SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
|X| Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
|_| Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File Number 0-3722
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
Incorporated pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia
Internal Revenue Service-- Employer Identification No.
58-1027114
Address of Principal Executive Offices:
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319
(404) 266-5500
Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES |X| NO |_|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes . No X .
The total number of shares of the registrants Common Stock, $1 par value, outstanding on May 10, 2005, was 21,330,594.
| Part I. | Financial Information | Page No. |
| Item 1. | Financial Statements: | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 |
2 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
3 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
4 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
5 | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 6 | |
| Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
11 |
| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks | 21 |
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 21 |
| Part II. | Other Information | |
| Item 2. | Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 21 |
| Item 6. | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K | 22 |
| Signature | 23 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited; In thousands, except share data)
| ASSETS | ||
| March 31, 2005 |
December 31, 2004 |
|
| Cash, including short-term investments of $9,955 and $23,073 | $ 25,608 |
$ 40,958 |
| Investments: | ||
| Fixed maturities (cost: $221,231 and $226,527) | 216,627 | 229,465 |
| Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks (cost: $29,608 and $14,741) | 51,421 | 38,407 |
| Other invested assets (cost: $3,998 and $4,570) | 3,999 | 4,569 |
| Mortgage loans | 2,956 | 2,997 |
| Policy and student loans | 2,323 | 2,321 |
| Real estate | 38 | 38 |
| Investment in unconsolidated trusts | 1,238 |
1,238 |
| Total investments | 278,602 |
279,035 |
| Receivables: | ||
| Reinsurance | 64,481 | 62,854 |
| Other (net of allowance for doubtful accounts: $1,796 and $1,677) | 46,717 | 47,127 |
| Deferred income taxes, net | 4,633 | 476 |
| Deferred acquisition costs | 29,900 | 30,358 |
| Other assets | 8,365 | 6,695 |
| Goodwill | 3,008 |
3,008 |
| Total assets | $ 461,314 |
$ 470,511 |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
| Insurance reserves and policy funds: | ||
| Future policy benefits | $ 50,481 | $ 49,886 |
| Unearned premiums | 68,599 | 70,264 |
| Losses and claims | 170,858 | 167,133 |
| Other policy liabilities | 5,055 |
5,004 |
| Total policy liabilities | 294,993 | 292,287 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 31,313 | 36,026 |
| Bank debt payable | 12,000 | 12,000 |
| Junior subordinated debenture obligations | 41,238 |
41,238 |
| Total liabilities | 379,544 |
381,551 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | ||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||
| Preferred stock, $1 par, 4,000,000 shares authorized: Series B preferred, 134,000 shares issued and outstanding; $13,400 redemption value |
134 | 134 |
| Common stock, $1 par; shares authorized: 50,000,000; shares issued: 21,412,138 shares outstanding: 21,307,256 and 21,212,925 |
21,412 | 21,412 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 49,864 | 50,369 |
| Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | (413) | 462 |
| Unearned compensation | (6) | (22) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 11,102 | 17,207 |
| Treasury stock, at cost; 104,882 and 199,213 shares | (323) |
(602) |
| Total shareholders' equity | 81,770 |
88,960 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 461,314 |
$ 470,511 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
-2-
ATLANTIC
AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Revenue: | ||||
| Insurance premiums | $ 46,294 | $ 41,392 | ||
| Investment income | 4,036 | 3,979 | ||
| Realized investment gains (loss), net | (440) | 707 | ||
| Other income | 383 |
326 |
||
| Total revenue | 50,273 |
46,404 |
||
| Benefits and expenses: | ||||
| Insurance benefits and losses incurred | 32,924 | 26,719 | ||
| Commissions and underwriting expenses | 14,497 | 13,427 | ||
| Interest expense | 792 | 814 | ||
| Other | 3,692 |
3,263 |
||
| Total benefits and expenses | 51,905 |
44,223 |
||
| Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) | (1,632) | 2,181 | ||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | (800) |
673 |
||
| Net income (loss) | (832) | 1,508 | ||
| Preferred stock dividends | (302) |
(312) |
||
