Quarterly Report



 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________

Commission file no. 001-33143
  
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
04-3106389
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 
   
59 Maiden Lane, 6  th Floor, New York, New York
10038
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(212) 220-7120
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes o No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer    o
 
Accelerated filer    x
     
Non-accelerated filer  o
 
Smaller reporting company  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act). Yes o   No x

As of July 31, 2009, the Registrant had one class of Common Stock ($.01 par value), of which 59,344,936 shares were issued and outstanding.

 
 

 

INDEX

   
 Page 
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Unaudited Financial Statements:
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
4
 
— Three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
5
 
— Three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
     
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
28
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
47
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
49
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
50
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
50
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
50
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
50
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
50
     
Item 5.
Other Information
51
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
51
     
 
Signatures
52

 
2

 

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
  Item 1. Financial Statements
AMTRUST FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
(Unaudited)
       
    (in thousands, except per share data)
 
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
ASSETS
           
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $-; $50,242)
 
$
   
$
48,881
 
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at market value (amortized cost $952,502; $988,779)
   
912,513
     
910,376
 
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at market value (cost $72,034; $84,090)
   
38,343
     
28,828
 
Short-term investments
   
189,088
     
167,845
 
Other investments
   
13,017
     
13,457
 
Total investments
   
1,152,961
     
1,169,387
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
257,872
     
192,053
 
Funds held with reinsurance companies
   
110
     
110
 
Accrued interest and dividends
   
6,731
     
9,028
 
Premiums receivable, net
   
383,736
     
419,577
 
Note receivable – related party
   
22,026
     
21,591
 
Reinsurance recoverable
   
345,604
     
363,608
 
Reinsurance recoverable – related party
   
265,989
     
221,214
 
Prepaid reinsurance premium
   
135,668
     
128,519
 
Prepaid reinsurance premium – related party
   
235,852
     
243,511
 
Federal income tax receivable
   
4,529
     
4,667
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
64,371
     
72,221
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs
   
137,481
     
103,965
 
Deferred income taxes
   
49,793
     
76,910
 
Property and equipment, net
   
14,413
     
15,107
 
Goodwill
   
51,468
     
49,794
 
Intangible assets
   
51,254
     
52,631
 
Total assets
 
$
3,179,858
   
$
3,143,893
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Loss and loss expense reserves
 
$
1,057,646
   
$
1,014,059
 
Unearned premiums
   
767,842
     
759,915
 
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable
   
50,696
     
59,990
 
Ceded reinsurance premium payable – related party
   
89,624
     
102,907
 
Reinsurance payable on paid losses
   
4,780
     
8,820
 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
   
305
     
228
 
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at market value
   
15,486
     
22,608
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value
   
230,605
     
284,492
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
144,688
     
144,304
 
Derivatives liabilities
   
2,320
     
1,439
 
Note payable – related party
   
167,975
     
167,975
 
Non interest bearing note – net of unamortized discount of ($1,843) and ($2,439)
   
20,657
     
27,561
 
Term loan
   
26,667
     
33,333
 
Junior subordinated debt
   
123,714
     
123,714
 
Total liabilities
   
2,703,005
     
2,751,345
 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized, 84,158 and 84,146 issued as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively; 59,343 and 60,033 outstanding as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
   
842
     
842
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
   
     
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
541,328
     
539,421
 
Treasury stock at cost; 24,815 shares and 24,113 shares as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
   
(300,295
)
   
(294,803
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(62,288
)
   
(105,815
)
Retained earnings
   
297,266
     
252,903
 
Total stockholders’ equity
   
476,853
     
392,548
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
3,179,858
   
$
3,143,893
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated statements.

 
3

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenues:
                       
Premium income:
                       
Net premium written
  $ 137,120     $ 132,057     $ 273,299     $ 249,499  
Change in unearned premium
    (317 )     (16,112 )     (4,073 )     (36,141 )
Net premium earned
    136,803       115,945       269,226       213,358  
Ceding commission – primarily related party
    32,278       37,209       59,869       58,084  
Commission and fee income
    7,607       8,375       15,061       14,662  
Net investment income
    13,582       14,190       27,171       27,721  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
    (7,709 )     (2,135 )     (16,947 )     (7,355 )
Other investment loss on managed assets
                      (2,900
Total revenues
    182,561       173,584       354,380       303,570  
Expenses:
                               
Loss and loss adjustment expense
    76,585       74,134       151,500       129,299  
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses
    64,587       57,824       122,741       98,701  
Other expense
    5,774       2,504       10,968       7,298  
Total expenses
    146,946       134,462       285,209       235,298  
Operating income from continuing operations
    35,615       39,122       69,171       68,272  
Other income (expenses):
                               
Foreign currency gain (loss)
    611       (15 )     644       144  
Interest expense
    (4,007 )     (5,541 )     (8,178 )     (8,170 )
Total other expenses
    (3,396 )     (5,556 )     (7,534 )     (8,026 )
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority interest
    32,219       33,566       61,637       60,246  
Provision for income taxes
    5,448       7,216       10,704       14,533  
Minority interest in net income of subsidiary
                -       (2,900 )
Net income
    26,771       26,350       50,933       48,613  
                                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.45     $ 0.44     $ 0.86     $ 0.81  
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 0.85     $ 0.80  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.04     $ 0.11     $ 0.08  

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments:
                       
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses
  $ (10,786 )   $ (7,230 )   $ (12,213 )   $ (7,972 )
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income
                       
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings
    (10,786 )     (7,230 )     (12,213 )     (7,972 )
Other net realized gain (loss) on investments
    3,077       5,095       (4,734 )     617  
Net realized investment gain (loss)
  $ (7,709 )   $ (2,135 )   $ (16,947 )   $ (7,355 )

See accompanying notes to unaudited  condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
  (in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
  Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income from continuing operations
 
$
50,933
   
$
48,613
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,415
     
3,736
 
Realized loss (gain) marketable securities
   
4,734
     
(616
Non-cash write-down of marketable securities
   
12,213
     
7,971
 
Discount on notes payable
   
596
     
101
 
Stock compensation expense
   
1,812
     
1,495
 
Bad debt expense
   
1,951
     
1,237
 
Foreign currency (gain)
   
(644
)
   
(144
)
Changes in assets - (increase) decrease:
               
Premium and notes receivable
   
33,890
     
(91,137
)
Reinsurance recoverable
   
18,004
     
(6,869
)
Reinsurance recoverable – related party
   
(44,775
)
   
(64,889
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net
   
(33,516
)
   
(9,950
)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums
   
(7,149
)
   
(34,502
)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums – related party
   
7,659
     
(111,583
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
9,850
     
(4,591
)
Deferred tax asset
   
27,117
     
(11,738
)
Changes in liabilities - increase (decrease):
               
Reinsurance premium payable
   
(9,294
   
(55,555
)
Reinsurance premium payable – related party
   
(13,283
)
   
(28,436
Loss and loss expense reserve
   
43,587
     
47,631
 
Unearned premiums
   
7,927
     
184,553
 
Funds held under reinsurance treaties
   
77
     
50,804
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
   
(3,270
   
(3,981
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
112,834
     
90,132
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Net sales (purchases) of securities with fixed maturities
   
