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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - FedNat Holding Coex32_2.htm
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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 JUNE 30, 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 000-25001
 
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, FL
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. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
   
(Do not check if a 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.

As of August 3, 2016, the registrant had 13,784,811 shares of common stock outstanding.
 


FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PAGE
     
ITEM 1
3
     
ITEM 2
26
     
ITEM 3
36
     
ITEM 4
36
     
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
ITEM 1
37
     
ITEM 1A
37
     
ITEM 2
37
     
ITEM 3
37
     
ITEM 4
37
     
ITEM 5
37
     
ITEM 6
38
     
 39
 
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements

FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
   
June 30,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS
           
Investments:
           
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $356,199 and $338,021, respectively)
 
$
365,364
   
$
339,178
 
Debt securities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost
   
5,905
     
6,619
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $34,565 and $33,581, respectively)
   
40,601
     
38,534
 
Total investments
   
411,870
     
384,331
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
80,073
     
53,038
 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
109,809
     
120,771
 
Premiums receivable, net of allowance of  $123 and $302, respectively
   
58,063
     
38,594
 
Reinsurance recoverable, net
   
20,572
     
12,714
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
21,287
     
15,547
 
Income taxes receivable
   
8,687
     
2,691
 
Property and equipment, net
   
3,335
     
2,894
 
Other assets
   
7,918
     
7,605
 
TOTAL ASSETS
 
$
721,614
   
$
638,185
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
LIABILITIES:
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
$
120,723
   
$
97,340
 
Unearned premiums
   
295,769
     
253,960
 
Debt from consolidated variable interest entity
   
4,898
     
4,887
 
Deferred income taxes, net
   
5,720
     
5,627
 
Other liabilities
   
28,824
     
25,612
 
Total liabilities
   
455,934
     
387,426
 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 25,000,000 shares authorized; 13,782,911 and 13,798,773 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
   
138
     
138
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
135,255
     
131,998
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
9,422
     
3,985
 
Retained earnings
   
102,189
     
96,461
 
Total Federated National Holding Company shareholders’ equity
   
247,004
     
232,582
 
Noncontrolling interest
   
18,676
     
18,177
 
Total shareholders’ equity
   
265,680
     
250,759
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
$
721,614
   
$
638,185
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
Revenue:
                       
Net premiums earned
 
$
60,045
   
$
49,227
   
$
115,042
   
$
94,012
 
Net investment income
   
2,194
     
1,701
     
4,234
     
3,248
 
Net realized investment gains
   
7
     
913
     
934
     
2,617
 
Other income
   
12,818
     
6,949
     
23,814
     
13,849
 
Total revenue
   
75,064
     
58,790
     
144,024
     
113,726
 
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
   
47,025
     
23,148
     
76,570
     
47,098
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
   
21,044
     
13,630
     
40,896
     
26,324
 
General and administrative expenses
   
5,086
     
3,287
     
9,167
     
7,085
 
Interest expense
   
94
     
86
     
178
     
97
 
Total costs and expenses
   
73,249
     
40,151
     
126,811
     
80,604
 
                                 
Income before income taxes
   
1,815
     
18,639
     
17,213
     
33,122
 
Income taxes
   
697
     
6,755
     
6,492
     
12,465
 
Net income
   
1,118
     
11,884
     
10,721
     
20,657
 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
127
     
150
     
195
     
(361
)
Net income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
991
   
$
11,734
   
$
10,526
   
$
21,018
 
                                 
Net income per share attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.86
   
$
0.76
   
$
1.54
 
Diluted
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.84
   
$
0.75
   
$
1.50
 
                                 
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
13,805
     
13,722
     
13,816
     
13,689
 
Diluted
   
13,988
     
13,985
     
14,013
     
13,978
 
                                 
Dividends declared per share of common stock
 
$
0.06
   
$
0.04
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.08
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                   
Net income
 
$
1,118
   
$
11,884
   
$
10,721
   
$
20,657
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, available-for-sale
   
5,006
     
(3,974
)
   
9,090
     
(2,010
)
Comprehensive income before income taxes
   
6,124
     
7,910
     
19,811
     
18,647
 
                                 
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income
   
(1,805
)    
1,409
     
(3,349
)
   
651
 
Comprehensive income
   
4,319
     
9,319
     
16,462
     
19,298
 
                                 
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
273
     
-
     
499
     
-
 
Comprehensive income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
4,046
   
$
9,319
   
$
15,963
   
$
19,298
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)

         
Common Stock
   
Additional
   
Accumulated
Other
         
Total Shareholders’
Equity attributable to
Federated National
         
Total
 
   
Preferred
               
Paid-in
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
   
Holding Company
   
Noncontrolling
   
Shareholders’
 
   
Stock
   
Issued Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Income
   
Earnings
   
Shareholders
   
Interest
   
Equity
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
-
     
13,798,773
   
$
138
   
$
131,998
   
$
3,985
   
$
96,461
   
$
232,582
   
$
18,177
   
$
250,759
 
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
10,526
     
10,526
     
195
     
10,721
 
Other comprehensive income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
5,437
     
-
     
5,437
     
304
     
5,741
 
Dividends
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(2,425
)
   
(2,425
)
   
-
     
(2,425
)
Shares issued under stock-based compensation plans
   
-
     
96,314
     
-
     
26
     
-
     
-
     
26
     
-
     
26
 
Tax benefits from stock-based awards
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
598
     
-
     
-
     
598
     
-
     
598
 
Repurchases of common stock
   
-
     
(112,176
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(2,373
)
   
(2,373
)
   
-
     
(2,373
)
Share-based compensation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,633
     
-
     
-
     
2,633
     
-
     
2,633
 
Balance as of June 30, 2016
 
$
-
     
13,782,911
   
$
138
   
$
135,255
   
$
9,422
   
$
102,189
   
$
247,004
   
$
18,676
   
$
265,680
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 (Unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
 
 
Cash flow from operating activities:
           
Net income
 
$
10,721
   
$
20,657
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Net realized investment gains
   
