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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| | | | | |
☒ | Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024 |
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: 001-36777
| | |
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | |
Bermuda | | 98-0585280 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, Pembroke HM11, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(441) 295-1422
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Names of each exchange on which registered |
Common Shares, par value $0.0002 per share | JRVR | | NASDAQ | Global Select Market | |
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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No x
Number of shares of the registrant's common shares outstanding at May 7, 2024: 37,825,767
James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
Form 10-Q
Index
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You may identify forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans”, “seeks” and “believes,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could.” These forward-looking statements include, among others, all statements relating to our future financial performance, our business prospects and strategy, anticipated financial position and financial strength ratings, liquidity and capital needs and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.
Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, among others:
•the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves and the possibility that incurred losses may be greater than our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves;
•inaccurate estimates and judgments in our risk management may expose us to greater risks than intended;
•downgrades in the financial strength rating or outlook of our regulated insurance subsidiaries impacting our ability to attract and retain insurance business that our subsidiaries write, our competitive position, and our financial condition;
•potential uncertainty regarding the outcome of our exploration of strategic alternatives, and the impacts that it may have on our business;
•the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees, and our ability to attract and retain personnel;
•adverse economic factors resulting in the sale of fewer policies than expected or an increase in the frequency or severity of claims, or both;
•the impact of a persistent high inflationary environment on our reserves, the values of our investments and investment returns, and our compensation expenses;
•exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio;
•reliance on a select group of brokers and agents for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships;
•reliance on a select group of customers for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain, or decision to terminate, such relationships;
•our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at prices and on terms that allow us to transfer risk, adequately protect our Company against financial loss and that supports our growth plans;
•losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims, insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims, or a former customer with whom we have an indemnification arrangement failing to perform its reimbursement obligations, and our potential inability to demand or maintain adequate collateral to mitigate such risks;
•inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred;
•changes in laws or government regulation, including tax or insurance law and regulations;
•changes in U.S. tax laws (including associated regulations) and the interpretation of certain provisions applicable to insurance/reinsurance businesses with U.S. and non-U.S. operations, which may be retroactive and could have a significant effect on us including, among other things, by potentially increasing our tax rate, as well as on our shareholders;
•in the event we do not qualify for the insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules and are therefore considered a PFIC, there could be material adverse tax consequences to an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation;
•the Company or any of its foreign subsidiaries becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation;
•a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we utilize to shield us from unanticipated financial losses or legal exposures, or other liabilities;
•losses from catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and terrorist acts, which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events;
•the amount of the final post-closing adjustment to the purchase price received in connection with the sale of our casualty reinsurance business;
•potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues;
•the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cyber security incidents;
•our ability to manage our growth effectively;
•failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”);
•changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay us dividends;
•an adverse result in any litigation or legal proceedings we are or may become subject to; and
•other risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Accordingly, you should read this Quarterly Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from information contained in forward-looking statements.
Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, is contained in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except as expressly required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any obligation, and do not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this Quarterly Report, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by us, or on our behalf. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Unaudited) March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
Assets | | | |
Invested assets: | | | |
| | | |
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2024 – $1,377,965; 2023 – $1,405,136) | $ | 1,287,466 | | | $ | 1,324,476 | |
| | | |
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2024 – $119,788; 2023 – $114,107) | 128,690 | | | 119,945 | |
Bank loan participations, at fair value | 173,046 | | | 156,169 | |
Short-term investments | 84,534 | | | 72,137 | |
Other invested assets | 33,082 | | | 33,134 | |
Total invested assets | 1,706,818 | | | 1,705,861 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 305,496 | | | 274,298 | |
Restricted cash equivalents | 73,396 | | | 72,449 | |
Accrued investment income | 11,664 | | | 12,106 | |
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net | 221,566 | | | 249,490 | |
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, net | 1,377,863 | | | 1,358,474 | |
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses | 142,288 | | | 157,991 | |
Prepaid reinsurance premiums | 289,383 | | | 293,108 | |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 26,991 | | | 31,497 | |
Intangible assets, net | 32,722 | | | 32,813 | |
Goodwill | 181,831 | | | 181,831 | |
Other assets | 148,731 | | | 163,939 | |
Assets held-for-sale (Note 2 - discontinued operations) | 732,170 | | | 783,393 | |
Total assets | $ | 5,250,919 | | | $ | 5,317,250 | |
See accompanying notes.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Unaudited) March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| (in thousands, except share amounts) |
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity | | | |
Liabilities: | | | |
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 2,661,909 | | | $ | 2,606,107 | |
Unearned premiums | 550,688 | | | 587,899 | |
Payables to reinsurers | 126,538 | | | 158,670 | |
Funds held | 65,235 | | | 65,235 | |
Deferred reinsurance gain | 16,731 | | | 20,733 | |
Senior debt | 222,300 | | | 222,300 | |
Junior subordinated debt | 104,055 | | | 104,055 | |
Accrued expenses | 42,708 | | | 56,722 | |
Other liabilities | 179,614 | | | 174,513 | |
Liabilities held-for-sale (Note 2 - discontinued operations) | 596,706 | | | 641,497 | |
Total liabilities | 4,566,484 | | | 4,637,731 | |
Commitments and contingent liabilities | | | |
Series A redeemable preferred shares – 2024 and 2023: $0.00125 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 150,000 shares issued and outstanding | 144,898 | | | 144,898 | |
Shareholders’ equity: | | | |
Common shares – 2024 and 2023: $0.0002 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 37,822,340 and 37,641,563 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 7 | | | 7 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 878,091 | | | 876,240 | |
Retained deficit | (267,067) | | | (277,905) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (71,494) | | | (63,721) | |
Total shareholders’ equity | 539,537 | | | 534,621 | |
Total liabilities, Series A redeemable preferred shares, and shareholders’ equity | $ | 5,250,919 | | | $ | 5,317,250 | |
See accompanying notes.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands, except share amounts) |
Revenues | | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | | | | | $ | 330,810 | | | $ | 353,454 | |
Ceded written premiums | | | | | (192,638) | | | (179,299) | |
Net written premiums | | | | | 138,172 | | | 174,155 | |
Change in net unearned premiums | | | | | 33,519 | | | (2,315) | |
Net earned premiums | | | | | 171,691 | | | 171,840 | |
Net investment income | | | | | 22,632 | | | 18,425 | |
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments | | | | | 4,583 | | | 160 | |
Other income | | | | | 2,221 | | | 1,309 | |
Total revenues | | | | | 201,127 | | | 191,734 | |
Expenses | | | | | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | | | | | 110,049 | | | 126,381 | |
Other operating expenses | | | | | 50,810 | | | 48,036 | |
Other expenses | | | | | 732 | | | 603 | |
Interest expense | | | | | 6,485 | | | 5,583 | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | 91 | | | 91 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | | | | 168,167 | | | 180,694 | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | | | 32,960 | | | 11,040 | |
Income tax expense on continuing operations | | | | | 9,452 | | | 3,136 | |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | 23,508 | | | 7,904 | |
Discontinued operations (Note 2): | | | | | | | |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations | | | | | (9,605) | | | 1,704 | |
Gain on held for sale classification of discontinued operations | | | | | 1,500 | | | — | |
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations | | | | | (8,105) | | | 1,704 | |
Net income | | | | | 15,403 | | | 9,608 | |
Dividends on Series A preferred shares | | | | | (2,625) | | | (2,625) | |
Net income available to common shareholders | | | | | $ | 12,778 | | | $ | 6,983 | |
| | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive (loss) income: | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized (losses) gains, net of taxes of $(2,066) in 2024 and $5,001 in 2023 | | | | | (7,773) | | | 30,902 | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | $ | 7,630 | | | $ | 40,510 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.55 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | $ | 0.19 | |
Diluted | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | $ | (0.18) | | | $ | 0.04 | |
| | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | $ | 0.18 | |
Dividend declared per common share | | | | | $ | 0.05 | | | $ | 0.05 | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | 37,733,710 | | | 37,531,819 | |
Diluted | | | | | 44,638,969 | | | 37,785,452 | |
See accompanying notes.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of Common Shares Outstanding | | Common Shares (Par) | | | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Deficit | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total |
| (in thousands, except share amounts) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at December 31, 2023 | 37,641,563 | | | $ | 7 | | | | | $ | 876,240 | | | $ | (277,905) | | | $ | (63,721) | | | $ | 534,621 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | 15,403 | | | — | | | 15,403 | |
Other comprehensive loss | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | (7,773) | | | (7,773) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vesting of RSUs | 180,777 | | | — | | | | | (824) | | | — | | | — | | | (824) | |
Compensation expense under share incentive plans | — | | | — | | | | | 2,675 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,675 | |
Dividends on Series A preferred shares | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | (2,625) | | | — | | | (2,625) | |
Dividends on common shares | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | (1,940) | | | — | | | (1,940) | |
Balances at March 31, 2024 | 37,822,340 | | | $ | 7 | | | | | $ | 878,091 | | | $ | (267,067) | | | $ | (71,494) | | | $ | 539,537 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balances at December 31, 2022 | 37,470,237 | | | $ | 7 | | | | | $ | 868,858 | | | $ | (152,055) | | | $ | (163,044) | | | $ | 553,766 | |
Net income | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | 9,608 | | | — | | | 9,608 | |
Other comprehensive income | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | — | | | 30,902 | | | 30,902 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Vesting of RSUs | 148,989 | | | — | | | | | (1,507) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,507) | |
Compensation expense under share incentive plans | — | | | — | | | | | 2,692 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,692 | |
Dividends on Series A preferred shares | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | (2,625) | | | — | | | (2,625) | |
Dividends on common shares | — | | | — | | | | | — | | | (1,921) | | | — | | | (1,921) | |
Balances at March 31, 2023 | 37,619,226 | | | $ | 7 | | | | | $ | 870,043 | | | $ | (146,993) | | | $ | (132,142) | | | $ | 590,915 | |
See accompanying notes.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
Operating activities | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities (a) | $ | 24,079 | | | $ | 19,452 | |
Investing activities | | | |
Securities available-for-sale: | | | |
Purchases – fixed maturity securities | (2,015) | | | (101,374) | |
Sales – fixed maturity securities | 39,699 | | | — | |
Maturities and calls – fixed maturity securities | 40,081 | | | 21,726 | |
Purchases – equity securities | (5,180) | | | (5,081) | |
Sales – equity securities | 4,556 | | | 6,745 | |
Bank loan participations: | | | |
Purchases | (57,209) | | | (8,288) | |
Sales | 33,432 | | | 10,494 | |
Maturities | 6,908 | | | 7,755 | |
Other invested assets: | | | |
Purchases | (2,000) | | | — | |
Return of capital | 200 | | | 510 | |
Proceeds from sales | 1,451 | | | 1,153 | |
Short-term investments, net | (12,397) | | | 82,751 | |
Securities receivable or payable, net | 715 | | | 2,032 | |
Purchases of property and equipment | (745) | | | (1,297) | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | 47,496 | | | 17,126 | |
Financing activities | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Payroll taxes withheld and remitted on net settlement of RSUs | (824) | | | (1,507) | |
Dividends on Series A preferred shares | (2,625) | | | (5,250) | |
Dividends on common shares | (2,007) | | | (2,048) | |
| | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | (5,456) | | | (8,805) | |
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents | 66,119 | | | 27,773 | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period | 359,949 | | | 276,379 | |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 426,068 | | | $ | 304,152 | |
Supplemental information | | | |
Interest paid | $ | 7,801 | | | $ | 7,307 | |
| | | |
Restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period | $ | 72,449 | | | $ | 103,215 | |
Restricted cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 73,396 | | | $ | 104,254 | |
Change in restricted cash equivalents | $ | 947 | | | $ | 1,039 | |
(a) Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 includes the restricted cash activity above related to a former insured, per the terms of a collateral trust. See “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party and Reinsurer on Legacy Commercial Auto Book”. Excluding the restricted cash activity, cash provided by operating activities was $23.1 million and $18.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
See accompanying notes.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Accounting Policies
Organization
James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (referred to as “JRG Holdings” or, with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an exempted holding company registered in Bermuda, organized for the purpose of acquiring and managing insurance entities.
The Company owns five insurance companies based in the United States (“U.S.”) focused on specialty insurance niches as described below:
•James River Group Holdings UK Limited (“James River UK”) is an insurance holding company formed in 2015 in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). JRG Holdings contributed James River Group, Inc. (“James River Group”), a U.S. insurance holding company, to James River UK in 2015.
•James River Group is a Delaware domiciled insurance holding company formed in 2002 which owns all of the Company’s U.S.-based subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly through one of its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries. James River Group oversees the Company’s U.S. insurance operations and maintains all of the outstanding debt in the U.S.
•James River Insurance Company is an Ohio domiciled excess and surplus lines insurance company that, with its wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, James River Casualty Company, an Ohio domiciled company, is authorized to write business in every state and the District of Columbia.
•Falls Lake National Insurance Company (“Falls Lake National”) is an Ohio domiciled insurance company which wholly owns Stonewood Insurance Company (“Stonewood Insurance”), a North Carolina domiciled company, and Falls Lake Fire and Casualty Company, a California domiciled company. Falls Lake National and its subsidiaries primarily write specialty admitted fronting and program business.
The Company previously owned JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“JRG Re”), a Bermuda domiciled reinsurer, which comprised the former Casualty Reinsurance segment, and which, prior to the suspension of its underwriting activities in 2023, primarily provided non-catastrophe casualty reinsurance to U.S. third parties. On November 8, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell JRG Re. The sale closed on April 16, 2024 and resulted in the Company’s disposition of its casualty reinsurance business and related assets. See Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations below and Note 2 for additional disclosure.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and its subsidiaries from their respective dates of inception or acquisition, as applicable. Readers are urged to review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.
Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Held-for-Sale and Discontinued Operations
The results of operations of a component of the Company are reported in discontinued operations when certain criteria are met as of the date of disposal, or earlier if classified as held-for-sale. The Company determined that the definitive agreement to sell JRG Re meets the criteria for JRG Re to be classified as held for sale and that the sale represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company's operations. Accordingly, the results of JRG Re's operations have been presented as discontinued operations, and the assets and liabilities of JRG Re have been classified as held-for-sale and segregated for all periods presented in this interim report on Form 10-Q. See Note 2 for additional disclosure.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Estimates and Assumptions
Preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Those estimates are inherently subject to change, and actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.
Variable Interest Entities
Entities that do not have sufficient equity at risk to allow the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support or in which the equity investors, as a group, do not have the characteristic of a controlling financial interest are referred to as variable interest entities (“VIE”). A VIE is consolidated by the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) as a result of having both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of an entity subject to consolidation based on a qualitative assessment of the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, and the Company’s relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE on the date it becomes initially involved in the VIE. The Company reassesses its VIE determination with respect to an entity on an ongoing basis.
The Company holds interests in VIEs through certain equity method investments included in “other invested assets” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has determined that it should not consolidate any of the VIEs as it is not the primary beneficiary in any of the relationships. Although the investments resulted in the Company holding variable interests in the entities, they did not empower the Company to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities. The Company’s investments related to these VIEs totaled $8.1 million at March 31, 2024 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2023, representing the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income from continuing operations reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction. Statutory tax rates are 0% and 21% for Bermuda and the U.S. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 28.7% and 28.4%, respectively. The Company does not receive a U.S. tax deduction for losses in our Bermuda entities. Bermuda had losses in both periods primarily due to Bermuda holding company expenses and interest expense. For U.S.-sourced income, the Company’s U.S. federal income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to income before taxes due primarily to interest income on tax-advantaged state and municipal securities, dividends received income, and excess tax benefits and expenses on share based compensation.
Adopted Accounting Standards
There were no new accounting standards adopted in 2024 that materially impacted the Company's financial statements.
Prospective Accounting Standards
The guidance in ASU 2023-07—Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures was designed to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Although the Company continues to evaluate the impact of adopting this new accounting standard, the amendments are disclosure-related and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.
The guidance in ASU 2023-09—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures was designed to increase transparency about income tax information through improvements to the rate reconciliation and disclosure of income taxes paid. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Although the Company continues to evaluate the impact of adopting this new accounting standard, the amendments are disclosure-related and are not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Discontinued Operations
On November 8, 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Fleming Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, and on the terms and subject to the conditions therein, the Buyer agreed to purchase from the Company all of the common shares of JRG Re. JRG Re comprises the remaining operations of the former Casualty Reinsurance segment, and the sale of JRG Re, which closed on April 16, 2024, resulted in the Company’s disposition of its casualty reinsurance business and related assets.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the aggregate purchase price received by the Company, after giving effect to estimated adjustments based on changes in JRG Re’s adjusted net worth between March 31, 2023 and the closing, totaled approximately $291.4 million. The aggregate purchase price was comprised of (i) $152.4 million paid in cash by the Buyer and (ii) an aggregate $139 million dividend and distribution from contributed surplus by JRG Re to the Company. In accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, the cash portion of the purchase price was calculated based on an estimated balance sheet of JRG Re as of the date of closing. The estimated balance sheet is subject to final post-closing adjustments, which could result in adjustments to the purchase price. Additionally, the Buyer may pay an additional $2.5 million to the Company in the event that certain conditions outlined in the Stock Purchase Agreement are met on the date that is nine months following the date of closing.
The Company has determined that the sale of JRG Re meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale and that the sale represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on its operations. Accordingly, the results of JRG Re's operations have been presented as discontinued operations, and the assets and liabilities of JRG Re have been classified as held for sale and segregated for all periods presented in this interim report on Form 10-Q.