36,935
     
(237,556
Net (purchases) sales of equity securities
   
(4,615
)
   
14,234
 
Net sales of other investments
   
441
     
12,680
 
Note receivable - related party
   
-
     
(2,000
)
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash obtained
   
-
     
(55,883
)
Acquisition of renewal rights and goodwill
   
(910
)
   
(963
)
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(1,833
)
   
(1,214
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
30,018
     
(270,702
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Repurchase agreements, net
   
(53,887
)
   
185,909
 
Term loan borrowing
   
-
     
40,000
 
Term loan payment
   
(6,666
)
   
-
 
Non-interest bearing note payment
   
(7,500
)
   
-
 
Debt financing fees
   
-
     
(52
)
Repurchase of common stock
   
(5,492
)
   
-
 
Stock option exercise
   
95
     
307
 
Dividends distributed on common stock
   
(5,970
)
   
(4,800
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(79,420
)
   
221,364
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
2,387
     
4,955
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
65,819
     
45,749
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
   
192,053
     
145,337
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
 
$
257,872
   
$
191,086
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
               
Income tax payments
 
$
9,098
   
$
18,125
 
Interest payments on debt
   
8,296
     
7,125
 

  See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

 
5

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
1.
Basis of Reporting

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 16, 2009. The balance sheet at December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
 
These interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A detailed description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and management judgments is located in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.   To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current period presentation. There was no effect on net income from the changes in presentation.

2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, that are of significance, or potential significance, to us.

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162  (“SFAS 168”).  SFAS 168 will serve as the single source of authoritative non-governmental U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.  Accordingly, all other accounting literature not included is considered non-authoritative.  SFAS 168 is effective on a prospective basis for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS 168 will impact the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 140  (“SFAS 166”).  SFAS 166 requires additional disclosures for transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and any continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. SFAS 166 eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets.  SFAS 166 is effective on a prospective basis for the annual period beginning after November 15, 2009 and interim and annual periods thereafter.  The Company does not expect that the provisions of SFAS 166 will have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments t o FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS 167”).    SFAS 167 amends FIN 46(R) to require an analysis of whether a company has: (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb the losses that could potentially be significant to the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity.  SFAS 167 also requires an entity to be re-evaluated as a variable interest entity when the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance.  SFAS 167 amends FIN 46(R) to require additional disclosures about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities and an ongoing assessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary.  SFAS 167 is effective on a prospective basis for the annual period beginning after November 15, 2009 and interim and annual periods thereafter.  The Company does not expect that the provisions of SFAS 167 will have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 
6

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS 165”), which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The provisions of SFAS 165 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ended after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of SFAS 165 on June 30, 2009 had no effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 115-2 and FSP No. 124-2, “ Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments ” (“FSP 115-2/124-2”).  FSP 115-2 modifies the existing other-than-temporary impairment guidance to require the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment when an entity has the intent to sell a debt security or when it is more likely than not an entity will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery.  Additionally, FSP 115-2 changes the presentation and amount of other-than-temporary losses recognized in the income statement for instances when the Company determines that there is a credit loss on a debt security but it is more likely than not that the entity will not be required to sell the security prior to the anticipated recovery of its remaining cost basis.  For these debt securities, the amount representing the credit loss will be reported as an impairment loss in the Consolidated Statement of Income and the amount related to all other factors will be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.  FSP 115-2 also requires the presentation of other-than-temporary impairments separately from realized gains and losses on the face of the income statement.
 
In addition to the changes in measurement and presentation, FSP 115-2 is intended to enhance the existing disclosure requirements for other-than-temporary impairments and requires all disclosures related to other-than-temporary impairments in both interim and annual periods.
 
The provisions of FSP 115-2 are effective for interim periods ended after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ended after March 15, 2009.  The Company adopted FSP 115-2 on April 1, 2009.  The adoption did not have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

              In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-4, “ Determining Fair Value When Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are Not Orderly ” (“FSP 157-4”).   FSP 157-4 provides guidance for determining when a transaction is not orderly and for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157,   Fair Value Measurements  (“SFAS 157”), when there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability.  FSP 157-4 does not change the measurement objective of SFAS 157 which is “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”

FSP 157-4 requires the disclosure of the inputs and valuation techniques used, as well as any changes in valuation techniques and inputs used during the period, to measure fair value in interim and annual periods. In addition, FSP 157-4 requires that the presentation of the fair value hierarchy be presented by major security type as described in FASB Statement No. 115,   Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities   (as amended by FSP 115-2 and FSP 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments ).
 
The provisions of FSP 157-4 are effective for interim periods ended after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ended after March 15, 2009.  The Company adopted FSP 157-4 on April 1, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1, “ Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments ” (“FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1”).   FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim and annual financial statements.   FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for periods ended after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ended after March 15, 2009.  The adoption of the FSP 107-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 
7

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 03-6-1, “ Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities ” (“FSP 03-6-1”). FSP 03-6-1 clarifies that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are to be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (“SFAS 128”), “ Earnings Per Share ” This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years which began after December 15, 2008 and requires all presented prior-period earnings per share data to be adjusted retrospectively.  FSP 03-6-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
 
In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, “ Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets ” (“FSP 142-3”). FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing assumptions about renewals or extensions used in estimating the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under Statement No. 142, “ Goodwill and Other intangible Assets ” (“SFAS 142”). This standard is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under Statement No. 141(R) and other GAAP. FSP 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years which began after December 15, 2008. The measurement provisions of this standard applies only to intangible assets of the Company acquired after the effective date.  FSP 142-3 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “ Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ” (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires companies with derivative instruments to disclose information that should enable financial-statement users to understand how and why a company uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FASB Statement No. 133 “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ” and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods which began after November 15, 2008.  SFAS 161 did not have a material impact   on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “ Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 ”. (“SFAS 160”) SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. In addition, it clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as a component of equity in the consolidated statements. SFAS 160 became effective on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2009, except for presentation and disclosure requirements which are applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented.  SFAS 160 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “ Business Combinations ” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase.   SFAS 141(R) also sets forth the disclosures required to be made in the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  SFAS 141(R) did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “ Fair Value Measurements ,” (“SFAS 157”) which defines fair value, establishes guidelines for measuring fair value and expands disclosures regarding fair value measurements.  SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but rather eliminates inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements. Pursuant to FASB FSP 157-2, issued in February, 2008, which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), SFAS 157 became effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. These nonfinancial items include assets and liabilities such as reporting units measured at fair value in a goodwill impairment test and nonfinancial assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.  The Company applied the provisions of SFAS 157 to the nonfinancial assets, nonfinancial liabilities and reporting units within the scope of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2009.  The Company’s adoption of SFAS 157 did not materially impact the fair values of its nonfinancial assets, nonfinancial liabilities and reporting units within the scope of this FSP.

