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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO ___________.
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9640
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of 16-1280763
incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
250 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
716-849-3333
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class - COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE
Name of each exchange on which registered - AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 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. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined
in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
As of March 18, 2005, 2,114,152 shares of common stock were outstanding. The
aggregate market value of the common shares held by non-affiliates of Merchants
Group, Inc. on June 30, 2004 was $19,836,000. Solely for purposes of this
calculation, the Company deemed every person who beneficially owned 5% or more
of its common stock and all directors and executive officers to be affiliates.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of
stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
1
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
DECEMBER 31, 2004
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
2
PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS.
General
Merchants Group, Inc. (the Company), which was incorporated in August 1986
as a Delaware holding company, offers property and casualty insurance generally
to preferred risk individuals and small to medium sized businesses in the
northeastern United States through its wholly owned subsidiary, Merchants
Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. (MNH).
Administration
The Company and MNH operate and manage their business in conjunction with
Merchants Mutual Insurance Company (Mutual), a New York domiciled mutual
property and casualty insurance company, under a services agreement (the
Services Agreement) that became effective January 1, 2003. At December 31, 2004,
Mutual owned 12.1% of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock. The
Company and MNH do not have any operating assets or employees. Under the
Services Agreement, Mutual provides the Company and MNH with the facilities,
management and personnel required to operate their day-to-day business.
The Services Agreement covers substantially the same services previously
provided under a management agreement among the Company, MNH and Mutual (the
Management Agreement) from 1986 to 2002. The Services Agreement provides for
negotiated fees (subject to periodic adjustment) for administrative,
underwriting, claims and investment management services. The Company and MNH
have the discretion to remove invested assets from their investment portfolios
managed by Mutual.
The Services Agreement contains termination provisions that vary based on
the service rendered. Underwriting services may be terminated on one year's
notice, but the termination may not be effective before January 1, 2008. Claims
and administrative services may be terminated on 6 months notice. Investment
services may be terminated upon one year's notice at any time.
Effective January 1, 2003, Mutual and MNH agreed to "pool," or share,
underwriting results on their traditional insurance business (Traditional
Business) by means of a reinsurance pooling agreement (the Pooling Agreement).
The Pooling Agreement applies to premiums earned and losses incurred after the
effective date. It does not apply to any new endeavor of either Mutual or MNH
outside of their Traditional Business, unless the companies agree otherwise.
The Pooling Agreement provides for MNH to cede, or transfer, to Mutual all
premiums and risks on its Traditional Business during the term of the agreement,
and then to assume from Mutual a percentage of all of Mutual's and MNH's
Traditional Business (the Pooled Business). MNH assumed 40% of the Pooled
Business in 2003 and 35% in 2004. MNH's share of the Pooled Business will be
reduced to 30% in 2005, though not to exceed $50.0 million in assumed net
written premiums, and to 25% in 2006, though not to exceed $42.5 million in
assumed net written premiums. MNH's share of the Pooled Business will be 25% in
2007, though not to exceed $37.5 million in net written premiums. If the parties
agree, MNH may increase its share or maximum
3
amount of assumed net premiums written of the Pooled Business for any year.
Mutual retains a share of the risk in MNH's Traditional Business under Mutual's
control pursuant to a profit and loss sharing arrangement in the Pooling
Agreement based on the loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) experience of the
Pooled Business. The Company believes the Pooling Agreement and profit (or loss)
sharing feature included therein aligns the interests of MNH and Mutual. The
decreasing amount of Traditional Business assumed under the Pooling Agreement is
intended to provide MNH with the capacity to pursue insurance opportunities
independently of Mutual, thereby reducing its dependence on Mutual as its only
source of business. The Company and MNH are seeking to identify new business
initiatives and the Company has retained an investment bank to assist in its
effort to employ the available capacity. Generally, the new business initiatives
are expected to be in lines of business which are complementary to the
Traditional Business underwritten through the Pooling Agreement with Mutual.
The Pooling Agreement may be terminated by either party at the beginning
of any calendar year on or after January 1, 2008 upon not less than 6 months
notice. However, the Pooling Agreement may be terminated effective as of January
1, 2006 or 2007 upon 6 months notice, but only by MNH and only if the ratio of
net losses and LAE to net earned premiums on a cumulative basis from the
inception of the Pooling Agreement exceeds 76%, as of the date notice is given.
As of December 31, 2004, the ratio of net losses and LAE to net premiums on a
cumulative basis since the inception of the Pooling Agreement was 69.4%.
Marketing
Mutual markets the Traditional Business of the Company and Mutual jointly
through 467 independent agents. The primary marketing efforts of the Company and
Mutual (collectively referred to as Merchants) are directed to those independent
agents who, through their insurance expertise, access to a broad range of
products, and focus on service, provide value for the insurance consumer.
Mutual and the Company offer the same portfolio of insurance products. The
Company's products are generally offered to "preferred" risks while Mutual's
products are generally offered to "standard" risks. Preferred risks meet more
restrictive underwriting criteria than standard risks and generally generate
fewer losses. Accordingly, the preferred risks are charged premium rates that
are typically 10-15% lower than standard rates.
The Company believes that Merchants, as a regional insurance group, has
certain advantages, including a closer relationship with its agents and a better
knowledge of its operating territories, that enable it to compete effectively
against national carriers. The Company believes Merchants distinguishes itself
from its competitors by providing its agents and policyholders with superior
service and ease of doing business, products that target certain segments of the
commercial and personal insurance markets, and an agents' compensation program
which, in addition to standard commission rates, includes a profit sharing plan.
4
Through Mutual, the Company services its agents from six Strategic
Business Centers (Buffalo, Albany and Hauppauge, New York; Manchester, New
Hampshire; Moorestown, New Jersey; and Columbus, Ohio) and from its home office
in Buffalo, New York. The Strategic Business Centers are located in the
Company's operating territories and focus primarily on policy sales and
underwriting. The Regional Manager of a Strategic Business Center appoints new
agents, and agrees upon premium objectives and annual unit sales with the
principal(s) of each agency. Regional Managers and Territory Managers, or
"TM's," develop customized business plans for each agent. These plans identify
profitable business opportunities and recommend the actions required to achieve
the objectives agreed to by the agency and the Company.
TM's meet frequently with targeted agents' sales staff to review
Merchants' renewal policies, as well as to solicit policies new to the agent
and/or Merchants. While TM's are capable of providing quotes directly to the
agent while in an agent's office, much of that capability is migrating to
Merchants' internet website: www.merchantsgroup.com. There, agents are able to
obtain instant quotes for certain commercial lines of business. Presently, the
businessowners, contractors coverall and commercial auto product lines are
available for instant quoting and Merchants expects that other commercial lines
will be available for quoting on the internet during 2005. In addition,
businessowners and contractors coverall have been enabled for "issue from
quote", allowing agents to enter all underwriting information required to issue
policies for their customers over the password protected "Agency Gateway" of the
website. This allows for quicker responses to agents' quote requests and reduces
expenses associated with manual quoting and policy issuance.
Each Strategic Business Center has an Agents' Advisory Council that meets
at least twice a year. The Advisory Councils provide a forum for Merchants and
its agents to discuss issues of mutual interest, and assure that the agents'
business needs are being considered by Merchants. Additionally, the
Co-chairpersons of the Advisory Councils from each Strategic Business Center
meet twice each year with senior officers.
In addition to standard commissions paid as a percentage of premiums
written, the Company's agents are eligible to participate in the Agents' Profit
Sharing Plan. This plan rewards agents based on total premiums written and the
loss and allocated LAE ratio on business placed during each year by the agent
with the Company and Mutual. The Company believes the terms of the Agents'
Profit Sharing Plan encourage its agents to increase the volume of profitable
Traditional Business they place with Merchants. The Company's share of payments
for the Agents' Profit Sharing Plan for 2004 assumed under the Pooling Agreement
totaled $1,418,000, or 2.1% of the Company's share of pro forma pooled direct
premiums written. In response to a December 2004 request from the State of New
Hampshire Insurance Department (Department) the Company provided certain
information to the Department with respect to compensation arrangements between
the Company and its agents. The Department made the request of all insurance
companies domiciled in New Hampshire.
Insurance Underwriting
The Company is licensed to issue insurance policies in 13 states,
primarily in the northeastern United States. In 2004, net premiums written
totaled $53,102,000, with 69% of the net premiums written derived from
commercial lines of insurance and 31% from personal lines of insurance.
5
The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company's direct
premiums written by state for the years indicated:
As of December 31,
------------------------------
2002 2003(1) 2004(1)
---- ------- -------
New York 67% 60% 63%
New Jersey 9 17 14
New Hampshire 10 9 8
Pennsylvania 5 6 7
Rhode Island 5 3 3
Massachusetts 2 2 3
Other 2 3 2
--- --- ---
Total 100% 100% 100%
=== === ===
(1) Shown on a group-wide basis for the Pooled Business. See the
"Administration" section of this Item for further discussion.
The Company and Mutual are licensed to underwrite most major lines of
property and casualty insurance. They issue policies primarily to individuals
and small to medium sized commercial businesses. The types of risks insured
include:
- Personal automobile - full coverage of standard performance
automobiles, generally requiring drivers with good driving records
during the past three years at the time of first issuance by
Merchants.
- Homeowners' - properties generally with no losses in the last three
years that are less than 30 years old and valued between $125,000
and $500,000.
- Commercial automobile - primarily light and medium duty vehicles
operating in a limited radius, with complete background information
required of all drivers.
- Commercial multi-peril - properties with medium to high construction
quality and low to moderate fire exposure, and occupancies with low
to moderate exposure to hazardous materials and processes.
- General liability - low hazard service, mercantile and light
processing businesses, generally with at least three years of
business experience and with no losses in the last three years.
- Workers' compensation - risks with low loss frequency and severity,
low to moderate exposure to hazardous materials and processes, and
favorable experience modification factors. Generally, workers'
compensation insurance is written in conjunction with other
commercial insurance.
6
The Company and Mutual use automated underwriting processes for personal
automobile, homeowners and certain commercial lines of business, which perform
an initial review of policy applications based upon established underwriting
guidelines. Applications that do not meet the guidelines for automated
acceptance are either referred to underwriters who review the applications and
assess exposure, or rejected if the risk characteristics are such that neither
the Company nor Mutual would insure the applicant.
Merchants establishes premium rates for most of its policies based on its
loss experience, in some cases after considering prospective loss costs provided
by the Insurance Services Office, Inc., an industry advisory group, for the
individual and commercial classes of business that it insures. Merchants
establishes rates independently for its personal automobile and homeowners
insurance policies and its specialty products, such as its Contractors Coverall
Plus and businessowners' policies.
The following table shows, for each of the years in the three year period
ended December 31, 2004 (i) the amount of the Company's net premiums written
attributable to various personal lines and commercial lines and (ii)
underwriting results attributable to each such line as measured by the calendar
year loss and allocated loss adjustment expense (LALAE) ratio for such line. The
LALAE ratio is the ratio of incurred losses and allocated loss adjustment
expenses to net premiums earned for a given period.
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Premiums Premiums Premiums
Written Written Written
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
LALAE LALAE LALAE
Amount % Ratio Amount % Ratio Amount % Ratio
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ------- ------ -----
(dollars in thousands)
Personal
Auto Liability $21,565 30.6% 139.6% $12,202 19.0% 87.4% $ 7,467 14.1% 59.5%
Auto Physical Damage 12,694 18.0 50.5 7,230 11.3 49.2 3,873 7.3 42.8
Homeowners'
Multi-Peril 9,620 13.6 54.5 6,382 9.9 58.8 5,080 9.6 59.4
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Total 43,879 62.2 93.8 25,814 40.2 69.7 16,420 31.0 55.1
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Commercial
Auto Liability 6,227 8.8 39.1 12,979 20.3 29.3 12,542 23.6 51.2
Auto Physical Damage 1,225 1.7 36.2 2,899 4.5 39.1 2,734 5.1 38.1
Commercial
Multi-Peril 14,885 21.1 58.8 17,018 26.5 79.7 15,701 29.6 76.6
Workers'
Compensation 3,778 5.4 29.3 4,613 7.2 133.7 4,536 8.5 72.8
Other Lines 534 .8 (12.7) 856 1.3 281.4 1,169 2.2 75.5
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Total 26,649 37.8 47.5 38,365 59.8 72.9 36,682 69.0 64.6
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Total Personal &
Commercial $70,528 100.0% 71.7 $64,179 100.0% 71.6 $53,102 100.0% 61.2
======= ===== ======= ===== ======= =====
7
Calendar year LALAE ratios set forth in the table above include an
estimate of LALAE for that accident year, as well as increases or decreases in
estimates made in that year for prior accident years' LALAE. Depending on the
size of the increase or decrease in prior accident year LALAE, calendar years'
LALAE ratios may not be as indicative of the profitability of policies in force
in a particular year as accident year LALAE ratios, which do not take into
account increases or decreases in reserves for prior accident years' LALAE.
The following table sets forth the composition of voluntary direct
premiums written for 2000 through 2004:
For the Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------
2000 2001 2002 2003 (1) 2004 (1)
---- ---- ---- -------- --------
Commercial 64% 58% 40% 63% 73%
Personal 36 42 60 37 27
--- --- --- --- ---
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
=== === === === ===
(1) Shown on a group-wide basis for the Pooled Business. See the
"Administration" section of this Item for further discussion.
Commercial Lines
Merchants' commercial business is primarily retail and mercantile in
nature and generally consists of small to medium sized, low hazard commercial
risks which as a group have relatively stable loss ratios. Merchants'
underwriting criteria attempts to exclude lines of business and classes of risks
that are considered to be high hazard or volatile, or which involve substantial
risk of latent injury or other long-tail liability exposures. The Company and
Mutual offer specialized products within the commercial multi-peril line such as
the Contractors Coverall Plus policy for artisan and trade contractors.
The Company believes that it and Mutual can insure commercial business
profitably by selecting those classes of risks that offer better than average
profit potential and charging rates commensurate with the quality of the risk
insured. Merchants competes for commercial business based upon the service it
provides to agents and policyholders, the compensation it pays to its agents and
the price of its products. Merchants establishes prices after considering its
costs, the exposures inherent in a particular class of risk, estimated
investment income, projected future trends in loss frequency and severity, the
degree of competition within a specific territory and a provision for profit.
Accordingly, the prices of Merchants' commercial products may vary considerably
from competitors' prices.
Personal Lines
Merchants offers personal automobile and homeowners' insurance to
preferred risk individuals, generally requiring experienced drivers with no
accidents or moving violations in the last three years for personal automobile
insurance, and medium to high value homes with systems (e.g. heating, plumbing,
electrical) that are less than thirty years old in fire protected areas for
homeowners' insurance. Personal automobile premium rates attempt to cover costs
associated with required participation in involuntary personal automobile
programs, in addition to the costs directly associated with the policies written
voluntarily. Due to volatility in the size of the New York Automobile Insurance
Plan (NYAIP) and the poor loss experience associated with that business in most
years, the Company has been unable to fully recover
8
costs of the NYAIP business with premium rates charged for its voluntary
personal automobile business. In 2001 the Company implemented a moratorium on
writing new voluntary personal automobile business in New York. Further, in
order to minimize the adverse impact of assignments from the NYAIP, the Company
has purchased territorial credits from an unaffiliated company. The credits
against NYAIP assignments were generated by another insurance company for
writing private passenger automobile business in localities in New York with
private passenger automobile availability problems. The other insurance company,
by nature of its concentration in private passenger automobile business in
"credit" territories, generated more credits than it required to offset its
NYAIP assignments.
Involuntary Business
As a condition to writing voluntary business in most states in which it
operates, the Company and Mutual must participate in state-mandated programs
that provide insurance for individuals and businesses unable to obtain insurance
voluntarily, primarily for personal automobile insurance. The legislation
creating these programs usually allocates a pro rata portion of the risks
attributable to such insureds to each company writing voluntary business in the
state on the basis of its historical voluntary premiums written or the number of
automobiles which it historically insures voluntarily. Due to changing market
conditions the Company cannot predict the size of the NYAIP for 2005 or future
years.
The Company's gross (direct and assumed) premiums written attributable to
involuntary policies were $8,292,000, $5,302,000 and $4,275,000 in 2002, 2003
and 2004, respectively, mostly in New York. The 2003 and 2004 amounts represent
the Company's pro-forma share of the applicable amount of pooled direct premiums
written.
