1 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-QSB (X) QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001 ( ) TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File No. 0-32331 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. ----------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Small Business Issuer in its Charter) Delaware 56-2229054 - ------------------------------ -------------------------- State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization Identification No.) 850 Fort Plains Road Howell, New Jersey 07731 ----------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Registrant's telephone number including area code 732-886-0706 ------------ Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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. (1) Yes X No (2) Yes X No ----- ----- ----- ----- State the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of common equity, as of the latest applicable date: 2,246,000 -- MAY 18, 2001 2 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP AND SUBSIDIARY INDEX PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE NO. - ------ --------------------- -------- Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2001 1 Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 2 Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 3 Notes to Financial Statements 4-8 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9-13 PART II OTHER INFORMATION - ------- ----------------- Item 1. Legal Proceedings 14 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 14 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 14 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14 Item 5. Other Information 14 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14 Signatures 15 All items that are not applicable or to which the answer is negative have been omitted from this report 3 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET March 31, 2001 (unaudited) Current assets Cash $8,075,000 Real estate held for sale, current 2,775,000 Other current assets 255,000 ------------- Total current assets 11,105,000 Notes receivable, less current maturities 2,099,000 Real estate held for sale 37,566,000 Notes receivable, Marine Forest Resort, Inc., including accrued interest of $436,000 (see Note 5) 9,936,000 Real estate development costs 33,453,000 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $1,814,000 3,923,000 Deferred tax asset 2,113,000 ------------- $100,195,000 ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Mortgage note payable, current maturity $11,000 Notes payable, president, including accrued interest of $7,000 332,000 Accounts payable 434,000 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 326,000 Income taxes payable 127,000 ------------- Total current liabilities 1,230,000 ------------- Long-term liability, mortgage note payable, less current maturity 413,000 ------------- Contingencies Stockholders' equity Common stock, $.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 2,246,000 shares issued and outstanding 2,000 Capital in excess of par value 101,683,000 Accumulated deficit (3,133,000) ------------- Total stockholders' equity 98,552,000 ------------- $100,195,000 ============ See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 1 4 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (unaudited) 2001 2000 ----------- ----------- Revenues $275,000 $1,312,000 Cost of revenues 159,000 413,000 ----------- ----------- Gross profit 116,000 899,000 General and administrative expenses 391,000 328,000 ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from operations (275,000) 571,000 ----------- ----------- Other income (expense) Interest income (328,000) (55,000) Interest expense 13,000 8,000 ----------- ----------- 315,000 47,000 ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes 40,000 618,000 Deferred income taxes 16,000 124,000 ----------- ----------- Net income $24,000 $494,000 =========== =========== Net income per common share, basic and diluted $0.01 $0.23 =========== =========== Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 2,246,000 2,118,000 =========== =========== See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 2 5 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 (unaudited) 2001 2000 ------------ ------------ Cash flows from operating activities Net income $24,000 $494,000 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 36,000 29,000 Deferred income taxes 16,000 112,000 Gain on sales of property (830,000) Increase (decrease) in cash attributable to changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other current assets (317,000) (28,000) Accounts payable 60,000 60,000 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (39,000) 99,000 Income taxes payable 12,000 ------------ ------------ Net cash used in operating activities (220,000) (52,000) ------------ ------------ Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of property and equipment (80,000) (111,000) Proceeds from sales of property 409,000 Real estate development expenditures (616,000) (118,000) Proceeds from notes receivable 451,000 86,000 Advances to Marine Forest Resort, Inc. (1,700,000) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (1,945,000) 266,000 ------------ ------------ Cash flows from financing activities Principal payments on mortgage note payable (2,000) (2,000) Proceeds from notes payable, president 95,000 Proceeds from sales of common stock, net of offering costs 7,240,000 ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by financing activities 93,000 7,238,000 ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) in cash (2,072,000) 7,452,000 Cash Beginning of period 10,147,000 1,935,000 ------------ ------------ End of period $8,075,000 $9,387,000 ============ ============ See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 6 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS Surety Holdings Corp. ("Surety") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Chalon International of Hawaii ("Chalon") (collectively, the "Company") primary focus is the development of a hotel, 18-hole golf course and resort homes on 642 acres of land in the North Kahola district of Hawaii Island in the state of Hawaii (the "Mahukona development project") (see Note 3). The current operations of the Company include the sale of its non-Mahukona development project real estate and other ancillary activities (See Note 6), all of which are deemed to be not the future of the Company's business. 