840
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
83,382
|
88,416
|
53,505
|
-
|
225,303
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
86,139
|
126,255
|
58,268
|
3,836
|
274,498
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
48,480
|
48,484
|
35,969
|
(15
|
)
|
132,918
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Pre-tax
income (loss)
|
12,042
|
28,043
|
7,523
|
(6,507
|
)
|
41,101
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
loss ratio (1)
|
58.1
|
%
|
54.8
|
%
|
67.2
|
%
|
59.0
|
%
|
||||||||
Net
expense ratio (2)
|
28.9
|
%
|
31.2
|
%
|
23.2
|
%
|
28.4
|
%
|
||||||||
Net
combined ratio (3)
|
87.0
|
%
|
86.0
|
%
|
90.4
|
%
|
87.4
|
%
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Standard
|
|
Specialty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Personal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Consolidated
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Produced
premium
|
91,679
|
156,490
|
45,135
|
-
|
293,304
|
|||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
91,070
|
77,740
|
45,135
|
-
|
213,945
|
|||||||||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(8,850
|
)
|
(2,167
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(11,017
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
premiums written
|
82,220
|
75,573
|
45,135
|
-
|
202,928
|
|||||||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(12,146
|
)
|
(35,903
|
)
|
(2,818
|
)
|
-
|
(50,867
|
)
|
|||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
70,074
|
39,670
|
42,317
|
-
|
152,061
|
|||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
75,325
|
80,689
|
46,998
|
(271
|
)
|
202,741
|
||||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
38,799
|
21,908
|
26,443
|
(33
|
)
|
87,117
|
||||||||||
Pre-tax
income (loss)
|
11,757
|
14,309
|
8,760
|
(20,501
|
)
|
14,325
|
||||||||||
Net
loss ratio (1)
|
55.4
|
%
|
55.2
|
%
|
62.5
|
%
|
57.3
|
%
|
||||||||
Net
expense ratio (2)
|
29.4
|
%
|
30.5
|
%
|
24.9
|
%
|
28.4
|
%
|
||||||||
Net
combined ratio (3)
|
84.8
|
%
|
85.7
|
%
|
87.4
|
%
|
85.7
|
%
|
1
|
Net
loss ratio is calculated as total net losses and loss adjustment
expenses
divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with
GAAP.
|
2
|
Net
expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses of our
insurance company subsidiaries, including allocated overhead expenses
and
offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each
determined in accordance with GAAP.
|
3
|
Net
combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and
the net
expense ratio.
|
38
Standard
Commercial Segment. Gross
premiums written for the Standard Commercial Segment were $90.9 million for
the
year ended December 31, 2007, which was slightly less than the $91.1 million
reported for the same period in 2006. Net premiums written were $84.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $82.2 million reported
for
the same period in 2006. Increased competition and rate pressure challenged
premium volume growth by the Standard Commercial Segment throughout 2007.
Total
revenue for the Standard Commercial Segment of $86.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 was $10.8 million more than the $75.3 million reported during
the year ended December 31, 2006. This approximately 14% increase in total
revenue was primarily due to increased net premiums earned of $13.3 million
and
increased net investment income of $1.6 million. These increases in revenue
were
partially offset by lower ceding commission revenue of $2.3 million and lower
processing and service fees of $1.5 million, in both cases due to the shift
from
a third party agency structure to an insurance underwriting structure. Increased
contingent commission adjustments related to adverse development on prior
accident years of $0.3 million also partially offset the increases in revenue.
Pre-tax
income for our Standard Commercial Segment of $12.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 increased $0.3 million, or approximately 2%, from the $11.8
million reported for the same period of 2006. Increased revenue as discussed
above was the primary reason for the increase in pre-tax income, partially
offset by increased losses and loss adjustment expenses of $9.7 million and
additional operating expenses of $0.8 million, mostly due to the earning of
increased premium retention.
The
net
loss ratio for the year ended December 31, 2007 was 58.1% as compared to the
55.4% reported for the same period of 2006. The net loss ratio was unfavorably
impacted by lower ceded losses of $2.8 million for the year ended December
31,
2007 as compared to $4.4 million for the same period in 2006. The gross loss
ratio before reinsurance was 56.0% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as
compared to 55.4% for the same period the prior year. The gross loss results
for
the year ended December 31, 2007 included $1.7 million of favorable prior year
development as compared to $0.2 million of favorable prior year development
for
the year ended December 31, 2006. Absent prior year development, the gross
incurred losses and loss adjustment expense before reinsurance for the Standard
Commercial Segment were higher by $2.2 million primarily due to competitive
market conditions in the current accident year.
The
Standard Commercial Segment reported net expense ratios of 28.9% and 29.4%
for
the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The net expense ratio
for 2006 was slightly higher primarily due to costs to assume from Clarendon
National Insurance Company the unearned premium previously produced by the
Standard Commercial Segment.
Specialty
Commercial Segment.
The
$126.3 million of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $45.6
million over the $80.7 million reported for 2006. This approximately 56%
increase in revenue was largely due to increased net premiums earned of $48.7
million as a result of the increased retention of business. The Specialty
Commercial Segment recognized $5.6 million of contingent ceding commission
under
quota share agreements for treaty effective 2006, due to improved underwriting
results. Increased net investment income contributed an additional $1.7 million
to the increase in revenue. These increases in revenue were partially offset
by
lower ceding commission revenue of $10.3 million due to the shift from a third
party agency structure to an insurance underwriting structure, as well as a
decrease in finance charges of $0.2 million.
Pre-tax
income for the Specialty Commercial Segment of $28.0 million was $13.7 million
higher than the $14.3 million reported in 2006. Increased
revenue, discussed above, was the primary reason for the increase in pre-tax
income, partially offset by increased losses and loss adjustment expenses of
$26.6 million and increased operating expenses of $5.4 million due mostly to
production related expenses that are directly related to increased earned
premium. The Specialty Commercial Segment reported a net loss ratio of 54.8%
for
2007 as compared to 55.2% for 2006. Favorable prior year development of $3.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2007 was the primary cause for the
decrease in the net loss ratio. The Specialty Commercial Segment reported a
net
expense ratio of 31.2% for 2007 as compared to 30.5% for 2006.
Personal
Segment.
Net
premium written for our Personal Segment increased $10.8 million during the
year
ended December 31, 2007 to $55.9 million compared to $45.1 million in the year
ended December 31, 2006. The increase in premium was due mostly to continued
geographic expansion that began in 2006.
Total
revenue for the Personal Segment increased approximately 24% to $58.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $47.0 million the prior year. Higher
earned premium of $11.2 million was the primary reason for the increase in
revenue for the period. Increased finance charges of $0.9 million were offset
by
lower investment income of $0.6 million due to the reallocation of capital
to
other segments for their increased retention of premium and lower third party
commission and processing fee revenue of $0.2 million.
39
Pre-tax
income for the Personal Segment was $7.5 million for the year ended December
31,
2007 as compared to $8.8 million the prior year. The increased revenue, as
discussed above, was offset by increased losses and loss adjustment expenses
of
$9.5 million and increased operating expenses of $3.0 million due mostly to
production related expenses attributable to the increased earned premium. The
Personal Segment reported a net loss ratio of 67.2% for the year ended December
31, 2007 as compared to 62.5% for the prior year. A competitive pricing
environment and the new business impact associated with geographic expansion
were the primary reasons for the increase in the net loss ratio. We recognized
$0.9 million of favorable prior accident year development during the year ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Personal Segment reported a net expense ratio
of
23.2% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 24.9% for the prior
year. The decrease in the net expense ratio was mainly due to increased finance
charges in relation
to
earned premium, as well as fixed overhead allocations to PIIC in each
period.
Corporate.
Total
revenue for corporate increased by $4.1 million for the year ended December
31,
2007 as compared to the prior year. The increase was due to $2.6 million of
net
gains on our investment portfolio during 2007 as compared to $1.5 million of
net
losses recognized during 2006.
Corporate
pre-tax loss was $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared
to $20.5 million for the prior year. The decreased loss was mostly due to the
absence of the $9.6 million of interest expense incurred in 2006 from
amortization attributable to the deemed discount on convertible promissory
notes
issued in January, 2006. These notes were converted to common stock during
the
second quarter of 2006. Also contributing to the decreased loss was the net
gain
on investments of $2.6 million in 2007 compared to a net loss on investments
of
$1.5 million in 2006. Interest expense was also $1.8 million lower due to the
permanent financing of debt used to acquire the subsidiaries comprising the
Specialty Commercial Segment in 2006. Most of this debt was either converted
to
equity in the second quarter of 2006 or repaid with proceeds from our public
equity offering in the fourth quarter of 2006. Partially offsetting these
improvements were increased operating expenses of $1.5 million for 2007 due
mostly to increased consulting costs related to compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley
Section 404 requirements and new employees.
Comparison
of Years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005
Management
overview.
During
fiscal 2006, our total revenues were $202.7 million, representing a 132.9%
increase over the $87.0 million in total revenues for fiscal 2005. The
acquisition of the subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment
in
the first quarter of 2006 contributed $80.7 million to the increase in total
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2005. The following table provides additional information
concerning the increases in revenue contributed by these
acquisitions.
Year
Ended
|
||||
December
31,
|
||||
2006
|
||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||
Earned
premium on retained business
|
$
|
39,670
|
||
Third
party commission revenue
|
36,111
|
|||
Investment
income, finance charges and
|
||||
other
revenue items
|
4,908
|
|||
Revenue
contributions from acquisitions
|
$
|
80,689
|
The
retention of business produced in the Standard Commercial Segment that was
previously retained by third parties also contributed $48.3 million to the
increase in revenue, but was partially offset by lower ceding commission revenue
of $15.7 million and lower processing and service fees of $2.7 million primarily
attributable to the shift from a third-party agency structure to an insurance
underwriting structure. Earned premium from the Personal Segment contributed
$4.9 million and additional finance charges contributed $0.4 million to the
increase in revenue, but were partially offset by lower ceding commission
revenue of $1.8 million and lower processing and service fees of $0.3 million
attributable to increased retention of the policies produced. The investment
of
funds derived from the implementation of our 2005 capital plan and a trust
account to secure the future guaranteed payments to the sellers of acquired
subsidiaries contributed another $3.4 million to revenue for fiscal 2006 as
compared to fiscal 2005. These increases were partially offset by realized
losses on our investment portfolio of $1.5 million in 2006.
40
We
reported net income of $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, which
is the same as the year ended December 31, 2005. On a diluted per share basis,
net income was $0.53 for fiscal 2006 as compared to $0.76 for fiscal 2005.
The
decrease
in diluted earnings per share was partially due to issuing an additional 6.3
million shares during fiscal 2006. In addition, during fiscal 2006 we
recorded
$9.6 million of interest expense from amortization attributable to the deemed
discount on convertible promissory notes issued in January, 2006 and converted
to common stock during the second quarter of 2006. In the absence of this
non-cash expense, our net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 would
have
been $15.3 million representing an approximately 66% increase over the year
ended December 31, 2005.
The
following is a reconciliation of our net income without such interest expense
to
our reported results. Management believes this reconciliation provides useful
supplemental information in evaluating the operating results of our business.
This disclosure should not be viewed as a substitute for net income determined
in accordance with GAAP.
Year
Ended
|
||||
December
31, 2006
|
||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||
Income
excluding interest expense
|
||||
from
amortization of discount, net of tax
|
$
|
15,257
|
||
Interest
expense from amortization of discount
|
9,625
|
|||
Less
related tax effect
|
(3,559
|
)
|
||
6,066
|
||||
Net
income
|
$
|
9,191
|
Excluding
the interest expense from amortization of discount, the increase in net income
for the year ended December 31, 2006 versus the year ended December 31, 2005
was
primarily attributable to the results of the newly acquired subsidiaries of
the
Specialty Commercial Segment, additional investment income and the retention
of
business produced by the Standard Commercial Segment beginning in the third
quarter of 2005. These increases were partially offset by (i) additional
interest expense on borrowings to finance the acquisitions of the subsidiaries
in the Specialty Commercial Segment, (ii) lower results from the Personal
Segment due primarily to favorable prior accident year loss development
recognized in 2005 and the runoff of third party revenue recognized in 2005
from
assuming 100% of the Texas non-standard auto business beginning in the fourth
quarter of 2004, (iii) increased corporate operating expenses, (iv) realized
losses on our investment portfolio and (v) additional income tax due to an
increase in our federal statutory rate from 34% to 35% in 2006 attributable
to
higher taxable income.
41
Segment
information.
The
following is additional business segment information for the year ended December
31, 2006 and 2005:
Year
Ended December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Standard
|
|
Specialty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Personal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Insurance
|
|
Insurance
|
|
Insurance
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Consolidated
|
||||||
Produced
premium
|
91,679
|
156,490
|
45,135
|
-
|
293,304
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
91,070
|
77,740
|
45,135
|
-
|
213,945
|
|||||||||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(8,850
|
)
|
(2,167
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(11,017
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
premiums written
|
82,220
|
75,573
|
45,135
|
-
|
202,928
|
|||||||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(12,146
|
)
|
(35,903
|
)
|
(2,818
|
)
|
(50,867
|
)
|
||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
70,074
|
39,670
|
42,317
|
-
|
152,061
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
75,325
|
80,689
|
46,998
|
(271
|
)
|
202,741
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Loss
and loss adjustment expenses
|
38,799
|
21,908
|
26,443
|
(33
|
)
|
87,117
|
||||||||||
Pre-tax
income
|
11,757
|
14,309
|
8,760
|
(20,501
|
)
|
14,325
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
Loss
ratio (1)
|
55.4
|
%
|
55.2
|
%
|
62.5
|
%
|
57.3
|
%
|
||||||||
Expense
ratio (2)
|
29.4
|
%
|
30.5
|
%
|
24.9
|
%
|
28.4
|
%
|
||||||||
Combined
ratio (3)
|
84.8
|
%
|
85.7
|
%
|
87.4
|
%
|
85.7
|
%
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||||||||
Standard
|
|
Specialty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Commercial
|
|
Personal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Segment
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Consolidated
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Produced
premium
|
81,721
|
-
|
36,345
|
-
|
118,066
|
|||||||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
52,952
|
-
|
36,515
|
-
|
89,467
|
|||||||||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(1,703
|
)
|
-
|
488
|
-
|
(1,215
|
)
|
|||||||||
Net
premiums written
|
51,249
|
-
|
37,003
|
-
|
88,252
|
|||||||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(29,498
|
)
|
-
|
430
|
-
|
(29,068
|
)
|
|||||||||
Net
premiums earned
|
21,751
|
-
|
37,433
|
-
|
59,184
|
|||||||||||
Total
revenues
|
43,067
|
-
|
43,907
|
61
|
87,035
|
|||||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
12,610
|
-
|
21,239
|
(65
|
)
|
33,784
|
||||||||||
Pre-tax
income (loss)
|
6,651
|
-
|
11,647
|
(4,830
|
)
|
13,468
|
||||||||||
Net
loss ratio (1)
|
58.0
|
%
|
56.7
|
%
|
57.1
|
%
|
||||||||||
Net
expense ratio (2)
|
34.4
|
%
|
28.8
|
%
|
30.8
|
%
|
||||||||||
Net
combined ratio (3)
|
92.4
|
%
|
85.5
|
%
|
87.9
|
%
|
1
|
Net
loss ratio is calculated as total net losses and loss adjustment
expenses
divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with
GAAP.
|
2
|
Net
expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses of our
insurance company subsidiaries, including allocated overhead expenses
and
offset by agency fee income, divided by net premiums earned, each
determined in accordance with GAAP. During the fourth quarter of
fiscal
2006, we adopted the widely used industry calculation that offsets
expenses with agency fee income. Prior period comparative expense
ratios
have been restated.
|
3
|
Net
combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and
the net
expense ratio.
|
42
Standard
Commercial Segment.
Net
written premium for the Standard Commercial Segment was $82.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 2006, or approximately 60% more than the $51.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2005. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal
2005, the Standard Commercial Segment began retaining written premium through
AHIC that was previously retained by third parties. On July 1, 2005, the
Standard Commercial Segment assumed $20.1 million of in-force policies
previously produced for Clarendon.
The
total
revenue for the Standard Commercial Segment of $75.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 was $32.3 million more than the $43.1 million reported the
prior year. This approximately 75% increase in total revenue was primarily
due
to an increase of $48.3 million in net premiums earned. Increased net investment
income contributed an additional $2.2 million to the increase in total revenue.
These increases were partially offset by lower ceding commission revenue of
$15.6 million primarily due to the shift from a third party agency structure
to
an insurance underwriting structure and also affected by lower than expected
profit sharing commission. The increase in total revenue was also partially
offset by lower processing and service fees of $2.7 million attributable to
the
change to an insurance underwriting structure.
Pre-tax
income for the Standard Commercial Segment of $11.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 increased $5.1 million, or approximately 77%, over the $6.7
million reported for the prior year. Increased revenue, as discussed above,
was
the primary reason for the increase in pre-tax income, partially offset by
increased losses and loss adjustment expenses of $26.2 million and additional
operating expenses of $1.0 million, mostly due to increased premium production.
