The loss ratio increased from 61.6% in the second quarter of 2002 to 66.1% in the second quarter of 2003 and from 66.4% for the first six months of 2002 to 66.9% for the comparable period in 2003. The increase in the loss ratio for the quarter is primarily attributable to better than expected experience on Georgia Casualty’s net book of business during the second quarter of 2002, which did not occur in the second quarter of 2003.
The expense ratio increased to 46.1% in the second quarter of 2003 from 39.4% in the second quarter of 2002 and for the first six months of 2003 remained unchanged from the comparable period in 2002. The increase in the expense ratio for the quarter is primarily attributable to state assessments, specifically the second injury trust fund and insolvency assessments, which increased $0.5 million during the quarter and $0.6 million for year to date period. Also, the bad debt reserve was increased by $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2003, due to uncertainty as to the collectibility of certain receivables. Offsetting this increase in the expense ratio was the elimination of the company’s planned 2002 policyholder dividend payment due to substandard results for workers’ compensation business in the states of Florida and Georgia during the first quarter of 2003. Accordingly, the policyholder dividend liability of $0.4 million that was eliminated in the first quarter of 2003 offset certain second quarter expense increases yielding a comparable expense ratio for the 2003 and 2002 year to date periods.
The following summarizes Bankers Fidelity’s premiums for the second quarter and first six months of 2003 and the comparable periods in 2002 (in thousands):
Premium revenue at Bankers Fidelity increased $0.9 million, or 6.4% during the second quarter of 2003 and $1.6 million, or 5.6% for the year to date period. The most significant increase in premium was in the Medicare supplement line of business, which increased 10.0% for the quarter and 8.9% for the year. Bankers Fidelity continues to expand its market presence throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and in the western United States. During the second quarter and first six months of 2003, rate increases have been implemented in varying amounts by state and plan. Significant rate increases that were implemented in 2002 have resulted in increased revenues and profitability for the quarter and year to date period.
The following summarizes Bankers Fidelity’s operating expenses for the second quarter and first six months of 2003 and the comparable periods in 2002 (in thousands):
Benefits and losses increased 6.9% during the second quarter and 5.5% for the year. As a percentage of premiums, benefits and losses were 71.7% for the second quarter of 2003 and 71.6% for the first six months of 2003 compared to 71.3% in the second quarter of 2002 and 71.6% for the first six months of 2002. The rate increases implemented by Bankers Fidelity during both years on the Medicare supplement line of business have helped to mitigate the impact of higher medical costs.
Bankers Fidelity has been reasonably successful in controlling operating costs, while continuing to increase premium revenue. As a percentage of premiums, these expenses were 30.1% for the second quarter of 2003 and 30.3% for the first six months of 2003 compared to 31.1% in the second quarter of 2002 and 30.5% for the first six months of 2002.
INVESTMENT INCOME AND REALIZED GAINS
Investment income increased $0.4 million, or 11.1% during the second quarter of 2003 and $1.0 million, or 13.9% for six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in investment income for the quarter and year to date period is primarily due to a shift from short-term investments to higher yielding fixed income maturities. The Company’s investment in fixed income securities has increased from $160.6 million at June 30, 2002 to $215.4 million as of June 30, 2003.
The Company recognized a $1.3 million realized gain during the first six months of 2003 compared to a $0.1 million realized gain in the first six months of 2002. Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment portfolio and when opportunities arise will divest appreciated investments.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense increased $0.1 million, or 18.8% during the second quarter of 2003 and $0.2 million, or 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. As of June 30, 2003, total debt increased $11.0 million to $55.0 million, from $44.0 million in the second quarter ended June 30, 2002. On December 4, 2002, a Connecticut statutory business trust created by the Company, issued $17.5 million of trust preferred securities in a pooled private placement. Of the $17.0 million in net proceeds, $12.0 million was used to reduce the principal balance on the outstanding term loan to $32.0 million from $44.0 million. On May 15, 2003, the Company participated in a second pooled private placement offering of trust preferred securities. In that offering, the Company issued to a separate newly created Connecticut statutory trust (the “Trust”) approximately $23.2 million in thirty year subordinated debentures, and the Trust sold $22.5 million of trust preferred securities to third party investors. Of the $21.8 million in net proceeds, $17.0 million was used to reduce the principal balance on the Company's outstanding term loan to $15.0 million from $32.0 million. Both trust preferred securities issuances, which have a maturity of thirty years from their original date of issuance, have an interest rate equivalent to the London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin varying from 4.00% to 4.10% and the portion of the term loan that was repaid with the proceeds from the trust preferred issuance had an interest rate equivalent of LIBOR plus 2.75%. The increase in debt level, along with the increase in pricing, accounts for the increase in interest expense for the quarter and year to date period.
