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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - FedNat Holding Coex32_1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - FedNat Holding Coex31_2.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - FedNat Holding Coex32_2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - FedNat Holding Coex31_1.htm

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2016
OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ___________________TO _______________________
 
Commission File number 0-2500111
 
Federated National Holding Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Florida
 
65-0248866
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180, Sunrise, Florida 33323
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
800-293-2532
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
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 electronically submitted and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☒ 
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
 
              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, $0.01 par value –13,826,654 outstanding as of May 6, 2016
 


FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY

INDEX

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
     
ITEM 1
          3
     
ITEM 2
26
     
ITEM 3
      32
     
ITEM 4
      32
     
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1
        32
     
ITEM 1A
33
     
ITEM 2
33
     
ITEM 3
33
     
ITEM 4
        33
     
ITEM 5
     33
     
ITEM 6
      34
     
 
         35
 
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
ASSETS
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Investments:
           
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
 
$
339,245
   
$
339,178
 
Debt securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
   
6,218
     
6,619
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
   
40,830
     
38,534
 
Total investments
   
386,293
     
384,331
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
72,562
     
53,038
 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
113,117
     
120,771
 
Premiums receivable, net of allowance of $123 and $302, respectively
   
48,232
     
38,594
 
Reinsurance recoverable, net
   
17,924
     
12,714
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
15,764
     
15,547
 
Income taxes receivable
   
1,171
     
2,691
 
Property and equipment, net
   
3,236
     
2,894
 
Other assets
   
7,829
     
7,605
 
Total assets
 
$
666,128
   
$
638,185
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
$
101,615
   
$
97,340
 
Unearned premiums
   
261,885
     
253,960
 
Debt from consolidated variable interest entity
   
4,893
     
4,887
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
8,900
     
5,627
 
Other liabilities
   
27,645
     
25,612
 
Total liabilities
   
404,938
     
387,426
 
                 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 25,000,000 shares authorized; 13,826,654 and 13,798,773 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
   
138
     
138
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
132,928
     
131,998
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
6,367
     
3,985
 
Retained earnings
   
103,354
     
96,461
 
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
   
242,787
     
232,582
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
18,403
     
18,177
 
Total shareholders' equity
   
261,190
     
250,759
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
666,128
   
$
638,185
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
- 3 -

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Revenue:
           
Net premiums earned
 
$
54,997
   
$
44,786
 
Net investment income
   
2,040
     
1,546
 
Net realized investment gains
   
927
     
1,704
 
Other income
   
10,996
     
6,900
 
Total revenue
   
68,960
     
54,936
 
                 
Costs and expenses:
               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
   
29,545
     
23,949
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
   
19,852
     
12,694
 
General and administrative expenses
   
4,081
     
3,798
 
Interest expense
   
84
     
11
 
Total costs and expenses
   
53,562
     
40,452
 
                 
Income before income taxes
   
15,398
     
14,484
 
Income taxes
   
5,795
     
5,711
 
Net income
   
9,603
     
8,773
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
68
     
(511
)
Net income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
9,535
   
$
9,284
 
                 
Net income per share attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders:
               
Basic
 
$
0.69
   
$
0.68
 
Diluted
 
$
0.68
   
$
0.66
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
- 4 -

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Net income
 
$
9,603
   
$
8,773
 
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, available-for-sale
   
4,084
     
1,965
 
Comprehensive income before income taxes
   
13,687
     
10,738
 
                 
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
   
(1,544
)
   
(758
)
Comprehensive income
   
12,143
     
9,980
 
                 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
226
     
(511
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
11,917
   
$
10,491
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
- 5 -

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
     
Preferred
Stock
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
     
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
     
Retained
Earnings
   
Total Shareholders'
Equity attributable to
Federated National
Holding Company
Shareholders
     
Noncontrolling
Interest
   
Total
Shareholders'
Equity
 
       
Issued Shares
   
Amount
                         
   
(in thousands, except share data)
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
-
   
 
13,798,773
   
$
138
   
$
131,998
   
$
3,985
   
$
96,461
   
$
232,582
   
$
18,177
   
$
250,759
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
9,535
     
9,535
     
68
     
9,603
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,382
     
-
     
2,382
     
158
     
2,540
 
Dividends paid
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,565
)
   
(1,565
)
   
-
     
(1,565
)
Issuance of common stock for share-based awards
   
-
     
80,481
     
-
     
4
     
-
     
-
     
4
     
-
     
4
 
Common stock buyback
   
-
     
(52,600
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,077
)
   
(1,077
)
   
-
     
(1,077
)
Share-based compensation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
926
     
-
     
-
     
926
     
-
     
926
 
Balance as of March 31, 2016
 
$
-
   
13,826,654
   
$
138
   
$
132,928
   
$
6,367
   
$
103,354
   
$
242,787
   
$
18,403
   
$
261,190
 
 
 
- 6 -

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
9,603
   
$
8,773
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Net realized investment gains
   
(927
)
   
(1,704
)
Amortization of investment premium or discount, net
   
1,313
     
1,253
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
187
     
152
 
Share-based compensation
   
926
     
1,282
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
7,654
     
8,463
 
Premiums receivable, net
   
(9,638
)
   
(2,535
)
Reinsurance recoverable, net
   
(5,210
)
   
(500
)
Deferred acquisition costs
   
(217
)
   
(2,156
)
Income taxes receivable, net
   
1,274
     
(280
)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
   
4,275
     
6,145
 
Unearned premiums
   
7,925
     
11,009
 
Deferred income taxes, net of other comprehensive income
   
1,729
     
(202
)
Other, net
   
1,809
     
(1,348
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
20,703
     
28,352
 
Cash flow from investing activities:
               
Sales, maturities and redemptions of investment securities
   
72,669
     
56,264
 
Purchases of investment securities
   
(70,933
)
   
(59,466
)
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(523
)
   
(122
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
1,213
 
   
(3,324
)
Cash flow from financing activities:
               
Noncontrolling interest equity investment
   
-
     
17,987
 
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation
   
246
     
530
 
Issuance of debt in consolidated variable interest entity
   
-
     
5,000
 
Purchases of FNHC common stock
   
(1,077
)
   
-
 
Issuance of common stock for share-based awards
   
4
     
27
 
Dividends paid
   
(1,565
)
   
(566
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(2,392
)
   
22,978
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
19,524
     
48,006
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
53,038
     
40,157
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
72,562
   
$
88,163
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
- 7 -

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
 (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Income taxes
 
$
2,300
   
$
5,662
 
Non-cash investing and finance activities:
               
Accrued dividends payable
 
$
854
   
$
567
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
- 8 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(1) ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
This report should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 of Federated National Holding Company (“FNHC”, “Company”, “we”, “us”).