The Standard Commercial Segment reported a net loss ratio of 55.4% for the
year
ended December 31, 2006 as compared to a net loss ratio of 58.0% for the prior
year. The loss ratios gross of reinsurance were 55.4% and 55.7% for the years
ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The slight decrease in the
gross
loss ratio was partially impacted by $0.2 million of favorable reserve
development from prior accident years recognized during 2006. There was no
prior
year reserve development recognized during the year ended December 31, 2005
as
we began retaining this business during the third quarter of 2005. The Standard
Commercial Segment reported net expense ratios of 29.4% and 34.4% for the years
ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The net expense ratio for 2005
was higher primarily due to costs to assume from Clarendon the unearned premium
previously produced by the Standard Commercial Segment.
Specialty
Commercial Segment.
All of
the subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment were acquired
effective January 1, 2006. The $80.7 million of total revenue was derived mostly
from $39.7 million of earned premium on produced business that was assumed
by
our insurance company subsidiaries and third party commission revenue of $36.1
million on the portion of business produced by the Specialty Commercial Segment
that was retained by third parties. The remaining $4.9 million of revenue was
primarily derived from investment income and finance charges.
Pre-tax
income for the Specialty Commercial Segment of $14.3 million was primarily
due
to revenue as discussed above less (i) $42.0 million in operating expenses,
comprised mostly of commission expense and salary related expenses, (ii)
incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $21.9 million on the portion
of
business assumed by our insurance company subsidiaries, (iii) $2.3 million
of
amortization of intangible assets related to the acquisitions of the
subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment, and (iv) $0.2 million
in interest expense
Personal
Segment. Net
premium written in the Personal Segment increased $8.1 million during the year
ended December 31, 2006 to $45.1 million compared to $37.0 million for the
year
ended December 31, 2005. The increase in premium was due mostly to new state
expansion during 2006.
Total
revenue for the Personal Segment increased approximately 7% to $47.0 million
for
the year ended December 31, 2006 from $43.9 million the prior year. Higher
earned premium of $4.9 million and higher finance charges of $0.4 million was
partially offset by lower ceding commission revenue of $1.8 million and lower
processing and service fees of $0.3 million due to the 100% assumption of the
Texas non-standard automobile premium beginning late in 2004.
Pre-tax
income for the Personal Segment decreased $2.9 million, or approximately 25%,
for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the prior year. The primary
reason for the decline in pre-tax income for the year ended December 31, 2006
was increased losses and loss adjustment expenses of $5.2 million as evidenced
by an increase in the net loss ratio to 62.5% versus 56.7% reported in 2005.
The
increase in the net loss ratio was primarily attributable to a competitive
pricing environment and favorable reserve development of $2.4 million recognized
during 2005 as compared to $0.9 million recognized during 2006. In addition,
new
business written as a result of new programs and expansion into new states
had
not yet benefited from the reduced loss ratios typically associated with
renewals of seasoned business.
The
increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses was partially offset by the
increase in revenue discussed above. The Personal Segment reported net expense
ratios of 24.9% and 28.8% for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. The decrease in the net expense ratio was primarily a function
of
increased earned premium and policy fees income in 2006 without corresponding
increases in expenses.
43
Corporate. Total
revenue for corporate decreased by $0.3 million for the year ended December
31,
2006 as compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to $1.5
million in realized losses on our investment portfolio in 2006. This was
partially offset by $1.0 million in interest earned on a trust account
established in the first quarter of 2006 securing the guaranteed future payments
to the sellers of acquired subsidiaries. (See Note 1, “Accounting Policies” and
Note 7, “Structured Settlements.”)
Corporate
pre-tax loss was $20.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared
to $4.8 million for the prior year. The increased pre-tax loss was primarily
due
to $9.6 million in interest expense from amortization attributable to the deemed
discount on convertible promissory notes issued in January, 2006. This interest
expense had no impact on our cash flow or book value. Also contributing to
the
increased corporate pre-tax loss was additional interest expense of $4.3 million
comprised of: (i) $1.1 million from the trust preferred securities issued in
the
second quarter of 2005 (see Note 6, “Notes Payable”); (ii) $1.1 million of
amortization of the discount on the future guaranteed payments to the sellers
of
acquired subsidiaries (see Note 7, “Structured Settlements”); (iii) $1.0 million
from a related party promissory note issued in January 2006; (iv) $0.8 million
from borrowings under our revolving credit facility in January 2006 (see Note
6,
“Notes Payable” and Note 8, “Credit Facilities”); and (v) $0.3 million from the
convertible notes issued in January 2006. Also contributing to the increase
in
pre-tax loss was increased salary and related expenses of $0.9 million,
professional services of $0.4 million, decreased revenue discussed above and
travel expenses of $0.2 million.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Sources
and Uses of Funds
Our
sources of funds are from insurance-related operations, financing activities
and
investing activities. Major sources of funds from operations include premiums
collected (net of policy cancellations and premiums ceded), commissions and
processing and service fees. As a holding company, Hallmark is dependent on
dividend payments and management fees from its subsidiaries to meet operating
expenses and debt obligations. As of December 31, 2007, Hallmark had $25.7
million in unrestricted cash and invested assets. Unrestricted cash and invested
assets of our non-insurance subsidiaries were $5.4 million as of December 31,
2007.
AHIC, domiciled
in Texas, is limited in the payment of dividends to their stockholders in
any 12-month period, without the prior written consent of the Texas Department
of Insurance, to the greater of statutory net income for the prior calendar
year
or 10% of statutory policyholders surplus as of the prior year end. Dividends
may only be paid from unassigned surplus funds. PIIC, domiciled in Arizona,
is
limited in the payment of dividends to the lesser of 10% of prior year
policyholders surplus or prior year's net investment income, without prior
written approval from the Arizona Department of Insurance. HSIC, domiciled
in
Oklahoma, is limited in the payment of dividends to the greater of 10% of prior
year policyholders surplus or prior year's statutory net income, without prior
written approval from the Oklahoma Insurance Department. During 2008, our
insurance company subsidiaries’ ordinary dividend capacity is $16.3 million.
None of our insurance company subsidiaries paid a dividend to Hallmark during
the year ended December 31, 2007 or 2006.
The
state
insurance departments also regulate financial transactions between our insurance
subsidiaries and their affiliated companies. Applicable regulations require
approval of management fees, expense sharing contracts and similar transactions.
Phoenix General Agency paid $1.9 million, $1.3 million and $1.8 million in
management fees to Hallmark during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. PIIC
paid
$1.2 million in management fees to Phoenix General Agency during each of 2007,
2006 and 2005. AHIC did not pay any management fees during 2007, 2006 or 2005.
HSIC did not pay any management fees during 2007 or 2006.
Statutory
capital and surplus is calculated as statutory assets less statutory
liabilities. The various state insurance departments that regulate our insurance
company subsidiaries require us to maintain a minimum statutory capital and
surplus. As of December 31, 2007, our insurance company subsidiaries reported
statutory capital and surplus of $132.0 million, substantially greater than
the
minimum requirements for each state. Each of our insurance company subsidiaries
is also required to satisfy certain risk-based capital requirements. (See,
“Item
1. Business - Insurance Regulation - Risk-based Capital Requirements.”) As of
December 31, 2007, the adjusted capital under the risk-based capital calculation
of each of our insurance company subsidiaries substantially exceeded the minimum
requirements. Our total statutory premium-to-surplus percentage was 151% for
each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.
Comparison
of December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2006
On
a
consolidated basis, our cash and investments, excluding restricted cash and
investments, at December 31, 2007 were $413.4 million compared to $244.4 million
at December 31, 2006. Net cash provided by our operating activities and the
issuance of trust preferred securities during the third quarter of 2007
contributed to this increase in our cash and investments as of December 31,
2007.
44
Comparison
of Years Ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
Net
cash
provided by our consolidated operating activities was $80.3 million for the
year
ended December 31, 2007 compared to $76.0 million for the year ended December
31, 2006. The increase in operating cash flow was primarily due to increased
collected premiums resulting from increased retained premium volume, partially
offset by additional retained paid losses and loss adjustment expenses and
additional paid operating expenses.
Cash
used
by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2007 was $26.0
million as compared to $91.6 million for the prior year. The higher cash used
in
investing activities during 2006 was mostly due to the acquisitions of the
subsidiaries comprising our Specialty Commercial Segment which used $26.0
million, net of cash acquired. The withdrawal of $15.0 million from a trust
account securing the future guaranteed payments to the sellers of the
subsidiaries comprising our TGA Operating Unit to make the first installment
payment in the first quarter of 2007 contributed to the reduction in cash used
by investing activities during 2007. Also contributing to the reduction in
cash
used by investing activities was an
increase of $128.3 million
from maturities and redemptions of investment securities, a $35.7 million
decrease in net purchase of short-term investments and a $9.4 million decrease
in transfers to other restricted cash. Net premium finance notes repaid were
$0.7
million
during
2007 versus net premium finance notes repaid of $2.8 million during 2006.
Partially offsetting these reductions was a $151.0 million increase in purchases
of debt and equity securities.
Cash
provided in financing activities during 2007 was $10.1 million as compared
to
$52.6 million provided by financing activities for the same period of 2006.
The
cash provided in 2007 was from the issuance of trust preferred securities of
$25.1 million partially offset by the payment of a portion of the structured
settlement to the sellers of the subsidiaries comprising our TGA Operating
Unit
of $15.0 million. The cash provided in 2006 was primarily from the issuance
of
three debt instruments in January. The first was a promissory note payable
to
Newcastle Partners, L.P. (“Newcastle Partners”) in the amount of $12.5 million
to fund the cash required to close the acquisition of the subsidiaries now
comprising our Aerospace Operating Unit. The second debt instrument was $25.0
million in subordinated convertible promissory notes to the Newcastle Special
Opportunity Fund I, L.P. and Newcastle Special Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (the
“Opportunity Funds”). The principal and accrued interest on the convertible
notes was converted to approximately 3.3 million shares of our common stock
during the second quarter of 2006. The $25.0 million raised with these notes
was
used to fund a trust account securing future guaranteed payments to the sellers
of the subsidiaries now comprising our TGA Operating Unit. The third debt
instrument was $15.0 million borrowed under our revolving credit facility to
fund the cash required to close the acquisition of the subsidiaries now
comprising our TGA Operating Unit. Our public equity offering in 2006 also
contributed $24.7 million to cash provided by financing activities. In October
2006, we repaid the promissory note to Newcastle Partners and repaid $12.2
million of the outstanding principal balance of our revolving credit facility,
in each case with proceeds received from our public equity offering. Newcastle
Partners and the Opportunity Funds are each an affiliate of our Executive
Chairman, Mark E. Schwarz.
Credit
Facilities
On
June
29, 2005, we entered into a credit facility with The Frost National Bank. The
credit facility was amended and restated on January 27, 2006 to a $20.0 million
revolving credit facility, with a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility.
The credit facility was further amended effective May 31, 2007 to increase
the
revolving credit facility to $25.0 million and establish a new $5.0 million
revolving credit sub-facility for the premium finance operations of PAAC. The
credit agreement was again amended effective February 20, 2008 to extend the
termination to January 27, 2010, revise various affirmative and negative
covenants and decrease the interest rate in most instances to the three month
Eurodollar rate plus 1.90 percentage points, payable quarterly in arrears.
We
pay letter of credit fees at the rate of 1.00% per annum. Our obligations under
the revolving credit facility are secured by a security interest in the capital
stock of all of our subsidiaries, guaranties of all of our subsidiaries and
the
pledge of substantially all of our assets. The revolving credit facility
contains covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain certain
financial and operating ratios and restrict certain distributions, transactions
and organizational changes. As of December 31, 2007, we were in compliance
with
all of our covenants.
PAAC
had
a $5.0 million revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank which
terminated June 30, 2007. This facility was replaced with the new $5.0 million
premium finance sub-facility with The Frost National Bank
discussed above.
Trust
Preferred Securities
On
June
21, 2005, an unconsolidated trust subsidiary completed a private placement
of
$30.0 million of 30-year floating-rate trust preferred securities.
Simultaneously, we borrowed $30.9 million from the trust subsidiary and
contributed $30.0 million to AHIC in order to increase policyholder surplus.
The
note bears an initial interest rate of 7.725% until June 15, 2015, at which
time
interest will adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.25
percentage points. As of December 31, 2007, the note balance was $30.9
million.
45
On
August
23, 2007, a newly formed unconsolidated trust subsidiary completed a private
placement of $25.0 million of 30-year floating trust preferred securities.
Simultaneously, we borrowed $25.8 million from the trust subsidiary for working
capital and general corporate purposes. The note bears an initial interest
rate
at 8.28% until September 15, 2017, at which time interest will adjust quarterly
to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 2.90 percentage points. As of December 31,
2007 the note balance was $25.8 million.
Structured
Settlements
In
connection with our acquisition of the subsidiaries now comprising our TGA
Operating Unit, we issued to the sellers promissory notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $23.7 million, of which $14.2 million was paid on January
2,
2007, and $9.5 million was paid on January 2, 2008. We were also obligated
to
pay to the sellers an additional $1.3 million, of which $0.8 million was paid
on
January 2, 2007 and an additional $0.5 million was paid on January 2, 2008,
in
consideration of the sellers’ compliance with certain restrictive covenants,
including a covenant not to compete for a period of five years after closing.
We
secured payment of these future installments of purchase price and restrictive
covenant consideration by depositing $25.0 million in a trust account for the
benefit of the sellers. We recorded a payable for future guaranteed payments
to
the sellers of $25.0 million discounted at 4.4%, the rate of two-year U.S.
Treasuries (the only permitted investment of the trust account). As of December
31, 2007, the balance of the structured settlements was $10.0
million.
Long-Term
Contractual Obligations
Set
forth
below is a summary of long-term contractual obligations as of December 31,
2007.
Amounts represent estimates of gross undiscounted amounts payable over time.
In
addition, certain unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are ceded to others
under reinsurance contracts and are, therefore, recoverable. Such potential
recoverables are not reflected in the table.
Estimated
Payments by Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Total
|
|
2008
|
|
2009-2010
|
|
2011-2012
|
|
After
2012
|
||||||||
Notes
payable
|
60,814
|
420
|
2,432
|
1,120
|
56,842
|
|||||||||||
Interest
on note payable
|
125,906
|
4,650
|
9,106
|
8,860
|
103,290
|
|||||||||||
Structured
settlements
|
10,000
|
10,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Unpaid
losses and loss
|
||||||||||||||||
adjustment
expenses
|
125,338
|
60,423
|
49,713
|
12,862
|
2,340
|
|||||||||||
Operating
leases
|
3,909
|
1,711
|
1,914
|
284
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Purchase
obligations
|
6,322
|
1,564
|
1,674
|
1,550
|
1,534
|
Conclusion
Based
on
2008 budgeted and year-to-date cash flow information, we believe that we have
sufficient liquidity to meet our projected insurance obligations, operational
expenses and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months.
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 claim costs.
The effects of inflation are considered in pricing and estimating reserves
for
unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The actual effects of inflation
on
results of operations are not known until claims are ultimately settled. In
addition to general price inflation, we are exposed to the upward trend in
the
judicial awards for damages. We attempt to mitigate the effects of inflation
in
the pricing of policies and establishing reserves for losses and loss adjustment
expenses.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.
We
believe that interest rate risk, credit risk and equity risk are the types
of
market risk to which we are principally exposed.
Interest
rate risk. 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 these 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. The fair value
of
our fixed-income securities as of December 31, 2007 was $250.7 million. The
effective duration of our portfolio as of December 31, 2007 was 2.2 years.
Should interest rates increase 1.0%, our fixed-income investment portfolio
would
be expected to decline in market value by 2.2%, or $5.5 million, representing
the effective duration multiplied by the change in market interest rates.
Conversely, a 1.0% decline in interest rates would be expected to result in
a
2.2%, or $5.5 million, increase in the market value of our fixed-income
investment portfolio.
46
Credit
risk.
An
additional exposure to our fixed-income securities portfolio is credit risk.
We
attempt to manage the credit risk by investing primarily in investment-grade
securities and limiting our exposure to a single issuer. As of December 31,
2007, our fixed-income investments were in the following: U.S. Treasury bonds
-
39.5%; municipal bonds - 39.5%; corporate bonds - 20.0%; and U.S. Treasury
bills
and other short-term - 1.0%. As of December 31, 2007, 91.0% of our fixed-income
securities were rated investment-grade by nationally recognized statistical
rating organizations.
We
are
also subject to credit risk with respect to reinsurers to whom we have ceded
underwriting risk. Although a reinsurer is liable for losses to the extent
of
the coverage it assumes, we remain obligated to our policyholders in the event
that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the reinsurance
agreements. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, we use
financially strong reinsurers with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” (Excellent) or
better.
Equity
price risk.
Investments in equity securities which are subject to equity price risk made
up
6.3% of our portfolio as of December 31, 2007. The carrying values of equity
securities are based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date.
Market prices are subject to fluctuation and, consequently, the amount realized
in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly differ from the
reported market value. Fluctuation in the market price of a security may result
from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer,
the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions.
Furthermore, amounts realized in the sale of a particular security may be
affected by the relative quantity of the security being sold.
The
fair
value of our equity securities as of December 31, 2007 was $16.9 million. The
fair value of our equity securities would increase or decrease by $5.1 million
assuming a hypothetical 30% increase or decrease in market prices as of the
balance sheet date. This would increase or decrease stockholders’ equity by
1.8%. The selected hypothetical change does not reflect what should be
considered the best or worse case scenario.
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The
following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
are filed as part of this report.
Description
|
Page
Number
|
|||
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|||
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006
|
F-3
|
|||
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
|
F-4
|
|||
December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
||||
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive
Income
|
F-5
|
|||
for
the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
||||
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
|
F-7
|
|||
December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
||||
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-8
|
|||
Unaudited
Selected Quarterly Information
|
F-36
|
|||
Financial
Statement Schedules
|
F-37
|
47
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure.