Pooling Agreement
The Company believes pooling of risks is advantageous for the following
reasons: (1) Mutual's risk selection, pricing, marketing and claims philosophies
and practices are consistent with and complementary to the Company's; (2) as
market conditions change, management can adjust eligibility criteria to permit
Merchants as a group to participate in a changing rate environment without
concern for any conflict of interest; (3) pooling, especially with Mutual
subject to profit and loss sharing, more closely aligns the interests of the
Company and Mutual; and (4) by reducing its share of participation in the pool,
the Company is able to create more capacity to pursue other endeavors, which it
might not otherwise be able to do as a result of regulatory constraints on
non-renewal of business, particularly for personal lines business. See
"Competition" in this Item.
Claims
Insurance claims on policies written by the Company and by Mutual are
investigated and settled by claims adjusters employed by Mutual pursuant to the
Services Agreement. Mutual maintains three claims offices within its operating
territories. In areas where there is insufficient claim volume to justify the
cost of internal claims staff, the Company and Mutual use independent appraisers
and adjusters to investigate claims. Merchants' claims policy emphasizes timely
investigation of claims, settlement of valid claims for equitable amounts,
maintenance of adequate reserves for claims and control of external claims
adjustment
9
expenses. In order to support its claims policy, Merchants maintains a program
designed to ensure that as soon as practical, claims are assigned an accurate
value based on available information. The program includes the centralization of
certain branch claims operations and an emphasis on the training of claims
adjusters and supervisors by senior claims staff. This claims policy is designed
to provide agents and policyholders with prompt service and support.
Claims settlement authority levels are established for each adjuster,
supervisor and manager based on their expertise and experience. When Merchants
receives notice of a claim, it is assigned to an adjuster based upon its type,
severity and line of business. The claims staff then reviews the claim, obtains
appropriate information and establishes a loss reserve. Claims that exceed
certain dollar amounts or that cannot be readily settled are assigned to more
experienced claims staff.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
The Company, like other insurance companies, establishes reserves for
losses and LAE. These reserves are estimates intended to cover the probable
ultimate cost of settling all losses incurred and unpaid, including those losses
not yet reported to the Company. An insurer's ultimate liability is likely to
differ from its interim estimates because during the life of a claim, which may
be many years, additional facts affecting the amount of damages and an insurer's
liability may become known. The reserves of an insurer are frequently adjusted
based on monitoring by the insurer and are periodically reviewed by state
insurance departments. The Company retains an independent actuarial firm to
satisfy state insurance departments' requirements for the certification of
reserves for losses and LAE.
Loss reserves are established for known claims based on the type and
circumstance of the loss and the results of similar losses. For claims not yet
reported to the Company, loss reserves are based on statistical information from
previous experience periods adjusted for inflation, trends in court decisions
and economic conditions. LAE reserves are intended to cover the ultimate cost of
investigating all losses that have occurred and defending lawsuits, if any,
arising from these losses. LAE reserves are evaluated periodically using
statistical techniques which compare current costs with historical data.
Inflation is implicitly reflected in the reserving process through analysis of
cost trends and review of historical reserve results. With the exception of
workers' compensation claims, loss reserves are not discounted for financial
statement purposes.
The Company's reserving process is based on the assumption that past
experiences, adjusted for the effect of current developments and trends, are
relevant in predicting future events. In the absence of specific developments,
the process also assumes that the legal climate regarding the claims process and
underlying liabilities remains constant. Other assumptions employed by the
Company or its actuarial firm change from time to time as circumstances change.
In estimating loss and LAE reserves, the Company employs a number of actuarial
methods, depending on their applicability to each line of business, in order to
balance the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Therefore, a range of
estimates is developed for each line of business. However, the Company does not
believe it is appropriate to sum the high and low values developed using
different actuarial methods for each line of business to determine a range for
the Company's total loss and LAE reserves. Therefore the Company's actuary and
its consulting actuary only provide the Company with their respective "best
estimates" of total loss and LAE reserves by summing their
10
"best estimate" for each line of business. The Company's small size, the
presence or absence of a limited number of moderate losses, as well as the
timing of the reporting of such losses to the Company by claimants, could result
in changes in actuarial estimates that are significant to the Company's net
income for a quarter or a year. As such, management recognizes that the "best
estimate" may not be more accurate than other amounts within a few percentage
points of total loss and LAE reserves.
Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation of incurred losses and
LAE, the Company has recorded changes in reserves for prior accident years'
losses and LAE in most years. In 2002 the Company decreased its reserves for
prior years by $3,785,000, primarily due to favorable loss development related
to workers' compensation and commercial automobile liability policies, somewhat
offset by unfavorable development on its private passenger automobile policies.
In 2003, the Company decreased its reserves for prior years by $90,000. In 2004,
the Company decreased reserves for prior years by $843,000 primarily due to
favorable loss development related to private passenger auto liability and
workers' compensation policies, somewhat offset by unfavorable development on
its commercial package policies.
The following table sets forth the changes in the reserve for losses and
LAE for 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
--------- --------- ---------
(in thousands)
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of year $ 151,355 $ 147,136 $ 146,474
Less reinsurance recoverables 19,242 19,380 22,715
--------- --------- ---------
Net balance at beginning of year 132,113 127,756 123,759
--------- --------- ---------
Provision for losses and LAE for claims occurring in:
Current year 66,658 49,702 38,524
Prior years (3,785) (90) (843)
--------- --------- ---------
62,873 49,612 37,681
--------- --------- ---------
Losses and LAE payments for claims occurring in:
Current year 26,387 18,441 13,647
Prior years 40,843 35,168 35,008
--------- --------- ---------
67,230 53,609 48,655
--------- --------- ---------
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of year, net 127,756 123,759 112,785
Plus reinsurance recoverables 19,380 22,715 15,630
--------- --------- ---------
Balance at end of year $ 147,136 $ 146,474 $ 128,415
========= ========= =========
The first line of the following table presents, as of the end of the year
at the top of each column, the estimated amount of unpaid losses and LAE for
claims arising in that year and in all prior years, including claims that had
occurred but were not yet reported to the Company. For each column, the rows of
the table present, for the same group of claims, the amount of unpaid losses and
LAE as re-estimated as of the end of each succeeding year. The estimate is
modified as more information becomes known about the number and severity of
claims for each year. The "cumulative redundancy (deficiency)" represents the
change in the estimated amount of unpaid losses and LAE from the end of the year
at the top of each column through the end of 2004.
11
For each column in the table, the change from the liability for losses and
LAE shown on the first line to the liability as re-estimated as of the end of
the following year was included in operating results for the following year.
That change includes the change in the previous year's column from the liability
as re-estimated one year later to the liability as re-estimated two years later
which, in turn, includes the change in the second preceding column from the
liability as re-estimated two years later to the liability as re-estimated three
years later, and so forth.
The rows of the lower portion of the table present, as of the end of each
succeeding year, the amount of paid losses and LAE for claims unpaid at the end
of the year at the top of each column:
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Liability for losses and LAE:
$ 97,614 $113,718 $126,260 $130,781 $126,820 $127,458 $131,178 $132,113 $127,756 $123,759
Liability re-estimated as of:
One year later 108,659 120,550 130,768 128,636 123,071 128,886 129,704 128,328 127,666 122,916
Two years later 113,091 128,192 133,029 130,498 120,345 123,299 129,621 132,674 129,722
Three years later 121,051 129,724 132,948 127,893 113,661 124,944 133,769 135,865
Four years later 121,791 131,647 129,210 122,508 114,068 128,121 138,538
Five years later 122,886 127,183 124,238 122,347 117,678 131,977
Six years later 120,128 123,521 124,319 125,741 120,958
Seven years later 117,589 123,679 127,659 128,998
Eight years later 117,626 126,285 130,280
Nine years later 120,118 128,433
Ten years later 121,612
Cumulative Redundancy
(Deficiency):
$(23,998) (14,715) (4,020) 1,783 5,862 (4,519) (7,360) (3,752) (1,966) 843
%(24.6) (12.9) (3.2) 1.4 4.6 (3.5) (5.6) (2.8) (1.5) .7
Paid (Cumulative) as of:
One year later 36,916 38,549 40,954 42,433 37,125 40,970 45,461 40,843 35,168 35,008
Two years later 60,074 64,323 69,035 66,477 63,325 69,393 70,075 64,959 61,031
Three years later 77,982 84,638 86,364 86,313 80,142 86,670 85,772 83,552
Four years later 91,948 96,491 98,300 97,770 89,383 96,222 98,053
Five years later 99,171 104,063 105,787 104,282 94,809 102,892
Six years later 103,829 109,492 109,639 107,431 99,131
Seven years later 107,367 111,851 111,822 110,193
Eight years later 108,747 113,593 114,246
Nine years later 110,119 114,959
Ten years later 110,827
12
The loss and LAE reserves reported in the Company's consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) differ from those reported in the statements filed by MNH with the New
Hampshire Insurance Department in accordance with statutory accounting
principles (SAP) as follows:
As of December 31,
------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
-------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Loss and LAE reserves on a SAP basis $127,756 $123,759 $112,785
Adjustments:
Ceded reinsurance balances recoverable 19,380 22,715 15,630
-------- -------- --------
Loss and LAE reserves on a GAAP basis $147,136 $146,474 $128,415
======== ======== ========
Reinsurance
The Company follows the customary industry practice of reinsuring a
portion of the exposure under its policies and as consideration pays to its
reinsurers a portion of the premium received on its policies. Insurance is ceded
principally to reduce an insurer's liability on individual risks and to protect
against catastrophic losses. Although reinsurance does not legally discharge an
insurer from its primary liability for the full amount of coverage provided by
its policies, it does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the insurer to the
extent of the reinsurance ceded.
The Company is a party to reinsurance contracts under which certain types
of policies are automatically reinsured without the need for approval by the
reinsurer with respect to the individual risks that are covered ("treaty"
reinsurance). The Company also is a party to reinsurance contracts which are
handled on an individual policy or per risk basis and require the specific
agreement of the reinsurer as to each risk insured ("facultative" reinsurance).
Occasionally, the Company may secure facultative reinsurance to supplement its
coverage under treaty reinsurance.
Prior to January 1, 1998, the Company's excess of loss reinsurance
agreements for automobile liability, general liability and workers' compensation
insurance provided for recovery of losses over $500,000 up to a maximum of
$5,000,000 per occurrence. For claims occurring from 1987 through 1992, the
$500,000 threshold was indexed for inflation for casualty lines other than
workers' compensation and New York State no-fault, and applied retroactively to
all occurrences until they are settled. There was no index provision for
casualty claims occurring after 1992. This coverage was supplemented by
additional treaty reinsurance covering losses up to $5,000,000 in excess of the
first $5,000,000. Prior to January 1, 1998, property reinsurance agreements
provided for recovery of property losses over $500,000 up to $2,000,000 per
occurrence without any index provision.
Beginning January 1, 1998 , the Company's property and casualty excess of
loss reinsurance agreement provided for recovery of casualty losses over
$500,000 up to $10,000,000 per occurrence and property losses over $500,000 up
to $10,000,000 per risk. This coverage is supplemented by a contingent casualty
layer of reinsurance for workers' compensation claims of $5,000,000 in excess of
the first $10,000,000 subject to a
13
calendar year limit of $20,000,000. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company
increased its retention on casualty losses to $750,000. Effective January 1,
2004, the Company adjusted the property loss occurrence limit to $5,000,000 per
risk. Individual property facultative reinsurance was purchased for all
exposures greater than $5,000,000. Effective January 1, 2005, the Company
adjusted the property loss occurrence limit to $10,000,000 per risk.
Property catastrophe coverage provides for recovery of 47.5% of the first
$5,000,000 and of 95% of the next $55,000,000 above aggregate retained losses of
$5,000,000 per occurrence. The property catastrophe reinsurance coverage is
shared by the Company and Mutual in accordance with the Pooling Agreement (see
Administration above) for a covered event.
Under the terms of the Pooling Agreement (see Administration above)
effective as of January 1, 2003 Mutual and MNH pool, or share, underwriting
results on their Traditional Business. The Pooling Agreement does not apply to
any new endeavor of either Mutual or MNH outside of their Traditional Business,
unless the companies agree otherwise.
The Pooling Agreement provides for MNH to cede, or transfer, to Mutual all
of its premiums and risks on its Traditional Business during the term of the
agreement, and then to assume from Mutual a percentage of all of Mutual's and
MNH's Traditional Business (the "Pooled Business"). MNH assumed 40% of the
Pooled Business in 2003 and 35% of the Pooled Business in 2004. MNH's share of
the Pooled Business will be reduced to 30% of the pooled business in 2005,
though not to exceed $50.0 million in net written premiums. MNH's share of the
Pooled Business will be reduced to 25% in 2006 and 2007, though not to exceed
$42.5 million and $37.5 million in assumed net written premiums, respectively.
If the parties agree, MNH may increase its share or maximum amount of assumed
net premiums written of the Pooled Business for any year. The decreasing amount
of Traditional Business assumed under the Pooling Agreement is intended to
provide MNH with the capacity to pursue insurance opportunities independently of
Mutual, thereby reducing its dependence on Mutual as its only source of
business. Mutual retains a share of the risk in MNH's Traditional Business under
Mutual's control pursuant to a profit and loss sharing arrangement in the
Pooling Agreement based on the loss and LAE experience of the Pooled Business.
The Company believes the Pooling Agreement and profit (or loss) sharing feature
included therein align the interests of MNH and Mutual.
The Pooling Agreement may be terminated by either party at the beginning
of any calendar year upon not less than 6 months notice, but not effective
before January 1, 2008. However, the Pooling Agreement may be terminated
effective January 1, 2006 or 2007 upon 6 months notice, but only by MNH and only
if the ratio of net losses and LAE to net earned premiums on a cumulative basis
from the inception of the Pooling Agreement exceeds 76%, as of the date notice
is given. See PART 1, Item 1. BUSINESS. Administration.
Investments
The primary source of funds for investment by the Company is premiums
collected. Although premiums, net of commissions and other underwriting costs,
are taken into income ratably over the terms of the policies, they provide funds
for investment from the date they are received. Similarly, although
establishment of and changes in reserves for losses and LAE are included in
results of operations immediately, the amounts so set aside are available to be
invested until the Company pays those claims.
14
The investments of the Company are regulated by New Hampshire insurance
law and are reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Other than
certain short-term investments held to maintain liquidity, the Company primarily
invests in corporate bonds, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities
including collateralized mortgage obligations, and tax-exempt securities with
expected maturities of 10 years or less. The mortgage-backed securities held by
the Company are typically purchased at expected yields which are greater than
comparable maturity Treasury securities and are AAA or AA rated.
The Company had $40,979,000 of tax-exempt bonds in its investment
portfolio at December 31, 2004. The Company believes these tax-exempt bonds are
of high quality (rated A or better) and, at the time of purchase, offered an
after-tax total return potential greater than comparable taxable securities.
At December 31, 2004 the Company had $7,412,000 of short-term investments
with maturities less than 30 days and $2,150,000 of non-investment grade
securities. These non-investment grade securities represented 1% of the
investment portfolio as compared to $2,496,000, or 1%, of the investment
portfolio at December 31, 2003.
The table below provides information regarding the Company's investments
as of the dates indicated.
As of December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
------------------- ------------------ -----------------
Amount % Amount % Amount %
---------- ----- --------- ----- --------- -----
(dollars in thousands)
Fixed Maturities (1):
U.S. Government and Agencies $ 12,855 6.1% $ 8,377 4.1% $ 5,028 2.5%
Corporate Securities 60,215 28.8 28,714 14.2 28,003 14.2
Mortgage and Asset Backed Securities 91,813 43.8 113,313 55.8 110,082 55.7
Tax-Exempt Bonds 28,685 13.7 43,401 21.4 40,979 20.7
---------- ----- --------- ----- --------- -----
Total Bonds 193,568 92.4 193,805 95.5 184,092 93.1
Preferred Stocks (2) 7,367 3.5 5,797 2.9 3,509 1.8
Short-Term Investments (3) 6,420 3.1 1,118 .6 7,412 3.7
Other (4) 2,042 1.0 2,167 1.0 2,696 1.4
---------- ----- --------- ----- --------- -----
Total Invested Assets $ 209,397 100.0% $ 202,887 100.0% $ 197,709 100.0%
========== ===== ========= ===== ========= =====
(1) Fixed Maturities are shown at their carrying amounts in the respective
balance sheet. Held to Maturity fixed maturities are included at amortized
cost. Available for Sale fixed maturities are included at fair value.