2. UNAUDITED STATEMENT AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Unaudited Statements The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Surety Holdings Corp. and Subsidiary as of March 31, 2001 and for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 are unaudited and reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to instructions to Form 10-QSB. Pursuant to such instructions, certain financial information and footnote disclosures normally included in such financial statements have been omitted. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with management's discussion and analysis or plan of operations, contained in the Company's Annual Report on the Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may occur for the year ending December 31, 2001. Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Surety and Chalon. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash The Company maintains its cash with financial institutions in accounts that at times may exceed insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not subject to any significant credit risk on cash. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives. Buildings and improvements 15-30 Years Livestock 7 Years Orchard 15 Years Machinery, equipment and other 5-10 Years 4 7 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2. UNAUDITED STATEMENT AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Revenue Recognition Revenue from the sale of real estate is recognized at the time title is conveyed to the buyer, minimum down payment requirements are met, the terms of any notes received satisfy continuing payment requirements, and there are no requirements for continuing involvement by the Company with the property. Real Estate Held for Sale and Development Costs Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of cost or market. All direct and indirect costs (see Note 3) relating to the Company's Mahukona development project are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 67 "Accounting for Costs and Initial Rental Operations of Real Estate Projects." Such standard requires costs associated with the acquisition, development, and construction of real estate and real estate-related projects to be capitalized as part of that project. The realization of these costs is predicated on the ability of the Company to successfully open and operate Mahukona. The Company allocates capitalized real estate development costs on a specific identification basis. Common costs and amenities are allocated on a relative fair market value basis. Management believes that the recorded costs associated with real estate held for sale and development costs on the consolidated balance sheet will be recoverable through the sale and development of the properties. Impairment The Company reviews its real estate held for sale, real estate development costs and long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. To determine the recoverability of these assets, the Company employs various methods to assess fair value including, but not limited to, analysis of undiscounted net cash flows, third party appraisals or valuations and contractual sales value of similar properties. Impairment is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Income per Common Share The Company complies with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" which requires dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. Since the Company has no securities or other contracts to issue common stock, basic and diluted net income per common share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 were the same. Income Taxes The Company complies with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. 5 8 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2. UNAUDITED STATEMENT AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments", approximate their carrying amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2001. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 3. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COSTS At March 31, 2001, real estate development costs, attributed primarily to the Company's Mahukona development project, consist of the following: Land and land acquisition costs $23,896,000 Planning and studies 1,728,000 Egineering and architectural 347,000 Infrastructure 4,265,000 Professional and consulting fees 1,859,000 Other 1,358,000 ----------- $33,453,000 =========== 4. CONTINGENCIES The prior approvals obtained for the Mahukona development project are conditional; that is, each approval is subject to various conditions of approval. Certain of these conditions of approval contain time limits or financial compliance requirements, which if not met, may ultimately result in legislative and/or administrative actions to void or revoke the prior approvals. The effect of such adverse actions would be to return the land entitlements to the former zoning, or more appropriate zoning as determined by the County of Hawaii. The Company has continued to maintain the prior approvals through compliance with all applicable conditions. In the future, however, the Company may not be able to maintain compliance with all applicable conditions. Approval of an environmental assessment and a permit to utilize state lands for a cart underpass servicing the golf course, which must go under a state highway, must still be obtained. These requirements resulted, in part, from an appeal filed by a citizens group challenging the Company's approvals, and it can be anticipated that this group will appeal future approvals or permits. There can be no assurance that such matter will be favorably resolved. An adverse outcome of such matter will adversely impact the Company's development plans. 6 9 SURETY HOLDINGS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4. CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) The Company is involved in certain legal actions that arose in the normal course of business. In the opinion of the Company's management, the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. 