UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-Q
þ
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarter ended March 31, 2004 | ||
or | ||
o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 1-14094
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.
Michigan
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38-2626206 | |
(State of Incorporation) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
26600 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48034
(248) 358-1100
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes þ No o
The aggregate number of shares of the Registrants Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding on May 6, 2004 was 29,034,433.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. | Financial Statements |
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||
(In thousands, | ||||||||||
except share data) | ||||||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||||
Premiums earned
|
||||||||||
Gross
|
$ | 66,178 | $ | 45,313 | ||||||
Ceded
|
(16,465 | ) | (17,929 | ) | ||||||
Net earned
|
49,713 | 27,384 | ||||||||
Net commissions and fees
|
11,281 | 13,356 | ||||||||
Net investment income
|
3,597 | 3,353 | ||||||||
Net realized (losses) gains on disposition
of investments
|
(120 | ) | 205 | |||||||
Total revenues
|
64,471 | 44,298 | ||||||||
Expenses
|
||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
51,414 | 27,323 | ||||||||
Reinsurance recoveries
|
(18,905 | ) | (10,137 | ) | ||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
32,509 | 17,186 | ||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits
|
12,808 | 11,932 | ||||||||
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
|
7,562 | 3,756 | ||||||||
Other administrative expenses
|
6,628 | 7,084 | ||||||||
Interest expense
|
315 | 237 | ||||||||
Total expenses
|
59,822 | 40,195 | ||||||||
Income before taxes and equity earnings
|
4,649 | 4,103 | ||||||||
Federal income tax expense
|
1,440 | 1,347 | ||||||||
Equity earnings of affiliates
|
23 | | ||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 3,232 | $ | 2,756 | ||||||
Earnings Per Share
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 | ||||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 | ||||||
Weighted average number of common
shares
|
||||||||||
Basic
|
29,025,509 | 29,503,567 | ||||||||
Diluted
|
29,395,208 | 29,510,681 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
For the Three | |||||||||||
Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 3,232 | $ | 2,756 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
|||||||||||
Unrealized gains on securities
|
1,734 | 292 | |||||||||
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses
(gains) included in net income
|
73 | (141 | ) | ||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
1,807 | 151 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income
|
$ | 5,039 | $ | 2,907 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||
(In thousands, except share | ||||||||||
data) | ||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||
Investments
|
||||||||||
Debt securities available for sale, at fair value
(amortized cost of $284,367 and $260,330)
|
$ | 297,993 | $ | 271,217 | ||||||
Equity securities available for sale, at fair
value (cost of $1,980 and $1,980)
|
2,393 | 2,371 | ||||||||
Total investments
|
300,386 | 273,588 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
37,522 | 50,647 | ||||||||
Accrued investment income
|
3,473 | 3,441 | ||||||||
Premiums and agent balances receivable, net
|
88,699 | 77,554 | ||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable on:
|
||||||||||
Paid losses
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16,746 | 17,566 | ||||||||
Unpaid losses
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152,337 | 147,446 | ||||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
22,556 | 20,492 | ||||||||
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
22,340 | 19,564 | ||||||||
Deferred federal income taxes
|
14,324 | 15,201 | ||||||||
Goodwill
|
28,997 | 28,997 | ||||||||
Other assets
|
37,598 | 37,770 | ||||||||
Total assets
|
$ | 724,978 | $ | 692,266 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||||
Liabilities
|
||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
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$ | 349,801 | $ | 339,465 | ||||||
Unearned premiums
|
124,554 | 109,677 | ||||||||
Debt
|
17,692 | 17,506 | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
31,554 | 26,283 | ||||||||
Reinsurance funds held and balances payable
|
15,385 | 13,961 | ||||||||
Junior subordinated debentures
|
10,310 | 10,310 | ||||||||
Payable to insurance companies
|
3,833 | 7,853 | ||||||||
Other liabilities
|
11,584 | 12,098 | ||||||||
Total liabilities
|
564,713 | 537,153 | ||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
|
||||||||||
Shareholders Equity
|
||||||||||
Common stock, $0.01 stated value; authorized
50,000,000 shares; 29,034,433 and 29,022,435 shares issued and
outstanding
|
290 | 290 | ||||||||
Additional paid-in capital
|
125,243 | 125,181 | ||||||||
Retained earnings
|
26,347 | 23,069 | ||||||||
Note receivable from officer
|
(881 | ) | (886 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
9,266 | 7,459 | ||||||||
Total shareholders equity
|
160,265 | 155,113 | ||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
$ | 724,978 | $ | 692,266 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
For the Three Months | |||||||||||
Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
|
|||||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 3,232 | $ | 2,756 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
|
|||||||||||
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible
assets
|
99 | 70 | |||||||||
Amortization of deferred debenture issuance costs
|
11 | | |||||||||
Depreciation of furniture and equipment
|
275 | 380 | |||||||||
Net accretion of discount and premiums on bonds
|
318 | 470 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of investments
|
110 | (214 | ) | ||||||||
Stock-based employee compensation
|
27 | 86 | |||||||||
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
|
(77 | ) | 1,347 | ||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in:
|
|||||||||||
Premiums and agent balances receivable
|
(10,882 | ) | (9,895 | ) | |||||||
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses
|
(2,459 | ) | 3,011 | ||||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
|
(1,638 | ) | 942 | ||||||||
Deferred policy acquisition costs
|
(2,946 | ) | (3,762 | ) | |||||||
Other assets
|
1,571 | (395 | ) | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in:
|
|||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
|
10,336 | (13,010 | ) | ||||||||
Unearned premiums
|
14,876 | 23,476 | |||||||||
Payable to insurance companies
|
(4,020 | ) | (888 | ) | |||||||
Reinsurance funds held and balances payable
|
1,212 | 1,990 | |||||||||
Other liabilities
|
6,112 | 6,450 | |||||||||
Total adjustments
|
12,925 | 10,058 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
16,157 | 12,814 | |||||||||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
|
|||||||||||
Purchase of debt securities available for sale
|
(38,582 | ) | (22,988 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from sales and maturities of debt
securities available for sale
|
13,275 | 15,333 | |||||||||
Capital expenditures
|
(835 | ) | (215 | ) | |||||||
Purchase of books of business
|
(187 | ) | (100 | ) | |||||||
Deconsolidation of subsidiary
|
(4,218 | ) | | ||||||||
Other investing activities
|
1,496 | 267 | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities
|
(29,051 | ) | (7,703 | ) | |||||||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
|
|||||||||||
Proceeds from lines of credit
|
4,947 | 4,763 | |||||||||
Payment of lines of credit
|
(4,760 | ) | (16,225 | ) | |||||||
Book overdraft
|
(445 | ) | 1,831 | ||||||||
Share issuance (repurchases)
|
22 | (546 | ) | ||||||||
Other financing activities
|
5 | (9 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in by financing activities
|
(231 | ) | (10,186 | ) | |||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
(13,125 | ) | (5,075 | ) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
50,647 | 39,385 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
|
$ | 37,522 | $ | 34,310 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation |
The consolidated financial statements include accounts, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions, of Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (the Company), its wholly owned subsidiary Star Insurance Company (Star), and Stars wholly owned subsidiaries, Savers Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Williamsburg National Insurance Company, and Ameritrust Insurance Corporation (which are collectively referred to as the Insurance Company Subsidiaries), and Preferred Insurance Company, Ltd. The consolidated financial statements also include Meadowbrook, Inc. and its subsidiaries, and Crest Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Effective January 1, 2004, the Company deconsolidated its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Indemnity Insurance Company, Ltd., (AIIC), due to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation Number (FIN) 46(R) discussed further under heading New Accounting Pronouncements.
These financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Companys audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments, which were, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the results for the interim period. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year.
Certain amounts in the 2003 financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2004 presentation.
Revenue Recognition |
Premiums written are recognized as earned on a pro rata basis over the life of the policy term. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that are applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Provisions for unearned premiums on reinsurance assumed from others are made on the basis of ceding reports when received and actuarial estimates. Certain premiums are subject to retrospective premium adjustments. The estimated ultimate premium is recognized over the term of the insurance contract.
Fee income, which includes risk management consulting, loss control, and claims services, is recognized in the period the services are provided. The claims processing fees are recognized as revenue over the estimated life of the claims. For those contracts that provide services beyond the contractually defined termination date of the related contracts, fees are deferred in an amount equal to managements estimate of the Companys obligation to continue to provide services.
Commission income, which includes reinsurance brokerage, is recorded on the later of the effective date or the billing date of the policies on which they were earned. Commission income is reported net of sub-broker commission expense. Commission and other adjustments are recorded when they occur and the Company maintains an allowance for estimated policy cancellations and commission returns.
The Company reviews, on an ongoing basis, the collectibility of its receivables and establishes an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts.