(934
)
   
(2,617
)
Amortization of investment premium or discount, net
   
2,562
     
2,487
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
392
     
302
 
Share-based compensation
   
3,231
     
2,090
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
10,962
     
14,173
 
Premiums receivable, net
   
(19,469
)
   
(5,776
)
Reinsurance recoverable, net
   
(7,858
)
   
(2,760
)
Deferred acquisition costs
   
(5,740
)
   
(5,657
)
Income taxes receivable, net
   
(6,595
)
   
(3,709
)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
   
23,383
     
9,752
 
Unearned premiums
   
41,809
     
40,387
 
Deferred income taxes, net of other comprehensive income
   
(1,666
)
   
4,273
 
Other, net
   
2,896
     
(2,593
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
53,694
     
71,009
 
Cash flow from investing activities:
               
Sales, maturities and redemptions of investment securities
   
119,671
     
92,411
 
Purchases of investment securities
   
(141,334
)
   
(129,545
)
Purchases of property and equipment
   
(822
)
   
(542
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(22,485
)
   
(37,676
)
Cash flow from financing activities:
               
Noncontrolling interest equity investment
   
-
     
18,136
 
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation
   
598
     
706
 
Issuance of debt in consolidated variable interest entity
   
-
     
5,000
 
Purchases of FNHC common stock
   
(2,373
)
   
-
 
Issuance of common stock for share-based awards
   
26
     
123
 
Dividends paid
   
(2,425
)
   
(1,133
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(4,174
)
   
22,832
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
27,035
     
56,165
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
53,038
     
40,157
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
80,073
   
$
96,322
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid during the period for:
           
Income taxes
 
$
14,360
   
$
10,662
 
Non-cash investing and finance activities:
               
Accrued dividends payable
 
$
859
   
$
567
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
1. ORGANIZATION, CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization

Federated National Holding Company, (“FNHC,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), 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 automobile 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, Texas, Georgia, 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 to their policyholders.

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.

Significant Customers

We entered into an Insurance Agency Master Agreement with Ivantage Select Agency, Inc., (“ISA”), an affiliate of Allstate Insurance Company, (“Allstate”), pursuant to which we are authorized by ISA to appoint Allstate agents to offer our homeowners’ and commercial general liability insurance products to consumers in Florida. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, 24.7% and 24.1%, respectively, of the homeowners’ premiums we underwrote were from Allstate’s network of Florida agents.
 
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. 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 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.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Additionally, operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state, in all material respects, our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. Certain GAAP policies, which significantly affect the determination of financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, are summarized below.

This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended (the “2015 Form 10-K”).

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES

Our significant accounting policies were described in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2015 Form 10-K. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

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 losses 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. Refer to Note 6 accompanying our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our liability for losses and loss adjustment expense reserves.

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 consolidated statements of operations, balance sheets, 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 these reclassifications provide greater clarity and insight into the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.

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 $0.3 million and $1.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

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.
 
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.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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. In addition, during 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2016-12, all of which clarify certain implementation guidance within ASU 2014-09. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
 
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.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) which significantly changes the measurement of credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 will require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount, as currently performed under the other-than-temporary impairment model. Additionally, the standard will require enhanced disclosures for financial assets measured at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities to help the financial statement users better understand significant judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity’s portfolio. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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:

   
June 30, 2016
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Debt securities:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
37,442
   
$
27,800
   
$
-
   
$
65,242
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
-
     
139,685
     
-
     
139,685
 
Corporate
   
-
     
148,597
     
-
     
148,597
 
International
   
-
     
11,840
     
-
     
11,840
 
     
37,442
     
327,922
     
-
     
365,364
 
                                 
Equity securities
   
39,601
     
1,000
     
-
     
40,601
 
                                 
Total investments
 
$
77,043
   
$
328,922
   
$
-
   
$
405,965
 

   
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
 
 
4. INVESTMENTS

Unrealized Gains and Losses

The following table details the difference between amortized cost or cost and estimated fair value, by major investment catergory, at June 30, 2016 and at December 31, 2015:
 
    
Amortized Cost or
Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
June 30, 2016
                       
Debt Securities  - available-for-sale:
                       
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
63,692
   
$
1,551
   
$
1
   
$
65,242
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
136,439
     
3,248
     
2
     
139,685
 
Corporate
   
144,429
     
4,289
     
122
     
148,596
 
International
   
11,639
     
243
     
41
     
11,841
 
     
356,199
     
9,331
     
166
     
365,364
 
                                 
Debt Securities  - held-to-maturity:
                               
United States government obligations and authorities
   
4,178
     
85
     
67
     
4,196
 
Corporate
   
1,662
     
45
     
1
     
1,706
 
International
   
65
     
3
     
-
     
68
 
     
5,905
     
133
     
68
     
5,970
 
Equity securities
   
34,565
     
7,204
     
1,168
     
40,601
 
Total investments
 
$
396,669
   
$
16,668
   
$
1,402
   
$
411,935
 

    
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
 
 
Net Realized Gains and Losses

The Company calculates the gain or loss realized on the sale of investments by comparing the sales price (fair value) to the cost or amortized cost of the security sold. Net realized gains and losses on investments are determined in accordance with the specific identification method. The following tables detail the Company’s net realized gains (losses) by major investment category for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Gross realized gains:
                       
Debt securities
 
$
624
   
$
265
   
$
1,927
   
$
747
 
Equity securities
   
417
     
915
     
1,155
     
2,342
 
Total gross realized gains
   
1,041
     
1,180
     
3,082
     
3,089
 
                                 
Gross realized losses:
                               
Debt securities
   
(55
)
   
(224
)
   
(595
)
   
(326
)
Equity securities
   
(979
)
   
(43
)
   
(1,553
)
   
(146
)
Total gross realized losses
   
(1,034
)
   
(267
)
   
(2,148
)
   
(472
)
Net realized gains on investments
 
$
7
   
$
913
   
$
934
   
$
2,617
 
 
During the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities were $36.9 million and $30.3 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities were $99.4 million and $80.2 million, respectively.
 
