HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

(Mark One) Securities Exchange Act of 1934

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission file number 001-11252

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada	87-0447375
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas	75240

(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (817) 348-1600

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



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.18 par value	HALL	Nasdaq Global Market

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

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

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


Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒	Smaller reporting company ☒	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 15(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, par value $0.18 per share – 18,171,032 shares outstanding as of May 13, 2021.

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page Number

Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020	3
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020	7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in thousands, except par value)


		March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments:
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost; $344,232 in 2021 and $502,167 in 2020)	$	348,525	$	507,279
Equity securities (cost; $46,847 in 2021 and $26,988 in 2020)		53,621		29,388
Total investments		402,146		536,667

Cash and cash equivalents		281,849		102,580
Restricted cash		5,434		5,728
Ceded unearned premiums		134,206		138,926
Premiums receivable		109,799		120,332
Accounts receivable		4,625		5,967
Receivable for securities		1,382		913
Reinsurance recoverable		494,815		490,231
Deferred policy acquisition costs		16,386		17,840
Intangible assets, net		1,196		1,322
Federal income tax recoverable		23,855		25,642
Deferred federal income taxes, net		8,319		8,724
Prepaid expenses		6,679		2,648
Other assets		26,852		28,013
Total assets	$	1,517,543	$	1,485,533
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Senior unsecured notes due 2029 (less unamortized debt issuance cost of $820 in 2021 and $844 in 2020)	$	49,180	$	49,156
Subordinated debt securities (less unamortized debt issuance cost of $782 in 2021 and $795 in 2020)		55,920		55,907
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses		812,272		789,768
Unearned premiums		305,015		320,806
Reinsurance payable		51,673		46,700
Pension liability		1,749		1,859
Payable for securities		10,979		—
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses		51,003		50,415
Total liabilities		1,337,791		1,314,611
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.18 par value, authorized 33,333,333 shares; issued 20,872,831 shares in 2021 and 2020		3,757		3,757
Additional paid-in capital		122,725		122,893
Retained earnings		78,260		68,915
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(229)		383
Treasury stock (2,701,799 shares in 2021 and 2,730,673 in 2020), at cost		(24,761)		(25,026)
Total stockholders’ equity		179,752		170,922
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,517,543	$	1,485,533

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Gross premiums written	$	163,018	$	201,589
Ceded premiums written		(69,871)		(75,084)
Net premiums written		93,147		126,505
Change in unearned premiums		11,071		(2,572)
Net premiums earned		104,218		123,933

Investment income, net of expenses		3,010		4,458
Investment gains (losses), net		5,779		(29,330)
Finance charges		1,133		1,644
Commission and fees		260		324
Other income		19		19

Total revenues		114,419		101,048

Losses and loss adjustment expenses		70,903		93,405
Operating expenses		30,441		29,148
Interest expense		1,249		1,468
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets		—		45,996
Amortization of intangible assets		126		617

Total expenses		102,719		170,634

Income (loss) before tax		11,700		(69,586)
Income tax expense (benefit)		2,355		(5,276)
Net income (loss)		9,345		(64,310)

Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.52	$	(3.55)
Diluted	$	0.52	$	(3.55)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands)



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Net income (loss)	$	9,345	$	(64,310)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in net actuarial gain		43		34
Tax effect on change in net actuarial gain		(9)		(7)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		585		(6,987)
Tax effect on unrealized holding (gains) losses arising during the period		(123)		1,467
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (loss)		(1,403)		(5,636)
Tax effect on reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (loss)		295		1,184
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(612)		(9,945)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	8,733	$	(74,255)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Common Stock
Balance, beginning of period	$	3,757	$	3,757

Balance, end of period		3,757		3,757

Additional Paid-In Capital
Balance, beginning of period		122,893		123,468
Equity based compensation		97		(581)
Shares issued under employee benefit plans		(265)		(169)
Balance, end of period		122,725		122,718

Retained Earnings
Balance, beginning of period		68,915		160,570
Net income (loss)		9,345		(64,310)
Balance, end of period		78,260		96,260

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Balance, beginning of period		383		688
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax		34		27
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax		462		(5,520)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (loss), net of tax		(1,108)		(4,452)
Balance, end of period		(229)		(9,257)

Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning of period		(25,026)		(25,201)
Shares issued under employee benefit plans		265		169
Balance, end of period		(24,761)		(25,032)

Total Stockholders' Equity	$	179,752	$	188,446

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	9,345	$	(64,310)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense		830		1,377
Deferred federal income taxes expense (benefit)		568		(4,804)
Investment (gains) losses , net		(5,779)		29,330
Share-based payments expense (benefit)		97		(581)
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles		—		45,996
Change in ceded unearned premiums		4,720		12,925
Change in premiums receivable		10,533		8,068
Change in accounts receivable		1,342		474
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs		1,454		(2,593)
Change in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses		22,504		33,135
Change in unearned premiums		(15,791)		(10,353)
Change in reinsurance recoverable		(4,584)		(49,004)
Change in reinsurance balances		4,973		(1,321)
Change in federal income tax payable (recoverable)		1,787		(472)
Change in all other liabilities		515		(7,185)
Change in all other assets		(3,038)		(524)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		29,476		(9,842)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(64)		(433)
Purchases of investment securities		(27,829)		(144,398)
Maturities, sales and redemptions of investment securities		177,392		168,622
Net cash provided by investing activities		149,499		23,791
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		178,975		13,949
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		108,308		54,948
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	287,283	$	68,897

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

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Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. General

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (“Hallmark” and, together with subsidiaries, the “Company”, “we,” “us” or “our”) is an insurance holding company that, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Our business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing our insurance products, as well as providing other insurance related services.

We market, distribute, underwrite and service our property/casualty insurance products primarily through business units organized by products and distribution channels. Our business units are supported by our insurance company subsidiaries. Our Commercial Auto business unit offers primary and excess commercial vehicle insurance products and services; our E&S Casualty business unit offers primary and excess liability, excess public entity liability, E&S package and garage liability insurance products and services; our E&S Property business unit offers primary and excess commercial property insurance for both catastrophe and non-catastrophe exposures; our Professional Liability business unit offers healthcare and financial lines professional liability insurance products and services primarily for businesses, medical professionals, medical facilities and , through 2020, senior care facilities; and our Aerospace & Programs business unit offers general aviation and, until exited during 2020, satellite launch property/casualty insurance products and services, as well as certain specialty programs. Our Commercial Accounts business unit offers package and monoline property/casualty and, until exited in 2016, occupational accident insurance products. Our Specialty Personal Lines business unit offers non-standard personal automobile and renters insurance products and services. Our former Workers Compensation operating unit specialized in small and middle market workers compensation business until discontinued during 2015. Our insurance company subsidiaries supporting these business units are American Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas (“AHIC”), Hallmark Insurance Company (“HIC”), Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company (“HSIC”), Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company (“HCM”), Hallmark National Insurance Company (“HNIC”) and Texas Builders Insurance Company (“TBIC”).

These business units are segregated into three reportable industry segments for financial accounting purposes. The Specialty Commercial Segment includes our Commercial Auto business unit, E&S Casualty business unit, E&S Property business unit, Professional Liability business unit and Aerospace & Programs business unit. The Standard Commercial Segment consists of the Commercial Accounts business unit and the runoff from our former Workers Compensation operating unit. The Personal Segment consists solely of our Specialty Personal Lines business unit.

2. Basis of Presentation

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

The interim financial data as of March 31, 2021 and 2020 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim financial data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year.