The $139 million pre-closing dividend was completed in the first quarter of 2024. It included the forgiveness of $133.2 million owed from JRG Holdings to JRG Re and $5.8 million paid in cash to JRG Holdings. In the fourth quarter of 2023, after giving effect to the pre-closing dividend, we recorded an estimated loss on sale of $80.4 million to write down the carrying value of JRG Re to its estimated fair value based upon the estimated sales price of the transaction less costs to sell and other adjustments in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement. In the first quarter of 2024, the estimated loss on the sale was revised to $78.9 million, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 for the change in the estimated loss on sale. The $5.8 million cash portion of the pre-closing dividend was included in other liabilities below at December 31, 2023.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
JRG Re's assets and liabilities held for sale were comprised of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Unaudited) March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
Assets | | | |
Invested assets: | | | |
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value | $ | 478,991 | | | $ | 532,242 | |
Equity securities, at fair value | — | | | 2,779 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Total invested assets | 478,991 | | | 535,021 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 47,176 | | | 13,202 | |
Accrued investment income | 3,387 | | | 3,589 | |
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net | 56,661 | | | 68,441 | |
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses, net | 221,398 | | | 234,615 | |
| | | |
Deferred policy acquisition costs | 2,863 | | | 4,986 | |
Write down of JRG Re to fair value less cost to sell | (78,900) | | | (80,400) | |
Other assets | 594 | | | 3,939 | |
Assets held for sale | $ | 732,170 | | | $ | 783,393 | |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 426,840 | | | $ | 441,666 | |
Unearned premiums | 9,792 | | | 17,223 | |
Funds held | 119,353 | | | 137,796 | |
Deferred reinsurance gain | 34,020 | | | 33,167 | |
Accrued expenses | 1,429 | | | 1,955 | |
Other liabilities | 5,272 | | | 9,690 | |
Liabilities held for sale | $ | 596,706 | | | $ | 641,497 | |
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The operating results of JRG Re reported in discontinued operations were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
Revenues: | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 357 | | | $ | 10,439 | |
Ceded written premiums | 877 | | | (1,374) | |
Net written premiums | 1,234 | | | 9,065 | |
Change in net unearned premiums | 7,431 | | | 27,208 | |
Net earned premiums | 8,665 | | | 36,273 | |
Net investment income | 3,852 | | | 7,347 | |
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments | (2,243) | | | 247 | |
| | | |
Total revenues | 10,274 | | | 43,867 | |
Expenses: | | | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 13,438 | | | 28,907 | |
Other operating expenses | 4,126 | | | 12,223 | |
Other expenses | 1,672 | | | — | |
Interest expense | 643 | | | 1,033 | |
Total expenses | 19,879 | | | 42,163 | |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations | (9,605) | | | 1,704 | |
Gain on held for sale classification of discontinued operations | 1,500 | | | — | |
Total (loss) income from discontinued operations | (8,105) | | | 1,704 | |
Cash flows from discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of cash flows were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| (in thousands) |
| | | |
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations | $ | (24,411) | | | $ | (28,990) | |
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations | 58,385 | | | 25,147 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations | $ | 33,974 | | | $ | (3,843) | |
Interest paid by discontinued operations | $ | 745 | | | $ | 1,129 | |
JRG Re Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
JRG Re entered into three letter of credit facilities with banks as security to third-party reinsureds on reinsurance assumed by JRG Re. JRG Re established custodial accounts to secure these letters of credit. Under a $30.0 million facility, $5.1 million of letters of credit were issued through March 31, 2024 which were secured by deposits of $5.6 million. Under a $102.5 million facility, $42.8 million of letters of credit were issued through March 31, 2024 which were secured by deposits of $47.5 million. Under a $100.0 million facility, $24.7 million of letters of credit were issued through March 31, 2024 which were secured by deposits of $27.4 million. JRG Re also established trust accounts to secure its obligations to selected reinsureds. The total amount deposited in the trust accounts for the benefit of third-party reinsureds was $446.0 million at March 31, 2024.
Casualty Re Loss Portfolio Transfer
On February 23, 2022, JRG Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer retrocession agreement (the “Casualty Re LPT”) with Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“FRL”) under which FRL reinsures the majority of JRG Re's reserves. Under the terms of the transaction, which closed on March 31, 2022 (the “Retrocession Closing Date”), JRG Re (a) ceded to FRL all existing and future claims for losses arising under certain casualty reinsurance agreements with underlying insurance companies with treaty inception dates ranging from 2011 to 2020 (the “Subject Business”), in each case net of third-party reinsurance and other recoveries, up to an aggregate limit of $400.0 million; (b) continues to manage and retain the benefit of other third-party
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
reinsurance on the Subject Business; (c) paid FRL a reinsurance premium of $335.0 million, $310.0 million of which JRG Re credited to a notional funds withheld account (the “Funds Withheld Account”) and $25.0 million of which was paid in cash to FRL; and (d) pays FRL a 2% per annum crediting rate on the Funds Withheld Account balance on a quarterly basis. The total premium, initial Funds Withheld Account credit, and aggregate limit were adjusted for claims paid from October 1, 2021 to the Retrocession Closing Date. At March 31, 2024, the balance of the Funds Withheld Account was $119.4 million and reinsurance recoverables from FRL under the Casualty Re LPT were $209.4 million.
Retroactive Reinsurance Accounting
The Company periodically reevaluates the remaining reserves subject to the Casualty Re LPT. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, due to adverse paid and reported loss trends, JRG Re recognized adverse prior year development of $6.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively, on the reserves subject to the Casualty Re LPT, resulting in corresponding additional amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfer. The Casualty Re LPT is in a gain position as the cumulative amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfer exceeds the consideration paid, requiring the application of retroactive reinsurance accounting under GAAP.
Under retroactive reinsurance accounting, gains are deferred and recognized in earnings in proportion to actual paid recoveries under the loss portfolio transfer using the recovery method. Over the life of the contract, we would expect no economic impact to JRG Re as long as any additional losses are within the limit of the loss portfolio transfer and the counterparty performs under the contract. In periods where JRG Re recognizes a change in the estimate of the reserves subject to the loss portfolio transfer that increases or decreases the amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfer, the proportion of actual paid recoveries to total ceded losses is affected and the change in deferred gain is recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate of ceded losses was available at the effective date of the loss portfolio transfer. The effect of the deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit is recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the discontinued operations of JRG Re and reported within (loss) income from discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, retroactive reinsurance benefits totaling $5.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, were recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses using the recovery method. As of March 31, 2024, the cumulative amount ceded under the Casualty Re LPT was $400.0 million. The total deferred retroactive reinsurance gain of $34.0 million at March 31, 2024 under the loss portfolio transfer is presented within the liabilities held for sale of JRG Re on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has no aggregate limit remaining under the Casualty Re LPT at March 31, 2024.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. Investments
The Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost or Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
March 31, 2024 | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | 270,873 | | | $ | 1,221 | | | $ | (27,084) | | | $ | 245,010 | |
Residential mortgage-backed | 330,117 | | | 547 | | | (23,138) | | | 307,526 | |
Corporate | 522,750 | | | 2,163 | | | (31,634) | | | 493,279 | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 227,720 | | | 97 | | | (11,836) | | | 215,981 | |
| | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 26,505 | | | — | | | (835) | | | 25,670 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 1,377,965 | | | $ | 4,028 | | | $ | (94,527) | | | $ | 1,287,466 | |
December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | 273,462 | | | $ | 1,834 | | | $ | (26,459) | | | $ | 248,837 | |
Residential mortgage-backed | 336,064 | | | 1,243 | | | (19,379) | | | 317,928 | |
Corporate | 530,408 | | | 4,167 | | | (28,847) | | | 505,728 | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 235,302 | | | 78 | | | (12,527) | | | 222,853 | |
| | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 29,900 | | | 8 | | | (778) | | | 29,130 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 1,405,136 | | | $ | 7,330 | | | $ | (87,990) | | | $ | 1,324,476 | |
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2024 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost or Amortized Cost | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
One year or less | $ | 45,678 | | | $ | 45,113 | |
After one year through five years | 344,201 | | | 334,549 | |
After five years through ten years | 260,473 | | | 236,295 | |
After ten years | 169,776 | | | 148,002 | |
Residential mortgage-backed | 330,117 | | | 307,526 | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 227,720 | | | 215,981 | |
| | | |
Total | $ | 1,377,965 | | | $ | 1,287,466 | |
Actual maturities may differ for some securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value for available-for-sale securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Less Than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total |
| Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | | Gross Unrealized Losses |
| (in thousands) |
March 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | 40,104 | | | $ | (975) | | | $ | 166,574 | | | $ | (26,109) | | | $ | 206,678 | | | $ | (27,084) | |
Residential mortgage-backed | 81,750 | | | (1,209) | | | 179,025 | | | (21,929) | | | 260,775 | | | (23,138) | |
Corporate | 83,361 | | | (1,003) | | | 294,271 | | | (30,631) | | | 377,632 | | | (31,634) | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 35,588 | | | (184) | | | 142,805 | | | (11,652) | | | 178,393 | | | (11,836) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 9,120 | | | (183) | | | 16,550 | | | (652) | | | 25,670 | | | (835) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 249,923 | | | $ | (3,554) | | | $ | 799,225 | | | $ | (90,973) | | | $ | 1,049,148 | | | $ | (94,527) | |
December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | 30,196 | | | $ | (287) | | | $ | 168,517 | | | $ | (26,172) | | | $ | 198,713 | | | $ | (26,459) | |
Residential mortgage-backed | 68,497 | | | (1,256) | | | 145,954 | | | (18,123) | | | 214,451 | | | (19,379) | |
Corporate | 55,970 | | | (532) | | | 290,308 | | | (28,315) | | | 346,278 | | | (28,847) | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 24,048 | | | (151) | | | 182,295 | | | (12,376) | | | 206,343 | | | (12,527) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 7,961 | | | (71) | | | 19,889 | | | (707) | | | 27,850 | | | (778) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 186,672 | | | $ | (2,297) | | | $ | 806,963 | | | $ | (85,693) | | | $ | 993,635 | | | $ | (87,990) | |
At March 31, 2024, the Company held fixed maturity securities of 441 issuers that were in an unrealized loss position with a total fair value of $1,049.1 million and gross unrealized losses of $94.5 million. None of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses has ever missed, or been delinquent on a scheduled principal or interest payment. At March 31, 2024, 99.9% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “BBB-” or better (“investment grade”) by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency.
The Company reviews its available-for-sale fixed maturities to determine whether unrealized losses are due to credit-related factors. An allowance for credit losses is established for any credit-related impairments, limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in earnings and included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Unrealized losses that are not credit-related are recognized in other comprehensive income.
The Company considers the extent to which fair value is below amortized cost in determining whether a credit-related loss exists. The Company also considers the credit quality rating of the security, with a special emphasis on securities downgraded below investment grade. A comparison is made between the present value of expected future cash flows for a security and its amortized cost. If the present value of future expected cash flows is less than amortized cost, a credit loss is presumed to exist and an allowance for credit losses is established. Management may conclude that a qualitative analysis is sufficient to support its conclusion that the present value of the expected cash flows equals or exceeds a security’s amortized cost. As a result of this review, management concluded that there were no credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, or March 31, 2023. For securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2024, management does not intend to sell the securities, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs.
The Company elected the fair value option to account for bank loan participations. Under the fair value option, bank loan participations are measured at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses in bank loan participations are reported in the income statement as net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. Applying the fair value option to the bank
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
loan portfolio increases volatility in the Company's financial statements, but management believes it is less subjective and less burdensome to implement and maintain than ASU 2016-13, which would have otherwise been required.
At March 31, 2024, the Company's bank loan portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $173.0 million and unpaid principal of $180.9 million. Investment income on bank loan participations included in net investment income was $4.5 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net realized and unrealized gains on bank loan participations were $281,000 and $507,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, management concluded that $1.2 million of the unrealized losses associated with one loan were due to credit-related impairments. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, management concluded that $607,000 of the unrealized losses associated with loans from two issuers were due to credit-related impairments. Losses due to credit-related impairments are determined based upon consultations and advice from the Company's specialized investment manager and consideration of any adverse situations that could affect the borrower's ability to repay, the estimated value of underlying collateral, and other relevant factors.
Bank loan participations generally provide a higher yield than our portfolio of fixed maturities and have a credit rating that is below investment grade (i.e. below “BBB-” for Standard & Poor’s) at the date of purchase. These bank loans are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. These bank loans include assignments of, and participations in, performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. Bank loans consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit loans, and other similar loans and investments. Management believed that it was probable at the time that these loans were acquired that the Company would be able to collect all contractually required payments receivable.
Interest income on bank loan participations is accrued on the unpaid principal balance, and discounts and premiums on bank loan participations are amortized to income using the interest method. Generally, the accrual of interest on a bank loan participation is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest. A bank loan participation may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. Generally, bank loan participations are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is reported as investment income. There were no bank loans on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The Company’s net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Fixed maturity securities: | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Gross realized losses | | | | | (311) | | | (7) | |
| | | | | (311) | | | (7) | |
Bank loan participations: | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | | | 308 | | | 20 | |
Gross realized losses | | | | | (948) | | | (423) | |
Changes in fair values of bank loan participations | | | | | 359 | | | 910 | |
| | | | | (281) | | | 507 | |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | | | 1,124 | | | 581 | |
Gross realized losses | | | | | (177) | | | (267) | |
Changes in fair values of equity securities | | | | | 4,228 | | | (643) | |
| | | | | 5,175 | | | (329) | |
Short-term investments and other: | | | | | | | |
Gross realized gains | | | | | — | | | 2 | |
Gross realized losses | | | | | — | | | (13) | |
Changes in fair values of short-term investments and other | | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | — | | | (11) | |
Total | | | | | $ | 4,583 | | | $ | 160 | |
Realized investment gains or losses are determined on a specific identification basis.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The Company invests selectively in private debt and equity opportunities. These investments, which together comprise the Company’s other invested assets, are primarily focused in renewable energy, limited partnerships, and private debt.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Carrying Value | | | | | | Investment Income | | | | |
| March 31, | | December 31, | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | | |
| 2024 | | 2023 | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | | | |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
Renewable energy LLCs (a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | $ | 8,083 | | | $ | 8,382 | | | | | | | $ | (286) | | | $ | 1,003 | | | | | |
Corporate & Other | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | 170 | | | | | |
| 8,083 | | | 8,382 | | | | | | | (286) | | | 1,173 | | | | | |
Renewable energy notes receivable (b) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | — | | | 608 | | | | | | | 61 | | | 36 | | | | | |
Corporate & Other | — | | | 761 | | | | | | | 77 | | | 45 | | | | | |
| — | | | 1,369 | | | | | | | 138 | | | 81 | | | | | |
Limited partnerships (c) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | 11,898 | | | 11,914 | | | | | | | (115) | | | 251 | | | | | |
Corporate & Other | 664 | | | 664 | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| 12,562 | | | 12,578 | | | | | | | (115) | | | 251 | | | | | |
Private Debt (d) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | 12,437 | | | 10,805 | | | | | | | 118 | | | 86 | | | | | |
Corporate & Other | — | | | — | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | | | |
| 12,437 | | | 10,805 | | | | | | | 118 | | | 86 | | | | | |
Total other invested assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | 32,418 | | | 31,709 | | | | | | | (222) | | | 1,376 | | | | | |
Corporate & Other | 664 | | | 1,425 | | | | | | | 77 | | | 215 | | | | | |
| $ | 33,082 | | | $ | 33,134 | | | | | | | $ | (145) | | | $ | 1,591 | | | | | |
(a)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment owns equity interests ranging from 2.5% to 4.9% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The Company's former Non-Executive Chairman invested in certain of these LLCs. The equity method is used to account for the Company’s LLC investments. Income for the LLCs primarily reflects adjustments to the carrying values of investments in renewable energy projects to their determined fair values. The fair value adjustments are included in revenues for the LLCs. Expenses for the LLCs are not significant and are comprised of administrative and interest expenses. The Company received cash distributions from these investments totaling $14,000 and $24,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the underlying projects in two of our LLCs were sold at the manager's discretion. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company received additional proceeds from the sales of $1.2 million comprised of $984,000 in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $170,000 in the Corporate and Other segment. We could receive additional contingent payments in the future according to terms of the transaction.
(b)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines and Corporate and Other segments invested in two notes receivable for renewable energy projects. Interest on the notes was fixed at 12%. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company received final principal repayments of $608,000 and $761,000 on the notes receivable in the Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment and Corporate and Other segment, respectively.
(c)The Company owns investments in limited partnerships that invest in concentrated portfolios including publicly-traded small cap equities, loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies, private equity general partnership interests, commercial mortgage-backed securities, specialty private credit, and tranches of distressed home loans. Income from the partnerships is recognized under the equity method of accounting. At March 31, 2024, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has outstanding commitments to invest another $5.8 million in the limited partnerships.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(d)The Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment has invested in two notes receivable for structured private specialty credit. Interest on the notes, which mature in 2031, is fixed at 4.25% and 5.25%. At March 31, 2024, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has outstanding commitments to invest another $4.2 million in these notes. Previously, the Company's Excess and Surplus Lines segment held $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company for which the former Non-Executive Chairman of the Company was previously the Lead Independent Director. The notes matured on August 12, 2023. Interest on the notes was fixed at 7.6% per annum.