Contractual Maturity

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 by contractual maturity are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities as borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

   
June 30, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
    
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
Securities with maturity dates:
 
(in thousands)
 
Debt securities, available-for-sale:
                   
One year or less
 
$
32,222
   
$
32,266
   
$
24,470
   
$
24,488
 
Over one through five years
   
177,983
     
181,141
     
170,797
     
171,113
 
Over five through ten years
   
145,773
     
151,728
     
142,728
     
143,545
 
Over ten years
   
220
     
229
     
26
     
32
 
     
356,198
     
365,364
     
338,021
     
339,178
 
Debt securities, held-to-maturity:
                               
One year or less
   
431
     
432
     
486
     
487
 
Over one through five years
   
1,724
     
1,786
     
1,899
     
1,915
 
Over five through ten years
   
3,750
     
3,751
     
4,234
     
4,037
 
     
5,905
     
5,969
     
6,619
     
6,439
 
Total
 
$
362,103
   
$
371,333
   
$
344,640
   
$
345,617
 

Net Investment Income

The following table summarizes the Company’s net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest income
 
$
1,984
   
$
1,573
   
$
3,837
   
$
3,014
 
Dividends income
   
210
     
128
     
397
     
234
 
Net investment income
 
$
2,194
   
$
1,701
   
$
4,234
   
$
3,248
 
 
Aging of Gross Unrealized Losses

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, gross unrealized losses and related fair values for available-for-sale debt securities 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
 
     
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
June 30, 2016
             
(in thousands)
             
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
                                   
United States government obligations and authorities
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
128
   
$
1
   
$
128
   
$
1
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
   
2,372
     
1
     
1,025
     
1
     
3,397
     
2
 
Corporate
   
6,733
     
50
     
3,587
     
72
     
10,320
     
122
 
International
   
-
     
-
     
2,005
     
41
     
2,005
     
41
 
     
9,105
     
51
     
6,745
     
115
     
15,850
     
166
 
                                                 
Equity securities
   
9,361
     
1,035
     
1,245
     
133
     
10,606
     
1,168
 
                                                 
Total investments
 
$
18,466
   
$
1,086
   
$
7,990
   
$
248
   
$
26,456
   
$
1,334
 

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
     
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
December 31, 2015
             
(in thousands)
             
Debt securities - available-for-sale:
                             
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 securities and some of its 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 will write the security’s cost-basis or amortized cost-basis down to the fair value of the investment and recognizes an other than temporarily impairment (“OTTI”) loss in our consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, any portion of such decline related to debt securities that is believed to arise from factors other than credit will be 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 evaluates such equity security by considering qualitative and quantitative factors. These factors include but are not limited to 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 our consolidated statement of operations. To the extent a debt security in an unrealized loss position is not impaired based on the preceding, the Company will consider that security to be impaired when it believes collection of the amortized cost is not probable.

During the Company’s quarterly evaluation of its securities for impairment, we had $0.3 million OTTI losses in our investments in debt and equity securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. We did not have any material OTTI losses in our investments in debt and equity securities that reflected an unrealized loss position during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Collateral Deposits

As of June 30, 2016, investments with fair values of approximately $10.8 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.

5. REINSURANCE

Reinsurance is used to mitigate the exposure to losses, manage capacity and protect capital resources. The Company reinsures (cedes) a portion of written premiums on an excess of loss or a quota share basis 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.

We are selective in choosing reinsurers and consider numerous factors, the most important of which are the financial stability of the reinsurer or capital specifically pledged to uphold the contract, its history of responding to claims and its overall reputation.  In an effort to minimize our exposure to the insolvency of a reinsurer, we evaluate the acceptability and review the financial condition of the reinsurer at least annually with the assistance of our reinsurance broker.

Significant Reinsurance Contracts

FNIC and MNIC operate 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. All of our reinsurance contracts do not relieve FNIC or MNIC from their direct obligations to the insured.

FNIC’s 2015-2016 catastrophe reinsurance program, which runs either from June 1 to May 31 or from July 1 to June 30, consists of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”), excess of loss treaties placed with the private market and a 40%  property quota share program. The property quota share reinsurance is a form of proportional reinsurance that provides coverage for the homeowners’ property lines for wind related catastrophes in Florida. The FHCF treaty affords coverage for losses sustained in Florida and represents only a portion of the reinsurance coverage in Florida.
 
The excess of loss and FHCF treaties, which became effective on July 1, 2015 and June 1, 2015, respectively, 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. Ceded premiums in connection with this program totaled approximately $149.7 million.

FNIC’s 2016-2017 reinsurance programs include approximately $125.7 million for the private reinsurance for Federated National’s Florida exposure, including prepaid automatic premium reinstatement protection on all layers, along with approximately $53.8 million payable to the FHCF. The combination of private and FHCF reinsurance treaties will afford Federated National with approximately $2.22 billion of aggregate coverage with a maximum single event coverage totaling approximately $1.58 billion, exclusive of retentions. FNIC maintained its FHCF participation at 75% for the 2016 hurricane season. FNIC’s single event pre-tax retention for a catastrophic event in Florida is $18.45 million or 6.89% of the Company’s shareholders’ equity as of June 30, 2016.
 
MNIC’s 2016-2017 catastrophe reinsurance program, which runs from either June 1 to May 31 or June 1 to June 30 (13 month period), consists of the FHCF and private market excess of loss treaties. All private layers have prepaid automatic reinstatement protection, which affords MNIC additional coverage, and have a cascading feature such that substantially all layers attach at $3.4 million for MNIC's Florida exposure. These treaties are with reinsurers that currently have an AM Best or Standard & Poor’s rating of “A-” or better, or have fully collateralized their maximum potential obligations in dedicated trusts.