None.
Item
9A(T). Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated
our
disclosure controls and procedures and have concluded that such controls and
procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this
report.
Internal
Control over Financial Reporting
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate “internal
control over financial reporting”, as such phrase is defined in Exchange Act
Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, an
evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
was conducted based upon the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based upon that evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control
over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007. During the
most
recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal controls
over
financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to
materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
This
report does not include an attestation report of our registered public
accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public
accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this
report.
48
PART
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance.
The
information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after
the
end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Item
11. Executive Compensation.
The
information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after
the
end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.
The
information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after
the
end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director
Independence.
The
information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the
Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after
the
end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Item
14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
The
information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the
Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after
the
end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
49
PART
IV
Item
15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)(1) |
Financial
Statements
|
The
following consolidated financial statements, notes thereto and related
information are included in Item 8 of this
report:
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and
2006
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and
Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended
December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(a)(2) | Financial Statement Schedules |
The following financial statement schedules are included in this report: |
Unaudited Selected Quarterly Information |
Schedule
II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Hallmark
Financial
Services, Inc. (Parent Company Only)
|
Schedule III - Supplemental Insurance Information |
Schedule IV - Reinsurance |
Schedule
VI - Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty
Insurance
Operations
|
(a)(3) |
Exhibit
Index
|
The
following exhibits are either filed with this report or incorporated by
reference:
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
3.1
|
Restated
Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 [Registration No. 333-136414] filed September 8,
2006).
|
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated By-Laws of the registrant (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October
1, 2007).
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen
certificate for common stock, $0.18 par value, of the registrant
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed September 8, 2006).
|
|
4.2
|
Indenture
dated June 21, 2005, between Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27,
2005).
|
|
4.3
|
Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust of Hallmark Statutory Trust I dated
as
of June 21, 2005, among Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., as sponsor,
Chase Bank USA, National Association, as Delaware trustee, and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association, as institutional trustee, and Mark
Schwarz and Mark Morrison, as administrators (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 27,
2005).
|
4.4
|
Form
of Junior Subordinated Debt Security Due 2035 (included in Exhibit
4.2
above).
|
||
4.5
|
Form
of Capital Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.3
above).
|
||
4.6
|
First
Restated Credit Agreement dated January 27, 2006, between Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc. and The Frost National Bank (incorporated
by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed February 2, 2006).
|
50
4.7
|
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement dated January 27, 2006, between
Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc. and Newcastle Special Opportunity Fund I,
Ltd.
and Newcastle Special Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (incorporated by
reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
February 2, 2006).
|
||
4.8
|
Indenture
dated as of August 23, 2007, between Hallmark Financial Services,
Inc. and
The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association (incorporated
by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 24, 2007).
|
||
4.9
|
Amended
and Restated Declaration of Trust of Hallmark Statutory Trust II
dated as
of August 23, 2007, among Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., as sponsor,
The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware trustee, and The Bank
of New
York Trust Company, National Association, as institutional trustee,
and
Mark Schwarz and Mark Morrison, as administrators (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 24, 2007).
|
||
4.10
|
Form
of Junior Subordinated Debt Security Due 2037 (included in Exhibit
4.8
above).
|
||
4.11
|
Form
of Capital Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.9
above).
|
||
10.1
|
Office
Lease for 14651 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas, dated January 1, 1995,
between American Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas and Fults Management
Company, as agent for The Prudential Insurance Company of America
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1994).
|
||
10.2
|
Tenth
Amendment to Office Lease for 14651 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas,
dated
May 5th,
2003, between American Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas and Fults
Management Company, as agent for The Prudential Insurance Company
of
America (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended March 31,
2003).
|
||
10.3
|
Lease
Agreement for 777 Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas, dated June 12,
2003
between Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Crescent Real Estate
Funding
I, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30,
2003).
|
||
10.4
|
Lease
Agreement for 7411 John Smith Drive, San Antonio, Texas, dated February
18, 1997, between Pan American Acceptance Corporation and Medical
Plaza
Partners, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
||
10.5
|
Amendment
No. 1 to Lease Agreement for 7411 John Smith Drive, San Antonio,
Texas,
dated June 10, 2002, between Pan American Acceptance Corporation
and San
Antonio Technology Center Corporation, as successor to Medical Plaza
Partners, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
||
10.6
|
Amendment
No. 2 to Lease Agreement for 7411 John Smith Drive, San Antonio,
Texas,
dated February 27, 2003, between Pan American Acceptance Corporation
and
San Antonio Technology Center Corporation, as successor to Medical
Plaza
Partners, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
||
10.7
|
Amendment
No. 3 to Lease Agreement for 7411 John Smith Drive, San Antonio,
Texas,
dated November 10, 2004, between Pan American Acceptance Corporation
and
San Antonio Technology Center Corporation, as successor to Medical
Plaza
Partners, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
||
10.8
|
Amended
and Restated Lease Agreement for 14990 Landmark Boulevard, Addison,
Texas,
dated December 13, 2005, between Aerospace Managers, Inc. and Donnell
Investments, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
51
10.9*
|
1994
Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10(f) to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).
|
||
10.10*
|
First
Amendment to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. 1994 Key Employee
Long Term
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(bm) to the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002).
|
||
10.11*
|
1994
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10(g) to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).
|
||
10.12*
|
First
Amendment to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee
Director
Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(bn) to
the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002).
|
||
10.13*
|
Second
Amendment to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee
Director
Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to
the
registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
September 30, 2001).
|
||
10.14*
|
Form
of Indemnification Agreement between Hallmark Financial Services,
Inc. and
its officers and directors, adopted July 19, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2002).
|
||
10.15*
|
Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc. 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed June 3, 2005).
|
||
10.16*
|
Form
of Incentive Stock Option Grant Agreement (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3,
2005).
|
||
10.17*
|
Form
of Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 3,
2005).
|
||
10.18*
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of February 1, 2006, among Aerospace Holdings,
LLC,
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Curtis R. Donnell (incorporated
by
reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on
Form S-1 [Registration No. 333-136414] filed August 8,
2006).
|
||
10.19*
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of February 1, 2006, between Texas General Agency,
Inc.
and Donald E. Meyer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to
the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
||
10.20
|
Guarantee
Agreement dated as of June 21, 2005, by Hallmark Financial Services,
Inc.
for the benefit of the holders of trust preferred securities (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed June 27, 2005).
|
||
10.21
|
Guarantee
Agreement dated as of August 23, 2007, by Hallmark Financial Services,
Inc. for the benefit of the holders of trust preferred securities
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed August 24, 2007).
|
||
10.22
|
Purchase
Agreement dated November 9, 2005, by and among Hallmark Financial
Services, Inc. and Samuel M. Cangelosi, Donate A. Cangelosi and Donald
E.
Meyer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 2005).
|
||
10.23
|
Purchase
Agreement dated December 12, 2005, by and among Hallmark Financial
Services, Inc. and Donnell Children Revocable Trust and Curtis R.
Donnell
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2005).
|
||
10.24
|
Quota
Share Reinsurance Treaty Attaching January 1, 2006 by and among American
Hallmark Insurance Company, Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company and
Gulf
States Insurance Company (n/k/a Hallmark Specialty Insurance
Company)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No. 333-136414]
filed
August 8, 2006).
|
52
10.25
|
Amendment
No. 1 to Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Attaching January 1, 2006
by and
among American Hallmark Insurance Company, Phoenix Indemnity Insurance
Company and Gulf States Insurance Company (n/k/a Hallmark Specialty
Insurance Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to
the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
|
10.26
|
Amendment
No. 2 to Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Attaching January 1, 2006
by and
among American Hallmark Insurance Company, Phoenix Indemnity Insurance
Company and Gulf States Insurance Company (n/k/a Hallmark Specialty
Insurance Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to
the
registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 [Registration No.
333-136414] filed August 8, 2006).
|
|
10.27
|
Amendment
No. 3 to Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty attaching January 1, 2006
by and
among American Hallmark Insurance Company, Phoenix Indemnity Insurance
Company and Gulf States Insurance Company (n/k/a Hallmark Specialty
Insurance Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to
the
registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006).
|
|
21+
|
List
of subsidiaries of the registrant.
|
|
23+
|
Consent
of KPMG LLP
|
|
31(a)+
|
Certification
of principal executive officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule
15d-14(b).
|
|
31(b)+
|
Certification
of principal financial officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule
15d-14(b).
|
|
32(a)+
|
Certification
of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
1350.
|
|
32(b)+
|
Certification
of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
1350.
|
|
*
|
Management
contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
|
|
+
|
Filed
herewith.
|
53
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
|
||
(Registrant)
|
||
|
|
|
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
Mark J. Morrison
|
|
Mark
J. Morrison,
Chief
Executive Officer and President
|
||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
Jeffrey R. Passmore
|
|
Jeffrey
R. Passmore,
Chief
Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President
|
||
(Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer)
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has
been
signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
Mark E. Schwarz
|
|
Mark
E. Schwarz,
|
||
Executive Chairman |
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
James H. Graves
|
|
James
H. Graves,
Director
|
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
George R. Manser
|
|
George
R. Manser,
Director
|
Date:
March
17, 2008
|
/s/
Scott T. Berlin
|
|
Scott
T. Berlin,
Director
|
54
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
|
|
INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
Description
|
Page
Number
|
|||
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|||
Consolidated
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006
|
F-3
|
|||
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and
2005
|
F-4
|
|||
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years
Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
F-5
F-6
|
|||
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December
31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
F-7
|
|||
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-8
|
|||
Unaudited
Selected Quarterly Information
|
F-36
|
|||
Financial
Statement Schedules
|
F-37
|
F-1
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Board
of Directors and Stockholders
Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc.:
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hallmark Financial
Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and
comprehensive income, and cash flows for
each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007. In
connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also
have audited the financial statement schedules II, III, IV and VI. These
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement
schedules based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in
accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the
related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.
As
described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2006 the
Company changed its method of accounting for stock-based
compensation.
/s/
KPMG
LLP
KPMG LLP
Dallas,
Texas
March
17,
2008
F-2
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|||||||
December
31, 2007 and 2006
|
|||||||
(In
thousands)
|
|||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Investments:
|
|||||||
Debt
securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
$
|
248,069
|
$
|
133,030
|
|||
Equity
securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
16,868
|
4,580
|
|||||
Short-term
investments, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
2,625
|
25,275
|
|||||
Total
investments
|
267,562
|
162,885
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
145,884
|
81,474
|
|||||
Restricted
cash and investments
|
16,043
|
24,569
|
|||||
Prepaid
reinsurance premiums
|
274
|
1,629
|
|||||
Premiums
receivable
|
46,026
|
44,644
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable
|
5,219
|
7,852
|
|||||
Receivable
for securities
|
27,395
|
5,371
|
|||||
Reinsurance
recoverable
|
4,952
|
5,930
|
|||||
Deferred
policy acquisition costs
|
19,757
|
17,145
|
|||||
Excess
of cost over fair value of net assets acquired
|
30,025
|
31,427
|
|||||
Intangible
assets
|
23,781
|
26,074
|
|||||
Deferred
federal income taxes
|
275
|
-
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
1,240
|
1,769
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
17,881
|
5,184
|
|||||
$
|
606,314
|
$
|
415,953
|
||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Notes
payable
|
$
|
60,814
|
$
|
35,763
|
|||
Structured
settlements
|
10,000
|
24,587
|
|||||
Reserves
for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
125,338
|
77,564
|
|||||
Unearned
premiums
|
102,998
|
91,606
|
|||||
Unearned
revenue
|
2,949
|
5,734
|
|||||
Reinsurance
balances payable
|
-
|
1,060
|
|||||
Accrued
agent profit sharing
|
2,844
|
1,784
|
|||||
Accrued
ceding commission payable
|
12,099
|
3,956
|
|||||
Pension
liability
|
1,669
|
3,126
|
|||||
Deferred
federal income taxes
|
-
|
2,310
|
|||||
Payable
for securities
|
91,401
|
-
|
|||||
Current
federal income tax payable
|
630
|
2,132
|
|||||
Accounts
payable and other accrued expenses
|
16,385
|
15,600
|
|||||
427,127
|
265,222
|
||||||
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 15)
|
|||||||
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares in 2007 and
2006;
|
|||||||
issued
20,776,080 shares in 2007 and 2006
|
3,740
|
3,740
|
|||||
Capital
in excess of par value
|
118,459
|
117,932
|
|||||
Retained
earnings
|
58,909
|
31,480
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(1,8447
|
)
|
(2,3444
(2,3447
|
)
|
|||
Treasury
stock, 7,828 shares in 2007 and 2006, at cost
|
(77
|
)
|
(77
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
179,187
|
150,731
|
|||||
$
|
606,314
|
$
|
415,953
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of
the consolidated financial statements
F-3
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
||||||||
for
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005
|
||||||||
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Gross
premiums written
|
$
|
249,472
|
$
|
213,945
|
$
|
89,467
|
||||
Ceded
premiums written
|
(11,329
|
)
|
(11,017
|
)
|
(1,215
|
)
|
||||
Net
premiums written
|
238,143
|
202,928
|
88,252
|
|||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
(12,840
|
)
|
(50,867
|
)
|
(29,068
|
)
|
||||
Net
premiums earned
|
225,303
|
152,061
|
59,184
|
|||||||
Investment
income, net of expenses
|
13,180
|
10,461
|
3,836
|
|||||||
Gain
(loss) on investments
|
2,586
|
(1,466
|
)
|
58
|
||||||
Finance
charges
|
4,702
|
3,983
|
2,044
|
|||||||
Commission
and fees
|
28,054
|
35,343
|
16,703
|
|||||||
Processing
and service fees
|
657
|
2,330
|
5,183
|
|||||||
Other
income
|
16
|
29
|
27
|
|||||||
Total
revenues
|
274,498
|
202,741
|
87,035
|
|||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
132,918
|
87,117
|
33,784
|
|||||||
Other
operating costs and expenses
|
94,272
|
83,583
|
38,492
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
3,914
|
5,798
|
1,264
|
|||||||
Interest
expense from amortization of discount on convertible notes
|
-
|
9,625
|
-
|
|||||||
Amortization
of intangible asset
|
2,293
|
2,293
|
27
|
|||||||
Total
expenses
|
233,397
|
188,416
|
73,567
|
|||||||
Income
before income tax
|
41,101
|
14,325
|
13,468
|
|||||||
Income
tax expense
|
13,672
|
5,134
|
4,282
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
||||
Common
stockholders net income per share:
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
||||
Diluted
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part
|
||||||||||
of
the consolidated financial
statements
|
F-4
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
|
|
for
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
Number
|
|
|
|
Capital
In Excess
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Total
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
of
|
|
Par
|
|
of Par
|
|
Retained
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Treasury
|
|
of
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
Income
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Income
(Loss)
|
|
Stock
|
|
Shares
|
|
Equity
|
|
(Loss)
|
||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2004
|
6,143
|
$
|
1,106
|
$
|
19,647
|
$
|
13,103
|
$
|
(759
|
)
|
$
|
(441
|
)
|
63
|
$
|
32,656
|
||||||||||||
Rights
offering
|
8,333
|
1,500
|
43,391
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
44,891
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization
of fair value of stock options granted
|
-
|
-
|
63
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
63
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
-
|
-
|
(194
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
424
|
(61
|
)
|
230
|
||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9,186
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9,186
|
$
|
9,186
|
||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
minimum pension liability
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(761
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(761
|
)
|
(761
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized holding losses arising during period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,949
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(1,991
|
)
|
(1,991
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment for gains included in net income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(90
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(48
|
)
|
(48
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized losses on securities
|
(2,039
|
)
|
(2,039
|
)
|
(2,039
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
other comprehensive loss before tax
|
(2,800
|
)
|
(2,800
|
)
|
(2,800
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax
effect on other comprehensive loss
|
962
|
962
|
962
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive loss after tax
|
(1,838
|
)
|
(1,838
|
)
|
(1,838
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
7,348
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2005
|
14,476
|
$
|
2,606
|
$
|
62,907
|
$
|
22,289
|
$
|
(2,597
|
)
|
$
|
(17
|
)
|
2
|
$
|
85,188
|
||||||||||||
Stock
offering
|
3,000
|
540
|
24,149
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
24,689
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization
of fair value of stock options granted
|
-
|
-
|
157
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
157
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Stock
options exercised
|
-
|
5
|
91
|
-
|
-
|
(60
|
)
|
6
|
36
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Discount
on convertible note, net of tax
|
-
|
-
|
6,066
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6,066
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion
of note payable to common stock
|
3,300
|
589
|
24,562
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
25,151
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9,191
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,191
|
||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
in net actuarial loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(226
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(226
|
)
|
(226
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized holding loss arising during period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(653
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(653
|
)
|
(653
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment for losses included in net income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,242
|
-
|
-
|
1,242
|
1,242
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized gains on securities
|
589
|
589
|
589
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
other comprehensive gain before tax
|
363
|
363
|
363
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax
effect on other comprehensive gain
|
(110
|
)
|
(110
|
)
|
(110
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive gain after tax
|
253
|
253
|
253
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
9,444
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
20,776
|
$
|
3,740
|
$
|
117,932
|
$
|
31,480
|
$
|
(2,344
|
)
|
$
|
(77
|
)
|
8
|
$
|
150,731
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral
part
of
the consolidated financial statements
F-5
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Continued)
|
|
for
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
In
|
|
|
|
Accumlated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
Excess
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Total
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
of
|
|
Par
|
|
of
Par
|
|
Retained
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Treasury
|
|
of
|
|
Stockholders'
|
|
Income
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Income
(Loss)
|
|
Stock
|
|
Shares
|
|
Equity
|
|
(Loss)
|
||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
20,776
|
$
|
3,740
|
$
|
117,932
|
$
|
31,480
|
$
|
(2,344
|
)
|
$
|
(77
|
)
|
8
|
$
|
150,731
|
||||||||||||
Amortization
of fair value of stock options granted
|
-
|
-
|
527
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
527
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
27,429
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
27,429
|
$
|
27,429
|
||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
in net actuarial loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,378
|
-
|
-
|
1,378
|
1,378
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized holding losses arising during period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(339
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(339
|
)
|
(339
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Reclassification
adjustment for gains included in net income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(270
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(270
|
)
|
(270
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
unrealized losses on
securities
|
(609
|
)
|
(609
|
)
|
(609
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
other comprehensive income before tax
|
769
|
769
|
769
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax
effect on other comprehensive income
|
(269
|
)
|
(269
|
)
|
(269
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
comprehensive income after tax
|
500
|
500
|
500
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
27,929
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
20,776
|
$
|
3,740
|
$
|
118,459
|
$
|
58,909
|
$
|
(1,844
|
)
|
$
|
(77
|
)
|
8
|
$
|
179,187
|
F-6
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||||
For
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
|
||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
||||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities:
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization expense
|
3,119
|
3,214
|
413
|
|||||||
Amortization
of beneficial conversion feature
|
-
|
9,625
|
-
|
|||||||
Amortization
of discount on structured settlement
|
413
|
1,045
|
-
|
|||||||
Deferred
income tax expense (benefit)
|
(1,481
|
)
|
(6,529
|
)
|
2,143
|
|||||
Realized
(gain) loss on investments
|
(2,586
|
)
|
1,466
|
(58
|
)
|
|||||
Change
in prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
1,355
|
(862
|
)
|
(767
|
)
|
|||||
Change
in premiums receivable
|
(1,382
|
)
|
6,392
|
(22,427
|
)
|
|||||
Change
in prepaid commissions
|
487
|
1,306
|
-
|
|||||||
Change
in accounts receivable
|
2,632
|
(4,484
|
)
|
1,411
|
||||||
Change
in deferred policy acquisition costs
|
(2,612
|
)
|
(7,981
|
)
|
(1,689
|
)
|
||||
Change
in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
47,774
|
41,753
|
6,673
|
|||||||
Change
in unearned premiums
|
11,392
|
51,635
|
29,835
|
|||||||
Change
in unearned revenue
|
(2,785
|
)
|
(7,861
|
)
|
(7,228
|
)
|
||||
Change
in accrued agent profit sharing
|
1,060
|
(389
|
)
|
298
|
||||||
Change
in reinsurance recoverable
|
978
|
(4,846
|
)
|
2,639
|
||||||
Change
in reinsurance balances payable
|
(1,060
|
)
|
295
|
116
|
||||||
Change
in current federal income tax payable/recoverable
|
(1,502
|
)
|
1,745
|
(1,043
|
)
|
|||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
|
-
|
(25
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Change
in accrued ceding commission payable
|
8,143
|
(7,474
|
)
|
9,735
|
||||||
Change
in all other liabilities
|
(673
|
)
|
(13,075
|
)
|
3,817
|
|||||
Change
in all other assets
|
(10,364
|
)
|
1,821
|
(3,400
|
)
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
80,337
|
75,962
|
29,654
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(455
|
)
|
(685
|
)
|
(532
|
)
|
||||
Acquisitions
of subsidiaries, net of cash received
|
-
|
(25,964
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Premium
finance notes repaid, net of finance notes originated
|
(723
|
)
|
(2,750
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Change
in restricted cash
|
8,526
|
(15,857
|
)
|
(1,987
|
)
|
|||||
Purchases
of debt and equity securities
|
(226,476
|
)
|
(75,478
|
)
|
(60,565
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from maturities and redemptions of securities
|
170,207
|
41,944
|
1,747
|
|||||||
Net
redemptions (purchases) of short-term investments
|
22,894
|
(12,776
|
)
|
(11,832
|
)
|
|||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(26,027
|
)
|
(91,566
|
)
|
(73,169
|
)
|
||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Proceeds
from borrowings
|
25,774
|
52,500
|
30,928
|
|||||||
Debt
issuance costs
|
(674
|
)
|
-
|
(907
|
)
|
|||||
Proceeds
from equity offerings
|
-
|
24,689
|
44,891
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from exercise of employee stock options
|
-
|
36
|
230
|
|||||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
|
-
|
25
|
-
|
|||||||
Repayment
of borrowings
|
(15,000
|
)
|
(24,700
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
10,100
|
52,550
|
75,142
|
|||||||
Increase
in cash and cash equivalents
|
64,410
|
36,946
|
31,627
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
81,474
|
44,528
|
12,901
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$
|
145,884
|
$
|
81,474
|
$
|
44,528
|
||||
Supplemental
cash flow information:
|
||||||||||
Interest
(paid)
|
$
|
(3,402
|
)
|
$
|
(4,678
|
)
|
$
|
(1,167
|
)
|
|
Income
taxes (paid)
|
$
|
(16,655
|
)
|
$
|
(9,830
|
)
|
$
|
(3,182
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part
of
the
consolidated financial statements
F-7
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
1.
|
Accounting
Policies:
|
General
Hallmark
Financial Services, Inc. (“Hallmark” and, together with subsidiaries, “we,” “us”
or “our”) is an insurance holding company engaged in the sale of
property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Our business
involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing commercial
insurance in nine states; marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing
non-standard personal automobile insurance in 11 states; marketing,
distributing, underwriting and servicing general aviation insurance in 47
states; and providing other insurance related services.
We
pursue
our business activities through subsidiaries whose operations are organized
into
four operating units which are supported by our three insurance company
subsidiaries. Our HGA Operating Unit handles commercial insurance products
and
services and is comprised of American Hallmark Insurance Services, Inc.
(“American Hallmark Insurance Services”) and Effective Claims Management, Inc.
(“ECM”). Our TGA Operating Unit handles primarily commercial insurance products
and services and is comprised of TGA Insurance Managers, Inc. (“Texas General
Agency”), Pan American Acceptance Corporation (“PAAC”) and TGA Special Risk,
Inc. (“TGASRI”). Our Aerospace Operating Unit handles general aviation insurance
products and services and is comprised of Aerospace Insurance Managers, Inc.
(“Aerospace Insurance Managers”), Aerospace Special Risk, Inc. (“ASRI”) and
Aerospace Claims Management Group, Inc. (“ACMG”). The subsidiaries comprising
our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit were all acquired
effective January 1, 2006. Our Phoenix Operating Unit handles non-standard
personal automobile insurance products and services and is comprised of American
Hallmark General Agency, Inc. and Hallmark Claims Services, Inc. (both of which
do business as Phoenix General Agency). Our insurance company subsidiaries
supporting these operating units are American Hallmark Insurance Company of
Texas (“AHIC”), Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company (“PIIC”) and Hallmark
Specialty Insurance Company (“HSIC”) (f/k/a Gulf States Insurance
Company).
These
four
operating units are segregated into three reportable industry segments for
financial accounting purposes. The Standard Commercial Segment presently
consists solely of the HGA Operating Unit and the Personal Segment presently
consists solely of our Phoenix Operating Unit. The Specialty Commercial Segment
includes both our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit.
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and
operations of Hallmark and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”) which, as to AHIC, PIIC and HSIC, differ from
statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted for insurance companies
by insurance regulatory authorities.
Investments
Debt
and
equity securities available for sale are reported at fair value. Unrealized
gains and losses are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of
related tax effects. Debt and equity securities that are determined to have
other than temporary impairment are recognized as a realized loss in the
Statement of Operations. Debt security premiums and discounts are amortized
into
earnings using the effective interest method. Maturities of debt securities
are
recorded in receivable for securities until the cash is settled. Purchases
of
equity securities are recorded in payable for securities until the cash is
settled.
Short-term
investments consist of treasury bills, municipal bonds, and a certificate of
deposit which are reported at fair value.
Realized
investment gains and losses are recognized in operations on the specific
identification method.
Cash
Equivalents
We
consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months
or less to be cash equivalents.
F-8
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Recognition
of Premium Revenues
Insurance
premiums and policy fees are earned pro rata over the terms of the policies.
Upon cancellation, any unearned premium is refunded to the insured. Insurance
premiums written include gross policy fees of $4.9 million, $5.0 million and
$3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005,
respectively.
Relationship
with Third Party Insurers
Through
December 31, 2005, our HGA Operating Unit marketed policies on behalf of
Clarendon National Insurance Company (“Clarendon”), a third-party insurer. All
business of our TGA Operating Unit is currently produced under a fronting
agreement with member companies of the Republic Group (“Republic”), a
third-party insurer. These insurance contracts on third party paper are
accounted for under agency accounting. Ceding commissions and other fees
received under these arrangements are classified as unearned revenue until
earned pro rata over the terms of the policies.
Recognition
of Commission Revenues of Our Standard and Specialty Commercial
Segments
Commission
revenues and commission expenses related to insurance policies issued by
American Hallmark Insurance Services and Texas General Agency on behalf of
Clarendon and Republic, respectively, are recognized pro rata during the period
covered by the policy. Profit sharing commission is calculated and recognized
when the loss ratio, as determined by a qualified actuary, deviates from
contractual targets. We receive a provisional commission as policies are
produced as an advance against the later determination of the profit sharing
commission actually earned. The profit sharing commission is an estimate that
varies with the estimated loss ratio and is sensitive to changes in that
estimate.
The
following table details the profit sharing commission revenue sensitivity to
the
actual ultimate loss ratio for each effective quota share treaty between the
Standard Commercial Segment and Clarendon at 5.0% above and below the current
estimate (dollars in thousands).
Treaty
Effective Dates
|
|||||||||||||
7/1/01
|
7/1/02
|
7/1/03
|
7/1/04
|
||||||||||
Provisional
loss ratio
|
60.0
|
%
|
59.0
|
%
|
59.0
|
%
|
64.2
|
%
|
|||||
Estimated
ultimate loss ratio booked to at December 31, 2007
|
63.5
|
%
|
64.5
|
%
|
67.0
|
%
|
54.6
|
%
|
|||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% above estimated loss ratio at December 31,
2007
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
($2,793
|
)
|
||||||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% below estimated loss ratio at December 31,
2007
|
$
|
1,850
|
$
|
3,055
|
$
|
3,360
|
$
|
2,793
|
As
of
December 31, 2007, we recorded a $2.1 million profit sharing payable for the
quota share treaty effective July 1, 2001, a $4.6 million payable on the quota
share treaty effective July 1, 2002, a $5.4 million payable on the quota share
treaty effective July 1, 2003 and a $5.4 million receivable on the quota share
treaty effective July 1, 2004. The payable or receivable is the difference
between the cash received to date and the recognized commission revenue based
on
the estimated ultimate loss ratio.
The
following table details the profit sharing commission revenue sensitivity to
the
actual ultimate loss ratio for the effective quota share treaty between the
Specialty Commercial Segment and Republic at 5% above and below the current
estimate (dollars in thousands).
F-9
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Treaty
Effective Date
|
Treaty
Effective Date
|
||||||
1/1/06
|
1/1/07
|
||||||
Provisional
loss ratio
|
65.0
|
%
|
65.0
|
%
|
|||
Ultimate
loss ratio booked to at December 31, 2007
|
56.0
|
%
|
65.0
|
%
|
|||
Effect
of actual 5.0% above estimated loss ratio at December 31, 2007
|
($3,092
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Effect
of actual 5.0% below estimated loss ratio at December 31,
2007
|
$
|
1,237
|
$
|
1,897
|
As
of
December 31, 2007 we recorded a $5.6 million profit share receivable for the
quota share treaty effective January 1, 2006 and had not recorded a profit
share
receivable or payable on the January 1, 2007 quota share treaty since the loss
experience on this business has not developed sufficiently to conclude that
we
will realize any additional profit share revenue.
Recognition
of Claim Servicing Fees
Claim
servicing fees are recognized in proportion to the historical trends of the
claim cycle. We use historical claim count data that measures the close rate
of
claims in relation to the policy period covered to substantiate the service
period. The following table summarizes the year in which claim fee revenue
is
recognized by type of business.
Year
Claim Fee Revenue Recognized
|
|||||||||||||
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
||||||||||
Commercial
property fees
|
80
|
%
|
20
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Commercial
liability fees
|
60
|
%
|
30
|
%
|
10
|
%
|
-
|
||||||
Personal
property fees
|
90
|
%
|
10
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
liability fees
|
49
|
%
|
33
|
%
|
12
|
%
|
6
|
%
|
Finance
Charges
PAAC
provides premium financing for policies produced by Texas General Agency and
certain unaffiliated general and retail agents. Interest earned on the premium
finance notes issued by PAAC for the financing of insurance premiums are
recorded as finance charges. This interest is earned on the Rule of 78’s method
which approximates the interest method for such short-term notes.
We
receive premium installment fees for each direct bill payment from
policyholders. Installment fee income is classified as finance charges on the
statement of operations and is recognized as the fee is invoiced.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment (including leasehold improvements), aggregating $7.7 million
and
$7.3 million, at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which is included
in
other assets, is recorded at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (three to ten years).
Depreciation expense for 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $0.8 million, $0.9 million
and
$0.4 million, respectively. Accumulated depreciation was $6.4 million and $5.6
million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Premiums
Receivable
Premiums
receivable represent amounts due from policyholders or independent agents for
premiums written and uncollected. These balances are carried at net realizable
value.
Deferred
Policy Acquisition Costs
Policy
acquisition costs (mainly commission, underwriting and marketing expenses)
that
vary with and are primarily related to the production of new and renewal
business are deferred and charged to operations over periods in which the
related premiums are earned. The method followed in computing deferred policy
acquisition costs limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated
realizable value. In determining estimated realizable value, the computation
gives effect to the premium to be earned, related investment income, losses
and
loss adjustment expenses and certain other costs expected to be incurred as
the
premiums are earned. If the computation results in an estimated net realizable
value less than zero, a liability will be accrued for the premium deficiency.
During 2007, 2006 and 2005, we deferred ($57.7) million, ($40.5) million and
($33.3) million of policy acquisition costs and amortized $55.1 million, $32.5
million and $26.8 million of deferred policy acquisition costs, respectively.
Therefore, the net deferrals of policy acquisition costs were ($2.6) million,
($8.0) million and ($6.5) million for 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
F-10
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Losses
and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate net cost of all
reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005. The reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated
using individual case-basis valuations and statistical analyses. These estimates
are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency. Although
considerable variability is inherent in such estimates, we believe that the
reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The
estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as experience develops or new
information becomes known. Such adjustments are included in current operations.
Retail
Agent Commissions
We
pay
monthly commissions to retail agents based on written premium produced but
recognize the expense pro rata over the term of the policy. If the policy is
cancelled prior to its expiration, the unearned portion of the agent commission
is refundable to us. The unearned portion of commissions paid to retail agents
is included in deferred policy acquisition costs.
Agent
Profit Sharing Commissions
We
annually pay a profit sharing commission to our independent agency force based
upon the results of the business produced by each agent. We estimate and accrue
this liability to commission expense in the year the business is
produced.
Reinsurance
We
are
routinely involved in reinsurance transactions with other companies. Reinsurance
premiums, losses and loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on bases
consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and
the terms of the reinsurance contracts. (See Note 5.)
Leases
We
have
several leases, primarily for office facilities and computer equipment, which
expire in various years through 2011. Some of these leases include rent
escalation provisions throughout the term of the lease. We expense the average
annual cost of the lease with the difference to the actual rent invoices
recorded as deferred rent which is classified as other accrued expenses on
our
consolidated balance sheet.
Income
Taxes
We
file a
consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred federal income taxes reflect
the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets
and
liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end. Deferred
taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby tax rates are applied
to cumulative temporary differences based on when and how they are expected
to
affect the tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for
tax
rate changes in effect for the year in which these temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled.
Earnings
Per Share
The
computation of earnings per share is based upon the weighted average number
of
common shares outstanding during the period plus (in periods in which they
have
a dilutive effect) the effect of common shares potentially issuable, primarily
from stock options. (See Notes 10 and 12.)
Business
Combinations
We
account for business combinations using the purchase method of accounting
pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business
Combinations.” The cost of an acquired entity is allocated to the assets
acquired (including identified intangible assets) and liabilities assumed based
on their estimated fair values. The
excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned
to
assets acquired and liabilities assumed is an asset referred to as “excess of
cost over net assets acquired” or “goodwill.” Indirect and general expenses
related to business combinations are expensed as incurred.