4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
On December 11, 2007, the Company completed an acquisition of James River Group by acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares of James River Group common stock, referred to herein as the “Merger”. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and goodwill and intangible assets were recognized by the Company as a result of the transaction. Goodwill resulting from the Merger was $181.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for each major specifically identifiable intangible asset class were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Life (Years) | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization |
| | | ($ in thousands) |
Intangible Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Trademarks | Indefinite | | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,700 | | | $ | — | |
Insurance licenses and authorities | Indefinite | | 8,964 | | | — | | | 8,964 | | | — | |
Identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization | | | 28,664 | | | — | | | 28,664 | | | — | |
Broker relationships | 24.6 | | 11,611 | | | 7,553 | | | 11,611 | | | 7,462 | |
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization | | | 11,611 | | | 7,553 | | | 11,611 | | | 7,462 | |
| | | $ | 40,275 | | | $ | 7,553 | | | $ | 40,275 | | | $ | 7,462 | |
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5. Earnings Per Share
The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | $ | 23,508 | | | $ | 7,904 | |
Less: Dividends on Series A preferred shares | | | | | (2,625) | | | (2,625) | |
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders | | | | | $ | 20,883 | | | $ | 5,279 | |
(Loss) income from discontinued operations | | | | | (8,105) | | | 1,704 | |
Net income available to common shareholders | | | | | $ | 12,778 | | | $ | 6,983 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | 37,733,710 | | | 37,531,819 | |
Dilutive potential common shares | | | | | 6,905,259 | | | 253,633 | |
Diluted | | | | | 44,638,969 | | | 37,785,452 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.55 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | 0.05 | |
| | | | | $ | 0.34 | | | $ | 0.19 | |
Diluted | | | | | | | |
Continuing operations | | | | | $ | 0.53 | | | $ | 0.14 | |
Discontinued operations | | | | | $ | (0.18) | | | $ | 0.04 | |
| | | | | $ | 0.35 | | | $ | 0.18 | |
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, all potential common shares were dilutive and included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, potential common shares of 5,640,158 were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as their effects were anti-dilutive.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
6. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance, to the gross amounts reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are presented gross of an allowance for credit losses on reinsurance balances of $660,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $628,000 at March 31, 2023, and $580,000 at December 31, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at beginning of period | | | | | $ | 1,246,973 | | | $ | 1,080,766 | |
Add: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance: | | | | | | | |
Current year | | | | | 114,449 | | | 115,176 | |
Prior years - retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (4,002) | | | 11,700 | |
Prior years - excluding retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (398) | | | (495) | |
Total incurred losses and loss and adjustment expenses | | | | | 110,049 | | | 126,381 | |
Deduct: Loss and loss adjustment expense payments net of reinsurance: | | | | | | | |
Current year | | | | | 2,094 | | | 2,561 | |
Prior years | | | | | 75,544 | | | 71,354 | |
Total loss and loss adjustment expense payments | | | | | 77,638 | | | 73,915 | |
Deduct: Change in deferred reinsurance gain - retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (4,002) | | | 11,700 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at end of period | | | | | 1,283,386 | | | 1,121,532 | |
Add: Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period | | | | | 1,378,523 | | | 1,287,227 | |
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period | | | | | $ | 2,661,909 | | | $ | 2,408,759 | |
The Company experienced $398,000 of net favorable reserve development in the three months ended March 31, 2024 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2023 (excluding adverse prior year development on the commercial auto loss portfolio transfer subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting - see Loss Portfolio Transfer below). This reserve development included $40,000 of net adverse development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $438,000 of net favorable development in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment.
The Company experienced $495,000 of net favorable reserve development in the three months ended March 31, 2023 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2022 (excluding adverse prior year development on the commercial auto loss portfolio transfer subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting - see Loss Portfolio Transfer below). This reserve development included $324,000 of net favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $171,000 of net favorable development in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment.
Loss Portfolio Transfers
Loss portfolio transfers are a form of reinsurance utilized by the Company to transfer losses and loss adjustment expenses and associated risk of adverse development on covered subject business, as defined in the respective agreements, to an assuming reinsurer in exchange for a reinsurance premium. Loss portfolio transfers can bring economic finality on the subject risks when they no longer meet the Company's appetite or are no longer aligned with the Company's risk management guidelines.
Commercial Auto Loss Portfolio Transfer
On September 27, 2021, James River Insurance Company and James River Casualty Company (together, “James River”) entered into a loss portfolio transfer transaction (the “Commercial Auto LPT”) with Aleka Insurance, Inc. (“Aleka”), a captive insurance company affiliate of Rasier LLC, to reinsure substantially all of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment's legacy portfolio of commercial auto policies previously issued to Rasier LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Rasier”) for which James
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
River is not otherwise indemnified by Rasier. The reinsurance coverage is structured to be fully collateralized, is not subject to an aggregate limit, and is subject to certain exclusions.
Retroactive Reinsurance Accounting
The Company periodically reevaluates the remaining reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT, and when recognized adverse prior year development on the subject business causes the cumulative amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfer to exceed the consideration paid, the loss portfolio transfer moves into a gain position subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting under GAAP. Gains are deferred under retroactive reinsurance accounting and recognized in earnings in proportion to actual paid recoveries under the loss portfolio transfer using the recovery method. While the deferral of gains can introduce volatility in our results in the short-term, over the life of the contract, we would expect no economic impact to the Company as long as the counterparty performs under the contract. The impact of retroactive reinsurance accounting is not indicative of our current and ongoing operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, due to adverse paid and reported loss trends on the legacy Rasier business, the Company recognized adverse prior year development of $477,000 and $41.0 million, respectively, on the net reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT, resulting in corresponding additional amounts ceded under the Commercial Auto LPT. As a result, the cumulative amounts ceded under the Commercial Auto LPT exceed the consideration paid, moving the Commercial Auto LPT into a gain position. The Company has applied retroactive reinsurance accounting to the loss portfolio transfer. Retroactive reinsurance benefits of $4.5 million and $29.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income using the recovery method. The cumulative amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfer were $456.7 million and $456.2 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The deferred retroactive reinsurance gain related to the Commercial Auto LPT separately presented on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $16.7 million and $20.7 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
7. Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive (loss) income:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period, before U.S. income taxes | | | | | $ | (10,150) | | | $ | 35,812 | |
U.S. income taxes | | | | | 2,131 | | | (5,000) | |
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period, net of U.S. income taxes | | | | | (8,019) | | | 30,812 | |
Less reclassification adjustment: | | | | | | | |
Net realized investment losses | | | | | (311) | | | (91) | |
U.S. income taxes | | | | | 65 | | | 1 | |
Reclassification adjustment for investment losses realized in net income | | | | | (246) | | | (90) | |
Other comprehensive (loss) income | | | | | $ | (7,773) | | | $ | 30,902 | |
In addition to the $311,000 and $91,000 of net realized investment losses on available-for-sale fixed maturities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, the Company also recognized net realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains in the respective periods of $(281,000) and $507,000 on its investments in bank loan participations and net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) in the respective periods of $5.2 million and $(329,000) on its investments in equity securities.
8. Contingent Liabilities
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial matters and litigation regarding insurance claims which arise in the ordinary course of business, as well as the matters described below. In addition, the Company is involved from time to time in legal actions which seek extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties, including claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. The Company believes that the outcome of such matters,
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
individually and in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On July 9, 2021 a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (the “Court”) by Employees’ Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth against James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and certain of its present and former officers (together, “Defendants”). On September 22, 2021, the Court entered an order appointing Employees’ Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth and the City of Miami General Employees’ and Sanitation Employees’ Retirement Trust as co-lead plaintiffs (together, “Plaintiffs”). Plaintiffs’ consolidated amended complaint was filed on November 19, 2021 (the “First Amended Complaint”). The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint on January 18, 2022, Plaintiffs’ opposition thereto was filed on March 4, 2022, and the Defendants’ reply to the Plaintiffs’ opposition was filed on April 4, 2022. On August 25, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a second amended class action complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”). On September 8, 2022, the Defendants consented to the Plaintiffs’ motion to file the Second Amended Complaint, and filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint on October 24, 2022 (the “Second MTD”). The Plaintiffs’ opposition to the Second MTD was filed on November 7, 2022, and the Defendant’s reply to the Plaintiffs’ opposition was filed on November 14, 2022. On August 28, 2023, the Court denied the Second MTD. The Second Amended Complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of a putative class of persons and entities that purchased the Company’s stock between February 22, 2019 and October 25, 2021, alleges that Defendants failed to make appropriate disclosures concerning the adequacy of reserves for policies that covered Rasier LLC, a subsidiary of Uber Technologies, Inc., and seeks unspecified damages, costs, attorneys’ fees and such other relief as the court may deem proper. We engaged in mediation in the fourth quarter of 2023 and on December 7, 2023, in connection with the mediation, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the action. On December 22, 2023, the parties submitted the stipulation of settlement to the Court for approval. The settlement provides for a full release of all defendants in connection with the allegations made and a settlement payment to the class of $30 million, inclusive of all Plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and expenses and settlement costs, all of which will be paid by the Company’s insurance carriers, as the Company had paid its $1.0 million deductible prior to the settlement. On January 26, 2024, the Court issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement and scheduled a final settlement hearing for May 24, 2024.
On November 13, 2023, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, on behalf of Paul Glantz against James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and certain of its officers, asserting claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Mr. Glantz alleges that he purchased James River common stock between August 7, 2023 and November 7, 2023, inclusive, that the Company failed to disclose that it lacked effective internal controls regarding the recognition of reinstatement premiums for reinsurance and as a result the Company overstated its net income, and that, as a result, Mr. Glantz suffered unspecified damages. On January 12, 2024, both Mr. Glantz and Madhav Ghimire, another individual shareholder, filed an application with the Court for appointment as Lead Plaintiff, and on January 26, 2024, Mr. Glantz filed a notice of non-opposition to Mr. Ghimire's competing motion for appointment as Lead Plaintiff. On March 25, 2024 the court entered an order appointing Mr. Ghimire as lead plaintiff. Plaintiff's consolidated amended complaint is due no later than May 24, 2024. We believe that the claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend this lawsuit.
On March 11, 2024, the Company filed a complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Commercial Division against Fleming Intermediate Holdings LLC (“Fleming”), a Cayman Islands limited liability company, relating to the previously announced Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2023 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Fleming agreed to purchase all of the outstanding common shares of JRG Re (the “Transaction”). The complaint alleges that Fleming breached the Stock Purchase Agreement by its refusal to close the Transaction on March 1, 2024 as required under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, and seeks specific performance of Fleming’s obligation to complete the Transaction and an award of damages. The Company subsequently filed a motion for preliminary injunction to require Fleming to fulfill its contractual obligation to close the Transaction, and on April 6, 2024 the Court granted the Company’s motion and ordered Fleming to complete the Transaction on or prior to April 16, 2024. On April 8, 2024, Fleming filed a notice of appeal of the preliminary injunction, which is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division, First Department. The Transaction closed on April 16, 2024. On April 19, 2024, Fleming filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint. The Company’s response to the Motion to Dismiss is due May 9, 2024.
Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party and Reinsurer on Legacy Commercial Auto Book
James River previously issued a set of commercial auto insurance contracts (the “Rasier Commercial Auto Policies”) to Rasier under which James River pays losses and loss adjustment expenses on the contracts. James River has indemnity agreements with Rasier (non-insurance entities) (collectively, the “Indemnity Agreements”) and is contractually entitled to reimbursement for the portion of the losses and loss adjustment expenses paid on behalf of Rasier under the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies and other expenses incurred by James River. On September 27, 2021, James River entered into the Commercial Auto LPT with Aleka to reinsure substantially all of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies for which James River is not otherwise indemnified by Rasier under the Indemnity Agreements. Under the terms of the Commercial Auto LPT, effective as of July 1, 2021, James River ceded to Aleka approximately $345.1 million of commercial auto liabilities relating to Rasier
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Commercial Auto Policies written in the years 2013-2019, which amount constituted the reinsurance premium. Since inception, due to adverse paid and reported loss trends on the legacy Rasier business, the Company has recognized adverse prior year development of $111.6 million on the reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT, bringing the cumulative amount ceded under the Commercial Auto LPT to $456.7 million at March 31, 2024.
Each of Rasier and Aleka are required to post collateral under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT, respectively:
•Pursuant to the Indemnity Agreements, Rasier is required to post collateral equal to 102% of James River's estimate of the amounts that are recoverable or may be recoverable under the Indemnity Agreements, including, among other things, case loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, IBNR loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, extra contractual obligations and excess policy limits liabilities. The collateral is provided through a collateral trust arrangement (the “Indemnity Trust”) in favor of James River by Aleka. In connection with the execution of the Commercial Auto LPT, James River returned $691.3 million to the Indemnity Trust, representing the remaining balance of the amount withdrawn in October 2019, as was permitted under the indemnification agreements with Rasier and the associated trust agreement. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the Indemnity Trust was $109.3 million, and, together with the balance of the Loss Fund Trust (as defined below) attributable to the Indemnity Agreements as described below, the total balance of collateral securing Rasier’s obligations under the Indemnity Agreements was $154.5 million.
•Pursuant to the Commercial Auto LPT, Aleka is required to post collateral equal to 102% of James River's estimate of Aleka's obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT, calculated in accordance with standard actuarial principles and based on reserves recorded in the Company’s statutory financial statements. The collateral is provided through a collateral trust arrangement (the “LPT Trust”) established in favor of James River by Aleka. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the LPT Trust was $49.9 million, and, together with the balance of the Loss Fund Trust (as defined below) attributable to the Commercial Auto LPT as described below, the total balance of collateral securing Aleka’s obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT was $70.0 million. At March 31, 2024, the total reinsurance recoverables under the Commercial Auto LPT was $67.4 million (including $63.7 million of unpaid recoverables and $3.7 million of paid recoverables).
In connection with the execution of the Commercial Auto LPT, James River and Aleka entered into an administrative services agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement”) with a third party claims administrator (the “Administrator”) pursuant to which the Administrator handles the claims on the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies for the remaining life of those claims. The claims paid by the Administrator are reimbursable by James River, and pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, James River established a loss fund trust account for the benefit of the Administrator (the “Loss Fund Trust”) to collateralize its claims payment reimbursement obligations. James River funds the Loss Fund Trust using funds withdrawn from the Indemnity Trust, funds withdrawn from the LPT Trust, and its own funds, in each case in an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the required Loss Fund Trust balance attributable to the Indemnity Agreements, the Commercial Auto LPT and James River’s existing third party reinsurance agreements, respectively. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the Loss Fund Trust was $73.4 million, including $45.2 million representing collateral supporting Rasier’s obligations under the Indemnity Agreements and $20.0 million representing collateral supporting Aleka’s obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT. Funds posted to the Loss Fund Trust are classified as restricted cash equivalents on the Company's balance sheets.
While the Commercial Auto LPT brings economic finality to substantially all of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies, the Company has credit exposure to Rasier and Aleka under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT if the estimated losses and expenses of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies grow at a faster pace than the growth in the collateral balances. In addition, the Company has credit exposure if its estimates of future losses and loss adjustment expenses and other amounts recoverable under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT, which are the basis for establishing the collateral balances, are lower than actual amounts paid or payable. The amount of our credit exposure in any of these instances could be material. To mitigate these risks, the Company closely and frequently monitors its exposure compared to the collateral held, and requests additional collateral in accordance with the terms of the Commercial Auto LPT and Indemnity Agreements when its analysis indicates that it has uncollateralized exposure.
9. Segment Information
The Company's continuing operations are comprised of three reportable segments, two of which are separately managed business units and the third (“Corporate and Other”) includes the Company’s remaining operations. Prior to entering into a definitive agreement to sell JRG Re on November 8, 2023, JRG Re was considered a reportable segment (the “Casualty Reinsurance” segment). After entering into the agreement to sell JRG Re, the Company no longer considers Casualty Reinsurance to be a reportable segment, but instead it is reported as discontinued operations. The segment information below excludes discontinued operations for all periods presented.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Segment profit (loss) is measured by underwriting profit (loss), which is generally defined as net earned premiums and gross fee income (in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) in “other income” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income less loss and loss adjustment expenses on business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers (see Loss Portfolio Transfer in Note 6 - Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses) and other operating expenses of the operating segments. Gross fee income of $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment was included in other income and in underwriting profit (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Segment results are reported prior to the effects of intercompany reinsurance agreements among the Company’s insurance subsidiaries.
