The company has been reasonably successful in controlling operating costs, while continuing to increase premium revenue. As a percentage of premiums, these expenses were 31.1% for the second quarter of 2002 and 30.5% for the year compared to 29.0% in the second quarter of 2001 and 30.2% for the first six months of 2001.
Investment income decreased $0.3 million or 7.1% during the second quarter of 2002 and $0.7 million or 8.8% for the year to date period. The decrease in investment income is primarily attributable to decreased interest rates. During 2001, the decline in interest rates resulted in several of the Company’s higher yielding callable fixed income securities to be redeemed by the issuers prior to maturity. The proceeds received from the early redemption of these fixed income securities were reinvested at a lower yield, and, as a result, investment income decreased during the second quarter and first six months of 2002.
The Company recognized a $0.1 million realized gain during the first six months of 2002 compared to a $1.1 million realized gain in the first six months of 2001. Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio and when opportunities arise will divest appreciated investments.
Interest expense decreased $0.2 million or 26.0% during the second quarter and $0.6 million or 31.5% for the year to date period. As of June 30, 2002, total debt was $44.0 million down from $45.0 million in the first six months of 2001. In addition, the base interest rate in the second quarter and first six months of 2002, which is LIBOR, decreased from the comparable periods in 2001. As of June 30, 2002, the interest rate on a portion of the Term Loan was variable and tied to LIBOR. The reduction in outstanding debt, along with decreasing interest rates, accounts for the decrease in interest expense during the second quarter and first six months of 2002.
Other expenses (commissions, underwriting expenses, and other expenses) increased $2.0 million, or 18.0%, for the second quarter of 2002 and $1.5 million or 6.3% for first six months of 2002 primarily due to a significant increase in acquisition costs related to new business in addition to an overall increase in operating expenses. Also contributing to the increase in other expenses was a decrease in the ceding commission Georgia Casualty is receiving from the quota share contract, which was reduced from a 40% quota share reinsurance agreement to a 30% quota share reinsurance agreement during the first quarter of 2002. On a consolidated basis, as a percentage of earned premiums, other expenses increased to 33.3% in the second quarter of 2002 from 30.9% in the second quarter of 2001. Year to date this ratio increased slightly to 32.7% from 32.3% in 2001.
The major cash needs of the Company are for the payment of claims and expenses as they come due and the maintenance of adequate statutory capital and surplus to satisfy state regulatory requirements and meet debt service requirements of the Company. The Company’s primary source of cash is written premiums and investment income. Cash payments consist of current claim payments to insureds and operating expenses such as salaries, employee benefits, commissions and taxes.
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries reported a combined statutory net income of $2.9 million for the first six months of 2002 compared to statutory net income of $2.6 million for the first six months of 2001. The reasons for the increase in statutory earnings in the first six months of 2002 are the same as those previously discussed in “Results of Operations”. Statutory results are further impacted by the recognition of all costs of acquiring business. In a growth scenario‚ statutory results are generally less than results determined under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The company’s insurance subsidiaries reported a combined GAAP net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $5.0 million for the first six months of 2002 compared to $4.2 million for the first six months of 2001. Statutory results for the Casualty Division differ from the results of operations under GAAP due to the deferral of acquisition costs. The Life and Health Division’s statutory results differ from GAAP primarily due to deferral of acquisition costs, as well as different reserving methods.
The Company has two series of preferred stock outstanding, substantially all of which is held by affiliates of the Company’s chairman and principal shareholders. The outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (“Series B Stock”) have a stated value of $100 per share, accrue annual dividends at a rate of $9.00 per share and are cumulative, in certain circumstances may be convertible into an aggregate of approximately 3,358,000 shares of common stock, and are redeemable at the Company’s option. The Series B Stock is not currently convertible. At June 30, 2002, the Company had accrued, but unpaid, dividends on the Series B Stock totaling $7.8 million. The outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock (“Series C Stock”) have a stated value of $100 per share, accrue annual dividends at a rate of $9.00 per share and are cumulative, in certain circumstances may be convertible into an aggregate of approximately 627,000 shares of common stock, and are redeemable at the Company’s option. The Series C Stock is not currently convertible. At June 30, 2002, the Company had accrued, but unpaid, dividends on the Series C Stock totaling $0.1 million. The Company paid $0.1 million in dividends to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock during the first six months of 2002.