(2) Shown at fair value.
(3) Shown at cost, which approximates fair value.
(4) Shown at estimated fair value or unpaid principal balance, which
approximates estimated fair value.
15
The table below sets forth the Company's net investment income and net
realized gains and losses, excluding the effect of income taxes, for the periods
shown:
Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
---------- --------- ---------
(dollars in thousands)
Average investments $ 206,435 $200,996 $196,148
Net investment income 10,403 8,815 7,881
Net investment income as a percentage
of average investments (1) 5.0% 4.4% 4.0%
Net gains (losses) on investments $ 953 $ 2,500 $ (221)
(1) The taxable equivalent yield for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003
and 2004 was 5.4%, 4.4% and 4.3%, respectively, assuming an effective tax
rate of 34%.
The table below sets forth the carrying value of bonds and percentage
distribution of various maturities at the dates indicated. Fixed Maturities are
shown at their carrying amounts in the respective balance sheet. Held to
Maturity fixed maturities are included at amortized cost. Available for Sale
fixed maturities are included at fair value. Mortgage and asset backed
securities are presented based upon their projected cash flows.
As of December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Amount % Amount % Amount %
-------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------
(dollars in thousands)
1 year or less $ 81,736 42.2% $ 33,243 17.2% $ 49,275 26.8%
1 year through 5 years 106,696 55.1 137,234 70.8 112,476 61.1
5 years through 10 years 3,198 1.7 21,065 10.9 18,870 10.2
More than 10 years 1,938 1.0 2,263 1.1 3,471 1.9
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total $193,568 100.0% $193,805 100.0% $184,092 100.0%
======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
Competition
The property and casualty insurance business is highly competitive. The
Company is in direct competition with many national and regional multiple-line
insurers, many of which are substantially larger than the Company and have
considerably greater financial resources. Competition is further intensified by
the independent agency system because each of the independent agents who sells
the Company's policies also represents one or more other insurers. Also, the
Company's agents compete with direct writing insurers and this indirectly
affects the Company.
16
Historically, the property and casualty industry has tended to be cyclical
in nature. During the "up" cycle, or "hard market," the industry is
characterized by price increases, strengthening of loss and LAE reserves,
surplus growth and improved underwriting results. Near the end of the "up"
cycle, an increase in capacity causes insurance companies to begin to compete
for market share on the basis of price. This price competition causes the
emergence of the "down" cycle, or "soft market," characterized by a reduction in
the premium growth rate and a general decline in profitability. Often times, the
down cycle is accompanied by a decline in the adequacy of loss and LAE reserves
and a decrease in premium writing capacity. The property and casualty insurance
industry experienced a cyclical downturn for most of the 1990's through 2001 due
primarily to intense premium rate competition and an excess capacity to write
premiums. Recently, there has been price firming primarily within the commercial
lines segment of the property casualty industry. However, some of the
circumstances which led to the most recent cyclical downturn in the property and
casualty insurance industry have become evident, and the Company believes that
this price firming or "hard market" is nearing its end.
Regulation
General
MNH is subject to regulation under applicable insurance statutes,
including insurance holding company statutes, of the various states in which it
writes insurance. Insurance regulation is intended to provide safeguards for
policyholders rather than to protect stockholders of insurance companies or
their holding companies. Insurance laws of the various states establish
regulatory agencies with broad administrative powers including, but not limited
to, the power to grant or revoke licenses to transact insurance business and to
regulate trade practices, investments, premium rates, the deposit of securities,
the form and content of financial statements and insurance policies, accounting
practices, the maintenance of specified reserves and capital, and insurers'
consumer privacy policies. The regulatory agencies of each state have statutory
authority to enforce their laws and regulations through various administrative
orders, civil and criminal enforcement proceedings, and the suspension or
revocation of certificates of authority. In extreme cases, including insolvency,
impending insolvency and other matters, a regulatory authority may take over the
management and operation of an insurer's business and assets.
Under insolvency or guaranty laws in the states in which MNH operates,
insurers doing business in those states can be assessed up to prescribed limits
for policyholder losses caused by other insurance companies that become
insolvent. The extent of any requirement for MNH to make any further payment
under these laws is not determinable. Most laws do provide, however, that an
assessment may be excused or deferred if it would threaten a solvent insurer's
financial strength. In addition, MNH is required to participate in various
mandatory pools or underwriting associations in certain states in which it
operates.
The property and casualty insurance industry has been the subject of
regulations and legislative activity in various states attempting to address the
affordability and availability of different lines of insurance. The regulations
and legislation generally restrict the discretion an insurance company has in
operating its business. It is not possible to predict the effect, if any, that
new regulations and legislation would have on the Company and MNH.
17
The Company depends on cash dividends from MNH to pay cash dividends to
its stockholders and to meet its expenses. MNH is subject to New Hampshire state
insurance laws which restrict its ability to pay dividends without the prior
approval of state regulatory authorities. These restrictions limit dividends to
those that, when added to all other dividends paid within the preceding twelve
months, would not exceed 10% of the insurer's policyholders' surplus as of the
preceding December 31st. The maximum amount of dividends that MNH could pay
during any twelve-month period ending in 2004 without the prior approval of the
New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner is $6,171,000. MNH paid $1,200,000 and
$800,000 of dividends to the Company in August 2004 and February 2005,
respectively.
In certain states in which it operates, MNH is required to maintain
deposits with the appropriate regulatory authority to secure its obligations
under certain insurance policies written in the jurisdiction. At December 31,
2004, investments of MNH having a par value of $1,900,000 were on deposit with
regulatory authorities.
MNH and Mutual are required to file detailed annual reports with the
appropriate regulatory agency in each of the states in which they do business.
Their business and accounts are subject to examination by such agencies at any
time, and the laws of many states require periodic examination. The State of New
Hampshire Insurance Department most recently examined the accounts of MNH as of
December 31, 2003 and has indicated in a draft report that MNH's annual
statement as of that date will be accepted as submitted, without adjustment.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) applies a
risk-based capital measurement formula to all property and casualty insurance
companies. The formula calculates a minimum required statutory net worth based
on the underwriting, investment, credit, loss reserve and other business risks
inherent in an individual company's operations. Any insurance company that does
not meet threshold risk-based capital measurement standards could be forced to
reduce the scope of its operations and ultimately could become subject to
statutory receivership proceedings. MNH's capital exceeds the statutory minimum
as determined by the risk-based capital measurement formula as of December 31,
2004.
The NAIC has established eleven financial ratios (the Insurance Regulatory
Information System, or "IRIS") to assist state insurance departments in their
oversight of the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their
respective states. The NAIC calculates these ratios based on statutory
information submitted by insurers on an annual basis and shares the information
with the applicable state insurance departments. The ratios relate to leverage,
profitability, liquidity and loss reserve development. One of the Company's
ratios as of December 31, 2004 relating to investment yield fell outside of the
acceptable range of ratios. MNH earned an investment yield of 4.0% (4.3% on a
taxable equivalent basis) compared to the minimum NAIC threshold of 4.5%. The
Company's inability to operate within an acceptable range of the aforementioned
IRIS ratio is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's business
or its operations.
Rates
Premium rate regulations vary greatly among states and lines of insurance,
but generally require either approval of the regulatory authority or review by
the authority prior to changes in rates. Rate filings are based upon an
actuarial analysis of historical results and competition in the market. However,
in certain states, insurers writing in designated product lines may periodically
revise rates within the limits of applicable flexibility bands (flex-bands) on a
file and use basis, but must obtain the state insurance department's prior
approval in order to implement rate increases or decreases outside these
flex-bands.
18
Renewal of Policies
Many states restrict the ability of insurers to non-renew insurance
policies or to exit a line of business. In particular, New York substantially
limits the ability of insurers to non-renew personal automobile insurance. This
restricts the Company's ability to mitigate its exposure to the NYAIP.
Insurance Holding Companies
The Company is subject to statutes governing insurance holding company
systems. Typically, these statutes require the Company to file information
periodically concerning its capital structure, ownership, financial condition,
general business operations and material inter-company transactions not in the
ordinary course of business. Under the terms of applicable New Hampshire
statutes, any person or entity desiring to purchase shares which would result in
such person beneficially owning 10% or more of the Company's outstanding voting
securities would be required to obtain regulatory approval prior to the
purchase.
Involuntary Business
As a condition to writing voluntary insurance in most of the states in
which it operates, the Company must participate in programs that provide
insurance for persons or businesses unable to obtain insurance voluntarily.
Uncertainties as to the size of the involuntary market population make it
difficult to predict the amount of involuntary business in a given year.
Employees
The Company and MNH have no employees. At December 31, 2004, Mutual had
315 full-time equivalent employees. The Company believes that Mutual's
relationship with its employees is satisfactory.
19
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The names of the executive officers of the Company and their ages, titles
and biographies as of the date hereof are set forth below.
NAME OF EXECUTIVE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
OFFICER AND POSITION(s) AGE DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS
- ------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------------
Robert M. Zak 47 President and Chief Executive Officer of MNH and
Senior Vice President and Mutual since November 1, 1995; Sr. Vice President of
Chief Operating Officer MNH and Mutual from 1992 to 1995; Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, MNH and Mutual from 1991
through 1996; Vice President - Financial Services of
MNH and Mutual from 1989 through 1996; Secretary of
MNH and Mutual from 1990 through November 1, 1995.
Edward M. Murphy 54 Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the
Vice President, Company, Mutual and MNH since 1991; Assistant Vice
Chief Investment Officer and President of Mutual and MNH from 1989 to 1991.
Assistant Secretary
Kenneth J. Wilson 57 Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, of the Company, Mutual and MNH since 1996; President
Treasurer, Chief Financial and Chief Executive Officer of Carbadon Corp. and its
Officer and Secretary operating subsidiary, Empire of America Realty Credit
Corp., from December 1995 to December 1996 and Chief
Financial Officer from November 1992 to December 1996.
Item 2. PROPERTIES.
Although the Company has no facilities, it benefits from the facilities of
Mutual pursuant to the Services Agreement, under which the Company is charged a
fee for a portion of the costs of such facilities.
The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Buffalo, New York in a
building owned by Mutual that contains approximately 113,000 square feet of
office space. Mutual also has regional underwriting and/or claims office
facilities in Buffalo, Albany and Hauppauge, New York; Manchester, New
Hampshire; Moorestown, New Jersey and Columbus, Ohio. All of the offices except
the Buffalo office are leased.
20
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
MNH, like many other property and casualty insurance companies, is subject
to environmental damage claims asserted by or against its insureds. Management
of the Company is of the opinion that based on various court decisions
throughout the country certain of these claims should not be recoverable under
the terms of MNH's insurance policies because of either specific or general
coverage exclusions contained in the policies. However, there is no assurance
that the courts will agree with MNH's position in every case, nor can there be
assurance that material claims will not be asserted under policies which a court
will find do not explicitly or implicitly exclude claims for environmental
damages. Management, however, is not aware of any pending claim or group of
claims which would result in a liability that would have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition of the Company or MNH.
In addition to the foregoing matters, MNH is a defendant in a number of
other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. Management of
the Company is of the opinion that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any,
resulting from such proceedings will not materially affect the financial
condition of the Company or MNH.
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
None.
21
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Company's common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX
symbol: MGP). The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of
the common stock for the periods indicated as reported on the American Stock
Exchange.
2004: High Low Dividend
- -------------- ------ ------ --------
Fourth Quarter $24.67 $22.65 $ .10
Third Quarter 26.00 23.08 .10
Second Quarter 26.38 24.40 .10
First Quarter 25.50 23.70 .10
2003: High Low Dividend
- -------------- ------ ------ --------
Fourth Quarter $25.05 $21.10 $ .10
Third Quarter 22.30 19.90 .10
Second Quarter 21.80 19.75 .10
First Quarter 23.90 21.80 .10
The number of stockholders of record of the Company's Common Stock as of
February 15, 2005 was 78. Securities held by nominees are counted as one
stockholder of record.
The Company has paid a quarterly cash dividend to its common stockholders
since 1993. Continued payment of this dividend and its amount will depend upon
the Company's operating results, financial condition, capital requirements and
other relevant factors, including legal restrictions applicable to the payment
of dividends by its insurance subsidiary, MNH.
As a holding company, the Company depends on dividends from its
subsidiary, MNH, to pay cash dividends to its stockholders. MNH is subject to
New Hampshire state insurance laws which restrict its ability to pay dividends
without the prior approval of state regulatory authorities. These restrictions
limit dividends to those that, when added to all other dividends paid within the
preceding twelve months, would not exceed 10% of the insurer's policyholders'
surplus as of the preceding December 31. The maximum amount of dividends that
MNH could pay during any twelve-month period ending in 2005 without prior
approval of the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner is $6,171,000.
During the fourth quarter of its fiscal year, neither the Company nor any
"affiliated purchaser" (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18(a)(3)) made any purchases
of any of its equity securities on its behalf.
22
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Number of Securities to Weighted-Average Future Issuance Under
be Issued Upon Exercise Exercise Price of Equity Compensation Plans
Of Outstanding Options, Outstanding Options, (Excluding Securities)
Plan Category Warrants and Rights Warrants and Rights Reflected in Column (a))
- ------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------- -------------------------
(a) (b) (c)
Equity Compensation Plans
Approved by Security
Holders 0 N/A 0
Equity Compensation Plans
Not Approved by
Security Holders 0 (1) $24.77 0
Total 0 - 0
(1) Through an employment agreement with MNH, MNH's former Chief Operating
Officer participated in a non-cumulative bonus equal to the product of
80,000 and the difference between the averages of the last reported sales
prices of the Company's common stock for (i) the 20 business days
immediately following the release of the Company's year-end results and
(ii) for the 20 business days immediately following the release of the
Company's year-end results for the prior year.
23
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The selected financial data set forth in the following table for each of
the five years in the period ended December 31, 2004 have been derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company.
As of December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net premiums written $ 94,342 $ 93,973 $ 70,528 $ 64,179 $ 53,102
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net premiums earned $ 94,259 $ 93,885 $ 83,120 $ 65,097 $ 57,123
Net investment income 13,903 13,295 10,403 8,815 7,881
Net investment gains (losses) 109 (580) 953 2,500 (221)
Other revenues 355 696 635 560 722
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 108,626 107,296 95,111 76,972 65,505
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses 71,374 75,144 62,873 49,612 37,681
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs 24,979 24,880 22,227 16,925 14,852
Other underwriting expenses 5,266 6,017 5,744 5,031 8,291
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total expenses 101,619 106,041 90,844 71,568 60,824
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before income taxes 7,007 1,255 4,267 5,404 4,681
Provision for income taxes 2,668 434 1,729 1,039 919
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 4,339 $ 821 $ 2,538 $ 4,365 $ 3,762
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Earnings per share
Basic $ 1.75 $ .35 $ 1.19 $ 2.07 $ 1.78
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted $ 1.74 $ .35 $ 1.19 $ 2.07 $ 1.78
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding:
Basic 2,485 2,343 2,125 2,110 2,114
Diluted 2,487 2,343 2,129 2,111 2,118
Balance Sheet Data: (at year end)
Total investments $ 215,654 $ 213,132 $ 209,397 $ 202,887 $ 197,709
Total assets 281,621 286,563 268,716 $ 272,226 $ 260,449
Reserve for losses and loss
adjustment expenses 145,075 151,355 147,136 146,474 128,415
Unearned premiums 50,857 50,179 35,119 36,176 33,685
Stockholders' equity 70,122 68,551 67,924 70,259 71,974
Dividend Data:
Cash dividend per common share $ .40 $ .40 $ .40 $ .40 $ .40
24
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
2004 Compared to 2003
The following discussion should be considered in light of the statements
under the heading "Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995," at the end of this Item. All capitalized terms used in this
Item that are not defined in this Item have the meanings given to them in the
Notes to Consolidated Statements contained in Item 15 (a) (1) of this Form 10-K.
Results of operations for 2004 and 2003 reflect the effects of the
Services Agreement and the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement among the Company, its
wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, MNH, and Mutual, effective January 1, 2003.