The Company’s property quota share treaties, which are included in the reinsurance program, run for a two-year period from July 1 to July 1 of the following year.  The property quota share treaties consist of two different treaties, one for 30% which became effective July 1, 2014, and subsequently ended July 1, 2016, and the other for 10% which became effective July 1, 2015. The combined treaties provide a 40% quota share reinsurance on the first $100 million of covered losses for the homeowners’ property 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 Company’s private passenger automobile quota share treaties are typically one-year programs which become effective at different points in the year and cover auto policies across several states. These automobile quota share treaties cede 75% to 90% of all written premiums entered into by the Company.
 
Certain reinsurance agreements require FNIC to secure the credit, regulatory and business risk. Fully funded trust agreements securing these risks totaled $2.7 million as of June 30, 2016 and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2015.

Subsequent Events
 
On July 1, 2016, the 30% property quota share treaty expired on a cut-off basis, which means as of that date the Company will retain 30% of its unearned premiums and losses. The reinsurers will remain liable for 30% of the paid losses occurring during the term of the treaty, until the treaty is commuted.

Additionally, the Company’s private market excess of loss treaties became effective July 1, 2016 and all private layers have prepaid automatic reinstatement protection, which affords us additional coverage against multiple catastrophic events in the same hurricane season. The Company obtained multiple year protection for a portion of its program; as a result, some of the coverage will expire on June 30, 2017, and a portion of the coverage will remain in-force one additional treaty year until June 30, 2018. These private market excess of loss treaties structure coverage into layers, with a cascading feature such that substantially all private layers attach after $18.45 million in losses for FNIC’s Florida exposure. If the aggregate limit of the preceding layer is exhausted, the next layer drops down (cascades) in its place. Additionally, any unused layer protection drops down for subsequent events until exhausted.

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 consolidated balance sheet as reinsurance recoverables. The following table presents reinsurance recoverables as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

   
June 30, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
   
 
 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses
 
$
6,364
   
$
5,218
 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses
   
14,208
     
7,496
 
Reinsurance recoverable, net
 
$
20,572
   
$
12,714
 
 
Premiums Written and Earned

The following table presents premiums written and earned for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
         
Net Premiums written:
                       
Direct
 
$
171,218
   
$
132,019
   
$
307,242
   
$
238,721
 
Ceded
   
(119,410
)
   
(85,103
)
   
(162,980
)
   
(111,061
)
   
$
51,808
   
$
46,916
   
$
144,262
   
$
127,660
 
Net Premiums earned:
                               
Direct
 
$
137,334
   
$
102,641
   
$
265,433
   
$
198,334
 
Ceded
   
(77,289
)
   
(53,414
)
   
(150,391
)
   
(104,322
)
   
$
60,045
   
$
49,227
   
$
115,042
   
$
94,012
 

6. LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE RESERVES

The liability for loss and LAE reserves is determined on an individual-case basis for all claims reported. The liability also includes amounts for unallocated expenses, anticipated future claim development and incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”).

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

   
Six Months Ended
June 30, 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
   
66,118
     
113,819
 
Prior years
   
10,452
     
(9,466
)
Total incurred loss and LAE, net of reinsurance
   
76,570
     
104,353
 
                 
Paid loss, net of reinsurance, related to:
               
Current year
   
27,707
     
49,531
 
Prior years
   
32,190
     
32,914
 
Total paid loss and LAE, net of reinsurance
   
59,897
     
82,445
 
                 
Net reserves, end of period
   
106,515
     
89,844
 
Plus: reinsurance recoverable (1)
   
14,208
     
7,496
 
Gross reserves, end of period
 
$
120,723
   
$
97,340
 

(1) Reinsurance recoverable in this table includes only ceded loss and LAE reserves.

The establishment of loss reserves is an inherently uncertain process and changes in loss reserve estimates are expected as such estimates are subject to the outcome of future events. The factors influencing changes in claim costs are often difficult to isolate or quantify and developments in paid and incurred losses from historical trends are frequently subject to multiple interpretations. Changes in estimates, or differences between estimates and amounts ultimately paid, are reflected in the operating results of the period during which such adjustments are made.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company experienced $10.5 million of unfavorable loss and LAE reserve development on prior year accident years primarily in its’ all other peril homeowners’ coverage in the state of Florida. The deficiency primarily relates to higher severity above the expected development factor anticipated at December 31, 2015 which was driven by the impact from assignment of benefits and related ligation costs.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company experienced $9.5 million of redundancy on prior year accident years 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.
 
7. LONG-TERM DEBT

On March 17, 2015, MNHC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Monarch Delaware, and MNIC’s direct parent, 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 Transatlantic Reinsurance Company (“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

The provision for income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands) is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
         
Federal:
                       
Current
 
$
4,614
   
$
1,688
   
$
8,158
   
$
6,340
 
Deferred
   
(3,925
)
   
4,196
     
(2,487
)
   
4,455
 
Federal income tax expense
   
689
     
5,884
     
5,671
     
10,795
 
State:
                               
Current
   
1,072
     
416
     
1,347
     
1,147
 
Deferred
   
(1,064
)
   
455
     
(526
)
   
523
 
State income tax expense
   
8
     
871
     
821
     
1,670
 
Total income taxes
 
$
697
   
$
6,755
   
$
6,492
   
$
12,465
 
 
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 June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Computed expected tax expense provision, at federal rate
 
$
663
   
$
6,140
   
$
6,052
   
$
11,387
 
State tax, net of federal tax benefit
   
11
     
584
     
544
     
1,106
 
Other
   
23
     
31
     
(104
)
   
(28
)
Total income taxes
 
$
697
   
$
6,755
   
$
6,492
   
$
12,465
 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and local jurisdictions. As a matter of course, various taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), regularly audit us. As of June 30, 2016, no open tax years are under examination by the IRS or any material state and local jurisdictions.

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we have determined that there are no uncertain tax positions.
 
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of 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 LAE 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 reserves for specific legal matters when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. The Company does not establish reserves for identified legal matters when we believe that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is not probable. 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 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.

Leases

FNHC and its subsidiaries lease certain facilities, furniture and equipment under long-term lease agreements. Additional information about leases can be found in Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2015 Form 10-K.