The following table summarizes the Company’s segment results:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Excess and Surplus Lines | | Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | Corporate and Other | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 213,691 | | | $ | 117,119 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 330,810 | |
Net earned premiums | 145,623 | | | 26,068 | | | | | — | | | 171,691 | |
Underwriting profit of operating segments | 18,491 | | | 786 | | | | | — | | | 19,277 | |
Net investment income | 18,426 | | | 3,986 | | | | | 220 | | | 22,632 | |
Interest expense | — | | | — | | | | | 6,485 | | | 6,485 | |
Segment revenues | 168,921 | | | 31,536 | | | | | 670 | | | 201,127 | |
Segment goodwill | 181,831 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 181,831 | |
Segment assets | 3,090,041 | | | 1,385,563 | | | | | 43,145 | | | 4,518,749 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | | |
Gross written premiums | $ | 228,903 | | | $ | 124,551 | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 353,454 | |
Net earned premiums | 151,359 | | | 20,481 | | | | | — | | | 171,840 | |
Underwriting profit (loss) of operating segments | 19,995 | | | (469) | | | | | — | | | 19,526 | |
Net investment income | 15,053 | | | 2,985 | | | | | 387 | | | 18,425 | |
Interest expense | — | | | — | | | | | 5,583 | | | 5,583 | |
Segment revenues | 166,650 | | | 24,510 | | | | | 574 | | | 191,734 | |
Segment goodwill | 181,831 | | | — | | | | | — | | | 181,831 | |
Segment assets | 2,695,612 | | | 1,322,102 | | | | | 80,107 | | | 4,097,821 | |
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments by individual segment to consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments: | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | $ | 18,491 | | | $ | 19,995 | |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | 786 | | | (469) | |
| | | | | | | |
Total underwriting profit of operating segments | | | | | 19,277 | | | 19,526 | |
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment | | | | | (11,137) | | | (9,282) | |
Underwriting profit | | | | | 8,140 | | | 10,244 | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 4,002 | | | (11,700) | |
Net investment income | | | | | 22,632 | | | 18,425 | |
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments | | | | | 4,583 | | | 160 | |
Other income and expenses | | | | | 179 | | | (415) | |
Interest expense | | | | | (6,485) | | | (5,583) | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | (91) | | | (91) | |
| | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | | | $ | 32,960 | | | $ | 11,040 | |
10. Other Operating Expenses and Other Expenses
Other operating expenses consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Amortization of policy acquisition costs | | | | | $ | 18,040 | | | $ | 16,829 | |
Other underwriting expenses of the operating segments | | | | | 21,633 | | | 21,925 | |
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment | | | | | 11,137 | | | 9,282 | |
Total | | | | | $ | 50,810 | | | $ | 48,036 | |
Other expenses of $732,000 and $603,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily consist of certain nonoperating expenses including legal and other professional fees and other expenses related to various strategic initiatives.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Senior Debt
At March 31, 2024, the Company had a $315.0 million senior revolving credit facility (as amended or amended and restated, the "2013 Facility”). The 2013 Facility contains certain financial and other covenants (including minimum net worth, maximum ratio of total adjusted debt outstanding to total capitalization, and financial strength ratings) with which the Company was in compliance at March 31, 2024, with the exception of a default of the financial strength rating covenant due to the downgrade of JRG Re by A.M. Best on December 20, 2023 from “A-” (Excellent) to “B++” (good). The financial strength rating covenant requires that each of the Company's regulated insurance subsidiaries maintain an A.M. Best rating not lower than “A-” (Excellent). Our lenders waived this default through March 1, 2025, and it was cured upon the April 16, 2024 closing of the sale of JRG Re, at which time JRG Re was removed as a borrower under the 2013 Facility.
On August 2, 2017, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, JRG Re, together as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Facility") that provides the Company with a revolving line of credit of up to $100.0 million, which may be used for loans and letters of credit made or issued, at the borrowers' option, on a secured or unsecured basis. The 2017 Facility contains certain financial and other covenants with which we are in compliance at March 31, 2024, with the exception of a default of the financial strength rating covenant due to the downgrade of JRG Re by A.M. Best on December 20, 2023 from “A-” (Excellent) to “B++” (good). The financial strength rating covenant requires that each of the Company's regulated insurance subsidiaries maintain an A.M. Best rating not lower than “A-” (Excellent). Our lender waived this default through March 1, 2025, and it was cured upon the April 16, 2024 closing of the sale of JRG Re, at which time JRG Re was removed as a borrower under the 2017 Facility.
12. Fair Value Measurements
Three levels of inputs are used to measure fair value of financial instruments: (1) Level 1: quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets, (2) Level 2: inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument, and (3) Level 3: inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
The fair values of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and bank loan participations have been determined using fair value prices provided by the Company’s investment accounting services provider or investment managers, who utilize internationally recognized independent pricing services. The prices provided by the independent pricing services are generally based on observable market data in active markets (e.g. broker quotes and prices observed for comparable securities). Values for U.S. Treasury and publicly-traded equity securities are generally based on Level 1 inputs which use the market approach valuation technique. The values for all other fixed maturity securities (including state and municipal securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies) and bank loan participations generally incorporate significant Level 2 inputs, and in some cases, Level 3 inputs, using the market approach and income approach valuation techniques. There have been no changes in the Company’s use of valuation techniques since December 31, 2022.
The Company reviews fair value prices provided by its outside investment accounting service provider or investment managers for reasonableness by comparing the fair values provided by the managers to those provided by its investment custodian. The Company also reviews and monitors changes in unrealized gains and losses. The Company has not historically adjusted security prices. The Company obtains an understanding of the methods, models and inputs used by the investment managers and independent pricing services, and controls are in place to validate that prices provided represent fair values. The Company’s control process includes, but is not limited to, initial and ongoing evaluation of the methodologies used, a review of specific securities and an assessment for proper classification within the fair value hierarchy, and obtaining and reviewing internal control reports for our investment manager that obtains fair values from independent pricing services.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2024 are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value Measurements Using |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | — | | | $ | 245,010 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 245,010 | |
Residential mortgage-backed | — | | | 307,526 | | | — | | | 307,526 | |
Corporate | — | | | 493,279 | | | — | | | 493,279 | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | — | | | 215,981 | | | — | | | 215,981 | |
| | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 25,670 | | | — | | | — | | | 25,670 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 25,670 | | | $ | 1,261,796 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,287,466 | |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | — | | | 74,419 | | | — | | | 74,419 | |
Common stock | 52,016 | | | 2,238 | | | 17 | | | 54,271 | |
Total equity securities | $ | 52,016 | | | $ | 76,657 | | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 128,690 | |
| | | | | | | |
Bank loan participations | $ | — | | | $ | 173,046 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 173,046 | |
Short-term investments | $ | — | | | $ | 84,534 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 84,534 | |
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023 are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value Measurements Using |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | | Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 | | Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | — | | | $ | 248,837 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 248,837 | |
Residential mortgage-backed | — | | | 317,928 | | | — | | | 317,928 | |
Corporate | — | | | 505,728 | | | — | | | 505,728 | |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | — | | | 222,853 | | | — | | | 222,853 | |
| | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 29,130 | | | — | | | — | | | 29,130 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 29,130 | | | $ | 1,295,346 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,324,476 | |
Equity securities: | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock | — | | | 69,310 | | | — | | | 69,310 | |
Common stock | 48,370 | | | 2,254 | | | 11 | | | 50,635 | |
Total equity securities | $ | 48,370 | | | $ | 71,564 | | | $ | 11 | | | $ | 119,945 | |
Bank loan participations | $ | — | | | $ | 156,169 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 156,169 | |
Short-term investments | $ | — | | | $ | 72,137 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 72,137 | |
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and bank loan participations measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is shown below:
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | (in thousands) |
Beginning balance | | | | | $ | 11 | | | $ | 7 | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | | | — | | | — | |
Transfers in to Level 3 | | | | | — | | | — | |
Purchases | | | | | — | | | — | |
Sales | | | | | — | | | — | |
Maturities, calls and paydowns | | | | | — | | | — | |
Amortization of discount | | | | | — | | | — | |
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized): | | | | | | | |
Included in earnings | | | | | 6 | | | — | |
Included in other comprehensive income | | | | | — | | | — | |
Ending balance | | | | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 7 | |
The Company held one equity security at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 for which the fair value was determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The fair value of $17,000 at March 31, 2024 for the equity security was obtained from our asset manager and was derived from an internal model.
The Company held one equity security at December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 for which the fair value was determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The fair value of $7,000 at March 31, 2023 for the equity security was obtained from our asset manager and was derived from an internal model.
Transfers out of Level 3 occur when the Company is able to obtain reliable prices from pricing vendors for securities for which the Company was previously unable to obtain reliable prices. Transfers in to Level 3 occur when the Company is unable to obtain reliable prices for securities from pricing vendors and instead must use broker price quotes to value the securities.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 or 2023. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.
In the determination of the fair value for bank loan participations and certain high yield bonds, the Company’s investment manager endeavors to obtain data from multiple external pricing sources. External pricing sources may include brokers, dealers and price data vendors that provide a composite price based on prices from multiple dealers. Such external pricing sources typically provide valuations for normal institutional size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities, and various relationships between securities, as generally recognized by institutional dealers. For investments in which the investment manager determines that only one external pricing source is appropriate or if only one external price is available, the relevant investment is generally recorded at fair value based on such price.
Investments for which external sources are not available or are determined by the investment manager not to be representative of fair value are recorded at fair value as determined by the Company, with input from its investment managers and valuation specialists as considered necessary. In determining the fair value of such investments, the Company considers one or more of the following factors: type of security held, convertibility or exchangeability of the security, redeemability of the security (including the timing of redemptions), application of industry accepted valuation models, recent trading activity, liquidity, estimates of liquidation value, purchase cost, and prices received for securities with similar terms of the same issuer or similar issuers. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were no investments for which external sources were unavailable to determine fair value.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Carrying Value | | Fair Value | | Carrying Value | | Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 1,287,466 | | | $ | 1,287,466 | | | $ | 1,324,176 | | | $ | 1,324,176 | |
Equity securities | 128,690 | | | 128,690 | | | 119,945 | | | 119,945 | |
| | | | | | | |
Bank loan participations | 173,046 | | | 173,046 | | | 156,169 | | | 156,169 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | 305,496 | | | 305,496 | | | 274,298 | | | 274,298 | |
Restricted cash equivalents | 73,396 | | | 73,396 | | | 72,449 | | | 72,449 | |
Short-term investments | 84,534 | | | 84,534 | | | 72,137 | | | 72,137 | |
Other invested assets – notes receivable | 12,437 | | | 11,582 | | | 12,174 | | | 11,702 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | |
Senior debt | 222,300 | | | 231,009 | | | 222,300 | | | 233,408 | |
Junior subordinated debt | 104,055 | | | 135,125 | | | 104,055 | | | 138,264 | |
The fair values of fixed maturity securities, equity securities, and bank loan participations have been determined using quoted market prices for securities traded in the public market or prices using bid or closing prices for securities not traded in the public marketplace. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximate their carrying values due to their short-term maturity.
The fair values of other invested assets-notes receivable, senior debt, and junior subordinated debt at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were determined by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows under the terms of the note agreements or debt agreements, as applicable, discounted at an estimated market rate of interest at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company also utilized an internally developed valuation model based on the spread of a comparable market index to determine the fair value of certain other invested assets-notes receivable at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The fair values of senior debt and junior subordinated debt at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were determined using inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable (Level 3).
13. Series A Preferred Shares
On February 24, 2022, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement with GPC Partners Investments (Thames) LP (“GPC Partners”), an affiliate of Gallatin Point Capital LLC, relating to the issuance and sale of 150,000 7% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, par value $0.00125 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”), for an aggregate purchase price of $150.0 million, or $1,000 per share, in a private placement. The transaction closed on March 1, 2022 (the “Series A Closing Date”).
The Series A Preferred Shares rank senior to our common shares with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, upon which the holders of Series A Preferred Shares would receive the greater of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share (the “Liquidation Preference”) plus accrued and unpaid dividends, or the amount they would have received if they had converted all of their Series A Preferred Shares to common shares immediately before such liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to a dividend at the initial rate of 7% of the Liquidation Preference per annum, paid in cash, in-kind in common shares or in Series A Preferred Shares, at the Company's election. On the five-year anniversary of the Series A Closing Date, and each five-year anniversary thereafter, the dividend rate will reset to a rate equal to the five-year U.S. treasury rate plus 5.2%. Dividends accrue and are payable quarterly. Cash dividends of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 were paid on January 2, 2024. Cash dividends of $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 were paid on April 1, 2024. In the first quarter of 2023, cash dividends of $5.3 million were paid for the three month periods ended December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
The Series A Preferred Shares are convertible at the option of the holders thereof at any time into common shares at an initial conversion price of $26.5950, making the Series A Preferred Shares convertible into 5,640,158 common shares. The conversion price is subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, including cash dividends on the common shares above specified levels, as well as certain adjustments in case of net adverse reserve developments in excess of a threshold over a period of time. The measurement period for the adverse reserve development anti-dilution adjustment commenced with the quarter beginning January 1, 2022 and ends with the quarter ending December 31, 2025. As of March 31, 2024, net adverse reserve development exceeded the threshold. If net adverse reserve development exceeds the threshold at the conclusion of the measurement period (or upon a mandatory or optional conversion, if earlier), the conversion price will be adjusted pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, subject to a floor conversion price of $21.902, and the adjusted conversion price will become effective after the filing of the Company's financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2025 (or immediately after the close of business on the date of the public filing of the Company's financial statements for the most recent quarterly period preceding a mandatory or optional conversion, if earlier). None of the other triggers that would result in additional adjustments to the conversion price have been met at March 31, 2024.
The Certificate of Designations setting forth the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares limits the Company's ability to pay dividends to its common shareholders. If the Company pays cash dividends of more than $0.05 per common share per quarter, without the consent of at least the majority of the Series A Preferred Shares then outstanding, the Company will be required to reduce the conversion price of the Series A Preferred Shares. Additionally, the payment of cash dividends in excess of $0.10 per common share per quarter is not permitted if the dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for that quarter are not paid in cash, unless the Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries and direct Bermuda-based insurance subsidiary satisfy certain capital requirements. Share dividends payable on the common shares to the Company's shareholders also trigger a reduction of the conversion price applicable to the Series A Preferred Shares.
At any time on or after the two year anniversary of the Series A Closing Date, if the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) per common share is greater than 130% of the then-applicable conversion price for at least twenty consecutive trading days, the Company will be able to elect to convert (a “Mandatory Conversion”) all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares into common shares. In the case of a Mandatory Conversion, each Series A Preferred Share then outstanding will be converted into (i) the number of common shares equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to such Series A Preferred Share to be converted divided by (B) the conversion price of such share in effect as of the date of the Mandatory Conversion plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares.
Upon any Mandatory Conversion on or before the five-year anniversary of the Series A Closing Date, all dividends that would have accrued from the date of the Mandatory Conversion to the later of the five-year anniversary of the Series A Closing Date or the last day of the eighth quarter following the date of the Mandatory Conversion, the last eight quarters of which will be discounted to present value using a discount rate of 3.5% per annum, and will be immediately payable in common shares, valued at the average of the daily VWAP of the Company’s common shares during the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the Mandatory Conversion.
The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares may require the Company to repurchase their shares upon the occurrence of certain change of control events. Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Certificate of Designations designating the Series A Preferred Shares), each holder of outstanding Series A Preferred Shares will be permitted to, at its election, (i) effective as of immediately prior to the Fundamental Change, convert all or a portion of its Series A Preferred Shares into common shares, or (ii) require the Company to repurchase any or all of such holder’s Series A Preferred Shares at a purchase price per Series A Preferred Share equal to the Liquidation Preference of such Series A Preferred Share plus accrued and unpaid dividends plus, if the Fundamental Change repurchase occurs prior to the five-year anniversary of the Series A Closing Date, all dividends that would have accrued up to such five-year anniversary, but that have not been paid. The repurchase price will be payable in cash.
Because the Company may be required to repurchase all or a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares at the option of the holder upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, the Series A Preferred Shares have been classified as mezzanine equity in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recognized at fair value of $150.0 million (the proceeds on the date of issuance) less issuance costs of $5.1 million, resulting in a carrying value of $144.9 million.
Under the terms of the Investment Agreement, GPC Partners has the right to designate one member of the Board (the “Series A Designee”). GPC Partners has designated Matthew Botein as the Series A Designee and, accordingly, the Board approved the appointment of Mr. Botein to serve as a Class I director with a term expiring at the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders.
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
14. Capital Stock and Equity Awards
Common Shares
Total common shares outstanding increased from 37,641,563 at December 31, 2023 to 37,822,340 at March 31, 2024, reflecting 180,777 common shares issued in the three months ended March 31, 2024 related to vesting of RSUs.
Dividends
The Company declared the following dividends on common shares during the first three months of 2024 and 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Date of Declaration | | Dividend per Common Share | | Payable to Shareholders of Record on | | Payment Date | | Total Amount |
| | | | | | | | |
2024 | | | | | | | | |
February 15, 2024 | | $ | 0.05 | | | March 11, 2024 | | March 29, 2024 | | $ | 1,940,410 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
2023 | | | | | | | | |
February 16, 2023 | | $ | 0.05 | | | March 13, 2023 | | March 31, 2023 | | $ | 1,921,802 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Included in the total dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 are $49,000 and $41,000, respectively, of dividend equivalents on unvested RSUs. The balance of dividends payable on unvested RSUs was $186,000 at March 31, 2024 and $255,000 at December 31, 2023.
Equity Incentive Plans
The Company’s shareholders have approved various equity incentive plans, including the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2014 LTIP”) and the 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (“2014 Director Plan”) (collectively, the “Plans”). All awards issued under the Plans are issued at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Employees are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, RSUs, and other awards under the 2014 LTIP. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 LTIP is 4,982,650, and at March 31, 2024, 1,133,286 shares are available for grant.
On July 26, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new long-term incentive plan (the “LTI Plan”) under the 2014 LTIP. The LTI Plan is designed to align compensation of designated senior officers of the Company with Company performance and shareholder interests over the long-term. Awards under the LTI Plan are made in the form of performance restricted share units (a “PRSU”) and service based restricted share units (RSUs).
Each PRSU represents a contingent right to receive one Company common share based upon the level of achievement of certain performance metrics during the performance period, with payout for achievement of threshold, target and maximum performance levels to be set at 50%, 100% and 200% of the target number of PRSUs, respectively. The PRSUs awarded in the first quarter of 2023 have a performance period of January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025. The PRSUs awarded in the first quarter of 2024 have a performance period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
Non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, RSUs, and other awards under the 2014 Director Plan. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Director Plan is 150,000, and at March 31, 2024, 31,285 shares are available for grant.
Generally, awards issued under the 2014 LTIP and 2014 Director Plan vest immediately in the event that an award recipient is terminated without Cause (as defined in the applicable plans), and in the case of the 2014 LTIP for Good Reason (as defined in the applicable plans), at any time following a Change in Control (as defined in the applicable plans).