The Services Agreement calls for Mutual to provide underwriting, administrative,
claims and investment services to the Company and MNH. The Reinsurance Pooling
Agreement provides for the pooling, or sharing, of insurance business
traditionally written by Mutual and MNH on or after the effective date. MNH's
share of pooled (combined Mutual and MNH) premiums earned and losses and loss
adjustment expenses (LAE) for 2004 and 2003 in accordance with the Reinsurance
Pooling Agreement was 35% and 40%, respectively. The Reinsurance Pooling
Agreement pertains to premiums earned and incurred losses and LAE. Direct
premiums written by MNH or Mutual are not pooled. MNH's pooling percentage will
be 30% in 2005, though not to exceed $50,000,000 in assumed net written
premiums. MNH's share of pooled premiums will be reduced to 25% in 2006 and
2007, though not to exceed $42,500,000 and $37,500,000 in net written premiums,
respectively.
Total combined Mutual and MNH or "group-wide" direct premiums written
(DWP) for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $191,138,000, an increase of
$15,995,000 or 9%, from $175,143,000 in 2003. The Company's pro-forma share of
combined direct premiums written in 2004, in accordance with the Reinsurance
Pooling Agreement, was $66,900,000 compared to $70,057,000 in 2003. The table
below shows a comparison of direct premiums written by major category in 2004
and 2003:
MNH
Pro Forma
Group-wide DWP Share
Year ended Year ended
December 31, December 31,
----------------------- ------------------
2004 2003 Variance 2004 2003 Variance
--------- --------- -------- ------- ------- --------
(000's omitted) (000's omitted)
Voluntary Personal Lines $ 50,879 $ 63,548 (20%) $17,808 $25,419 (30%)
Voluntary Commercial Lines 119,113 103,262 15% 41,690 41,305 1%
Umbrella Program 17,536 3,136 459% 6,138 1,254 389%
Involuntary 3,610 5,197 (31%) 1,264 2,079 (39%)
--------- --------- ------- -------
Total Direct Written Premiums $ 191,138 $175,143 9% $66,900 $70,057 (5%)
========= ========= ======= =======
The 20% (or $12,669,000) decrease in group-wide voluntary personal lines
direct premiums written resulted from a 27% decrease in private passenger
automobile (PPA) direct premiums written and a 1% decrease in homeowners direct
premiums written. The decrease in PPA direct premiums written is the result of
the companies' decision, implemented in 2001, not to write new policies in
certain jurisdictions and from the approval of the companies' plan to withdraw
from the New Jersey PPA market by the New Jersey Department of Banking and
Insurance, which was effective in June 2003. As a result, voluntary PPA policies
in force at December 31, 2004 were 19,931, a decrease of 8,492 or 30%, from
28,423 at December 31, 2003.
25
Mutual introduced a monoline commercial umbrella program in the fourth
quarter of 2003 (the Umbrella Program). The Umbrella Program is marketed
exclusively through one independent agent and approximately 95% of the premiums
related to Umbrella Program policies are reinsured with an "A" rated national
reinsurer through a quota share reinsurance treaty.
Group-wide voluntary commercial lines direct premiums written were
$119,113,000, an increase of $15,851,000, or 15%, from $103,262,000 in 2003.
This increase resulted from period to period increases in every significant
group-wide commercial line of business. The average premium per group-wide,
non-Umbrella Program commercial lines policy increased 7% from the year earlier
period. Total non-Umbrella Program commercial lines policies in force at
December 31, 2004 were 33,415, an increase of 6% from 31,485 at December 31,
2003.
The 31% decrease in group-wide involuntary direct premiums written
resulted primarily from a decrease in assignments from the New York Automobile
Insurance Plan (NYAIP). Direct premiums written related to policies assigned
from the NYAIP decreased to $2,783,000 for 2004 from $3,909,000 for 2003. The
NYAIP provides coverage for individuals who are unable to obtain auto insurance
in the voluntary market. Assignments from the NYAIP vary depending upon a
company's PPA market share and the size the NYAIP. The Company is unable to
predict the volume of future assignments from the NYAIP.
In order to minimize the adverse impact of assignments from the NYAIP, the
Company purchased territorial credits from an unaffiliated company pursuant to
Section 6.A.7. of the NYAIP Manual. The credits against NYAIP assignments were
generated by the other insurance company for writing PPA business in certain
localities in New York with PPA market availability problems. The other
insurance company, by nature of its concentration in PPA business in "credit"
territories, generated more credits than it required to offset its NYAIP
assignments. The credits purchased reduced the Company's share of the NYAIP. The
credits purchased decreased direct premiums written related to NYAIP assignments
during 2004 by approximately $2,351,000 and by approximately $2,256,000 for
2003.
Group-wide pooled net premiums written for 2004 were $163,546,000, an
increase of $1,857,000, or 1%, from $161,689,000 for 2003. This increase
resulted from the 9% increase in group-wide direct premiums written, offset by
an increase in 2004 as compared to 2003 of reinsurance premiums ceded to third
parties, primarily for premiums written related to the Umbrella Program. The
Company's share of pooled net premiums written in 2004 in accordance with the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement was $53,102,000, a decrease of $11,077,000 or 17%
from $64,179,000 in 2003. This decrease resulted primarily from the 5 percentage
point decrease in the Company's participation in the Reinsurance Pooling
Agreement.
Total revenues for 2004 were $65,505,000, a decrease of $11,467,000 or
15%, from $76,972,000 in 2003.
The Company's share of pooled net premiums earned in accordance with the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement for 2004 was $57,123,000. The Company's share of
net premiums earned in 2003 were $65,097,000. This $7,974,000, or 12%, decrease
in net premiums earned primarily resulted from the 5 percentage point decrease
in the Company's participation in the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement.
Net investment income was $7,881,000, a decrease of $934,000 or 11% from
$8,815,000 in 2003. The average pre-tax yield associated with the investment
portfolio decreased 40 basis points to 4.0% in 2004 compared to 2003. Average
invested assets for 2003 decreased 2% from the year earlier period.
26
Net investment losses were $221,000 ($.07 per fully diluted share after
taxes) in 2004 compared to $2,500,000 of net investment gains ($.78 per fully
diluted share after taxes) in 2003. The 2004 amount included an aggregate
$700,000 of investment losses related to an other-than-temporary impairment in
the value of two investment securities owned by the Company at December 31,
2004. The 2003 amount related primarily to the sale of an otherwise illiquid
security to its issuer through a share repurchase program.
Other revenues were $722,000 in 2004, an increase of $162,000 or 29% from
$560,000 in 2003, primarily due to a $180,000 decrease in premium receivable
charge-offs.
Net losses and LAE were $37,681,000 for 2004, a decrease of $11,931,000 or
24% from $49,612,000 for 2003. The decrease in net losses and LAE was due to the
12% decrease in net premiums earned and a 10.2 percentage point decrease in the
loss and LAE ratio to 66.0% in 2004 from 76.2% in 2003.
The Company recorded decreases to its estimate of losses and LAE related
to prior accident years of $843,000 and $90,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
These decreases in losses and LAE relating to prior accident years reduced the
loss and LAE ratio in 2004 and 2003 by 1.5 and .1 percentage points,
respectively. The following table documents the changes in the estimate of
losses and LAE related to prior accident years recorded in 2004 for the
Company's major lines of business:
Commercial Workers'
Accident Home- PPA Auto Compen- Commercial General All
Year owners Liability Liability sation Package Liability Other Total
- ---------- ------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- -------- --------
Increases (decreases) (in thousands)
Prior to
2001 $ (109) $ 455 $ 764 $ 533 $ 2,183 $ 1,119 $ (176) $ 4,769
2001 152 (17) 121 (1,221) (450) (123) (41) (1,579)
2002 60 (269) (1,072) (921) 915 59 94 (1,134)
2003 (7) (1,529) 268 (433) (909) (299) 10 (2,899)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total $ 96 $(1,360) $ 81 $(2,042) $ 1,739 $ 756 $ (113) $ (843)
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
The Company's reduction in its estimate of losses and LAE related to prior
accident years represented less than 1% of the recorded reserve for losses and
LAE at December 31, 2004. During 2004, both paid and incurred losses and LAE
emerged at amounts that were greater than anticipated when reserves for loss and
LAE were estimated and recorded at December 31, 2003 for the commercial package
line of business. This unfavorable emergence was offset by lower than
anticipated loss and LAE emergence in the Company's PPA liability (particularly
for accidents occurring in 2003) and workers compensation lines of business.
The Company made no changes to the key assumptions used in evaluating the
adequacy of its reserves for losses and LAE during 2004. A reasonable
possibility exists in any year that relatively minor fluctuations in the
estimate of reserves for losses and LAE may have a significant impact on the
Company's net income. This is due primarily to the size of the Company's
reserves for losses and LAE ($128,415,000 at December 31, 2004) relative to its
net income.
Involuntary automobile insurance business increased the Company's calendar
year loss and LAE ratio by approximately .2 and 1.8 percentage points for the
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
27
The ratio of amortized deferred policy acquisition costs and other
underwriting expenses to net premiums earned increased to 40.5% for 2004 from
33.7% for 2003. A $2,073,000 or 12%, decrease in the amortization of deferred
acquisition costs was more than offset by a $3,260,000 or 65% increase in other
underwriting expenses. Other underwriting expenses included $1,543,000 (2.7
percentage points of the expense ratio) of retrospective commission expense
related to the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement which provides for retrospective
commission income or expense based on actual experience compared to a targeted
loss and LAE ratio. The commission is owed to Mutual based on a decrease during
2004 in the estimated cumulative loss and LAE ratio on the "pooled" business
since the inception of the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement. During 2003 the
Company recorded $305,000 of retrospective commission income related to the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement. This amount reduced the 2003 ratio of amortized
deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net
premiums earned by .5 percentage points. Other underwriting expenses also
include $266,000 related to the November 2004 resignation of the Company's
President and $486,000 of consulting and due diligence expenses pertaining to
the investigation of business opportunities. Other underwriting expenses also
included $462,000 and $228,000 in 2004 and 2003, respectively, related to the
purchase of territorial credits against NYAIP assignments discussed earlier in
this item. Commissions (other than retrospective commissions under the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement), premium taxes and other state assessments that
vary directly with the Company's premium volume represented 19.9% and 19.7% of
net premiums earned in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The provision for income taxes for 2003 includes the effect of a May 2003
change in New York State law with respect to the taxation of non-life insurance
companies. This change eliminated state income taxes for all non-life insurance
companies and increased the premium tax rate from 1.3% to 2.0%. This change in
New York State law lowered the Company's effective income tax rate by
approximately 4 percentage points in 2003. Further, as a result of this change,
the Company reduced its deferred tax liability with respect to New York State
income taxes to $0 during 2003. This one time benefit reduced the Company's
effective income tax rate for 2003 by 9 percentage points. In addition, tax
exempt income reduced the Company's effective income tax rate by 8 and 4
percentage points, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003.
In addition, the Company recorded adjustments to prior years' taxes and reversed
excess tax reserves related to uncertain tax positions which reduced the
Company's effective income tax rate by 4 and 3 percentage points, respectively,
for the year ended December 31, 2004.
2003 Compared to 2002
Total revenues for 2003 were $76,972,000, a decrease of $18,139,000 or 19%
from $95,111,000 in 2002.
Results of operations for 2003 reflect the effects of the Services
Agreement and the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement among the Company, its
wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, MNH, and Mutual, effective January 1, 2003.
MNH did not participate in a pooling agreement in 2002 and therefore the results
of operations for 2002 reflect business written independently by MNH. This
analysis provides a comparison of the Company's share of pooled premiums for
2003 to unpooled premiums for the same period in 2002, as well as a comparison
of the pooled, or combined Mutual and MNH, premiums written for 2003 to the
combined business of Mutual and MNH for the same period in 2002, even though the
companies were not party to a reinsurance pooling agreement in 2002.
Total combined Mutual and MNH or "group-wide" direct premiums written for
the year ended December 31, 2003 were $175,143,000, an increase of $2,403,000 or
1% from $172,740,000 in 2002. The
28
Company's pro-forma share of combined direct premiums written in 2003, in
accordance with the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement, was $70,057,000. The Company
recorded $72,803,000 of direct premiums written in 2002. The table below shows a
comparison of direct premiums written by major category in 2003 and 2002:
MNH
Pooled MNH
Group-wide DWP Share DWP
-------------------- -------- --------
Year ended Year ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2003 2002 Variance 2003 2002 Variance
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(000's omitted) (000's omitted)
Voluntary Personal Lines $ 63,548 $ 68,649 (7%) $ 25,419 $ 39,981 (36%)
Voluntary Commercial Lines 106,398 97,032 10% 42,559 26,825 59%
Involuntary 5,197 7,059 (26%) 2,079 5,997 (65%)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total Direct Written Premiums $175,143 $172,740 1% $ 70,057 $ 72,803 (4%)
======== ======== ======== ========
The 7% decrease in group-wide voluntary personal lines direct premiums
written resulted from a 10% decrease in PPA direct premiums written, somewhat
offset by a 1% increase in homeowners direct premiums written. The decrease in
PPA direct premiums written is the result of the group's policy, implemented in
2002, not to write new policies in certain jurisdictions and from the approval
of the companies' plan to withdraw from the New Jersey PPA market by the New
Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, which was effective in June 2003. As
a result, voluntary PPA policies in force at December 31, 2003 were 28,423, a
decrease of 5,996 or 17% from 34,419 at December 31, 2002.
The 10% increase in group-wide voluntary commercial lines direct premiums
written resulted from a 16% increase in average premium per commercial lines
policy, somewhat offset by a 5% decrease in commercial lines policies in force.
A 6% average increase in commercial lines premium rates contributed to the
increase in average premium per commercial lines policy.
The 26% decrease in group-wide involuntary written premiums, which consist
primarily of involuntary PPA insurance, resulted primarily from a decrease in
group-wide assignments from the NYAIP to $3,909,000 in 2003 from $6,201,000 in
2002. The NYAIP provides coverage for individuals who are unable to obtain auto
insurance in the voluntary market. Assignments from the NYAIP vary depending
upon a company's PPA market share and the size of the NYAIP. The Company is
unable to predict the volume of future assignments from the NYAIP.
In order to minimize the adverse impact of assignments from the NYAIP, the
Company purchased territorial credits from an unaffiliated insurance company.
The credits against NYAIP assignments were generated by the other insurance
company for writing PPA business in certain localities in New York with PPA
market availability problems. The other insurance company, by nature of its
concentration in PPA business in "credit" territories, generated more credits
than it required to offset its NYAIP assignments. The credits purchased reduced
the Company's share of the NYAIP by $2,256,000 in 2003.
29
Group-wide pooled net premiums written for 2003 were $161,689,000, a
decrease of $2,407,000, or 1% from $164,096,000 for 2002. This decrease resulted
from the 1% increase in group-wide direct premiums written, offset by an
increase in 2003 as compared to 2002, of reinsurance premiums ceded to third
parties. The Company's share of pooled net premiums written in 2003 in
accordance with the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement was $64,179,000, a decrease of
$6,349,000 or 9% from its unpooled net premiums written of $70,528,000 in 2002.
The Company's share of pooled net premiums earned in accordance with the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement for 2003 was $65,097,000. Net premiums earned in
2002 were $83,120,000. The decrease in net premiums earned primarily resulted
from the decreases in net premiums written in 2002 and 2003. Had MNH's share of
pooled premiums earned in 2003 been 35% (MNH's share for 2004), earned premiums
for 2003 would have been $59,960,000.
Net investment income was $8,815,000 in 2003, a decrease of $1,588,000 or
15% from $10,403,000 in 2002. The average pre-tax yield associated with the
investment portfolio decreased 98 basis points to 4.4% in 2003 compared to 2002.
Average invested assets for 2003 decreased 3% from the year earlier period.
Net investment gains were $2,500,000 ($.78 per fully diluted share after
taxes) in 2003 compared to $953,000 ($.30 per fully diluted share after taxes)
in 2002. A majority of the 2003 amount ($2,050,000) resulted from the Company
taking advantage of a share repurchase program for an otherwise illiquid
security.
Other revenues were $560,000 in 2003, a decrease of $75,000 or 12% from
$635,000 in 2002, primarily due to a $93,000 or 10% decrease in service fee
income.
Net losses and LAE were $49,612,000 for 2003, a decrease of $13,261,000 or
21% from $62,873,000 for 2002. This decrease resulted primarily from a 22%
decrease in net premiums earned. The loss and LAE ratio was 76.2% for 2003
compared to 75.6% for 2002.