At April 1, 2002, the Company was a party to a five-year revolving credit facility with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (“Wachovia”), that provided for borrowings up to $30.0 million. The interest rate on the borrowings under the facility was based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin, which was 2.50% at April 1, 2002. Interest on the revolving credit facility was payable quarterly. The credit facility provided for the payment of all of the outstanding principal balance at June 30, 2004 with no required principal payments prior to that time.
The Company also had outstanding, at April 1, 2002, $25.0 million of Series 1999, Variable Rate Demand Bonds (the “Bonds”) due July 1, 2009. The Bonds, which by their terms were redeemable at the Company’s option, paid a variable interest rate that approximated 30-day LIBOR. The Bonds were backed by a letter of credit issued by Wachovia, which was automatically renewable on a monthly basis until thirteen months after such time as Wachovia gave the Company notice of its option not to renew the letter of credit. The Bonds would be subject to mandatory redemption upon termination of the letter of credit, if an alternative letter of credit facility was not secured. The cost of the letter of credit and its associated fees were 2.50%, making the effective rate on the Bonds LIBOR plus 2.50% at April 1, 2002. The interest on the Bonds was payable monthly and the letter of credit fees were payable quarterly. The Bonds did not require the repayment of any principal prior to maturity, except as provided above.
Effective December 31, 2001, the revolving credit facility and letter of credit were both amended by Wachovia. The amendment established new covenants pertaining to rates related to interest coverage and eliminated funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) except in determining the applicable margin. In addition, the Company was required to consolidate the revolving credit facility and the Bonds into a single term loan on April 2, 2002. On that date, the Company converted the $30.0 million revolving credit facility into a $44.0 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) and used the additional proceeds to redeem the Bonds. The Term Loan will mature June 30, 2004. The interest rate on the Term Loan is based upon LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which was 2.75% at June 30, 2002. Interest on the Term Loan is payable quarterly. The Company must repay the principal of the Term Loan in two annual installments of $2.0 million on or before each of December 31, 2002 and 2003, together with one final installment of the remaining balance at maturity in 2004.
The Company is required under the Term Loan to maintain certain covenants including, among others, ratios that relate funded debt to total capitalization and interest coverage. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants at June 30, 2002 and expects to remain in compliance with applicable covenants for the remainder of 2002.
The Company intends to repay its obligations under the Term Loan using dividend and tax sharing payments from its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company believes that, if necessary, at maturity, the Term Loan can be refinanced with the current lender, although there can be no assurance of the terms or conditions of such a refinancing.
The Company provides certain administrative and other services to each of its insurance subsidiaries. The amounts charged to and paid by the subsidiaries in the second quarter of 2002 increased over the second quarter of 2001. In addition, the Company has a formal tax-sharing agreement between the Company and its insurance subsidiaries. It is anticipated that this agreement will provide the Company with additional funds from profitable subsidiaries due to the subsidiaries’ use of the Company’s tax loss carryforwards, which totaled approximately $26 million at June 30, 2002.
Over 90% of the investment assets of the insurance subsidiaries are in marketable securities that can be converted into cash, if required; however, use of such assets by the Company is limited by state insurance regulations. Dividend payments to the Company by its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries are subject to annual limitations and are restricted to the greater of 10% of statutory surplus or statutory earnings before recognizing realized investment gains of the individual insurance subsidiaries. At June 30, 2002, Georgia Casualty had $17.6 million of statutory surplus, American Southern had $32.0 million of statutory surplus, Association Casualty had $14.7 million of statutory surplus, and Bankers Fidelity had $23.0 million of statutory surplus.
Net cash used by operating activities was $1.3 million in the first six months of 2002 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $2.8 million in the first six months of 2001. The decrease in operating cash flows during the first six months of 2002 are primarily due to an increase in paid expenses in addition to a decrease in net funds held under reinsurance treaties. Cash and short-term investments decreased from $68.8 million at December 31, 2001, to $44.0 million at June 30, 2002, mainly due to an increase in longer-term investments. Total investments (excluding short-term investments) increased to $231.4 million due to the shift from short-term investments.
The Company believes that the dividends, fees, and tax-sharing payments it receives from its subsidiaries and, if needed, borrowings from banks will enable the Company to meet its liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. Management is not aware of any current recommendations by regulatory authorities, which, if implemented, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations.
-17-
Critical Accounting Policies
The accounting and reporting policies of Atlantic American Corporation and its subsidiaries are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, in management’s belief, conform to general practices within the insurance industry. The following is an explanation of the Company’s accounting policies considered most significant by management. These accounting policies inherently require estimation and actual results could differ from these estimates. Atlantic American does not expect that changes in the estimates determined under these policies would have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity, although changes could have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations.