OTHER EXPENSES AND TAXES
Other expenses (commissions, underwriting expenses, and other expenses) increased $1.7 million, or 12.7%, for the second quarter of 2003 and $3.4 million, or 13.8% for the first six months of 2003. The increase for the second quarter and first six months of 2003 is attributable to several factors. First, the Company has recently experienced higher than anticipated second injury trust fund and insolvency assessments, which increased $0.5 million during the quarter and $0.6 million for year to date period. In addition, agents’ commissions at American Southern increased $1.0 million during the first six months of 2003 as compared to the same period in 2002 due primarily to lower loss ratios. The majority of American Southern’s business is structured in a way that agents are rewarded or penalized based upon the loss ratio of the business they submit to the company. In periods where the loss ratio decreases, commissions and underwriting expenses will increase and conversely in periods where the loss ratio increases, commissions and underwriting expenses should decrease. During the second quarter of 2003, American Southern was also required to accrue $0.2 million related to a private passenger rate dispute with the North Carolina Insurance Department and the Georgia Casualty bad debt reserve was increased by $0.2 million due to uncertainty as to the collectibility of certain receivables. On a consolidated basis, as a percentage of earned premiums, other expenses increased to 38.8% in the second quarter of 2003 from 33.3% in the second quarter of 2002. Year to date this ratio increased to 36.2% from 32.7% in 2002.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
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 $3.9 million for the first six months of 2003 compared to statutory net income of $2.9 million for the first six months of 2002. The reasons for the increase in statutory earnings in the first six months of 2003 are discussed above 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”).
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The Company’s insurance subsidiaries reported a combined GAAP net income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle of $4.6 million for the first six months of 2003 compared to $5.0 million for the first six months of 2002. 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, 2003, the Company had accrued, but unpaid, dividends on the Series B Stock totaling $9.1 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 501,000 shares of common stock; and are redeemable at the Company’s option. The Series C Stock is not currently convertible. During the second quarter of 2003, in accordance with the terms of the Series C Stock, the Company exercised its right to redeem 5,000 shares of the outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock. These shares were redeemed at the redemption price specified in the terms of the Series C Stock, $100 per share, for $0.5 million, bringing the total outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock to 20,000 from 25,000 at June 30, 2003. The Company paid $0.1 million in dividends to the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock during the first six months of 2003.
At June 30, 2003, the Company’s $55.0 million of borrowings consisted of $15.0 million outstanding under a bank loan with Wachovia Bank, N.A. (“Wachovia”) and an aggregate of $40.0 million of outstanding trust preferred securities issued by two statutory trust subsidiaries. Effective June 30, 2003, the Company executed an amended and restated credit agreement (“Term Loan”) with Wachovia with respect to the outstanding $15.0 million bank debt. Terms of the agreement require the Company to repay $2.0 million in principal on July 1, 2004 and $1.0 million on December 31, 2004. Beginning in 2005 and each year thereafter, the Company must repay $0.5 million on June 30 and $1.3 million on December 31 with one final payment of $6.8 million at maturity on June 30, 2008. The interest rate on the Term Loan is equivalent to three-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which was 2.50% at June 30, 2003. The margin varies based upon the Company’s leverage ratio (debt to total capitalization) and ranges from 1.75% to 2.50%. The Term Loan requires the Company to maintain certain covenants including, among others, ratios that relate funded debt, as defined, to total capitalization and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”). The Company must also comply with limitations on capital expenditures and additional debt obligations. The outstanding $40.0 million of trust preferred securities, were issued by two statutory business trusts both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company (the “Trusts”). Both trust preferred securities issuances have a maturity of thirty years from their original date of issuance, are callable, in whole or in part, only at the option of the Company after five years and quarterly thereafter, and have an interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The margin ranges from 4.00% to 4.10%. At June 30, 2003 the effective interest rate of the trust preferred securities was 5.35%. The principal assets of the Trusts are an aggregate $41.2 million of subordinated debentures issued by the Company with identical rates of interest and maturities as the underlying trust preferred securities. The obligations of the Company with respect to the issuance of the trust preferred securities represent a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of each Trust's obligations with respect to the trust preferred securities. Subject to certain exceptions and limitations, the Company may elect from time to time to defer subordinated debenture interest payments, which would result in a deferral of distribution payments on the related trust preferred securities.