The Company recorded decreases to its estimate of losses and LAE related
to prior accident years of $90,000 and $3,785,000 in 2003 and 2002,
respectively. These decreases in losses and LAE relating to prior accident years
reduced the loss and LAE ratio in 2003 and 2002 by .1 and 4.6 percentage points,
respectively. The decrease recorded in 2002 was primarily the result of
favorable loss development related to known claims on workers' compensation
policies. The following table documents the changes in the estimate of losses
and LAE related to prior accident years recorded in 2003 for the Company's major
lines of business:
Commercial Workers'
Accident Home- PPA Auto Compen- Commercial General All
Year owners Liability Liability sation Package Liability Other Total
- -------- ------- --------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------- ------- -------
Increases (decreases) (in thousands)
Prior to
2000 $ (40) $ 78 $ (460) $ 4,496 $(2,533) $ 1,612 $ 21 $ 3,174
2000 (148) 307 (993) 924 63 809 9 971
2001 (85) (715) (563) (161) 1,757 70 (101) 202
2002 (277) (3,717) (938) (205) 746 (47) 1 (4,437)
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total $ (550) $(4,047) $(2,954) $ 5,054 $ 33 $ 2,444 $ (70) $ (90)
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
30
The Company's reduction in its estimate of losses and LAE related to prior
accident years represented less than 1% of the recorded reserve for losses and
LAE at December 31, 2003. During 2003, both paid and incurred losses and LAE
emerged at amounts that were greater than anticipated when reserves for loss and
LAE were estimated and recorded at December 31, 2002 for the workers'
compensation and general liability lines of business. This unfavorable emergence
was offset by lower than anticipated loss and LAE emergence in the Company's PPA
liability (particularly for accidents occurring in 2002) and commercial auto
liability lines of business.
The Company made no changes to the key assumptions used in evaluating the
adequacy of its reserves for losses and LAE during 2003. A reasonable
possibility exists in any year that relatively minor fluctuations in the
estimate of reserves for losses and LAE may have a significant impact on the
Company's net income. This is due primarily to the size of the Company's
reserves for losses and LAE ($146,474,000 at December 31, 2003) relative to its
net income.
Involuntary automobile insurance business increased the Company's calendar
year loss and LAE ratio by approximately 1.8 and 9.0 percentage points for the
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The combined ratio on
involuntary automobile business was greater than the combined ratio on voluntary
automobile business.
The ratio of amortized deferred policy acquisition costs and other
underwriting expenses to net premiums earned was 33.7% in both 2003 and 2002. An
increase in the premium tax rate in New York State, which is discussed in the
following paragraph, added .5 percentage points to the Company's ratio of
amortized deferred policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to
net premiums earned in the 2003 period. Other underwriting expenses for 2003
included $305,000 of retrospective commission income to be received from Mutual
in accordance with the Reinsurance Pooling Agreement. This retrospective
commission income reduced the ratio of deferred policy acquisition costs and
other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned by .5 percentage points.
Other underwriting expenses also included $228,000 related to the purchase of
territorial credits against NYAIP assignments discussed earlier in this Item,
which added .4 percentage points to the ratio of amortized deferred policy
acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net premiums earned. There
were no such credits purchased in 2002. Commissions, premium taxes and other
state assessments that vary directly with the Company's premium volume
represented 19.7% of net premiums earned in 2003 and in 2002.
The provision for income taxes for 2003 includes the effect of a May 2003
change in New York State law with respect to the taxation of non-life insurance
companies. This change eliminated state income taxes for all non-life insurance
companies and increased the premium tax rate from 1.3% to 2.0%. This change in
New York State law lowered the Company's effective income tax rate by
approximately 4 percentage points in 2003. Further, as a result of this change,
the Company reduced its deferred tax liability with respect to New York State
income taxes to $0 during 2003. This one time benefit reduced the Company's
effective income tax rate for 2003 by 9 percentage points. In addition, tax
exempt income reduced the Company's effective income tax rate by 4 and 2
percentage points, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.
31
Critical Accounting Policies
Reserve for Losses and LAE
Loss and LAE reserves are established for known claims based on the type
and circumstance of the loss and the results of similar losses. For claims not
yet reported to the Company, loss reserves are based on statistical information
from previous experience periods adjusted for inflation, trends in court
decisions and economic conditions. LAE reserves are intended to cover the
ultimate cost of investigating all losses that have occurred and defending
lawsuits, if any, arising from these losses. LAE reserves are evaluated
periodically using statistical techniques which compare current costs with
historical data. Inflation is implicitly reflected in the reserving process
through analysis of cost trends and review of historical reserve results.
The Company's reserving process is based on the assumption that past
experiences, adjusted for the effect of current developments and trends, are
relevant in predicting future events. In the absence of specific developments,
the process also assumes that the legal climate regarding the claims process and
underlying liabilities remains constant. Other assumptions employed by the
Company or its actuarial firm change from time to time as circumstances change.
In estimating loss and LAE reserves the Company employs a number of actuarial
methods, depending on their applicability to each line of business, in order to
balance the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Therefore, a range of
estimates is developed for each line of business. However, the Company does not
believe it is appropriate to sum the high and low values developed using
different actuarial methods for each line of business to determine a range for
the Company's total loss and LAE reserves. Therefore the Company's actuary and
its consulting actuary only provide the Company with their respective "best
estimates" of total loss and LAE reserves by summing their "best estimate" for
each line of business. Due to the Company's small size, the presence or absence
of a limited number of moderate losses, as well as the timing of the reporting
of such losses to the Company by claimants could result in changes in actuarial
estimates that are significant to the Company's net income for a quarter or a
year. As such, management recognizes that the "best estimate" may not be more
accurate than other amounts within a few percentage points of total loss and LAE
reserves.
The Company has recorded changes in reserves for prior accident year
losses in most years. In 2004 and 2003, the Company decreased its reserves for
prior years by $843,000 and $90,000, respectively. The total reserves for losses
and LAE were $128,415,000 and $146,474,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Policy acquisition costs, such as commissions (net of reinsurance
commissions), premiums taxes and certain other underwriting expenses which vary
directly with premium volume, are deferred and amortized over the terms of the
related insurance policies. Deferred policy acquisition costs are evaluated on
an aggregate basis at least annually, to determine if recorded amounts exceed
estimated recoverable amounts after allowing for anticipated investment income.
Premium deficiencies if any, are recorded as amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs. Actual amounts may vary from the Company's estimates.
32
Investments
Fixed maturity investments are classified as available for sale and are
carried at fair value. Net unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, are
shown as "accumulated other comprehensive income." Investment income is
recognized when earned, and gains and losses are recognized when investments are
sold and in instances when a decline in the fair value of a security is
determined to be other-than-temporary.
The Company's investment committee, comprised of the Chief Operating
Officer, the Chief Investment Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, meets
monthly and monitors the Company's investment portfolio for declines in value
that are other-than-temporary. This assessment requires significant judgment.
The investment committee considers the nature of the investment, the severity
and length of the decline in fair value, events specific to the issuer including
valuation modeling, overall market conditions, and the Company's intent and
ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for
any anticipated recovery in market value. When a decline in the fair value of a
security is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company adjusts the cost
basis of that security to fair value. A charge to earnings is recorded as a
loss. Future increases in fair value and future decreases in fair value if not
other-than-temporary, are included in other comprehensive income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In developing its investment strategy the Company determines a level of
cash and short-term investments which, when combined with expected cash flow, is
estimated to be adequate to meet expected cash obligations. Due to declining
written premiums however, the Company's operating activities have resulted in a
use of cash each year since 2001. The Company's decreasing participation
percentage in the pooled business over the remaining years of the Reinsurance
Pooling Agreement will likely result in continued negative cash flows from
operations. Net cash used in operations was $11,577,000 in 2004. The Company
believes that careful management of the relationship between assets and
liabilities will minimize the likelihood that investment portfolio sales will be
necessary to fund insurance operations, and that the effect of any such sales,
if any, on the Company's stockholders' equity will not be material.
The Company's objectives with respect to its investment portfolio include
maximizing total return within investment guidelines while protecting
policyholders' surplus and maintaining flexibility. The Company relies on
premiums as a major source of cash, and therefore liquidity. Cash flows from the
Company's investment portfolio, in the form of interest or principal payments,
are an additional source of liquidity.
At December 31, 2004, the Company owned 111 investment securities of which
50 had unrealized losses. As of December 31, 2004 all of the Company's fixed
maturity investments were exchange traded or are readily marketable and are
supported by the broker/dealer community. The total potential impact on the
Company's future earnings if the unrealized losses associated with its
investment portfolio at December 31, 2004 were to become other-than-temporary
would be $901,000, or $595,000 after taxes.
Included in net investment losses for the year ended December 31, 2004 are
write-downs on two investment securities held in the Company's investment
portfolio at December 31, 2004 determined to have had an other-than-temporary
impairment in market value. The total amount of other-than-temporary impairments
recorded as losses amounted to $700,000 in 2004. No other-than-temporary
impairments were recorded in 2003 or 2002.
33
At December 31, 2004, $2,150,000 or 1% of the Company's investment
portfolio was invested in non-investment grade securities compared to $2,496,000
or 1% at December 31, 2003.
The Company designates newly acquired fixed maturity investments as
available for sale and carries these investments at fair value. Unrealized gains
and losses related to these investments are recorded as accumulated other
comprehensive income within stockholders' equity. At December 31, 2004, the
Company recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss in its Consolidated
Balance Sheet $536,000 of net unrealized losses, net of taxes, associated with
its investments classified as available for sale.
At December 31, 2004 the Company's portfolio of fixed maturity investments
represented 93.1% of invested assets. Management believes that this level of
fixed maturity investments is consistent with the Company's liquidity needs
because it anticipates that cash receipts from net premiums written, investment
income and maturing securities will enable the Company to satisfy its cash
obligations. Furthermore, a portion of the Company's fixed maturity investments
are invested in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities which, in
addition to interest income, provide monthly paydowns of bond principal.
At December 31, 2004, $110,082,000, or 59.8%, of the Company's fixed
maturity portfolio was invested in mortgage-backed and other asset-backed
securities. The Company invests in a variety of collateralized mortgage
obligation ("CMO") products but has not invested in the derivative type of CMO
products such as interest only, principal only or inverse floating rate
securities. All of the Company's CMO investments have a secondary market and
their effect on the Company's liquidity does not differ significantly from that
of other fixed maturity investments.
At December 31, 2004, the Company owed $1,141,000 of retrospective
commissions to Mutual calculated in accordance with the Reinsurance Pooling
Agreement (see the "2004 compared to 2003" section of this Item for a discussion
of retrospective commissions). The Reinsurance Pooling Agreement requires the
amount of retrospective commissions to be calculated and paid annually, six
months after the end of each calendar year.
The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during 2004.
At December 31, 2004 the Company was holding 1,139,700 shares in treasury.
The Company has arranged for a $2,000,000 unsecured credit facility from a
bank. Any borrowings under this facility are payable on demand and carry an
interest rate which can be fixed or variable and is negotiated at the time of
each advance. This facility is available for general working capital purposes
and for repurchases of the Company's common stock. No amounts were outstanding
related to this facility at December 31, 2004.
As a holding company, the Company is dependent upon cash dividends from
MNH to meet its obligations and to pay any cash dividends. MNH is subject to New
Hampshire insurance laws which place certain restrictions on its ability to pay
dividends without the prior approval of state regulatory authorities. These
restrictions limit dividends to those that, when added to all other dividends
paid within the preceding twelve months, would not exceed 10% of the insurer's
policyholders' surplus as of the preceding December 31st. The maximum amount of
dividends that MNH could pay during any twelve month period ending in 2005
without the prior approval of the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner is
$6,171,000. MNH paid $1,200,000 and $800,000 of dividends to the Company in
August 2004 and February 2005, respectively.
34
The Company paid quarterly cash dividends to its common stockholders of $.10 per
share in 2004, which amounted to $845,000.
Regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and casualty
insurer's annual net premiums written to its statutory surplus should not exceed
3 to 1. The Company has consistently followed a business strategy that would
allow MNH to meet this 3 to 1 regulatory guideline. MNH's ratio of net premiums
written to statutory surplus for 2004 was .9 to 1.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2004, the Company had no contractual obligations related
to long-term debt, capital leases, operating leases, purchase obligations or
other long-term liabilities reflected on its balance sheet.
A summary of the Company's non-cancelable contractual obligations follows:
Less than 1 - 3 3 - 5 More than
Total 1 Year Years Years 5 Years
-------- --------- -------- -------- ---------
Reserve for losses and
loss adjustment expenses $128,415 $ 35,314 $ 44,817 $ 20,803 $ 27,481
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Unlike most other contractual obligations, reserves for losses and LAE do
not have specified due dates. The amounts shown in the preceding table are the
Company's estimates of these amounts.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
The following accounting pronouncements were issued by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board during 2004 and are effective for fiscal years ending
subsequent to December 31, 2004:
- Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 151 "Inventory
Costs".
- SFAS No. 152 "Accounting for Real Estate Time Sharing Transactions".
- SFAS No. 153 "Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets".
- SAFS No. 123 (revised 2004) "Share Based Payment".
The Company does not expect any of these pronouncements to have any impact
on the Company's financial statements.
Federal Legislation
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 ("TRIA"), signed into law on
November 26, 2002, provides a federal backstop for losses related to the writing
of the terrorism peril in property and casualty insurance policies. The Company
has complied with TRIA requirements to notify commercial policyholders about
requirements of the law, that the Company was required to offer terrorism
coverage and how the coverage would be priced.
35
Unless renewed by Congress, TRIA will expire on December 31, 2005.
Currently, the Company is issuing terrorism exclusions on its commercial lines
policies in states other than New York, where terrorism exlusions have not been
approved by the New York Insurance Department. These exclusions will be
effective if Congress does not extend TRIA.
Environmental Claims
MNH, like many other property and casualty insurance companies, is subject
to environmental damage claims asserted by or against its insureds. Management
of the Company is of the opinion that based on various court decisions
throughout the country, certain of these claims should not be recoverable under
the terms of MNH's insurance policies because of either specific or general
coverage exclusions contained in the policies. However, there is no assurance
that the courts will agree with MNH's position in every case, nor can there be
assurance that material claims will not be asserted under policies which a court
will find do not explicitly or implicitly exclude claims for environmental
damages. Management, however, is not aware of any pending claim or group of
claims which would result in a liability that would have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition of the Company or MNH.
Inflation
Inflation affects the Company, like other companies in the property and
casualty insurance industry, by contributing to higher losses, LAE and operating
costs, as well as greater investment income resulting from the higher interest
rates which can prevail in an inflationary period. Premium rates, however, may
not keep pace with inflation since competitive forces may limit the Company's
ability to increase premium rates. The Company considers inflationary trends in
estimating its reserves for claims reported and for incurred but not reported
claims.
Relationship with Mutual
The Company's and MNH's business and day-to-day operations are closely
aligned with those of Mutual. This is the result of a combination of factors.
Mutual has had a historical ownership interest in the Company and MNH. Prior to
November 1986 MNH was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mutual. Following the
Company's initial public offering in November 1986 and until a secondary stock
offering in July 1993 the Company was a majority-owned subsidiary of Mutual. At
December 31, 2004 Mutual owned 12.1% of the Company's common stock. Under the
Services Agreement, Mutual provides the Company and MNH with all facilities and
with personnel to operate their business. The officers of the Company or MNH are
employees of Mutual whose services are provided to, and paid for by, the Company
and MNH through the Services Agreement. Also, the operation of MNH's insurance
business, which offers substantially the same lines of insurance as Mutual
through the same independent insurance agents, creates a very close relationship
among the companies.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995:
With the exception of historical information, the matters and statements
discussed, made or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
constitute forward-looking statements and are discussed, made or incorporated by
reference, as the case may be, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's plans,
strategies, objectives, expectations and intentions.
36
Words such as "believes," "forecasts," "intends," "possible," "expects,"
"anticipates," "estimates," or "plans," and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve
certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited
to, those associated with factors affecting the property-casualty insurance
industry generally, including price competition, the Company's dependence on
state insurance departments for approval of rate increases, size and frequency
of claims, escalating damage awards, natural disasters, fluctuations in interest
rates and general business conditions; the Company's dependence on investment
income; the geographic concentration of the Company's business in the
northeastern United States and in particular in New York, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts; the adequacy of the
Company's loss reserves; the Company's dependence on the general reinsurance
market; government regulation of the insurance industry; exposure to
environmental claims; dependence of the Company on its relationship with
Merchants Mutual Insurance Company; and the other risks and uncertainties
discussed or indicated in all documents filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring
after the filing of this report.