| Net income (loss) applicable to common stock | $ (1,134) |
$ 1,196 |
||
| Net income (loss) per common share (basic and diluted) | $ (.05)
|
$ .06
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
-3-
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited; In thousands)
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
Preferred Stock |
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) |
Unearned Compensation |
Net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
Treasury Stock |
Total |
| Balance, December 31, 2004 | $ 134 | $ 21,412 | $ 50,369 | $ 462 | $ (22) | $ 17,207 | $ (602) | $ 88,960 |
| Comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
| Net loss | (832) | (832) | ||||||
| Decrease in unrealized investment gains | (9,392) | (9,392) | ||||||
|
Deferred income tax attributable to other comprehensive income |
3,287 | 3,287 |
||||||
| Total comprehensive loss |
(6,937) |
|||||||
| Dividends accrued on preferred stock | (302) | (302) | ||||||
| Deferred share compensation expense | (204) | (40) | 240 | (4) | ||||
| Amortization of unearned compensation | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Purchase of shares for treasury | (49) | (49) | ||||||
| Issuance of shares for employee benefit plans and stock options |
|
|
1 |
(3) |
|
88 |
86 |
|
| Balance, March 31, 2005 | $
134 |
$
21,412 |
$
49,864 |
$
(413) |
$
(6) |
$
11,102 |
$
(323) |
$
81,770 |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 |
||||||||
| Balance, December 31, 2003 | $ 139 | $ 21,412 | $ 51,978 | $ (4,457) | $ (22) | $ 18,293 | $ (450) | $ 86,893 |
| Comprehensive income: | ||||||||
| Net income | 1,508 | 1,508 | ||||||
| Increase in unrealized investment gains | 2,037 | 2,037 | ||||||
| Fair value adjustment to interest rate swap | 147 | 147 | ||||||
|
Deferred income tax attributable to other comprehensive income |
(764) | (764) |
||||||
| Total comprehensive income |
2,928 |
|||||||
| Preferred stock redeemed | (5) | (495) | (500) | |||||
| Dividends accrued on preferred stock | (312) | (312) | ||||||
| Deferred share compensation expense | 13 | 13 | ||||||
| Amortization of unearned compensation | 16 | 16 | ||||||
| Purchase of shares for treasury | (1) | (1) | ||||||
| Issuance of shares for employee benefit plans and stock options |
|
|
28 |
(17) |
|
123 |
134 |
|
| Balance, March 31, 2004 | $
134 |
$
21,412 |
$
51,212 |
$
(2,966) |
$
(6) |
$
19,713 |
$
(328) |
$
89,171 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
-4-
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited; In thousands)
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Net income (loss) | $ (832) | $ 1,508 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: |
||
| Amortization of deferred acquisition costs | 6,565 | 5,435 |
| Acquisition costs deferred | (6,107) | (6,140) |
| Realized investment losses (gains) | 440 | (707) |
| Increase in insurance reserves | 2,706 | 1,760 |
| Compensation expense related to share awards | 12 | 29 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 268 | 537 |
| Deferred income tax (benefit) expense | (870) | 518 |
| Increase in receivables, net | (1,217) | (5,370) |
| Decrease in other liabilities | (7,515) | (6,183) |
| Other, net | (1,894) |
455 |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (8,444) |
(8,158) |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Proceeds from investments sold, called, or matured | 34,345 | 41,512 |
| Investments purchased | (41,121) | (43,304) |
| Additions to property and equipment | (84) |
(187) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (6,860) |
(1,979) |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Preferred stock redemption | - | (500) |
| Preferred stock dividends | - | (10) |
| Proceeds from the exercise of stock options | 3 | 77 |
| Purchase of treasury shares | (49) |
(1) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (46) |
(434) |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (15,350) | (10,571) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 40,958 |
34,238 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ 25,608
|
$ 23,667
|
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||
| Cash paid for interest | $
770 |
$
827 |
| Cash paid for income taxes | $
15 |
$
318 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
-5-
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2005
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share amounts)
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Atlantic American Corporation (the Parent) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. The consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included herein should be read in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, that are included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.