Reinsurance receivablesare amounts due from reinsurers and comprise 13% of the Company’s total assets at June 30, 2002. Allowances for uncollectible amounts are established against reinsurance receivables owed to the Company under reinsurance contracts, if appropriate. Failure of reinsurers to meet their obligations due to insolvencies or disputes could result in uncollectible amounts and losses to the Company.
Deferred income taxes comprise less than 1% of the Company’s total liabilities at June 30, 2002. Deferred income taxes reflect the effect of temporary differences between assets and liabilities that are recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts that are recognized for tax purposes. These deferred taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax laws. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the likelihood of realization, management considers estimates of future taxable income.
Deferred acquisition costscomprise 6% of the Company’s total assets at June 30, 2002. Deferred acquisition costs are commissions, allowances, premium taxes, and other costs that vary with and are primarily related to the acquisition of new and renewal business and are generally deferred and amortized. The deferred amounts are recorded as an asset on the balance sheet and amortized to income in a systematic manner. Traditional life insurance and long-duration health insurance deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing policy benefit reserves. The deferred acquisition costs for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Deferred policy acquisition costs are expensed when such costs are deemed not to be recoverable from future premiums (for traditional life and long-duration health insurance) and from the related unearned premiums and investment income (for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance).
Unpaid claims and claim adjustment expensescomprise 42% of the Company’s total liabilities at June 30, 2002. This obligation includes estimates for both reported claims not yet paid, and claims incurred but not yet reported. Unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense reserves for reported claims are based on a case-by-case evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding the claim, and the policy provisions relating to the type of loss, along with anticipated future development. Inflation and other factors which may affect claims payments are implicitly reflected in the reserving process through analysis of cost trends and reviews of historical reserve results. Estimates of incurred but not reported claims is based on past experience. If actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the Company’s recorded liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses could require adjustment.
Future policy benefits comprise 13% of the Company’s total liabilities at June 30, 2002. These liabilities relate to life insurance products, and are based upon assumed future investment yields, mortality rates, and withdrawal rates after giving effect to possible risks of adverse deviation. The assumed mortality and withdrawal rates are based upon the Company’s experience. If actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the Company’s recorded liability could require adjustment.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Due to the nature of the Company’s business it is exposed to both interest rate and market risk. Changes in interest rates, which represent the largest factor affecting the Company, may result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s investments, cash flows and interest income and expense. The Company is also subject to risk from changes in equity prices. There were no material changes to the Company’s market risks since December 31, 2001.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders
On May 7, 2002, the shareholders of the Company cast the following votes at the annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors of the Company, to amend the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, and to approve the Atlantic American Corporation 2002 Incentive Plan.
-18-
| | | |
Election of Directors
| Shares Voted
|
Director Nominee | | For | Withheld |
J. Mack Robinson | | 18,557,701 | 1,024,652 |
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. | | 18,548,866 | 1,033,487 |
Edward E. Elson | | 18,680,400 | 901,953 |
Harold K. Fischer | | 18,559,790 | 1,022,563 |
Samuel E. Hudgins | | 18,670,703 | 911,650 |
D. Raymond Riddle | | 18,681,205 | 901,148 |
Harriett J. Robinson | | 18,680,242 | 902,111 |
Scott G. Thompson | | 18,559,790 | 1,022,563 |
Mark C. West | | 18,681,215 | 901,138 |
William H. Whaley, M.D. | | 18,681,205 | 901,148 |
Dom H. Wyant | | 18,670,368 | 911,985 |
| | | | |
To amend the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 30,000,000 to 50,000,000: | Shares Voted
|
| For | Against | Abstain |
| 19,122,881 | 424,446 | 33,026 |
|
To approve the Atlantic American Corporation 2002 Incentive Plan: | Shares Voted
|
| For | Against | Abstain |
| 16,650,885 | 1,332,651 | 1,598,817 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains and references certain information that constitutes forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements, to the extent they are not historical facts, should be considered forward-looking and subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s assessments of various risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions made in accordance with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001 and the other filings made by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Report on Form 8-K
| (a)(1) On June 28, 2002, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K, reporting under Item 4 a change in the Company’s certifying accountants. (a)(2) On May 16, 2002, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K, reporting under Item 4 a change in certifying accountants for the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. |
-19-
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
(Registrant)
Date: August 14, 2002 | By: /s/ John G. Sample, Jr. John G. Sample, Jr. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
-20-