5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During 2000 and 2001, the Company's President advanced the Company $325,000 ($95,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2001) pursuant to one-year, 5% promissory notes. Related interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2000 is approximately $3,000. Pursuant to promissory notes, during 2000 and 2001, the Company advanced Marine Forest Resort, Inc. ("Marine Forest"), a related Japanese corporation, $9.5 million ($1.7 million during the three months ended 2001). The notes bear interest at the U.S. prime rate (8.5% at March 31, 2001) plus one percent. Under their original terms, the notes are due six months after date of issuance and some, which have become due, have been extended another six months. Further, management has indicated its intention to further extend the notes to January 1, 2003. In connection with the aforementioned notes, the Company is negotiating management and other strategic arrangements with Marine Forest, an owner of property in Okinawa, Japan, in connection with Marine Forest's contemplated development projects. Related interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 is approximately $226,000 and nil, respectively. Through March 31, 2001, no interest has been paid however management anticipates interest payments to begin, in undetermined intervals and installments on or about December 31, 2001. 6. SEGMENT REPORTING As discussed in Note 1, the Company's primary business focus is the Mahukona development project. Nonetheless, the Company complies with FASB No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information", which provides information about the Company's current business activities. Management has divided the Company into the following segments: real estate sales, rental, cattle sales and other. Transactions between segments are not common and are not material to the segment information. Some business activities that cannot be classified in the aforementioned segments are shown under "corporate". Operating results, by segment, for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 are as follows (in thousands): 7 10 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 Real Estate Cattle Sales Rental Sales Other Corporate Total ----- ------ ----- ----- --------- ----- Total revenues $ -- $ 131 $ 88 $ 56 $ 275 Total cost of revenues 14 41 45 59 159 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Segment profit (loss) (14) 90 43 (3) 116 General and administrative expenses 391 391 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from operations $ (14) $ 90 $ 43 $ (3) $ (391) $ (275) =================================================================================== Total assets $ 42,478 $ 1,997 $ 35 $ 138 $55,547 $ 100,195 =================================================================================== 6. SEGMENT REPORTING (CONTINUED) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 Real Estate Cattle Sales Rental Sales Other Corporate Total ----- -------- ------ ----- --------- ----- Total revenues $ 966 $ 114 $ 186 $ 46 $ 1,312 Total cost of revenues 293 34 38 48 413 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Segment profit (loss) 673 80 148 (2) 899 General and administrative expenses 328 328 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income (loss) from operations $ 673 $ 80 $ 148 $ (2) $ (328) $ 571 =========================================================================== Total assets $ 45,147 $ 1,990 $ 39 $ 121 $ 44,667 $ 91,964 =========================================================================== 8 11 Item 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW The Company's primary focus is the development of a hotel, 18-hole golf course and resort homes on 642 acres of land in the North Kahola district of Hawaii Island in the state of Hawaii (i.e. the Mahukona development project). The current operations of the Company (discussed below) include the sale of its non-Mahukona development project real estate and other ancillary activities, all of which are deemed to be not the future of the Company's business. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth the statements of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000: 2001 2000 Real estate sales $ -- $ 966,000 Rentals 131,000 114,000 Cattle sales 88,000 186,000 Other 56,000 46,000 ----------- ----------- Total revenues 275,000 1,312,000 ----------- ----------- Cost of real estate sales 14,000 293,000 Cost of rentals 41,000 34,000 Cost of cattle sales 45,000 38,000 Cost of other 59,000 48,000 ----------- ----------- Total cost of revenues 159,000 413,000 ----------- ----------- Gross profit 116,000 899,000 General and administrative expenses 391,000 328,000 ----------- ----------- Income (loss) from operations (275,000) 571,000 ----------- ----------- Interest income (328,000) (55,000) Interest expense 13,000 8,000 Income taxes 16,000 124,000 ----------- ----------- (299,000) 77,000 ----------- ----------- Net income $24,000 $494,000 =========== =========== 9 12 Real estate sales and rental - During the three months ended March 31, 2001, real estate sales were delayed due to the Company's survey company, the largest survey company on the Big Island of Hawaii and probably the only survey company large enough to handle the Company's PCRS (Parcel Consolidation Re-subdivision) parcels and subdivisions, being backlogged with work. This surveying backlog is a result of increasing demand of the Company's North Kohala property in a favorable economic time. Further, many of the properties the Company is selling have never been surveyed and the topography and terrain are very difficult for surveyors. Correspondingly, the lack of 1st quarter 2001 real estate sales have contributed to the approximate 15% increase in rental revenue. Cattle sales - The approximate 53% decrease in cattle sales is attributable to a difficult-to-predict beef market. Cattle sales declined to 333 heads in the three months ended March 31, 2001, down from 714 heads in the three months ended March 31, 2000. The deteriorated cattle sales margins are attributable to the fixed cost nature of the cattle sales operations. Processes and tasks such as branding, culling, moving, fence repairs, medicine and labor costs are required regardless of sales. The Company anticipates that 2001 annual cattle revenues will approximate 2000 annual cattle revenues. Other revenues - The approximate 22% increase in other revenues is attributable to the success of the Company's eco-tourism operations such as