Realized gains or losses on sale of investments are determined on the basis of specific costs of the investments. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Discount or premium on debt securities purchased at other than par value is amortized using the constant yield method. Investments with
6
other than temporary declines in fair value are written down to their estimated net fair value and the related realized losses are recognized in income.
Earnings Per Share |
Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, while diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average number of common shares and potential dilution from shares issuable pursuant to stock options using the treasury stock method.
Outstanding options of 1,036,796 and 2,685,223 for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share, as they were anti-dilutive. Shares issuable pursuant to stock options included in diluted earnings per share were 298,131 and 7,113 for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, shares issuable pursuant to outstanding warrants included in diluted earnings per share were 71,568 for the period ended March 31, 2004. Outstanding warrants of 300,000 for the period ended March 31, 2003, have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share, as they were anti-dilutive.
Stock Options |
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123 utilizing the prospective method. Under the prospective method, stock-based compensation expense is recognized for awards granted after the beginning of the fiscal year in which the change is made. Upon implementation of SFAS No. 148 in 2003, the Company is recognizing stock-based compensation expense for awards granted after January 1, 2003.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 148, the Company applied the intrinsic value-based provisions set forth in APB Opinion No. 25. Under the intrinsic value method, compensation expense is determined on the measurement date, that is the first date on which both the number of shares the employee is entitled to receive, and the exercise price are known. Compensation expense, if any, resulting from stock options granted by the Company is determined based on the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. The Companys Stock Option Plan requires the exercise price of the grants to be at the current fair market value of the underlying common stock.
The Company, through its 1995 and 2002 Stock Option Plans (the Plans), may grant options to key executives and other members of management of the Company and its subsidiaries in amounts not to exceed 2,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock allocated for each plan. The Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors. Option shares may be exercised subject to the terms of the Plans and the terms prescribed by the Committee at the time of grant. Currently, the Plans options have either five or ten-year terms and are exercisable and vest in equal increments over the option term.
7
If compensation cost for stock option grants had been determined based on a fair value method, net income and earnings per share on a pro forma basis for the three months ending March 31, 2004 and 2003 would be as follows (in thousands):
For the Three | |||||||||
Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, | |||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
Net income, as reported
|
$ | 3,232 | $ | 2,756 | |||||
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense
included in reported income, net of related tax effects
|
18 | 57 | |||||||
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair-value-based methods for all
awards, net of related tax effects
|
(134 | ) | (286 | ) | |||||
Pro forma net income
|
$ | 3,116 | $ | 2,527 | |||||
Earnings per share:
|
|||||||||
Basic as reported
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 | |||||
Basic pro forma
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 | |||||
Diluted as reported
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 | |||||
Diluted pro forma
|
$ | 0.11 | $ | 0.09 |
The Black-Scholes valuation model utilized the following annualized assumptions for 2003: Risk-free interest rate of 2.90%, no dividends were declared in 2003, the volatility factor for the expected market price of the Companys common stock is 0.586, and the weighted average expected life of options is 5.0 for the 2003 grants. No options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2004.
Compensation expense of $26,725 and $86,000 has been recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, under SFAS 148.
New Accounting Pronouncements |
On May 15, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 150 Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. The statement requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some circumstances) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody obligations for the issuer. Generally, the statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard had no effect on the Companys financial statements.
In November 2002, the FASB issued FIN No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. FIN No. 45 clarifies the requirements of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, relating to a guarantors accounting for, and disclosure of, the issuance of certain types of guarantees. For certain guarantees issued after December 31, 2002, FIN No. 45 requires a guarantor to recognize, upon issuance of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligations it assumes under the guarantee. Guarantees issued prior to January 1, 2003, are not subject to liability recognition, but are subject to expanded disclosure requirements. Refer to Note 4 and Note 7 for additional information regarding the effect of the adoption of FIN No. 45.
In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The primary objective of FIN No. 46 is to provide guidance on the identification of, and financial reporting for, entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights; such entities are known as variable interest entities. FIN No. 46 requires variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and expands disclosure requirements for both variable interest
8
entities that are consolidated as well as those within which an enterprise holds a significant variable interest. In accordance with FIN 46, the Company performed an evaluation of its business relationships and determined that Meadowbrook Capital Trust I (Trust) was a variable interest entity; however, it was also determined that the Trust did not meet the qualifications for consolidation as the Trust equity was deemed to not be at risk. The adoption of FIN No. 46 did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated balance sheet or its consolidated statement of income. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Companys unconsolidated subsidiary trust.
In December 2003, FIN 46 was revised as FIN 46(R) to address certain implementation issues and to defer full adoption into financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004, with earlier adoption permitted. In accordance with FIN 46(R), the Company performed an evaluation of its business relationships and determined that its wholly-owned subsidiary, AIIC, did not meet the tests for consolidation, as neither the Company, nor its subsidiary Star, are the primary beneficiaries of AIIC. Therefore, effective January 1, 2004, the Company deconsolidated AIIC on a prospective basis in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46(R). The adoption of FIN 46(R) and the deconsolidation of AIIC did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated balance sheet or consolidated statement of income.
Note 2 Reinsurance
The Insurance Company Subsidiaries cede insurance to other insurers under pro-rata and excess-of-loss contracts. These reinsurance arrangements diversify the Companys business and minimize its exposure to large losses or from hazards of an unusual nature. The ceding of insurance does not discharge the original insurer from its primary liability to its policyholder. In the event that all or any of the reinsuring companies are unable to meet their obligations, the Insurance Company Subsidiaries would be liable for such defaulted amounts. Therefore, the Company is subject to a credit risk with respect to the obligations of its reinsurers. In order to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors the economic characteristics of the reinsurers on an ongoing basis. The Company also assumes insurance from other insurers and reinsurers, both domestic and foreign, under pro-rata and excess-of-loss contracts.
At March 31, 2004, the Company had reinsurance recoverables for paid and unpaid losses of $169.1 million. The Company customarily collateralizes reinsurance balances due from non-admitted reinsurers through funds withheld trusts or letters of credit. The largest unsecured reinsurance recoverable is due from an admitted reinsurer with an A A.M. Best rating and accounts for 33.7% of the total recoverable for paid and unpaid losses.
The Company maintains an excess-of-loss reinsurance program designed to protect against large or unusual loss and loss adjustment expense activity. The Company determines the appropriate amount of reinsurance based on the Companys evaluation of the risks accepted and analysis prepared by consultants and reinsurers and on market conditions including the availability and pricing of reinsurance. To date, there have been no material disputes with the Companys excess-of-loss reinsurers. No assurance can be given, however, regarding the future ability of any of the Companys excess-of-loss reinsurers to meet their obligations.
Under the workers compensation reinsurance program, the reinsurers are responsible for 100% of each loss in excess of $300,000 up to $5.0 million for each claimant. In addition, there is coverage for loss events involving more than one claimant up to $50.0 million per occurrence.
Under the core liability reinsurance treaty, the reinsurers are responsible for 100% of each loss in excess of $350,000 up to $2.0 million per occurrence. The Company also purchases an additional $3.0 million of reinsurance clash coverage in excess of the $2.0 million to cover amounts that may be in excess of the $2.0 million policy limit, such as expenses associated with the settlement of claims or awards in excess of policy limits. The Company has a separate structure to cover liability specifically related to commercial trucking, where reinsurers are responsible for 100% of each loss in excess of $350,000, up to $1.0 million. In addition, the Company purchases an additional $1.0 million of reinsurance clash coverage.
9
Under the property reinsurance program, reinsurers are responsible for 100% of the amount of each loss in excess of $500,000 up to $5.0 million per location for an occurrence. In addition, there is coverage for loss events involving multiple locations up to $20.0 million after the Company has incurred $750,000 in loss.
Effective August 1, 2003, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement for reinsurance coverage of $4,500,000 in excess of $500,000 for each occurrence for policies covering losses in excess of the self-insured retention level for public entities. The reinsurance charge for this coverage is a minimum of 11% of subject premium plus 110% of losses ceded under this agreement; however, the adjusted premium cannot exceed 54%, the maximum rate under the agreement, or be less than the 11% minimum. Based upon an actuarial study, the probability of a loss to reinsurers under this treaty is less than 15% and does not transfer significant timing or underwriting risk, therefore under the provisions of SFAS No. 113 Accounting and Reporting for Reinsurance of Short-Duration and Long-Duration Contracts and Statement of Position 98-7 Deposit Accounting: Accounting for Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts That Do Not Transfer Insurance Risk, the transactions under this treaty are accounted for using the interest method of deposit accounting. At March 31, 2004, for transactions under this contract, the Company carried a prepaid asset of $1.6 million and a deposit liability of $1.3 million. For the quarter ended March 31, 2004, the Company recorded an operating expense of $726,000 for the subject premium described above.