 
8

 

3.
Investments

  (a) Available-for-Sale Securities

The original cost, estimated fair value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2009, are presented in the table below:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Original or
amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gains
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Fair
value
 
Preferred stock
 
$
5,266
   
$
-
   
$
(1,803
)
 
$
3,463
 
Common stock
   
66,768
     
1,721
     
(33,609
)
   
34,880
 
U.S. treasury securities
   
14,738
     
529
     
(59
)
   
15,208
 
U.S. government agencies
   
7,693
     
606
     
-
     
8,299
 
Municipal bonds
   
27,835
     
851
     
(415
   
28,271
 
Corporate bonds:
                               
   Finance
   
321,895
     
1,873
     
(46,868
)
   
276,900
 
   Industrial
   
115,591
     
4,110
     
(12,826
)
   
106,875
 
   Utilities
   
11,839
     
773
     
(446
)
   
12,166
 
Commercial mortgage backed securities
   
3,504
     
4
     
(146
)
   
3,362
 
Residential mortgage backed securities:
                               
   Agency backed
   
445,650
     
13,600
     
(1,502
)
   
457,748
 
   Non-agency backed
   
35
     
-
     
(15
)
   
20
 
Asset-backed securities
   
3,722
     
120
     
(178
)
   
3,664
 
      
 
$
1,024,536
   
$
24,187
   
$
(97,867
)
 
$
950,856
 

 During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company disposed of a portion of its fixed maturities classified as held to maturity.  As such, the Company assessed the appropriateness of its remaining fixed maturity portfolio classified as held to maturity.  The Company determined that all remaining fixed maturities should be classified as available for sale under the provisions of SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”  The effect of this one time reclassification increased the carrying value of the fixed maturities by approximately $1,000.

  (b) Investment Income

Net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were derived from the following sources:
  
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
11,582
   
$
12,183
   
$
23,464
   
$
23,066
 
Equity securities
   
163
     
274
     
351
     
805
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
1,768
     
3,534
     
3,572
     
6,869
 
Loss on equity investment
   
(217
)
   
(561
)
   
(619
)
   
(561
)
Note receivable - related party
   
821
     
980
     
1,633
     
1,569
 
     
14,117
     
16,410
     
28,401
     
31,748
 
Less: Investment expenses and interest expense on securities sold under agreement to repurchase
   
535
     
2,220
     
1,230
     
4,027
 
   
$
13,582
   
$
14,190
   
$
27,171
   
$
27,721
 

 
9

 

 (c) Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
 
Quarterly, the Company’s Investment Committee (“Committee”) evaluates each security which has an unrealized loss as of the end of the subject reporting period for other-than-temporary-impairment.  The Committee uses a set of quantitative and qualitative criteria to review our investment portfolio to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of our investments.  Some of the criteria the Company considers include:
 
 
§
the current fair value compared to amortized cost;
 
§
the length of time the security’s  fair value has been below its amortized cost;
 
§
specific credit issues related to the issuer such as changes in credit rating, reduction or elimination of dividends or non-payment of scheduled interest payments;
 
§
whether management intends to sell the security and, if not, whether it is not more than likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis;
 
§
the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer of the security, including any specific events that may affect its operations or earnings; and
 
§
the occurrence of a discrete credit event resulting in the issuer defaulting on material outstanding obligation or the issuer seeking protection under bankruptcy laws.
 
Impairment of investment securities results in a charge to operations when a market decline below cost is deemed to be other-than-temporary. The Company generally considers investments to be subject to impairment testing when an asset is in an unrealized loss position in excess of 25% of cost basis.

Based on recent guidance in FSP 115-2 “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary-Impairments” in the event of the decline in fair value of a debt security, a holder of that security that does not intend to sell the debt security and for whom it is not more than likely than not that such holder will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, is required to separate the decline in fair value into (a) the amount representing the credit loss and (b) the amount related to other factors.  The amount of total decline in fair value related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings as an Other Than Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) with the amount related to other factors recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss net loss, net of tax.  OTTI credit losses result in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment.  The determination of OTTI is a subjective process, and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of the loss realization.  OTTI charges of our fixed-maturities and equity securities for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are presented in the table below:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Equity securities
 
$
8,761
   
$
7,230
   
$
10,188
   
$
7,972
 
Fixed maturities
   
2,025
     
-
     
2,025
     
-
 
   
$
10,786
   
$
7,230
   
$
12,213
   
$
7,972
 
 
 
10

 


The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses of our fixed maturity and equity securities by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2009:
 
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
(Amounts in  thousands)
 
Fair
Market
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
No. of
Positions
Held
   
Fair
Market
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
No. of
Positions
Held
   
Fair
Market
Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                                                 
Common and preferred stock
 
$
8,368
   
$
(5,608
)
   
58
   
$
21,571
   
$
(29,804
)
   
301
   
$
29,939
   
$
(35,412
)
U.S. treasury securities
   
1,012
     
(59
)
   
3
     
     
     
     
1,012
     
(59
)
U.S. government agencies
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Municipal bonds
   
13,082
     
(333
)
   
5
     
1,860
     
(82
)
   
2
     
14,942
     
(415
)
Corporate bonds:
                                                               
      Finance
   
29,953
     
(1,337
)
   
22
     
176,914
     
(45,531
)
   
54
     
206,867
     
(46,868
)
      Industrial
   
13,658
     
(3,963
)
   
15
     
30,807
     
(8,863
)
   
16
     
44,465
     
(12,826
)
      Utilities
   
     
     
     
2,642
     
(446
)
   
3
     
2,642
     
(446
)
Commercial mortgage backed securities
   
     
     
     
2,469
     
(146
)
   
5
     
2,469
     
(146
)
Residential mortgage backed securities:
                                                               
      Agency backed
   
5,639
     
(45
)
   
1
     
164,170
     
(1,457
)
   
23
     
169,809
     
(1,502
)
      Non-agency backed
   
     
     
     
20
     
(15
)
   
1
     
20
     
(15
)
Asset-backed securities
   
     
     
     
176
     
(178
)
   
1
     
176
     
(178
)
Total temporarily impaired
 
$
71,712
   
$
(11,345
)
   
104
   
$
400,629
   
$
(86,522
)
   
406
   
$
472,341
   
$
(97,867
)
   
There are 510 securities at June 30, 2009 that account for the gross unrealized loss, none of which is deemed by the Company to be OTTI.  Significant factors influencing the Company’s determination that unrealized losses were temporary included the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, the nature of the investment and management’s intent not to sell these securities and it being not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before anticipated recovery of fair value to the Company’s cost basis.

(d) Derivatives
 
The following table presents the notional amounts by remaining maturity of the Company’s Interest Rate Swaps, Credit Default Swaps and Contracts for Differences as of June 30, 2009:

   
Remaining Life of Notional Amount    (1)
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
One Year
   
Two Through
Five Years
   
Six Through
Ten Years
   
After Ten
Years
   
Total
 
Interest rate swaps
  $     $ 26,667     $     $     $ 26,667  
Credit default swaps
          12,000                   12,000  
Contracts for differences
                2,066             2,066  
  
  $     $ 38,667     $ 2,066     $     $ 40,733  

(1)
Notional amount is not representative of either market risk or credit risk and is not recorded in the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company records changes in valuation on its derivative positions as a component of net realized gains and losses.  The Company records changes in valuation on its interest rate swap related to its term loan (See “Note 5. Debt”) as a component of interest expense.