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Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

Our preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, as well as our reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments” under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates are made at a point in time based on relevant market data as well as the best information available about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates for financial instruments for which no or limited observable market data is available are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, credit and interest rate risk. These estimates involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. As a result, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in a current sale or immediate settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique, including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: 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.

Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029: Our senior unsecured notes payable due in 2029 had a carrying value of $49.2 million and a fair value of $52.2 million as of March 31, 2021. Our senior unsecured notes payable would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value

Subordinated Debt Securities: Our trust preferred securities had a carrying value of $55.9 million and a fair value of $30.3 million as of March 31, 2021. Our trust preferred securities would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value.

For reinsurance balances, premiums receivable, federal income tax recoverable, other assets and other liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of such financial instruments.

Variable Interest Entities

On August 23, 2007, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $25.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust II used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $25.8 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust II, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust II.

We evaluate on an ongoing basis our investments in Trust I and Trust II (collectively the “Trusts”) and have determined that we do not have a variable interest in the Trusts. Therefore, the Trusts are not included in our consolidated financial statements.

We are also involved in the normal course of business with variable interest entities primarily as a passive investor in mortgage-backed securities and certain collateralized corporate bank loans issued by third-party variable interest

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entities. The maximum exposure to loss with respect to these investments is limited to the investment carrying values included in the consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred federal income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued updated guidance for the accounting for income taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in the existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The updated guidance is effective for the quarter ending March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financials position or liquidity.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impact associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 can be adopted as of March 12, 2020 and are effective through December 31, 2022. We do not currently have any contracts that have been changed to a new reference rate, but we will continue to evaluate our contracts and the effects of this standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements prior to adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and available-for-sale debt securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years of the Company beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 requires a modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial results and disclosures, but do not anticipate that any potential impact will be material.

3. Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In connection with its normal process for evaluating impairment triggering events, the Company determined that a significant decline in its market capitalization below its stockholders’ equity during the first quarter of 2020 indicated the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets included in its balance sheet. As a result, the Company took a $44.7 million charge to goodwill and a $1.3 million charge to indefinite-lived intangible assets during the first quarter of 2020. As of March 31, 2021 there was no goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles reported on our consolidated balance sheet.

4. Fair Value

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. ASC 820, among other things, requires us to maximize the use of observable

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inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. In addition, ASC 820 precludes the use of block discounts when measuring the fair value of instruments traded in an active market, which were previously applied to large holdings of publicly traded equity securities.

We determine the fair value of our financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820. In accordance with ASC 820, we utilize the following fair value hierarchy:

●

Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

●

Level 2: inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, inputs of identical assets for less active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument; and

●

Level 3: inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable for the asset or liability.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

Under ASC 820, we determine fair value based on the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy described above. Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable market data are calculated based upon our pricing policy, the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors as appropriate. These estimated fair values may not be realized upon actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.

Where quoted prices are available on active exchanges for identical instruments, investment securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 investment securities include equity securities.

Level 2 investment securities include corporate bonds, collateralized corporate bank loans, municipal bonds, U.S. Treasury securities, other obligations of the U.S. Government and mortgage-backed securities for which quoted prices are not available on active exchanges for identical instruments. We use third-party pricing services to determine fair values for each Level 2 investment security in all asset classes. Since quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are not available, these prices are determined using observable market information such as quotes from less active markets and/or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, among other things. We have reviewed the processes used by the pricing services and have determined that they result in fair values consistent with the requirements of ASC 820 for Level 2 investment securities. We have not adjusted any prices received from third-party pricing sources. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 securities.

In cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, investment securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 3 investments are valued based on the best available data in order to approximate fair value. This data may be internally developed and consider risk premiums that a market participant would require. Investment securities classified within Level 3 include other less liquid investment securities.

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The following table presents, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


	As of March 31, 2021
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets for
	Identical Assets		Other Observable		Unobservable
	(Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		Total
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	—	$	45,407	$	—	$	45,407
Corporate bonds		—		191,186		354		191,540
Corporate bank loans		—		59,600		—		59,600
Municipal bonds		—		48,588		—		48,588
Mortgage-backed		—		3,390		—		3,390
Total debt securities		—		348,171		354		348,525
Total equity securities		53,621		—		—		53,621
Total investments	$	53,621	$	348,171	$	354	$	402,146


	As of December 31, 2020
	Quoted Prices in
	Active Markets for
	Identical Assets		Other Observable		Unobservable
	(Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		Total
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	—	$	179,746	$	—	$	179,746
Corporate bonds		—		219,020		348		219,368
Corporate bank loans		—		52,782		—		52,782
Municipal bonds		—		50,539		—		50,539
Mortgage-backed		—		4,844		—		4,844
Total debt securities		—		506,931		348		507,279
Total equity securities		29,388		—		—		29,388
Total investments	$	29,388	$	506,931	$	348	$	536,667

Due to significant unobservable inputs into the valuation model for one corporate bond as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we classified this investment as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The corporate bond is a convertible senior note and its fair value was estimated by the sum of the bond value using an income approach discounting the scheduled interest and principal payments and the conversion feature utilizing a binomial lattice model.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value for all financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):


Beginning balance as of January 1, 2021	$	348
Sales		—
Settlements		—
Purchases		—
Issuances		—
Total realized/unrealized losses included in net income		6
Net gain included in other comprehensive income		—
Transfers into Level 3		—
Transfers out of Level 3		—
Ending balance as of March 31, 2021	$	354

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Beginning balance as of January 1, 2020	$	339
Sales		—
Settlements		—
Purchases		—
Issuances		—
Total realized/unrealized gains included in net loss		(61)
Net gains included in other comprehensive loss		—
Transfers into Level 3		—
Transfers out of Level 3		—
Ending balance as of March 31, 2020	$	278

5. Investments

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt and equity securities by category is as follows (in thousands):


			Gross		Gross
		Amortized Cost/	Unrealized		Unrealized
	Carrying Value		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
As of March 31, 2021
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	45,088	$	320	$	(1)	$	45,407
Corporate bonds		187,405		4,258		(123)		191,540
Corporate bank loans		60,330		7		(737)		59,600
Municipal bonds		48,027		607		(46)		48,588
Mortgage-backed		3,382		70		(62)		3,390
Total debt securities		344,232		5,262		(969)		348,525
Total equity securities		46,847		8,974		(2,200)		53,621
Total investments	$	391,079	$	14,236	$	(3,169)	$	402,146


				Gross		Gross
		Amortized Cost/		Unrealized		Unrealized
As of December 31, 2020		Carrying Value		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	179,259	$	487	$	—	$	179,746
Corporate bonds		214,666		5,086		(384)		219,368
Corporate bank loans		53,650		3		(871)		52,782
Municipal bonds		49,833		756		(50)		50,539
Mortgage-backed		4,759		114		(29)		4,844
Total debt securities		502,167		6,446		(1,334)		507,279
Total equity securities		26,988		5,648		(3,248)		29,388
Total investments	$	529,155	$	12,094	$	(4,582)	$	536,667

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Major categories of net investment gains (losses) on investments are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Corporate bonds	$	197	$	55
Corporate bank loans		51		(148)
Municipal bonds		(9)		1,420
Equity securities		1,164		4,309
Gain on investments		1,403		5,636
Unrealized (losses) gains on other investments		—		(2,001)
Unrealized gain (losses) on equity investments		4,376		(32,965)
Investment gains (losses), net	$	5,779	$	(29,330)

We realized gross gains on investments of $1.5 million and $20.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We realized gross losses on investments of $0.1 million and $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We recorded proceeds from the sale of investment securities of $1.2 million and $100.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively. Realized investment gains and losses are recognized in operations on the first in-first out method.

