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8-K - ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORP 8-K 3-15-2017 - ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPform8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1
 
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END RESULTS FOR 2016
AND DECLARES 2017 ANNUAL DIVIDEND

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 15, 2017 - Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today reported its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.  For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016, the Company reported net income of $1.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, up from $0.1 million, or nil per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015.  The increase was attributable to an increase in realized investment gains of $1.4 million.  Premiums for the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased 2.9% to $36.5 million compared to $37.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 as the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement to moderate statutory capital requirements related to premium growth in the Medicare Supplement line of business.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $2.6 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, as compared to $4.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Total premiums earned during 2016 increased 1.7% to $153.5 million from $150.9 million in 2015.  Premiums in the property and casualty operations decreased 1.4% in 2016 as compared to 2015; but were offset by a 3.4% premium increase in the life and health operations in the comparable years.  Benefits and losses increased 1.8% in 2016 as compared with 2015; while commissions and underwriting expenses increased 3.6% in the comparable period.  Realized investment gains were $2.6 million in 2016 as compared to $4.9 million in 2015.

Further, the Board of Directors at its recent meeting, declared the Company’s regular annual dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on or about April 24, 2017 to shareholders of record on April 14, 2017.

Commenting on the results, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer, stated, “We have completed another successful year and many of our marketing initiatives, particularly in our life and health operations, have resulted in solid premium growth.  With such premium growth, managing statutory capital becomes very important, and accordingly we also entered into a reinsurance agreement during the 4th quarter.  Our property and casualty operations also turned in another very profitable year.  We believe that our Company is well postured for continued growth in 2017 and beyond and our Board of Directors has affirmed such belief with their declaration of our annual dividend.”

Atlantic American is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries.  Its principal insurance subsidiaries are American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.

Note regarding forward-looking statements:  This news release contains forward-looking statements subject to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, our future strategies, or our expected operating or financial performance.  Forward looking statements are based on management’s assumptions regarding, among other things, general economic and industry-specific business conditions, as well as the execution of our business strategy.  Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks, including those detailed from time to time in statements and reports that Atlantic American Corporation files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:
 
John G. Sample, Jr.
Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Chairman, President & CEO
Atlantic American Corporation
Atlantic American Corporation
404-266-5501
404-266-5505
 

Atlantic American Corporation
Selected Financial Data

   
Three months ended
December 31,
   
Year ended
December 31,
 
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                         
Insurance premiums
                       
Life and health
 
$
23,066
   
$
24,284
   
$
99,702
   
$
96,384
 
Property and casualty
   
13,387
     
13,259
     
53,763
     
54,508
 
Investment income
   
2,361
     
2,538
     
9,884
     
10,085
 
Realized investment gains (losses), net
   
1,184
     
(249
)
   
2,595
     
4,857
 
Other income
   
31
     
25
     
133
     
103
 
                                 
Total revenue
   
40,029
     
39,857
     
166,077
     
165,937
 
                                 
Insurance benefits and losses incurred
                               
Life and health
   
15,325
     
16,263
     
68,789
     
66,318
 
Property and casualty
   
9,170
     
8,840
     
34,408
     
35,046
 
Commissions and underwriting expenses
   
10,458
     
10,211
     
44,797
     
43,235
 
Interest expense
   
408
     
365
     
1,562
     
1,429
 
Other expense
   
3,194
     
4,034
     
12,997
     
14,201
 
                                 
Total benefits and expenses
   
38,555
     
39,713
     
162,553
     
160,229
 
                                 
Income before income taxes
   
1,474
     
144
     
3,524
     
5,708
 
                                 
Income tax expense
   
126
     
30
     
888
     
1,320
 
                                 
Net income
 
$
1,348
   
$
114
   
$
2,636
   
$
4,388
 
                                 
Earnings per common share (basic and diluted)
 
$
0.06
   
$
-
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.19
 
                                 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
                               
                                 
Net income
 
$
1,348
   
$
114
   
$
2,636
   
$
4,388
 
Income tax expense
   
126
     
30
     
888
     
1,320
 
Realized investment losses (gains), net
   
(1,184
)
   
249
     
(2,595
)
   
(4,857
)
                                 
Operating income
 
$
290
   
$
393
   
$
929
   
$
851
 

Selected Balance Sheet Data
 
December 31,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
             
Total cash and investments
 
$
257,429
   
$
254,007
 
Insurance subsidiaries
   
235,499
     
229,092
 
Parent and other
   
21,930
     
24,915
 
Total assets
   
318,600
     
314,603
 
Insurance reserves and policyholder funds
   
162,679
     
163,345
 
Debt
   
33,738
     
33,738
 
Total shareholders' equity
   
105,506
     
102,492
 
Book value per common share
   
4.89
     
4.75
 
Statutory capital and surplus
               
Life and health
   
33,430
     
35,322
 
Property and casualty
   
41,489
     
38,308