Kohala Ditch kayak rides and Pololu Beach mule rides. The Company's management believes that these eco-tourism operations are consistent with the current tourism trend in Hawaii and will be instrumental in enhancing the image of the Company's real estate holdings. General and administrative expenses - General and administrative expenses, which increased approximately 19%, consisted of payroll and related benefits (approximately $145,000 and $159,000 in 2001 and 2000, respectively), professional fees (approximately $97,000 and $51,000 in 2001 and 2000, respectively), Delaware franchise and other taxes (approximately $76,000 and $60,000 in 2001 and 2000, respectively) and other items (aggregating approximately $73,000 and $58,000 in 2001 and 2000, respectively). Other income and expense - Interest income has increased substantially as a result of (i) outstanding promissory notes receivable ($9.5 million at March 31, 2001) from Marine Forest Resort, Inc. ("Marine Forest") that accrues interest at the U.S. prime rate (8.5% at March 31, 2001) plus one percent per annum and (ii) the Company's high cash balance generated from the March 2000 private placement (see Liquidity and Capital Resources). Interest expense has increased approximately 63% as a result of outstanding indebtedness ($325,000 at March 31, 2001) to the Company's President that accrues interest at 5% per annum. Income taxes, as a percentage of pretax income, increased by approximately 20 percentage points primarily as a result of the 4th quarter 2000 reversal of a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance. 10 13 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company's net cash used in operating activities of approximately $220,000 and $52,000, respectively, is comprised of the following: 2001 2000 Net income $24,000 $494,000 Depreciation and amortization 36,000 29,000 Deferred income taxes 16,000 112,000 Gain on sales of property (830,000) Changes in operating assets and liabilities (296,000) 143,000 --------- -------- $(220,000) $(52,000) ========= ======== For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company's net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of approximately ($1,945,000) and $266,000, respectively, is comprised of the following: 2001 2000 Capital expenditures including real estate development $(696,000) $(229,000) Proceeds from sales of property 409,000 Proceeds from notes receivable 451,000 86,000 Advances to Marine Forest (1,700,000) ----------- ---------- $(1,945,000) $266,000 =========== ========== Approximately $616,000 of the $696,000 of the 2001 capital expenditures was made to progress the Company's Mahukona development endeavors. These expenditures include approximately $280,000 for land-clearing, leveling and grading, approximately $158,000 for design, engineering and surveying and approximately $178,000 of other costs. Increased proceeds from notes receivable are attributable to early mortgage redemptions. During the three months ended March 31, 2001, the Company continued to advance Marine Forest monies pursuant to short-term promissory notes (see Note 5 in the accompanying condensed financial statements). In connection with the notes, the Company is negotiating management and other strategic arrangements with Marine Forest, an owner of property in Okinawa, Japan, in connection with Marine Forest's contemplated development projects. 11 14 For the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company's net cash provided by financing activities of approximately $93,000 and $7,238,000, respectively, is comprised of the following: 2001 2000 Debt proceeds (from President) $ 95,000 $ -- Debt repayments (2,000) (2,000) Proceeds from stock sales 7,240,000 ----------- ----------- $93,000 $ 7,238,000 =========== =========== In March 2000, the Company raised approximately $7.2 million, net of offering costs, pursuant to a private placement of 146,000 shares of its common stock at $50 per share. The proceeds will be used for development of the properties in Hawaii including soft costs of approvals and development (i.e. engineering, architecture, professional fee, etc.), construction, advertising and marketing, offices expense and general working capital purposes. As of March 31, 2001, the Company has total current assets of approximately $11.1 million and total current liabilities of approximately $1.2 million or a working capital of approximately $9.9 million. Looking forward to latter 2001 and beyond, the Company anticipates revenue levels to be relatively consistent with levels experienced during 2000. However, given the Company's anticipated cash requirements to complete the Mahukona Resort project and plans to pursue the Okinawa Marine Forest Resort project, future capital raising or debt financing activities will be required. If the Company is unsuccessful in its capital raising or debt financing activities, it will modify its Mahukona development plans, whereby it would initially develop the golf course and 1 acre house units using the proceeds of its non-Mahukona development project real estate. Subsequently, as phase two, using proceeds from the sales of its 1 acre house lots as well as the non-Mahukona development project real estate, complete the more costly hotel endeavor. 12 15 The anticipated cash requirements to complete the Mahukona Resort project are as follows (in millions): Golf course $5.9 Hotel Entry road $1.2 Infrastructure 22.0 Timeshare units 17.7 Park improvements 3.1 44.0 ---- ---- Sports facility 0.6 1 Acre house lots 10.8 Off-site infrastructure 9.4 ---- 70.7 Less: Costs incurred through March 31, 2001 (9.6) ---- Anticipated cost to complete $61.1 13 16 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings: There have been no material changes in legal proceedings as required to be reported on Form 10QSB from as previously reported in the Company's 10-SB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. Item 2. Change in Securities: None Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities: None Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders: None Item 5. Other Information: None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K: None 17 SIGNATURES 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. SURETY HOLDINGS, CORP. (Registrant) By: /s/ Howard R. Knapp ------------------- HOWARD R. KNAPP Chief Financial Officer Dated: May 21, 2001