 
11

 

 (e) Other
 
Securities sold but not yet purchased, represent obligations of the Company to deliver the specified security at the contracted price and thereby, create a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. The Company’s liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value and as of June 30, 2009 was $14,120 for corporate bonds and $1,366 for equity securities. These transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company’s ultimate cost to satisfy the delivery of securities sold, not yet purchased, may exceed the amount reflected at June 30, 2009. Subject to certain limitations, all securities owned, to the extent required to cover the Company’s obligations to sell or repledge the securities to others, are pledged to the clearing broker.
 
The Company enters into repurchase agreements. The agreements are accounted for as collateralized borrowing transactions and are recorded at contract amounts. The Company receives cash or securities, that it invests or holds in short term or fixed income securities. As of June 30, 2009, there were $230,605 principal amount outstanding at interest rates between 0.40% and 0.60%.  Interest expense associated with these repurchase agreements for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $535 and $2,219, respectively, of which $38 was accrued as of June 30, 2009.  Interest expense associated with the repurchase agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $1,230 and $4,004, respectively.  The Company has approximately $235,000 of collateral pledged in support of these agreements.
 
4. 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The fair value of a financial instrument is the estimated amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between unrelated parties. The estimated fair value of a financial instrument may differ from the amount that could be realized if the security was sold in a forced transaction. Additionally, valuation of fixed maturity investments is more subjective when markets are less liquid due to lack of market based inputs, which may increase the potential that the estimated fair value of an investment is not reflective of the price at which an actual transaction could occur.
 
For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in the Level 1 hierarchy. The Company receives the quoted market prices from nationally recognized third-party pricing services (“pricing service”). When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value.  This pricing method is used, primarily, for fixed maturities. The fair value estimates provided by the pricing service are included in the Level 2 hierarchy. The Company will challenge any prices for its investments which are considered to not represent fair value. If quoted market prices and an estimate from pricing services are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on dealer quotations of the bid price for recent activity in positions with the same or similar characteristics to that being valued or through consensus pricing of a pricing service. Depending on the level of observable inputs, the Company will then determine if the estimate is Level 2 or Level 3 hierarchy.
 
Fixed Maturities.   The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 99% of its fixed maturities. The pricing service utilizes market quotations for fixed maturity securities that have quoted market prices in active markets. Since fixed maturities other than U.S. treasury securities generally do not trade on a daily basis, the pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements using relevant market data, benchmark curves, sector groupings and matrix pricing. The pricing service utilized by the Company has indicated it will produce an estimate of fair value only if there is verifiable information to produce a valuation. As the fair value estimates of most fixed maturity investments are based on observable market information rather than market quotes, the estimates of fair value other than U.S. Treasury securities are included in Level 2 of the hierarchy. U.S. Treasury securities are included in the amount disclosed in Level 1 as the estimates are based on unadjusted prices. The Company’s Level 2 investments include obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and other mortgage backed securities. While virtually all of the Company’s fixed maturities are included in Level 1 or Level 2, the Company holds a small percentage, approximately 0.6%, of investments which were not valued by a pricing service. Typically, the Company estimates the fair value of these fixed maturities using a pricing matrix with some unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation. Due to the limited amount of unobservable market information, the Company includes the fair value estimates for these investments in Level 3. At June, 30, 2009 the Company held certain fixed maturity investments, which included corporate and bank debt, that were not suitable for matrix pricing. For these assets, a quote is obtained from a market maker broker. Due to the disclaimers on the quotes that indicate that the price is indicative only, the Company includes these fair value estimates in Level 3.
 
Equity Securities .  For public common and preferred stocks, the Company receives estimates from a pricing service that are based on observable market transactions and includes these estimates in Level 1 hierarchy.

 
12

 

Other Investments .  The Company has approximately 1% of its investment portfolio, in limited partnerships or hedge funds where the fair value estimate is determined by a fund manager based on recent filings, operating results, balance sheet stability, growth and other business and market sector fundamentals. Due to the significant unobservable inputs in these valuations, the Company includes the estimate in the amount disclosed in Level 3 hierarchy. The Company has determined that its investments in Level 3 securities are not material to its financial position or results of operations.
 
Derivatives .  The Company from time to time invests in a limited amount of derivatives and other financial instruments as part of its investment portfolio. Derivatives, as defined in SFAS 133, are financial arrangements among two or more parties with returns linked to an underlying equity, debt, commodity, asset, liability, foreign exchange rate or other index. Unless subject to a scope exclusion, the Company carries all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The changes in fair value of the derivative are presented as a component of operating income. The Company primarily utilizes the following types of derivatives at any one time:
 
 
§
Credit default swap contracts (“CDS”), which, are valued in accordance with the terms of each contract based on the current interest rate spreads and credit risk of the referenced obligation of the underlying issuer and interest accrual through valuation date. Fair values are based on the price of the underlying bond on the valuation date. The Company may be required to deposit collateral with the counterparty if the market values of the contract fall below a stipulated amount in the contract. Such amounts are limited to the total equity of the account;

 
§
Interest rate swaps (“IS”), which are valued in terms of the contract between the Company and the issuer of the swaps, are based on the difference between the stated floating rate of the underlying indebtedness, and a predetermined fixed rate for such indebtedness with the result that the indebtedness carries a net fixed interest rate; and

 
§
Contracts for difference contracts (“CFD”), which, are valued based on the market price of the underlying stock. The Company may be required to deposit collateral with the counterparty if the market values of the contract fall below a stipulated amount in the contract.

The Company estimates fair value using information provided by the portfolio manager for IS and CDS and the counterparty for CFD and classifies derivatives as Level 3 hierarchy.

Fair Value Hierarchy

The following table presents the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2009:

(Amounts in thousands)
 
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Assets:
                               
Fixed securities
 
$
912,514
   
$
15,208
   
$
891,566
   
$
5,740
 
Equity securities
   
38,343
     
38,343
     
-
     
-
 
Other investments
   
13,017
     
-
     
-
     
13,017
 
   
$
963,874
   
$
53,551
   
$
891,566
   
$
18,757
 
Liabilities:
                               
Securities sold but not yet purchased, market
 
$
15,486
   
$
1,366
   
$
14,120
   
$
-
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value
   
230,605
     
-
     
230,605
     
-
 
Derivatives
   
2,320
     
-
     
-
     
2,320
 
   
$
248,411
   
$
1,366
   
$
244,725
   
$
2,320
 

 
13

 

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets as of June 30, 2009:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Assets
   
Liabilities
   
Total
 
Three months ended June 30, 2009:
                       
Beginning balance as of April 1, 2009
 
$
19,145
   
$
(982
 )
 
$
18,163
 
Total net losses for the quarter included in:
                       
Net income
   
15
     
(139
)
   
(124
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
   
(403
)
   
(1,199
)
   
(1,602
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Ending balance as of June 30, 2009
 
$
18,757
   
$
(2,320
 )
 
$
16,437
 

(Amounts in thousands )
 