FNHC is an insurance holding company that controls substantially all steps in the insurance underwriting, distribution and claims processes through our subsidiaries and our contractual relationships with our independent agents and general agents.   We are authorized to underwrite, and/or place through our wholly owned subsidiaries, homeowners’ multi-peril (“homeowners”), commercial general liability, federal flood, personal auto and other lines of insurance in Florida and other states. We market, distribute and service our own and third-party insurers’ products and our other services through a network of independent agents.

Our wholly owned insurance subsidiary is Federated National Insurance Company (“FNIC”), which is licensed as an admitted carrier in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. We also serve as managing general agent for Monarch National Insurance Company (“MNIC”), which was founded in 2015 through the joint venture, described below, and is licensed as an admitted carrier in Florida. An admitted carrier is an insurance company that has received a license from the state department of insurance giving the company the authority to write specific lines of insurance in that state. These companies are also bound by rate and form regulations, and are strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and unethical practices, including fraud. Admitted carriers are also required to financially contribute to the state guarantee fund, which is used to pay for losses if an insurance carrier becomes insolvent or unable to pay the losses due their policyholders.

Monarch National Insurance Company Joint Venture

On March 19, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture to organize MNIC, which received its certificate of authority to write homeowners’ property and casualty insurance in Florida from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (the “Florida OIR”). The Company’s joint venture partners are a majority-owned limited partnership of Crosswinds Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Canadian private equity firm and asset manager (“Crosswinds”); and Transatlantic Reinsurance Company (“TransRe”).

The Company and Crosswinds each invested $14.0 million in Monarch Delaware Holdings LLC (“Monarch Delaware”), the indirect parent company of MNIC, for a 42.4% interest in Monarch Delaware (each holding 50% of the voting interests in Monarch Delaware).  TransRe invested $5.0 million for a 15.2% non-voting interest in Monarch Delaware and advanced an additional $5.0 million in debt evidenced by a six-year promissory note bearing 6% annual interest payable by Monarch National Holding Company (“MNHC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Monarch Delaware and the direct parent company of MNIC.

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES

(a) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are unaudited, but reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods covered thereby.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  Certain GAAP policies, which significantly affect the determination of financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, are summarized below.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

(b) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FNHC and all other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest and any variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which we are the primary beneficiary.  All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
- 9 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
A VIE is an entity that does not have sufficient equity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or where investors lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest.  We assess our contractual, ownership or other interests in a VIE to determine if our interest participates in the variability the VIE was designed to absorb and pass onto variable interest holders.  We perform an ongoing qualitative assessment of our variable interests in VIEs to determine whether we have a controlling financial interest and would therefore be considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE.  If we determine we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the investment in Monarch Delaware, we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of this VIE, as we possess both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance.  Accordingly, we consolidate the VIE in our consolidated financial statements.

Refer to note 12 for additional information on the VIE.

(c) ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates.

Similar to other property and casualty insurers, our liability for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, although supported by actuarial projections and other data is ultimately based on management's reasoned expectations of future events. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, we believe that this liability is adequate. Estimates are reviewed regularly and adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments are reflected in current operations.

  (d) RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain amounts in prior year’s consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. In the current period, the Company concluded it was appropriate to reclassify certain revenue accounts that do not have material balances and include them within other income in the consolidated statements of operations.  In addition, during the current period, the Company reclassified certain costs and expenses, principally, operating and underwriting expenses, salaries and wages and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs.  These respective account balances are now included in commissions and other underwriting expenses and general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.  The Company believes this reclassification provide greater clarity and insight into the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.
 
 
(e)
ADJUSTMENTS

During our third quarter 2015 analysis of actual experience to date under the July 1, 2014 quota share reinsurance contract, we re-evaluated the accounting treatment for quota share reinsurance contracts with retrospective rating provisions.  As a result of this re-evaluation, we concluded reinsurance contracts which have retrospective rating provisions should be accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification 944, Financial Services — Insurance (“ASC 944”), where amounts due to (from) the assuming companies are accrued based on estimated contract experience to date as though the contracts were terminated.  Refer to note 2 in our Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 for additional information. 

The adjustments to our accounting for the July 1, 2014 quota share reinsurance treaty, inclusive of other adjustments, are not material in any prior quarter or annual period based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors in accordance with SEC guidance.
 
As a result, we recorded these adjustments during the year ended December 31, 2015.  The prior period adjustments increased net income by $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. 
 
- 10 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
  (f) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted

In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 amended the consolidation guidance by modifying the evaluation criteria for whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, and affecting the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. We adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2016 and re-evaluated all legal entity investments under the revised consolidation model. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest.  ASU 2015-03 reduces the complexity of disclosing debt issuance costs and debt discount and premium on the balance sheet by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The Company adopted this ASU retrospectively as of January 1, 2016.  Other assets and debt from consolidated variable interest entity have been reclassified to be consistent with the adoption of this standard, which resulted in a reduction of $0.1 million each.  There were no changes to shareholders’ equity as a result of this adoption.  There were no other impacts on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles when it becomes effective. In July 2015, the FASB voted to delay the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year, making it effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. ASU 2014-09 permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration-Contracts. The amendments in this ASU apply to all insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts as defined in Topic 944, Financial Services—Insurance. The amendments require insurance entities to disclose for annual reporting periods information on the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This new guidance affects disclosures only and will have no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.  Most notably, this new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard would have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). Upon the effective date, ASU 2016-02 will supersede the current lease guidance in Topic 840, Leases. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases, a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis. Concurrently, lessees will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the effects the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
 
- 11 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(3)
FAIR VALUE
 
Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs.  Observable inputs are based on market data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information.  All assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market is defined as a market where transactions for the financial statement occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
 
Level 2 — Quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities and valuations, using models or other valuation techniques that use observable market data.  All significant inputs are observable, or derived from observable information in the marketplace, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the market place.
 
Level 3 — Instruments that use non-binding broker quotes or model driven valuations that do not have observable market data or those that are estimated based on an ownership interest to which a proportionate share of net assets is attributed.  Currently, the Company has no level 3 investments.
 
The Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of inputs used were as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
26,578
   
$
26,895
   
$
-
   
$
53,473
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
-
     
124,310
     
-
     
124,310
 
Corporate
   
-
     
148,926
     
-
     
148,926
 
International
   
-
     
12,536
     
-
     
12,536
 
     
26,578
     
312,667
     
-
     
339,245
 
                                 
Equity securities
   
38,302
     
2,528
     
-
     
40,830
 
                                 
Total investments
 
$
64,880
   
$
315,195
   
$
-
   
$
380,075
 
 
- 12 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
34,733
   
$
26,820
   
$
-
   
$
61,553
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
-
     
110,702
     
-
     
110,702
 
Corporate
   
-
     
154,620
     
-
     
154,620
 
International
   
-
     
12,303
     
-
     
12,303
 
     
34,733
     
304,445
     
-
     
339,178
 
                                 
Equity securities
   
38,012
     
522
     
-
     
38,534
 
                                 
Total investments
 
$
72,745
   
$
304,967
   
$
-
   
$
377,712
 
 
- 13 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(4) INVESTMENTS

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The amortized cost and the fair value of debt and equity securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:

 
Amortized Cost or
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2016
                       
Debt Securities  - available-for-sale:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
52,406
   
$
1,075
   
$
8
   
$
53,473
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
122,143
     
2,206
     
39
     
124,310
 
Corporate
   
146,571
     
2,854
     
499
     
148,926
 
International
   
12,448
     
176
     
88
     
12,536
 
     
333,568
     
6,311
     
634
     
339,245
 
                                 
Debt Securities  - held-to-maturity:
                               
United States government obligations and authorities
   
4,238
     
65
     
82
     
4,221
 
Corporate
   
1,849
     
33
     
6
     
1,876
 
International
   
131
     
4
     
-
     
135
 
     
6,218
     
102
     
88
     
6,232
 
                                 
Equity securities
   
36,312
     
6,297
     
1,779
     
40,830
 
                                 
Total investments
 
$
376,098
   
$
12,710
   
$
2,501
   
$
386,307
 
 
   
Amortized Cost or
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
                       
Debt Securities  - available-for-sale:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
61,384
   
$
489
   
$
320
   
$
61,553
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
109,152
     
1,590
     
40
     
110,702
 
Corporate
   
154,957
     
1,153
     
1,490
     
154,620
 
International
   
12,528
     
18
     
243
     
12,303
 
     
338,021
     
3,250
     
2,093
     
339,178
 
                                 
Debt Securities  - held-to-maturity:
                               
United States government obligations and authorities
   
4,275
     
30
     
204
     
4,101
 
Corporate
   
2,253
     
14
     
20
     
2,247
 
International
   
91
     
-
     
-
     
91
 
     
6,619
     
44
     
224
     
6,439
 
                                 
Equity securities
   
33,581
     
6,809
     
1,856
     
38,534
 
                                 
Total investments
 
$
378,221
   
$
10,103
   
$
4,173
   
$
384,151
 
 
- 14 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
Contractual Maturity

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by contractual maturity are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
Securities with maturity dates:
 
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Debt securities, available-for-sale:
                       
One year or less
 
$
30,152
   
$
30,177
   
$
24,470
   
$
24,488
 
Over one through five years
   
173,698
     
175,777
     
170,797
     
171,113
 
Over five through ten years
   
129,692
     
133,258
     
142,728
     
143,545
 
Over ten years
   
26
     
33
     
26
     
32
 
     
333,568
     
339,245
     
338,021
     
339,178
 
Debt securities, held-to-maturity:
                               
One year or less
   
478
     
480
     
486
     
487
 
Over one through five years
   
1,927
     
1,976
     
1,899
     
1,915
 
Over five through ten years
   
3,813
     
3,776
     
4,234
     
4,037
 
     
6,218
     
6,232
     
6,619
     
6,439
 
                                 
Total
 
$
339,786
   
$
345,477
   
$
344,640
   
$
345,617
 
 
Net Investment Income

Net investment income was as follows:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest income
 
$
1,853
   
$
1,440
 
Dividends income
   
187
     
106
 
Net investment income
 
$
2,040
   
$
1,546
 
 
- 15 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
Net Realized Gains and Losses

The amount of gross realized gains and losses were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Gross realized gains:
           
Debt securities
 
$
1,304
   
$
515
 
Equity securities
   
738
     
1,395
 
Total gross realized gains
   
2,042
     
1,910
 
                 
Gross realized losses:
               
Debt securities
   
(540
)
   
(103
)
Equity securities
   
(575
)
   
(103
)
Total gross realized losses
   
(1,115
)
   
(206
)
                 
Net realized gains on investments
 
$
927
   
$
1,704
 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities were $66.7 million and $53.5 million, respectively.
 
Aging of Gross Unrealized Losses

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses and related fair values for debt and equity securities, grouped by duration of time in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

 
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
        
Fair Value
       
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
               
(in thousands)
             
Debt securities:
                             
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
1,058
   
$
2
   
$
660
   
$
6
   
$
1,718
   
$
8
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
15,750
     
38
     
1,032
     
1
     
16,782
     
39
 
Corporate
   
31,204
     
466
     
2,935
     
33
     
34,139
     
499
 
International
   
2,092
     
60
     
603
     
28
     
2,695
     
88
 
     
50,104
     
566
     
5,230
     
68
     
55,334
     
634
 
                                                 
Equity securities
   
10,905
     
1,777
     
25
     
2
     
10,930
     
1,779
 
                                                 
Total investments
 
$
61,009
   
$
2,343
   
$
5,255
   
$
70
   
$
66,264
   
$
2,413
 
 
- 16 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
December 31, 2015
 
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
               
(in thousands)
             
Debt securities:
                             
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
30,464
   
$
303
   
$
659
   
$
17
   
$
31,123
   
$
320
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
16,652
     
40
     
-
     
-
     
16,652
     
40
 
Corporate
   
87,176
     
1,420
     
3,590
     
70
     
90,766
     
1,490
 
International
   
8,660
     
191
     
281
     
52
     
8,941
     
243
 
     
142,952
     
1,954
     
4,530
     
139
     
147,482
     
2,093
 
                                                 
Equity securities
   
11,790
     
1,850
     
84
     
6
     
11,874
     
1,856
 
                                                 
Total investments
 
$
154,742
   
$
3,804
   
$
4,614
   
$
145
   
$
159,356
   
$
3,949
 

The Company holds its equity and debt securities as available-for-sale and as such, these securities are recorded at fair value. The Company continually monitors the difference between cost and the estimated fair value of its investments, which involves uncertainty as to whether declines in value are temporary in nature. If the decline of a particular investment is deemed temporary, the Company records the decline as an unrealized loss in shareholders’ equity. If the decline is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company writes its cost-basis or amortized cost-basis down to the fair value of the investment and records an other than temporarily impaired (“OTTI”) loss on its statement of operations. In addition, any portion of such decline related to debt securities that is believed to arise from factors other than credit is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income rather than charged against income.
 