The following schedules summarize the gross unrealized losses showing the length of time that investments have been continuously in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


	As of March 31, 2021
	12 months or less				Longer than 12 months				Total
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
	Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	2,950	$	(1)	$	—	$	—	$	2,950	$	(1)
Corporate bonds		1,819		(5)		3,244		(118)		5,063		(123)
Corporate bank loans		22,011		(104)		25,118		(633)		47,129		(737)
Municipal bonds		2,720		(27)		1,464		(19)		4,184		(46)
Mortgage-backed		368		(57)		13		(5)		381		(62)
Total debt securities		29,868		(194)		29,839		(775)		59,707		(969)
Total equity securities		8,118		(635)		6,538		(1,565)		14,656		(2,200)
Total investments	$	37,986	$	(829)	$	36,377	$	(2,340)	$	74,363	$	(3,169)


	As of December 31, 2020
	12 months or less				Longer than 12 months				Total
			Unrealized				Unrealized				Unrealized
	Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses		Fair Value		Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Corporate bonds		7,801		(186)		3,556		(198)		11,357		(384)
Corporate bank loans		45,233		(559)		4,144		(312)		49,377		(871)
Municipal bonds		2,859		(33)		1,154		(17)		4,013		(50)
Mortgage-backed		635		(25)		14		(4)		649		(29)
Total debt securities		56,528		(803)		8,868		(531)		65,396		(1,334)
Total equity securities		9,572		(1,610)		1,848		(1,638)		11,420		(3,248)
Total investments	$	66,100	$	(2,413)	$	10,716	$	(2,169)	$	76,816	$	(4,582)

We had a total of 90 debt securities with an unrealized loss, of which 49 were in an unrealized loss position for less than one year and 41 were in an unrealized loss position for a period of one year or greater, as of March 31, 2021. We held a total of 81 debt securities with an unrealized loss, of which 64 were in an unrealized loss position for less than one year and 17 were in an unrealized loss position for a period of one year or greater, as of December 31, 2020. We consider these losses as a temporary decline in value as they are predominately on securities that we do not intend to sell and do not

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believe we will be required to sell prior to recovery of our amortized cost basis. The gross unrealized losses on the debt security positions at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were due predominately to market and interest rate fluctuations and we see no other indications that the decline in values of these securities is other-than-temporary.

Based on evidence gathered through our normal credit evaluation process, we presently expect that all debt securities held in our investment portfolio will be paid in accordance with their contractual terms. Nonetheless, it is at least reasonably possible that the performance of certain issuers of these debt securities will be worse than currently expected resulting in future write-downs within our portfolio of debt securities.

We complete a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether any decline in the fair value of any debt security below cost is deemed other-than-temporary. All debt securities with an unrealized loss are reviewed. We recognize an impairment loss when a debt security’s value declines below cost, adjusted for accretion, amortization and previous other-than-temporary impairments and it is determined that the decline is other-than-temporary. We did not recognize any impairment loss on debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020.

Debt Investments: We assess whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, a fixed maturity investment before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current period credit losses. For fixed maturity investments that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired and that we do not intend to sell and will not be required to sell, we separate the amount of the impairment into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component) and the amount due to all other factors. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows. The remaining difference between the investment’s fair value and the present value of future expected cash flows is recognized in other comprehensive income. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020 we did not dispose of any previously impaired securities.

Equity Investments: Equity investments that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method of accounting with readily determinable fair values are not required to be evaluated for other-than-temporary-impairment.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at March 31, 2021 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.


	Amortized Cost		Fair Value

	(in thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	150,383	$	151,762
Due after one year through five years		140,739		143,504
Due after five years through ten years		32,369		32,165
Due after ten years		17,359		17,704
Mortgage-backed		3,382		3,390
	$	344,232	$	348,525

6. Pledged Investments

We have pledged certain of our securities for the benefit of various state insurance departments and reinsurers. These securities are included with our available-for-sale debt securities because we have the ability to trade these securities. We retain the interest earned on these securities. These securities had a carrying value of $20.9 million and $29.7 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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7. Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Year to-date activity in the consolidated reserves for unpaid losses and LAE is summarized as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,		March 31,
	2021		2020
Balance at January 1	$	789,768	$	620,355
Less reinsurance recoverable		349,585		272,604
Net balance at January 1		440,183		347,751

Incurred related to:
Current year		72,989		84,846
Prior years		(2,086)		8,559
Total incurred		70,903		93,405

Paid related to:
Current year		7,067		14,525
Prior years		52,360		80,888
Total paid		59,427		95,413

Net balance at March 31		451,659		345,743
Plus reinsurance recoverable		360,613		307,747
Balance at March 31	$	812,272	$	653,490

The year to date impact from the (favorable) unfavorable net prior years’ loss development on each reporting segment is presented below:


	March 31,
	2021		2020
Specialty Commercial Segment	$	(1,899)	$	3,153
Standard Commercial Segment		(1,361)		125
Personal Segment		1,174		5,281
Corporate		—		—
Total (favorable) unfavorable net prior year development	$	(2,086)	$	8,559

The following describes the primary factors behind each segment’s prior accident year reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:

Three months ended March 31, 2021:

●

Specialty Commercial Segment. Our Commercial Auto business unit experienced net favorable development in the 2020 and 2019 accident years both in the primary and excess commercial automobile liability lines of business, partially offset by net unfavorable development in the excess commercial automobile lines of business in the 2018, 2017 and 2016 accident years. Our E&S Casualty business unit experienced net unfavorable development primarily in our primary liability line of business in the 2018 and prior accident years, partially offset by net favorable development in the 2019 accident year. We experienced net favorable development in our E&S Property, Professional Liability and Aerospace & Programs business units.

●

Standard Commercial Segment. Our Commercial Accounts business unit experienced net favorable development for all lines of business in total, primarily due to net favorable development in our commercial property lines of business in accident year 2020, partially offset by net unfavorable

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development in the general liability lines of business in accident years 2020 and 2017. The run-off from our former Workers Compensation operating unit experienced net favorable development in the 2014 and prior accident years.

●

Personal Segment. Net unfavorable development in our Specialty Personal Lines business unit was attributable to the 2020 and prior accident years. The net development during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was driven predominately by unfavorable development attributable to the 2020, 2019 and 2017 accident years.

Three months ended March 31, 2020:

●

Specialty Commercial Segment. Our Commercial Auto business unit experienced net unfavorable development in the 2017 and prior accident years primarily in the primary commercial automobile liability line of business, partially offset by net favorable development in the primary and excess commercial automobile lines of business in the 2019 and 2018 accident years. Our E&S Casualty business unit experienced net unfavorable development primarily in our primary liability line of business and our E&S package insurance products in the 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2013 and prior accident years, partially offset by net favorable development in the 2019, 2018 and 2014 accident years. We experienced net favorable development in our E&S Property and Professional Liability business units, partially offset by net unfavorable development in our Aerospace & Programs business unit.

●

Standard Commercial Segment. Our Commercial Accounts business unit experienced net unfavorable development primarily in the general liability line of business in the 2018, 2016, 2015 and 2013 and prior accident years, partially offset by net favorable development in the 2019, 2017 and 2014 accident years primarily in the general liability line of business. Our Commercial Accounts business unit experienced net favorable development in the 2015 accident year, partially offset by net unfavorable development in the 2014 accident year in the occupational accident line of business. The run-off from our former Workers Compensation operating unit experienced net favorable development in the 2013 and prior accident years.