In addition, the Company purchases $10.0 million in excess of $5.0 million for each occurrence which is layered on top of the underlying $5.0 million of coverage for a specific program. Under this agreement, reinsurers are responsible for 100% of each loss in excess of $5.0 million for all lines except workers compensation, which is covered by the Companys core catastrophic workers compensation structure up to $50.0 million per occurrence.
Additionally, several small programs have separate reinsurance treaties in place, which limit the Companys exposure to $250,000 or less.
Facultative reinsurance treaty is purchased for property values in excess of $5.0 million and casualty limits excess of $2.0 million or for coverage not protected by the treaty.
In its risk-sharing programs, the Company is also subject to credit risk with respect to the payment of claims by its clients captive, rent-a-captive, large deductible programs, indemnification agreements, and on the portion of risk exposure either ceded to the captives, or retained by the clients. The capitalization and credit worthiness of prospective risk-sharing partners is one of the factors considered by the Company in entering into and renewing risk-sharing programs. The Company collateralizes balances due from its risk-sharing partners through funds withheld trusts or letters of credit. At March 31, 2004, the Company had risk exposure in excess of collateral in the amount of $10.4 million, on these programs, of which the Company has an allowance of $7.2 million, related to these exposures. The Company has historically maintained an allowance for the potential uncollectibility of certain reinsurance balances due from some risk-sharing partners, some of which are in litigation with the Company. At the end of each quarter, an analysis of these exposures is conducted to determine the potential exposure to uncollectibility. As of March 31, 2004, management believes that this allowance is adequate. To date, the Company has not, in the aggregate, experienced material difficulties in collecting balances from its risk-sharing partners. No assurance can be given, however, regarding the future ability of any of the Companys risk-sharing partners to meet their obligations. At March 31, 2004, the exposure amount in litigation with former risk-sharing partners which is not reserved or collateralized is $1.2 million.
Note 3 Debt
The Company has a credit agreement that includes a term loan and a revolving line of credit. This credit agreement consists of a $20.0 million term loan and a revolving line of credit for up to $8.0 million. The Company uses the revolving line of credit to meet short-term working capital needs. At March 31, 2004, the Companys term loan had an outstanding balance of $12.8 million. The Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving line of credit at March 31, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the outstanding balance on the term
10
loan was $14.0 million. The Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving line of credit at December 31, 2003. The term loan calls for quarterly amortization through July 1, 2006, at which time the term loan will be paid in full. The quarterly amortization requires payments of $1.25 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, with a final payment of $1.5 million on July 1, 2006. The revolving line of credit will expire on July 1, 2004, and is thereafter renewable on an annual basis. As part of the loan agreement, certain of the Companys non-regulated subsidiaries guaranteed repayment of the credit facility and the Company pledged the stock of its non-regulated subsidiaries as collateral. The eurocurrency based rate as of March 31, 2004, for the term loan was 3.3%.
Both the term loan and revolving line of credit provide for interest at a variable rate based, at the Companys option, upon either the prime rate or eurocurrency based rate. The applicable margin, which ranges from 200 to 300 basis points above eurocurrency based rates, is determined by the level of the fixed charge coverage ratio. Of all the covenants, the most restrictive covenant is the fixed charge coverage ratio. The fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined by the credit facility, is the ratio of the non-regulated earnings before interest and taxes for the four preceding fiscal quarters to the sum of fixed charges which include interest expense, principal payments payable, stock repurchases, and dividends declared during the period. Any unused portion of the revolving credit as of the date of determination reduces the sum of these fixed charges. At March 31, 2004, this ratio was 6.9 to 1.0, compared to the covenant minimum of 1.2 to 1.0.
The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants, with the exception of one. The Insurance Company Subsidiaries are subject to two covenants which limit the gross written premium to surplus and net written premium to surplus ratios. Williamsburg National Insurance Company (Williamsburg) was in violation of the gross written premium to surplus ratio. This ratio was 3.3 to 1.0, compared to the covenant maximum of 3.0 to 1.0. Williamsburg was well within the net written premium to surplus ratio. This ratio was 0.3 to 1.0, compared to the covenant maximum of 2.5 to 1.0. The Company has obtained a waiver from its lender for the violation. Because Williamsburg has an intercompany reinsurance agreement with the Companys leading insurance company subsidiary, Star, the relevancy of the gross written premium ratio on a subsidiary basis is minimal. The majority of Williamsburgs gross written premiums are ceded to Star. Stars gross and net written premium ratios were 1.3 to 1.0 and 1.5 to 1.0, respectively.
In addition, a non-insurance premium finance subsidiary of the Company maintains a line of credit with a bank, which permits borrowings up to 80% of the accounts receivable, which collateralize the line of credit. At March 31, 2004, this line of credit had an outstanding balance of $4.9 million. The line bears interest at the Prime Rate, which was 4.0% at March 31, 2004.
Note 4 Junior Subordinated Debentures
On September 30, 2003, an unconsolidated subsidiary trust (the Trust) of the Company issued $10.0 million of mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities (TPS) to a trust formed by an institutional investor. The Companys trust received a total of $9.7 million in net proceeds, after the deduction of approximately $300,000 of commissions paid to the placement agents in the transaction.
The gross proceeds from the issuance of the TPS were used to purchase floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (the Debentures) issued by the Company. The Debentures have financial terms similar to those of the TPS, which includes the deferral of interest payments at any time or from time to time for a period not exceeding five years, provided there is no event of default. The Debentures mature in 30 years and provide for interest at the three-month LIBOR, plus 4.05%, which started in December 2003. The Debentures are callable by the Company at par beginning in October 2008. Associated with the Debentures, the Company incurred $300,000 of issuance costs, which have been capitalized and are included in other assets on the balance sheet. Issuance costs will be amortized over seven years as a component of interest expense. The Company estimates that the fair value of the Debentures issued approximates the gross proceeds of cash received at the time of issuance.
11
The Debentures are unsecured obligations of the Company and are junior to the right of payment to all future senior indebtedness of the Company. The Company has guaranteed that the payments made to the Trust will be distributed by the Trust to the holders of the TPS.
The Company contributed $6.3 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the Debentures to its Insurance Company Subsidiaries and the remaining balance was used for general corporate purposes.
Note 5 Shareholders Equity
At March 31, 2004, shareholders equity was $160.3 million, or a book value of $5.52 per common share, compared to $155.1 million, or a book value of $5.34 per common share, at December 31, 2003.
On September 17, 2002, the Companys Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock in market transactions for a period not to exceed twenty-four months. On August 6, 2003, the Companys Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock under the existing share repurchase plan. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Companys Board of Directors, the share repurchase plan will expire on the earlier of such expiration date or when the Company has repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase. As of March 31, 2004, the cumulative amount the Company repurchased and retired was 764,800 shares of common stock for a total cost of approximately $2.0 million. The Company did not repurchase any common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the Company has 1,235,200 shares remaining to be purchased.
Note 6 Regulatory Matters and Rating Agencies
A significant portion of the Companys consolidated assets represent assets of the Insurance Company Subsidiaries that at this time, without prior approval of the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS), cannot be transferred to the holding company in the form of dividends, loans or advances. The restriction on the transferability to the holding company from its Insurance Company Subsidiaries is dictated by Michigan insurance regulatory guidelines which, in general, are as follows: the maximum discretionary dividend that may be declared, based on data from the preceding calendar year, is the greater of each insurance companys net income (excluding realized capital gains) or ten percent of the insurance companys surplus (excluding unrealized gains). These dividends are further limited by a clause in the Michigan law that prohibits an insurer from declaring dividends, except from surplus earnings of the company. Earned surplus balances are calculated on a quarterly basis. Since Star is the parent insurance company, its maximum dividend calculation represents the combined Insurance Company Subsidiaries surplus. Based upon the 2003 statutory financial statements, Star may only pay dividends to the Company during 2004 with the prior approval of OFIS. Stars earned surplus position at December 31, 2003 was negative $24.6 million. At March 31, 2004, earned surplus was negative $26.0 million. No statutory dividends were paid in 2003.
Insurance operations are subject to various leverage tests (e.g. premium to statutory surplus ratios), which are evaluated by regulators and rating agencies. The Companys targets for gross and net written premium to statutory surplus are 3.0 to 1.0 and 2.0 to 1.0, respectively. As of March 31, 2004, on a statutory consolidated basis, the gross and net premium leverage ratios were 2.7 to 1.0 and 2.0 to 1.0, respectively.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has adopted a risk-based capital (RBC) formula to be applied to all property and casualty insurance companies. The formula measures required capital and surplus based on an insurance companys products and investment portfolio and is used as a tool to evaluate the capital of regulated companies. The RBC formula is used by state insurance regulators to monitor trends in statutory capital and surplus for the purpose of initiating regulatory action. In general, an insurance company must submit a calculation of its RBC formula to the insurance department of its state of domicile as of the end of the previous calendar year. These laws require increasing degrees of regulatory oversight and intervention as an insurance companys RBC declines. The level of regulatory oversight ranges
12
from requiring the insurance company to inform and obtain approval from the domiciliary insurance commissioner of a comprehensive financial plan for increasing its RBC to mandatory regulatory intervention requiring an insurance company to be placed under regulatory control in a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding.