The Company’s assessment of equity securities initially involves an evaluation of all securities that are in an unrealized loss position, regardless of the duration or severity of the loss, as of the applicable balance sheet date. Such initial review consists primarily of assessing whether: (i) there has been a negative credit or news event with respect to the issuer that could indicate the existence of an OTTI; and (ii) the Company has the ability and intent to hold an equity security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery (generally considered to be one year from the balance sheet date).
 
To the extent that an equity security in an unrealized loss position is not impaired based on the initial review described above, the Company then further evaluates such equity security by considering qualitative and quantitative factors, including facts and circumstances specific to individual securities, asset classes, the financial condition of the issuer, changes in dividend payment, the length of time fair value had been less than cost, the severity of the decline in fair value below cost, industry outlook and our ability and intent to hold each position until its forecasted recovery.
 
If the Company intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that, the Company will sell, a debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the total amount of the unrealized loss position is recognized as an OTTI loss in income. To the extent that a debt security that is in an unrealized loss position is not impaired based on the preceding, the Company will consider a debt security to be impaired when it believes it to be probable that the Company will not be able to collect the entire amortized cost basis.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we did not have any material OTTI losses.

Collateral Deposits
 
As of March 31, 2016, investments with fair values of approximately $12.0 million, the majority of which were debt securities, were deposited with governmental authorities and into custodial bank accounts as required by law or contractually obligated.
 
- 17 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(5)
REINSURANCE

Overview

The Company reinsures (cedes) a portion of written premiums on an excess of loss or a quota share basis to nonaffiliated insurance companies in order to limit our loss exposure. To the extent that reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations assumed under these reinsurance agreements, we remain primarily liable to our policyholders.

Reinsurance Recoverables

Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are recognized in a manner consistent with the claims liabilities associated with the reinsurance placement and presented on the balance sheet as reinsurance recoverables. The following reinsurance recoverable is reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented as follows:

   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
$
6,767
   
$
5,218
 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
   
11,157
     
7,496
 
Reinsurance recoverable, net
 
$
17,924
   
$
12,714
 

Premiums Written and Earned

The following table indicates premiums written and earned as follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Premiums written:
           
Direct
 
$
136,025
   
$
106,702
 
Ceded
   
(43,570
)
   
(25,958
)
   
$
92,455
   
$
80,744
 
Premiums earned:
               
Direct
 
$
128,099
   
$
95,693
 
Ceded
   
(73,102
)
   
(50,907
)
   
$
54,997
   
$
44,786
 
 
Significant Reinsurance Contracts

FNIC operates primarily by underwriting and accepting risks for their direct account on a gross basis and reinsuring a portion of the exposure on either an individual risk or an aggregate basis to the extent those exceed the desired retention level.  We continually evaluate the relative attractiveness of different forms of reinsurance contracts and different markets that may be used to achieve our risk and profitability objectives.  MNIC does not have any material reinsurance contracts as of March 31, 2016.  All of our reinsurance contracts do not relieve FNIC from their direct obligations to insured.

The Company’s reinsurance program, which runs either from June 1 to May 31 or from July 1 to June 30 of the following year, consists of excess of loss placed with the private market and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) and quota share, which is a form of proportional reinsurance, treaties which insure the homeowners’ property lines from catastrophes in Florida and other states.  The excess of loss and FHCF treaties, which became effective on July 1, 2015, insures for approximately $1.82 billion of aggregate catastrophic losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) with a maximum single event coverage totaling approximately $1.26 billion, with the Company retaining the first $12.9 million in Florida and $5.0 million in Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina for losses and LAE from each event.  The FHCF treaty only affords coverage for losses sustained in Florida and represents only a portion of the reinsurance coverage in Florida.
 
- 18 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
The Company’s quota share treaties, which are included in the reinsurance program, runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year.  The quota share treaties consist of two different treaties, one for 30% which became effective July 1, 2014 and the other for 10% which became effective July 1, 2015.  The combined treaties provide a 40% quota share reinsurance treaty on the first $100 million of covered losses for the homeowners’ insurance program in Florida. The treaties are accounted for as retrospectively rated contracts whereby the estimated ultimate premium or commission is recognized over the period of the contracts.
 
The quota share reinsurance agreements require FNIC to secure the credit, regulatory and business risk.  Fully funded trust agreements securing these risks totaled $3.5 million, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

(6)
LOSS AND LAE RESERVES

The liability for loss and LAE reserves is determined on an individual-case basis for all incidents reported. The liability also includes amounts for unallocated expenses, anticipated future claim development and IBNR.

Activity in the liability for loss and LAE reserves is summarized as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016
   
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Gross reserves, beginning of period
 
$
97,340
   
$
78,330
 
Less: reinsurance recoverable (1)
   
(7,496
)
   
(10,394
)
Net reserves, beginning of period
   
89,844
     
67,936
 
                 
Incurred loss, net of reinsurance, related to:
               
Current year
   
30,093
     
113,819
 
Prior years
   
(548
)
   
(9,466
)
Total incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance
   
29,545
     
104,353
 
                 
Paid loss, net of reinsurance, related to:
               
Current year
   
9,221
     
49,531
 
Prior years
   
19,710
     
32,914
 
Total paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance
   
28,931
     
82,445
 
                 
Net reserves, end of period
   
90,458
     
89,844
 
Plus: reinsurance recoverable (1)
   
11,157
     
7,496
 
Gross reserves, end of period
 
$
101,615
   
$
97,340
 

(1) Reinsurance recoverable in this table includes only ceded loss and LAE reserves.
 