Assets
   
Liabilities
   
Total
 
Six months ended June 30, 2009:
                       
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2009
 
$
21,352
   
$
(1,439
 )
 
$
19,913
 
Total net losses for the quarter included in:
                       
Net income
   
(39
)
   
(123
)
   
(162
)
Other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net
   
(2,556
)
   
(758
)
   
(3,314
)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Ending balance as of June 30, 2009
 
$
18,757
   
$
(2,320
 
$
16,437
 
 
5.
Debt
 
Junior Subordinated Debt

The Company established four special purpose trusts for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. The proceeds from such issuances, together with the proceeds of the related issuances of common securities of the trusts, were invested by the trusts in junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company. As a result of FIN 46, the Company does not consolidate such special purpose trusts, as the Company is not considered to be the primary beneficiary under this accounting standard. The equity investment, totaling $3,714 as of June 30, 2009 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, represents the Company’s ownership of common securities issued by the trusts. The debentures require interest-only payments to be made on a quarterly basis, with principal due at maturity.  The debentures contain covenants that restrict declaration of dividends on the Company’s common stock under certain circumstances, including default of payment The Company incurred $2,605 of placement fees in connection with these issuances which is being amortized over thirty years.

 
14

 

The table below summarizes the Company’s trust preferred securities as of June 30, 2009:

  (Amounts in thousands )
 
Name of Trust
 
Aggregate
Liquidation
Amount of
Trust
Preferred
Securities
   
Aggregate
Liquidation
Amount of
Common
Securities
   
Aggregate
Principal
Amount
of Notes
   
Stated
Maturity
of Notes
   
Per
Annum
Interest
Rate of
Notes
 
AmTrust Capital Financing Trust I
  $ 25,000     $ 774     $ 25,774    
3/17/2035
      8.275 %(1)
AmTrust Capital Financing Trust II
    25,000       774       25,774    
6/15/2035
      7.710    (1)
AmTrust Capital Financing Trust III
    30,000       928       30,928    
9/15/2036
      8.830    (2)
AmTrust Capital Financing Trust IV
    40,000       1,238       41,238    
3/15/2037
      7.930    (3)
Total trust preferred securities
  $ 120,000     $ 3,714     $ 123,714                  

 
(1)
The interest rate will change to three-month LIBOR plus 3.40% after the tenth anniversary.
 
(2)
The interest rate will change to LIBOR plus 3.30% after the fifth anniversary.
 
(3)
The interest rate will change to LIBOR plus 3.00% after the fifth anniversary.

The Company recorded $2,552 and $2,530 of interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $5,104 and $5,060 of interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to these trust preferred securities.

Term Loan
 
On June 3, 2008, the Company entered into a term loan with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $40,000. The term of the loan is for a period of three years and requires quarterly principal payments of $3,333, which began on September 3, 2008 and end on June 3, 2011. The loan carries a variable rate and is based on a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin. The Eurodollar rate is a periodic fixed rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate “LIBOR” plus a margin rate, which was 185 basis points. As of June 30, 2009 the interest rate was 2.45%. The Company recorded $385 and $151 of interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $842 and $151 of interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company can prepay any amount after the first anniversary date without penalty upon prior notice. The term loan contains affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on additional debt, limitations on investments and acquisitions outside the Company’s normal course of business. The loan requires the Company to maintain a debt to capital ratio of 0.35 to 1 or less. The Company incurred financing fees of $52 related to the agreement.

On June 4, 2008, the Company entered into a fixed rate interest swap agreement with a total notional amount of $40,000 to convert the term loan from variable to fixed rate. Under this agreement, the Company pays a fixed rate of 3.47% plus a margin of 185 basis points or 5.32% and receives a variable rate in return based on LIBOR plus a margin rate, which was 185 basis points. The variable rate is reset every three months, at which time the interest will be settled and will be recognized as adjustments to interest expense. The Company recorded interest expense of $164 and $0 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $439 and $0 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 related to this agreement.
 
Promissory Note
 
In connection with the stock and asset purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. (“Unitrin”), the Company, on June 1, 2008, issued a promissory note to Unitrin in the amount of $30,000. The note is non-interest bearing and requires four annual principal payments of $7,500 beginning on June 1, 2009 through June 1, 2012, the first of which was paid in 2009, and the remaining principal payments are due on June 1, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Upon entering into the promissory note, the Company calculated imputed interest of $3,155 based on interest rates available to the Company, which was 4.5%. Accordingly, the note’s carrying balance was adjusted to $26,845 at the acquisition. The note is required to be paid in full, immediately, under certain circumstances involving default of payment or change of control of the Company. The Company included $283 and $101 of amortized discount on the note in its results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $596 and $101 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The note’s carrying value at June 30, 2009 was $20,657.

 
15

 
 
Line of Credit
 
On June 3, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement for an unsecured line of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $25,000. The line is being used for collateral for letters of credit.  On June 30, 2009, the Company amended this agreement, whereby, the line increased in the aggregate amount to $30,000 and its term was extended to June 30, 2010.  The Company incurred fees of $30 for this amendment.  Interest payments are required to be paid monthly on any unpaid principal and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points. As of June 30, 2009 there was no outstanding balance on the line of credit. The Company has outstanding letters of credit in place at June 30, 2009 for $24,075 that reduced the availability on the line of credit to $5,925 as of June 30, 2009.

Maturities of Debt
 
Maturities of the Company’s debt for the remainder of 2009 and future periods are as follows:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
 
Junior subordinated debt
  $     $     $     $     $     $ 123,714  
Term loan
    6,667       13,333       6,667                    
Promissory note
          6,258       7,037       7,362              
Total
  $ 6,667     $ 19,591     $ 13,704     $ 7,362     $     $ 123,714  

6.              Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses
 
The following table summarizes the components of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Policy acquisition expenses
  $ 34,776     $ 24,678     $ 64,024     $ 43,677  
Salaries and benefits
    20,660       17,602       39,941       29,646  
Other insurance general and administrative expense
    9,151       15,544       18,776       25,378  
    $ 64,587     $ 57,824     $ 122,741     $ 98,701  
 
 
16

 

7.
Earnings Per Share

The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 26,771     $ 26,350     $ 50,933     $ 48,613  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic
    59,338       59,989       59,551       59,979  
Potentially dilutive shares:
                               
Dilutive shares from stock-based compensation
    397       1,012       312       981  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – dilutive
    59,735       61,001       59,863       60,960  
                                 
Basic earnings per common share
  $ 0.45     $ 0.44     $ 0.86     $ 0.81  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.45     $ 0.43     $ 0.85     $ 0.80  

As of June 30, 2009, there were approximately 1,345 of anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company repurchased approximately 702 of its common shares for approximately $5,492. The effect of the purchase, reduced the weighted average shares outstanding by approximately 310 shares for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
 
17

 