At December 31, 2003, all of the Insurance Company Subsidiaries were in compliance with RBC requirements. Star reported statutory surplus of $99.9 million at December 31, 2003, compared to the threshold requiring the minimum regulatory involvement of $45.7 million in 2003. At March 31, 2004, Stars statutory surplus was $98.4 million.
The Insurance Company Subsidiaries A.M. Best financial strength rating is a B+ (Very Good) with a positive outlook. A positive outlook is placed on a companys rating if its financial and market trends are favorable, relative to its current rating level.
Note 7 Commitments and Contingencies
On December 3, 2003, the Company entered into a Development Agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the construction of an office building on land currently owned by the Company for a contract price of $11.0 million. The office building will serve as the new location for the Companys corporate offices.
On June 6, 2003, the Company entered into a Guaranty Agreement with a bank. The Company is guaranteeing payment of a $1.5 million term loan issued by the bank to an unaffiliated insurance agency. In the event of default on the term loan by the insurance agency, the Company is obligated to pay any outstanding principal (up to a maximum of $1.5 million), as well as any accrued interest on the loan, and any costs incurred by the bank in the collection process. In exchange for the Companys guaranty, the president and member of the insurance agency pledged 100% of the common shares of two other insurance agencies that he wholly owns. In the event of default on the term loan by the insurance agency, the Company has the right to sell any or all of the pledged insurance agencies common shares and use the proceeds from the sale to recover any amounts paid under the guaranty agreement. Any excess proceeds would be paid to the shareholder. As of March 31, 2004, no liability has been recorded with respect to the Companys obligations under the guaranty agreement, since the collateral is in excess of the guaranteed amount.
The Company, and its subsidiaries, are subject at times to various claims, lawsuits and proceedings relating principally to alleged errors or omissions in the placement of insurance, claims administration, consulting services and other business transactions arising in the ordinary course of business. Where appropriate, the Company vigorously defends such claims, lawsuits and proceedings. Some of these claims, lawsuits and proceedings seek damages, including consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. Most of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are covered by errors and omissions insurance or other appropriate insurance. In terms of deductibles associated with such insurance, the Company has established provisions against these items, which are believed to be adequate in light of current information and legal advice. In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or liability has been incurred as of the date financial statements and the amount of loss is estimable, an accrual for the costs to resolve these claims is recorded by the Company in its consolidated balance sheets. Period expenses related to the defense of such claims are included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Management, with the assistance of outside counsel, adjusts such provisions from time-to-time according to new developments or changes in the strategy in dealing with such matters. On the basis of current information, the Company does not expect the outcome of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings to which the Company is subject to, either individually, or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial condition. However, it is possible that future results of operations or cash flows for any particular quarter or annual period could be materially affected by an unfavorable resolution of any such matters.
13
Note 8 Segment Information
The Company defines its operations as specialty risk management operations and agency operations based upon differences in products and services. The separate financial information of these segments is consistent with the way results are regularly evaluated by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Intersegment revenue is eliminated in consolidation. It would be impracticable for the Company to determine the allocation of assets between the two segments.
Specialty Risk Management Operations |
The specialty risk management operations segment focuses on specialty or niche insurance business in which it provides various services and coverages that are tailored to meet specific requirements of defined client groups and their members. This includes, but is not limited to, providing services, such as risk management consulting, claims administration and handling, loss control, and reinsurance brokering, along with various types of property and casualty insurance coverage, including workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, general liability, commercial auto liability, and inland marine. Insurance coverage is provided primarily to associations or similar groups of members and to specified classes of business of the Companys agent-partners. The Company recognizes revenue related to the services and coverages the specialty risk management operations provides within seven categories: net earned premiums, management fees, claims fees, loss control fees, reinsurance brokerage, investment income, and net realized gain (loss) on investments.
Agency Operations |
The Company earns commissions through the operation of its retail property and casualty insurance agency, which was formed in 1955. The agency has grown to be one of the largest agencies in Michigan and, with acquisitions, has expanded into California. The agency operations primarily produce commercial insurance, as well as personal property, casualty, life and accident and health insurance, with more than fifty insurance carriers.
14
The following table sets forth the segment results (in thousands):
For the Three Months | ||||||||||
Ended March 31, | ||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||||
Net earned premiums
|
$ | 49,713 | $ | 27,384 | ||||||
Management fees
|
4,711 | 5,348 | ||||||||
Claims fees
|
2,701 | 4,382 | ||||||||
Loss control fees
|
545 | 577 | ||||||||
Reinsurance brokerage
|
147 | 55 | ||||||||
Investment income
|
3,591 | 3,340 | ||||||||
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
|
(120 | ) | 205 | |||||||
Specialty risk management
|
61,288 | 41,291 | ||||||||
Agency operations
|
4,779 | 4,147 | ||||||||
Reconciling items
|
6 | 13 | ||||||||
Intersegment revenue
|
(1,602 | ) | (1,153 | ) | ||||||
Consolidated revenue
|
$ | 64,471 | $ | 44,298 | ||||||
Pre-tax income:
|
||||||||||
Specialty risk management
|
$ | 3,096 | $ | 2,636 | ||||||
Agency operations*
|
2,496 | 2,052 | ||||||||
Reconciling items
|
(943 | ) | (585 | ) | ||||||
Consolidated pre-tax income
|
$ | 4,649 | $ | 4,103 | ||||||
* | Excluding the allocation of corporate overhead. |
The reconciling item included in the revenue relates to interest income in the holding company. The following table sets forth the pre-tax income reconciling items:
For the Three Months | ||||||||
Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||
Holding company expenses
|
$ | (529 | ) | $ | (278 | ) | ||
Amortization
|
(99 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||
Interest expense
|
(315 | ) | (237 | ) | ||||
$ | (943 | ) | $ | (585 | ) | |||
Note 9 | Subsequent Events |
On April 29, 2004, the Company issued a senior note (Note) in the amount of $13.0 million. The Note matures in 30 years and provides for interest at the three-month LIBOR, plus 4.0%, which is non-deferrable. The Note is callable by the Company at par beginning in May 2009. Associated with the Note the Company incurred $390,000 of commissions paid to the placement agents in the transaction. The proceeds from the issuance of the Note will be used to support future premium growth through contributions to its Insurance Company Subsidiaries and general corporate purposes.
15
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Management Representation
In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods. Preparation of financial statements under GAAP requires management to make estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the entire year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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ITEM 2
Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. (the Company) is a publicly traded specialty risk management company, specializing in alternative market insurance and risk management solutions for agents, brokers, professional and trade associations, and insureds of all sizes. The alternative market includes a wide range of approaches to financing and managing risk exposures, such as captives, risk retention and risk purchasing groups, governmental pools and trusts, and self-insurance plans. The alternative market developed as a result of the historical volatility in the cost and availability of traditional commercial insurance coverages, and usually involves some form of self-insurance or risk-sharing on the part of the client. The Company develops and manages alternative risk management programs for defined groups and their members. The Company also operates as an insurance agency representing policyholders in placing their insurance coverages with unaffiliated insurance companies. Management defines its business segments as specialty risk management operations and agency operations.
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003
Overview |
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $3.2 million, or $0.11 per dilutive share, compared to net income of $2.8 million, or $0.09 per dilutive share, for the comparable period of 2003. This improvement reflects the earning pattern of controlled growth of premium in profitable programs which were written in 2003, continued rate increases, growth in agency commission, control over expenses, including lower producer commission expense, and leveraging of fixed costs.
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased $20.2 million, or 45.5%, to $64.5 million from $44.3 million for the comparable period in 2003. This increase reflects a $22.3 million, or 81.5%, increase in net earned premium. The growth in net earned premium reflects the earning pattern of programs written in 2003. These programs include the conversion of an existing west-coast commercial transportation program to the Companys insurance subsidiaries, the impact of a renewal rights contract for a select group of association-endorsed workers compensation programs which had decades of profitable underwriting experience, the implementation of an excess liability program for public entities with a statistically proven twenty-year track record, the return of profitable programs, and the impact of an overall 13.6% rate increase achieved in 2003. This increase was partially offset by the anticipated reduction in managed fee revenue from two limited duration or closed end administrative services and claims contracts in the State of Missouri.