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. Common stock repurchases are conducted in the open market. The amount and timing of all repurchase transactions are contingent upon market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. This program may be modified, suspended or terminated by us at any time without notice.
 
Pursuant to our Board of Directors authorizations, the Company repurchased 112,176 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $2.4 million, which is an average price per share of $21.13, during the six months ended June 30, 2016.  As of June 30, 2016, the remaining availability for future repurchases of our common stock was $7.6 million.

Share-based Compensation Expense

The following table provides certain information in connection with the Company’s share-based compensation arrangements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively:

   
Three months ended June 30,
   
Six months ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands)
   
(in thousands)
 
Restricted stock
 
$
1,953
   
$
627
   
$
2,633
   
$
1,355
 
Stock options
   
-
     
5
     
-
     
29
 
Total share-based compensation expense
 
$
1,953
   
$
632
   
$
2,633
   
$
1,384
 
Intrinsic value of options exercised
 
$
1,024
   
$
5,809
   
$
1,217
   
$
8,155
 
Fair value of restricted stock vested
 
$
16,564
   
$
11,772
   
$
28,922
   
$
11,772
 

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.

At June 30, 2016, there was approximately $6.8 million of unrecognized share-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to Restricted Stock Awards, which is currently expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.02 years.

Stock Option Awards

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the period from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016 is as follows:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average Option
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
   
174,633
   
$
3.79
 
Granted
   
-
   
$
-
 
Exercised
   
(6,933
)
 
$
3.74
 
Cancelled
   
-
   
$
-
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2016
   
167,700
   
$
3.79
 

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for all restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) held by employees. The accounting charge is measured at the grant date as the fair value of FNHC common stock and expensed as non-cash compensation over the vesting term using the straight-line basis.
 
During the first quarter of 2016 and 2015, the Board of Directors granted 128,472 and 116,140 RSAs, respectively, vesting over three or five years, to the Company’s Directors, Executives and other key employees.
 
The following tables summarizes RSA activity during the six months ended June 30, 2016:

   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2016
   
418,807
   
$
20.14
 
Granted
   
128,472
   
$
19.16
 
Vested
   
(155,916
)
 
$
18.55
 
Cancelled
   
-
   
$
-
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2016
   
391,363
   
$
20.45
 

The weighted average grant date fair value is measured using 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 and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
Before Tax
   
Income Tax
   
Net
   
Before Tax
   
Income Tax
   
Net
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning of period
 
$
10,195
   
$
(3,791
)
 
$
6,404
   
$
14,382
   
$
(5,457
)
 
$
8,925
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
   
5,036
     
(1,828
)
   
3,208
     
(2,478
)
   
825
     
(1,653
)
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income
   
(30
)
   
23
     
(7
)
   
(1,497
)
   
584
     
(913
)
     
5,006
     
(1,805
)
   
3,201
     
(3,975
)
   
1,409
     
(2,566
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, end of period
 
$
15,201
   
$
(5,596
)
 
$
9,605
   
$
10,407
   
$
(4,048
)
 
$
6,359
 

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
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
   
10,606
     
(3,931
)
   
6,675
     
2,239
     
(981
)
   
1,258
 
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains included in net income
   
(1,516
)
   
582
     
(934
)
   
(4,249
)
   
1,632
     
(2,617
)
     
9,090
     
(3,349
)
   
5,741
     
(2,010
)
   
651
     
(1,359
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, end of period
 
$
15,201
   
$
(5,596
)
 
$
9,605
   
$
10,407
   
$
(4,048
)
 
$
6,359
 
 
11. EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and vested restricted stock awards. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, noted above, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options. Dilutive securities are common stock equivalents that are freely exercisable into common stock at less than market prices or otherwise dilute earnings if converted. The net effect of common stock equivalents is based on the incremental common stock that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of common stock options and the vesting of RSAs using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents are not included in diluted earnings per share when their inclusion is antidilutive.
 
The computations of diluted earnings per share available to common stockholders do not include approximately 0.2 million stock options and RSAs for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 0.2 million stock options and RSAs for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as the effect of their inclusion would have been antidilutive to earnings per share.

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Net income attributable to Federated National Holding Company shareholders
 
$
991
   
$
11,734
   
$
10,526
   
$
21,018
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
13,805
     
13,722
     
13,816
     
13,689
 
Net income per share - basic
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.86
   
$
0.76
   
$
1.54
 
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
13,805
     
13,722
     
13,816
     
13,689
 
Dilutive effect of stock compensation plans
   
183
     
263
     
197
     
289
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
   
13,988
     
13,985
     
14,013
     
13,978
 
Net income per share - diluted
 
$
0.07
   
$
0.84
   
$
0.75
   
$
1.50
 
                                 
Dividends per share
 
$
0.06
   
$
0.04
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.08
 

Dividends Declared

In February and May 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend payment of $0.05 and $0.06 per common share, respectively, paid in March and June 2016, respectively, amounting to $1.6 million.

In June 2016, our Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per common share dividend payable September 1, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 1, 2016.
 
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:

   
June 30, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
 
ASSETS
 
(in thousands)
 
Investments
           
Debt securities, available for sale, at amortized cost
 
$
22,303
   
$
21,312
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value
   
1,529
     
1,358
 
Total investments
   
23,832
     
22,670
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
16,289
     
14,616
 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
-
     
34
 
Premiums receivable, net
   
1,155
     
355
 
Deferred income taxes
   
5
     
646
 
Income taxes receivable
   
-
     
-
 
Deferred acquisition costs
   
645
     
234
 
Other assets
   
-
     
157
 
Total assets
 
$
41,926
   
$
38,712
 
LIABILITIES
               
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves
 
$
407
   
$
237
 
Unearned premiums
   
3,736
     
1,448
 
Debt
   
4,898
     
4,887
 
Income taxes payable
   
-
     
8
 
Other liabilities
   
237
     
374
 
Total liabilities
 
$
9,278
   
$
6,954
 
 
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

Overview

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, reference should be made to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our most recent 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 and six months ended June 30, 2016, 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 and six months ended June 30, 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 U.S. 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

Federated National Holding Company, ("FNHC," the "Company," "we," or "us"), 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 automobile 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, Texas, Georgia, 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 to 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 Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer 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 unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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.