37
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
Market risk represents the potential for loss due to changes in the fair
value of financial instruments. The market risk related to the Company's
financial instruments primarily relates to its investment portfolio. The value
of the Company's investment portfolio of $197,709,000 at December 31, 2004 is
subject to changes in interest rates and to a lesser extent on credit quality.
Further, certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are exposed to
accelerated prepayment risk generally caused by interest rate movements. If
interest rates decline, mortgage holders would be more likely to refinance
existing mortgages at lower rates. Acceleration of future repayments could
adversely affect future investment income, if the accelerated receipts were
invested in lower yielding securities.
The table below provides information related to the Company's fixed
maturity investments at December 31, 2004. The table presents cash flows of
principal amounts and related weighted average interest rates by expected
maturity dates. The cash flows are based upon the maturity date or, in the case
of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, expected payment patterns.
Actual cash flows could differ from those shown in the table.
Expected Cash Flows of Principal Amounts ($ in 000's):
TOTAL
-----------------------
Esti-
Amor- mated
There- tized Market
Available for Sale 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 after Cost Value
- ---------------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ---- -----
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S.
Government corporations
and agencies $ 2,022 $ 0 $ 0 $ 3,006 $ 0 $ 0 $ 5,028 $ 5,028
Average interest rate 4.4% 0.0% 0.0% 3.2% 0.0% 0.0% -- --
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions 7,217 9,533 3,876 15,339 4,848 197 41,010 40,979
Average interest rate 3.1% 3.4% 4.3% 3.9% 4.2% 3.8% -- --
Corporate securities 16,581 998 0 3,240 5,975 1,135 27,929 28,003
Average interest rate 4.0% 3.2% 0.0% 3.7% 4.6% 6.6% -- --
Mortgage & asset
backed securities 23,374 22,904 18,785 13,115 10,997 21,029 110,204 110,082
Average interest rate 4.8% 4.8% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.1% -- --
-------- -------- --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 49,194 $ 33,435 $ 22,661 $ 34,700 $ 21,820 $ 22,361 $ 184,171 $ 184,092
======== ======== ========= ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
The discussion and the estimated amounts referred to above include
forward-looking statements of market risk which involve certain assumptions as
to market interest rates and the credit quality of the fixed maturity
investments. Actual future market conditions may differ materially from such
assumptions. Accordingly, the forward-looking statements should not be
considered projections of future events by the Company.
38
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The consolidated financial statements required in response to this Item
are submitted as part of Item 14 (a) of this report, and are incorporated in
this item by reference.
Quarterly data for the two most recent fiscal years is set forth below:
Three months ended
----------------------------------------------------
3/31 6/30 9/30 12/31
---- ---- ---- -----
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
2004
Net premiums earned $ 14,069 $ 14,364 $ 14,161 $ 14,529
Net investment income 2,054 1,965 1,935 1,927
Net investment gains (losses) 377 93 - (691)
Other revenues 166 97 185 274
--------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total revenues $ 16,666 $ 16,519 $ 16,281 $ 16,039
========= =========== =========== ============
Income before income taxes $ 1,130 $ 1,958 $ 1,309 $ 284
Net income $ 811 $ 1,550 $ 1,163 $ 238
Net income per diluted share $ .38 $ .73 $ .55 $ .11
2003
Net premiums earned $ 16,141 $ 16,215 $ 16,341 $ 16,400
Net investment income 2,331 2,183 2,201 2,100
Net investment gains 116 2,050 44 290
Other revenues 33 124 127 276
--------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total revenues $ 18,621 $ 20,572 $ 18,713 $ 19,066
========= =========== =========== ============
Income before income taxes $ 321 $ 2,809 $ 1,101 $ 1,173
Net income $ 216 $ 2,523 $ 828 $ 798
Net income per diluted share $ .10 $ 1.20 $ .39 $ .38
39
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
After evaluating the effectiveness of the Company's "disclosure controls
and procedures" (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period
covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company's Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who are, respectively, its principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures were effective in reaching a reasonable level
of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports
that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC's rules and
forms.
The Company's Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer also
evaluated the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined
in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) and determined that no changes in internal
control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31,
2004 that have materially affected, or which are reasonably likely to material
affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.
40
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
The information in response to this item regarding Directors of the
Company who are standing for reelection is incorporated by reference herein to
the information under the caption "Election of Directors" presented in the
Company's definitive proxy statement filed or to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A and used in connection with the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on or about May 4, 2005, provided, however, that
information appearing under the heading "Report of the Audit Committee" is not
incorporated herein and should not be deemed included in this document for any
purpose.
The Board of Directors of the Company has determined that Thomas E. Kahn
is an audit committee financial expert as defined by Item 401(h) of Regulation
S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and is
independent within the meaning of Item 7(d) (3) (iv) of Schedule 14A of the
Exchange Act.
The Company has a separately designated Audit Committee established in
accordance with Section 3(a) (58) (A) of the Exchange Act. The members of the
Audit Committee are: Frank J. Colantuono, Thomas E. Kahn and Henry P. Semmelhack
(Chair).
The Company's Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics
and a Code of Business Conduct, which governs business decisions made and
actions taken by the Company's directors, officers and employees. A copy of this
code is available in print to any shareholder upon written request to:
Investor Relations
Merchants Group, Inc.
250 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information in response to this item is incorporated by reference
herein to the information under the captions "Executive Compensation" and
"Compensation of Directors" presented in the Company's definitive proxy
statement filed or to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A and used in connection
with the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on or about
May 4, 2005, provided, however that information appearing under the captions
"Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation" and "Performance
Comparison" is not incorporated herein and should not be deemed to be included
in this document for any purpose.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The information in response to this item is incorporated by reference
herein to the information under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management" presented in the
Company's definitive proxy statement filed or to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A and used in connection with the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on or about May 4, 2005.
41
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information in response to this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the information under the caption "Services Agreement and
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement" and "Certain Transactions" presented in the
Company's definitive proxy statement filed or to be filed pursuant to Regulation
14A and used in connection with the Company's 2005 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on or about May 4, 2005.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES
The information in response to this item is incorporated by reference to
the information under the caption "Audit Fees" presented in the Registrant's
definitive Proxy Statement for 2005 for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about
April 4, 2005.
42
PART IV
Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES.
(a) (1) The following financial statements of Merchants Group, Inc. are included
on pages F-1 to F-24:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheet - December 31, 2003 and 2004.
Consolidated Statement of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(a) (2) The following financial statement schedules of Merchants Group, Inc. are
filed herewith pursuant to Item 8:
Schedule I -
Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties.
Schedule II -
Amounts Receivable From/Payable to Related Parties, and
Underwriters, Promoters and Employees Other Than Related Parties.
Schedule III -
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant.
Schedule V -
Supplemental Insurance Information (see Schedule X).
Schedule VI - Reinsurance
Schedule X -
Supplemental Insurance Information Concerning Property -
Casualty Subsidiaries
(a) (3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
(3)(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit No. 3C to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's
Registration Statement (No. 33-9188) on Form S-1 filed on
November 7, 1986).
(b) Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3D to
Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement (No.
33-9188) on Form S-1 filed on November 7, 1986).
43
(10)(a) Management Agreement dated as of September 29, 1986 by and
among Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, Registrant and
Merchants Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit No. 10A to the Company's Registration
Statement (No. 33-9188) on Form S-1 filed on September 30, 1986).
(b) Services Agreement Among Merchants Mutual Insurance Company,
Merchants Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and Merchants
Group, Inc. dated January 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10b to the Company's 2003 Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q filed on May 14, 2003).
(c) Reinsurance Pooling Agreement between Merchants Insurance
Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and Merchants Mutual Insurance
Company effective January 1, 2003 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit No. 10c to the Company's 2003 Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q filed on May 14, 2003).
(d) Endorsement to the Casualty Excess of Loss Reinsurance agreement
between Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, Merchants Insurance
Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and American Reinsurance Company
dated February 23, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10(e) to the Company's 2004 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
on November 10, 2004).
(e) Property Per Risk Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement between
Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, Merchants Insurance Company
of New Hampshire, Inc. and American Reinsurance Company dated
April 16, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) to the
Company's 2004 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November
10, 2004).
(f) Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement
between Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, Merchants Insurance
Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and the various reinsurers as
identified by the Interest and Liabilities Agreements attaching
to and forming part of this Agreement (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10(g) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
filed on November 10, 2004).
(g) Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Agreement
between Merchants Mutual Insurance Company, Merchants Insurance
Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and the various reinsurers as
identified by the Interest and Liabilities Agreements attaching
to and forming part of this Agreement (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit (h) to the Company's 2003 Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q filed on November 13, 2003).
(h) Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreement between Merchants
Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and The Subscribing
Underwriting Members of Lloyd's, London specifically identified
on the schedules attached to this agreement dated January 1, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Company's 2000
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2001).
* (i) Merchants Mutual Capital Accumulation Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit No. 10G to the Company's Registration
Statement (No. 33-9188) on Form S-1 filed on September 30, 1986).
44
* (j) Merchants Mutual Capital Accumulation Plan, fifth amendment,
effective January 1, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10j to the Company's 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on
March 28, 2001).
* (k) Form of Amended Indemnification Agreement entered into by
Registrant with each director and executive office of Registrant
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10N to Amendment No. 1
to the Company's Registration Statement on (No. 33-9188) Form S-1
filed on November 7, 1986).
* (l) Merchants Mutual Insurance Company Adjusted Return on Equity
Incentive Compensation Plan January 1, 2000 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10p to the Company's 2000 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2001).
* (m) Merchants Mutual Insurance Company Adjusted Return on Equity
Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan January 1, 2000
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10q to the Company's 2000
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2001).
* (n) Amendment No. 1 to Employee Retention Agreement between
Robert M. Zak and Merchants Mutual Insurance Company originally
dated as of May 31, 1999, dated February 6, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(s) to the Company's 2002 Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2003).
* (o) Amendment No. 1 to Employee Retention Agreement between
Edward M. Murphy and Merchants Mutual Insurance Company
originally dated as of March 1, 1999 dated February 6, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) to the Company's 10-K
filed on March 31, 2003).
* (p) Amendment No. 1 to Employee Retention Agreement between
Kenneth J. Wilson and Merchants Mutual Insurance Company
originally dated as of March 1, 1999 dated February 6, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2003).
* (q) Employment Agreement between Stephen C. June and MNH dated as
of April 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10V of the
Company's 2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 9640) filed
on March 27, 2002).
(11)(a) Statement re computation of per share earnings (incorporated
herein by reference to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in Item 8).
(14.1) Merchants Group, Inc. Code of Conduct and Ethics (filed
herewith).
(14.2) Merchants Insurance Group Code of Business Conduct, amended
12/2004 (filed herewith).
(21) List of Subsidiaries of Registrant (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit No. 22 to the Company's Registration Statement (No.
33-9188) on Form S-1 filed on September 30, 1986).
45
(23) Consent of Independent Accountants (filed herewith).
(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications (filed herewith)
(32) Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of
Title 18, United States Code (filed herewith).
* Indicates a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.
The Company will forward upon request any exhibit not contained herein
upon payment of a fee equal to the Company's reasonable expenses in furnishing
the exhibits. Requests should be directed to:
INVESTOR RELATIONS
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
250 MAIN STREET
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202
46
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE I - SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS -
OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
December 31, 2004
(in thousands)
Amount at
which shown
Amortized Cost/ Market in the balance
Type of Investment Cost Value sheet
- ------------------ ---- ----- -----
Fixed maturities:
United States Government and
government agencies and authorities $ 5,028 $ 5,028 $ 5,028
Corporate bonds 27,929 28,003 28,003
Mortgage and asset backed securities 110,204 110,082 110,082
Tax exempt bonds 41,010 40,979 40,979
--------------- ---------- --------------
Total fixed maturities 184,171 184,092 184,092
Preferred stocks 3,392 3,509 3,509
Short-term investments 7,412 7,412 7,412
Other 2,646 2,696 2,696
--------------- ---------- --------------
$ 197,621 $ 197,709 $ 197,709
=============== ========== ==============
47
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE II - AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM/PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES,
AND UNDERWRITERS, PROMOTERS AND EMPLOYEES OTHER
THAN RELATED PARTIES
Years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
(in thousands)
2002 2003 2004
---- ---- ----
Receivable from (payable to)
related parties, primarily Merchants
Mutual Insurance Company (1):
Balance at beginning of period $ (852) $ (3,237) $ (2,090)
Change during the period (2,385) 1,147 (3,481)
-------- -------- --------
Balance at end of period $ (3,237) $(2,090) $ (5,571)
======== ======== ========
(1) Under a Services Agreement, Merchants Mutual Insurance Company
(Mutual) provides employees, services and facilities for Merchants
Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. (MNH) to carry on its
traditional insurance business on a fee basis. The balance in the
intercompany receivable (payable) account indicates the amount due
from (to) Mutual for the excess (deficiency) of premiums collected
over (from) payments for losses, employees, services and facilities
provided to MNH.
48
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE III - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
(in thousands except per share and share amounts)
BALANCE SHEET
December 31,
------------------------
2003 2004
--------- ----------
Assets
Investment in subsidiary $ 69,710 $ 71,433
Other assets 607 601
--------- ----------
Total assets $ 70,317 $ 72,034
========= ==========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Other liabilities $ 58 $ 60
--------- ----------
Total liabilities 58 60
--------- ----------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized and
unissued 3,000,000 shares - -
Preferred stock, no par value, $424.30 stated value,
no shares issued or outstanding at December 31,
2003 or 2004 - -
Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares;
2,110,152 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
2003 and 2,114,152 shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2004 32 33
Additional paid in capital 35,795 35,878
Treasury stock, 1,139,700 shares at December 31, 2003
and 2004 (22,766) (22,766)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 750 (536)
Accumulated earnings 56,448 59,365
--------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity 70,259 71,974
--------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 70,317 $ 72,034
========= ==========
49
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE III - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
Continued
(in thousands)
INCOME STATEMENT
Year ended December 31,
----------------------------------
2002 2003 2004
---- ---- ----
Revenues:
Equity in net income of subsidiary $ 2,702 $ 4,516 $ 4,209
Investment income (loss) (4) 4 8
-------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 2,698 4,520 4,217
Expenses:
General and administrative expenses 177 177 685
-------- --------- ---------
Operating income before income taxes 2,521 4,343 3,532
Income tax benefit (17) (22) (230)
-------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 2,538 $ 4,365 $ 3,762
======== ========= =========
50
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE III - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
Continued
(in thousands)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Year ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003 2004
--------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities: $ (111) $ (161) $ (655)
--------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Receipt of subsidiary common stock dividend 3,700 1,200 1,200
Purchase of other investments, net (100) (188) 210
--------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing activities 3,600 1,012 1,410
--------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock (2,434) - -
Repayment of demand loan, net (200) - -
Cash dividends (856) (843) (845)
Exercise of common stock options - - 84
--------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities (3,490) (843) (761)
--------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1) 8 (6)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 5 4 12
--------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 4 $ 12 $ 6
========= ======== ========
Reconciliation of net income to net
cash provided by operations:
Net income $ 2,538 $ 4,365 $ 3,762
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operations:
Equity in income of subsidiary (2,702) (4,516) (4,209)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities 5 (4) 2
(Increase) decrease in other
(non-investment) assets 49 (14) (204)
Other, net (1) 8 (6)
--------- -------- --------
Net cash used in operating activities $ (111) $ (161) $ (655)
========= ======== ========
51
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE III - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Continued
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash dividends of $3,700,000, $1,200,000 and $1,200,000 were paid to the
Registrant by its consolidated subsidiary in the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004, respectively.
The Company may be a defendant from time to time in legal proceedings in
the ordinary course of its business. The Company is of the opinion that the
ultimate aggregate liability, if any, resulting from such proceedings will not
materially affect the financial condition of the Company.