Note 2. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS No. 123R"), which replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123") and supersedes Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees". SFAS No. 123R requires all companies to recognize compensation costs for share-based payments to employees based on the grant-date fair value of the award for financial statements. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS No. 123 will no longer be an alternative to financial statement recognition. The transition methods include both prospective and retrospective adoption options. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 123R during the first quarter of 2006 using the prospective method, which requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock-based awards including those granted prior to adoption of the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, at the beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS No. 123R. Based on the current level of stock-based awards, the impact of adoption is anticipated to result in compensation expense being recognized in an amount which approximates that reflected in the existing SFAS No. 123 pro forma disclosures.
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a final consensus on EITF Issue No. 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments (EITF Issue No. 03-1). EITF Issue No. 03-1 was effective for periods beginning after June 15, 2004 and required a three-step impairment model for investments within its scope. In September 2004, the FASB staff issued clarifying guidance for comment in FASB Staff Positions (FSP) EITF Issue No. 03-1-a, Implementation Guidance for the Application of Paragraph 16 of EITF Issue No. 03-1 (FSP Issue No. 03-1-a) and subsequently voted to delay the implementation of the impairment measurement and recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1 in order to re-deliberate certain aspects of the consensus as well as the implementation guidance included in the FSP Issue No. 03-1-a. The ultimate impact the adoption of EITF Issue No. 03-1 will have on the Companys consolidated financial condition and results of operations is still unknown. Depending on the nature of the ultimate guidance, adoption of the standard could result in the recognition of unrealized losses, including those declines in value that are attributable to interest rate movements, as other-than-temporary impairments, except those deemed to be minor in nature. The amount of impairments to be recognized, if any, will depend on the final standard, market conditions and managements intent and ability to hold investments with unrealized losses at the time of the impairment evaluation.
Note 3. Segment Information
The Company has four principal insurance subsidiaries, each focusing on a specific geographic region and/or specific products. Each operating company is managed independently and is evaluated on its individual performance. The following summary sets forth each principal operating companys revenue and income (loss) before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004.
| Revenues | Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| American Southern | $ 14,118 | $ 11,926 |
| Association Casualty | 6,115 | 6,267 |
| Georgia Casualty | 11,461 | 10,304 |
| Bankers Fidelity | 18,247 | 17,528 |
| Corporate and other | 3,277 | 3,087 |
| Adjustments and eliminations | (2,945) |
(2,708) |
| Total revenue | $ 50,273
|
$ 46,404
|
-6-
| Income (loss) before income taxes | Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| American Southern | $ 1,527 | $ 1,314 |
| Association Casualty | 948 | 558 |
| Georgia Casualty | (3,332) | 689 |
| Bankers Fidelity | 883 | 1,160 |
| Corporate and other | (1,658) |
(1,540) |
| Consolidated results | $ (1,632)
|
$ 2,181
|
Note 4. Credit Arrangements
Bank Debt
At March 31, 2005, the Companys $12,000 of bank debt with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (Wachovia) consisted of a single term loan. The loan matures on June 30, 2008 and requires minimum annual payments as follows: 2005 - $1,750; 2006 - $1,750; 2007 - $1,750; 2008 - $6,750. The interest rate on the borrowing is the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin ranging between 1.75% and 2.50%. The applicable margin rate is determined based on the ratio of funded debt to consolidated total capitalization, each as defined. As of March 31, 2005 the stated interest rate on the bank debt was LIBOR + 2.00%, or 4.56%. The loan requires the Company to comply with certain covenants including, among others, ratios that relate funded debt to capitalization and interest coverage, as well as the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth. The Company also must comply with limitations on capital expenditures, additional debt obligations, equity repurchases and redemptions, as well as minimum risk-based capital levels.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
The Company has two unconsolidated Connecticut statutory business trusts, which exist for the exclusive purposes of: (i) issuing trust preferred securities (Trust Preferred Securities) representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts; (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Preferred Securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (Junior Subordinated Debentures) of Atlantic American; and (iii) engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto.