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 265,503 and 242,702 at June 30, 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 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’ insurance regulators.  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 became 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
 
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.
 
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 agents unaffiliated with the Company.
 
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.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following table summarizes our unaudited results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
%
Change
   
2015
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Revenue:
                 
Gross premiums written
 
$
171,218
     
29.7
%
 
$
132,019
 
Increase in unearned premiums
   
(33,884
)
   
15.3
%
   
(29,378
)
Gross premiums earned
   
137,334
     
33.8
%
   
102,641
 
Ceded premiums
   
(77,289
)
   
44.7
%
   
(53,414
)
Net premiums earned
   
60,045
     
22.0
%
   
49,227
 
Net investment income
   
2,194
     
29.0
%
   
1,701
 
Net realized investment gains
   
7
     
(99.2
)%
   
913
 
Other income
   
12,818
     
84.5
%
   
6,949
 
Total revenue
   
75,064
     
27.7
%
   
58,790
 
                         
Costs and expenses:
                       
Losses and LAE
   
47,025
     
103.1
%
   
23,148
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
   
21,044
     
54.4
%
   
13,630
 
General and administrative expenses
   
5,086
     
54.7
%
   
3,287
 
Interest expense
   
94
     
9.3
%
   
86
 
Total costs and expenses
   
73,249
     
82.4
%
   
40,151
 
                         
Income before income taxes
   
1,815
     
(90.3
)%
   
18,639
 
Income taxes
   
697
     
(89.7
)%
   
6,755
 
Net income
   
1,118
     
(90.6
)%
   
11,884
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
127
     
(15.3
)%
   
150
 
Net income attributable to FNHC
 
$
991
     
(91.6
)%
 
$
11,734
 
                         
Ratios to net premiums earned:
                       
Net loss ratio (1)
   
78.3
%
           
47.0
%
Expense ratio (2)
   
43.7
%
           
34.5
%
Combined ratio (3)
   
122.0
%
           
81.5
%
 
 
(1)
The net loss ratio is calculated as losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned.
 
(2)
The net expense ratio is calculated as all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
(3)
The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of losses and LAE and all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
Revenue

Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 of $75.1 million increased $16.3 million, or 27.7%, compared to revenue of $58.8 million in 2015.
 
Gross Premiums Written

Gross premiums written increased $39.2 million, or 29.7%, to $171.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $132.0 million for the same three-month period last year. The increase predominantly reflects market share growth in our homeowners and personal automobile lines of business. Homeowners’ gross premiums written increased $22.1 million, or 17.9%, to $145.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $123.5 million for the same three-month period last year. Gross premiums written for our personal automobile line of business increased by $16.6 million to $19.0 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $2.4 million in the prior year period. These increases reflects management’s strategy to continue to grow market share in Florida as well as expand operations outside of Florida with the growth in our personal automobile line of business. With the expansion into areas outside of Florida, we are able to continue to leverage our personnel and at the same time, diversify our insurance risk.

Net Premiums Earned

Net premiums earned increased $10.8 million, or 22.0%, to $60.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $49.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in our Florida homeowners’ in-force policy count to 265,503 as of June 30, 2016, compared with 212,490 in the prior year.

Net Investment Income

Total investments increased $27.6 million, to $411.9 million as of June 30, 2016, compared with $384.3 million as of December 31, 2015. As a result, net investment income increased $0.5 million, or 29.0%, to $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $1.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 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 2.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Net Realized Investment Gains

Net realized investment gains totaled less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. From time to time, our portfolio managers, under our control, move out of positions due to both macro and micro conditions; these movements generate both realized gains and losses.

Other Income

Other income increased $5.9 million, or 84.5%, to $12.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $6.9 million in the prior year period. The following table represents the other income detail as follows:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
% Change
   
2015
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Other income:
                 
Direct written policy fees
 
$
4,925
     
88.6
%
 
$
2,612
 
Commission income
   
5,709
     
336.5
%
   
1,308
 
Brokerage
   
1,633
     
70.1
%
   
959
 
Quota-share profit sharing
   
-
     
(100
)%
   
1,600
 
Finance
   
551
     
17.5
%
   
470
 
Total other income
 
$
12,818
     
84.5
%
 
$
6,949
 

The increase in direct written policy fees is directly related to the increase in gross written premiums in our homeowners and personal automobile lines of business compared to the prior year. The increase in commission income reflects the growth in commissions from personal automobile and the fees we receive for managing that business. The decrease in Quota-share profit sharing is the result of our re-evaluation, effective September 30, 2015, of the accounting treatment for the quota-share reinsurance contracts with retrospective rating provisions. At that time we eliminated recording of future estimated quota-share profits in one line, ("Quota-share profit sharing"), on the consolidated statement of operations.
 
Expenses

Losses and LAE
 
Losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) increased $23.9 million, or 103.1%, to $47.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $23.1 million for the same three-month period last year. The increase to losses and LAE was driven by an increase in net premiums earned in the current period as compared to same period last year and an increase in the net loss ratio, which increased to 78.3% during the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to 47.0% during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
 
The increase in the net loss ratio was driven by the change in the Florida homeowners’ attritional loss ratios being recorded for the respective current year accident years during the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to during the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in the 2016 accident year attritional loss ratio was impacted by $2.5 million in gross losses from severe weather events (i.e., Tropical Storm Colin) during the quarter. The Florida homeowners’ 2016 accident year attritional loss ratio, excluding the impact from the severe weather events noted above, increased to 35.1%, an additional 2.1 percentage points from the beginning of 2016.  Additionally, the losses incurred also include approximately $11.0 million of prior year development primarily in Florida homeowners’ 2015 accident year, which increased the attritional loss ratio to 35.8%, an additional 3.2 percentage points.  The increased attritional rates in both Florida homeowners’ 2015 and 2016 accident years since June 2015 were caused by the impact from assignment of benefits and related litigation as well as the impact from the temporary discontinuation of our underwriting analytics. The attritional loss ratio is commonly used by the insurance and underwriting industry and is calculated as the sum of losses and defense and cost containment, divided by gross premiums earned. We believe this measure is useful to investors as the Company uses the attritional loss ratio to monitor losses associated with ordinary insurance operations.
 