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Specialty Risk Management Operations |
The following table sets forth the revenues and results from operations for specialty risk management operations (in thousands):
For the Three Months | |||||||||
Ended March 31, | |||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
Revenue:
|
|||||||||
Net earned premiums
|
$ | 49,713 | $ | 27,384 | |||||
Management fees
|
4,711 | 5,348 | |||||||
Claims fees
|
2,701 | 4,382 | |||||||
Loss control fees
|
545 | 577 | |||||||
Reinsurance brokerage
|
147 | 55 | |||||||
Investment income
|
3,591 | 3,340 | |||||||
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
|
(120 | ) | 205 | ||||||
Total revenue
|
$ | 61,288 | $ | 41,291 | |||||
Pre-tax income
|
|||||||||
Specialty risk management operations
|
$ | 3,096 | $ | 2,636 |
Revenues from specialty risk management operations increased $20.0 million, or 48.4 %, to $61.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $41.3 million for the comparable period in 2003.
Net earned premium increased $22.3 million, or 81.5%, to $49.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $27.4 million in the comparable period in 2003. As previously mentioned, this increase is the result of increased written premium in the last three quarters of 2003 that are recognized as earned premium in 2004.
Management fees decreased $637,000, or 11.9%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $5.3 million for the comparable period in 2003. The decrease in management fees reflects a shift in fee-for-service revenue previously generated from a third-party contract to internally generated fee revenue that is eliminated upon consolidation. The transition of such fees is directly related to the Companys previously mentioned renewal rights contract. All other management fee revenue remained relatively consistent in comparison to 2003.
Claim fees decreased $1.7 million, or 38.4%, to $2.7 million, from $4.4 million for the comparable period in 2003. The decrease in claim fees reflects a similar shifting of revenue previously generated from third-party contracts to internally generated fee revenue that is eliminated upon consolidation. The transition of such fees is directly related to the Companys renewal rights contract. All other claim fee revenue remained relatively consistent in comparison to 2003.
Net investment income increased $251,000, or 7.5%, to $3.6 million in 2004, from $3.3 million in 2003. Average invested assets increased $41.4 million, or 14.3%, to $331.1 million in 2004, from $289.6 million in 2003. The increase in average invested assets reflects cash flows from underwriting activities and growth in gross written premiums during 2003 and 2004. The average investment yield for March 31, 2004 was 4.4%, compared to 4.6% for the comparable period in 2003. The current pre-tax book yield is 4.2% and current after-tax book yield is 3.0%. The decline in investment yield reflects the accelerated prepayment speeds in mortgage-backed securities, and reinvestment of cash flows in municipal bonds and other securities in an interest rate environment where macro rates are relatively low and declining during the period.
Specialty risk management operations generated pre-tax income of $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, compared to pre-tax income of $2.6 million for the comparable period in 2003. This increase in pre-tax income demonstrates the improvement in underwriting results and the further leveraging of fixed costs as the Company continues to experience controlled growth of premium volume. The generally
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Net loss and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) increased $15.3 million, or 89.2%, to $32.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $17.2 million for the same period in 2003. The Companys loss and LAE ratio increased by 1.2 percentage points to 70.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from 69.0% for the same period in 2003. This ratio is the unconsolidated net loss and LAE in relation to net earned premium. The increase in the loss and LAE ratio reflects the impact of a $1.8 million, or 3.6 percentage points, increase in net ultimate loss estimates for prior accident years in 2004 compared to $331,000, or 1.2 percentage points, for the comparable period of 2003. The change in net ultimate loss estimates in 2004 is described in the reserve section below. This increase is partially offset by an improvement in the current accident year loss ratio which reflects rate increases achieved during 2004 and the addition of earned premium from profitable programs.
The Companys expense ratio improved 4.7 percentage points to 31.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from 36.5% for the same period in 2003. This ratio is the unconsolidated policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses in relation to net earned premium. This improvement reflects an overall improvement in gross commissions in relation to an increased net earned premium basis. In addition, this improvement reflects the ability to leverage fixed costs and a decrease in insurance related assessments.
Agency Operations |
The following table sets forth the revenues and results from operations for agency operations (in thousands):
For the Three | ||||||||
Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||||
Net commission
|
$ | 4,779 | $ | 4,147 | ||||
Pre-tax income*
|
$ | 2,496 | $ | 2,052 |
* | Excluding the allocation of corporate overhead |
Revenue from agency operations, which consists primarily of agency commission revenue, increased $632,000, or 15.2%, to $4.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $4.1 million for the comparable period in 2003. This increase is primarily the result of rate increases and increases in new business and contingent commissions.
Agency operations generated pre-tax income, before corporate overhead, of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, compared to $2.1 million for the comparable period in 2003. The improvement in the pre-tax margin is primarily attributable to the overall increase in revenue.
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Other Items
Reserves |
At March 31, 2004, managements best estimate for the ultimate liability for loss and LAE reserves, net of reinsurance recoverables, was $197.5 million. Management established a reasonable range of reserves of approximately $183.9 million to $211.9 million. This range was established primarily by considering the various indications derived from standard actuarial techniques and other appropriate reserve considerations. The following table sets forth this range by line of business (in thousands):
Minimum | Maximum | |||||||||||
Reserve | Reserve | Selected | ||||||||||
Line of Business | Range | Range | Reserves | |||||||||
Workers Compensation(1)
|
$ | 104,070 | $ | 116,807 | $ | 110,770 | ||||||
Commercial Multiple Peril/General Liability
|
37,962 | 46,848 | 41,595 | |||||||||
Commercial Automobile
|
26,712 | 30,090 | 28,432 | |||||||||
Other
|
15,132 | 18,147 | 16,667 | |||||||||
Net Reserves
|
$ | 183,876 | $ | 211,892 | $ | 197,464 | ||||||
(1) | Includes Residual Markets |
Reserves are reviewed by internal and independent actuaries for adequacy on a quarterly basis. When reviewing reserves, the Company analyzes historical data and estimates the impact of numerous factors such as (i) per claim information; (ii) Company and industry historical loss experience; (iii) legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the imposition of damages, and changes in political attitudes; and (iv) trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future events. There is no precise method for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual deficiency or redundancy is affected by multiple factors.
The key assumptions used in managements selection of ultimate reserves included the underlying actuarial methodologies, a review of current pricing and underwriting initiatives, an evaluation of reinsurance costs and retention levels, and a detailed claims analysis with an emphasis on how aggressive claims handling may be impacting the paid and incurred loss data trends embedded in the traditional actuarial methods. With respect to the ultimate estimates for losses and LAE, the key assumptions remained consistent for the three months ended March 31, 2004, and the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.
For the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company reported an increase in net ultimate loss estimates for accident years 2003 and prior to be $1.8 million, or 0.9% of $192.0 million of net loss and LAE reserves at December 31, 2003. The increase in net ultimate loss estimates reflected revisions in the estimated reserves as a result of actual claims activity in calendar year 2004 that differed from the projected activity. There were no significant changes in the key assumptions utilized in the analysis and calculations of the
20
Reserves of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deconsolidated | Incurred Losses | Paid Losses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reserves at | Subsidiary at | Reserves at | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | Current | Prior | Total | Current | Prior | Total | March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Line of Business | 2003 | 2003(1) | Year | Years | Incurred | Year | Years | Paid | 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Workers Compensation
|
$ | 91,587 | $ | (2,250 | ) | $ | 14,721 | $ | 1,387 | $ | 16,108 | $ | 102 | $ | 10,765 | 10,867 | $ | 94,578 | ||||||||||||||||||
Residual Markets
|
14,506 | | 3,785 | (473 | ) | 3,312 | 1,254 | 372 | 1,626 | 16,192 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Multiple Peril/ General Liability
|
42,389 | (737 | ) | 4,381 | 282 | 4,663 | (180 | ) | 4,900 | 4,720 | 41,595 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Automobile
|
27,515 | | 5,058 | 825 | 5,883 | 396 | 4,570 | 4,966 | 28,432 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other
|
16,022 | (2 | ) | 2,761 | (218 | ) | 2,543 | 172 | 1,724 | 1,896 | 16,667 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Reserves
|
$ | 192,019 | $ | (2,989 | ) | $ | 30,706 | $ | 1,803 | $ | 32,509 | $ | 1,744 | $ | 22,331 | 24,075 | 197,464 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance Recoverable
|
147,446 | 152,337 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated
|
$ | 339,465 | $ | 349,801 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Re-estimated | Development | |||||||||||||||
Reserves at | Reserves at | Reserves at | as a Percentage | |||||||||||||
December 31, | January 1, | March 31, 2004 | of Prior | |||||||||||||
Line of Business | 2003 | 2004(1) | on Prior Years | Year Reserves | ||||||||||||
Workers Compensation
|
$ | 91,587 | $ | 89,337 | $ | 90,724 | 1.5% | |||||||||
Commercial Multiple Peril/ General Liability
|
42,389 | 41,652 | 41,934 | 0.7% | ||||||||||||
Commercial Automobile
|
27,515 | 27,515 | 28,340 | 2.9% | ||||||||||||
Other
|
16,022 | 16,020 | 15,802 | -1.4% | ||||||||||||
Sub-total
|
177,513 | 174,524 | 176,800 | 1.3% | ||||||||||||
Residual Markets
|
14,506 | 14,506 | 14,033 | -3.4% | ||||||||||||
Total Net Reserves
|
$ | 192,019 | $ | 189,030 | $ | 190,833 | 0.9% | |||||||||
(1) | In accordance with FIN 46(R), the Company performed an evaluation of its business relationships and determined that its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Indemnity Insurance Company, Ltd., (AIIC), did not meet the tests for consolidation, as neither the Company, nor its subsidiary Star, are the primary beneficiaries of AIIC. Therefore, effective January 1, 2004, the Company deconsolidated AIIC on a prospective basis in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46(R). The adoption of FIN 46(R) and the deconsolidation of AIIC did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated balance sheet or consolidated statement of income. Refer to New Accounting Pronouncements of Managements Discussion and Analysis. |
Workers Compensation Excluding Residual Markets
The projected net ultimate loss estimate for the workers compensation line of business excluding residual markets increased $1.4 million, or 1.5% of net workers compensation reserves. This net overall increase reflects an increase of $2.6 million and $1.5 million in accident years 2003 and 2000, respectively. The increase in ultimate loss estimates for accident year 2003 reflects higher than expected emergence of claim activity related to one Alabama program and the acceleration of amortization of prepaid claims handling costs, while the increase in accident year 2000 reflects a re-allocation of estimated reserves between accident years 2000 and 1999. These increases were partially offset by reductions of $1.0 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million in the ultimate loss estimate for accident years 2002, 2001 and 1999, respectively. The decrease in ultimate loss estimates for 2002, 2001, and 1999, reflect better than expected experience on the Companys core workers compensation programs primarily in Massachusetts and Tennessee. The change in ultimate loss estimates for all other accident years was insignificant.