At March 31, 2005, the financial structure of each of Atlantic American Statutory Trust I and II were as follows:
| Atlantic American Statutory Trust I |
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II |
|
| JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES (1) (2) | ||
| Principal amount owed | $ 18,042 | $ 23,196 |
| Balance March 31, 2005 | 18,042 | 23,196 |
| Balance December 31, 2004 | 18,042 | 23,196 |
| Coupon rate | LIBOR + 4.00% | LIBOR + 4.10% |
| Interest payable | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Maturity date | December 4, 2032 | May 15, 2033 |
| Redeemable by issuer on or after | December 4, 2007 | May 15, 2008 |
| TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES | ||
| Issuance date | December 4, 2002 | May 15, 2003 |
| Securities issued | 17,500 | 22,500 |
| Liquidation preference per security | $ 1 | $ 1 |
| Liquidation value | 17,500 | 22,500 |
| Coupon rate | LIBOR + 4.00% | LIBOR + 4.10% |
| Distribution payable | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Distribution guaranteed by (3) | Atlantic American Corporation | Atlantic American Corporation |
| (1) | For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debentures' maturity date. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Company's common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. |
-7-
| (2) | The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Company and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries. |
| (3) | The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation. |
Note 5. Reconciliation of Other Comprehensive Income
| Three Months Ended, March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Gain (loss) on sale of securities included in net income (loss) | $
(440) |
$
707 |
||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||
| Net pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) arising during period | $ (9,832) | $ 2,744 | ||
| Reclassification adjustment | 440 |
(707) |
||
| Net pre-tax unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income |
(9,392) | 2,037 | ||
| Fair value adjustment to interest rate swap agreement | - | 147 | ||
| Deferred income tax attributable to other comprehensive income (loss) |
3,287 |
(764) |
||
| Change in accumulated other comprehensive income | (6,105) | 1,420 | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income beginning of period |
17,207 |
18,293 |
||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income end of period |
$ 11,102 |
$ 19,713 |
||
Note 6. Earnings Per Common Share
A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the earnings per common share calculations was as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 |
|||
| Income |
Shares |
Per Share Amount |
|
| Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share: | |||
| Net loss | $ (832) | 21,211 | |
| Less preferred stock dividends |
(302) |
|
|
| Net loss applicable to common shareholders | $
(1,134) |
21,211 |
$
(.05) |
-8-
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 |
|||
| Income |
Shares |
Per Share Amount |
|
| Basic Earnings Per Common Share: | |||
| Net Income | $ 1,508 | 21,217 | |
| Less preferred stock dividends |
(312) |
|
|
| Net income applicable to common shareholders |
$
1,196 |
21,217 |
$
.06
|
| Diluted Earnings Per Common Share: | |||
| Effect of dilutive stock options | 468 |
||
| Net income applicable to common shareholders | $
1,196 |
21,685 |
$
.06 |
Outstanding stock options of 116,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were excluded from the earnings per common share calculation since their impact was antidilutive. The assumed conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock was excluded from the earnings per common share calculation for 2005 and 2004 since its impact was antidilutive. Due to the net loss in the first quarter of 2005, all outstanding stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were excluded from the earnings per common share calculation since their impact was antidilutive.
Note 7. Stock Options
Stock options are reported under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees instead of the fair value approach recommended in SFAS No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure. Accordingly, no stock-based employee compensation cost attributable to stock options is reflected in net income, as all stock options granted have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Pro forma net income (loss) and net income (loss) per common share were determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123. The fair value of these options was estimated at the date of grant using an options pricing model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the volatility of the stock price. If the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation, the Companys net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Net income (loss), as reported | $ (832) | $ 1,508 | |||
| Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax |
8 |
19 |
|||
| Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of tax |
(27) |
(75) |
|||
| Pro forma net income (loss) | $ (851) |
$ 1,452 |
|||
| Net income (loss) per common share: | |||||
| Basic - as reported | $ (.05) | $ .06 | |||
| Basic - pro forma | $ (.05) | $ .05 | |||
| Diluted - as reported | $ (.05) | $ .06 | |||
| Diluted - pro forma | $ (.05) | $ .05 | |||
The resulting pro forma compensation cost may not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
-9-
Note 8. Employee Retirement Plans
The following table provides the components for the net periodic benefit cost for all defined benefit pension plans:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Service cost | $ 44 | $ 43 |
| Interest cost | 75 | 69 |
| Expected return on plan assets | (46) | (42) |
| Net amortization | 36 |
22 |
| Net periodic pension benefit cost | $ 109 |
$ 92 |
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Discount rate | 5.75% | 6.00% |
| Expected return on plan assets | 7.00% | 7.00% |
| Projected annual salary increases | 4.50% | 4.50% |
The Company expects to contribute $229 for all defined benefit pension plans in 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company made payments of $41 to the pension plans.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation occurring in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
Note 10. Investments
During the first quarter of 2005, the fair value of the Companys investments in fixed maturity securities of General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), General Motors Corporation (GM), and Ford Motor Credit Company (Ford) decreased primarily due to changes in credit risk and interest rates. The following table sets forth the carrying value, amortized cost, and unrealized losses for each of these investments as of March 31, 2005.