●

Personal Segment. Net unfavorable development in our Specialty Personal Lines business unit was mostly attributable to the 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 accident years, partially offset by favorable development in the 2015 and 2013 and prior accident years. The net development for the first quarter of 2020 was driven predominately by unfavorable development attributable to more recent treaty years where we retain a greater portion of the claims.

8. 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 initially approved by the shareholders on May 26, 2005 and expired by its terms on May 27, 2015. As of March 31, 2021, there were no outstanding incentive stock options and outstanding non-qualified stock options to purchase 14,157 shares of our common stock. 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.

Our 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2015 LTIP”) was approved by shareholders on May 29, 2015. There are 2,000,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 LTIP. As of March 31, 2021, restricted stock units representing the right to receive up to 103,575 shares of our common stock were outstanding under the 2015 LTIP. There were no stock option awards granted under the 2015 LTIP as of March 31, 2021.

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Stock Options:

A summary of the status of our stock options as of March 31, 2021 and changes during the three months then ended is presented below:


				Average
				Remaining	Aggregate
	Number of	Weighted Average		Contractual	Intrinsic Value
	Shares	Exercise Price		Term (Years)	($000)
Outstanding at January 1, 2021	14,157	$	6.99
Granted	—	$	—
Exercised	—	$	—
Forfeited or expired	—	$	—
Outstanding at March 31, 2021	14,157	$	6.99	0.8	$	—
Exercisable at March 31, 2021	14,157	$	6.99	0.8	$	—

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):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	—	$	—
Cost of share-based payments (non-cash)	$	—	$	—
Income tax benefit of share-based payments recognized in income	$	—	$	—

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under our plans which is expected to be recognized in the future.

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 the historical volatility of Hallmark’s and similar companies’ common stock for a period equal to the expected term. 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. Expected term is determined based on the simplified method as we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a basis for estimating the expected term. There were no stock options granted during the first three months of 2021 or 2020.

Restricted Stock Units:

Restricted stock units awarded under the 2015 LTIP represent the right to receive shares of common stock upon the satisfaction of vesting requirements, performance criteria and other terms and conditions. Restricted stock units vest and shares of common stock become issuable on March 31 of the third calendar year following the year of grant if performance criteria have been satisfied.

The performance criteria for all restricted stock units require that we achieve certain compound average annual growth rates in book value per share as well as certain average combined ratio percentages over the vesting period in order to receive shares of common stock in amounts ranging from 50% to 150% of the number of restricted stock units granted. Grantees of restricted stock units do not have any rights of a stockholder, and do not participate in any distributions to our common stockholders, until the award fully vests upon satisfaction of the vesting schedule, performance criteria and other conditions set forth in their award agreement. Therefore, unvested restricted stock units are not considered participating securities under ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share” (Topic 260), and are not included in the calculation of basic or diluted earnings per share.

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Compensation cost is measured as an amount equal to the fair value of the restricted stock units on the date of grant and is expensed over the vesting period if achievement of the performance criteria is deemed probable, with the amount of the expense recognized based on our best estimate of the ultimate achievement level. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted in 2017, 2018 and 2019 was $10.20, $10.87 and $18.10 per unit, respectively. We incurred compensation expense (benefit) of $97 thousand and ($581) thousand related to restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We recorded income tax benefit (expense) of $20 thousand and ($122) thousand related to restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The following table details the status of our restricted stock units as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:



	Number of Restricted Stock Units
	2021	2020
Nonvested at January 1	228,827	353,491
Granted	—	—
Vested	(28,874)	(18,403)
Forfeited	(130,903)	(93,225)
Nonvested at March 31	69,050	241,863

As of March 31, 2021, there was $0.5 million of unrecognized grant date compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units assuming compensation cost accrual at target achievement level. Based on the current performance estimate, we expect to recognize $0.2 million of compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units, of which $0.1 million is expected to be recognized during the remainder of 2021 and $0.1 million is expected to be recognized in 2022.

9. Segment Information

The following is business segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues
Specialty Commercial Segment	$	71,965	$	92,120
Standard Commercial Segment		17,688		17,636
Personal Segment		18,959		22,323
Corporate		5,807		(31,031)
Consolidated	$	114,419	$	101,048

Pre-tax income (loss)
Specialty Commercial Segment	$	11,821	$	16,292
Standard Commercial Segment		366		716
Personal Segment		(1,623)		(5,655)
Corporate		1,136		(80,939)
Consolidated	$	11,700	$	(69,586)

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The following is additional business segment information as of the dates indicated (in thousands):


	March 31,		December 31,
Assets:	2021		2020
Specialty Commercial Segment	$	1,117,546	$	1,104,953
Standard Commercial Segment		198,785		183,689
Personal Segment		138,897		133,310
Corporate		62,315		63,581
Consolidated	$	1,517,543	$	1,485,533

10. 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. In order to mitigate credit risk to reinsurance companies, most of our reinsurance recoverable balance as of March 31, 2021 was with reinsurers that had an A.M. Best rating of “A–” or better. We also mitigate our credit risk for the remaining reinsurance recoverable by obtaining letters of credit.

The following table shows earned premiums ceded and reinsurance loss recoveries by period (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020

Ceded earned premiums	$	74,591	$	88,009
Reinsurance recoveries	$	60,475	$	83,594

Loss Portfolio Transfer

On July 16, 2020, AHIC, HIC, HSIC, HCM and HNIC (collectively, the “Hallmark Insurers”), entered into a Loss Portfolio Transfer Reinsurance Contract to be effective as of January 1, 2020 (the “LPT Contract”) with DARAG Bermuda Ltd. (“DARAG Bermuda”) and DARAG Insurance (Guernsey) Limited (“DARAG Guernsey” and, collectively, the “Reinsurers”). The LPT Contract was consummated on July 31, 2020. The Company recorded a $21.7 million pre-tax loss during the third quarter of 2020 attributable to the closing of the LPT Contract.

Pursuant to the LPT Contract, (a) the Hallmark Insurers ceded to the Reinsurers all existing and future claims for losses occurring on or prior to December 31, 2019 on the binding primary commercial automobile liability insurance policies and the brokerage primary commercial automobile liability insurance policies issued by the Hallmark Insurers (the “Subject Business”) up to an aggregate limit of $240.0 million, with (i) the first layer of $151.2 million in reinsurance provided by DARAG Bermuda, (ii) the Hallmark Insurers retaining a loss corridor of the next $24.9 million in losses on the Subject Business, (iii) DARAG Bermuda reinsuring a second layer of $27.8 million above the first layer and the Hallmark Insurers’ loss corridor, and (iv) DARAG Guernsey reinsuring the top layer of $36.1 million in losses on the Subject Business, in each case net of third-party reinsurance and other recoveries; (b) the Hallmark Insurers will continue to manage and retain the benefit of other third-party reinsurance on the Subject Business; and (c) the Hallmark Insurers paid the Reinsurers a net reinsurance premium of $92.6 million. In connection with the closing, the parties also entered into a Services Agreement and a Trust Agreement. Pursuant to the Services Agreement, DARAG Bermuda assumed responsibility for certain administrative services, including claims handling, for the Subject Business. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, the Reinsurers made initial cash deposits in the aggregate amount of $96.7 million into collateral trust

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accounts with The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, to be held as security for the Reinsurers’ obligations to the Hallmark Insurers under the LPT Contract.