The Company intends to repay its obligations under the Term Loan and the trust preferred securities using dividend and tax sharing payments from its subsidiaries. In addition, the Company believes that, if necessary, at maturity, the Term Loan could 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 2003 increased over the second quarter of 2002. 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 $20.2 million at June 30, 2003.
Over 90% of the investment assets of the Company’s 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, 2003, Georgia Casualty had $18.1 million of statutory surplus, American Southern had $33.4 million of statutory surplus, Association Casualty had $17.1 million of statutory surplus, and Bankers Fidelity had $26.5 million of statutory surplus.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $4.8 million in the first six months of 2003 compared to net cash used by operating activities of $1.3 million in the first six months of 2002. The increase in operating cash flows during the first six months of 2003 is primarily attributable to the collection of $7.6 million from a reinsurance contract termination. Cash and short-term investments decreased from $41.6 million at December 31, 2002, to $40.8 million at June 30, 2003, mainly due to an increase in longer-term investments. Total investments (excluding short-term investments) increased to $289.2 million due to the shift from short-term investments.
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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.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table discloses the amounts of payments due under specified contractual obligations, aggregated by category of contractual obligation, for specified time periods:
| | | | | |
| Payments due by period (in thousands)
|
Contractual Obligations
| Total
| Less than 1 year
| 1 - 3 years
| 3 - 5 years
| More than 5 years
|
Bank debt payable | $ 15,000 | $ - | $ 6,500 | $ 8,500 | $ - |
Trust preferred securities obligation | 40,000 | - | - | - | 40,000 |
Operating Leases
| 7,682
| 1,568
| 2,596
| 1,512
| 2,006
|
Total
| $ 62,682
| $ 1,568
| $ 9,096
| $ 10,012
| $ 42,006
|
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
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 have been no material changes to the Company’s market risks since December 31, 2002.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Within the 90 days prior to the date of this Form 10-Q, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls and procedures or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.
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, 2002 and the other filings made by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
During 2000, the Company’s subsidiary American Southern renewed its largest account. Although this contract was renewed through a competitive bidding process, one of the parties bidding for this particular contract contested the award of this business to American Southern and filed a claim to nullify the contract. During the fourth quarter of 2000, American Southern received an unfavorable judgment relating to this litigation and appealed the ruling. The contract, which had accounted for approximately 10% of annualized premium revenue of Atlantic American, remained in effect pending appeal. On March 4, 2003, the South Carolina Court of Appeals reversed the lower court ruling and remanded the case back to the Procurement Review Panel to determine if American Southern was entitled to vendor preference. The contract subject to dispute contractually terminated on April 30, 2003 and currently neither party to the litigation is pursuing a determination from the Procurement Review Panel. Management, at this time, does not believe that the ultimate settlement of this case will have any impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
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From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation occurring in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS
On May 6, 2003, the shareholders of the Company cast the following votes at the annual meeting of shareholders for the election of directors of the Company, and the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s auditors.
| | | |
Election of Directors
| Shares Voted
|
Director Nominee | | For | Withheld |
J. Mack Robinson | | 19,333,195 | 271,247 |
Hilton H. Howell, Jr. | | 19,452,312 | 152,130 |
Edward E. Elson | | 19,462,186 | 142,256 |
Harold K. Fischer | | 19,462,691 | 141,751 |
Samuel E. Hudgins | | 19,334,137 | 270,305 |
D. Raymond Riddle | | 19,581,793 | 22,649 |
Harriett J. Robinson | | 19,462,691 | 141,751 |
Scott G. Thompson | | 19,581,788 | 22,654 |
Mark C. West | | 19,581,718 | 22,724 |
William H. Whaley, M.D. | | 19,453,249 | 151,193 |
Dom H. Wyant | | 19,462,681 | 141,761 |
| | | | |
Appointment of Independent Public Accountants | Shares Voted
|
| For | Against | Abstain |
Deloitte & Touche, LLP | 19,578,808 | 10,016 | 15,618 |
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
10.1 – Fifth Amendment, dated as of April 23, 2003, to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1999 between Atlantic American Corporation and Wachovia Bank, N.A.
10.2 – Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2003, between Atlantic American Corporation and Wachovia Bank, N.A.
31.1 – Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley–Act of 2002.
31.2 – Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley–Act of 2002.
32.1 – Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley–Act of 2002.
(a)(1) Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2003 pursuant to Item 5 (Other Events) announcing the completed private issuance of $22.5 million aggregate amount of floating rate capital securities, as part of a pooled transaction that involved various other insurance companies.
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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 13, 2003 | By: /s/ John G. Sample, Jr. John G. Sample, Jr. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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