F-11
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Effective
January 1, 2006, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of
Texas General Agency, PAAC and TGASRI for an aggregate cash purchase price
of up
to $45.6 million, consisting of unconditional consideration of $37.6 million
and
contingent consideration of $8.0 million. Of the unconditional consideration,
$13.9 million was paid at closing, $14.3 million was paid on January 2, 2007,
and $9.5 million was paid on January 2, 2008. The payment of any contingent
consideration is conditioned on the sellers complying with certain restrictive
covenants and the TGA Operating Unit achieving certain operational objectives
related to premium production and loss ratios. The contingent consideration,
if
any, will be payable on or before March 30, 2009, unless the sellers elect
to
defer payment until March 30 of any subsequent year in order to permit further
development of the loss ratios. In addition to the purchase price, we will
pay
$2.0 million to the sellers in consideration of their compliance with certain
restrictive covenants, including a covenant not to compete for a period of
five
years after closing. Of this additional amount, $750 thousand was paid at
closing, $750 thousand was paid on January 2, 2007, and $500 thousand was paid
on January 2, 2008.
Texas
General Agency is a managing general agency involved in the marketing,
underwriting and servicing of property and casualty insurance products, with
a
particular emphasis on commercial automobile, general liability and commercial
property risks produced on an excess and surplus lines basis. Other affiliated
companies acquired were HSIC, which reinsures a portion of the business written
by Texas General Agency; TGASRI, which brokers mobile home insurance; and PAAC,
which finances premiums on property and casualty insurance products marketed
by
Texas General Agency and certain unaffiliated general and retail agents. The
following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired
and
liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, January 1, 2006 (in
thousands).
Investments
|
$
|
19,597
|
||
Cash
and equivalents
|
2,199
|
|||
Premium
receivable
|
17,556
|
|||
Premium
finance notes receivable
|
6,146
|
|||
Reinsurance
recoverable
|
640
|
|||
Tradename
|
1,973
|
|||
Customer
relationships
|
19,417
|
|||
Non-compete/employment
agreements
|
2,477
|
|||
Goodwill
|
15,476
|
|||
Other
assets
|
7,178
|
|||
|
||||
Total
assets acquired
|
92,659
|
|||
Total
liabilities assumed
|
54,260
|
|||
|
||||
Net
assets acquired
|
$
|
38,399
|
Net
assets of $38.4 million acquired equals the $39.6 million unconditional purchase
price and restrictive covenant payments discounted at 4.40% (which is the rate
of two-year U.S. Treasuries, which is the only permitted investment of the
trust
account guaranteeing the future payments to the sellers) plus $232 thousand
of
direct acquisition expenses. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
Certain purchased items above are subject to amortization over their estimated
useful life as presented in the following table.
Years
|
|
Tradename
|
15
|
Customer
relationships
|
15
|
Non-compete
agreements
|
5
|
The
aggregate weighted average period to amortize the above captioned assets is
approximately 14 years.
F-12
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
The
results of operations of Texas General Agency, PAAC and TGASRI are included
in
the Consolidated Statement of Operations from the effective date of the
acquisition. The unaudited pro forma results for the twelve months ended
December 31, 2005 as if we had acquired Texas General Agency, PAAC and TGASRI
at
January 1, 2005 are as follows (in thousands, except per share
amounts):
2005
|
||||
Revenues
|
$
|
137,078
|
||
Net
income
|
10,103
|
|||
Net
income per share:
|
||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.84
|
||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.75
|
F-13
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Effective
January 1, 2006, we also acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership
interests in the subsidiaries now comprising the Aerospace Operating Unit,
for
an aggregate consideration of up to $15.0 million, consisting of unconditional
consideration of $12.5 million due in cash at closing and contingent
consideration of up to $2.5 million. The unconditional consideration of $12.5
million is allocated $11.9 million to the purchase price and $0.6 million to
the
seller’s compliance with certain restrictive covenants, including a covenant not
to compete for a period of five years after closing. The payment of contingent
consideration is conditioned on the seller complying with its restrictive
covenants and the Aerospace Operating Unit achieving certain operational
objectives related to premium production and loss ratios. The contingent
consideration, if any, will be payable in cash on or before March 30, 2009,
unless the seller elects to defer a portion of the payment in order to permit
further development of loss ratios. Our Aerospace Operating Unit is involved
in
the marketing and servicing of general aviation property and casualty insurance
products with a particular emphasis on private and small commercial aircraft
and
airports.
Prior
to
the Company’s acquisition of the Aerospace Operating Unit in January, 2006, the
primary subsidiary within such operating unit entered into an agreement to
lease
office space from Donnell Investments, L.L.C., an entity wholly owned and
controlled by Curtis R. Donnell, the current president of the Aerospace
Operating Unit. The lease pertains to an approximately 8,925 square foot suite
in a low-rise office building and expires September 30, 2010. The rent is
currently $13,666 per month.
Intangible
Assets
We
account for our intangible assets according to Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”). SFAS 142
(1) prohibits the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible
assets, (2) requires testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets
on an annual basis for impairment (and more frequently if the occurrence of
an
event or circumstance indicates an impairment), (3) requires that reporting
units be identified for the purpose of assessing potential future impairments
of
goodwill, and (4) removes the forty-year limitation on the amortization period
of intangible assets that have finite lives.
Pursuant
to SFAS 142, we have identified the components of goodwill and assigned the
carrying value of these components among our four operating units, as follows:
HGA Operating Unit - $2.1 million; TGA Operating Unit - $15.5 million; Aerospace
Operating Unit - $9.7 million; and Phoenix Operating Unit - $2.7 million.
As
of
December 31, 2007, the balance of our goodwill asset is $30.0 million, of which
$25.2 million was acquired in 2006 with the acquisition of the subsidiaries
now
comprising our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit. During
2007, 2006 and 2005, we completed the first step prescribed by SFAS 142 for
testing for impairment and determined that there was no impairment.
We
have
obtained various amortizable intangible assets from several acquisitions since
2002. The table below details the gross and net carrying amounts of these assets
by major category (in thousands):
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|||||
Gross
Carrying Amount:
|
|||||||
Customer/agent
relationships
|
$
|
22,729
|
$
|
22,729
|
|||
Tradename
|
2,682
|
2,682
|
|||||
Non-compete
& employment agreements
|
3,040
|
3,040
|
|||||
Total
gross carrying amount
|
28,451
|
28,451
|
|||||
Accumulated
Amortization:
|
|||||||
Customer/agent
relationships
|
(3,096
|
)
|
(1,590
|
)
|
|||
Tradename
|
(358
|
)
|
(179
|
)
|
|||
Non-compete
& employment agreements
|
(1,216
|
)
|
(608
|
)
|
|||
Total
accumulated amortization
|
(4,670
|
)
|
(2,377
|
)
|
|||
Total
net carrying amount
|
$
|
23,781
|
$
|
26,074
|
F-14
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
The
estimated aggregate amortization expense for these assets for the next five
years is as follows (in thousands):
2008
|
$
|
2,293
|
||
2009
|
$
|
2,293
|
||
2010
|
$
|
2,293
|
||
2011
|
$
|
1,685
|
||
2012
|
$
|
1,685
|
The
weighted average amortization period for all intangible assets by major class
is
as follows:
Years
|
|
Tradename
|
15
|
Customer
relationships
|
15
|
Non-compete
agreements
|
5
|
The
aggregate weighted average period to amortize the above captioned assets is
approximately 14 years.
Use
of
Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
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 at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of
revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
Investment
Securities: Fair values for fixed income securities and equity securities are
obtained from an independent pricing service or based on quoted market prices.
(See Note 2.)
Cash
and
Short-term Investments: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet
for
these instruments approximate their fair values.
Restricted
Cash : The carrying amount for restricted cash reported in the balance sheet
approximates the fair value.
Notes
Payable: The carrying value for notes payable approximates their fair value
based on the current interest rate for each note.
Structured
Settlements: The carrying value for the structured settlements approximates
their fair value based on the current interest rate of two-year U.S.
Treasuries.
For
accrued investment income, amounts recoverable from reinsurers, federal income
tax payable and receivable and other liabilities, the carrying amounts
approximate fair value because of the short maturity of such financial
instruments.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation - Transition and Disclosure” (“SFAS 148”). SFAS 148 amended
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation” (“SFAS 123”) to provide alternative methods of transition for
voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation. In addition, SFAS 148 amended the disclosure requirements
of SFAS 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim
financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. Effective
January 1, 2003, we adopted the prospective method provisions of SFAS 148.
Under
the prospective method, we have applied the fair value based method of
accounting for our stock-based payments for option grants after December 31,
2002.
In
December 2004, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
123R
“Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which revises SFAS 123 and supersedes
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”). SFAS 123R eliminates an
entity’s ability to account for share-based payments using APB 25 and requires
that all such transactions be accounted for using a fair value based method.
We
adopted SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006 using the modified-prospective transition
method.
F-15
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Under
the
modified-prospective transition method, compensation cost recognized during
the
period should include compensation cost for all share-based payments granted,
but not yet vested, as of January 1, 2006, based on grant date fair value
estimates in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123 and
compensation cost for all share-based payments granted after January 1, 2006
in
accordance with SFAS 123R. Since we adopted the fair value method of SFAS 123
under the prospective method provision of SFAS 148 beginning January 1, 2003,
we
have a small amount of unvested share-based payments for grants prior to January
1, 2003. During 2007, we recognized approximately $10 thousand of additional
compensation expense under SFAS 123R. SFAS 123R also requires the benefits
of
tax deductions in excess of recognized stock compensation cost to be reported
as
a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as previously
required. (See Note 12.)
The
following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share
if
the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and unvested
awards in each period.
2005
|
||||
Net
income
|
$
|
9,186
|
||
Add:
stock-based employee compensation expenses included in reported net
income, net of tax
|
41
|
|||
Deduct:
total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under
fair
value based method for all awards, net of tax
|
(48
|
)
|
||
Pro
forma net income
|
$
|
9,179
|
||
Net
income per share:
|
||||
Basic
- as reported
|
$
|
0.76
|
||
Basic
- pro forma
|
$
|
0.76
|
||
Diluted
- as reported
|
$
|
0.76
|
||
Diluted
- pro forma
|
$
|
0.76
|
In
June
2006, FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes -
An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), was issued. FIN 48
clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a
company’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 also
prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to
be
taken in a tax return, as well as providing guidance on derecognition,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2006 with earlier application permitted as long as the company
has
not yet issued financial statements, including interim financial statements,
in
the period of adoption. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007.
Since we had no unrecognized tax benefits, we recognized no additional liability
or reduction in deferred tax asset as a result of the adoption of FIN 48. We
are
no longer subject to U. S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. income tax
examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2003.
In
September 2006, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
158,
“Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement
Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (“SFAS
158”). SFAS 158 requires (1) balance sheet recognition of the funded status of
defined benefit plans, (2) recognition in other comprehensive income of various
items before they are recognized in periodic benefit cost, (3) the measurement
date for plan assets and the benefit obligation to be the balance sheet date,
and (4) additional disclosure. Requirements (1), (2), and (4) of SFAS 158 are
effective as of the end of the first fiscal year ending after December 15,
2006.
As of December 31, 2006, the measurement date for our plan assets and benefit
obligation is the balance sheet date. The adoption of SFAS 158 did not have
a
material impact on our results of operations or financial
condition.
In
September 2005, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position 05-1 “Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred
Acquisition Costs in Connection With Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance
Contracts” (“SOP 05-1”). This statement provides guidance on accounting for
deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment
contracts other than those specifically described in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 97, “Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises
for Certain Long-Duration Contracts and for Realized Gains and Losses from
the
Sale of Investments,” previously issued by the FASB. SOP 05-1 is effective for
internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2006. The adoption of SOP 05-1 had no material impact on our financial condition
or results of operations.
F-16
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
In
September 2006, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
157,
“Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 establishes a separate
framework for determining fair values of assets and liabilities that are
required by other authoritative GAAP pronouncements to be measured at fair
value. In addition, SFAS 157 incorporates and clarifies the guidance in FASB
Concepts Statement 7 regarding the use of present value techniques in measuring
fair value. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS
157
is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS
157
on our financial statements.
In
February 2007, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
159,
“The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS
159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain
other items at fair value with changes in fair value included in current
earnings. The election is made on specified election dates, can be made on
an
instrument-by-instrument basis, and is irrevocable. SFAS 159 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on our financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Revised Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141R”), a replacement of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations”.
FAS 141R provides revised guidance on how an acquirer recognizes and measures
in
its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities
assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. In addition, it
provides revised guidance on the recognition and measurement of goodwill
acquired in the business combination. FAS 141R also provides guidance specific
to the recognition, classification, and measurement of assets and liabilities
related to insurance and reinsurance contracts acquired in a business
combination. FAS 141R applies to business combinations for acquisitions
occurring on or after January 1, 2009. The Company does not expect the
provisions of FAS 141R to have a material effect on its results of operations,
financial position or liquidity. FAS 141R will impact the accounting for any
future acquisition.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.
160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment
of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51” (“FAS 160”). FAS 160 amends Accounting
Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for
the
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. In addition, it clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a
subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should
be
reported as a component of equity in the consolidated financial statements.
FAS
160 is effective on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2009, except for
the presentation and disclosure requirements which are applied on a
retrospective basis for all periods presented. The Company does not expect
the
provisions of FAS 160 to have a material effect on its results of operations,
financial position or liquidity.
Reclassification
Certain
previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year
presentation. Such reclassification had no effect on net income or stockholders’
equity. Investment balances that were previously reported in Restricted Cash
and
Investments on the balance sheet have been reclassified to debt securities,
available-for-sale, at market value during the current period. The amount
reclassified from the December 31, 2006 presentation is $7.2 million. Amounts
previously reported for net unrealized holding losses arising during the period
and the reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income were
revised in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive
Income in this year’s presentation. The result of this reclassification had no
effect on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net Income, Comprehensive
Income or Stockholders’ Equity for any period.
F-17
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Redesignation
of Segments
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, the Standard Commercial Segment was referred to as our
Commercial Insurance Operation and the Personal Segment was referred to as
our
Personal Insurance Operation. Each of our four operating units was reported
as a
separate segment during the first three quarters of 2006. Commencing in the
fourth quarter of 2006, our HGA Operating Unit was designated as the sole
component of the Standard Commercial Segment, our TGA Operating Unit and our
Aerospace Operating Unit were aggregated in the Specialty Commercial Segment
and
our Phoenix Operating Unit was designated as the sole component of the Personal
Segment.
Reverse
Stock Split
All
share
and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect a one-for-six reverse split
of all issued and unissued shares of our authorized common stock effected July
31, 2006, and a corresponding increase in the par value of our authorized common
stock from $0.03 per share to $0.18 per share.
F-18
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
2.
|
Investments:
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Major
categories of net investment income (in thousands) are summarized
as
follows:
|
|
|
Years
ended December 31,
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Debt
securities
|
|
$
|
7,436
|
|
$
|
6,587
|
|
$
|
2,806
|
|
Equity
securities
|
|
|
300
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
90
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
|
1,765
|
|
|
1,154
|
|
|
161
|
|
Cash
equivalents
|
|
|
3,890
|
|
|
2,683
|
|
|
832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,391
|
|
|
10,584
|
|
|
3,899
|
|
Investment
expenses
|
|
|
(211
|
)
|
|
(123
|
)
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income
|
|
$
|
13,180
|
|
$
|
10,461
|
|
$
|
3,836
|
|
|
At
December 31, 2007 we had an investment of $89.6 million in a U.S.
Treasury
Note with a maturity date of January 31, 2009 which exceeded 10%
of our
stockholders equity. No other investment in any entity or its affiliates
exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2007, 2006 or
2005.
|
|
Major
categories of recognized gains (losses) on investments (in thousands)
are
summarized as follows:
|
|
|
Years
ended December 31,
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Debt
securities
|
|
$
|
70
|
|
$
|
(461
|
)
|
$
|
14
|
|
Equity
securities
|
|
|
2,889
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
99
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
|
103
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Realized
gains (losses)
|
|
|
3,062
|
|
|
(306
|
)
|
|
113
|
|
Other
than temporary impairments
|
|
|
(476
|
)
|
|
(1,160
|
)
|
|
(55
|
)
|
Recognized
gains (losses)
|
|
$
|
2,586
|
|
$
|
(1,466
|
)
|
$
|
58
|
|
We
realized gross gains on investments of $4.9 million, $0.2 million and $0.1
million during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. We realized gross losses on investments of $1.8 million, $0.5
million and $0.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005, respectively.
F-19
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
|
The
amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt and
equity
securities (in thousands) by category is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Amortized
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
Fair
|
|
||||
|
|
Cost
|
|
Gains
|
|
Losses
|
|
Value
|
|
||||
As
of December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S.
Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations
and
agencies
|
|
$
|
98,900
|
|
$
|
147
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
99,047
|
|
Corporate
debt securities
|
|
|
51,786
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
1,736
|
|
|
50,096
|
|
Municipal
bonds
|
|
|
98,547
|
|
|
628
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
98,923
|
|
Mortgage
backed securities
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
debt securities
|
|
|
249,236
|
|
|
821
|
|
|
1,988
|
|
|
248,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
securities
|
|
|
16,789
|
|
|
397
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
16,868
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short
term securities
|
|
|
2,622
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
2,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
debt and equity securities
|
|
$
|
268,647
|
|
$
|
1,222
|
|
$
|
2,307
|
|
$
|
267,562
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
of December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations
and
agencies
|
|
$
|
40,417
|
|
$
|
48
|
|
$
|
58
|
|
$
|
40,407
|
|
Corporate
debt securities
|
|
|
41,288
|
|
|
83
|
|
|
888
|
|
|
40,483
|
|
Municipal
bonds
|
|
|
52,244
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
52,132
|
|
Mortgage
backed securities
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
debt securities
|
|
|
133,957
|
|
|
323
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
133,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
securities
|
|
|
4,146
|
|
|
453
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
4,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short
term securities
|
|
|
25,258
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
25,275
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
debt and equity securities
|
|
$
|
163,361
|
|
$
|
793
|
|
$
|
1,269
|
|
$
|
162,885
|
|
F-20
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
2.
|
Investments,
continued:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
The
amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt and
equity
securities with a gross unrealized loss position at December 31,
2007 and
2006 (in thousands) is as follows:
|
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
|
|
|||
As
of December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
5
Equity Positions
|
|
$
|
7,272
|
|
$
|
6,954
|
|
$
|
318
|
|
45
Bond Positions
|
|
|
71,510
|
|
|
69,522
|
|
|
1,988
|
|
1
Short Term Position
|
|
|
353
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
$
|
79,135
|
|
$
|
76,828
|
|
$
|
2,307
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
of December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
Equity Positions
|
|
$
|
249
|
|
$
|
230
|
|
$
|
19
|
|
195
Bond Positions
|
|
|
73,589
|
|
|
72,339
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
$
|
73,838
|
|
$
|
72,569
|
|
$
|
1,269
|
|
|
Of
the gross unrealized loss at December 31, 2007, $1.0 million is more
than
twelve months old, consisting of 22 bond positions. Of the gross
unrealized loss at December 31, 2006, $1.2 million is more than twelve
months old, consisting of 139 bond positions. We consider these losses
as
a temporary decline in value as they are predominately on bonds where
we
believe we have the ability to hold our positions until maturity
and whose
decline in fair value is driven by interest rate increases. We see
no
other indications that the decline in value of these securities is
other
than temporary.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
The
amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December
31,
2007 by contractual maturity are as follows. Expected maturities
may
differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may
have the
right to call or prepay obligations with or without
penalties.
|
Maturity
(in thousands):
|
|
Amortized
Cost
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
||
Due
in one year or less
|
|
$
|
15,185
|
|
$
|
15,189
|
|
Due
after one year through five years
|
|
|
162,972
|
|
|
162,524
|
|
Due
after five years through ten years
|
|
|
53,942
|
|
|
53,305
|
|
Due
after ten years
|
|
|
19,756
|
|
|
19,673
|
|
Mortgage-backed
securities
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
$
|
251,858
|
|
$
|
250,694
|
|
At
December 31, 2007 and 2006, investments in debt securities with an
approximate carrying value of $18.5 million and $23.8 million,
respectively, were pledged for the benefit of various state insurance
departments, reinsurers and the sellers of our TGA Operating Unit.
|
F-21
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
3. |
Other
Assets:
|
The
following table details our other assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 (in
thousands):
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
||
Profit
sharing commission receivable
|
|
$
|
10,961
|
|
$
|
649
|
|
Accrued
investment income
|
|
|
4,104
|
|
|
2,002
|
|
Debt
issuance costs
|
|
|
1,465
|
|
|
826
|
|
Fixed
assets
|
|
|
1,272
|
|
|
1,644
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,881
|
|
$
|
5,184
|
|
Our
profit sharing commission receivable increased $10.3 million in 2007 due to
favorable loss development on the 2004 and 2006 treaty years for our Standard
Commercial and Specialty Commercial Segments, respectively, partially offset
by
unfavorable loss development on the 2001-2003 treaty years for our Standard
Commercial Segment. Our accrued investment income increased $2.1 million due
to
a larger investment portfolio in 2007 as compared to 2006. Our debt issuance
costs increased $0.6 million due to the issuance of trust preferred securities
during 2007.
F-22
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
4. |
Reserves
for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment
Expenses:
|
Activity
in the reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (in thousands)
is
summarized as follows:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Balance
at January 1
|
|
$
|
77,564
|
|
$
|
26,321
|
|
$
|
19,648
|
|
Plus
acquisition of Phoenix at January 1
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4,562
|
|
|
-
|
|
Less
reinsurance recoverable
|
|
|
4,763
|
|
|
324
|
|
|
1,948
|
|
Net
Balance at January 1
|
|
|
72,801
|
|
|
30,559
|
|
|
17,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred
related to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
year
|
|
|
139,332
|
|
|
88,294
|
|
|
36,184
|
|
Prior
years
|
|
|
(6,414
|
)
|
|
(1,177
|
)
|
|
(2,400
|
)
|
Total
incurred
|
|
|
132,918
|
|
|
87,117
|
|
|
33,784
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid
related to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
year
|
|
|
54,809
|
|
|
28,154
|
|
|
17,414
|
|
Prior
years
|
|
|
30,061
|
|
|
16,721
|
|
|
8,073
|
|
Total
paid
|
|
|
84,870
|
|
|
44,875
|
|
|
25,487
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Balance at December 31
|
|
|
120,849
|
|
|
72,801
|
|
|
25,997
|
|
Plus
reinsurance recoverable
|
|
|
4,489
|
|
|
4,763
|
|
|
324
|
|
Balance
at December 31
|
|
$
|
125,338
|
|
$
|
77,564
|
|
$
|
26,321
|
|
The
$6.4 million, $1.2 million and $2.4 million favorable development
in prior
accident years recognized in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, represent
normal changes in our loss reserve estimates primarily attributable
to
favorable loss development in each of our segments. The loss reserve
estimates for prior years were decreased to reflect this favorable
loss
development when the available information indicated a reasonable
likelihood that the ultimate losses would be less than the previous
estimates.
|
F-23
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
5. |
Reinsurance:
|
We
reinsure a portion of the risk we underwrite in order to control the exposure
to
losses and to protect capital resources. We cede to reinsurers a portion of
these risks and pay premiums based upon the risk and exposure of the policies
subject to such reinsurance. Ceded reinsurance involves credit risk and is
generally subject to aggregate loss limits. Although the reinsurer is liable
to
us to the extent of the reinsurance ceded, we are ultimately liable as the
direct insurer on all risks reinsured. Reinsurance recoverables are reported
after allowances for uncollectible amounts. We monitor the financial condition
of reinsurers on an ongoing basis and review our reinsurance arrangements
periodically. Reinsurers are selected based on their financial condition,
business practices and the price of their product offerings.
The
following table presents our gross and net premiums written and earned and
reinsurance recoveries for each of the last three years:
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Premium
Written :
|
||||||||||
Direct
|
$
|
157,202
|
$
|
129,669
|
$
|
44,237
|
||||
Assumed
|
92,270
|
84,276
|
45,230
|
|||||||
Ceded
|
(11,329
|
)
|
(11,017
|
)
|
(1,215
|
)
|
||||
$
|
238,143
|
$
|
202,928
|
$
|
88,252
|
|||||
Premium
Earned:
|
||||||||||
Direct
|
$
|
151,276
|
$
|
97,082
|
$
|
23,747
|
||||
Assumed
|
86,804
|
65,134
|
35,885
|
|||||||
Ceded
|
(12,777
|
)
|
(10,155
|
)
|
(448
|
)
|
||||
$
|
225,303
|
$
|
152,061
|
$
|
59,184
|
|||||
Reinsurance
recoveries
|
$
|
3,862
|
$
|
5,225
|
$
|
(492
|
)
|
F-24
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Our
insurance company subsidiaries presently retain 100% of the risk associated
with
all non-standard personal automobile policies marketed by our Phoenix Operating
Unit. We currently reinsure the following exposures on business generated by
our
HGA Operating Unit, our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating
Unit:
·
|
Property
catastrophe.
Our property catastrophe reinsurance reduces the financial impact
a
catastrophe could have on our commercial property insurance lines.
Catastrophes might include multiple claims and policyholders. Catastrophes
include hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms, explosions,
severe winter weather and fires. Our property catastrophe reinsurance
is
excess-of-loss reinsurance, which provides us reinsurance coverage
for
losses in excess of an agreed-upon amount. We utilize catastrophe
models
to assist in determining appropriate retention and limits to purchase.
The
terms of our property catastrophe reinsurance, effective July 1,
2007,
are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $2.0 million of property catastrophe losses;
and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us 100% for each $1.00 of loss in excess of
our $2.0
million retention up to $28.0 million for each catastrophic occurrence,
subject to a maximum of two events for the contractual
term.
|
·
|
Commercial
property.
Our commercial property reinsurance is excess-of-loss coverage intended
to
reduce the financial impact a single-event or catastrophic loss may
have
on our results. The terms of our commercial property reinsurance,
effective July 1, 2007, are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $1.0 million of loss for each commercial property
risk;
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $5.0 million for each commercial
property risk; and
|
·
|
Individual
risk facultative reinsurance is purchased on any commercial property
with
limits above $6.0 million.
|
·
|
Commercial
casualty.
Our commercial casualty reinsurance is excess-of-loss coverage intended
to
reduce the financial impact a single-event loss may have on our results.
The terms of our commercial casualty reinsurance, effective July
1, 2007,
are:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $1.0 million of any commercial liability risk; and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $5.0 million for each commercial
liability risk.
|
·
|
Aviation.
We
purchase reinsurance specific to the aviation risks underwritten
by our
Aerospace Operating Unit. This reinsurance provides aircraft hull
and
liability coverage and airport liability coverage on a per occurrence
basis on the following terms:
|
·
|
We
retain the first $350,000 of each aircraft hull or liability loss
or
airport liability loss;
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers reimburse us for the next $1.15 million of each aircraft
hull
loss and for the next $650,000 of each airport liability loss;
and
|
·
|
Our
reinsurers provide additional reimbursement of $4.0 million for each
airport liability loss and aircraft liability loss, excluding passenger
liability.
|
6.
Notes
Payable:
On
June
21, 2005, an unconsolidated trust subsidiary completed a private placement
of
$30.0 million of 30-year floating rate trust preferred securities.
Simultaneously, we borrowed $30.9 million from the trust subsidiary and
contributed $30.0 million to one of our insurance company subsidiaries in order
to increase policyholder surplus. The note bears an initial interest rate of
7.725% until June 15, 2015, at which time interest will adjust quarterly to
the
three month LIBOR rate plus 3.25 percentage points. Under the terms of the
note,
we pay interest only each quarter and the principal of the note at maturity.
As
of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the note balance was $30.9 million.
On
January 27, 2006, we borrowed $15.0 million under our revolving credit facility
to fund the cash required to close the acquisition of the subsidiaries now
comprising our TGA Operating Unit. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the balance
on the revolving note was $2.8 million, which currently bears interest at 6.73%
per annum. Also included in notes payable as of December 31, 2007 and 2006
is
$1.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively, outstanding under PAAC’s revolving
credit facility, which also currently bears interest at 6.73% per annum. (See
Note 8.)
F-25
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
On
August
23, 2007, a newly formed unconsolidated trust subsidiary completed a private
placement of $25.0 million of 30-year floating trust preferred securities.
Simultaneously, we borrowed $25.8 million from the trust subsidiary for working
capital and general corporate purposes. The note bears an initial interest
rate
at 8.28% until September 15, 2017, at which time interest will adjust quarterly
to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 2.90 percentage points. Under the terms
of
the note, we pay interest only each quarter and the principal of the note at
maturity. As of December 31, 2007 the note balance was $25.8
million.
7. |
Structured
Settlements
|
In
connection with our acquisition of the subsidiaries now comprising our TGA
Operating Unit, we recorded a payable for future guaranteed payments of $25.0
million discounted at 4.4%, the rate of two-year U.S. Treasuries (the only
investment permitted on the trust account securing such future payments). As
of
December 31, 2007, the balance of the structured settlements was $10.0
million.
8. |
Credit
Facilities:
|
On
June
29, 2005, we entered into a credit facility with The Frost National Bank. The
credit facility was amended and restated on January 27, 2006 to a $20.0 million
revolving credit facility, with a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility.
The credit facility was further amended effective May 31, 2007 to increase
the
revolving credit facility to $25.0 million and establish a new $5.0 million
revolving credit sub-facility for the premium finance operations of PAAC. The
credit agreement was again amended effective February 20, 2008 to extend the
termination to January 27, 2010, revise various affirmative and negative
covenants and decrease the interest rate in most instances to the three month
Eurodollar rate plus 1.90 percentage points, payable quarterly in arrears.
We
pay letter of credit fees at the rate of 1.00% per annum. Our obligations under
the revolving credit facility are secured by a security interest in the capital
stock of all of our subsidiaries, guaranties of all of our subsidiaries and
the
pledge of substantially all of our assets. The revolving credit facility
contains covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain certain
financial and operating ratios and restrict certain distributions, transactions
and organizational changes. As of December 31, 2007, we were in compliance
with
all of our covenants.
PAAC
had
a $5.0 million revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank which
terminated June 30, 2007. This facility was replaced with the new $5.0 million
premium finance sub-facility with The Frost National Bank as discussed above.
As
of December 31, 2007, there was $1.3 million outstanding under this credit
facility.
9. |
Segment
Information:
|
We
pursue
our business activities through subsidiaries whose operations are organized
into
producing units and are supported by our insurance carrier subsidiaries. Our
non-carrier insurance activities are organized by producing units into the
following reportable segments:
·
|
Standard
Commercial Segment.
The Standard Commercial Segment includes the standard lines commercial
property/casualty insurance products and services handled by our
HGA
Operating Unit which is comprised of our American Hallmark Insurance
Services and ECM subsidiaries.
|
·
|
Specialty
Commercial Segment.
The Specialty Commercial Segment primarily includes the excess and
surplus
lines commercial property/casualty insurance products and services
handled
by our TGA Operating Unit and the general aviation insurance products
and
services handled by our Aerospace Operating Unit. The Specialty Commercial
Segment also includes a relatively small amount of non-strategic
legacy
personal lines insurance products handled by our TGA Operating Unit.
Our
TGA Operating Unit is comprised of our Texas General Agency, PAAC
and
TGARSI subsidiaries. Our Aerospace Operating Unit is comprised of
our
Aerospace Insurance Managers, ASRI and ACMG subsidiaries. All of
the
subsidiaries included in the Specialty Commercial Segment were acquired
effective January 1, 2006.
|
F-26
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
·
|
Personal
Segment.
The Personal Segment includes the non-standard personal automobile
insurance products and services handled by our Phoenix Operating
Unit
which is comprised of American Hallmark General Agency, Inc. and
Hallmark
Claims Services, Inc., both of which do business as Phoenix General
Agency.
|
The
retained premium produced by these reportable segments is supported by the
following insurance company subsidiaries:
·
|
American
Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas
presently retains all of the risks on the commercial property/casualty
policies marketed within the Standard Commercial Segment and assumes
a
portion of the risks on the commercial and aviation property/casualty
policies marketed within the Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
·
|
Hallmark
Specialty Insurance Company,
which was acquired effective January 1, 2006, presently assumes a
portion
of the risks on the commercial property/casualty policies marketed
within
the Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
·
|
Phoenix
Indemnity Insurance Company
presently assumes all of the risks on the non-standard personal automobile
policies marketed within the Personal Segment and assumes a portion
of the
risks on the aviation property/casualty products marketed within
the
Specialty Commercial Segment.
|
Effective
January 1, 2006, our insurance company subsidiaries entered into a pooling
arrangement which was subsequently amended on December 15, 2006 pursuant to
which AHIC retains 46.0% of the total net premiums written, PIIC retains 34.1%
of our total net premiums written and HSIC retains 19.9% of our total net
premiums written.
Prior
to
January 1, 2006, the Standard Commercial Segment was referred to as our
Commercial Insurance Operation and the Personal Segment was referred to as
our
Personal Insurance Operation. The retained premium produced by our operating
units prior to January 1, 2006 was supported by our AHIC and PIIC insurance
subsidiaries. Periods prior to January 1, 2006 do not include the operations
of
the Specialty Commercial Segment, all of which was acquired on January 1,
2006.
Each
of
our four operating units was reported as a separate segment during the first
three quarters of 2006. Commencing in the fourth quarter of 2006, our HGA
Operating Unit was designated as the sole component of the Standard Commercial
Segment, our TGA Operating Unit and our Aerospace Operating Unit were aggregated
in the Specialty Commercial Segment and our Phoenix Operating Unit was
designated as the sole component of the Personal Segment.