As of March 31, 2021, the ultimate incurred losses from the subject business were $182.8 million or $6.7 million in excess of the Hallmark Insurers’ loss corridor. Our reinsurance recoverables of $494.4 million include $54.7 million related to the LPT Contract as of March 31, 2021.

11. Subordinated Debt Securities

We issued trust preferred securities through Trust I and Trust II. These Delaware statutory trusts are sponsored and wholly-owned by Hallmark and each was created solely for the purpose of issuing the trust preferred securities. Each trust pays dividends on its preferred securities at the same rate each quarter as interest is paid on the junior subordinated debt securities. Under the terms of the junior subordinated debt securities, we pay interest only each quarter and the principal of each note at maturity. The subordinated debt securities of each trust are uncollateralized and do not require maintenance of minimum financial covenants.

The following table summarizes the nature and terms of the junior subordinated debt and trust preferred securities:


		Hallmark		Hallmark
		Statutory		Statutory
		Trust I		Trust II

Issue date		June 21, 2005		August 23, 2007
Principal amount of trust preferred securities	$	30,000	$	25,000
Principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities	$	30,928	$	25,774
Maturity date of junior subordinated debt securities		June 15, 2035		September 15, 2037
Trust common stock	$	928	$	774
Interest rate, per annum		Three Month LIBOR + 3.25%		Three Month LIBOR + 2.90%
Current interest rate at March 31, 2021		3.43%		3.08%

12. Senior Unsecured Notes

On August 19, 2019, Hallmark issued $50.0 million of senior unsecured notes (“Notes”) due August 15, 2029. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 6.25% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears commencing February 15, 2020. The Notes are not obligations of or guaranteed by any of Hallmark’s subsidiaries and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. At Hallmark’s option, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, prior to the stated maturity subject to certain provisions intended to make the holders of the Notes whole on scheduled interest and principal payments. The indenture governing the Notes contains covenants which, among other things, restrict Hallmark’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make certain payments, create liens on the stock of certain subsidiaries, dispose of certain assets, or merge or consolidate with other entities. The terms of the indenture prohibit payments or other distributions on any security of the Company that ranks junior to the Notes when the Company’s debt to capital ratio (as defined in the indenture) is greater than 35%. The Company’s debt to capital ratio was 37% as of March 31, 2021.

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13. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The following table shows total deferred and amortized policy acquisition cost activity by period reported in operating expenses (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020

Deferred	$	(15,103)	$	(15,981)
Amortized		16,557		13,388
Net	$	1,454	$	(2,593)

14. Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the periods indicated (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021	2020

Weighted average shares - basic	18,142	18,123
Effect of dilutive securities	—	—
Weighted average shares - assuming dilution	18,142	18,123

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, 14,157 shares of common stock potentially issuable upon the exercise of employee stock options were excluded from the weighted average number of shares outstanding on a diluted basis because the effect of such options would be anti-dilutive.

15. Net Periodic Pension Cost

The following table details the net periodic pension cost incurred by period (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Interest cost	$	68	$	89
Amortization of net loss		43		35
Expected return on plan assets		(177)		(171)
Net periodic pension cost	$	(66)	$	(47)
Contributed amount	$	—	$	—

Refer to Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for more discussion of our retirement plans.

16. Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 20.1% and 7.6%, respectively. The effective rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 varied from the statutory tax rates primarily due to tax exempt interest income. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 varied from the statutory tax rates primarily due to the non-deductible impairment of goodwill. We concluded that no valuation allowance was necessary against our deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

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17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheet to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows (in thousands):


	As of March 31,
	2021		2020

Cash and cash equivalents	$	281,849	$	67,165
Restricted cash		5,434		1,732
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	287,283	$	68,897

Restricted cash represents amounts required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a third-party insurer and amounts pledged for the benefit of various state insurance departments.

The following table provides supplemental cash flow information for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020


Interest paid	$	1,576	$	2,241

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:

Receivable for securities related to investment disposals	$	1,382	$	16,282

Payable for securities related to investment purchases	$	10,979	$	104

18. Commitments and Contingencies

On May 5, 2020, a lawsuit styled Schulze v. Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., et al. (Case No. 3:20-cv-01130) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division (the “Schulze Matter”). The Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and its former Chief Financial Officer are named defendants in the lawsuit brought on behalf of a putative class of shareholders who acquired Hallmark securities between March 5, 2019 and March 17, 2020. In general, the complaint alleges that the defendants violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by failing to disclose that (a) the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting related to its reserves for unpaid losses, (b) the Company improperly accounted for reserves for unpaid losses, (c) the Company would be forced to report $63.8 million of prior year net adverse loss development, (d) the Company would exit the contract binding line of its commercial automobile primary insurance business, and by making positive statements about the Company’s business, operations and prospects that were allegedly materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On July 21, 2020, the court appointed Rajeev Yalamanchili as Lead Plaintiff. Lead Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint on September 30, 2020. The litigation is in its initial stages. The Company’s current policy is to expense legal costs as incurred. Historically, the Company has not carried director and officer liability insurance and does not currently hold such a policy.

As of March 31, 2021, we were engaged in various other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, in the opinion of management. The various other legal proceedings to which we were a party are routine in nature and incidental to our business.

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From time to time, assessments are levied on us by the guaranty association of the states where we offer our insurance products. Such assessments are made primarily to cover the losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurers. Since these assessments can generally be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes paid, we capitalize the assessments that can be recovered as they are paid and amortize the capitalized balance against our premium tax expense. We did not pay an assessment during the first three months of 2021 or 2020.

19. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balances

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income balances as of March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):


					Accumulated Other
	Pension		Unrealized		Comprehensive
	Liability		Gains (Loss)		Income (Loss)
Balance at January 1, 2020	$	(3,239)	$	3,927	$	688
Other comprehensive loss:
Change in net actuarial gain		34		—		34
Tax effect on change in net actuarial gain		(7)		—		(7)
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period		—		(6,987)		(6,987)
Tax effect on unrealized holdings losses arising during the period		—		1,467		1,467
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		(5,636)		(5,636)
Tax effect on reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		1,184		1,184
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		27		(9,972)		(9,945)

Balance at March 31, 2020	$	(3,212)	$	(6,045)	$	(9,257)

Balance at January 1, 2021	$	(3,762)	$	4,145	$	383
Other comprehensive income:
Change in net actuarial gain		43		—		43
Tax effect on change in net actuarial gain		(9)		—		(9)
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period		—		585		585
Tax effect on unrealized holding gains arising during the period		—		(123)		(123)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		(1,403)		(1,403)
Tax effect on reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income		—		295		295
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax		34		(646)		(612)

Balance at March 31, 2021	$	(3,728)	$	3,499	$	(229)

20. Leases

Right-of-use assets are included in the other assets line item and lease liabilities are included in the other liabilities line item of the consolidated balance sheet. We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception and recognize operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments at the commencement date. Since our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. Lease agreements have lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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The Company’s operating lease obligations predominately pertain to office leases utilized in the operation of our business. Our leases have remaining terms of 1 to 13 years, some of which include options to extend the leases. The components of lease expense and other lease information as of and during the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended		Three Months Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2021		2020

Operating lease cost	$	719	$	790

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	545	$	436

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	—	$	—

Other lease information as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020

Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	13,666	$	13,986

Operating lease liabilities	$	15,547	$	15,862

Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases		10.0		10.2

Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases		5.87%		5.88%

We incurred $0.1 million in short-term lease payments not included in our lease liability during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,			December 31,
	2021			2020

2021	$	1,626	$	2,172
2022		2,171		2,171
2023		1,885		1,885
2024		1,941		1,941
2025		1,975		1,975
Thereafter		11,350		11,350
Total future minimum lease payments	$	20,948	$	21,494

Less imputed interest	$	(5,401)	$	(5,632)
Total operating lease liability	$	15,547	$	15,862

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Item 2. 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-Q” for a discussion of some of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

Introduction

Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (“Hallmark” and, together with subsidiaries, “we,” “us,” “our,” or the Company) is an insurance holding company that, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Our business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing our insurance products, as well as providing other insurance related services. Our business is geographically concentrated in the south central and northwest regions of the United States, except for our Specialty Commercial business which is written on a national basis. We pursue our business activities through subsidiaries whose operations are organized into product-specific business units, which are supported by our insurance company subsidiaries.