52
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE VI - REINSURANCE
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002, 2003, 2004
(in thousands except percentages)
Assumed Percentage
Ceded Ceded Assumed from of amount
Gross to third to affiliates from third affiliates Net assumed
amount parties (1) parties (1) amount to net
------- -------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ------- -----------
Year ended December 31, 2002
Property and Casualty Premiums $72,803 $ 4,569 - $ 2,294 - $70,528 3.3%
Year ended December 31, 2003
Property and Casualty Premiums $58,233 $ 3,077 $ 90,596 $ 1,412 $98,207 $64,179 155.2%
Year Ended December 31, 2004
Property and Casualty Premiums $53,900 $ 2,967 $ 52,452 $ 1,519 $53,102 $53,102 102.9%
(1) Amounts are comprised of premiums assumed or ceded in accordance with the
Reinsurance Pooling Agreement with Mutual.
53
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
SCHEDULE X - SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE INFORMATION CONCERNING
PROPERTY - CASUALTY SUBSIDIARIES
Years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
(in thousands)
Losses & loss
Deferred Reserves Discount adjustment expenses Amortiza-
policy for losses if any, incurred related to tion of Paid losses
acquis- and loss deducted Net Net (1) (2) deferred & loss ad- Direct
ition adjustment from Unearned earned investment Current Prior acquisition justment premium
costs expenses reserves premiums premiums income years years costs expenses written
-------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ---------- -------- ------- ----------- ----------- -------
Year ended:
December 31, 2002 $ 8,817 $ 147,136 $ 5,746 $ 35,119 $ 83,120 $ 10,403 $ 66,658 $(3,785) $ 22,227 $ 67,230 $72,803
December 31, 2003 $ 8,623 $ 146,474 $ 4,920 $ 36,176 $ 65,097 $ 8,815 $ 49,702 $ (90) $ 16,925 $ 53,609 $58,233
December 31, 2004 $ 7,570 $ 128,415 $ 4,531 $ 33,685 $ 57,123 $ 7,881 $ 38,524 $ (843) $ 14,852 $ 48,655 $53,900
54
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Merchants Group, Inc.
Date: March 30, 2005 BY: /s/ Robert M. Zak
-----------------
Robert M. Zak, Senior Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Robert M. Zak Director, Sr. VP & March 30, 2005
- ----------------- Chief Operating
Robert M. Zak Officer (principal
executive officer)
/s/ Kenneth J. Wilson Vice President & CFO March 30, 2005
- --------------------- (principal financial
Kenneth J. Wilson and accounting officer)
/s/ Thomas E. Kahn Director, Chairman March 30, 2005
- ------------------ of the Board
Thomas E. Kahn
/s/ Brent D. Baird Director March 30, 2005
- ------------------
Brent D. Baird
/s/ Andrew A. Alberti Director March 30, 2005
- ---------------------
Andrew A. Alberti
/s/ Frank J. Colantuono Director March 30, 2005
- -----------------------
Frank J. Colantuono
/s/ Henry P. Semmelhack Director March 30, 2005
- -----------------------
Henry P. Semmelhack
55
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Merchants Group, Inc.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 15(a)(1) on page 43 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Merchants Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries
at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules
appearing under Item 15(a)(2) on page 43 present fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the
related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and
financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted
our audits of these statements in accordance with Standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those Standards require that
we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Buffalo, New York
March 30, 2005
F-1
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands)
December 31,
--------------------------
Assets 2004 2003
------ --------- ---------
Investments:
Fixed maturities available for sale at fair value $ 184,092 $ 193,805
Preferred stock at fair value 3,509 5,797
Other long-term investments at fair value 2,696 2,167
Short-term investments 7,412 1,118
--------- ---------
Total investments 197,709 202,887
Cash 145 23
Interest due and accrued 1,079 1,260
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $215 in 2004 and
$278 in 2003 15,136 16,677
Deferred policy acquisition costs 7,570 8,623
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses 15,630 22,715
Prepaid reinsurance premiums 4,595 3,066
Income taxes receivable - 881
Deferred income taxes 5,028 4,497
Other assets 13,557 11,637
--------- ---------
Total assets $ 260,449 $ 272,266
========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
F-2
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(in thousands except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
--------------------------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 2004 2003
------------------------------------ --------- ---------
Liabilities:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 128,415 $ 146,474
Unearned premiums 33,685 36,176
Payable for securities 4,751 -
Payable to affiliate 5,571 2,090
Other liabilities 16,053 17,267
--------- ---------
Total liabilities 188,475 202,007
--------- ---------
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 2,114,152 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2004
and 2,110,152 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003 33 32
Additional paid in capital 35,878 35,795
Treasury stock, 1,139,700 shares at December 31, 2004
and 2003 (22,766) (22,766)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (536) 750
Accumulated earnings 59,365 56,448
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity 71,974 70,259
--------- ---------
Commitments and contingencies - -
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 260,449 $ 272,266
========= =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-3
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands except per share amounts)
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------- -------- ---------
Revenues:
Net premiums earned $ 57,123 $ 65,097 $ 83,120
Net investment income 7,881 8,815 10,403
Net investment gains (losses) (221) 2,500 953
Other revenues 722 560 635
--------- -------- ---------
Total revenues 65,505 76,972 95,111
--------- -------- ---------
Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses 37,681 49,612 62,873
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 14,852 16,925 22,227
Other underwriting expenses 8,291 5,031 5,744
--------- -------- ---------
Total expenses 60,824 71,568 90,844
--------- -------- ---------
Income before income taxes 4,681 5,404 4,267
Income tax provision 919 1,039 1,729
--------- -------- ---------
Net income $ 3,762 $ 4,365 $ 2,538
========= ======== =========
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 1.78 $ 2.07 $ 1.19
========= ======== =========
Diluted $ 1.78 $ 2.07 $ 1.19
========= ======== =========
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic 2,114 2,110 2,125
Diluted 2,118 2,111 2,129
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-4
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------- -------- ---------
Net income $ 3,762 $ 4,365 $ 2,538
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities (1,926) 688 1,161
Reclassification adjustment for gains
included in net income 221 (2,488) (952)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax (1,705) (1,800) 209
Income tax provision (benefit) related to items
of other comprehensive income (loss) (419) (613) 84
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss) (1,286) (1,187) 125
--------- -------- ---------
Comprehensive income $ 2,476 $ 3,178 $ 2,663
========= ======== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-5
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands except per share amounts)
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------- -------- ---------
Common stock:
Beginning of year $ 32 $ 32 $ 32
Exercise of common stock options 1 - -
--------- -------- ---------
End of year 33 32 32
--------- -------- ---------
Additional paid in capital:
Beginning of year 35,795 35,795 35,795
Exercise of common stock options 83 - -
--------- -------- ---------
End of year 35,878 35,795 35,795
--------- -------- ---------
Treasury stock:
Beginning of year (22,766) (22,766) (20,332)
Purchase of treasury shares - - (2,434)
--------- -------- ---------
End of year (22,766) (22,766) (22,766)
--------- -------- ---------
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Beginning of year 750 1,937 1,812
Other comprehensive income (loss) (1,286) (1,187) 125
--------- -------- ---------
End of year (536) 750 1,937
--------- -------- ---------
Accumulated earnings:
Beginning of year 56,448 52,926 51,244
Net income 3,762 4,365 2,538
Cash dividends ($.40/share in 2002,
in 2003 and in 2004) (845) (843) (856)
--------- -------- ---------
End of year 59,365 56,448 52,926
--------- -------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity $ 71,974 $ 70,259 $ 67,924
========= ======== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-6
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from operations:
Collection of premiums $ 53,924 $ 62,789 $ 77,395
Payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses (50,276) (54,043) (67,230)
Payment of underwriting expenses (23,550) (20,594) (26,789)
Investment income received 8,259 9,170 11,475
Investment expenses paid (280) (289) (334)
Income taxes paid (376) (1,152) (1,198)
Other cash receipts 722 560 702
--------- -------- ---------
Net cash used in operations (11,577) (3,559) (5,979)
--------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold or matured 46,124 139,217 135,364
Purchase of fixed maturities (37,547) (140,467) (132,158)
Net decrease in preferred stock 2,000 1,500 1,634
Net (increase) decrease in other long-term investments (948) 1,926 (451)
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments (6,294) 5,302 485
Settlement of securities transactions, net 5,644 (1,915) 1,022
--------- -------- ---------
Net cash provided by investing activities 8,979 5,563 5,896
--------- -------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Settlement of affiliate balances, net 3,481 (1,147) 2,385
Repayment of demand loan, net - - (200)
Purchase of treasury stock - - (2,434)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 84 - -
Cash dividends (845) (843) (856)
--------- -------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 2,720 (1,990) (1,105)
--------- -------- ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash 122 14 (1,188)
Cash, beginning of year 23 9 1,197
--------- -------- ---------
Cash, end of year $ 145 $ 23 $ 9
========= ======== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-7
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31,
---------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------- -------- ---------
Net income $ 3,762 $ 4,365 $ 2,538
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization (83) (268) 23
Net investment gains (losses) 221 (2,500) (953)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Interest due and accrued 181 334 715
Premiums receivable 1,541 (2,181) 7,189
Deferred policy acquisition costs 1,053 194 3,537
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses 7,085 (3,629) (276)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (1,529) (1,975) 2,468
Income taxes receivable 881 (424) (457)
Deferred income taxes (113) 311 511
Other assets (1,614) (1,170) (847)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (18,059) (662) (4,219)
Unearned premiums (2,491) 1,057 (15,060)
Other liabilities (2,412) 2,989 (1,148)
--------- -------- ---------
Net cash used in operations $ (11,577) $ (3,559) $ (5,979)
========= ======== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-8
MERCHANTS GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements of Merchants Group, Inc. (the
"Company") include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Merchants Insurance Company of New Hampshire, Inc. ("MNH"),
and M.F.C. of New York, Inc., an inactive premium finance company which is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of MNH. MNH is a stock property and casualty
insurance company domiciled in the state of New Hampshire. MNH offers
property and casualty insurance to preferred risk individuals and small to
medium sized businesses in the northeast United States, primarily in New
York, New Hampshire and New Jersey where a majority of its policies are
written. As a holding company, the Company has no operations.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") which differ in
some respects from those followed in reports to insurance regulatory
authorities. In its Annual Statement filed with regulatory authorities,
MNH reported policyholders' surplus of $57,674,000 and $61,708,000 at
December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively. MNH's net income as reported in
its Annual Statement was $6,575,000 in 2002, $4,915,000 in 2003 and
$5,191,000 in 2004. All significant intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
GAAP 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 may differ from those estimates.
Investments
Fixed maturities are classified as available for sale and are presented at
fair value. Fixed maturities consist of debt securities that management
may not hold until maturity. All preferred stocks are classified as
available for sale and are presented at fair value. The net aggregate
unrealized gain or loss, net of applicable income taxes, related to fixed
maturities and preferred stock classified as available for sale is
included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
in stockholders' equity.
F-9
Other long-term investments include collateralized mortgage obligation
residuals, carried at unpaid principal balances which do not vary
significantly from fair value. Short-term investments, consisting
primarily of money market mutual funds, have original maturities of three
months or less and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are based on the cost
of the specific investment sold.
Net unrealized holding gains or losses, net of taxes, are shown as other
comprehensive income. Management monitors the Company's investment
portfolio for declines in value that are other-than-temporary. When a
decline in the fair value of a security has been determined to be
other-than-temporary, the investment's cost is written down to fair value
and a loss is recorded.
Net premiums earned
Premiums are recorded as revenue ratably over the terms of the policies
written (principally one year). Unearned premiums are calculated using a
monthly pro rata method.
Deferred policy acquisition costs
Policy acquisition costs, such as commissions (net of reinsurance
commissions), premium taxes and certain other underwriting expenses which
vary directly with premium volume are deferred and amortized over the
terms of the related insurance policies. Deferred policy acquisition costs
are evaluated on an aggregate basis at least quarterly to determine if
recorded amounts exceed estimated recoverable amounts after allowing for
anticipated investment income. Premium deficiency, if any, is recorded as
amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. Deferred policy
acquisition costs were:
Year Ended December 31,
2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Beginning balance $ 8,623 $ 8,817 $ 12,354
Acquisition cost deferred 13,799 16,731 18,690
Amortized to expense (14,852) (16,925) (22,227)
-------- -------- --------
Ending balance $ 7,570 $ 8,623 $ 8,817
======== ======== ========
Reinsurance
Reinsurance assumed from business written through state reinsurance
facilities or through a reinsurance pooling agreement with an affiliate
(see note 2) has been reflected in unearned premiums, loss reserves,
premiums earned and losses incurred based on reports received from such
facilities. Ceded reinsurance premiums, losses and ceding commissions are
netted against earned premiums, losses and commission expense,
respectively.
F-10
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses ("LAE") are
estimates of future payments to be made to settle all insurance claims for
reported losses and estimates of incurred but not reported losses based
upon past experience modified for current trends. With the exception of
workers' compensation losses, loss reserves are not discounted. Estimated
amounts of salvage and subrogation on paid and unpaid losses are deducted
from the liability for unpaid claims. The estimated liabilities may be
more or less than the amount ultimately paid when the claims are settled.
Management and the Company's independent consulting actuary regularly
review the estimates of reserves needed and any changes are reflected in
current operating results.
The Company discounts its liability for workers' compensation case
reserves on a tabular basis, using the National Council on Compensation
Insurance Workers' Compensation Statistical Plan Table III A at a rate of
3.5%. The amount of discount at December 31, 2003 and 2004 is $4,920,000
and $4,531,000, respectively. Reserves for losses incurred but not
reported and for LAE are not discounted.
Structured settlements have been negotiated for claims on certain
insurance policies. Structured settlements are agreements to provide
periodic payments to claimants, and are funded by annuities purchased from
various life insurance companies. The Company remains primarily liable for
payment of these claims. Accordingly, a liability and a corresponding
deposit in the amount of $9,066,000 and $10,265,000 at December 31, 2003
and 2004, respectively, are recorded in the Company's consolidated balance
sheet in other liabilities and other assets, respectively.
Income taxes
The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries file a consolidated federal
income tax return. The Company follows the asset and liability approach to
account for income taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax
liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of
temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and
the tax basis of assets and liabilities.
Other financial instruments
The fair value of the Company's other financial instruments, principally
premiums receivable and certain non-insurance related liabilities, does
not vary significantly from the amounts assigned in these financial
statements.
F-11
2. Related Party Transactions
The Company and MNH operate and manage their business with Merchants
Mutual Insurance Company ("Mutual") under a services agreement (the
"Services Agreement") that became effective January 1, 2003. At December
31, 2004, Mutual owned 12.1% of the Company's outstanding common stock.
The Company and MNH do not have any operating assets or employees. In
accordance with the Services Agreement, Mutual provides the Company with
facilities, management and personnel required to operate its day-to-day
business, including the following services: administrative services,
underwriting services, claims services and investment and cash management
services. The Services Agreement contains termination provisions that vary
based on the service rendered. Underwriting services may be terminated on
one year's notice, but the termination may not be effective before January
1, 2008. Claims services and administrative services may be terminated on
6 months notice. Investment services may be terminated upon one year's
notice at any time.
Prior to January 1, 2003 Mutual, through a management agreement (the
Management Agreement), provided the Company and MNH with the facilities,
management and personnel required to manage their day-to-day business. All
underwriting, administrative, claims and investment expenses incurred on
behalf of Mutual and MNH were shared on allocated cost basis. The
Management Agreement was superceded by the Services Agreement effective
January 1, 2003.
Effective January 1, 2003, Mutual and MNH agreed to pool, or share,
underwriting results on their traditional insurance business (the
"Traditional Business") by means of a reinsurance pooling agreement (the
"Pooling Agreement"). It does not apply to any new endeavor of either
Mutual or MNH outside of their Traditional Business, unless the companies
agree otherwise. The Pooling Agreement applies to premiums earned and
losses incurred after the effective date.
The Pooling Agreement provides for MNH to cede, or transfer, to Mutual all
premiums and risks on its Traditional Business during the term of the
agreement, and then to assume from Mutual a percentage of all of Mutual's
and MNH's Traditional Business (the "Pooled Business"). MNH assumed 40%
and 35% of the Pooled Business in 2003 and 2004, respectively. MNH's share
of the pooled business will be reduced to 30% in 2005, though not to
exceed $50.0 million in assumed net written premiums. MNH's share of the
Pooled Business will be reduced to 25% in 2006 and 2007, though not to
exceed $42.5 million and $37.5 million in assumed net written premiums in
2006 and 2007, respectively.