| March 31, 2005 |
|||
| Carrying Value |
Amortized Cost |
Unrealized Losses |
|
| GMAC bonds | $ 24,886 | $ 30,130 | $ (5,244) |
| Ford bonds | 6,129 | 6,250 | (121) |
| GMAC and GM redeemable | |||
| preferred stock | 3,080 |
3,700 |
(620) |
| Total | $ 34,095 |
$ 40,080 |
$ (5,985) |
During the first quarter of 2005, net pre-tax unrealized gains recognized in other comprehensive income decreased from $26,603 at December 31, 2004 to $17,211 at March 31, 2005. Of the $9,392 decrease, $5,386 of this was due to the decreased value of the investments in GMAC and Ford bonds and $746 was due to the decreased value of the investments in GMAC and GM redeemable preferred stock.
-10-
Item 2.
MANAGEMENTS
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following is managements discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Atlantic American Corporation (Atlantic American or the Parent) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein, as well as the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Atlantic American is an insurance holding company whose operations are conducted through a group of regional insurance companies: American Southern Insurance Company and American Safety Insurance Company (together known as American Southern); Association Casualty Insurance Company and Association Risk Management General Agency, Inc. (together known as Association Casualty); Georgia Casualty & Surety Company (Georgia Casualty); and Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company (Bankers Fidelity). Each operating company is managed separately based upon the geographic location or the type of products it underwrites; although management is in the process of conforming information systems, policies and procedures, products, marketing and other functions between Association Casualty and Georgia Casualty to create a southern regional property and casualty operation.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The accounting and reporting policies of Atlantic American and its subsidiaries are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, in managements belief, conform to general practices within the insurance industry. The following is an explanation of the Companys accounting policies and the resultant estimates considered most significant by management. These accounting policies inherently require significant judgment and assumptions and actual results could differ from managements initial estimates. Atlantic American does not expect that changes in the estimates determined using these policies would have a material effect on the Companys financial condition or liquidity, although changes could have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations.
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense comprised 45% of the Companys liabilities at March 31, 2005. This obligation includes estimates for: 1) unpaid losses on claims reported prior to March 31, 2005, 2) future development on those reported claims, 3) unpaid ultimate losses on claims incurred prior to March 31, 2005 but not yet reported to the Company and 4) unpaid loss adjustment expenses for reported and unreported claims incurred prior to March 31, 2005. Quantification of loss estimates for each of these components involves a significant degree of judgment and estimates may vary, materially, from period to period. Estimated unpaid losses on reported claims are developed based on historical experience with similar claims by the Company. Future development on reported claims, estimates of unpaid ultimate losses on claims incurred prior to March 31, 2005 but not yet reported to the Company, and estimates of unpaid loss adjustment expenses are developed based on the Companys historical experience, using actuarial methods to assist in the analysis. The Companys actuarial staff develops ranges of estimated future development on reported and unreported claims as well as loss adjustment expenses using various methods including the paid-loss development method, the reported-loss development method, the paid Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, the reported Bornhuetter-Ferguson method, the Berquist-Sherman method and a frequency-severity method. Any single method used to estimate ultimate losses has inherent advantages and disadvantages due to the trends and changes affecting the business environment and the Companys administrative policies. Further, a variety of external factors, such as legislative changes, medical inflation, and others may directly or indirectly impact the relative adequacy of liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The Companys approach is the selection of an estimate of ultimate losses based on comparing results of a variety of reserving methods, as opposed to total reliance on any single method. Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed periodically for significant lines of business, and when current results differ from the original assumptions used to develop such estimates, the amount of the Companys recorded liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses is adjusted. In the event the Companys actual reported losses in any period are materially in excess of the previous estimated amounts, such losses, to the extent reinsurance coverage does not exist, would have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations.