Our non-carrier insurance activities are segregated by business units into the following reportable segments:

●

Specialty Commercial Segment. Our Specialty Commercial Segment includes our Commercial Auto business unit which offers primary and excess commercial vehicle insurance products and services; our E&S Casualty business unit which offers primary and excess liability, excess public entity liability and E&S package and garage liability insurance products and services; our E&S Property business unit which offers primary and excess commercial property insurance for both catastrophe and non-catastrophe exposures; our Professional Liability business unit which offers healthcare and financial lines professional liability insurance products and services primarily for businesses, medical professionals, medical facilities and, through 2020, senior care facilities; and our Aerospace & Programs business unit which offers general aviation and, until exited during 2020, satellite launch property/casualty insurance products and services, as well as certain specialty programs.

●

Standard Commercial Segment. Our Standard Commercial Segment includes the package and monoline property/casualty and, until exited during 2016, occupational accident insurance products and services handled by our Commercial Accounts business unit; and the runoff of workers compensation insurance products handled by our former Workers Compensation operating unit until discontinued during 2016.

●

Personal Segment. Our Personal Segment includes the non-standard personal automobile and renters insurance products and services handled by our Specialty Personal Lines business unit.

The retained premium produced by these reportable segments is supported by our American Hallmark Insurance Company of Texas (“AHIC”), Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company (“HSIC”), Hallmark Insurance Company (“HIC”), Hallmark National Insurance Company (“HNIC”) and Texas Builders Insurance Company (“TBIC”) insurance subsidiaries. In addition, control and management of Hallmark County Mutual Insurance Company (“HCM”) is maintained through our wholly owned subsidiary, CYR Insurance Management Company (“CYR”). CYR has as its primary asset a management agreement with HCM which provides for CYR to have management and control of HCM. HCM is used to front certain lines of business in our Specialty Commercial and Personal Segments in Texas. HCM does not retain any business.

AHIC, HIC, HSIC and HNIC have entered into a pooling arrangement pursuant to which AHIC retains 32% of the total net premiums written by any of them, HIC retains 32% of our total net premiums written by any of them, HSIC

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retains 26% of our total net premiums written by any of them and HNIC retains 10% of our total net premiums written by any of them. Neither HCM nor TBIC is a party to the intercompany pooling arrangement.

Results of Operations

Management overview. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, our total revenue was $114.4 million, representing an increase of 13% from the $101.0 million in total revenue for the same period of 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we reported pre-tax income of $11.7 million, as compared to a pre-tax loss of $69.6 million reported during the same period the prior year.

The increase in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily due to net investment gains of $5.8 million as compared to net investment losses of $29.3 million during the same period of 2020. This increase in revenue was partially offset by decreased net premiums earned of $19.7 million, a $1.4 million decrease in net investment income and a $0.5 million decrease in finance charges for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period of the prior year.

The improvement in pre-tax results for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period the prior year was primarily due to the increased revenue discussed above, the absence of the $46.0 million of impairment charges to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets taken during the first quarter of 2020, and a $22.5 million decrease in losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”). The impairment charges during the first quarter of 2020 resulted from our determination that a significant decline in market capitalization below stockholders’ equity indicated the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets included in our balance sheet. The decrease in losses and LAE was primarily the result of exiting the contract binding line of the primary automobile business marketed by our Commercial Auto business unit commencing in February 2020, as well as $2.1 million of favorable net prior year loss reserve development during the three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to $8.6 million of unfavorable net prior year loss reserve development during the same period of 2019.

We reported net income of $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to net loss of $64.3 million for the same period in 2020. On a diluted basis per share, we reported net income of $0.52 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to net loss of $3.55 per share for the same period in 2020. Our effective tax rate was 20.1% for the first three months of 2021 compared to 7.6% for the same period in 2020. The effective rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 varied from the statutory tax rates primarily due to tax exempt interest income. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 varied from the statutory tax rates primarily due to the non-deductible impairment of goodwill.

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First Quarter 2021 as Compared to First Quarter 2020

The following is additional business segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Specialty Commercial						Standard Commercial
	Segment						Segment						Personal Segment						Corporate				Consolidated
	2021			2020			2021			2020			2021			2020			2021		2020		2021			2020
Gross premiums written	$	113,990		$	149,470		$	29,735		$	26,376		$	19,293		$	25,743		$	—	$	—	$	163,018		$	201,589
Ceded premiums written		(59,554)			(63,964)			(10,250)			(7,463)			(67)			(3,657)			—		—		(69,871)			(75,084)
Net premiums written		54,436			85,506			19,485			18,913			19,226			22,086			—		—		93,147			126,505
Change in unearned premiums		15,141			1,466			(2,419)			(2,495)			(1,651)			(1,543)			—		—		11,071			(2,572)
Net premiums earned		69,577			86,972			17,066			16,418			17,575			20,543			—		—		104,218			123,933

Total revenues		71,965			92,120			17,688			17,636			18,959			22,323			5,807		(31,031)		114,419			101,048

Losses and loss adjustment expenses		44,407			60,883			12,091			11,855			14,405			20,667			—		—		70,903			93,405

Pre-tax income (loss)	$	11,821		$	16,292		$	366		$	716		$	(1,623)		$	(5,655)		$	1,136	$	(80,939)	$	11,700		$	(69,586)

Net loss ratio (1)		63.8	%		70.0	%		70.8	%		72.2	%		82.0	%		100.6	%						68.0	%		75.4	%
Net expense ratio (1)		24.0	%		17.7	%		31.6	%		32.5	%		30.4	%		28.4	%						28.1	%		22.2	%
Net combined ratio (1)		87.8	%		87.7	%		102.4	%		104.7	%		112.4	%		129.0	%						96.1	%		97.6	%

Net Favorable (Unfavorable) Prior Year Development	$	1,899		$	(3,153)		$	1,361		$	(125)		$	(1,174)		$	(5,281)						$	2,086		$	(8,559)

(1)

The net loss ratio is calculated as incurred losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. The net expense ratio is calculated as total underwriting expenses offset by agency fee income divided by net premiums earned, each determined in accordance with GAAP. Net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of the net loss ratio and the net expense ratio.

Specialty Commercial Segment

Gross premiums written for the Specialty Commercial Segment were $114.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was $35.5 million, or 24%, less than the $149.5 million reported for the same period of 2020. Net premiums written were $54.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $85.5 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease in gross and net premiums written was primarily the result of lower premium production in our Commercial Auto, Professional Liability, E&S Property and Aerospace & Programs business units, partially offset by increased premium production in our E&S Casualty business unit. In February 2020, we made the strategic decision to exit the contract binding line of the primary automobile business marketed by our Commercial Auto business unit as a result of increasing claim severity and limited opportunity for meaningful rate increases. At that time, we began the process of non-renewing policies and placing in-force policies in runoff in accordance with state regulatory guidelines. The exit of the contract binding line of the primary commercial automobile business contributed $18.3 million and $14.3 million to the decline in gross premiums written and net premiums written, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period the prior year.