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
Options
The following table summarizes option activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price |
Outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | 74,390 | | | $ | 42.17 | | | 287,974 | | | $ | 35.26 | |
Granted | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | |
Exercised | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | |
Forfeited | — | | | $ | — | | | (45,106) | | | $ | 34.92 | |
Lapsed | (74,390) | | | $ | 42.17 | | | (164,548) | | | $ | 32.07 | |
End of period | — | | | $ | — | | | 78,320 | | | $ | 42.17 | |
Exercisable, end of period | — | | | $ | — | | | 78,320 | | | $ | 42.17 | |
The options outstanding at December 31, 2023 lapsed in the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, no options remain outstanding.
The following table summarizes RSU activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Shares | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | | |
Unvested, beginning of period | 751,254 | | | $ | 23.48 | | | 665,458 | | | $ | 25.98 | |
Granted | 498,698 | | | $ | 9.80 | | | 363,484 | | | $ | 24.83 | |
Vested | (264,088) | | | $ | 25.18 | | | (212,128) | | | $ | 28.93 | |
Forfeited | — | | | $ | — | | | (4,293) | | | $ | 22.49 | |
Unvested, end of period | 985,864 | | | $ | 16.11 | | | 812,521 | | | $ | 24.71 | |
Outstanding RSUs granted to employees generally vest ratably over a three year vesting period in the case of time-vest RSUs and cliff vest at the end of a three-year performance period in the case of PRSUs. RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally have a one year vesting period. The holders of RSUs are entitled to dividend equivalents. The dividend equivalents are settled in cash at the same time that the underlying RSUs vest and are subject to the same risk of forfeiture as the underlying shares. The fair value of the RSUs granted is based on the market price of the underlying shares at the date of grant. The RSUs granted in 2024 and 2023 include 231,492 and 91,818 PRSU awards, respectively. The number of PRSUs is based upon the probable outcome of performance conditions.
Compensation Expense
Share based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The amount of expense and related tax benefit is summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Share based compensation expense | | | | | $ | 2,675 | | | $ | 2,692 | |
U.S. tax benefit on share based compensation expense | | | | | 498 | | | 516 | |
JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
At March 31, 2024, the Company had $12.4 million of unrecognized share based compensation expense expected to be charged to earnings over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
15. Subsequent Events
On April 25, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share. The dividend is payable on June 28, 2024 to shareholders of record on June 10, 2024.
On April 25, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a dividend in the aggregate amount of $2.6 million on the Series A Preferred Shares. The dividend will be payable in cash on July 1, 2024 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2024.
The sale of JRG Re closed on April 16, 2024. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the aggregate purchase price received by the Company, after giving effect to estimated adjustments based on changes in JRG Re’s adjusted net worth between March 31, 2023 and the closing, totaled approximately $291.4 million. The aggregate purchase price was comprised of (i) $152.4 million paid in cash by the Buyer and (ii) an aggregate $139 million dividend and distribution from contributed surplus by JRG Re to the Company. In accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, the cash portion of the purchase price was calculated based on an estimated balance sheet of JRG Re as of the date of closing. The estimated balance sheet is subject to final post-closing adjustments, which could result in adjustments to the purchase price.
On April 16, 2024, the 2013 Facility was amended in connection with the closing of the sale of JRG Re by the Company to (i) release JRG Re as a borrower and release all collateral pledged by JRG Re thereunder, and (ii) decrease the secured revolving facility commitment to $45 million.
On April 16, 2024, the 2017 Facility was amended in connection with the closing of the sale of JRG Re by the Company to (i) release JRG Re as a borrower and release all collateral pledged by JRG Re thereunder, (ii) increase the applicable interest rates, (iii) eliminate the letter of credit portion of the facility, and (iv) to build in an automatic decrease of the facility amount by the amount of each letter of credit outstanding under the 2017 Facility as of the date of the amendment with effect from the date each such letter of credit is cancelled.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”, Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2024, or for any other future period. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context indicates or suggests otherwise, references to “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries.
Our Business
James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company. We own and operate a group of specialty insurance companies with the objective of generating compelling returns on tangible equity while limiting underwriting and investment volatility. We seek to accomplish this by earning profits from insurance underwriting and generating meaningful risk-adjusted investment returns while managing our capital.
We report our continuing operations in three reportable segments:
•The Excess and Surplus Lines segment offers commercial excess and surplus lines liability and property insurance in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through James River Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, James River Casualty Company;
•The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment focuses on niche classes within the standard insurance markets with a primary focus on fronting business, where we retain a minority share of the risk and seek to earn fee income by allowing other carriers and producers to use our licensure, ratings, expertise and infrastructure. Through Falls Lake National and its subsidiaries, this segment has admitted licenses and the authority to write excess and surplus lines insurance in 50 states and the District of Columbia and distributes through a variety of sources, including program administrators and managing general agents;
•The Corporate and Other segment consists of the management and treasury activities of our holding companies, interest expense associated with our debt, and expenses of our holding companies, including public company expenses and equity compensation for the group, that are not reimbursed by our insurance segments.
Our discontinued operations include JRG Re, which comprised the remaining operations of the former Casualty Reinsurance segment, and which, prior to the suspension of its underwriting activities in 2023, provided proportional and working layer casualty reinsurance to third parties. On November 8, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell JRG Re. The sale transaction closed on April 16, 2024.
All of the Company’s U.S.-domiciled insurance subsidiaries are party to an intercompany pooling agreement that distributes the net underwriting results among the group companies based on their approximate pro-rata level of statutory capital and surplus to the total Company statutory capital and surplus. We report all segment information in this ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ prior to the effects of intercompany reinsurance, consistent with the manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our reportable segments.
Our group’s regulated U.S. insurance subsidiaries have a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company.
Key Metrics
We discuss certain key metrics, described below, which we believe provide useful information about our business and the operational factors underlying our financial performance.
Underwriting profit is a non-GAAP measure commonly used in the property and casualty insurance industry to evaluate underwriting performance. We believe that the disclosure of underwriting profit by individual segment and of the Company as a whole is useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of our financial information in evaluating our performance because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit. We define underwriting profit as net earned premiums and gross fee income
(in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) less losses and loss adjustment expenses on business from continuing operations not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer (see Loss Portfolio Transfer in Strategic Actions below) and other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include the underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses of the operating segments and, for consolidated underwriting profit, the expenses of the Corporate and Other segment. Our definition of underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for a reconciliation of underwriting profit to income from continuing operations before taxes and for additional information.
Loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses on business from continuing operations not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer to net earned premiums. Our definition of loss ratio may not be comparable to that of other companies. See “Underwriting Performance Ratios” for a reconciliation of underwriting ratios.
Accident year loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current accident year (excluding development on prior accident year reserves) to net earned premiums for the current year (excluding net earned premium adjustments on certain reinsurance treaties with reinstatement premiums associated with prior years).
Expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of other operating expenses net of gross fee income included in other income to net earned premiums.
Combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance calculated as the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit, while a combined ratio greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. Our definition of combined ratio may not be comparable to that of other companies. See “Underwriting Performance Ratios” for a reconciliation of underwriting ratios.
Adjusted net operating income is an internal performance measure used in the management of our operations. We believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income is defined as income available to common shareholders excluding a) income (loss) from discontinued operations b) the impact of retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer, c) net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, d) certain non-operating expenses such as professional service fees related to a class action lawsuit, various strategic initiatives, and the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, and e) severance costs associated with terminated employees. Adjusted net operating income is a non-GAAP measure and should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for a reconciliation of income available to common shareholders to adjusted net operating income.
Tangible equity is defined as shareholders' equity plus mezzanine Series A Preferred Shares (as defined below) and the unrecognized deferred retroactive reinsurance gain on loss portfolio transfers less goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization. We believe tangible equity is a good measure to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. Key financial measures that we use to assess our longer term financial performance include the percentage growth in our tangible equity per share and our return on tangible equity. Tangible equity is a non-GAAP measure and should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. Our definition of tangible equity may not be comparable to that of other companies. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for a reconciliation of shareholders' equity to tangible equity.
Adjusted net operating return on tangible equity is defined as annualized adjusted net operating income expressed as a percentage of the average quarterly tangible equity balances in the respective period.
Tangible equity per share represents tangible equity divided by the sum of total common shares outstanding plus the common shares resulting from an assumed conversion of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares into common shares (at the current conversion price).
Net retention is defined as the ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums.
Gross investment yield is annualized investment income before any deductions for fees and expenses, expressed as a percentage of the average beginning and ending carrying values of those investments during the period.
Unless specified otherwise, all references to our defined metrics above in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are for our business from continuing operations that is not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer. Management believes that the lack of economic impact of retroactive reinsurance accounting makes the presentation of our key metrics on business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting helpful to the users of our financial information. See “Underwriting Performance Ratios” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
The most critical accounting policies involve significant estimates and include those used in determining the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses and investment valuation and impairment. For a detailed discussion of each of these policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no significant changes to any of these policies during the current year.
Recent Strategic Actions
James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
On November 10, 2023, the Company announced that its board of directors has initiated an exploration of strategic alternatives.
Sale of JRG Re
On November 8, 2023, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Fleming Intermediate Holdings LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Buyer”). Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, and on the terms and subject to the conditions therein, the Buyer agreed to purchase from the Company all of the common shares of JRG Re. JRG Re comprised the remaining operations of the former Casualty Reinsurance segment, and the sale of JRG Re, which closed on April 16, 2024, resulted in the Company’s disposition of its casualty reinsurance business and related assets.
Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the aggregate purchase price received by the Company, after giving effect to estimated adjustments based on changes in JRG Re’s adjusted net worth between March 31, 2023 and the Closing, totaled approximately $291.4 million. The aggregate purchase price was comprised of (i) $152.4 million paid in cash by the Buyer and (ii) an aggregate $139 million dividend and distribution from contributed surplus by JRG Re to the Company. In accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, the cash portion of the purchase price was calculated based on an estimated balance sheet of JRG Re as of the date of closing. The estimated balance sheet is subject to final post-closing adjustments, which could result in adjustments to the purchase price. Additionally, the Buyer may pay an additional $2.5 million to the Company in the event that certain conditions outlined in the Stock Purchase Agreement are met on the date that is nine months following the date of closing.
We have determined that the sale of JRG Re meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale and that the sale represents a strategic shift that will have a major effect on its operations. Accordingly, the results of JRG Re's operations have been presented as discontinued operations, and the assets and liabilities of JRG Re have been classified as held for sale and segregated for all periods presented in this interim report on Form 10-Q.
The $139 million pre-closing dividend was completed in the first quarter of 2024. It included the forgiveness of $133.2 million owed from JRG Holdings to JRG Re and $5.8 million paid in cash to JRG Holdings. In the fourth quarter of 2023, after giving effect to the pre-closing dividend, we recorded an estimated loss on sale of $80.4 million to write down the carrying value of JRG Re to its estimated fair value based upon the estimated sales price of the transaction less costs to sell and other adjustments in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement. In the first quarter of 2024, the estimated loss on the sale was revised to $78.9 million, resulting in a gain of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 for the change in the estimated loss on sale.
Actions to Reduce Workers' Compensation Book
In June 2023, the Company non-renewed its large California workers' compensation program in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment. This action was taken due to persistent rate pressure and tighter reinsurance capacity. Gross written premiums for the program were $12.0 million and $27.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
On September 25, 2023, the Company announced that certain of its subsidiaries entered into an agreement to sell the renewal rights to the Individual Risk Workers’ Compensation (“IRWC”) business in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment. The transaction included the full operations of the business, including underwriting, loss control and claims, and transfer of the employees supporting the business. The transaction closed on September 29, 2023. Gross written premiums for IRWC were $2.0 million and $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The sales of JRG Re and the renewal rights to the IRWC business are aligned with our strategy to focus our resources on core businesses where we have meaningful scale.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our results:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | % Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Gross written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 330,810 | | | $ | 353,454 | | | (6.4) | % |
Net retention | | | | | | | 41.8 | % | | 49.3 | % | | |
Net written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 138,172 | | | $ | 174,155 | | | (20.7) | % |
Net earned premiums | | | | | | | $ | 171,691 | | | $ | 171,840 | | | (0.1) | % |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding retroactive reinsurance | | | | | | | (114,051) | | | (114,681) | | | (0.5) | % |
Other operating expenses | | | | | | | (49,500) | | | (46,915) | | | 5.5 | % |
Underwriting profit (1), (2) | | | | | | | 8,140 | | | 10,244 | | | (20.5) | % |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance | | | | | | | 4,002 | | | (11,700) | | | — | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | 22,632 | | | 18,425 | | | 22.8 | % |
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments | | | | | | | 4,583 | | | 160 | | | — | |
Other income and expense | | | | | | | 179 | | | (415) | | | — | |
Interest expense | | | | | | | (6,485) | | | (5,583) | | | 16.2 | % |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | | | (91) | | | (91) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from continuing operations before taxes | | | | | | | 32,960 | | | 11,040 | | | 198.6 | % |
Income tax expense on continuing operations | | | | | | | 9,452 | | | 3,136 | | | 201.4 | % |
Net income from continuing operations | | | | | | | 23,508 | | | 7,904 | | | 197.4 | % |
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations | | | | | | | (8,105) | | | 1,704 | | | — | |
Net income | | | | | | | 15,403 | | | 9,608 | | | 60.3 | % |
Dividends on Series A Preferred Shares | | | | | | | (2,625) | | | (2,625) | | | — | |
Net income available to common shareholders | | | | | | | $ | 12,778 | | | $ | 6,983 | | | 83.0 | % |
Adjusted net operating income (1) | | | | | | | $ | 14,832 | | | $ | 14,971 | | | (0.9) | % |
Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | | | | | | | 66.4 | % | | 66.7 | % | | |
Expense ratio | | | | | | | 28.9 | % | | 27.3 | % | | |
Combined ratio | | | | | | | 95.3 | % | | 94.0 | % | | |
Accident year loss ratio | | | | | | | 66.7 | % | | 67.0 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Underwriting profit and adjusted net operating income are non-GAAP measures. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”
(2)Included in underwriting results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is gross fee income of $5.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
The Company produced net income available to common shareholders of $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted net operating income was $14.8 million and $15.0 million in the respective periods.
Underwriting profits were $8.1 million and $10.2 million (combined ratios of 95.3% and 94.0%) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was consistent with the prior year and net reserve development on prior accident years (excluding adverse prior year development on the legacy Rasier business and the impact of retroactive reinsurance - see discussion below) was slightly favorable in both periods at $398,000 and $495,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our expense ratio increased from 27.3% in the prior year to 28.9% in the current year largely due to higher compensation expenses and outside professional services in the current year.
Investment income grew by $4.2 million or 22.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year driven by higher yields on fixed maturities and bank loans, as well as higher invested assets in our continuing operations following the commutation of an internal quota share arrangement with JRG Re in the second and third quarters of 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on investments for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes $4.2 million of positive mark-to-market adjustments on our equity securities reflecting increases in their fair values in the period due to rising equity markets (see Investing Results below). Interest expense was $902,000 higher in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year driven by higher interest rates on our variable rate senior and trust preferred debt. The applicable rates on our debt reset periodically and are structured as SOFR plus a margin or spread. Our average rate of interest increased from 6.9% in the prior year to 8.0% in the current year.
The Company entered into a definitive agreement on November 8, 2023 to sell JRG Re. The sale closed on April 16, 2024 and discontinued operations for both periods include the operating results of JRG Re which were a loss of $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to income of $1.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The results for discontinued operations include net adverse development of $7.1 million and $1.9 million on treaties not subject to the Casualty Re loss portfolio transfer for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Discontinued operations in the current year also includes $1.7 million of certain transaction-related expenses associated with the sale and a change in the estimate of the loss on sale which resulted in a $1.5 million gain in the current period.
Adjusted net operating income was slightly lower (-0.9%) than the prior year as higher investment income largely offset lower underwriting results and higher interest expense. Changes in tangible equity (+0.2%) and tangible equity per share (-2.0%) were modest in the current period as positive operating results were mostly offset by unrealized losses on fixed maturities in other comprehensive loss, dividends on both common and preferred shares, and the impact of retroactive reinsurance benefits. Our 12.2% adjusted net operating return on tangible equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compares to a 9.4% return for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Loss Portfolio Transfers and Impact of Retroactive Reinsurance
The Company has entered into two loss portfolio transfers, which are a form of reinsurance utilized by the Company to transfer losses and loss adjustment expenses and associated risk of adverse development on covered subject business, as defined in the respective agreements, to an assuming reinsurer in exchange for a reinsurance premium. Loss portfolio transfers can bring economic finality on the subject risks as long as any additional losses are within the limit of the loss portfolio transfer and the counterparty performs under the contract.
On September 27, 2021, James River Insurance Company and James River Casualty Company (together, “James River”) entered into a loss portfolio transfer transaction (the “Commercial Auto LPT”) with Aleka Insurance, Inc. (“Aleka”), a captive insurance company affiliate of Rasier LLC, to reinsure substantially all of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s legacy portfolio of commercial auto policies previously issued to Rasier LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Rasier”) for which James River is not otherwise indemnified by Rasier. The reinsurance coverage is structured to be fully collateralized, is not subject to an aggregate limit, and is subject to certain exclusions.