The favorable development in 2015 and first quarter of 2016 is primarily a result of continued favorable loss experience (mostly caused by decreased severity in reported claims) in the Company’s all other peril homeowners coverage caused in part by the absence of severe weather in Florida. Specifically, we have experienced better severity than expected on the 2014 and 2013 accident years.
 
- 19 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(7)
DEBT

On March 17, 2015, MNHC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Monarch Delaware, our consolidated VIE, issued a promissory note with a principal amount of $5.0 million bearing 6% annual interest, due March 17, 2021 with interest payable on an annual basis due March 17 each year.  The debt was issued to TransRe, a related party, and is being carried at the unpaid principal balance, net of debt issuance costs, and any accrued and unpaid interest is recognized in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.  The Company recorded $0.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the 6% promissory note.

(8)
INCOME TAXES

A summary of the provision for income tax expense is as follows.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Federal:
           
Current
 
$
3,544
   
$
4,652
 
Deferred
   
1,439
     
259
 
Federal income tax expense
   
4,983
     
4,911
 
State:
               
Current
   
276
     
731
 
Deferred
   
536
     
69
 
State income tax expense
   
812
     
800
 
                 
Total income taxes
 
$
5,795
   
$
5,711
 
 
The actual income tax expense differs from the "expected" income tax expense (computed by applying the combined applicable effective federal and state tax rates to income before income tax expense as follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Computed expected tax expense provision, at federal rate
 
$
5,389
   
$
5,248
 
State tax, net of federal tax benefit
   
534
     
543
 
Other    
(128
)
   
(80
)
Total income taxes
 
$
5,795
   
$
5,711
 
 
The Company files a federal income tax return and various state and local tax returns. The Company’s consolidated federal and state income tax returns for 2012 - 2014 are open for review by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other state taxing authorities.
 
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we have determined that there are no uncertain tax positions.
 
- 20 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(9)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings
 
In the ordinary course of conducting business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings, specifically claims litigation.  The Company’s insurance subsidiaries participate in most of these proceedings by either defending third-party claims brought against insureds or litigating first-party coverage claims.  The Company accounts for such activity through the establishment of loss and loss adjustment expense reserves.  We believe that the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to such ordinary-course claims litigation, after consideration of provisions made for potential losses and costs of defense, is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.  The Company is also occasionally involved in other legal and regulatory proceedings, some of which may assert claims for substantial amounts.  These other legal proceedings may occasionally make us party to individual actions in which extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties are sought, such as claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims.
 
On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews these outstanding matters, if any.  Consistent with GAAP, the Company establishes accruals when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate its potential exposure.  We record for such probable and estimable losses, if any, through the establishment of legal expense reserves.  Based on our quarterly review, the Company believes that our accruals for probable and estimable losses are reasonable and that the amounts accrued do not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Assessment Related Activity

We operate in a regulatory environment where certain entities and organizations have the authority to require us to participate in assessments. Currently these entities and organizations include, but are not limited to, Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (“FIGA”), Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”), FHCF and Florida Joint Underwriters Insurance Association (“JUA”). As a direct premium writer in the state of Florida, we are required to participate in certain insurer solvency associations under Florida Statutes Section 631.57(3) (a), administered by FIGA. Future assessments are likely, although the impact of these assessments on our balance sheet, results of operations or cash flow are undeterminable at this time.

FNIC is also required to participate in an insurance apportionment plan under Florida Statutes Section 627.351, which is referred to as a JUA Plan. The JUA Plan provides for the equitable apportionment of any profits realized, or losses and expenses incurred, among participating automobile insurers. In the event of an underwriting deficit incurred by the JUA Plan which is not recovered through the policyholders in the JUA Plan, such deficit shall be recovered from the companies participating in the JUA Plan in the proportion that the net direct written premiums of each such member during the preceding calendar year bear to the aggregate net direct premiums written in this state by all members of the JUA Plan. FNIC was not assessed by the JUA Plan. Future assessments by this association are undeterminable at this time.

(10)
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock Repurchases

In March 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of common stock of FNHC, at such times and at prices as management determines advisable, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million through March 31, 2017.

Pursuant to our Board of Directors authorizations, the Company repurchased 52,600 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.1 million, which is an average price per share of $20.44, during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
 
- 21 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Share-based Compensation Expense

The following table provides certain information in connection with the Company’s share-based compensation arrangements as follows:

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Restricted stock
 
$
680
   
$
728
 
Stock options
   
-
     
24
 
Total share-based compensation expense
 
$
680
   
$
752
 
                 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards
 
$
246
   
$
530
 
Intrinsic value of options exercised
 
$
193
   
$
2,346
 
Fair value of restricted stock vested
 
$
12,358
   
$
17,387
 

The intrinsic value of options exercised represents the difference between the stock option exercise price and the weighted average closing stock price of FNHC common stock on the exercise dates, as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market.

The unamortized share-based compensation expense is $8.7 million as of March 31, 2016, which will be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 3.23 years.

Stock Option Awards

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 is as follows:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
Option Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
   
174,633
   
$
3.79
 
Granted
   
-
   
$
-
 
Exercised
   
(1,100
)
 
$
4.20
 
Cancelled
   
-
   
$
-
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2016
   
173,533
   
$
3.78
 

Restricted Stock
 
On March 10, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors granted 128,472 restricted shares to the Company’s Directors, Executives and other key employees.  The restricted shares vest over three or five years.
 
- 22 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 is as follows:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average
 Grant Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
   
418,807
   
$
20.14
 
Granted
   
128,472
   
$
19.16
 
Vested
   
(79,381
)
 
$
15.57
 
Cancelled
   
-
   
$
-
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2016
   
467,898
   
$
20.64
 

The weighted average grant date fair value is measured at the closing price of FNHC common stock on the grant date, as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents a reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
Before Tax
   
Income Tax
   
Net
   
Before Tax
   
Income Tax
   
Net
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning of period
 
$
6,111
   
$
(2,247
)
 
$
3,864
   
$
12,417
   
$
(4,699
)
 
$
7,718
 
                                                 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
 
5,570
   
 
(2,103
)
 
 
3,467
   
 
4,717
   
 
(1,806
)
 
 
2,911
 
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income
   
(1,486
)
   
559
     
(927
)
   
(2,752
)
   
1,048
     
(1,704
)
   
4,084
   
 
(1,544
)
 
 
2,540
   
 
1,965
   
 
(758
)
 
 
1,207
 
                                                 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, end of period
 
$
10,195
   
$
(3,791
)
 
$
6,404
   
$
14,382
   
$
(5,457
)
 
$
8,925
 
 
- 23 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 
(11)
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table illustrates our computations of basic and diluted net income per share.