The $72.0 million of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $20.1 million less than the $92.1 million reported by the Specialty Commercial Segment for the same period in 2020. This decrease in revenue was primarily due to lower net premiums earned of $17.4 million driven mostly by decreased net premiums earned of $21.7 million in the Commercial Auto business unit, partially offset by an increase in net premiums earned of $2.4 million from the E&S Casualty business unit, $1.7 million from the Professional Liability business unit and $0.2 million from the E&S Property business unit. Further contributing to the decrease in revenue was lower net investment income of $2.6 million and lower commission and fees of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period of 2020.

The Specialty Commercial Segment reported pre-tax income of $11.8 million for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to pre-tax income of $16.3 million reported for the same period in 2020. The $4.5 million decline in pre-tax

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income was primarily the result of the lower revenue discussed above and higher operating expenses of $1.3 million, partially offset by lower losses and LAE of $16.5 million and lower amortization of intangible assets of $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period during 2020.

Our Specialty Commercial Segment reported lower losses and LAE as the combined result of (a) a $22.0 million decrease in losses and LAE in our Commercial Auto business unit due largely to exit of the contract binding line of business as well as $1.6 million of favorable prior year net loss reserve development recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $6.6 million of unfavorable prior year net loss reserve development during the same period of 2020 and no catastrophe losses reported during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $0.3 million in catastrophe loss reported during the same period of 2020, (b) a $1.7 million decrease in losses and LAE in our E&S Property business unit due primarily to lower net catastrophe losses of $1.3 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to net catastrophe losses of $3.7 million during the same period of 2020 and lower current accident year non-catastrophe losses, partially offset by lower favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $0.4 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $2.9 million of favorable prior year net loss reserve development during the same period of 2020, (c) a $5.2 million increase in losses and LAE in our E&S Casualty business unit due primarily to net catastrophe losses of $2.3 million during the first quarter of 2021, compared to no catastrophe losses in the same period the prior year, increased net premiums earned, and $1.3 million of unfavorable prior year net loss reserve development recognized during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $0.3 million of unfavorable prior year net loss reserve development during the first quarter of 2020, (d) a $1.4 million increase in losses and LAE in our Aerospace & Programs business unit due primarily to higher current accident year net loss trends driven by higher satellite losses partially offset by favorable net loss reserve development of $24 thousand during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to unfavorable development of $0.2 million during the first quarter of 2020. and no catastrophe losses reported during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $0.4 million of catastrophe related losses reported during the first quarter of 2020, and (e) a $0.6 million increase in losses and LAE attributable to our Professional Liability business unit due primarily to increased net premiums earned, higher current accident year net loss trends, partially offset by favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $1.1 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to favorable net prior year loss reserve development of $1.0 million during the same period the prior year.

Operating expenses increased $1.3 million primarily as the result of higher salary and related expenses of $2.2 million driven by increased incentive compensation expense and higher other operating expenses of $0.4 million, partially offset by lower professional services of $0.9 million, lower occupancy and related of $0.2 million and lower travel and related expenses of $0.2 million.

The Specialty Commercial Segment reported a net loss ratio of 63.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 70.0% for the same period in 2020. The gross loss ratio before reinsurance was 75.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 86.8% for the same period in 2020. The exit of the contract binding line of the primary commercial automobile business contributed 8.3% to the decline in the net loss ratio during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to same period during 2020. The decrease in the gross and net loss ratios were also impacted by $1.9 million of favorable prior year net loss reserve development for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to unfavorable prior year net loss reserve development of $3.2 million for the same period of 2020. Catastrophe losses of $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to catastrophe losses of $4.4 million during the first quarter of 2020 also contributed to the decrease in the loss ratios. The Specialty Commercial Segment reported a net expense ratio of 24.0% for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to 17.7% for the same period of 2020 driven primarily by lower net premiums earned.

Standard Commercial Segment

Gross premiums written for the Standard Commercial Segment were $29.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, which was $3.3 million, or 13%, more than the $26.4 million reported for the same period in 2020. Net premiums written were $19.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $18.9 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in the gross and net premiums written was due to higher premium production in our Commercial Accounts business unit.

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Total revenue for the Standard Commercial Segment of $17.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was $0.1 million more than the $17.6 million reported for the same period in 2020. This increase in total revenue was due to higher net premiums earned of $0.6 million due to higher premium production, partially offset by lower net investment income of $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period of 2020.

Our Standard Commercial Segment reported pre-tax income of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to pre-tax income of $0.7 million reported for the same period of 2020. This decline in pre-tax income was the result of higher loss and LAE of $0.2 million and higher operating expenses of $0.2 million, partially offset by the higher revenue discussed above. Increased operating expenses were primarily the result of higher production related expenses of $0.4 million and lower salary and related expenses of $0.1 million and lower professional services of $0.1 million.

The Standard Commercial Segment reported a net loss ratio of 70.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 72.2% for the same period of 2020. The gross loss ratio before reinsurance for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 57.7% as compared to 65.5% reported for the same period of 2020. The decrease in the gross and net loss ratios was due primarily to favorable net loss reserve development of $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to unfavorable net loss reserve development of $0.1 million during the same period of 2020, partially offset by net catastrophe losses of $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2021 compared to $1.6 million for the same period of the prior year. The Standard Commercial Segment reported a net expense ratio of 31.6% for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to 32.5% for the same period of 2020. The decrease in the expense ratio was primarily due to increased net premiums earned.

Personal Segment

Gross premiums written for the Personal Segment were $19.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $25.7 million for the same period in the prior year. Net premiums written for our Personal Segment were $19.2 million in the first quarter of 2021, which was a decrease of $2.9 million from the $22.1 million reported for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in gross and net written premiums was primarily due to lower premium production in our current geographical footprint.

Total revenue for the Personal Segment was $19.0 million for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $22.3 million for the same period in 2020. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to lower net premiums earned of $3.0 million and lower finance charges of $0.4 million, partially offset by higher investment income of $0.1 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the same period during 2020.

Pre-tax loss for the Personal Segment was $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to a pre-tax loss of $5.7 million for the same period of 2020. The decline in pre-tax loss was primarily the result of lower losses and LAE of $6.3 million as well as decreased operating expenses of $1.1 million, partially offset by the decreased revenue as discussed above for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period during 2020. The decreased operating expenses were primarily the result of lower production related expenses of $0.7 million, lower salary and related expenses of $0.2 million, lower professional services of $0.1 million and lower other general expenses of $0.1 million.

The Personal Segment reported a net loss ratio of 82.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 100.6% for the same period of 2020. The gross loss ratio before reinsurance was 84.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 80.5% for the same period in 2020. The higher gross loss ratio was impacted by higher current accident year loss trends due in part to higher catastrophe losses during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the same period during 2020. The gross and net loss ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were impacted by lower net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development. The Personal Segment reported $1.2 million of net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to $5.3 million net unfavorable prior year loss reserve development during the first quarter of 2020. The Personal Segment had $0.4 million of net catastrophe losses during the first quarter of 2021 compared to negligible catastrophe losses for the same period of the prior year. The

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Personal Segment reported a net expense ratio of 30.4% for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to 28.4% for the same period of 2020. The increase in the expense ratio was due primarily to lower net premiums earned.

