CONTACT:
Timothy A. Bienek
President and COO
(972) 866-5708
DALLAS, Texas -- March 10, 2003 -- Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.,
(Amex: HAF.EC) ("The Company") today reported operating results for
the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2002. Net loss for the quarter
ended December 31, 2002 was $388,000 ($0.04 per share) as compared to a net
loss of $217,000 ($0.02 per share) for the same period in 2001. For the year
ended December 31, 2002, the Company reported a net loss of $1,671,000, or ($0.15
per share), as compared to a net loss of $1,130,000, or ($0.10 per share), for
the 2001 fiscal year. Excluding the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle for SFAS No. 142, earnings for the year ended December 31, 2002 would
have been $23,000.
Total revenues were $8,690,000 and $25,797,000 for the fourth quarter and year
ended December 31, 2002, respectively, as compared to $4,854,000 and $22,002,000
for the corresponding 2001 periods.
The Company's fourth quarter 2002 earnings were unfavorably impacted by additional
audit and legal fees associated with recent acquisitions, an increase in bad
debt allowances and a strengthening of loss reserves at the American Hallmark
Insurance Group. The improvement in operating earnings for the full year 2002,
as compared to 2001, reflected improved loss ratios at the American Hallmark
Insurance Group primarily as a result of increases in premium rates.
During fiscal 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." This statement
requires that the Company identify its reporting units and then, at least annually,
measure the amount of impairment, if any, based on a comparison of the fair
value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. In connection with the adoption
of SFAS No. 142, the Company determined that goodwill as of January 1, 2002,
had been impaired by $1,694,000. This goodwill adjustment was effective as of
January 2002, but was made during the fourth quarter of 2002 and is reflected
in the year end results. The adjustment is a non-cash charge booked as a cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principle. The Company performed its testing
again as of December 31, 2002 and noted no further impairment.
"During the fourth quarter of 2002 and into 2003, we have diversified
our earnings base through acquisitions of Millers General Agency, Inc. and Phoenix
Indemnity Insurance Company. We expect the acquisitions, along with operational
enhancements that have already occurred at the American Hallmark Insurance Group,
to improve earnings for the Company during 2003," stated Mark E. Schwarz,
Chairman and CEO.
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, 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 Dallas, 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 972.866.5708
www.hallmarkgrp.com
HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
(In thousands, except earnings per share and shares outstanding)
Selected Operating Results
Twelve Months Ended December 31
2002 2001
Gross Premiums Written $51,643 $49,614
Total Revenues $25,797 $22,002
Pretax Income (Loss) $37 $(1,674)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) $14 $(544)
Net Income (Loss) before Cumulative
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle $23 $(1,130)
Cumulative Effect of a Change in
Accounting Principle $(1,694) $---
Net Loss $(1,671) $(1,130)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share $(0.15) $(0.10)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 11,049,133 11,049,133
Three Months Ended December 31
2002 2001
Gross Premiums Written $14,101 $10,695
Total Revenues $8,690 $4,854
Pretax (Loss) $(587) $(308)
Income Tax Benefit $(199) $(91)
Net Loss $(388) $(217)
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share $(0.04) $(0.02)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 11,049,133 11,049,133
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