F-27
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
The
following is additional business segment information for the twelve months
ended
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (in thousands):
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
86,139
|
$
|
75,325
|
$
|
43,067
|
||||
Speciality
Commercial Segment
|
126,255
|
80,689
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
Segment
|
58,268
|
46,998
|
43,907
|
|||||||
Corporate
|
3,836
|
(271
|
)
|
61
|
||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
274,498
|
$
|
202,741
|
$
|
87,035
|
||||
Depreciation
Expense
|
||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
188
|
$
|
183
|
$
|
144
|
||||
Speciality
Commercial Segment
|
343
|
468
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
Segment
|
222
|
238
|
226
|
|||||||
Corporate
|
73
|
32
|
16
|
|||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
826
|
$
|
921
|
$
|
386
|
||||
Interest
Expense
|
||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Speciality
Commercial Segment
|
151
|
258
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
Segment
|
1
|
4
|
10
|
|||||||
Corporate
|
3,762
|
5,536
|
1,254
|
|||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
3,914
|
$
|
5,798
|
$
|
1,264
|
||||
Tax
Expense
|
||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
3,211
|
$
|
2,759
|
$
|
1,194
|
||||
Speciality
Commercial Segment
|
8,426
|
4,279
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
Segment
|
1,956
|
2,072
|
3,225
|
|||||||
Corporate
|
79
|
(3,976
|
)
|
(137
|
)
|
|||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
13,672
|
$
|
5,134
|
$
|
4,282
|
||||
Pre-tax
Income
|
||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
12,042
|
$
|
11,757
|
$
|
6,651
|
||||
Speciality
Commercial Segment
|
28,043
|
14,309
|
-
|
|||||||
Personal
Segment
|
7,523
|
8,760
|
11,647
|
|||||||
Corporate
|
(6,507
|
)
|
(20,501
|
)
|
(4,830
|
)
|
||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
41,101
|
$
|
14,325
|
$
|
13,468
|
F-28
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
9. |
Segment
Information,
continued
|
The
following is additional business segment information as of the following dates
(in thousands):
December
31,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Assets
|
|||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
$
|
211,428
|
$
|
133,697
|
|||
Specialty
Commercial Segment
|
229,138
|
162,441
|
|||||
Personal
Segment
|
100,986
|
71,754
|
|||||
Corporate
|
64,762
|
48,061
|
|||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
606,314
|
$
|
415,953
|
10. |
Earnings
Per Share
|
We
have
adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
“Earnings per Share,” (“SFAS 128”) requiring presentation of both basic and
diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators
of the basic and diluted per share calculations (in thousands, except per share
amounts) is presented below:
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Numerator
for both basic and diluted earnings per share:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
||||
Denominator,
basic shares
|
20,768
|
17,181
|
12,008
|
|||||||
Effect
of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||||
Stock
options
|
-
|
13
|
96
|
|||||||
Denominator,
diluted shares
|
20,768
|
17,194
|
12,104
|
|||||||
Basic
earnings (loss) per share:
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
||||
Diluted
earnings (loss) per share:
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
0.53
|
$
|
0.76
|
||||
Options
to purchase 109,166 shares of common stock priced at $11.34 were outstanding
at
December 31, 2006, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings
per share because the inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect in
the
period where the option exercise price exceeded the average market price per
share for the period.
11. |
Regulatory
Capital Restrictions:
|
AHIC,
as
a property/casualty insurance company domiciled in the State of Texas, is
limited in the payment of dividends in any 12-month period, without the prior
written consent of the Texas Department of Insurance, to the greater of
statutory net income for the prior calendar year or 10% of statutory
policyholders surplus as of the prior year end. Dividends may only be paid
from
unassigned surplus funds. PIIC, domiciled in Arizona, is limited in the payment
of dividends to the lesser of 10% of prior year policyholders surplus or prior
year's net investment income, without prior written approval from the Arizona
Department of Insurance. HSIC, domiciled in Oklahoma, is limited in the payment
of dividends to the greater of 10% of prior year policyholders surplus or prior
year's statutory net income, without prior written approval from the Oklahoma
Insurance Department. During 2008, our insurance company subsidiaries’ ordinary
dividend capacity is $16.3 million. None of our insurance company subsidiaries
paid a dividend to Hallmark during the year ended December 31, 2007 or 2006.
The
state
insurance departments also regulate financial transactions between our insurance
subsidiaries and their affiliated companies. Applicable regulations require
approval of management fees, expense sharing contracts and similar transactions.
Phoenix General Agency paid $1.9 million, $1.3 million and $1.8 million in
management fees to Hallmark during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. PIIC
paid
$1.2 million in management fees to Phoenix General Agency during each of 2007,
2006 and 2005. AHIC did not pay any management fees during 2007, 2006 or 2005.
HSIC did not pay any management fees during 2007 or 2006.
F-29
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Statutory
capital and surplus is calculated as statutory assets less statutory
liabilities. The various state insurance departments that regulate our insurance
company subsidiaries require us to maintain a minimum statutory capital and
surplus. As of December 31, 2007, our insurance company subsidiaries reported
statutory capital and surplus of $132.0 million, substantially greater than
the
minimum requirements for each state. For the year ended December 31, 2007,
our
insurance company subsidiaries reported statutory net income of $19.6 million.
The
National Association of Insurance Commissioners requires property/casualty
insurers to file a risk-based capital calculation according to a specified
formula. The purpose of the formula is twofold: (1) to assess the adequacy
of an
insurer’s statutory capital and surplus based upon a variety of factors such as
potential risks related to investment portfolio, ceded reinsurance and product
mix; and (2) to assist state regulators under the RBC for Insurers Model Act
by
providing thresholds at which a state commissioner is authorized and expected
to
take regulatory action. As of December 31, 2007, the adjusted capital under
the
risk-based capital calculation of each of our insurance company subsidiaries
substantially exceeded the minimum requirements.
12. |
Share-based
Payment Arrangements:
|
Our
2005
Long Term Incentive Plan (“2005 LTIP”) is a stock compensation plan for key
employees and non-employee directors that was approved by the shareholders
on
May 26, 2005. There are 833,333 shares authorized for issuance under the 2005
LTIP. Our 1994 Key Employee Long Term Incentive Plan (the “1994 Employee Plan”)
and 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Director Plan”) both
expired in 2004 but have unexercised options outstanding.
As
of
December 31, 2007, there were incentive stock options to purchase 717,499 shares
of our common stock outstanding under the 2005 LTIP, leaving 115,834 shares
reserved for future issuance. As of December 31, 2007, there were incentive
stock options to purchase 93,001 shares outstanding under the 1994 Employee
Plan
and non-qualified stock options to purchase 20,834 shares outstanding under
the
1994 Director Plan. In addition, as of December 31, 2007, there were outstanding
non-qualified stock options to purchase 16,666 shares of our common stock
granted to certain non-employee directors outside the 1994 Director Plan in
lieu
of fees for service on our board of directors in 1999. The exercise price of
all
such outstanding stock options is equal to the fair market value of our common
stock on the date of grant.
Incentive
stock options granted under the 1994 Employee Plan prior to October 31, 2003,
vest 40% six months from the date of grant and an additional 20% on each of
the
first three anniversary dates of the grant and terminate ten years from the
date
of grant. Incentive stock options granted under the 2005 LTIP and the 1994
Employee Plan after October 31, 2003, vest 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% on the first,
second, third and fourth anniversary dates of the grant, respectively, and
terminate five to ten years from the date of grant. Non-qualified stock options
granted under the 2005 LTIP vest 100% six months after the date of grant and
terminate ten years from the date of grant. All non-qualified stock options
granted under the 1994 Director Plan vest 40% six months from the date of grant
and an additional 10% on each of the first six anniversary dates of the grant
and terminate ten years from the date of grant. The options granted to
non-employee directors outside the Director Plan fully vested six months after
the date of grant and terminate ten years from the date of grant. We recognize
the compensation expense related to these option grants on a straight-line
basis
over the required service period for each separately vesting portion of the
award.
F-30
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
A
summary
of the status of our stock options as of and changes during the year-to-date
ended December 31, 2007 is presented below:
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
Remaining
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
Contractual
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
||||
|
|
Number
of
|
|
Exercise
|
|
Term
|
|
Value
|
|
||||
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
(Years)
|
|
($000)
|
|||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2007
|
332,334
|
$
|
7.04
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Granted
|
520,000
|
$
|
12.52
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Forfeited
or expired
|
4,334
|
$
|
5.08
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2007
|
848,000
|
$
|
10.41
|
7.9
|
$
|
4,620
|
|||||||
Exercisable
at December 31, 2007
|
176,250
|
$
|
6.54
|
4.7
|
$
|
1,643
|
The
following table details the intrinsic value of options exercised, total cost
of
share-based payments charged against income before income tax benefit and the
amount of related income tax benefit recognized in income for the periods
indicated (in thousands):
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Intrinsic
value of options exercised
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
162
|
$
|
260
|
||||
Cost
of share-based payments (non-cash)
|
$
|
527
|
$
|
157
|
$
|
63
|
||||
Income
tax benefit of share-based payments
|
||||||||||
recognized
in income
|
$
|
185
|
$
|
55
|
$
|
22
|
As
of
December 31, 2007, there was $2.6 million of total unrecognized compensation
cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under
our plans, of which $0.6 million is expected to be recognized in 2008, $0.8
million is expected to be recognized in each of 2009 and 2010 and $0.4 million
is expected to be recognized in 2011.
The
fair
value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of grant using
the
Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on
historical volatility of our common stock. The risk-free interest rates for
periods within the contractual term of the options are based on rates for U.S.
Treasury Notes with maturity dates corresponding to the options’ expected lives
on the dates of grant. The following table details the grant date fair value
and
related assumptions for the periods indicated:
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Grant
date fair value per share
|
$
|
4.04
|
$
|
6.26
|
$
|
4.01
|
||||
Expected
term
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
|||||||
Expected
volatility
|
19.4
|
%
|
59.1
|
%
|
62.5
|
%
|
||||
Risk
free interest rate
|
4.5
|
%
|
4.9
|
%
|
3.9
|
%
|
13. |
Retirement
Plans:
|
Certain
employees of the Standard Commercial Segment were participants in a defined
cash
balance plan covering all full-time employees who had completed at least 1,000
hours of service. This plan was frozen in March 2001 in anticipation of
distribution of plan assets to members upon plan termination. All participants
were vested when the plan was frozen.
The
following tables provide detail of the changes in benefit obligations,
components of benefit costs, weighted-average assumptions, and plan assets
for
the retirement plan as of and for the twelve months ending December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005 (in thousands) using a measurement date of December
31.
F-31
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Assumptions
(end of period):
|
||||||||||
Discount
rate used in determining benefit obligation
|
5.75
|
%
|
5.75
|
%
|
5.50
|
%
|
||||
Rate
of compensation increase
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|||||||
Reconciliation
of funded status (end of period):
|
||||||||||
Accumulated
benefit obligation
|
$
|
(12,053
|
)
|
$
|
(12,994
|
)
|
$
|
(12,959
|
)
|
|
Projected
benefit obligation
|
$
|
(12,053
|
)
|
$
|
(12,994
|
)
|
$
|
(12,959
|
)
|
|
Fair
value of plan assets
|
10,384
|
9,868
|
10,027
|
|||||||
Funded
status
|
$
|
(1,669
|
)
|
$
|
(3,126
|
)
|
$
|
(2,932
|
)
|
|
Net
actuarial loss
|
(1,752
|
)
|
(3,130
|
)
|
(2,847
|
)
|
||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(1,752
|
)
|
(3,130
|
)
|
(2,847
|
)
|
||||
Prepaid/(accrued)
pension cost
|
83
|
4
|
(85
|
)
|
||||||
Net
amount recognized as of December 31
|
$
|
(1,669
|
)
|
$
|
(3,126
|
)
|
$
|
(2,932
|
)
|
|
Changes
in projected benefit obligation:
|
||||||||||
Benefit
obligation as of beginning of period
|
$
|
12,994
|
$
|
12,959
|
$
|
13,081
|
||||
Interest
cost
|
720
|
720
|
724
|
|||||||
Actuarial
liability (gain)/loss
|
(749
|
)
|
198
|
352
|
||||||
Benefits
paid
|
(912
|
)
|
(883
|
)
|
(1,198
|
)
|
||||
Benefit
obligation as of end of period
|
$
|
12,053
|
$
|
12,994
|
$
|
12,959
|
||||
Change
in plan assets:
|
||||||||||
Fair
value of plan assets as of beginning of period
|
$
|
9,868
|
$
|
10,027
|
$
|
10,901
|
||||
Actual
return on plan assets (net of expenses)
|
1,073
|
321
|
192
|
|||||||
Employer
contributions
|
355
|
403
|
132
|
|||||||
Benefits
paid
|
(912
|
)
|
(883
|
)
|
(1,198
|
)
|
||||
Fair
value of plan assets as of end of period
|
$
|
10,384
|
$
|
9,868
|
$
|
10,027
|
||||
Net
periodic pension cost:
|
||||||||||
Service
cost - benefits earned during the period
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||
Interest
cost on projected benefit obligation
|
720
|
720
|
724
|
|||||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
(642
|
)
|
(633
|
)
|
(682
|
)
|
||||
Recognized
actuarial loss
|
199
|
227
|
81
|
|||||||
Net
periodic pension cost
|
$
|
277
|
$
|
314
|
$
|
123
|
||||
Discount
rate
|
5.75
|
%
|
5.50
|
%
|
5.75
|
%
|
||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
6.50
|
%
|
6.50
|
%
|
6.50
|
%
|
||||
Rate
of compensation increase
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
F-32
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Estimated
future benefit payments by fiscal year (in thousands):
|
||||
2008
|
$
|
892
|
||
2009
|
$
|
883
|
||
2010
|
$
|
881
|
||
2011
|
$
|
880
|
||
2012
|
$
|
878
|
||
2013-2017
|
$
|
4,362
|
As
of
December 31, 2007, the fair value of the plan assets was composed of cash and
cash equivalents of $0.2 million, bonds and notes of $3.6 million and equity
securities of $6.6 million.
Our
investment objectives are to preserve capital and to achieve long-term growth
through a favorable rate of return equal to or greater than 5% over the
long-term (60 year) average inflation rate as measured by the consumer price
index. The objective of the equity portion of the portfolio is to achieve a
return in excess of the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. The objective of the
fixed income portion of the portfolio is to add stability, consistency, safety
and total return to the total fund portfolio.
We
prohibit investments in options, futures, precious metals, short sales and
purchase on margin. We also restrict the investment in fixed income securities
to “A” rated or better by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating services and
restrict investments in common stocks to only those that are listed and actively
traded on one or more of the major United States stock exchanges, including
NASDAQ. We manage to an asset allocation of 45% to 75% in equity securities.
An
investment in any single stock issue is restricted to 5% of the total portfolio
value and 90% of the securities held in mutual or commingled funds must meet
the
criteria for common stocks.
To
develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, we consider
the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset
class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio. This
resulted in the selection of the 6.5% long-term rate of return on assets
assumption. To develop the discount rate used in determining the benefit
obligation we used Moody’s Aaa corporate bond yields at the measurement date to
match the timing and amounts of projected future benefits.
We
estimate contributing $0.8 million to the defined benefit cash balance plan
during 2008. We expect our 2008 periodic pension cost to be $0.1 million, the
components of which are interest cost of $0.7 million, expected return on plan
assets of ($0.7) million and amortization of actuarial loss of $0.1
million.
The
following table shows the weighted-average asset allocation for the defined
benefit cash balance plan held as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.
12/31/07
|
|
12/31/06
|
|||||
Asset
Category:
|
|||||||
Fixed
income securities
|
35
|
%
|
34
|
%
|
|||
Equity
securities
|
63
|
%
|
62
|
%
|
|||
Other
|
2
|
%
|
4
|
%
|
|||
Total
|
100
|
%
|
100
|
%
|
We
sponsor two defined contribution plans. Under these plans, employees may
contribute a portion of their compensation on a tax-deferred basis, and we
may
contribute a discretionary amount each year. We contributed $0.2 million, $0.3
million and $0.1 million for each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005, respectively.
F-33
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
14. |
Income
Taxes:
|
The
composition of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the related
tax
effects (in thousands) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, are as
follows:
|
|
2007
|
2006
|
|||||
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
|||||||
Deferred
policy acquisition costs
|
$
|
(6,915
|
)
|
$
|
(6,425
|
)
|
|
Profit
sharing commission
|
(-
|
)
|
(257
|
)
|
|||
Agency
relationship
|
(142
|
)
|
(151
|
)
|
|||
Intangible
assets
|
(8,182
|
)
|
(8,975
|
)
|
|||
Fixed
assets
|
(100
|
)
|
(166
|
)
|
|||
Purchase
discount
|
(2
|
)
|
(156
|
)
|
|||
Other
|
(242
|
)
|
(183
|
)
|
|||
Total
deferred tax liabilities
|
$
|
(15,583
|
)
|
$
|
(16,313
|
)
|
|
Deferred
tax assets:
|
|||||||
Unearned
premiums
|
$
|
7,197
|
$
|
6,398
|
|||
Deferred
ceding commissions
|
942
|
1,315
|
|||||
Amortization
of non-compete agreements
|
774
|
-
|
|||||
Pension
liability
|
584
|
1,096
|
|||||
Net
operating loss carry-forward
|
1,217
|
1,217
|
|||||
Unrealized
holding losses on investments
|
380
|
166
|
|||||
Allowance
for bad debt
|
-
|
9
|
|||||
Unpaid
loss and loss adjustment expense
|
3,280
|
2,030
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
929
|
1,083
|
|||||
Rent
reserve
|
57
|
80
|
|||||
Investment
impairments
|
408
|
242
|
|||||
Unearned
revenue
|
-
|
20
|
|||||
Capital
loss
|
-
|
410
|
|||||
Other
|
90
|
140
|
|||||
Total
deferred tax assets
|
$
|
15,858
|
$
|
14,206
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net
deferred tax asset (liability) before valuation allowance
|
275
|
(2,107
|
)
|
||||
Valuation
allowance
|
-
|
203
|
|||||
Net
deferred tax asset (liability)
|
$
|
275
|
$
|
(2,310
|
)
|
F-34
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
14. |
Income
Taxes,
continued:
|
A
reconciliation of the income tax provisions (in thousands)
based on the
statutory tax rate to the provision reflected in the consolidated
financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007,
2006 and 2005,
is as follows:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|||||
Computed
expected income tax expense
|
|
|
|
|||||||
at
statutory regulatory tax rate
|
$
|
14,385
|
$
|
5,014
|
$
|
4,579
|
||||
Meals
and entertainment
|
23
|
15
|
6
|
|||||||
Tax
exempt interest
|
(813
|
)
|
(507
|
)
|
(302
|
)
|
||||
Dividends
received deduction
|
(43
|
)
|
(9
|
)
|
(11
|
)
|
||||
State
taxes (net of federal benefit)
|
194
|
301
|
158
|
|||||||
Valuation
allowance
|
(203
|
)
|
203
|
-
|
||||||
Other
|
129
|
117
|
(148
|
)
|
||||||
Income
tax expense
|
$
|
13,672
|
$
|
5,134
|
$
|
4,282
|
||||
|
||||||||||
Current
income tax expense
|
$
|
15,153
|
$
|
11,663
|
$
|
2,139
|
||||
Deferred
tax expense (benefit)
|
(1,481
|
)
|
(6,529
|
)
|
2,143
|
|||||
Income
tax expense
|
$
|
13,672
|
$
|
5,134
|
$
|
4,282
|
Approximately
$0.1 million of the 2007 current income tax provision results from
tax
deductible goodwill from the PIIC acquisition.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
We
have available, for federal income tax purposes, unused net operating
loss
of approximately $3.5 million at December 31, 2007. The losses were
acquired as part of the PIIC acquisition and may be used to offset
future
taxable income. Utilization of the losses is limited under Internal
Revenue Code Section 382. The Internal Revenue Code has provided
that
effective with tax years beginning September 1997, the carry-back
and
carry-forward periods are 2 years and 20 years, respectively, with
respect
to newly generated operating losses. The net operating losses (in
thousands) will expire, if unused, as
follows:
|
Year
|
||||
2021
|
$
|
2,600
|
||
2022
|
878
|
|||
$
|
3,478
|
15. |
Commitments
and Contingencies:
|
We
have several leases, primarily for office facilities and computer
equipment, which expire in various years through 2011. Certain
of these
leases contain renewal options. Rental expense amounted to $2.1
million,
$1.9 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31,
2007, 2006
and 2005, respectively.
|
Future
minimum lease payments (in thousands) under non-cancelable operating
leases as of December 31, 2007 are as
follows:
|
Year
|
||||
2008
|
$
|
1,711
|
||
2009
|
1,074
|
|||
2010
|
840
|
|||
2011
|
284
|
|||
2012
|
-
|
|||
2013
and thereafter
|
-
|
|||
|
||||
Total
minimum lease payments
|
$
|
3,909
|
From
time
to time, assessments are levied on us by the guaranty association of the State
of Texas. Such assessments are made primarily to cover the losses of
policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurers. Since these assessments
can be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes paid, we capitalize
the assessments as they are paid and amortize the capitalized balance against
our premium tax expense. There were no assessments during 2007 or 2005. We
were
assessed $34 thousand in 2006.