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Net income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
9,535
   
$
9,284
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
13,826
     
13,656
 
Net income per share - basic
 
$
0.69
   
$
0.68
 
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
13,826
     
13,656
 
Dilutive effect of stock compensation plans
 
$
218
   
$
320
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
   
14,044
     
13,976
 
Net income per share - diluted
 
$
0.68
   
$
0.66
 
                 
Dividends per share
 
$
0.05
   
$
0.04
 
 
- 24 -

Federated National Holding Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(12)
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY

The carrying amounts of the assets of Monarch Delaware, our consolidated VIE, which can only be used to settle obligations of Monarch Delaware, and liabilities of Monarch Delaware for which creditors do not have recourse are as follows:

   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
ASSETS
 
(in thousands)
 
Investments
           
Debt maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
 
$
19,836
   
$
21,312
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
   
3,151
     
1,358
 
Total investments
   
22,987
     
22,670
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
14,990
     
14,616
 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
14
     
34
 
Premiums receivable, net
   
344
     
355
 
Deferred income taxes
   
5
     
646
 
Income taxes receivable
   
395
     
-
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
237
     
234
 
Other assets
   
156
     
157
 
Total assets
 
$
39,128
   
$
38,712
 
                 
LIABILITIES
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
$
324
   
$
237
 
Unearned premiums
   
1,572
     
1,448
 
Debt
   
4,893
     
4,887
 
Income taxes payable
   
-
     
8
 
Other liabilities
   
187
     
374
 
Total liabilities
 
$
6,976
   
$
6,954
 
 
(13)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
MNIC applied for and was approved by the Florida OIR for a rate decrease of 11.9% for Florida homeowners’ multiple-peril insurance policies, which became effective for new and renewals on April 15, 2016.    Additionally, FNIC applied for and was approved by the Florida OIR for a rate increase of 5.6% for Florida homeowners’ multiple-peril insurance policies, which will become effective for new and renewals on August 1, 2016. 
 
- 25 -

General information about Federated National Holding Company can be found at www.FedNat.com; however, the information that can be accessed through our web site is not part of our report. We make our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 available free of charge on our web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with the SEC.

Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following is a discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Unless the context requires otherwise, as used in this Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the terms “FNHC,” “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refers to Federated National Holding Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (“Form 10-Q”)  or in documents that are incorporated by reference that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” or “will” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon and similar words or phrases or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
 
Forward-looking statements might also include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
 
· Projections of revenues, income, earnings per share, dividends, capital structure or other financial items or measures;
· Descriptions of plans or objectives of management for future operations, insurance products/or services;
· Forecasts of future insurable events, economic performance, liquidity, need for funding and income; and
· Descriptions of assumptions or estimates underlying or relating to any of the foregoing.

The risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to estimates, assumptions and projections generally; the nature of the Company’s business; the adequacy of its reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”); claims experience; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail) and other catastrophic losses; reinsurance costs and the ability of reinsurers to indemnify the Company; raising additional capital and our potential failure to meet minimum capital and surplus requirements; potential assessments that support property and casualty insurance pools and associations; the effectiveness of internal financial controls; the effectiveness of our underwriting, pricing and related loss limitation methods; changes in loss trends, including as a result of insureds’ assignment of benefits; court decisions and trends in litigation; our potential failure to pay claims accurately; ability to obtain regulatory approval applications for requested rate increases, or to underwrite in additional jurisdictions, and the timing thereof; the impact that the results of the Monarch joint venture may have on our results of operations; inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; legislative and regulatory developments; the outcome of litigation pending against the Company, and any settlement thereof; dependence on investment income and the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio; insurance agents; ratings by industry services; the reliability and security of our information technology systems; reliance on key personnel; acts of war and terrorist activities; and other matters described from time to time by the Company in this report and other filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Form 10-K.

In addition, investors should be aware that US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including claims and litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for a contingency. Reported results may therefore appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods.
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.  We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.
 
GENERAL

FNHC is an insurance holding company that controls substantially all steps in the insurance underwriting, distribution and claims processes through our subsidiaries and our contractual relationships with our independent agents and general agents.   We are authorized to underwrite, and/or place through our wholly owned subsidiaries, homeowners’ multi-peril (“homeowners”), commercial general liability, federal flood, personal auto and other lines of insurance in Florida and other states. We market, distribute and service our own and third-party insurers’ products and our other services through a network of independent agents.
 

- 26 -

Our wholly owned insurance subsidiary is Federated National Insurance Company (“FNIC”), which is licensed as an admitted carrier in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. We also serve as managing general agent for Monarch National Insurance Company (“MNIC”), which was founded in 2015 through the joint venture, described below, and is licensed as an admitted carrier in Florida. An admitted carrier is an insurance company that has received a license from the state department of insurance giving the company the authority to write specific lines of insurance in that state. These companies are also bound by rate and form regulations, and are strictly regulated to protect policyholders from a variety of illegal and unethical practices, including fraud. Admitted carriers are also required to financially contribute to the state guarantee fund, which is used to pay for losses if an insurance carrier becomes insolvent or unable to pay the losses due their policyholders.
 
Monarch National Insurance Company Joint Venture

On March 19, 2015, the Company entered into a joint venture to organize MNIC, which received its certificate of authority to write homeowners’ property and casualty insurance in Florida from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (the “Florida OIR”).  The Company’s joint venture partners are a majority-owned limited partnership of Crosswinds Holdings Inc., a publicly traded Canadian private equity firm and asset manager (“Crosswinds”); and Transatlantic Reinsurance Company (“TransRe”).

The Company and Crosswinds each invested $14.0 million in Monarch Delaware Holdings, LLC (“Monarch Delaware”), the indirect parent company of MNIC, for a 42.4% interest in Monarch Delaware (each holding 50% of the voting interests in Monarch Delaware).  TransRe invested $5.0 million in debt evidenced by a six-year promissory note bearing 6% annual interest payable by Monarch National Holding Company (“MNHC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Monarch Delaware and the direct parent company of MNIC.