21
Commercial Multiple Peril/ General Liability
The commercial multiple peril line/general liability line of business had an increase in net ultimate loss estimates of $282,000, or 0.7% of net commercial multiple peril/general liability reserves. The net increase reflects an increase of $789,000, $436,000, and $307,000 in accident years 2003, 2001, and 1999, respectively. These increases in accident years 2003 and 2001 ultimate loss estimates reflect higher than expected emergence in claim activity in a general liability occurrence program within the Kansas City Branch during the three months ended March 31, 2004. In addition, approximately $500,000 of the increase in the ultimate loss estimate in 2003 reflects a re-allocation of reserves between accident years 2003 and 2002. The increase in accident year 1999 reflects an increase in one claim in an excess professional liability program. These increases were partially offset by reductions in the ultimate loss estimates of $390,000 and $768,000 for accident years 2002 and 2000, respectively. As mentioned above, the 2002 accident year was impacted by a re-allocation of reserves between accident years 2003 and 2002. The improvement in accident year 2000 reflects better than expected claims activity in two previously discontinued programs. The change in ultimate loss estimates for all other accident years was insignificant.
Commercial Automobile
The projected net ultimate loss estimate for the commercial automobile line of business increased $825,000, or 2.9% of net commercial automobile reserves. This net overall increase reflects an increase of $516,000 and $468,000 in accident years 2002 and 2000, respectively. These increases reflect the impact of the change in the case reserve for one claim in a California program and the impact of higher than expected emergence in claims activity in a previously discontinued program. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $149,000 in the ultimate loss estimate for accident year 2003 primarily related to automobile physical damage claim activity. The change in ultimate loss estimates for all other accident years was insignificant.
Other
The other lines of business had a decrease in net ultimate loss estimates of $218,000, or 1.4% of net reserves on the other lines of business. The change reflects a reduction of $328,000 in accident year 2003, primarily from the property line of business. The change in ultimate loss estimates for all other accident years was insignificant.
Residual Markets
The workers compensation residual market line of business had a decrease in net ultimate loss estimates of $473,000, or 3.4% of net reserves on the workers compensation residual market line of business. The change reflects a reduction of $546,000 in accident year 2003. The Company records loss reserves as reported by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), plus a provision for the reserves incurred but not yet analyzed and reported to the Company due to a two quarter lag in reporting. This 2003 change reflects a difference between the Companys estimate of the lag incurred but not reported and the amounts reported by the NCCI in the quarter. The change in ultimate loss estimates for all other accident years was insignificant.
Salary and Employee Benefits and Other Administrative Expenses |
Salary and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2004, increased $876,000, or 7.3%, to $12.8 million, from $11.9 million for the comparable period in 2003. This increase primarily reflects both merit increases and the accrual of anticipated variable compensation, which is directly tied to performance and profitability. These increases were partially offset by a slight decrease in staffing levels.
Other administrative expenses decreased $456,000, or 6.4%, to $6.6 million, from $7.1 million for the comparable period in 2003. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in overall bad debt expense in 2004 as compared to increases in related allowances recorded in 2003 on previously discontinued programs. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in policyholder dividends for 2004 as opposed to an $821,000 reduction in anticipated policyholder dividends reflected in 2003.
22
Salary and employee benefits and administrative expenses include both corporate overhead and the holding company expenses included in the reconciling items of the Companys segment information.
Interest Expense |
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004, increased by $78,000, or 32.9%, to $315,000, from $237,000 for the comparable period in 2003. Interest expense is primarily attributable to the Companys term loan, line of credit, and the junior subordinated debentures, which are described below. Interest expense increased $136,000 as a result of the debentures issued on September 30, 2003. Offsetting this increase was a reduction in interest associated with the Companys term loan and line of credit of $58,000, or 24.5%, to $179,000, from $237,000 in comparison to 2003. This decrease reflects a reduction in the average outstanding balance, offset by an increase in the average interest rate. The average outstanding balance during the three months ending March 31, 2004, was $17.6 million, compared to $26.8 million for the same period in 2003. The average interest rate increased in 2004 to 4.1%, compared to 3.5% in 2003 as a result of increases in the underlying eurocurrency based rate.
Taxes |
Federal income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004, was $1.4 million, or 31.0% of income before taxes. For the same period last year, the Company reflected a federal income tax expense of $1.3 million, or 32.8% of income before taxes. The increase in tax expense is the result of an increase in earnings. The Companys effective tax rate differs from the 34% statutory rate primarily due to a shift towards increasing investments in tax-exempt securities in an effort to maximize after-tax investment yields.
At March 31, 2004, the Company had a deferred tax asset of $14.3 million, $1.9 million of which is related to a net operating loss carryforward (NOL). Realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income to absorb both the applicable reversing temporary differences and the NOL. At March 31, 2004, management concluded that the positive evidence supporting the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize the deferred tax asset outweighed the negative evidence of the previous cumulative losses reported for the periods ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999, which generated the NOL. This positive evidence includes cumulative pre-tax income of $7.0 million for the three years ended December 31, 2003, in addition to pre-tax income of $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Furthermore, the current market conditions that supported cumulative rate increases of 80.6% since the beginning of 2000 is expected to continue in 2004. In addition, while the Company had adverse development of $1.8 million, or 0.9% of $192.0 million of net loss and LAE reserves at December 31, 2003, loss reserves continue to stabilize with a calendar year 2004 loss and LAE ratio of 70.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2004. Also, the Company continues to have alternative tax strategies, which could generate capital gains from the potential sale of assets and/or subsidiaries. These capital gains would fully utilize the net operating loss of $1.9 million at March 31, 2004.
Other Than Temporary Impairments |
The Companys policy for the valuation of temporarily impaired securities is to determine impairment based on analysis of the following factors: market value less than amortized cost for a six month period; rating downgrade or other credit event, e.g., failure to pay interest when due; financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer such as changes in technology or discontinuance of a business segment; prospects for the issuers industry segment; intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in market value. The Company evaluates its investments in securities to determine other than temporary impairment, no less than quarterly. Investments which are deemed impaired are written down to their estimated net fair value and the related losses recognized in income.