The Pooling Agreement provides for retrospective commission income or
expense based on the actual cumulative experience of the Pooled Business
since its inception compared to a targeted loss and LAE ratio of 74%.
Commissions are settled annually, 6 months after the end of the calendar
year.
F-12
The Pooling Agreement may be terminated by either party at the beginning
of any calendar year on or after January 1, 2008 upon not less than 6
months notice. However, the Pooling Agreement may be terminated effective
January 1, 2006 or 2007 upon 6 months notice, but only by MNH and only if
the ratio of net losses and LAE to net earned premiums on a cumulative
basis from the inception of the Pooling Agreement exceeds 76% as of the
date notice is given.
The payable to or receivable from affiliate (Mutual) is non-interest
bearing and represents the net of premiums collected and loss and
operating expense payments made by Mutual on behalf of MNH. This balance
is settled in cash on a monthly basis.
3. Investments
Investments in fixed maturities, preferred stock and other long-term
investments
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in fixed
maturities held to maturity and available for sale and the cost and
estimated fair value of preferred stock and other long term investments
are as follows:
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Cost/Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in thousands)
December 31, 2004
Fixed maturities:
Available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S.
government corporations
and agencies $ 5,028 $ 29 $ 29 $ 5,028
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions 41,010 100 131 40,979
Corporate securities 27,929 136 62 28,003
Mortgage and asset backed
securities 110,204 557 679 110,082
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 184,171 $ 822 $ 901 $ 184,092
========= ========== ========== ==========
Preferred stock $ 3,392 $ 117 $ - $ 3,509
========= ========== ========== ==========
Other long-term investments $ 2,646 $ 50 $ - $ 2,696
========= ========== ========== ==========
F-13
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Cost/Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in thousands)
December 31, 2003
Fixed maturities:
Available for sale
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S.
government corporations
and agencies $ 8,171 $ 206 $ - $ 8,377
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions 43,189 369 157 43,401
Corporate securities 27,767 977 30 28,714
Mortgage and asset backed
securities 113,188 1,033 908 113,313
--------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 192,315 $ 2,585 $ 1,095 $ 193,805
========= ========== ========== ==========
Preferred stock $ 5,985 $ 112 $ 300 $ 5,797
========= ========== ========== ==========
Other long-term investments $ 2,167 $ - $ - $ 2,167
========= ========== ========== ==========
A summary of investment securities that as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 have
been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months and
those that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months
or more follows:
F-14
Less than 12 months 12 months or more
------------------------ ------------------------
Unrealized Unrealized
Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in thousands)
December 31, 2004
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. government
corporations and agencies $2,977 $ 29 $ - $ -
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions 11,943 65 3,502 66
Corporate securities 6,996 40 972 22
Mortgage and asset backed
securities 55,173 525 5,011 154
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 77,089 $ 659 $ 9,485 $ 242
========== ========== ========== ==========
Preferred stock $ - $ - $ - $ -
========== ========== ========== ==========
Other long-term investments $ - $ - $ - $ -
========== ========== ========== ==========
Less than 12 months 12 months or more
------------------------ ------------------------
Unrealized Unrealized
Fair Value Losses Fair Value Losses
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(in thousands)
December 31, 2003
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. government
corporations and agencies $ - $ - $ - $ -
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions 12,501 157 - -
Corporate securities 963 30 - -
Mortgage and asset backed
securities 56,796 898 1,334 10
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 70,260 $ 1,085 $ 1,334 $ 10
========== ========== ========== ==========
Preferred stock $ - $ - $ 2,200 $ 300
========== ========== ========== ==========
Other long-term investments $ - $ - $ - $ -
========== ========== ========== ==========
F-15
None of the securities in the table above were determined to have any
fundamental issues that would cause the Company to believe that they were
other-than-temporarily impaired. All of the Company's securities in an
unrealized loss position at December 31, 2004 were rated as investment grade.
The Company has the intent and ability to retain its investments for a period of
time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
Included in net investment losses for 2004 are $700,000 of write downs on
securities which the Company determined had experienced an other-than-temporary
decline in market value. There were no such write downs in 2003 or 2002.
The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturities by expected maturity at
December 31, 2004 are shown below. Mortgage and asset backed securities are
distributed in the table based upon management's estimate of repayment periods.
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
Estimated
Fair
Amortized Cost Value
-------------- ---------
(in thousands)
Due in one year or less $ 49,194 $ 49,275
Due after one year through five years 112,616 112,476
Due after five years through ten years 18,887 18,870
Due after ten years 3,474 3,471
--------- ---------
Total $ 184,171 $ 184,092
========= =========
Discount and premium pertaining to collateralized mortgage obligations are
amortized over the securities' estimated redemption periods using the effective
interest method. Yields used to calculate premium or discount are adjusted for
prepayments quarterly.
Fixed maturities with a par value of $1,900,000 were on deposit at December 31,
2004 with various state insurance departments in compliance with applicable
insurance laws.
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturity securities, preferred stock and common
stock and gross realized gains and losses related to such sales are as follows:
Year ended December 31,
--------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- ---------
(in thousands)
Proceeds from sales $ 10,641 $ 11,089 $ 54,189
Gross realized gains 479 2,500 1,442
Gross realized losses - - 489
F-16
Net investment income
Net investment income consists of:
Year ended December 31,
-----------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------- ------- --------
(in thousands)
Fixed maturities $ 7,873 $ 8,534 $ 9,917
Short-term investments 64 45 181
Other 297 525 639
------- ------- --------
Total investment income 8,234 9,104 10,737
Investment expenses 353 289 334
------- ------- --------
Net investment income $ 7,881 $ 8,815 $ 10,403
======= ======= ========
4. Reinsurance
MNH follows the customary practice of reinsuring a portion of the exposure
under its policies. Insurance is ceded principally to reduce net liability
on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Although
reinsurance does not legally discharge an insurer from its primary
liability for the full amount of coverage provided by its policies, it
does make the assuming reinsurer liable to the insurer to the extent of
the reinsurance ceded.
F-17
The effect of reinsurance transactions on premiums written and earned for
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 is as follows:
2004 2003 2002
------------------ ------------------ -------------------
Premiums Premiums Premiums Premiums Premiums Premiums
Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Direct $ 53,900 $ 55,528 $ 58,233 $ 63,517 $ 72,803 $ 88,234
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Assumed
With third parties 1,519 1,814 1,412 1,694 2,294 1,923
Pooling Agreement 53,102 57,123 98,207 65,098 - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Subtotal 54,621 58,937 99,619 66,792 2,294 1,923
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Ceded
With third parties (2,967) (2,891) (3,077) (3,337) (4,569) (7,037)
Pooling Agreement (52,452) (54,451) (90,596) (61,875) - -
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Subtotal (55,419) (57,342) (93,673) (65,212) (4,569) (7,037)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net Premiums $ 53,102 $ 57,123 $ 64,179 $ 65,097 $ 70,528 $ 83,120
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Reinsurance transactions had the following effect on net losses and LAE
incurred for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
2004 2003 2002
-------- --------- --------
(in thousands)
Direct $ 38,392 $ 59,326 $ 65,064
-------- --------- --------
Assumed
With third parties 1,453 1,631 1,465
Pooling Agreement 33,308 41,571 -
-------- --------- --------
Subtotal 34,761 43,202 1,465
-------- --------- --------
Ceded
With third parties (3,754) (8,779) (3,656)
Pooling Agreement (31,718) (44,137) -
-------- --------- --------
Subtotal (35,472) (52,916) (3,656)
-------- --------- --------
Net losses and LAE $ 37,681 $ 49,612 $ 62,873
======== ========= ========
As a result of the reinsurance agreements maintained by MNH, MNH is
exposed to certain credit risk if one or more of its primary reinsurers
were to become financially unstable. As of December 31, 2004, MNH has
recognized amounts to be recovered from its primary reinsurers related to
ceded losses and ceded unearned premiums totaling $20,225,000. MNH
generally does not require collateral for reinsurance recoverable.
F-18
5. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Activity in the reserve for losses and LAE is summarized as follows:
2004 2003
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of year $146,474 $147,136
Less reinsurance recoverables 22,715 19,380
-------- --------
Net balance at beginning of year 123,759 127,756
-------- --------
Provision for losses and LAE for claims occurring in:
Current year 38,524 49,702
Prior years (843) (90)
-------- --------
37,681 49,612
-------- --------
Loss and LAE payments for claims occurring in:
Current year 13,647 18,441
Prior years 35,008 35,168
-------- --------
48,655 53,609
-------- --------
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of year, net 112,785 123,759
Plus reinsurance recoverables 15,630 22,715
-------- --------
Balance at end of year $128,415 $146,474
======== ========
In 2004, the Company decreased reserves for prior years by $843,000
primarily due to favorable loss development related to private passenger
auto liability and workers' compensation policies, somewhat offset by
unfavorable development on its commercial package policies. In 2003, the
Company decreased reserves for prior years by $90,000.
6. Demand Loan
The Company has arranged for a $2,000,000 unsecured credit facility from a
bank. Any borrowings under this facility are payable on demand and carry
an interest rate which can be fixed or variable and is negotiated at the
time of each advance. This facility is available for general working
capital purposes and for repurchases of the Company's common stock. No
amount related to this facility was outstanding at December 31, 2004.
F-19
7. Income Taxes
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of:
Year ended December 31,
------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------- ------ ------
(in thousands)
Current $ 1,032 $ 728 $1,248
Deferred (113) 311 481
------- ------ ------
Total income tax provision $ 919 $1,039 $1,729
======= ====== ======
A reconciliation of the difference between the Company's total income tax
provision and that calculated using statutory income tax rates is as
follows:
Year ended December 31,
------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------- ------ ------
(in thousands)
Computed provision at statutory rate $ 1,592 $1,837 $1,451
Adjustments:
State income taxes, net of federal effect - (479) 447
Tax-exempt investment income (315) (217) (85)
Dividend received deduction (47) (79) (94)
Adjustments to prior years' taxes (196) - -
Reversal of excess tax reserves
related to uncertain tax positions (120) - -
Other 5 (23) 10
------- ------ ------
Total income tax provision $ 919 $1,039 $1,729
======= ====== ======
The provision for income taxes for 2003 includes the effect of a 2003
change in New York State law with respect to the taxation of non-life
insurance companies. This change eliminated state income taxes for all
non-life insurance companies and increased the premium tax rate from 1.3%
to 2.0%. As a result, the Company reduced its deferred tax liability with
respect to New York State income taxes to $0, and recorded a one-time
benefit, net of federal income taxes, to its income tax provision of
$505,000 during 2003.
F-20
Deferred tax (liabilities) assets are comprised of the following:
December 31,
-----------------------------
2004 2003
------- -------
(in thousands)
Deferred policy acquisition costs $(2,574) $(2,932)
Unrealized net investment gains - (338)
Bond discounts (39) (644)
Other (143) (177)
------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities (2,756) (4,091)
------- -------
Discounting of reserve for losses and
loss adjustment expenses 5,354 6,102
Unearned premiums 1,997 2,280
Unrealized net investment losses 251 -
Other 182 206
------- -------
Total deferred tax assets 7,784 8,588
------- -------
Net deferred income taxes $ 5,028 $ 4,497
======= =======
Although realization is not assured, based upon the evidence available the
Company believes that it is more likely than not that the net deferred
income tax asset will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset
considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if
estimates of future taxable income are not achieved.
8. Stockholders' Equity
Dividends
The Company depends on dividends from its subsidiary, MNH, to pay cash
dividends to its stockholders and to meet its expenses. MNH is subject to
New Hampshire state insurance laws which restrict its ability to pay
dividends without the prior approval of state regulatory authorities.
These restrictions limit dividends to those that, when added to all other
dividends paid within the preceding twelve months, would not exceed 10% of
an insurer's policyholders' surplus as of the preceding December 31. The
maximum amount of dividends that MNH could pay during any twelve-month
period ending in 2005 without the prior approval of the New Hampshire
Insurance Commissioner is $6,171,000.
Stock option plan
The Company's stock option plan (the "Plan"), which reserved 200,000
shares of common stock for issuance to the Company's and MNH's officers
and key employees of the Company's affiliate, Mutual, expired in 1996.
Under the Plan, qualified and non-qualified stock options were granted at
amounts not less than the fair market value of the Company's stock on the
date of grant. Options granted under the Plan have a 10 year life and
vested in cumulative annual increments of 25% commencing one year from the
date of grant.
F-21
In accounting for the Plan, the Company remains under the expense
recognition provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" but follows the disclosure
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123
"Accounting for Stock Based Compensation". No options were granted in
2002, 2003 or 2004 and, therefore, no compensation expense was recognized
in those years.
A summary of the status of the Company's outstanding options as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and changes during the years ending on
those dates is presented below:
2004 2003 2002
------------------------ ----------------------- -----------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Options Exercise Options Exercise Options Exercise
Outstanding Price Outstanding Price Outstanding Price
------------ -------- ----------- -------- ----------- ---------
Beginning
of year 35,500 $ 21.00 35,500 $ 21.00 35,500 21.00
Granted - - - - - -
Exercised (4,000) 21.00 - - - -
Forfeited - - - - - -
------ ------ ------
End of year 31,500 21.00 35,500 21.00 35,500 21.00
====== ====== ======
Options
exercisable
at year-end 31,500 21.00 35,500 21.00 35,500 21.00
====== ====== ======
The following table summarizes information about the Company's outstanding
stock options at December 31, 2004:
Number Remaining Average Number
Outstanding Contractual Exercise Exercisable
at 12/31/04 Life in Years Price at 12/31/04
- ----------- -------------- -------- -----------
31,500 1.1 $ 21.00 31,500
====== =======
Common stock repurchases
During 2002, the Company repurchased 114,300 shares of its common stock.
There were no common stock repurchases in 2003 or 2004. The Company was
holding 1,139,700 shares in treasury at December 31, 2004.
F-22
Preferred stock
The Company's Preferred stock, no par value, $424.30 stated value,
consists of 10,000 shares authorized; no shares were issued or outstanding
at December 31, 2003 or December 31, 2004. The Company also has 3,000,000
shares of $.01 par value preferred stock which is authorized and unissued.
9. Earnings Per Share
The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2004 2003 2002
------ ------ -------
(in thousands except per share amounts)
Basic:
Net income $3,762 $4,365 $ 2,538
Weighted average shares outstanding 2,114 2,110 2,125
Basic earnings per share $ 1.78 $ 2.07 $ 1.19
Diluted:
Net income $3,762 $4,365 $ 2,538
Weighted average shares outstanding 2,114 2,110 2,125
Plus incremental shares from assumed
conversion of stock options 4 1 4
------ ------ -------
Weighted average shares
outstanding-adjusted 2,118 2,111 $ 2,129
====== ====== =======
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.78 $ 2.07 $ 1.19
====== ====== =======
10. Benefit Programs
Mutual maintains a capital accumulation plan which is a profit sharing
plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code that covers all
employees who have completed six months of service. Mutual matches at
least 15% and up to 100% of employee contributions, based on the combined
net operating profits of Mutual and MNH. Additional contributions may be
made at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Mutual. Under the
terms of the management agreement, the Company's portion of the total
contribution was $370,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The
portion of the 2003 and 2004 service fees charged to the Company by Mutual
relating to Mutual's contribution to its capital accumulation plan were
$414,000 and $213,000, respectively.
F-23
In 2002, Mutual established a supplemental executive compensation plan
covering certain employees. Under terms of the management agreement, the
Company's portion of the total contribution related to this plan was
$50,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. The portion of the 2003 and
2004 service fees charged to the Company by Mutual relating to Mutual's
contribution to its supplemental executive compensation plan were $59,000
and $36,000, respectively.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
MNH, like many other property and casualty insurance companies, is subject
to environmental damage claims asserted by or against its insureds.
Management is of the opinion that based on various court decisions
throughout the country, such claims should not be recoverable under the
terms of MNH's insurance policies because of either specific or general
coverage exclusions contained in the policies. However, there is no
assurance that the courts will agree with MNH's position in every case,
nor can there be assurance that material claims will not be asserted under
policies which a court will find do not explicitly or implicitly exclude
claims for environmental damages. Management, however, is not aware of any
pending claim or group of claims which would result in a liability that
would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of MNH.
In addition to the foregoing, MNH may be a defendant from time to time in
a number of other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of its
business. Management of the Company is of the opinion that the ultimate
aggregate liability, if any, resulting from such proceedings will not
materially affect the financial condition of MNH or the Company.
F-24