EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
SECOND QUARTER 2003 EARNINGS RESULTS
FORT WORTH, Texas, (August 7, 2003) - Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.,
("The Company") today reported operating results for the second quarter
2003. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 was $0.4 million or
$0.03 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $0.1 million or $0.01
per diluted share for the same period in 2002. For the six months ended
June 30, 2003, the Company reported net income of $9.0 million, or $0.77 per
diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.12 per
diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2002. Excluding the
extraordinary gain related to the Phoenix acquisition in the first quarter
of 2003 and the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
recorded in 2002, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $0.8
million, as compared to net income of $0.3 million for the same period in
2002.
Total revenues were $18.0 million and $36.8 million for the second quarter
and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, as compared to $5.9
million and $11.0 million for the corresponding 2002 periods.
The Company's improvement in second quarter 2003 earnings over 2002 were due
to the acquisitions of Phoenix Indemnity Insurance Company in January 2003
and the Commercial Lines Group in December 2002. The improvement in
operating earnings also reflects improved loss ratios at the American
Hallmark Insurance Group primarily as a result of increases in premium
rates.
"The Commercial Lines and Personal Lines Groups both performed well in the
quarter benefiting from favorable market conditions as well as expense
reduction efforts that are starting to be reflected in the financial
results," stated Timothy A. Bienek, President and COO. He added, "The
completion of our rights offering will provide the Company with a strong
foundation as we look for additional growth opportunities."
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. engages primarily in sale of property and
casualty insurance products. The Company's business involves marketing,
underwriting and premium financing of non-standard personal automobile
insurance primarily in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico, marketing commercial
insurance primarily in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon and Washington,
third party claims administration, and other insurance related services.
The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is
listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAF.EC".
Forward-looking statements in this Release are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995.
Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ substantially from
such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the
Company's products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors,
interest rate trends, the availability of financing, underwriting loss
experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's
periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For further information, please contact:
Timothy A. Bienek, President and COO at 817.348.1600
www.hallmarkgrp.com
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HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
(In thousands, except earnings per share and shares outstanding)
Selected Operating Results
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Three Months Ended June 30
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2003 2002
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Gross Premiums Written $ 7,849 $ 11,468
Total Revenues $ 18,045 $ 5,878
Pretax Income $ 660 $ 212
Income Tax Expense $ 225 $ 70
Net Income before Extraordinary Gain (Loss) $ 435 $ 142
Extraordinary Gain (Loss) $ (36) $ -
Net Income $ 399 $ 142
Basic Earnings Per Share $ 0.04 $ 0.01
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.03 $ 0.01
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 11,237,738 11,049,133
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Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 11,580,394 11,251,500
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Six Months Ended June 30
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2003 2002
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Gross Premiums Written $ 29,764 $ 25,419
Total Revenues $ 36,765 $ 11,026
Pretax Income $ 1,270 $ 511
Income Tax Expense $ 432 $ 174
Net Income before Cumulative Effect of
Change in Accounting Principle and
Extraordinary Gain $ 838 $ 337
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
Principle $ - $ (1,694)
Extraordinary Gain $ 8,116 $ -
Net Income (Loss) $ 8,954 $ (1,357)
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share $ 0.80 $ ( 0.12)
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share $ 0.77 $ (0.12)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic 11,147,026 11,049,133
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Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted 11,691,357 11,251,500
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