At March 31, 2004, the Company had fifty-four securities that were in an unrealized loss position. These investments all had unrealized losses of less than ten percent. Positive evidence considered in reaching the Companys conclusion that the investments in an unrealized loss position are not other than temporarily
23
The fair value and amount of unrealized losses segregated by the time period the investment has been in an unrealized loss position is as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2004 | |||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 months | Greater than 12 months | ||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
of Investments | Gross | of Investments | Gross | ||||||||||||||
with Unrealized | Unrealized | with Unrealized | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||
Losses | Losses | Losses | Losses | ||||||||||||||
Debt Securities:
|
|||||||||||||||||
Debt securities issued by U.S. government and
agencies
|
$ | 4,988 | $ | (31 | ) | $ | 2,043 | $ | (16 | ) | |||||||
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
|
12,360 | (163 | ) | 114 | | ||||||||||||
Corporate securities
|
7,017 | (90 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities
|
13,907 | (92 | ) | 1,053 | (4 | ) | |||||||||||
Totals
|
$ | 38,272 | $ | (376 | ) | $ | 3,210 | $ | (20 | ) | |||||||
As of March 31, 2004, gross unrealized gains and (losses) on securities were $14.5 million and ($396,000), respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The principal sources of funds, which include both regulated and non-regulated cash flows, for the Company and its subsidiaries, are insurance premiums, investment income, proceeds from the maturity and sale of invested assets, risk management fees, and agency commissions. Funds are primarily used for the payment of claims, commissions, salaries and employee benefits, other operating expenses, shareholder dividends, and debt service. The regulated sources of funds are insurance premiums, investment income, and proceeds from the maturity and sale of invested assets. These regulated funds are used for the payment of claims, policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses, and taxes relating to the regulated portion of net income. The non-regulated sources of funds are in the form of commission revenue, outside management fees, and intercompany management fees. These non-regulated sources of funds are used to meet debt service, shareholders dividends, and other operating expenses of the holding company and non-regulated subsidiaries. The following table illustrates net income, excluding interest, depreciation, and amortization, between the Companys regulated and non-regulated subsidiaries, which reconciles to the Companys consolidated statement of income and statement of cash flows (in thousands):
For the Three Months | |||||||||
Ended March 31, | |||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 3,232 | $ | 2,756 | |||||
Regulated Subsidiaries:
|
|||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 1,411 | $ | 866 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
| 3 | |||||||
Interest
|
| 1 | |||||||
Net income, excluding interest, depreciation, and
amortization
|
1,411 | 870 | |||||||
24
For the Three Months | |||||||||
Ended March 31, | |||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities
|
898 | 594 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
13,158 | 1,333 | |||||||
Total adjustments
|
14,056 | 1,927 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
| (3 | ) | ||||||
Interest
|
| (1 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
$ | 15,467 | $ | 2,793 | |||||
Non-regulated Subsidiaries:
|
|||||||||
Net income
|
$ | 1,821 | $ | 1,890 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
374 | 447 | |||||||
Interest
|
378 | 300 | |||||||
Net income, excluding interest, depreciation, and
amortization
|
2,573 | 2,637 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
(used in) provided by operating activities
|
(135 | ) | 1,545 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
(996 | ) | 6,586 | ||||||
Total adjustments
|
(1,131 | ) | 8,131 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
(374 | ) | (447 | ) | |||||
Interest
|
(378 | ) | (300 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
$ | 690 | $ | 10,021 | |||||
Consolidated total adjustments
|
12,925 | 10,058 | |||||||
Consolidated net cash provided by operating
activities
|
$ | 16,157 | $ | 12,814 | |||||
Consolidated cash flow provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004, was $16.2 million, compared to consolidated cash flow provided by operations of $12.8 million for the comparable period in 2003.
Regulated subsidiaries cash flow provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004, was $15.5 million, compared to $2.8 million for the comparable period in 2003. The increase in regulated cash flow from operations primarily reflects growth in written premiums and overall improved underwriting results.
Non-regulated subsidiaries cash flow provided by operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004, was $691,000, compared to $10.0 million for the comparable period in 2003. The decrease in non-regulated cash flow from operations primarily reflects the inflow of cash related to the previously mentioned limited duration administrative services and claims contracts entered in the State of Missouri, beginning in 2003. At inception, these contracts resulted in a higher inflow of cash during the first quarter of 2003. As anticipated, for the duration of the remaining life of these contracts, there will be a decrease in the associated inflow of cash in comparison to prior periods. In addition, the decrease in cash flow from operations is the result of variable compensation payments made in the first quarter of 2004, related to 2003 performance and profitability. The decrease in cash flow from operations is also the result of intercompany tax payments made in the first quarter of 2004 to the regulated subsidiaries in accordance with the Companys tax sharing agreement. These intercompany tax payments were made to compensate the regulated subsidiaries for the utilization of the previously mentioned NOL. These intercompany tax payments also contributed to the increase in regulated cash flow from operations. Although the non-regulated cash flow from operations significantly decreased in comparison to 2003, which was mainly the result of timing variances associated with the inflow of cash, net income, excluding interest, depreciation, and amortization, remained relatively consistent at $2.6 million, in comparison to 2003.
25
On September 30, 2003, an unconsolidated subsidiary trust of the Company issued $10.0 million of mandatory redeemable trust preferred securities (TPS) to a trust formed by an institutional investor. The Companys trust received a total of $9.7 million in net proceeds, after the deduction of approximately $300,000 of commissions paid to the placement agents in the transaction. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the TPS were used to purchase floating rate junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (the Debentures) issued by the Company. The Company contributed $6.3 million of the proceeds to its insurance company subsidiaries and the remaining balance will be used for general corporate purposes. The Debentures mature in 30 years and provide for interest at the three-month LIBOR, plus 4.05%, which started in December 2003.
The Company has a credit agreement that includes a term loan and a revolving line of credit. This credit agreement consists of a $20.0 million term loan and a revolving line of credit for up to $8.0 million. The Company uses the revolving line of credit to meet short-term working capital needs. At March 31, 2004, the Companys term loan had an outstanding balance of $12.8 million. The Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving line of credit at March 31, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the outstanding balance on the term loan was $14.0 million. The Company had no outstanding balance on the revolving line of credit at December 31, 2003. The term loan calls for quarterly amortization through July 1, 2006, at which time the term loan will be paid in full. The quarterly amortization requires payments of $1.25 million in 2004, 2005 and 2006, with a final payment of $1.5 million on July 1, 2006. The revolving line of credit will expire on July 1, 2004, and is thereafter renewable on an annual basis. As part of the loan agreement, certain of the Companys non-regulated subsidiaries guaranteed repayment of the credit facility and the Company pledged the stock of its non-regulated subsidiaries as collateral. The eurocurrency based rate as of March 31, 2004, for the term loan was 3.3%.
Both the term loan and revolving line of credit provide for interest at a variable rate based, at the Companys option, upon either the prime rate or eurocurrency based rate. The applicable margin, which ranges from 200 to 300 basis points above eurocurrency based rates, is determined by the level of the fixed charge coverage ratio. Of all the covenants, the most restrictive covenant is the fixed charge coverage ratio. The fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined by the credit facility, is the ratio of the non-regulated earnings before interest and taxes for the four preceding fiscal quarters to the sum of fixed charges which include interest expense, principal payments payable, stock repurchases, and dividends declared during the period. Any unused portion of the revolving credit as of the date of determination reduces the sum of these fixed charges. At March 31, 2004, this ratio was 6.9 to 1.0, compared to the covenant minimum of 1.2 to 1.0.
The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants, with the exception of one. The Insurance Company Subsidiaries are subject to two covenants which limit the gross written premium to surplus and net written premium to surplus ratios. Williamsburg National Insurance Company (Williamsburg) was in violation of the gross written premium to surplus ratio. This ratio was 3.3 to 1.0, compared to the covenant maximum of 3.0 to 1.0. Williamsburg was well within the net written premium to surplus ratio. This ratio was 0.3 to 1.0, compared to the covenant maximum of 2.5 to 1.0. The Company has obtained a waiver from its lender for the violation. Because Williamsburg has an intercompany reinsurance agreement with the Companys leading insurance company subsidiary, Star, the relevancy of the gross written premium ratio on a subsidiary basis is minimal. The majority of Williamsburgs gross written premiums are ceded to Star. Stars gross and net written premium ratios were 1.3 to 1.0 and 1.5 to 1.0, respectively.
In addition, a non-insurance premium finance subsidiary of the Company maintains a line of credit with a bank, which permits borrowings up to 80% of the accounts receivable, which collateralize the line of credit. At March 31, 2004, this line of credit had an outstanding balance of $4.9 million. The line bears interest at the Prime Rate, which was 4.0% at March 31, 2004.
At March 31, 2004, shareholders equity was $160.3 million, or $5.52 per common share, compared to $155.1 million, or $5.34 per common share, at December 31, 2003.