On February 23, 2022, JRG Re entered into a loss portfolio transfer retrocession agreement (the “Casualty Re LPT”) with Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“FRL”) under which FRL reinsures the majority of the reserves in the Company’s Casualty Reinsurance segment. Under the terms of the transaction, which closed on March 31, 2022 (the “Retrocession Closing Date”), JRG Re (a) ceded to FRL all existing and future claims for losses arising under certain casualty reinsurance agreements with underlying insurance companies with treaty inception dates ranging from 2011 to 2020 (the “Subject Business”), in each case net of third-party reinsurance and other recoveries, up to an aggregate limit of $400.0 million; (b) continues to manage and retain the benefit of other third-party reinsurance on the Subject Business; (c) paid FRL a reinsurance premium of $335.0 million, $310.0 million of which JRG Re credited to a notional funds withheld account (the “Funds Withheld Account”) and $25.0 million of which was paid in cash to FRL; and (d) pays FRL a 2% per annum crediting rate on the Funds Withheld Account balance on a quarterly basis. The total premium, initial Funds Withheld Account credit, and aggregate limit was adjusted for claims paid from October 1, 2021 to the Retrocession Closing Date. The Funds Withheld Account balance was $119.4 million and $137.8 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Funds Withheld Account crediting fees of $643,000 and $1.0 million are included in the (loss) income from discontinued operations in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company periodically reevaluates the remaining reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT and the Casualty Re LPT. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to adverse paid and reported loss trends on the business subject to the loss portfolio transfers, the Company recognized adverse prior year development of $477,000 and $6.1 million on the reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT and Casualty Re LPT, respectively, resulting in corresponding additional amounts ceded under the respective loss portfolio transfers. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized adverse prior year development of $41.0 million and $7.8 million on the reserves subject to the Commercial Auto LPT and Casualty Re LPT,
respectively. Both loss portfolio transfers are in gain positions as the cumulative amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfers exceed the consideration paid, requiring the application of retroactive reinsurance accounting.
Under retroactive reinsurance accounting, gains are deferred and recognized in earnings in proportion to actual paid recoveries under the loss portfolio transfers using the recovery method. Over the life of the contracts, we would expect no economic impact to the Company as long as any additional losses are within the limit of the loss portfolio transfer and the counterparty performs under the contract. In periods where the Company recognizes a change in the estimate of the reserves subject to the loss portfolio transfers that increases or decreases the amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfers, the proportion of actual paid recoveries to total ceded losses is affected and the change in deferred gain is recognized in earnings as if the revised estimate of ceded losses was available at the effective date of the loss portfolio transfer. The effect of the deferred retroactive reinsurance benefit is recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
Retroactive reinsurance benefits totaling $9.7 million ($4.5 million for the Commercial Auto LPT and $5.2 million for the Casualty Re LPT) were recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 using the recovery method, resulting in a net benefit of $3.1 million within our net losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, retroactive reinsurance benefits totaling $32.0 million ($29.3 million for the Commercial Auto LPT and $2.7 million for the Casualty Re LPT) were recorded in losses and loss adjustment expenses, resulting in a net impact of $16.9 million within our net losses and loss adjustment expenses. As of March 31, 2024, the cumulative amounts ceded under the loss portfolio transfers was $856.7 million ($456.7 million under the Commercial Auto LPT and $400.0 million under the Casualty Re LPT). The total deferred retroactive reinsurance gain of $50.7 million at March 31, 2024 under the loss portfolio transfers includes $16.7 million related to the Commercial Auto LPT separately presented on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and $34.0 million related to the Casualty Re LPT which is included within the assets held-for sale of JRG Re on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2024, the Company has no aggregate limit remaining under the Casualty Re LPT.
Premiums
Insurance premiums are earned ratably over the terms of our insurance policies, generally twelve months. The following table summarizes the change in premium volume by component and business segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | % Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Gross written premiums: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | | | $ | 213,691 | | | $ | 228,903 | | | (6.6) | % |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | | | 117,119 | | | 124,551 | | | (6.0) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | $ | 330,810 | | | $ | 353,454 | | | (6.4) | % |
Net written premiums: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | | | $ | 117,425 | | | $ | 147,430 | | | (20.4) | % |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | | | 20,747 | | | 26,725 | | | (22.4) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | $ | 138,172 | | | $ | 174,155 | | | (20.7) | % |
Net earned premiums: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | | | $ | 145,623 | | | $ | 151,359 | | | (3.8) | % |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | | | 26,068 | | | 20,481 | | | 27.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | $ | 171,691 | | | $ | 171,840 | | | (0.1) | % |
Gross written premiums for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment (which represents 64.6% of our consolidated gross written premiums from continuing operations in the three months ended March 31, 2024) decreased 6.6% from the corresponding three month period in the prior year. The decline was primarily driven by the non-renewal of a few larger accounts that did not meet our underwriting appetite. Total policy submissions for Core E&S lines (excluding commercial auto) increased 9.5% from the prior year, but the average premium size decreased 3.7%. Renewal rate increases across the segment were 10.7% during the first quarter of 2024. The change in gross written premiums was notable in several divisions as shown below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | % |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Excess Casualty | | | | | | | $ | 69,830 | | | $ | 81,394 | | | (14.2) | % |
General Casualty | | | | | | | 43,752 | | | 37,610 | | | 16.3 | % |
Manufacturers & Contractors | | | | | | | 37,904 | | | 42,182 | | | (10.1) | % |
Excess Property | | | | | | | 13,569 | | | 16,528 | | | (17.9) | % |
All other Core E&S divisions | | | | | | | 43,835 | | | 44,674 | | | (1.9) | % |
Total Core E&S divisions | | | | | | | 208,890 | | | 222,388 | | | (6.1) | % |
Commercial Auto | | | | | | | 4,801 | | | 6,515 | | | (26.3) | % |
Excess and Surplus Lines gross written premium | | | | | | | $ | 213,691 | | | $ | 228,903 | | | (6.6) | % |
The components of gross written premiums for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment (which represents 35.4% of our consolidated gross written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2024) are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | % |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Fronting and program premium | | | | | | | 115,156 | | | 111,583 | | | 3.2 | % |
Individual risk workers’ compensation premium | | | | | | | $ | 1,963 | | | $ | 12,968 | | | (84.9) | % |
Specialty Admitted gross written premium | | | | | | | $ | 117,119 | | | $ | 124,551 | | | (6.0) | % |
Our fronting written premium increased over the prior year corresponding quarter driven primarily by the continued expansion of existing fronting relationships, which was partially offset by the decline in gross written premiums for a large California workers' compensation program that was non-renewed in June 2023. Our largest fronting relationship represented $46.7 million and $34.4 million (39.8% and 27.6%) of segment gross written premium for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Individual risk workers' compensation premium declined due to the sale of the renewal rights to the IRWC business in the prior year third quarter.
Net Retention
Our net premium retention is summarized by segment as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | 55.0 | % | | 64.4 | % |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | 17.7 | % | | 21.5 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | 41.8 | % | | 49.3 | % |
Lower net premium retention for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment was primarily driven by the renewal of a quota share treaty, effective July 1, 2023, that increased premium cessions across all underwriting divisions other than Excess Casualty and resulted in lower retentions for the segment.
The net premium retention for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as fronting business, where we retain a much smaller percentage, represents a greater portion of the book following the sale of the renewal rights to the IRWC business in the prior year third quarter. The net retention on the fronting business was 16.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 15.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net retention on the individual risk workers' compensation business was 76.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 73.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Segment Results
The following table presents our combined ratios by segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | 87.3 | % | | 86.8 | % |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | 97.0 | % | | 102.3 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | | | 95.3 | % | | 94.0 | % |
Excess and Surplus Lines Segment
Results for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | % |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Gross written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 213,691 | | | $ | 228,903 | | | (6.6) | % |
Net written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 117,425 | | | $ | 147,430 | | | (20.4) | % |
Net earned premiums | | | | | | | $ | 145,623 | | | $ | 151,359 | | | (3.8) | % |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses excluding retroactive reinsurance | | | | | | | (93,605) | | | (99,189) | | | (5.6) | % |
Underwriting expenses | | | | | | | (33,527) | | | (32,175) | | | 4.2 | % |
Underwriting profit (1) | | | | | | | $ | 18,491 | | | $ | 19,995 | | | (7.5) | % |
Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | | | | | | | 64.3 | % | | 65.5 | % | | |
Expense ratio | | | | | | | 23.0 | % | | 21.3 | % | | |
Combined ratio | | | | | | | 87.3 | % | | 86.8 | % | | |
Accident year loss ratio | | | | | | | 64.3 | % | | 65.7 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Underwriting Profit is a non-GAAP Measure. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”
The Excess and Surplus Lines segment produced underwriting profits of $18.5 million and $20.0 million (combined ratios of 87.3% and 86.8%) in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net reserve development on prior accident years (excluding adverse prior year development on the legacy Rasier business and the impact of retroactive reinsurance - see discussion above) was $40,000 adverse in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $324,000 favorable in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The higher current year expense ratio was mostly driven by higher compensation costs.
Specialty Admitted Insurance Segment
Results for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | % |
| | | | | | | 2024 | | 2023 | | Change |
| | | | | | | ($ in thousands) | | |
Gross written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 117,119 | | | $ | 124,551 | | | (6.0) | % |
Net written premiums | | | | | | | $ | 20,747 | | | $ | 26,725 | | | (22.4) | % |
Net earned premiums | | | | | | | $ | 26,068 | | | $ | 20,481 | | | 27.3 | % |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | | | | | | | (20,446) | | | (15,492) | | | 32.0 | % |
Underwriting expenses | | | | | | | (4,836) | | | (5,458) | | | (11.4) | % |
Underwriting profit (loss) (1), (2) | | | | | | | $ | 786 | | | $ | (469) | | | — | |
Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss ratio | | | | | | | 78.4 | % | | 75.6 | % | | |
Expense ratio | | | | | | | 18.6 | % | | 26.7 | % | | |
Combined ratio | | | | | | | 97.0 | % | | 102.3 | % | | |
Accident year loss ratio | | | | | | | 80.1 | % | | 76.5 | % | | |
(1)Underwriting Profit (Loss) is a non-GAAP Measure. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”
(2)Underwriting results include gross fee income of $5.3 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment produced an underwriting profit of $786,000 compared to an underwriting loss of $469,000 (combined ratios of 97.0% and 102.3%) in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net favorable development in our loss estimates for prior accident years was $438,000 or 1.7 points in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $171,000 or 0.8 points in the three months ended March 31, 2023. The segment expense ratio decreased from the prior year driven by lower expenses for compensation and taxes, licenses, and fees following the reductions to our workers' compensation book in the prior year including the non-renewal of a large California workers' compensation program and the sale of the renewal rights to the IRWC business which included the transfer of employees associated with the business.
Corporate and Other Segment
Other operating expenses for the Corporate and Other segment include personnel costs associated with the Bermuda and U.S. holding companies, professional fees, share based compensation for the full Company, and various other corporate expenses that were not reimbursed by our subsidiaries, including costs associated with rating agencies and strategic initiatives. The expenses are included in our calculation of consolidated underwriting profit, and in our consolidated expense ratio and combined ratio. Total operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment were $11.1 million and $9.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher year to date expense is related to higher expenses for employee compensation and outside professional services.
Investing Results
Net investment income was $22.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $18.4 million for the same period in the prior year. The Company's private investments generated losses of $145,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to income of $1.6 million in the corresponding prior year period. Excluding private investments, our net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased 35.3% from the prior year, principally due to higher yields on fixed maturities and bank loan participations. The average duration of our portfolio excluding restricted cash equivalents was 3.4 years at March 31, 2024.
Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | ($ in thousands) |
Fixed maturity securities | | | | | $ | 12,865 | | | $ | 11,750 | |
Bank loan participations | | | | | 4,456 | | | 1,533 | |
Equity securities | | | | | 1,914 | | | 1,564 | |
Other invested assets | | | | | (145) | | | 1,591 | |
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash equivalents and short-term investments | | | | | 4,440 | | | 2,625 | |
Gross investment income | | | | | 23,530 | | | 19,063 | |
Investment expense | | | | | (898) | | | (638) | |
Net investment income | | | | | $ | 22,632 | | | $ | 18,425 | |
The following table summarizes our annualized gross investment yields:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | | | |
Cash and invested assets | | | | | 4.6 | % | | 4.4 | % |
Fixed maturity securities | | | | | 4.6 | % | | 4.1 | % |
Of our total cash and invested assets of $2,012.3 million at March 31, 2024 (excluding restricted cash equivalents), $305.5 million represents the cash and cash equivalents portion of the portfolio. The majority of the portfolio, or $1,287.5 million, is comprised of fixed maturity securities that are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses on these securities reported, net of applicable taxes, as a separate component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss). Also included in our investments are $173.0 million of bank loan participations, $128.7 million of equity securities, $84.5 million of short-term investments, and $33.1 million of other invested assets.
Bank loan participations generally provide a higher yield than our portfolio of fixed maturity securities and are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and are therefore below investment grade. Bank loans include assignments of and participations in performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. They consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit facilities, and similar loans and investments. Bank loan participations are measured at fair value pursuant to the Company's election of the fair value option, and changes in unrealized gains and losses in bank loan participations are reported in our income statement as net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair market value of these securities was $173.0 million and $156.2 million, respectively.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized net realized and unrealized investment gains of $4.6 million, including $359,000 of net unrealized gains on bank loan participations, $4.2 million of net unrealized gains for the change in the fair value of equity securities, $640,000 of net realized investment losses on the sale of bank loan participations, $947,000 of net realized investment gains on the sale of equity securities, and $311,000 of net realized investment losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities.
For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized net realized and unrealized investment gains of $160,000, including $910,000 of net unrealized gains on bank loan participations, $643,000 of net unrealized losses for the change in the fair value of equity securities, $7,000 of net realized investment losses on the sale of fixed maturity securities, $403,000 of net realized investment losses on the sale of bank loan participations, and $314,000 of net realized investment gains on the sale of equity securities.
In conjunction with its outside investment managers, the Company performs quarterly reviews of all securities within its investment portfolio to determine whether any impairment has occurred. As a result of this review, management concluded that there were no credit-related impairments of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, or March 31, 2023. At March 31, 2024, 99.9% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “BBB-” or better (“investment grade”) by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. Management does not intend to sell available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs.
The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale fixed maturity securities were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| Cost or Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | % of Total Fair Value | | Cost or Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | % of Total Fair Value |
| ($ in thousands) |
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale: | | | | | | | | | | | |
State and municipal | $ | 270,873 | | | $ | 245,010 | | | 19.0 | % | | $ | 273,462 | | | $ | 248,837 | | | 18.8 | % |
Residential mortgage-backed | 330,117 | | | 307,526 | | | 23.9 | % | | 336,064 | | | 317,928 | | | 24.0 | % |
Corporate | 522,750 | | | 493,279 | | | 38.3 | % | | 530,408 | | | 505,728 | | | 38.2 | % |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 227,720 | | | 215,981 | | | 16.8 | % | | 235,302 | | | 222,853 | | | 16.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government | 26,505 | | | 25,670 | | | 2.0 | % | | 29,900 | | | 29,130 | | | 2.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale | $ | 1,377,965 | | | $ | 1,287,466 | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 1,405,136 | | | $ | 1,324,476 | | | 100.0 | % |
The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s portfolio of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by rating as of March 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Standard & Poor’s or Equivalent Designation | Fair Value | | % of Total |
| ($ in thousands) |
AAA | $ | 282,159 | | | 21.9 | % |
AA | $ | 520,723 | | | 40.4 | % |
A | $ | 348,598 | | | 27.1 | % |
BBB | $ | 134,666 | | | 10.5 | % |
Below BBB and unrated | $ | 1,320 | | | 0.1 | % |
Total | $ | 1,287,466 | | | 100.0 | % |
The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities summarized by contractual maturity are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| March 31, 2024 |
| Amortized Cost | | Fair Value | | % of Total Value |
| ($ in thousands) |
Due in: | | | | | |
One year or less | $ | 45,678 | | | $ | 45,113 | | | 3.5 | % |
After one year through five years | 344,201 | | | 334,549 | | | 26.0 | % |
After five years through ten years | 260,473 | | | 236,295 | | | 18.3 | % |
After ten years | 169,776 | | | 148,002 | | | 11.5 | % |
Residential mortgage-backed | 330,117 | | | 307,526 | | | 23.9 | % |
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed | 227,720 | | | 215,981 | | | 16.8 | % |
| | | | | |
Total | $ | 1,377,965 | | | $ | 1,287,466 | | | 100.0 | % |
Other Income and Expense
Other income and expense items netted to income of $179,000 and expense of $415,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The three months ended March 31, 2024 included $709,000 of broker incentive rebates in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $202,000 of other miscellaneous income, partially offset by non-operating expenses of $732,000 primarily consisting of legal and other professional fees and other expenses related to various strategic initiatives. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the net expense of $415,000 was primarily comprised of $575,000 of non-operating expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $6.5 million and $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase over the prior year reflects the impact of rising interest rates on our variable rate senior and trust preferred debt. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Sources and Uses of Funds” for more information regarding our senior bank debt facilities and trust preferred securities.
Amortization of Intangibles and Impairment of Intangible Assets
The Company recorded $91,000 of amortization of intangible assets in each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income from continuing operations reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction. Statutory tax rates are 0% and 21% for Bermuda and the U.S. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 28.7% and 28.4%, respectively. The Company does not receive a U.S. tax deduction for losses in our Bermuda entities. Bermuda had losses in both periods primarily due to Bermuda holding company expenses and interest expense. For U.S.-sourced income, the Company’s U.S. federal income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to income before taxes due primarily to interest income on tax-advantaged state and municipal securities, dividends received income, and excess tax benefits and expenses on share based compensation.
Reserves
An indicator of reserve strength that we monitor closely is the percentage of our gross and net loss reserves that are comprised of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves.