Future policy benefits comprised 13% of the Companys total liabilities at March 31, 2005. These liabilities relate to life insurance products and are based upon assumed future investment yields, mortality rates, and withdrawal rates after giving effect to possible risks of adverse deviation. The assumed mortality and withdrawal rates are based upon the Companys experience. If actual results differ from the initial assumptions, the amount of the Companys recorded liability could require adjustment.
Deferred acquisition costs comprised 6% of the Companys total assets at March 31, 2005. Deferred acquisition costs are commissions, premium taxes, and other costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new and renewal business and are generally deferred and amortized. The deferred amounts are recorded as an asset on the balance sheet and amortized to income in a systematic manner. Traditional life insurance and long-duration health insurance deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing the related liability for policy benefit reserves. The deferred acquisition costs for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Deferred policy acquisition costs are expensed when such costs are deemed not to be recoverable from future premiums (for traditional life and long-duration health insurance) and from the related unearned premiums and investment income (for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance).
-11-
Assessments of recoverability for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance are extremely sensitive to the estimates of a subsequent years projected losses related to the unearned premiums. Projected loss estimates for a current block of business for which unearned premiums remain to be earned may vary significantly from the indicated losses incurred in any given previous calendar year.
Receivables are amounts due from reinsurers, insureds and agents and comprised 24% of the Companys total assets at March 31, 2005. Allowances for uncollectible amounts are established, as and when a loss has been determined probable, against the related receivable. Annually, the Company performs an analysis of the credit worthiness of the Companys reinsurers using various data sources. Failure of reinsurers to meet their obligations due to insolvencies or disputes could result in uncollectible amounts and losses to the Company. Insured and agent balances are evaluated periodically for collectibility. Losses are recognized when determined on a specific account basis and a general provision for loss is made based on the Companys historical experience.
Cash and investments comprised 66% of the Companys total assets at March 31, 2005. Substantially all investments are in bonds and common and preferred stocks, which are subject to significant market fluctuations. The Company carries all investments as available for sale and accordingly at their estimated fair values. The Company owns certain non-redeemable preferred stocks that do not have publicly quoted values and are carried at estimated fair values as determined by management. Such values inherently have a greater degree of judgement and uncertainty and therefore ultimately greater price volitility. On occasion, the value of an investment may decline to a value below its amortized purchase price and remain at such value for an extended period of time. When an investments indicated fair value has declined below its cost basis for a period of time, primarily due to changes in credit risk, the Company evaluates such investment for other than a temporary impairment. If other than a temporary impairment is deemed to exist, then the Company will write down the amortized cost basis of the investment to its estimated fair value. While such write down does not impact the reported value of the investment in the Companys balance sheet, it is reflected as a realized investment loss in the Companys consolidated statements of operations.
Deferred income taxes comprised 1% of the Companys total assets at March 31, 2005. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences between assets and liabilities that are recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts that are recognized for tax purposes. These deferred income taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax laws and rates. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realization, management considers estimates of future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
OVERALL CORPORATE RESULTS
On a consolidated basis, the Company had a net loss of $0.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, during the first quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004. Premium revenue for the first quarter of 2005 increased $4.9 million, or 11.8%, to $46.3 million from $41.4 million for the first quarter of 2004. The increase in premiums in the first quarter of 2005 was primarily attributable to increased volume in the general liability and surety lines of business at American Southern as well as rate increases on renewal business and increased volume written in 2004 for which premiums were earned in 2005 at Georgia Casualty. In the first quarter of 2005, the increase in premium revenue was partially offset by $0.4 million in realized investment losses compared to $0.7 million in realized investment gains in the first quarter of 2004. The decrease in net income during the first quarter of 2005 was primarily due to a significant increase in both the frequency and severity of claims in the property and casualty operations, as described below.