F-35
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December
31, 2007
Payments
of license and maintenance fees for computer software presently under
development will become due after implementation and acceptance of various
software modules. We presently estimate that, if the software developer
satisfactorily performs, a total of $4.1 million will become due in
approximately equal amounts in 2009 through 2015.
16.
|
Concentrations
of Credit Risk:
|
We
maintain cash equivalents in accounts with seven financial institutions in
excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
We
monitor the financial stability of the depository institutions regularly and
do
not believe excessive risk of depository institution failure exists at December
31, 2007.
We
are
also subject to credit risk with respect to reinsurers to whom we have ceded
underwriting risk. Although a reinsurer is liable for losses to the extent
of
the coverage it assumes, we remain obligated to our policyholders in the event
that the reinsurers do not meet their obligations under the reinsurance
agreements. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, we
monitor the financial condition of reinsurers on an ongoing basis and review
our
reinsurance arrangements periodically. Most of our reinsurance recoverable
balance as of December 31, 2007 are with reinsurers that have an A.M. Best
rating of “A-“ or better.
Unaudited
Selected Quarterly Information
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q1
|
Q2
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
Q1
|
Q2
|
Q3
|
Q4
|
||||||||||||||||||
Total
revenue
|
$
|
63,958
|
$
|
68,736
|
$
|
72,218
|
$
|
69,586
|
$
|
44,520
|
$
|
47,187
|
$
|
56,365
|
$
|
54,669
|
|||||||||
Total
expense
|
56,245
|
55,804
|
62,409
|
58,939
|
40,991
|
50,969
|
48,733
|
47,723
|
|||||||||||||||||
Income
(loss) before tax
|
7,713
|
12,932
|
9,809
|
10,647
|
3,529
|
(
3,782
|
)
|
7,632
|
6,946
|
||||||||||||||||
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
2,743
|
4,117
|
3,227
|
3,585
|
1,103
|
(940
|
)
|
2,755
|
2,216
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income (loss)
|
$
|
4,970
|
$
|
8,815
|
$
|
6,582
|
$
|
7,062
|
$
|
2,426
|
($2,842
|
)
|
$
|
4,877
|
$
|
4,730
|
|||||||||
Basic
earnings per share:
|
$
|
0.24
|
$
|
0.42
|
$
|
0.32
|
$
|
0.34
|
$
|
0.17
|
($0.18
|
)
|
$
|
0.27
|
$
|
0.23
|
|||||||||
Diluted
earnings per share:
|
$
|
0.24
|
$
|
0.42
|
$
|
0.32
|
$
|
0.34
|
$
|
0.17
|
($0.18
|
)
|
$
|
0.27
|
$
|
0.23
|
F-36
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule
II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company
Only)
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
|
||||
BALANCE
SHEETS
|
||||
December
31, 2007 and 2006
|
||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Debt
securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
4,969
|
|||
Equity
securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
|
11,467
|
998
|
|||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
14,226
|
2,910
|
|||||
Restricted
cash
|
10,644
|
20,862
|
|||||
Investment
in subsidiaries
|
214,335
|
184,792
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable
|
-
|
184
|
|||||
Current
federal income tax receivable
|
-
|
1,920
|
|||||
Deferred
federal income taxes
|
289
|
-
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
2,651
|
2,201
|
|||||
$
|
253,612
|
$
|
218,836
|
||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Notes
payable
|
$
|
59,503
|
$
|
33,729
|
|||
Structured
settlements
|
10,000
|
24,587
|
|||||
Unpaid
losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
1
|
16
|
|||||
Current
federal income tax payable
|
724
|
-
|
|||||
Deferred
federal income taxes
|
-
|
101
|
|||||
Accounts
payable and other accrued expenses
|
4,197
|
9,672
|
|||||
74,425
|
68,105
|
||||||
Stockholders’
equity:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares;
|
|||||||
issued
20,776,080 shares in 2007 and 2006
|
3,740
|
3,740
|
|||||
Capital
in excess of par value
|
118,459
|
117,932
|
|||||
Retained
earnings
|
58,909
|
31,480
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
(1,844
|
)
|
(2,344
|
)
|
|||
Treasury
stock, 7,828 shares in 2007 and 2006, at cost
|
(77
|
)
|
(77
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
179,187
|
150,731
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and stockholder’s equity
|
$
|
253,612
|
$
|
218,836
|
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-37
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule
II (Continued) - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company
Only)
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
|
||||||||||
STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
|
||||||||||
for
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005
|
||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
||||||||||
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Investment
income, net of expenses
|
$
|
457
|
$
|
1,195
|
$
|
61
|
||||
Realized
gain (loss)
|
508
|
(3
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Management
fee income
|
7,205
|
9,413
|
4,830
|
|||||||
8,170
|
10,605
|
4,891
|
||||||||
Losses
and loss adjustment expenses
|
(15
|
)
|
(33
|
)
|
(65
|
)
|
||||
Other
operating costs and expenses
|
6,596
|
5,102
|
3,701
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
3,762
|
5,536
|
1,254
|
|||||||
Interest
expense from amortization of discount on
|
||||||||||
convertible
notes
|
-
|
9,625
|
-
|
|||||||
10,343
|
20,230
|
4,890
|
||||||||
Income
(loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries and
income
tax expense
|
(2,173
|
)
|
(9,625
|
)
|
1
|
|||||
Income
tax benefit
|
(653
|
)
|
(3,464
|
)
|
(137
|
)
|
||||
Income
(loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of
subsidiaries
|
(1,520
|
)
|
(6,161
|
)
|
138
|
|||||
Equity
in undistributed share of net earnings in subsidiaries
|
28,949
|
15,352
|
9,048
|
|||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-38
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule
II (Continued) - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company
Only)
HALLMARK
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
|
|||||
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOW
|
|||||
For
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and
2005
|
|||||
(In
thousands)
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
27,429
|
$
|
9,191
|
$
|
9,186
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to cash used in operating
activities:
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization expense
|
486
|
1,077
|
16
|
|||||||
Amortization
of discount on convertible notes
|
-
|
9,625
|
-
|
|||||||
Deferred
income tax expense (benefit)
|
170
|
(3,877
|
)
|
14
|
||||||
Change
in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
(15
|
)
|
(33
|
)
|
(65
|
)
|
||||
Undistributed
share of net earnings of subsidiaries
|
(28,949
|
)
|
(15,352
|
)
|
(9,048
|
)
|
||||
Recognized
investment losses (gains)
|
(508
|
)
|
3
|
-
|
||||||
Change
in accounts receivable
|
184
|
(184
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Change
in current federal income tax payable/recoverable
|
2,644
|
(2,413
|
)
|
(566
|
)
|
|||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payments
|
-
|
(25
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Change
in all other liabilities
|
(5,475
|
)
|
2,930
|
2,928
|
||||||
Change
in all other assets
|
209
|
699
|
(286
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
(3,825
|
)
|
1,641
|
2,179
|
||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(50
|
)
|
(206
|
)
|
(30
|
)
|
||||
Acquisition
of subsidiaries
|
-
|
(27,396
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Change
in restricted cash
|
10,218
|
(20,862
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Purchase
of fixed maturity and equity securities
|
(60,580
|
)
|
(24,747
|
)
|
(928
|
)
|
||||
Maturities
and redemptions of investment securities
|
55,453
|
19,989
|
-
|
|||||||
Capital
contributed to insurance company subsidiaries
|
-
|
-
|
(75,000
|
)
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
5,041
|
(53,222
|
)
|
(75,958
|
)
|
|||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Proceeds
from exercise of employee stock options
|
-
|
36
|
230
|
|||||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payments
|
-
|
25
|
-
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from borrowings
|
25,774
|
52,500
|
30,928
|
|||||||
Debt
issuance costs
|
(674
|
)
|
-
|
(907
|
)
|
|||||
Proceeds
from equity offerings
|
-
|
24,689
|
44,891
|
|||||||
Repayment
of borrowings
|
(15,000
|
)
|
(24,700
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
10,100
|
52,550
|
75,142
|
|||||||
Increase
in cash and cash equivalents
|
11,316
|
969
|
1,363
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
2,910
|
1,941
|
578
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of year
|
$
|
14,226
|
$
|
2,910
|
$
|
1,941
|
||||
Supplemental
cash flow information:
|
||||||||||
Interest
paid
|
$
|
(3,250
|
)
|
$
|
(4,417
|
)
|
$
|
(1,157
|
)
|
|
Income
taxes recovered (paid)
|
$
|
2,957
|
$
|
(2,516
|
)
|
$
|
(415
|
)
|
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-39
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Hallmark
Financial Services
|
||||||||||
Schedule
III - Supplementary Insurance Information
|
||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
Column
A
|
Column
B
|
|
Column
C
|
|
Column
D
|
|
Column
E
|
|
Column
F
|
|
Column
G
|
|
Column
H
|
|
Column
I
|
|
Column
J
|
|
Column
K
|
||||||||||||
Segment
|
|
Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Cost
|
|
Future
Policy
Benefits,
Losses,
Claims
and
Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
|
|
Unearned
Premiums
|
|
Other
Policy
Claims
and
Benefits
Payable
|
|
Premium
Revenue
|
|
Net
Investment
Income
|
|
Benefits,
Claims,
Losses
and
Settlement
Expenses
|
|
Amortization
of
Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
|
|
Other
Operating
Expenses
|
Premiums
Written
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal
Segment
|
$
|
2,436
|
$
|
19,939
|
$
|
10,991
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
53,505
|
$
|
1,717
|
$
|
35,969
|
$
|
11,459
|
$
|
15,291
|
$
|
55,916
|
|||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
8,019
|
81,417
|
42,664
|
-
|
83,382
|
5,304
|
48,480
|
23,006
|
25,869
|
84,222
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty
Commercial Segment
|
9,302
|
23,981
|
49,343
|
-
|
88,416
|
4,911
|
48,484
|
20,642
|
49,128
|
98,005
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,248
|
(15
|
)
|
-
|
6,596
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
19,757
|
$
|
125,338
|
$
|
102,998
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
225,303
|
$
|
13,180
|
$
|
132,918
|
$
|
55,107
|
$
|
96,884
|
$
|
238,143
|
|||||||||||
2006
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal
Segment
|
$
|
1,919
|
$
|
17,597
|
$
|
8,581
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
42,317
|
$
|
2,301
|
$
|
26,443
|
$
|
9,382
|
$
|
12,392
|
$
|
45,135
|
|||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
7,740
|
36,596
|
43,272
|
-
|
70,074
|
3,737
|
38,799
|
16,520
|
24,636
|
82,220
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty
Commercial Segment
|
7,486
|
23,355
|
39,753
|
-
|
39,670
|
3,228
|
21,908
|
6,651
|
49,432
|
75,573
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,195
|
(33
|
)
|
-
|
5,102
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
17,145
|
$
|
77,564
|
$
|
91,606
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
152,061
|
$
|
10,461
|
$
|
87,117
|
$
|
32,553
|
$
|
91,562
|
$
|
202,928
|
|||||||||||
2005
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal
Segment
|
$
|
1,318
|
$
|
16,457
|
$
|
5,762
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
37,433
|
$
|
2,283
|
$
|
21,239
|
$
|
11,626
|
$
|
10,839
|
$
|
37,003
|
|||||||||||
Standard
Commercial Segment
|
7,846
|
9,815
|
30,265
|
-
|
21,751
|
1,492
|
12,610
|
15,216
|
30,448
|
51,249
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate
|
-
|
49
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
61
|
(65
|
)
|
-
|
3,701
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
|
$
|
9,164
|
$
|
26,321
|
$
|
36,027
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
59,184
|
$
|
3,836
|
$
|
33,784
|
$
|
26,842
|
$
|
44,988
|
$
|
88,252
|
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-40
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Hallmark
Financial Services
|
||||||||||||||||
Schedule
IV - Reinsurance
|
||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Column
A
|
Column
B
|
Column
C
|
Column
D
|
Column
E
|
Column
F
|
|||||||||||
|
Gross
Amount
|
Ceded
to
Other
Companies
|
Assumed
From
Other
Companies
|
Net
Amount
|
Percentage
of
Amount
Assumed
to
Net
|
|||||||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance in force
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||
Premiums
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Accident
and health insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Property
and liability insurance
|
151,276
|
12,777
|
86,804
|
225,303
|
38.5
|
%
|
||||||||||
Title
Insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Total
premiums
|
$
|
151,276
|
$
|
12,777
|
$
|
86,804
|
$
|
225,303
|
38.5
|
%
|
||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2006
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance in force
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||
Premiums
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Accident
and health insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Property
and liability insurance
|
97,082
|
10,155
|
65,134
|
152,061
|
42.8
|
%
|
||||||||||
Title
Insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Total
premiums
|
$
|
97,082
|
$
|
10,155
|
$
|
65,134
|
$
|
152,061
|
42.8
|
%
|
||||||
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance in force
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||
Premiums
|
||||||||||||||||
Life
insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Accident
and health insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Property
and liability insurance
|
23,747
|
448
|
35,885
|
59,184
|
60.6
|
%
|
||||||||||
Title
Insurance
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Total
premiums
|
$
|
23,747
|
$
|
448
|
$
|
35,885
|
$
|
59,184
|
60.6
|
%
|
||||||
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-41
FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Hallmark
Financial Services
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule
VI - Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance
Operations
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Column
A
|
Column
B
|
Column
C
|
Column
D
|
Column
E
|
Column
F
|
Column
G
|
Column
H
|
Column
I
|
Column
J
|
Column
K
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims
and Claim Adjustment
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Expenses
Incurred Related to
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Affiliation
With
Registrant
|
Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
|
Reserves
for
Unpaid
Claims
and
Claim
Adjustment
Expenses
|
Discount
if
any,
Deducted
In
Column
C
|
Unearned
Premiums
|
Earned
Premiums
|
Net
Investment
Income
|
(1)
Current
Year
|
(2)
Prior
Years
|
Amortization
of
Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs
|
Paid
Claims
and
Claims
Adjustment
Expenses
|
Premiums
Written
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(a)
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
property-casualty
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Entities
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007
|
$
|
19,757
|
$
|
125,338
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
102,998
|
$
|
225,303
|
$
|
13,180
|
$
|
139,332
|
$
|
(6,414
|
)
|
$
|
55,107
|
$
|
84,870
|
$
|
238,143
|
|||||||||||
2006
|
$
|
17,145
|
$
|
77,564
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
91,606
|
$
|
152,061
|
$
|
10,461
|
$
|
88,294
|
$
|
(1,177
|
)
|
$
|
32,553
|
$
|
44,875
|
$
|
202,928
|
|||||||||||
2005
|
$
|
9,164
|
$
|
26,321
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
36,027
|
$
|
59,184
|
$
|
3,836
|
$
|
36,184
|
$
|
(2,400
|
)
|
$
|
26,842
|
$
|
25,487
|
$
|
88,252
|
See
accompanying report of independent registered public accounting
firm.
F-42