8.
Share Based Compensation

The Company’s 2005 Equity and Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) permits the Company to grant to officers, employees and non-employee directors of the Company incentive compensation directly linked to the price of the Company’s stock. The Company grants options at prices equal to the closing stock price of the Company’s stock on the dates the options are granted. The Company recognizes compensation expense under SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date. The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. SFAS 123(R)’s fair value valuation method resulted in share-based expense (a component of salaries and benefits) in the amount of approximately $1,141 and $737 related to stock options for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $1,812 and $1,495 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The following schedule shows all options granted, exercised, expired and exchanged under the 2005 Plan for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:
  
 
2009
 
2008
 
 
(Amounts in thousands except per share)
Number of
Shares
 
Amount per
Share
 
Number of
Shares
 
Amount per
Share
 
                 
Outstanding beginning of period
   
3,728
   
$
7.00-15.02
     
3,126
   
$
7.00-14.55
 
Granted
   
423
     
8.99-11.40
     
50
     
15.02
 
Exercised
   
(13
   
7.50
     
(41
   
7.50
 
Cancelled or terminated
   
(86
)
   
7.50-14.55
     
(15
)
   
7.50
 
Outstanding end of period
   
4,052
   
$
7.00-15.02
     
3,120
   
$
7.00-15.02
 
 
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $2.94 and $4.84, respectively. As of June 30, 2009 there was approximately $6,127 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements.

9.
Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the components of comprehensive income:

   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
  $ 26,771     $ 26,350     $ 50,933     $ 48,613  
Unrealized holding gain (loss)
    40,967       (13,329 )     25,997       (30,416 )
Reclassification adjustment
    5,993       8,367       14,407       8,232  
Foreign currency translation
    3,963       (268 )     3,123       620  
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 77,694     $ 21,120     $ 94,460       27,049  

 
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10.
Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 was $5,448 and $7,216, respectively, and $10,704 and $14,533 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The following table reconciles the Company’s statutory federal income tax rate to its effective tax rate.
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority interest
  $ 32,219     $ 33,566     $ 61,637     $ 60,246  
Less: minority interest
                      (2,900 )
Income from continuing operations after minority interest before provision for income taxes
  $ 32,219     $ 33,566     $ 61,637     $ 63,146  
                                 
Income taxes at statutory rates
  $ 11,277     $ 11,714     $ 21,573     $ 22,101  
Effect of income not subject to U.S. taxation
    (4,675 )     (4,876 )     (9,888 )     (7,868 )
Other, net
    (1,154     378       (981     300  
Provision for income taxes as shown on the consolidated statements of earnings
  $ 5,448     $ 7,216     $ 10,704     $ 14,533  
GAAP effective tax rate
    16.9 %     21.5 %     17.4 %     23.0 %

The Company’s management believes that it will realize the benefits of its deferred tax asset and, accordingly, no valuation allowance has been recorded for the periods presented. The Company does not provide for income taxes on the unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries where, in management’s opinion, such earnings have been indefinitely reinvested. It is not practical to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for temporary differences related to these investments.

The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions include the U.S. (federal and state), the United Kingdom and Ireland. The years subject to potential audit vary depending on the tax jurisdiction.  Generally, the Company’s statute of limitation is open for tax years ended December 31, 2004 and forward. At June 30, 2009, the Company has approximately $1,520 of accrued interest and penalties related to FIN 48 unrecognized tax benefits.
 
During 2007, the Company, while performing a review of the income tax return filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for calendar year ending December 31, 2006, determined an issue existed per FIN 48 guidelines concerning its position related to accrued market discount. The Company reverses accrued market discount income recognized for book purposes when calculating taxable income. The reversal results from the accrued market discount income recognized by the insurance subsidiaries for bonds and other investments. The Company inadvertently reversed the amount related to commercial paper investments on the 2006 income tax return. The Company has estimated the potential liability to be approximately $942 (including $125 for penalties and interest) and has reflected this position, per FIN 48 guidelines, in the consolidated financial statements.

During 2006, the IRS completed an audit of the Company’s subsidiaries, Associated Industries Insurance Services, Inc. (“AIIS”) and Associated Industries Insurance Company’s (“AIIC”) (collectively “Associated”), which the Company acquired in 2007.  For Associated’s 2002 and 2003 consolidated federal income tax returns, the field examiner indicated Associated underpaid their liability by approximately $3,200. In addition, interest and penalties of $600 were assessed.  During 2006, management of Associated accrued a liability for its best estimate of a settlement with the IRS. Although the predecessor management of Associated disagreed with the majority of the positions taken by the examiner and appealed the assessment, the Company has estimated the potential liability related to the audit to be $4,325 (including $1,395 for penalties and interest) and has reflected this position, per FIN 48 guidelines, in the consolidated financial statements. In October 2008, the appeals agent found in favor of Associated on substantially all issues and also agreed to abate all related penalties. The preliminary report and recommendation of settlement has been prepared by the appeals agent. The Company expects the IRS to issue their final settlement report and proposed adjustment of tax and interest due during the second half of 2009.  Additionally, during the second quarter 2008, AIIS received notification from the IRS indicating the 2006 consolidated federal tax return had been selected for audit.  The majority of the field work has been completed and responses for all initial information document requests have been provided to the examining agent.  The Company expects the agent to issue any proposed adjustments and related audit report during the second half of 2009.

 
19

 

11.
Related Party Transactions

Reinsurance Agreement

Maiden Holdings, Ltd. (“Maiden”) is a publicly-held Bermuda insurance holding company (Nasdaq:MHLD) formed by Michael Karfunkel, George Karfunkel and Barry Zyskind, the principal shareholders, and, respectively, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Director, and the Chief Executive Officer and Director of AmTrust. As of June 30, 2009, Michael Karfunkel owns or controls 15% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Maiden, George Karfunkel owns or controls 10.5% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Maiden and Mr. Zyskind owns or controls 5.7% of the issued and outstanding stock of Maiden.  Mr. Zyskind serves as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Maiden’s Board of Directors.  Maiden Insurance Company, Ltd (“Maiden Insurance”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maiden, is a Bermuda reinsurer.
   
During the third quarter of 2007, the Company and Maiden entered into master agreement, as amended, by which they caused the Company’s Bermuda affiliate, AmTrust International Insurance, Ltd. (“AII”) and Maiden Insurance to enter into a quota share reinsurance agreement (the “Maiden Quota Share”), as amended, by which (a) AII retrocedes to Maiden Insurance an amount equal to 40% of the premium written by AmTrust’s U.S., Irish and U.K. insurance companies (the “AmTrust Ceding Insurers”), net of the cost of unaffiliated inuring reinsurance (and in the case of AmTrust’s U.K. insurance subsidiary IGI, net of commissions) and 40% of losses and (b) AII transferred to Maiden Insurance 40% of the AmTrust Ceding Insurer’s unearned premium reserves, effective as of July 1, 2007, with respect to the Company's then current lines of business, excluding risks for which the AmTrust Ceding Insurers’ net retention exceeded $5,000 (“Covered Business”).