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses increased $7.4 million, or 54.4%, to $21.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $13.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in expenses is directly in support of the significant increase in gross premiums earned. Specifically, the Company experienced an increase in commissions, salaries and benefits, premium taxes, licenses and fees and other costs. Additionally, the Company’s headcount increased from the prior year by 89 to 347 total employees as of June 30, 2016.
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses also increased as a percentage of net premiums earned this quarter as compared to the same quarter in the prior year period. This is the result of the shift in premium mix of our lines of business where personal automobile has experienced significant premium growth. Personal automobile policies have higher commission and premium tax rates than our other lines of businesses which has increased the average rates this quarter as compared to the same period last year.  Additionally, the personal automobile policies are ceded at 75% to 90%, which is also higher than the average ceding percentage of our other lines of businesses in the same period last year.  These two factors are both contributing to the increase in expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned.
 
General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million, or 54.7%, to $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The increase is primarily driven by expenses incurred in connection with the resignation of the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer during the three months ended June 30, 2016.

Income Taxes

Income taxes decreased $6.1 million, or 89.7%, to $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015. The change was due to an decrease in taxable income and an increase in our effective tax rate.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following table reports our unaudited results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
% Change
   
2015
 
Revenue:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Gross premiums written
 
$
307,242
     
28.7
%
 
$
238,721
 
Increase in unearned premiums
   
(41,809
)
   
3.5
%
   
(40,387
)
Gross premiums earned
   
265,433
     
33.8
%
   
198,334
 
Ceded premiums
   
(150,391
)
   
44.2
%
   
(104,322
)
Net premiums earned
   
115,042
     
22.4
%
   
94,012
 
Net investment income
   
4,234
     
30.4
%
   
3,248
 
Net realized investment gains
   
934
     
(64.3
)%
   
2,617
 
Other income
   
23,814
     
72.0
%
   
13,849
 
Total revenue
   
144,024
     
26.6
%
   
113,726
 
                         
Expenses:
                       
Losses and LAE
   
76,570
     
62.6
%
   
47,098
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
   
40,896
     
55.4
%
   
26,324
 
General and administrative expenses
   
9,167
     
29.4
%
   
7,085
 
Interest expense
   
178
     
83.5
%
   
97
 
Total costs and expenses
   
126,811
     
57.3
%
   
80,604
 
                         
Income before income taxes
   
17,213
     
(48.0
)%
   
33,122
 
Income taxes
   
6,492
     
(47.9
)%
   
12,465
 
Net income
   
10,721
     
(48.1
)%
   
20,657
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
   
195
     
(154.0
)%
   
(361
)
Net income attributable to FNHC
 
$
11,526
     
(49.9
)%
 
$
21,018
 
                         
Ratios to net premiums earned:
                       
Net loss ratio (1)
   
66.6
%
           
50.1
%
Expense ratio (2)
   
43.7
%
           
35.6
%
Combined ratio (3)
   
110.3
%
           
85.7
%
 
 
(1)
The net loss ratio is calculated as losses and LAE divided by net premiums earned.
 
(2)
The net expense ratio is calculated as all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
(3)
The net combined ratio is calculated as the sum of losses and LAE and all operating expenses less interest expense divided by net premiums earned.
 
Revenue

Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2016 of $144.0 million increased $30.3 million, or 26.6%, compared to revenue of $113.7 million in 2015.
 
Gross Premiums Written

Gross premiums written increased $68.5 million, or 28.7%, to $307.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $238.7 million for the same six-month period last year. The increase predominantly reflects market share growth in our homeowners’ and personal automobile lines of business. Homeowners’ gross premiums written increased $39.0 million, or 17.6%, to $260.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $221.3 million for the same six-month period in the prior year. Gross premiums written for the personal automobile line of business increased by $28.8 million to $34.7 million in the first half of 2016, compared to $5.8 million in the prior year period. These increases reflects management’s strategy to continue to grow market share in Florida as well as expand operations outside of Florida with the growth in the Company’s personal automobile line of business. With the expansion into areas outside of Florida, we are able to continue to leverage our personnel and at the same time, diversify our insurance risk.

Net Premiums Earned

Net premiums earned increased $21.0 million, or 22.4%, to $115.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $94.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in our Florida homeowners’ in-force policy count to 265,503 as of June 30, 2016, compared with 212,490 in the prior year.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income increased $1.0 million, or 30.4%, to $4.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $3.2 million in 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 2.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Net Realized Investment Gains

Net realized investment gains totaled $0.9 million for the first half of 2016, compared with $2.6 million for the first half of 2015. From time to time, our portfolio managers, under our direction, move out of positions due to both macro and micro conditions; these movements generate both realized gains and losses.

Other Income

Other income increased $10.0 million, or 72.0%, to $23.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $13.8 million in the prior year period. The following table represents the other income detail as follows:

   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
% Change
   
2015
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Other income:
                 
Direct written policy fees
 
$
9,127
     
78.8
%
 
$
5,104
 
Commission income
   
10,536
     
333.0
%
   
2,433
 
Brokerage revenue
   
3,081
     
31.8
%
   
2,337
 
Quota-share profit sharing
   
-
     
(100
)%
   
3,077
 
Finance revenue
   
1,070
     
19.3
%
   
898
 
Total other income
 
$
23,814
     
72.0
%
 
$
13,849
 

The increase in direct written policy fees is directly related to the increase in gross written premiums in our homeowners and personal automobile lines of business compared to prior year. The increase in commission income reflects the growth in commissions from personal automobile and the fees we receive for managing that business. The decrease in Quota-share profit sharing is the result of our re-evaluation, effective September 30, 2015, of the accounting treatment for the quota-share reinsurance contracts with retrospective rating provisions. At that time we eliminated recording of future estimated quota-share profits in one line, ("Quota-share profit sharing"), on the consolidated statement of operations.