The Company’s gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at March 31, 2024 was $2,661.9 million. Of this amount, 67.9% relates to amounts that are IBNR. This amount was 66.9% at December 31, 2023. The Company’s gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross Reserves at March 31, 2024 |
| Case | | IBNR | | Total |
| ($ in thousands) |
Excess and Surplus Lines | $ | 467,383 | | | $ | 1,346,993 | | | $ | 1,814,376 | |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | 387,326 | | | 460,207 | | | 847,533 | |
| | | | | |
Total | $ | 854,709 | | | $ | 1,807,200 | | | $ | 2,661,909 | |
At March 31, 2024, the amount of net reserves (prior to the $660,000 allowance for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables) of $1,283.4 million that related to IBNR was 71.0%. This amount was 72.0% at December 31, 2023. The Company’s net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net Reserves at March 31, 2024 |
| Case | | IBNR | | Total |
| ($ in thousands) |
Excess and Surplus Lines | $ | 308,601 | | | $ | 835,942 | | | $ | 1,144,543 | |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | 63,305 | | | 75,538 | | | 138,843 | |
| | | | | |
Total | $ | 371,906 | | | $ | 911,480 | | | $ | 1,283,386 | |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources and Uses of Funds
Our sources of funds consist primarily of premiums written, investment income, reinsurance recoveries, proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments, borrowings on our credit facilities, and the issuance of common and 7% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, par value $0.00125 per share (the “Series A Preferred Shares”). We use operating cash flows primarily to pay operating expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance premiums, and income taxes. Cash flow from operations may differ substantially from net income. The potential for a large claim under an insurance or reinsurance contract means that substantial and unpredictable payments may need to be made within relatively short periods of time.
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| ($ in thousands) |
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in): | | | |
Operating activities (excluding restricted cash equivalents) | $ | 23,132 | | | $ | 18,413 | |
Investing activities | 47,496 | | | 17,126 | |
Financing activities | (5,456) | | | (8,805) | |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | 65,172 | | | 26,734 | |
Change in restricted cash equivalents (operating activities) | 947 | | | 1,039 | |
Change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents | $ | 66,119 | | | $ | 27,773 | |
Cash provided by operating activities excluding restricted cash equivalents of $23.1 million and $18.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, was driven by the growth in our U.S. segments and the collection of premiums receivable at a quicker rate than payments of loss and loss adjustment expenses. Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations excluding restricted cash equivalents was $47.5 million and $47.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, compared to cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations of $24.4 million and $29.0 million in the respective periods. Because JRG Re was in run off at March 31, 2024, we believe that its sale, which closed on April 16, 2024, will increase our future cash flows from operations relative to 2023. Proceeds from the sale of JRG Re will support additional growth in our U.S. continuing operations.
Cash provided by investing activities of $47.5 million and $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, mostly reflects the run-off of JRG Re and the withdrawal of invested assets to fund claims and operating expenses. Cash and cash equivalents (excluding restricted cash equivalents) comprised 13.9% and 8.3% of total cash and invested assets at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $10.9 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, compared to cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations of $58.4 million and $25.1 million in the respective periods. Because JRG Re was in run off at March 31, 2024, we believe that its sale, which closed on April 16, 2024, will increase our future cash flows from operations relative to 2023 which will lead to higher amounts invested and more cash used in investing activities. Proceeds from the sale of JRG Re supporting additional growth in our U.S. continuing operations are expected to be invested and will increase the invested assets of our continuing operations.
Cash used in financing activities of $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes $2.0 million of dividends paid to common shareholders, $2.6 million of dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Shares, and $824,000 of payroll taxes withheld and remitted on net settlement of RSUs. Cash used in financing activities of $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 includes $2.0 million of dividends paid to common shareholders, $5.3 million of dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Shares, and $1.5 million of payroll taxes withheld and remitted on net settlement of RSUs.
The activity in restricted cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 relates to a former insured, per the terms of a collateral trust. See Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party and Reinsurer on Legacy Commercial Auto Book below.
Dividends
We are organized as a Bermuda holding company with our operations conducted by our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Accordingly, our holding company may receive cash through loans from banks, issuance of equity and debt securities, corporate service fees or dividends received from our subsidiaries and/or other transactions. Our U.S. holding company may
receive cash in a similar manner and also through payments from our subsidiaries pursuant to our U.S. consolidated tax allocation agreement.
The payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us is limited by statute. In general, the laws and regulations applicable to our domestic insurance subsidiaries limit the aggregate amount of dividends or other distributions that they may declare or pay within any 12-month period without advance regulatory approval. Generally, the limitations are based on the greater of statutory net income for the preceding year or 10.0% of statutory surplus at the end of the preceding year. In addition, insurance regulators have broad powers to prevent reduction of statutory surplus to inadequate levels and could refuse to permit the payment of dividends calculated under any applicable formula. See “Item 1. Business – U.S. Insurance Regulation – State Regulation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 for additional information. The maximum amount of dividends available to the U.S. holding company from our U.S. insurance subsidiaries during 2024 without regulatory approval is $107.1 million.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to a dividend at the initial rate of 7% of the Liquidation Preference per annum, paid in cash, in-kind in common shares or in Series A Preferred Shares, at our election. On the five-year anniversary of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Shares, and each five-year anniversary thereafter, the dividend rate will reset to a rate equal to the five-year U.S. treasury rate plus 5.2%. Dividends accrue and are payable quarterly. Cash dividends of $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 were paid on January 2, 2024. Cash dividends of $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2024 were paid on April 1, 2024. In the first quarter of 2023, aggregate cash dividends of $5.3 million were paid for the three month periods ended December 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
At March 31, 2024, the Bermuda holding company had $6.9 million of cash and cash equivalents. The U.S. holding company had $18.4 million of cash and invested assets, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $14.7 million, equities of $3.1 million and other invested assets of $664,000, which are not subject to regulatory restrictions. Additionally, our U.K. intermediate holding company had no invested assets and cash of less than ten thousand dollars at March 31, 2024.
Credit Agreements
At March 31, 2024, the Company had a $315.0 million senior revolving credit facility (as amended or amended and restated, the “2013 Facility”). The 2013 Facility was comprised of the following at March 31, 2024:
•A $102.5 million secured revolving facility used by JRG Re to issue letters of credit for the benefit of third-party reinsureds. This portion of our credit facility is secured by our investment securities. At March 31, 2024, the Company had $42.8 million of letters of credit issued under the secured facility.
•A $212.5 million unsecured revolving facility to meet the working capital needs of the Company. All unpaid principal on the revolver is due at maturity. Interest accrues quarterly and is payable in arrears, currently at 1-month SOFR (the Company, per the terms of the credit agreement, can elect between one, three, or six month interest periods) plus a 0.1% SOFR index adjustment and a SOFR margin which is currently 1.75% and is subject to change according to terms in the credit agreement. At March 31, 2024, the Company had a drawn balance of $185.8 million outstanding on the unsecured revolver.
The 2013 Facility has been amended from time to time since its inception in 2013.
On July 7, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for its $315.0 million senior revolving credit facility which, among other things, extended the maturity date of such facility until July 7, 2026 and increased the applicable interest rate and letter of credit fees. On April 16, 2024, the 2013 Facility was amended in connection with the closing of the sale of JRG Re by the Company to (i) release JRG Re as a borrower and release all collateral pledged by JRG Re thereunder, and (ii) decrease the secured revolving facility commitment to $45 million.
The 2013 Facility contains certain financial and other covenants (including minimum net worth, maximum ratio of total adjusted debt outstanding to total capitalization, and financial strength ratings) with which the Company was in compliance at March 31, 2024, with the exception of a default of the financial strength rating covenant due to the downgrade of JRG Re by A.M. Best on December 20, 2023 from “A-” (Excellent) to “B++” (good). The financial strength rating covenant requires that each of our regulated insurance subsidiaries maintain an A.M. Best rating not lower than “A-” (Excellent). Our lenders waived this default through March 1, 2025, and it was cured upon the April 16, 2024 closing of the sale of JRG Re, at which time JRG Re was removed as a borrower under the 2013 Facility.
On August 2, 2017, the Company, and its former wholly-owned subsidiary, JRG Re, together as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement (the "2017 Facility") that provided the Company with a revolving line of credit of up to $100.0 million, which may be used for loans and letters of credit made or issued, at the borrowers' option, on a secured or unsecured basis. Obligations under the 2017 Facility carry a variable rate of interest subject to terms in the credit agreement and will mature 30 days after notice of termination from the lender. The loans and letters of credit made or issued under the revolving line of credit of the 2017 Facility may be used to finance the borrowers' general corporate purposes. Interest accrues and is payable in arrears at
variable rates which are subject to change according to terms in the credit agreement. At March 31, 2024, unsecured loans of $21.5 million and secured letters of credit totaling $24.7 million were outstanding on the 2017 Facility.
The 2017 Facility has been amended from time to time since its inception in 2017, including on April 16, 2024 in connection with the closing of the sale of JRG Re by the Company to (i) release JRG Re as a borrower and release all collateral pledged by JRG Re thereunder, (ii) increase the applicable interest rates, (iii) eliminate the letter of credit portion of the facility, and (iv) to build in an automatic decrease of the facility amount by the amount of each letter of credit outstanding under the 2017 Facility as of the date of the amendment with effect from the date each such letter of credit is cancelled.
The 2017 Facility contains certain financial and other covenants with which we are in compliance at March 31, 2024, with the exception of a default of the financial strength rating covenant due to the downgrade of JRG Re by A.M. Best on December 20, 2023 from “A-” (Excellent) to “B++” (good). The financial strength rating covenant requires that each of our regulated insurance subsidiaries maintain an A.M. Best rating not lower than “A-” (Excellent). Our lender waived this default through March 1, 2025, and it was cured upon the April 16, 2024 closing of the sale of JRG Re, at which time JRG Re was removed as a borrower under the 2017 Facility.
Senior Debt and Trust Preferred Securities
On May 26, 2004, we issued $15.0 million of senior debt due April 29, 2034. The senior debt is not redeemable by the holder or subject to sinking fund requirements. Interest accrues quarterly and is payable in arrears at a floating rate per annum equal to the 3-month SOFR plus 4.11%. This senior debt is redeemable at par prior to its stated maturity at our option in whole or in part. The terms of the senior debt contain certain covenants, with which we are in compliance at March 31, 2024, and which, among other things, restrict our ability to assume senior indebtedness secured by our U.S. holding company’s common stock or its subsidiaries’ capital stock or to issue shares of its subsidiaries’ capital stock.
From May 2004 through January 2008, we sold trust preferred securities through five Delaware statutory trusts sponsored and wholly-owned by the Company or its subsidiaries. Each trust used the net proceeds from the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase our floating-rate junior subordinated debt.
The following table summarizes the nature and terms of the junior subordinated debt and trust preferred securities outstanding at March 31, 2024 (including the Company’s repurchases of a portion of these trust preferred securities):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| James River Capital Trust I | | James River Capital Trust II | | James River Capital Trust III | | James River Capital Trust IV | | Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I |
| ($ in thousands) |
Issue date | May 26, 2004 | | December 15, 2004 | | June 15, 2006 | | December 11, 2007 | | January 10, 2008 |
Principal amount of trust preferred securities | $7,000 | | $15,000 | | $20,000 | | $54,000 | | $30,000 |
Principal amount of junior subordinated debt | $7,217 | | $15,464 | | $20,619 | | $55,670 | | $30,928 |
Carrying amount of junior subordinated debt net of repurchases | $7,217 | | $15,464 | | $20,619 | | $44,827 | | $15,928 |
Maturity date of junior subordinated debt, unless accelerated earlier | May 24, 2034 | | December 15, 2034 | | June 15, 2036 | | December 15, 2037 | | March 15, 2038 |
Trust common stock | $217 | | $464 | | $619 | | $1,670 | | $928 |
Interest rate, per annum | Three-Month SOFR plus 4.3% | | Three-Month SOFR plus 3.7% | | Three-Month SOFR plus 3.3% | | Three-Month SOFR plus 3.4% | | Three-Month SOFR plus 4.3% |
All of the junior subordinated debt is currently redeemable at 100.0% of the unpaid principal amount at our option.
The junior subordinated debt contains certain covenants with which we are in compliance as of March 31, 2024.
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company's leverage ratio was 25.6% and 26.0%, respectively. The leverage ratio is defined in our senior credit agreements as the ratio of adjusted consolidated debt to total capital. Adjusted consolidated debt treats trust preferred securities as equity capital up to 15% of total capital. The Series A Preferred Shares represent equity capital for purposes of the leverage ratio calculation under the credit agreements. Total capital is defined as total debt plus tangible equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive income. The maximum leverage ratio permitted by the agreements is 35.0%.
Ceded Reinsurance
Our insurance segments enter into reinsurance contracts to limit our exposure to potential losses arising from large risks, to protect against the aggregation of several risks in a common loss occurrence, and to provide additional capacity for growth. Our reinsurance is contracted under excess of loss and proportional quota share reinsurance contracts. In excess of loss reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume all or a portion of the ceding company’s losses in excess of a specified amount. The premiums payable to the reinsurer are negotiated by the parties based on their assessment of the amount of risk being ceded to the reinsurer because the reinsurer does not share proportionately in the ceding company’s losses. In proportional quota share reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume a specified percentage of the ceding company’s losses arising out of a defined class of business in exchange for a corresponding percentage of premiums. The Company also utilizes facultative reinsurance to reduce the amount of exposure it retains on individual accounts according to its guidelines for accepting risk across various industry segments, locations and types of exposure. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, our net premium retention was 41.8% and 49.3%, respectively.
The following is a summary of our Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s ceded reinsurance in place as of March 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | |
Line of Business | | Company Retention |
Casualty | | |
Specialty Casualty | | Up to $3.2 million per occurrence.(1) |
Primary Casualty | | Up to $1.38 million per occurrence.(2) |
Excess Casualty | | Up to $1.98 million per occurrence. |
Property | | |
Excess Property | | Up to $5.0 million per risk.(3) |
(1) Excluding Excess Casualty.
(2) Total exposure to any one claim is generally $690,000.
(3) The property catastrophe reinsurance treaty has a limit of $20.0 million per event with one reinstatement.
We use catastrophe modeling software to analyze the risk of severe losses from hurricanes and earthquakes on our exposure. We utilize the model in our risk selection, pricing, and to manage our overall portfolio probable maximum loss (“PML”) accumulations. A PML is an estimate of the amount we would expect to pay in any one catastrophe event within a given annual probability of occurrence (i.e. a return period or loss exceedance probability).
In our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we write a small book of excess property insurance, but we do not write primary property insurance. The Excess and Surplus Lines segment has a specific proportional quota share treaty in effect to cover property risks. The proportional quota share treaty along with facultative reinsurance helps ensure that our net retained limit per risk will be $5.0 million or less.
Also in our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, a specialty casualty treaty providing $9.0 million in excess of $2.0 million coverage is subject to reinstatement premiums for treaty years spanning July 1, 2017 through July 1, 2022.
Based upon the modeling of our Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted segments, it would take an event greater than the 1 in 1,000 year PML to exhaust our $20.0 million property catastrophe reinsurance. In the event of a catastrophe loss exhausting our $20.0 million property catastrophe reinsurance, we estimate our pre-tax cost would not exceed 2.5% of shareholders’ equity, including reinstatement premiums and net retentions. In addition to this retention, we would retain any losses in excess of our reinsurance coverage limits.
The Commercial Auto LPT with Aleka reinsures substantially all of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s legacy portfolio of commercial auto policies previously issued to Rasier. See “Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party and Reinsurer on the Legacy Commercial Auto Book” below for further information on this reinsurance agreement.
The following is a summary of our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment’s ceded reinsurance in place as of March 31, 2024:
| | | | | | | | |
Line of Business | | Coverage |
Casualty | | |
Workers’ Compensation | | Excess of loss coverage for $29.5 million in excess of $500,000. |
Auto Programs | | Quota share coverage for 50%-90% of limits up to $1.5 million liability and $7.5 million physical damage per occurrence. |
General Liability & Professional Liability – Programs | | Quota share coverage for 61.3%-100% of limits up to $2.0 million per occurrence. |
Umbrella and Excess Casualty - Programs | | Quota share coverage for at least 85% of limits up to $10.0 million per occurrence, and 82% of excess of loss coverage for $5.0 million in excess of $10.0 million. |
Property | | |
Property within Package - Programs | | Quota share coverage for 100% of limits up to $40.0 million per risk. |
Excess Property | | Quota share coverage for 100% of limits up to $58.9 million per occurrence. |
Aviation Programs | | Quota share coverage for 80% of limits up to $25 million liability, $5.0 million hull, and $5.0 million spares per occurrence, each aircraft; and excess of loss coverage for up to $8.7 million excess of $300,000 of our 20% share of the quota share each occurrence. |
Our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment purchases reinsurance for at least 50% of the exposed limits on specialty admitted property-casualty business. The segment enters into reinsurance contracts for the fronting and program business. While the segment focuses on casualty business, incidental property risk is incurred in the fronting and program business. The segment is covered for $20.0 million in excess of $5.0 million per occurrence to manage its property exposure to an approximate 1 in 1,000 year PML.
In the aggregate, we believe our pre-tax group-wide PML from a 1 in 1,000 year property catastrophe event would not exceed 2.5% of shareholders’ equity, inclusive of reinstatement premiums payable.
On February 23, 2022, JRG Re entered into the Casualty Re LPT with FRL to reinsure the majority of the segment risk, which closed on March 31, 2022. Under the terms of the transaction, JRG Re (a) ceded to FRL all existing and future claims for losses arising under certain casualty reinsurance agreements with underlying insurance companies with treaty inception dates ranging from 2011 to 2020 (the “Subject Business”), in each case net of third-party reinsurance and other recoveries, up to an aggregate limit of $400.0 million; (b) continues to manage and retain the benefit of other third-party reinsurance on the Subject Business; (c) paid FRL a reinsurance premium of $335.0 million, $310.0 million of which JRG Re credited to a notional funds withheld account (the “Funds Withheld Account”) and $25.0 million of which was paid in cash to FRL.
