CONTACT:
Timothy A. Bienek
President and COO
(817) 348-1600
FORT WORTH, Texas -- August 7, 2003 -- Hallmark Financial Services,
Inc., (Amex: HAF.EC) ("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.
HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
(In thousands, except earnings per share and shares outstanding)
Selected Operating Results
Three Months Ended June 30
2003 2002
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
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding - Diluted 11,580,394 11,251,500
Six Months Ended June 30
2003 2002
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
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding - Diluted 11,691,357 11,251,500
For further information, please contact:
Timothy A. Bienek, President and COO at (817) 348-1600
www.hallmarkgrp.com
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