AmTrust also has agreed to cause AII, subject to regulatory requirements, to reinsure any insurance company which writes Covered Business in which AmTrust acquires a majority interest to the extent required to enable AII to cede to Maiden Insurance 40% of the premiums and losses related to such Covered Business.  In June 2008, AII, pursuant to the Maiden Quota Share, offered to cede to Maiden and Maiden agreed to assume 100% of unearned premium and losses related to in-force Retail Commercial Package Business assumed by the Company in connection with its acquisition of UBI, the commercial package business of Unitrin, Inc. (“Unitrin”) from a subsidiary of Unitrin and 40% of prospective net premium written and losses related to Retail Commercial Package Business.  In September 2008, AII, pursuant to the Maiden Quota Share, offered to cede and Maiden Insurance agreed to assume 40% of the net premium written and losses with respect to certain business written by AmTrust’s Irish insurance subsidiary, AIU, for which AIU retains in excess of $5,000 per loss (“Excess Retention Business”).

The Maiden Quota Share, as amended, further provides that AII receives a ceding commission of 31% of ceded written premiums with respect to Covered Business and the AIU Excess Retention Business and 34.375% with respect to Retail Commercial Package Business. The Maiden Quota Share has an initial term of three years and will automatically renew for successive three year terms thereafter, unless either AII or Maiden Insurance notifies the other of its election not to renew not less than nine months prior to the end of any such three year term. In addition, either party is entitled to terminate on thirty day’s notice or less upon the occurrence of certain early termination events, which include a default in payment, insolvency, change in control of AII or Maiden Insurance, run-off, or a reduction of 50% or more of the shareholders’ equity of Maiden Insurance or the combined shareholders’ equity of AII and the AmTrust Ceding Insurers.

 
20

 

The following is the effect on the Company’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the results of operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 related to the Maiden Quota Share agreement:
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
As of June 30, 2009
   
As of December 31, 2008
 
Assets and liabilities:
           
Reinsurance recoverable
  $ 265,989       221,214  
Prepaid reinsurance premium
    235,852       243,511  
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable
    (89,624 )     (102,907
Note payable
    (167,975     (167,975 )
 
   
Three Months Ended June 30,
   
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Results of operations:
                       
Premium written - ceded
  $ (90,079 )   $ (168,069 )   $ (177,559 )   $ (251,017 )
Change in unearned premium - ceded
    2,218       91,824       (4,753     110,983  
Earned premium - ceded
  $ (87,861 )   $ (76,245 )   $ (182,312 )   $ (140,034 )
                                 
Ceding commission on premium written
  $ 27,570     $ 54,753     $ 55,123     $ 80,745  
Ceding commission – deferred
    3,960       (19,531 )     3,525       (25,339 )
Ceding commission - earned
  $ 31,530     $ 35,222     $ 58,648     $ 55,406  
                                 
Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense - ceded
  $ 66,908     $ 48,528     $ 138,113     $ 90,000  
Interest expense
    554       2,695       1,124       2,695  

The Maiden Quota Share requires that Maiden Insurance provide to AII sufficient collateral to secure its proportional share of AII’s obligations to the U.S. AmTrust Ceding Insurers. AII is required to return to Maiden Insurance any assets of Maiden Insurance in excess of the amount required to secure its proportional share of AII’s collateral requirements, subject to certain deductions. In order to secure its proportional share of AII’s obligation to the AmTrust Ceding Insurers, domiciled in the U.S., AII currently has outstanding a collateral loan issued to Maiden Insurance in the amount of $167,975 (See Note Payable - Collateral for Proportionate Share of Reinsurance Obligation).  Effective December 1, 2008, AII and Maiden Insurance entered into a Reinsurer Trust Assets Collateral agreement whereby Maiden Insurance is required to provide AII the assets required to secure Maiden’s proportional share of the Company’s obligations to its U.S. subsidiaries.  The amount of this collateral as of June 30, 2009 was $155,994. Maiden retains ownership of the collateral in the trust account.
 
Reinsurance Brokerage Agreement
 
Effective July 1, 2007, AmTrust, through a subsidiary, entered into a reinsurance brokerage agreement with Maiden. Pursuant to the brokerage agreement, AmTrust provides brokerage services relating to the Reinsurance Agreement for a fee equal to 1.25% of reinsured premium. The brokerage fee is payable in consideration of AII Reinsurance Broker Ltd.’s brokerage services. The Company recorded $1,096 and $2,101 of brokerage commission during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $2,229 and $3,138 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Asset Management Agreement
 
Effective July 1, 2007, AmTrust, through a subsidiary, entered into an asset management agreement with Maiden, pursuant to which it provides investment management services to Maiden. Pursuant to the asset management agreement, AmTrust earned an annual fee equal to 0.35% per annum of average invested assets plus all costs incurred. Effective April 1, 2008, the investment management services fee was reduced to 0.20% per annum for periods in which average invested assets are $1,000,000 or less and 0.15% per annum for periods in which the average invested assets exceed $1,000,000. As a result of this agreement, the Company recorded approximately $618 and $460 of investment management fees for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $1,215 and $960 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
21

 
 
Services Agreement

AmTrust, through its subsidiaries, entered into services agreements in 2008, pursuant to which it provides certain marketing and back office services to Maiden. Pursuant to the services agreements, AmTrust earns a fee equal to the amount required to reimburse AmTrust for its costs plus 8%.  As a result of this agreement, the Company recorded approximately $182 and $382 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $335 and $498 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Note Payable — Collateral for Proportionate Share of Reinsurance Obligation
 
In conjunction with the Maiden Quota Share, AII entered into a loan agreement with Maiden Insurance during the fourth quarter of 2007, whereby, Maiden Insurance agreed to lend to AII from time to time the amount of the obligation of the AmTrust Ceding Insurers that AII is obligated to secure, not to exceed an amount equal to Maiden Insurance’s proportionate share of such obligations.  The loan agreement was amended in February 2008 to provide for interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 90 basis points and is payable on a quarterly basis. Each advance under the loan is secured by a promissory note. Advances totaled $167,975 as of June 30, 2008. The Company recorded $554 and $2,695 of interest expense during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1,124 and $2,695 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Other Reinsurance Agreement
 
Effective January 1, 2008, Maiden became a participating reinsurer in the first layer of the Company’s workers’ compensation excess of loss program, which provides coverage in the amount of $9,000 per occurrence in excess of $1,000, subject to an annual aggregate deductible of $1,250. Maiden, which is one of two participating reinsurers in the layer, has a 45% participation. Maiden participates in the first layer of the excess of loss program on the same market terms and conditions as the other participant.
 