In connection with the organization of MNIC, the parties entered into the following agreements dated as of March 17, 2015:

· MNIC entered into a Managing General Agent and Claims Administration Agreement (the “Monarch MGA Agreement”) with FedNat Underwriters, Inc. (“FNU”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to which FNU provides underwriting, accounting, reinsurance placement and claims administration services to Monarch.  For its services under the Monarch MGA Agreement, FNU receives 4% of Monarch’s total written annual premium, excluding acquisition expenses payable to agents, for FNU’s managing general agent services; 3.6% of Monarch’s total earned annual premium for FNU’s claims administration services; and a per-policy administrative fee of $25 for each policy underwritten for Monarch.  The Company also receives an annual expense reimbursement for accounting and related services.

· MNIC, MNHC and Monarch Delaware (collectively, the “Monarch Entities”) entered into an Investment Management Agreement (the “Monarch Investment Agreement”) with Crosswinds AUM LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Crosswinds (“Crosswinds AUM”), pursuant to which Crosswinds AUM manages the investment portfolios of the Monarch Entities.  The management fee, on an annual basis, is 0.75% of assets under management up to $100 million; 0.50% of assets under management of more than $100 million but less than $200 million; and 0.30% of assets under management of more than $200 million.

· MNIC also entered into a Reinsurance Capacity Right of First Refusal Agreement with TransRe, pursuant to which TransRe has a right of first refusal for all quota share and excess of loss reinsurance that Monarch Insurance deems necessary in its sole discretion for so long as TransRe remains a member of Monarch Delaware or the MNHC debt remains outstanding.  Pursuant to this agreement, TransRe has the right to provide, at market rates and terms, a maximum of 15% of any reinsurance coverage obtained by Monarch Delaware in any individual reinsurance contract.

· The Company’s CEO and CFO hold their respective positions with Monarch Entities while they remain employed by the Company.

Monarch Entities are consolidated as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.

Executive Offices

Our executive offices are located at 14050 N.W. 14th Street, Suite 180, Sunrise, Florida 33323 and our telephone number is (800) 293-2532.
 
- 27 -

Overview of Insurance Lines of Business

Homeowners’ Property and Casualty Insurance

FNIC and MNIC underwrite homeowners’ insurance in Florida and FNIC also underwrites insurance in Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. Homeowners’ insurance generally protects an owner of real and personal property against covered causes of loss to that property. The Florida homeowners’ policies in-force totaled 252,975 and 242,702 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Our homeowners’ insurance products provide maximum dwelling coverage in the amount of approximately $3.8 million, with the aggregate maximum policy limit being approximately $6.5 million. We currently offer dwelling coverage “A” up to $4.0 million with an aggregate total insured value of $6.5 million. We continually subject these limits to review; during 2015, coverage “A” was increased by $1.0 million and total insured value increased by $1.5 million. The approximate average premium on the policies currently in-force is $1,758, as compared with $1,840 for 2014. The typical deductible is either $2,500 or $1,000 for non-hurricane-related claims and generally 2% of the coverage amount for the structure for hurricane-related claims.
 
Premium rates charged to our homeowners’ insurance policyholders are continually evaluated to assure that they meet the expectation that they are actuarially sound and produce a reasonable level of profit (neither excessive, inadequate or discriminatory). Premium rates in Florida and other states are regulated and approved by the respective states’ office of insurance regulation.  MNIC applied for and was approved by the Florida OIR for a rate decrease of 11.9% for Florida homeowners’ multiple-peril insurance policies, which became effective for new and renewals on April 15, 2016.    Additionally, FNIC applied for and was approved by the Florida OIR for a rate increase of 5.6% for Florida homeowners’ multiple-peril insurance policies, which will become effective for new and renewals on August 1, 2016. We continue to monitor and seek appropriate adjustment to our rates in order to remain competitive and profitable.
 
Other Lines of Business

Commercial General Liability: We underwrite for approximately 380 classes of skilled craft workers (excluding homebuilders and developers) and mercantile trades (such as owners, landlords and tenants). The limits of liability range from $100,000 per occurrence with a $200,000 policy aggregate to $1.0 million per occurrence with a $2.0 million policy aggregate.  We market the commercial general liability insurance products through independent agents and a limited number of general agencies unaffiliated with the Company.

Personal Automobile: Nonstandard personal automobile insurance is principally provided to insureds that are unable to obtain standard insurance coverage because of their driving record, age, vehicle type or other factors, including market conditions. We market this through licensed general agents in their respective territories.

Flood:   FNIC writes flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”). We write the policy for the NFIP, which assumes 100% of the flood risk while we retain a commission for our service.

See the discussion in Item 1: “Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for additional information with respect to our business.
 
- 28 -

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview

The following overview does not address all of the matters covered in the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations or contain all of the information that may be important to our shareholders or the investing public.  This overview should be read in conjunction with the other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

· Gross written premiums totaled $136.0 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared with $106.7 million in the first quarter of 2015.

· Total revenues totaled $69.0 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared with $54.9 million in the first quarter of 2015.

· Net income attributable to FNHC shareholders totaled $9.5 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared with $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2015.

· Total investments increased $2.0 million, to $386.3 million as of March 31, 2016, compared with $384.3 million as of December 31, 2015.

· Cash and cash equivalents increased $19.6 million, to $72.6 million as of March 31, 2016, compared with $53.0 million as of December 31, 2015.
 
· Loss ratio was 53.7% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with 53.5% in the first quarter of 2015.  The loss ratio is calculated as losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned.

· Expense ratio was 43.5% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with 36.8% in the first quarter of 2015.  The expense ratio is calculated as all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
· Combined ratio was 97.2% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with 90.3% in the first quarter of 2015.  The combined ratio is calculated as the sum of losses and LAE and all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Net Premiums Earned
 
Net premiums earned increased $10.2 million, or 22.8%, to $55.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $44.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our Florida homeownrs’ in-force policy count to 252,975 as of March 31, 2016, compared with 196,924 as of March 31, 2015.  Additionally, the growth in the policy count is driven by management’s strategy to grow market share by providing exceptional service to our customers and partner agents.

Net Investment Income
 
Net investment income increased $0.5 million, or 32.0%, to $2.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase is mainly due to greater interest income earned, which is attributed to the year-over-year growth of our investment portfolio. Our debt securities investment yield, net was 2.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
Net Realized Investment Gains
 
Net realized investment gains totaled $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. From time to time, our portfolio managers move out of positions due to both macro and micro conditions; these movements generate both realized gains and losses. 
 