Expenses

Losses and LAE
 
Losses and LAE increased $29.5 million, or 62.6%, to $76.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $47.1 million for the same six-month period in the prior year. The increase to losses and LAE was driven by an increase in net premiums earned in the current period as compared to same period last year and an increase in the net loss ratio, which increased to 66.6% during the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to 50.1% during the six months ended June 30, 2015. 
 
The increase in the net loss ratio was driven by the change in the Florida homeowners’ attritional loss ratios being recorded for the respective current year accident years during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in the 2016 accident year attritional loss ratio was impacted by $7.4 million in gross losses from severe weather events (i.e., Tropical Storm Colin) during the quarter. Additionally, the losses incurred also include approximately $11.0 million of prior year development primarily in Florida homeowners’ 2015 accident year, which increased the attritional loss ratio to 35.8%, an additional 3.2 percentage points. The increased attritional rates in both Florida homeowners’ 2015 and 2016 accident years since June 2015 were caused by the impact from assignment of benefits and related litigation as well as the impact from the temporary discontinuation of our underwriting analytics. The attritional loss ratio is commonly used by the insurance and underwriting industry and is calculated as the sum of losses and defense and cost containment, divided by gross premiums earned. We believe this measure is useful to investors as the Company uses the attritional loss ratio to monitor losses associated with ordinary insurance operations.
 
As of June 30, 2016, the Company recorded $120.7 million in losses and LAE expense reserves for all lines of business, which includes $73.1 million in incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”) reserves. The IBNR reserves includes the $11.0 million of prior year development recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2016.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company recorded $97.3 million in losses and LAE expense reserves for all lines of business, which includes $51.1 million in IBNR reserves.
 
Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses increased $14.6 million, or 55.4%, to $40.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $26.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase in expenses is directly in support of the significant increase in gross premiums earned.  Specifically, the Company experienced an increase in commissions, salaries and benefits, premium taxes, licenses and fees and other costs. Additionally, the Company’s headcount increased from the prior year by 89 to 347 total employees as of June 30, 2016.
 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses also increased as a percentage of net premiums earned this quarter as compared to the same quarter in the prior year period. This is the result of the shift in premium mix of our lines of business where personal automobile has experienced significant premium growth. Personal automobile policies have higher commission and premium tax rates than our other lines of businesses which has increased the average rates this quarter as compared to the same period last year.  Additionally, the personal automobile policies are ceded at 75% to 90%, which is also higher than the average ceding percentage of our other lines of businesses in the same period last year.  These two factors are both contributing to the increase in expenses as a percentage of net premiums earned.
 
General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased $2.1 million, or 29.4%, to $9.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $7.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase primarily reflects expenses incurred of $1.9 million in connection with the resignation of the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Income Taxes

Income taxes decreased $6.0 million, or 47.9%, to $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $12.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Our effective tax rate was 37.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with 37.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
 
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 June 30, 2016, FNHC held $411.9 million in investments. Cash and cash equivalents increased $27.0 million, to $80.1 million as of June 30, 2016, compared with $53.0 million as of December 31, 2015.

Cash Flows Discussion

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $53.7 in the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $71.0 million in the same period of 2015. This decrease was primarily as a result of the changes in the premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable accounts.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities of $22.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016 related to purchases of investment securities of $141.3 million, partly offset by sales, maturities and redemptions of our investment securities of $119.7 million. Net cash used in investing activities of $37.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2015 related to purchases of investment securities of $129.5 million, partly offset by sales, maturities and redemptions of our investment securities of $92.4 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016 of $4.2 million, primarily reflects dividend payments of $2.4 million and repurchases of our common stock of $2.4 million, partially offset by $0.6 million in tax benefits related to share-based compensation. Net cash provided by financing activities of $22.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 reflects $18.1 million related to the noncontrolling interest equity investment and $5.0 million related to the issuance of debt in our consolidated VIE during the six months ended June 30, 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. We currently expect to continue declaring and paying dividends at comparable levels, subject to our future liquidity needs and reserve requirements. The Company also considers various opportunities, including common stock repurchases, to deploy its excess capital. 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.

Dividends and Common Stock Repurchases

In February and May 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend payment of $0.05 and $0.06 per common share, respectively, paid in March and June of 2016, respectively, amounting to $1.6 million. In June 2016, our Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per common share dividend payable September 1, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 1, 2016.

Based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2016, at a dividend of $0.06 per share, the anticipated cash outflow would be $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. We currently expect to declare and pay quarterly dividends of similar amounts.

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. Common stock repurchases are conducted in the open market. The amount and timing of all repurchase transactions are contingent upon market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. This program may be modified, suspended or terminated by us at any time without notice.

During the first half of 2016, we repurchased 0.1 million shares of common stock for $2.4 million, including commissions. The remaining availability for future repurchases of our common stock was $7.6 million.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

The consolidated financial statements and related data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with 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.

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting estimates during the six months ended June 30, 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 June 30, 2016, approximately 92% 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 June 30, 2016. Based upon their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of June 30, 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 and six months ended June 30, 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 our consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, “Financial Statements” for further information about legal proceedings.

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
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases of shares of our common stock made during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 by or on behalf of FNHC. All purchases were made in the open market in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act.

     
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)
   
April 2016
   
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
-
 
May 2016
   
33,791
   
$
21.39
     
33,791
   
$
8,203,389
 
June 2016
   
25,785
   
$
22.27
     
25,785
   
$
7,630,215
 

(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.
 
Item 6: Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
Location
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act*
 
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
XBRLTaxonomy 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.
 
SIGNATURES

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

 
FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Michael H. Braun
 
   
Michael H. Braun, Chief Executive Officer
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
   
/s/ Erick A.  Fernandez
 
   
Erick A. Fernandez, Interim Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 

Date: August 5, 2016
 

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