The Companys property and casualty operations are comprised of American Southern, Association Casualty, and Georgia Casualty. The Companys life and health operations are comprised of the operations of Bankers Fidelity.
A more detailed analysis of the individual operating entities and other corporate activities is provided below.
-12-
UNDERWRITING RESULTS
American Southern
The following is a summary of American Southerns premiums for the first quarter of 2005 and for the comparable period in 2004 (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Gross written premiums | $ 13,174 | $ 12,020 |
| Ceded premiums | (2,337) |
(2,092) |
| Net written premiums | $
10,837 |
$
9,928 |
| Net earned premiums | $
13,116 |
$
10,859 |
Gross written premiums at American Southern increased $1.2 million, or 9.6%, during the first quarter of 2005 over the comparable period in 2004. The increase in gross written premiums during the first quarter of 2005 was primarily due to increased business writings in the surety line of business. American Southerns surety bond program, which began to increase production levels in the second half of 2004, generated $2.1 million in gross written premiums during the first quarter of 2005 compared to $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2004, resulting in a $1.3 million increase.
Ceded premiums increased $0.2 million, or 11.7%, during the first quarter of 2005 over the comparable period in 2004. As American Southerns premiums are determined and ceded as a percentage of earned premiums, an increase in ceded premiums occurs when earned premiums increase. For the first quarter of 2005, American Southern experienced a decrease in effective reinsurance rates compared to the same period in 2004. The decrease was primarily due to the increased volume of surety business, which is not subject to reinsurance, as well as lower reinsurance rates resultant from increased retentions on certain program business.
The following presents American Southerns net earned premiums by line of business for the first quarter of 2005 and for the comparable period in 2004 (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Commercial automobile | $ 6,237 | $ 6,247 |
| Private passenger auto | 864 | 983 |
| General liability | 3,069 | 2,167 |
| Property | 970 | 985 |
| Surety | 1,976 |
477 |
| $
13,116 |
$
10,859 |
Net earned premiums increased $2.3 million, or 20.8%, during the first quarter of 2005 over the comparable period in 2004. American Southern increased its business writings in the general liability and surety lines of business in 2004 and, as indicated in the table above, such trends continued in the first quarter of 2005.
American Southern produces much of its business through contracts with various states and municipalities, some of which represent significant amounts of revenue. These contracts, which last from one to three years, are periodically subject to competitive renewal quotes and the loss of a significant contract could have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of American Southern and the Company. In an effort to increase the number of programs underwritten by American Southern and to insulate it from the loss of any one program, American Southern is continually evaluating new underwriting programs. There can be no assurance, however, that new programs or new accounts will offset lost business resulting from the non-renewal of any one or more contracts in the future. Further, profit margins on contracts vary significantly and new business opportunities may not be as profitable as non-renewed contracts.
-13-
The following sets forth the loss and expense ratios of American Southern for the first quarter of 2005 and for the comparable period in 2004:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||
| 2005 |
2004 |
|
| Loss ratio | 48.2% | 53.5% |
| Expense ratio | 47.8 |
44.2 |
| Combined ratio | 96.0% |
97.7% |
The loss ratio for the first quarter of 2005 decreased to 48.2% from 53.5% in the first quarter of 2004. The decrease in the loss ratio for the first quarter of 2005 was primarily attributable to changes in American Southerns book of business. The increased focus on new business writings in the general liability and surety lines of business resulted in a decrease in the loss ratio due to favorable loss experience in those lines of business during the quarter. The expense ratio for the first quarter of 2005 increased to 47.8% compared to 44.2% in the first quarter of 2004. The increase in the expense ratio for the quarter was a function of American Southerns contractual arrangements, which compensate the companys agents in relation to the loss ratios of the business they write. American Southern continues