- 29 -

Other Income

Other income increased $4.1 million, or 59.3%, to $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The following table represents the other income detail as follows:

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Other income:
           
Direct written policy fees
 
$
4,202
   
$
2,492
 
Commission income
   
4,827
     
1,126
 
Brokerage revenue
   
1,448
     
1,378
 
Quota-share profit sharing
   
-
     
1,477
 
Finance revenue
   
519
     
427
 
Total
 
$
10,996
   
$
6,900
 
 
The increase in policy fees is directly related to the increase in gross written premiums in homeowners and private passenger auto compared to prior year.  Additionally, the increase in commission revenue is related to the growth in ceding commissions from private passenger auto as a result of the growth in that line of business and the fees we receive for managing that business.

Losses and LAE

Losses and LAE increased $5.6 million, or 23.4%, to $29.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $23.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015.   The increase to losses and LAE was driven by an increase in earned premiums, $4.9 million in gross catastrophe losses related to a series of tornados in Florida during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and an increase to our Florida homeowners’ ultimate loss ratio, which is driven by unfavorable development from assignment of benefits and temporary discontinuation of the underwriting analytics in the second and third quarter of 2015, as discussed in the Company’s December 31, 2015 Form 10-K.

Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses

Commissions and other underwriting expenses increased $7.2 million, or 56.3%, to $19.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $12.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The increase in expenses is directly related to the significant increase in gross premiums written and earned as well as in other income accounts during the same period in the prior year.  The Company incurred additional variable costs in support of the growth, experiencing an increase in commissions, salaries and benefits, premium taxes, licenses and fees and other costs. The headcount increased from 178 operational employees as of March 31, 2015 to 251 operational employees as of March 31, 2016.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million, or 7.5%, to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The change is due to an increase in salaries and benefits, including bonus expense, and additional professional and consulting fees, offset by a decrease in legal fees, as we incurred $0.9 million of start-up costs related to the organization of Monarch during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  Professional fees include audit, tax and actuarial fees.  The increased headcount and other costs are in support of the significant growth in our gross written premiums during the three months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Income Taxes

Income taxes increased $0.1 million, or 1.5%, to $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The slight change was due to an increase in taxable income and an increase in our effective tax rate.  Our effective tax rate was 37.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with 38.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in the effective tax rate is due to permanent differences relating to tax exempt interest income.
 
- 30 -

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of funds are net premiums, investment income, commissions and fee income.  Our primary uses of funds are the payment of claims and operating expenses.  As of March 31, 2016, we had $72.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $386.3 million in investments.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $20.7 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 of $28.4 million.  This decrease was primarily as a result of the changes in the premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable accounts.
 
Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.2 million, compared to net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 of $3.3 million.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $2.4 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 of $23.0 million.  This decrease was primarily due to $18.0 million related to the noncontrolling interest equity investment and $5.0 million related to the issuance of debt in our consolidated VIE during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
 
We believe that existing cash and investment balances, when combined with anticipated cash flows as noted above, will be adequate to meet our expected liquidity needs in both the short-term and the reasonably foreseeable future.  Any future growth strategy may require external financing, and we may from time to time seek to obtain external financing.  We cannot assure that additional sources of financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all, or that any such financing would not negatively impact our results of operations.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Our primary assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or with the same magnitude as the inflationary effect on the cost of paying losses and LAE.

          Insurance premiums are established before we know the amount of losses and LAE and the extent to which inflation may affect such expenses. Consequently, we attempt to anticipate the future impact of inflation when establishing rate levels. While we attempt to charge adequate premiums, we may be limited in raising premium levels for competitive and regulatory reasons. Inflation may also affect the market value of our investment portfolio and the investment rate of return. Any future economic changes that result in prolonged and increasing levels of inflation could cause increases in the dollar amount of incurred losses and LAE and thereby materially adversely affect future liability requirements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

We believe our most critical accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements are: (i) fair value measurements of our investments, (ii) investments, (iii) premium and unearned premium calculation, (iv) reinsurance contracts, (v) the amount and recoverability of amortization of deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), (vi) reserve for loss and LAE and (vii) income taxes.  The accounting estimates that result require the use of assumptions about certain matters that are highly uncertain at the time of estimation.  To the extent actual experience differs from the assumptions used, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows would be affected.
 
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There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Refer to Part II, Item 7: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Estimates” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our investment objective is to maximize total rate of return after federal income taxes while maintaining liquidity and minimizing risk. Our current investment policy limits investment in non-investment-grade debt securities (including high-yield bonds), and limits total investments in preferred stock, common stock and mortgage notes receivable. We also comply with applicable laws and regulations that further restrict the type, quality and concentration of our investments. In general, these laws and regulations permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common equity securities and real estate mortgages.

Our investment policy is established by the Board of Directors Investment Committee and is reviewed on a regular basis. Pursuant to this investment policy, as of March 31, 2016, approximately 91% of investments were in debt securities and cash and cash equivalents, which are considered to be either held until maturity or available-for-sale, based upon our estimates of required liquidity. Approximately 98% of the debt securities are considered available-for-sale and are marked to market. We may in the future consider additional debt securities to be held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. We do not use any swaps, options, futures or forward contracts to hedge or enhance our investment portfolio.

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of March 31, 2016. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of March 31, 2016, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes during the three months ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
Part II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

Refer to note 9 to the notes to consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, “Financial Statements” for further information about legal proceedings.
 
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Item 1A: Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Please refer to that section for disclosures regarding what we believe are the most significant risks and uncertainties related to our business.

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

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The following table summarizes our common stock repurchases in the quarter ended March 31, 2016:

   
Total Number of Shares
Repurchased
   
Average Price Paid
Per Share
   
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as of Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
   
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans (1)
 
March 14, 2016 to March 31, 2016
   
52,600
   
$
20.44
     
52,600
   
$
8,924,780
 

(1)    In March 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of common stock of FNHC, at such times and at prices as management determines advisable, up to an aggregate of $10.0 million through March 31, 2017.
 
Item 3: Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5: Other Information

None.
 
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Item 6: Exhibits

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

101.INS-XBRL   Instance 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. **

* filed herewith

** In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be part of any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
 
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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Michael H. Braun
 
   
Michael H. Braun, Chief Executive Officer
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
   
/s/ Peter J. Prygelski III
 
   
Peter J. Prygelski III, Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
       
Date: May 6, 2016
     
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX

31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. *

101.INS-XBRL       Instance 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. **

* filed herewith

** In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be part of any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

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