Corporate

Total revenue for Corporate increased by $36.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period the prior year. This increase in total revenue was due predominately to investment gains of $5.8 million during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to investment losses of $29.3 million reported for the same period of 2020, and higher net investment income of $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period during 2020.

Corporate pre-tax income was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to pre-tax loss of $80.9 million for the same period of 2020. The improvement in pre-tax results for the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the same period the prior year was primarily due to a $44.7 million impairment charge to goodwill and a $1.3 million charge to indefinite-lived intangible assets during the first quarter of 2020. In connection with our normal process for evaluating impairment triggering events, we determined that a significant decline in market capitalization below stockholders’ equity during the first quarter of 2020 indicated the impairment of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets included in our balance sheet. Further contributing to the improvement in pre-tax results were the higher revenue discussed above as well as lower interest expense of $0.2 million, partially offset by higher operating expenses of $1.0 million, primarily as a result of increased salary and related expenses driven by increased incentive compensation expense.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

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 March 31, 2021, Hallmark and its non-insurance company subsidiaries had $12.6 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, including $9.2 million held in premium and claim trust accounts. As of that date, our insurance subsidiaries held $269.2 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, as well as $348.5 million in debt securities with an average modified duration of 0.9 years. Accordingly, we do not anticipate selling long-term debt instruments to meet liquidity needs.

AHIC and TBIC, domiciled in Texas, are 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. HIC and HNIC, both domiciled in Arizona, are limited in the payment of dividends to the lesser of 10% of prior year policyholders’ surplus or prior year’s statutory net 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, not including realized capital gains, without prior written approval from the Oklahoma Insurance Department. During 2021, the aggregate ordinary dividend capacity of these subsidiaries is $22.5 million, of which $15.0 million is available to Hallmark. As a county mutual, dividends from HCM are payable to policyholders. During the first three months of 2021, our insurance subsidiaries did not pay any dividends to Hallmark. During the first three months of 2020, our insurance company subsidiaries paid $4.0 million in dividends to Hallmark. During the first three months of 2021 and 2020, our insurance subsidiaries paid $4.5 million and $1.5 million in management fees to Hallmark, respectively.

Comparison of March 31, 2021 to December 31, 2020

On a consolidated basis, our cash (excluding restricted cash) and investments at March 31, 2021 were $684.0 million compared to $639.2 million at December 31, 2020. The primary reasons for this increase in unrestricted cash and investments were increases in investment fair values and cash provided by operations.

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Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, our cash flow provided by operations was $29.5 million compared to cash flow used by operations of $9.8 million during the same period the prior year. The cash flow provided by operations was driven by a decrease in net paid claims, decreased paid operating expenses, higher collected investment income, higher collected commission and fee income and lower interest paid, partially offset by decreased collected net premiums and finance charges during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period the prior year.

Net cash provided by investing activities during the first three months of 2021 was $149.5 million as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $23.8 million during the first three months of 2020. The increase in cash provided by investing activities during the first three months of 2021 was primarily comprised of a decrease of $116.6 million in purchases of debt and equity securities, an increase of $8.8 million in maturities, sales and redemptions of investment securities and a $0.3 million decrease in purchases of fixed assets.

The Company did not report any net cash from financing activities during the first three months of 2021 or 2020.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On August 19, 2019, Hallmark issued $50.0 million of senior unsecured notes (“Notes”) due August 15, 2029. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 6.25% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears commencing February 15, 2020. The Notes are not obligations of or guaranteed by any of Hallmark’s subsidiaries and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements. At Hallmark’s option, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, prior to the stated maturity subject to certain provisions intended to make the holders of the Notes whole on scheduled interest and principal payments. The indenture governing the Notes contains certain covenants which, among other things, restrict Hallmark’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make certain payments, create liens on the stock of certain subsidiaries, dispose of certain assets, or merge or consolidate with other entities. The terms of the indenture prohibits payments or other distributions on any security of the Company that ranks junior to the Notes when the Company’s debt to capital ratio (as defined in the indenture) is greater than 35%. The Company’s debt to capital ratio was 37% as of March 31, 2021.

Subordinated Debt Securities

On June 21, 2005, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $30.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust I used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $30.9 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust I, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust I. On August 23, 2007, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $25.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust II used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $25.8 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust II, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust II.

Each trust pays dividends on its preferred securities at the same rate each quarter as interest is paid on the junior subordinated debt securities. Under the terms of the trust subordinated debt securities, we pay interest only each quarter and the principal of each note at maturity. We may elect to defer payments of interest on the trust subordinated debt securities by extending the interest payment period for up to 20 consecutive quarterly periods. During any such extension period, interest continues to accrue on the trust subordinated debt securities, as well as interest on such accrued interest. In order to maintain compliance with the terms of our senior unsecured Notes, we have elected to defer payment of interest on the trust subordinated securities until our debt to capital ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes) is less than 35%. The subordinated debt securities of each trust are uncollateralized and do not require maintenance of minimum financial covenants.

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The following table summarizes the nature and terms of the junior subordinated debt and trust preferred securities:


		Hallmark		Hallmark
		Statutory		Statutory
		Trust I		Trust II

Issue date		June 21, 2005		August 23, 2007
Principal amount of trust preferred securities	$	30,000	$	25,000
Principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities	$	30,928	$	25,774
Maturity date of junior subordinated debt securities		June 15, 2035		September 15, 2037
Trust common stock	$	928	$	774
Interest rate, per annum		Three Month LIBOR + 3.25%		Three Month LIBOR + 2.90%
Current interest rate at March 31, 2021		3.43%		3.08%

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not required for smaller reporting company.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer of Hallmark have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is timely recorded, processed, summarized and reported. The principal executive officer and principal financial officer also concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under such Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 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.

Risks Associated with Forward-Looking Statements Included in this Form 10-Q

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. 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. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Assumptions relating to the foregoing 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 the 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-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved.

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A to Part I of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Our stock buyback program initially announced on April 18, 2008, authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (the “Stock Repurchase Plan”). On January 24, 2011, we announced an increased authorization to repurchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares. The Stock Repurchase Plan does not have an expiration date. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference:

Exhibit Number		Description
3.1		Restated Articles of Incorporation of the registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 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 March 28, 2017).

4		Description of registrant’s securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019).

4.2		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).

4.3		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).

4.4		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).

4.5		Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security Due 2035 (included in Exhibit 4.3 above).

4.6		Form of Capital Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.4 above).

4.7		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).

4.8		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).

4.9		Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Security Due 2037 (included in Exhibit 4.7 above).

4.10		Form of Capital Security Certificate (included in Exhibit 4.8 above).

4.11		Indenture between Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. dated August 19, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s Form 8-K filed August 21, 2019).

4.12		First Supplemental Indenture between Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. dated August 19, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant’s Form 8-K filed August 21, 2019).

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31(a)		Certification of principal executive officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).

31(b)		Certification of principal financial officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a).

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.

101 INS+		XBRL Instance Document- the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101 SCH+		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101 CAL+		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101 LAB+		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101 PRE+		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

101 DEF+		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

Exhibit 104		Cover Page Interactive Data File - The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

+		Filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and included in Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and (vi) related notes.

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

(Registrant)



Date: May 13, 2021	/s/ Mark E. Schwarz
	Mark E. Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer and President


Date: May 13, 2021	/s/ Christopher J. Kenney
	Christopher J. Kenney, Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President