Leap Tide Capital Management
 
Leap Tide Capital Management, Inc. (“LTCMI”), our wholly owned subsidiary, currently manages approximately $35,600 of our assets. LTCMI also serves as the Investment Manager of Leap Tide Partners, L.P., a domestic partnership and Leap Tide Offshore, Ltd., a Cayman exempted company, both of which were formed for the purpose of providing qualified third-party investors the opportunity to invest funds in a vehicle managed by LTCMI (the “Hedge Funds”). As of June 30, 2009, the current value of the invested funds in the Hedge Funds was less than $7,700.  The majority of funds invested in the Hedge Funds were provided by members of the Karfunkel family.  The Company’s Audit Committee has reviewed the Leap Tide transactions and determined that they were entered into at arm’s-length and did not violate the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The management company earned approximately $0 and $37 of fees under the agreement during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $0 and $80 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

Lease Agreements

In 2002, the Company entered into a lease for approximately 9,000 square feet of office space at 59 Maiden Lane in New York, New York from 59 Maiden Lane Associates, LLC, an entity which is wholly-owned by Michael Karfunkel and George Karfunkel. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company entered into an amended lease whereby it increased its leased space to 14,807 square feet and extended the lease through December 31, 2017. The Company’s Audit Committee reviewed and approved the amended lease agreement. The Company paid approximately $159 and $134 for the lease for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $325 and $217 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
In 2008, the Company entered into a lease for approximately 5,000 square feet of office space in Chicago, Illinois from 33 West Monroe Associates, LLC, an entity which is wholly-owned by Michael Karfunkel and George Karfunkel.  Effective May 1, 2009, the Company entered into an amended lease by which the Company increased its leased space to 7,156 square feet. The Company’s Audit Committee reviewed and approved the lease agreement. The Company paid approximately $50 and $31 for the lease for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $91 and $62 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
22

 
 
Employment Relationship

Barry Karfunkel, was an analyst with a Company subsidiary through January 31, 2009, earned approximately $0 and $87 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $21 and $150 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Barry Karfunkel is the son of Michael Karfunkel and the brother-in-law of Barry Zyskind.
 
Warrantech
 
In February of 2007, the Company participated with H.I.G. Capital, a Miami-based private equity firm, in financing H.I.G. Capital’s acquisition of Warrantech in a cash merger. The Company contributed $3,850 for a 27% equity interest in Warrantech.  Warrantech is an independent developer, marketer and third party administrator of service contracts and after-market warranty primarily for the motor vehicle and consumer product industries. The Company currently insures a majority of Warrantech’s business, which produced gross written premium of approximately $20,300 and $32,900 during the three months ended 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $43,300 and $50,600 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The Company recorded investment loss of approximately $217 and $561 from its equity investment for the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $619 and $561 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2009 the Company’s equity investment was approximately $1,491. Additionally in 2007, the Company provided Warrantech with $20,000 in funds in exchange for a senior secured note due January 31, 2012 in that principal amount (note receivable — related party). Interest on the notes is payable monthly at a rate of 15% per annum and consisted of a cash component at 11% per annum and 4% per annum for the issuance of additional notes (“PIK Notes”) in a principle amount equal to the interest not paid in cash on such date. As of June 30, 2009 the carrying value of the note receivable was $22,026 (note receivable — related party).

12.
Acquisition
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company, through a subsidiary, acquired all the issued and outstanding stock of Imagine Captive Holdings Limited (“ICHL”), a Luxembourg holding company, which owned all of the issued and outstanding stock of Imagine Re Beta SA, Imagine Re (Luxembourg) 2007 SA and Imagine Re SA (collectively, the “Captives”), each of which is a Luxembourg domiciled captive insurance company, from Imagine Finance SARL (“SARL”).  ICHL subsequently changed its name to AmTrust Captive Holdings Limited (“ACHL”) and the Captives changed their names to AmTrust Re Beta SA, AmTrust Re (Luxembourg) 2007 SA and AmTrust Re SA, respectively.  The purchase price of ACHL was $20 which represented the capital of ACHL.  The acquisition allows the Company to obtain the benefit of the Captives’ utilization of their equalization reserves.  In accordance with SFAS No 141(R), the Company recorded approximately $12,500 of cash, $66,500 of receivables and $79,000 of loss reserves.  The results of operations have been included since acquisition date.

Additionally, the Captives had previously entered into a stop loss agreement with Imagine Insurance Company Limited (“Imagine”) by which Imagine agreed to cede certain losses to the Captives.  Concurrently, with the Company’s purchase of ACHL, the Company, through AII, entered into a novation agreement by which AII assumed all of Imagine’s rights and obligations under the stop loss agreement.

 
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13.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requires all entities to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.

The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures for
financial instruments:

 
§
Equity and fixed income investments:   Fair value disclosures for investments are included in “Note 4— Fair Value of Financial Instruments.”;
 
§
Premiums receivable: The carrying values reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short term nature of the asset;
 
§
Subordinated debentures and debt:   The carrying values reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate fair value. Fair value was estimated using projected cash flows, discounted at rates currently being offered for similar notes.
 
14.
Contingent Liabilities
 
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries and other operating subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal actions arising principally from claims made under insurance policies and contracts. Those actions are considered by the Company in estimating the loss and loss expense reserves. The Company’s management believes the resolution of those actions should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

15.
Assets Under Management
 
In December 2006, the Company formed two, wholly-owned subsidiaries currently named Leap Tide Capital Management, Inc. (LTCMI) and Leap Tide Capital Management GP, LLC (LTCM GP). Concurrently with these formations, the Company also formed Leap Tide Partners, LP (LTP), a hedge fund limited partnership, for the purpose of managing the assets of its limited partners. LTCMI has a 1% ownership in LTP. LTCMI earns a management fee equal to 1% of the LTP’s assets. LTCMI also earns an incentive fee of 20% of the cumulative profits of the LTP. Through March 31, 2008 LTCMI, the general partner of LTP, consolidated LTP in accordance with EITF 04-05 “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” as the rights of the limited partners did not overcome the rights of the general partner. Effective April 1, 2008, the limited partnership agreement was amended such that a majority of the limited partners had the right to liquidate the limited partnership. In addition, the Company ceased being the managing member of LTCM GP. Due to this amendment, in accordance with EITF 04-05, the Company ceased to consolidate LTP as of April 1, 2008.

Through March 31, 2008, we allocated an equivalent portion of the limited partners’ income or loss to minority interest.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, LTP had an investment loss of $0 and $2,900, respectively and resulted in an allocation to minority interest of $0 and $2,900. The management companies earned approximately $0 and $37 of fees under the agreement during the three and months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $0 and $80 during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
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16.
Segments

The Company currently operates three business segments, Small Commercial Business; Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Insurance; and Specialty Middle-Market Property and Casualty Insurance. The “Corporate & Other” segment represents the activities of the holding company as well as a portion of fee revenue. In determining total assets (excluding cash and invested assets) by segment the Company identifies those assets that are attributable to a particular segment such as premium receivable, deferred acquisition cost, reinsurance recoverable and prepaid reinsurance while the remaining assets are allocated based on net written premium by segment. In determining cash and invested assets by segment, the Company matches certain identifiable liabilities such as unearned premium and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by segment. The remaining cash and invested assets are then allocated based on net written premium by segment. Investment income and realized gains (losses) are determined by calculating an overall annual return on cash and invested assets and applying that overall return to the cash and invested assets by segment. Interest expense and income taxes are allocated based on net written premium by segment. Additionally, management reviews the performance of underwriting income in assessing the performance of and making decisions regarding the allocation of resources to the segments. Underwriting income excludes, primarily, commission and fee revenue, investment income and other revenues, other underwriting expenses, interest expense and income taxes. Management believes that providing this information in this manner is essential to providing Company’s shareholders with an understanding of the Company’s business and operating performance.  The following tables summarize business segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.

(Amounts in thousands)
 
Small
commercial
business
   
Specialty risk
and extended
warranty