On September 17, 2002, the Companys Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Companys common stock in market transactions for a period not to exceed twenty-four months. On August 6, 2003, the Companys Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up
26
A significant portion of the Companys consolidated assets represent assets of the Insurance Company Subsidiaries that at this time, without prior approval of the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services (OFIS), cannot be transferred to the holding company in the form of dividends, loans or advances. The restriction on the transferability to the holding company from its Insurance Company Subsidiaries is limited by Michigan insurance regulatory guidelines which, in general, are as follows: the maximum discretionary dividend that may be declared, based on data from the preceding calendar year, is the greater of each insurance companys net income (excluding realized capital gains) or ten percent of the insurance companys surplus (excluding unrealized gains). These dividends are further limited by a clause in the Michigan law that prohibits an insurer from declaring dividends, except from surplus earnings of the company. Earned surplus balances are calculated on a quarterly basis. Since Star is the parent insurance company, its maximum dividend calculation represents the combined Insurance Company Subsidiaries surplus. Based upon the 2003 statutory financial statements, Star may only pay dividends to the Company during 2004 with the prior approval of OFIS. Stars earned surplus position at December 31, 2003 was negative $24.6 million. At March 31, 2004, earned surplus was negative $26.0 million. No statutory dividends were paid in 2003.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Arrangements
The following table is a summary of the Companys contractual obligations as of March 31, 2004 (in thousands):
Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less Than | One to | Three to | More than | |||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total | One Year | Three Years | Five Years | Five Years | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt
|
$ | 12,750 | $ | 5,000 | $ | 7,750 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
Operating lease obligations
|
10,954 | 2,885 | 3,012 | 1,753 | 3,304 | |||||||||||||||
Junior subordinated debentures
|
10,310 | | | | 10,310 | |||||||||||||||
Total
|
$ | 34,014 | $ | 7,885 | $ | 10,762 | $ | 1,753 | $ | 13,614 | ||||||||||
Regulatory and Rating Issues
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has adopted a risk-based capital (RBC) formula to be applied to all property and casualty insurance companies. The formula measures required capital and surplus based on an insurance companys products and investment portfolio and is used as a tool to evaluate the capital of regulated companies. The RBC formula is used by state insurance regulators to monitor trends in statutory capital and surplus for the purpose of initiating regulatory action. In general, an insurance company must submit a calculation of its RBC formula to the insurance department of its state of domicile as of the end of the previous calendar year. These laws require increasing degrees of regulatory oversight and intervention as an insurance companys RBC declines. The level of regulatory oversight ranges from requiring the insurance company to inform and obtain approval from the domiciliary insurance commissioner of a comprehensive financial plan for increasing its RBC to mandatory regulatory intervention requiring an insurance company to be placed under regulatory control in a rehabilitation or liquidation proceeding.
At December 31, 2003, all of the Insurance Company Subsidiaries were in compliance with RBC requirements. Star reported statutory surplus of $99.9 million at December 31, 2003, compared to the
27
Statutory accounting principles differ in some respects from generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). These differences, among other differences, include the costs of acquiring and renewing business. Under statutory accounting principles these acquisition costs are expensed as premium is written, while under GAAP these costs are deferred and recognized as premium is earned over the terms of the policies or reinsurance treaties to which the costs relate. At March 31, 2004, the Companys asset for deferred policy acquisition costs increased $2.7 million, or 14.2%, to $22.3 million, compared to $19.6 million at December 31, 2003. This increase reflects the increase in gross unearned premiums of $14.9 million, or 13.6%, to $124.6 million at March 31, 2004, compared to $109.7 million at December 31, 2003.
Insurance operations are subject to various leverage tests (e.g. premium to statutory surplus ratios), which are evaluated by regulators and rating agencies. The Companys targets for gross and net written premium to statutory surplus are 3.0 to 1 and 2.0 to 1, respectively. As of March 31, 2004, on a statutory consolidated basis, gross and net premium leverage ratios were 2.7 to 1.0 and 2.0 to 1.0, respectively.
The Insurance Company Subsidiaries A.M. Best financial strength rating is a B+ (Very Good) with a positive outlook. A positive outlook is placed on a companys rating if its financial and market trends are favorable, relative to its current rating level.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On June 6, 2003, the Company entered into a Guaranty Agreement with a bank. The Company is guaranteeing payment of a $1.5 million term loan issued by the bank to an unaffiliated insurance agency. In the event of default on the term loan by the insurance agency, the Company is obligated to pay any outstanding principal (up to a maximum of $1.5 million), as well as any accrued interest on the loan, and any costs incurred by the bank in the collection process. In exchange for the Companys guaranty, the president and member of the insurance agency pledged 100% of the common shares of two other insurance agencies that he wholly owns. In the event of default on the term loan by the insurance agency, the Company has the right to sell any or all of the pledged insurance agencies common shares and use the proceeds from the sale to recover any amounts paid under the guaranty agreement. Any excess proceeds would be paid to the shareholder. As of March 31, 2004, no liability has been recorded with respect to the Companys obligations under the guaranty agreement, since the collateral is in excess of the guaranteed amount.
New Accounting Pronouncements
On May 15, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 150 Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. The statement requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some circumstances) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody obligations for the issuer. Generally, the statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard had no effect on the Companys financial statements.
In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 45, Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. FIN No. 45 clarifies the requirements of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, relating to a guarantors accounting for, and disclosure of, the issuance of certain types of guarantees. For certain guarantees issued after December 31, 2002, FIN No. 45 requires a guarantor to recognize, upon issuance of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligations it assumes under the guarantee. Guarantees issued prior to January 1, 2003, are not subject to liability recognition, but are subject to expanded disclosure requirements. Refer to Note 4 and Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the effect of the adoption of FIN No. 45.
28
In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. The primary objective of FIN No. 46 is to provide guidance on the identification of, and financial reporting for, entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights; such entities are known as variable interest entities. FIN No. 46 requires variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entities and expands disclosure requirements for both variable interest entities that are consolidated as well as those within which an enterprise holds a significant variable interest. In accordance with FIN 46, the Company performed an evaluation of its business relationships and determined that Meadowbrook Capital Trust I (Trust) was a variable interest entity; however, it was also determined that the Trust did not meet the qualifications for consolidation as the Trust equity was deemed to not be at risk. The adoption of FIN No. 46 did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated balance sheet or its consolidated statement of income. See Note 4 for additional information regarding the Companys unconsolidated subsidiary trust.
In December 2003, FIN 46 was revised as FIN 46(R), to address certain implementation issues and to defer full adoption into financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004, with earlier adoption permitted. In accordance with FIN 46(R), the Company performed an evaluation of its business relationships and determined that its wholly-owned subsidiary, AIIC, did not meet the tests for consolidation, as neither the Company, nor its subsidiary Star, are the primary beneficiaries of AIIC. Therefore, effective January 1, 2004, the Company deconsolidated AIIC on a prospective basis in accordance with the provisions of FIN 46(R). The adoption of FIN 46(R) and the deconsolidation of AIIC did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated balance sheet or consolidated statement of income.
This quarterly report may provide information including certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These include statements regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of the Companys management, including, but not limited to, those statements that use the words believes, expects, anticipates, estimates, or similar expressions. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: the frequency and severity of claims; uncertainties inherent in reserve estimates; catastrophic events; a change in the demand for, pricing of, availability or collectibility of reinsurance; increased rate pressure on premiums; obtainment of certain rate increases in current market conditions; investment rate of return; changes in and adherence to insurance regulation; actions taken by regulators, rating agencies or lenders; obtainment of certain processing efficiencies; changing rates of inflation; general economic conditions and other risks identified in the Companys reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
No material changes since December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, as of March 31, 2004, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in this quarterly report has been made known in a timely manner. There have been no significant changes in the Companys internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.
29
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
The information required by this item is included under Note 7 Commitments and Contingencies of the Companys Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 2. | Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
The information required by this item is included under Note 5 Shareholders Equity of the Companys Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 6. | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
(A) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
Exhibit | ||||
No. | Description | |||
10 | .1 | Tri-Party Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., Kirco Development LLC, and Standard Federal Bank N.A., dated March 24, 2004. | ||
10 | .2 | Fourth Amendment to Restated Credit Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and Comerica Bank, dated April 29, 2004. | ||
10 | .3 | Fifth Amendment to Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver Under Restated Credit Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and Comerica Bank, dated May 7, 2004. | ||
31 | .1 | Certification of Robert S. Cubbin, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a). | ||
31 | .2 | Certification of Karen M. Spaun, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a). | ||
32 | .1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Robert S. Cubbin, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. | ||
32 | .2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Karen M. Spaun, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. |
(B) Reports on Form 8-K:
The Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 17, 2004 for the purpose of furnishing the Companys fourth quarter 2003 earnings release.
The Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2004, announcing the adoption of a rule 10b5-1 plan by the Registrants Chairman. A copy of the press release was included by exhibit.
30
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MEADOWBROOK INSURANCE GROUP, INC. |
By: | /s/ KAREN M. SPAUN |
|
|
Senior Vice President and | |
Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: May 10, 2004
31
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | ||||
No. | Description | |||
10.1 | Tri-Party Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc., Kirco Development LLC, and Standard Federal Bank N.A., dated March 24, 2004. | |||
10.2 | Fourth Amendment to Restated Credit Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and Comerica Bank, dated April 29, 2004. | |||
10.3 | Fifth Amendment to Restated Credit Agreement and Waiver Under Restated Credit Agreement between Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. and Comerica Bank, dated May 7, 2004. | |||
31.1 | Certification of Robert S. Cubbin, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a). | |||
31.2 | Certification of Karen M. Spaun, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a). | |||
32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Robert S. Cubbin, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. | |||
32.2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by Karen M. Spaun, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. |