We also had a contingency clash reinsurance treaty to cover both the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance segments in the event of a claim incident involving more than one of our insureds in addition to Extra Contractual and Excess Policy Limits protection. The treaty covered $10.0 million in excess of a $2.0 million retention for loss occurrences within the treaty term. This coverage was put into runoff effective July 1, 2022.
Effective January 1, 2020, we purchased an additional $10.0 million in claims made coverage for excess policy limits and extra contractual obligations exposures above the clash and contingency treaty for the period 2014 to its expiration on December 31, 2022. This treaty had one reinstatement.
The Company’s insurance segments remain liable to policyholders if its reinsurers are unable to meet their contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements. We establish an allowance for credit losses for our current estimate of uncollectible reinsurance recoverables. At March 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses on reinsurance recoverables was $660,000. To minimize exposure to significant losses from reinsurance insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk. The Company generally seeks to purchase reinsurance from reinsurers with A.M. Best financial strength ratings of “A-” (Excellent) or better. The Company’s reinsurance contracts generally require reinsurers that are not authorized as reinsurers under U.S. state insurance regulations or that experience rating downgrades from rating agencies below specified levels to fund their share of the Company’s ceded outstanding losses and loss adjustment expense reserves, typically through the use of irrevocable and unconditional letters of credit. In fronting arrangements, which the Company conducts through its Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, we are subject to credit risk with regard to insurance companies who act as reinsurers for us in such arrangements. We require collateral, in the form of a trust arrangement or letter of credit, to secure the obligations of the insurance entity for whom we are fronting.
At March 31, 2024, we had reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of $1,377.9 million (net of a $660,000 allowance for credit losses) and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses of $142.3 million, and all material recoverable amounts were from companies with A.M. Best ratings of “A-" (Excellent) or better, or are collateralized by the reinsurer for our benefit through letters of credit or funds on deposit in trust accounts.
Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party and Reinsurer on Legacy Commercial Auto Book
James River previously issued a set of commercial auto insurance contracts to Rasier (the “Rasier Commercial Auto Policies”) under which James River pays losses and loss adjustment expenses on the contracts. James River has indemnity agreements with Rasier (non-insurance entities) (collectively, the “Indemnity Agreements”) and is contractually entitled to reimbursement for the portion of the losses and loss adjustment expenses paid on behalf of Rasier under the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies and other expenses incurred by James River. On September 27, 2021, James River entered into a loss portfolio transfer reinsurance agreement (the “Commercial Auto LPT”) with Aleka to reinsure substantially all of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies for which James River is not otherwise indemnified by Rasier under the Indemnity Agreements. Under the terms of the Commercial Auto LPT, effective as of July 1, 2021, James River ceded to Aleka approximately $345.1 million of commercial auto liabilities relating to Rasier Commercial Auto Policies written in the years 2013-2019, which amount constituted the reinsurance premium.
Each of Rasier and Aleka is required to post collateral under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT, respectively:
•Pursuant to the Indemnity Agreements, Rasier is required to post collateral equal to 102% of James River's estimate of the amounts that are recoverable or may be recoverable under the indemnity agreements, including, among other things, case loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, IBNR loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, extra contractual obligations and excess policy limits liabilities. The collateral is provided through a collateral trust arrangement (the “Indemnity Trust”) in favor of James River by Aleka. In connection with the execution of the Commercial Auto LPT, James River returned $691.3 million to the Indemnity Trust, representing the remaining balance of the amount withdrawn in October 2019, as was permitted under the indemnification agreements with Rasier and the associated trust agreement. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the Indemnity Trust was $109.3 million, and, together with the balance of the Loss Fund Trust (as defined below) attributable to the Indemnity Agreements as described below, the total balance of collateral securing Rasier’s obligations under the Indemnity Agreements was $154.5 million.
•Pursuant to the Commercial Auto LPT, Aleka is required to post collateral equal to 102% of James River's estimate of Aleka's obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT, calculated in accordance with statutory actuarial principles and based on reserves recorded in the Company's statutory financial statements. The collateral is provided through a collateral trust arrangement (the “LPT Trust”) established in favor of James River by Aleka. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the LPT Trust was $49.9 million, and, together with the balance of the Loss Fund Trust (as defined below) attributable to the Commercial Auto LPT as described below, the total balance of collateral securing Aleka’s obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT was $70.0 million. At March 31, 2024, the total reinsurance recoverables under the Commercial Auto LPT was $67.4 million (including $63.7 million of unpaid recoverables and $3.7 million of paid recoverables).
In connection with the execution of the Commercial Auto LPT, James River and Aleka entered into an administrative services agreement (the “Administrative Services Agreement”) with a third party claims administrator (the “Administrator”) pursuant to which the Administrator handles the claims on the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies for the remaining life of those claims. The claims paid by the Administrator are reimbursable by James River, and pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, James River established a loss fund trust account for the benefit of the Administrator (the “Loss Fund Trust”) to collateralize its claims payment reimbursement obligations. James River funds the Loss Fund Trust using funds withdrawn from the Indemnity Trust, funds withdrawn from the LPT Trust, and its own funds, in each case in an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the required Loss Fund Trust balance attributable to the Indemnity Agreements, the Commercial Auto LPT and James River’s existing third party reinsurance agreements, respectively. At March 31, 2024, the balance in the Loss Fund Trust was $73.4 million, including $45.2 million representing collateral supporting Rasier’s obligations under the Indemnity Agreements and $20.0 million representing collateral supporting Aleka’s obligations under the Commercial Auto LPT. Funds posted to the Loss Fund Trust are classified as restricted cash equivalents on the Company's balance sheet.
While the Commercial Auto LPT brings economic finality to substantially all of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies, the Company has credit exposure to Rasier and Aleka under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT if the estimated losses and expenses of the Rasier Commercial Auto Policies grow at a faster pace than the growth in our collateral balances. In addition, we have credit exposure if our estimates of future losses and loss adjustment expenses and other amounts recoverable under the Indemnity Agreements and the Commercial Auto LPT, which are the basis for establishing the collateral balances, are lower than actual amounts paid or payable. The amount of our credit exposure in any of these instances could be material. To mitigate these risks, we closely and frequently monitor our exposure compared to our collateral held, and we
request additional collateral in accordance with the terms of the Commercial Auto LPT and Indemnity Agreements when our analysis indicates that we have uncollateralized exposure.
Ratings
The A.M. Best financial strength rating for our group’s regulated U.S. insurance subsidiaries is “A-” (Excellent) with a negative outlook. This rating reflects A.M. Best’s opinion of our insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and is not an evaluation directed towards the protection of investors. The rating for our U.S. operating insurance companies of “A-” (Excellent) is the fourth highest rating of the thirteen ratings issued by A.M. Best and is assigned to insurers that have, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.
The financial strength ratings assigned by A.M. Best have an impact on the ability of our regulated subsidiaries to attract and retain agents and brokers and on the risk profiles of the submissions for insurance that our subsidiaries receive. We believe the “A-” (Excellent) ratings assigned to our U.S. insurance subsidiaries allow our subsidiaries to actively pursue relationships with the agents and brokers identified in their marketing plans.
Series A Preferred Shares
The Company closed on the issuance and sale of 150,000 Series A Preferred Shares on March 1, 2022 for an aggregate purchase price of $150.0 million, or $1,000 per share, in a private placement. The Series A Preferred Shares are convertible into the Company’s common shares at the option of the holder at any time, or at the Company’s option under certain circumstances. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares accrue quarterly at the initial rate of 7% of the Liquidation Preference per annum, which may be paid in cash, in-kind in common shares or in Series A Preferred Shares, at the Company’s election.
EQUITY
Total common shares outstanding increased from 37,641,563 at December 31, 2023 to 37,822,340 at March 31, 2024, reflecting 180,777 common shares issued in the three months ended March 31, 2024 related to vesting of RSUs.
Share Based Compensation Expense
The Company recognized $2.7 million of share based compensation expense in each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $12.4 million of unrecognized share based compensation expense expected to be charged to earnings over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
Equity Incentive Plans
Options
The following table summarizes option activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price |
Outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | 74,390 | | | $ | 42.17 | | | 287,974 | | | $ | 35.26 | |
Granted | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | |
Exercised | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | — | |
Forfeited | — | | | $ | — | | | (45,106) | | | $ | 34.92 | |
Lapsed | (74,390) | | | $ | 42.17 | | | (164,548) | | | $ | 32.07 | |
End of period | — | | | $ | — | | | 78,320 | | | $ | 42.17 | |
Exercisable, end of period | — | | | $ | — | | | 78,320 | | | $ | 42.17 | |
The options outstanding at December 31, 2023 lapsed in the three months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, no options remain outstanding.
RSUs
The following table summarizes RSU activity:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Shares | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Shares | | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | | |
Unvested, beginning of period | 751,254 | | | $ | 23.48 | | | 665,458 | | | $ | 25.98 | |
Granted | 498,698 | | | $ | 9.80 | | | 363,484 | | | $ | 24.83 | |
Vested | (264,088) | | | $ | 25.18 | | | (212,128) | | | $ | 28.93 | |
Forfeited | — | | | $ | — | | | (4,293) | | | $ | 22.49 | |
Unvested, end of period | 985,864 | | | $ | 16.11 | | | 812,521 | | | $ | 24.71 | |
Outstanding RSUs granted to employees generally vest ratably over a three-year vesting period in the case of time-vest RSUs and cliff vest at the end of a three-year performance period in the case of PRSUs. RSUs granted to non-employee directors generally have a one year vesting period. The RSUs granted in 2024 and 2023 include 231,492 and 91,818 PRSU awards, respectively. The number of PRSUs is based upon the probable outcome of performance conditions.
Underwriting Performance Ratios
The following table provides the underwriting performance ratios of the Company's continuing operations inclusive of the business subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer. There is no economic impact to the Company over the life of a loss portfolio transfer contract so long as any additional losses subject to the contract are within the limit of the loss portfolio transfer and the counterparty performs under the contract. Retroactive reinsurance accounting is not indicative of our current and ongoing operations. Management believes that providing loss ratios and combined ratios on business not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers gives the users of our financial statements useful information in evaluating our current and ongoing operations.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
Excess and Surplus Lines: | | | | | | | |
Loss Ratio | | | | | 64.3 | % | | 65.5 | % |
Impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (2.7) | % | | 7.7 | % |
Loss Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 61.6 | % | | 73.2 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Combined Ratio | | | | | 87.3 | % | | 86.8 | % |
Impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (2.7) | % | | 7.7 | % |
Combined Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 84.6 | % | | 94.5 | % |
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Consolidated: | | | | | | | |
Loss Ratio | | | | | 66.4 | % | | 66.7 | % |
Impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (2.3) | % | | 6.8 | % |
Loss Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 64.1 | % | | 73.5 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Combined Ratio | | | | | 95.3 | % | | 94.0 | % |
Impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | (2.3) | % | | 6.8 | % |
Combined Ratio including impact of retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 93.0 | % | | 100.8 | % |
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
See “Key Metrics” above for descriptions of why management believes the following Non-GAAP measures provide useful information about our financial condition and results of operation.
Reconciliation of Underwriting Profit
We define underwriting profit as net earned premiums and gross fee income (in specific instances when the Company is not retaining insurance risk) less losses and loss adjustment expenses on business from continuing operations not subject to retroactive reinsurance accounting for loss portfolio transfers and other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include the underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses of the operating segments and, for consolidated underwriting profit, the expenses of the Corporate and Other segment. Our definition of underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.
The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments by individual segment to consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | | | | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | | (in thousands) |
Underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments: | | | | | | | |
Excess and Surplus Lines | | | | | $ | 18,491 | | | $ | 19,995 | |
Specialty Admitted Insurance | | | | | 786 | | | (469) | |
| | | | | | | |
Total underwriting profit of operating segments | | | | | 19,277 | | | 19,526 | |
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment | | | | | (11,137) | | | (9,282) | |
Underwriting profit (1) | | | | | 8,140 | | | 10,244 | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance | | | | | 4,002 | | | (11,700) | |
Net investment income | | | | | 22,632 | | | 18,425 | |
Net realized and unrealized gains on investments | | | | | 4,583 | | | 160 | |
Other income and expenses | | | | | 179 | | | (415) | |
Interest expense | | | | | (6,485) | | | (5,583) | |
Amortization of intangible assets | | | | | (91) | | | (91) | |
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Income from continuing operations before income taxes | | | | | $ | 32,960 | | | $ | 11,040 | |
(1)Included in underwriting results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is gross fee income of $5.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Operating Income
Adjusted net operating income is defined as income available to common shareholders excluding a) income (loss) from discontinued operations, b) the impact of retroactive reinsurance accounting for a loss portfolio transfer, c) net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, d) certain non-operating expenses such as professional service fees related to a class action lawsuit, various strategic initiatives, and the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, and e) severance costs associated with terminated employees. Adjusted net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.
Our income available to common shareholders reconciles to our adjusted net operating income as follows:
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| Three Months Ended March 31, |
| 2024 | | 2023 |
| Income Before Taxes | | Net Income | | Income Before Taxes | | Net Income |
| ($ in thousands) |
Income available to common shareholders | $ | 22,230 | | | $ | 12,778 | | | $ | 10,119 | | | $ | 6,983 | |
Loss (income) from discontinued operations | 8,105 | | | 8,105 | | | (1,704) | | | (1,704) | |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses - retroactive reinsurance | (4,002) | | | (3,162) | | | 11,700 | | | 9,243 | |
Net realized and unrealized investment gains | (4,583) | | | (3,621) | | | (160) | | | (126) | |
Other expenses | 732 | | | 732 | | | 575 | | | 575 | |
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Adjusted net operating income | $ | 22,482 | | | $ | 14,832 | | | $ | 20,530 | | | $ | 14,971 | |
Tangible Equity and Tangible Equity per Share
Tangible equity is defined as shareholders' equity plus mezzanine Series A Preferred Shares and the unrecognized deferred retroactive reinsurance gain on loss portfolio transfers less goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization. Tangible equity per share represents tangible equity divided by the sum of total common shares outstanding plus the common shares resulting from an assumed conversion of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares into common shares (at the current conversion price). Our definitions of tangible equity and tangible equity per share may not be comparable to that of other companies, and they should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity and shareholders’ equity per share calculated in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity as of March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023, and March 31, 2023:
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| March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 | | March 31, 2023 |
| Equity | | Equity per Share | | Equity | | Equity per Share | | Equity | | Equity per Share |
| ($ in thousands, except share amounts) | | | | |
Shareholders’ equity | $ | 539,537 | | | $ | 14.27 | | | $ | 534,621 | | | $ | 14.20 | | | $ | 590,915 | | | $ | 15.71 | |
Series A redeemable preferred shares | 144,898 | | | | | 144,898 | | | | | 144,898 | | | |
Deferred reinsurance gain | 16,731 | | | | | 20,733 | | | | | 36,954 | | | |
Less: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goodwill | 181,831 | | | | | 181,831 | | | | | 181,831 | | | |
Intangible assets, net | 32,722 | | | | | 32,813 | | | | | 35,585 | | | |
Tangible equity | $ | 486,613 | | | $ | 10.92 | | | $ | 485,608 | | | $ | 11.13 | | | $ | 555,351 | | | $ | 12.84 | |
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Common shares outstanding | 37,822,340 | | | | | 37,641,563 | | | | | 37,619,226 | | | |
Common shares from assumed conversion of Series A Preferred Shares | 6,750,567 | | | | | 5,971,184 | | | | | 5,640,158 | | | |
Common shares outstanding after assumed conversion of Series A Preferred Shares | 44,572,907 | | | | | 43,612,747 | | | | | 43,259,384 | | | |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that are subject to market risk. Our primary market risks have been interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities and equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities. We do not have material exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity risk.
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In connection with the preparation of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our CEO and CFO, as of March 31, 2024, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2024.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our quarter ended March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
The effectiveness of any system of controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that our controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be attained.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal proceedings, including commercial matters and litigation regarding insurance claims which arise in the ordinary course of business, as well as the matters specifically discussed below. In addition, the Company is involved from time to time in legal actions which seek extra-contractual damages, punitive damages or penalties, including claims alleging bad faith in the handling of insurance claims. We believe that the outcome of such matters, individually and in the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On July 9, 2021 a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia (the “Court”) by Employees’ Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth against James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and certain of its present and former officers (together, “Defendants”). On September 22, 2021, the Court entered an order appointing Employees’ Retirement Fund of the City of Fort Worth and the City of Miami General Employees’ and Sanitation Employees’ Retirement Trust as co-lead plaintiffs (together, “Plaintiffs”). Plaintiffs’ consolidated amended complaint was filed on November 19, 2021 (the “First Amended Complaint”). The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint on January 18, 2022, Plaintiffs’ opposition thereto was filed on March 4, 2022, and the Defendants’ reply to the Plaintiffs’ opposition was filed on April 4, 2022. On August 25, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file a second amended class action complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”). On September 8, 2022, the Defendants consented to the Plaintiffs’ motion to file the Second Amended Complaint, and filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint on October 24, 2022 (the “Second MTD”). The Plaintiffs’ opposition to the Second MTD was filed on November 7, 2022, and the Defendant’s reply to the Plaintiffs’ opposition was filed on November 14, 2022. On August 28, 2023, the Court denied the Second MTD. The Second Amended Complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of a putative class of persons and entities that purchased the Company’s stock between February 22, 2019 and October 25, 2021, alleges that Defendants failed to make appropriate disclosures concerning the adequacy of reserves for policies that covered Rasier LLC, a subsidiary of Uber Technologies, Inc., and seeks unspecified damages, costs, attorneys’ fees and such other relief as the court may deem proper. We engaged in mediation in the fourth quarter of 2023 and on December 7, 2023, in
connection with the mediation, we reached an agreement in principle to settle the action. On December 22, 2023, the parties submitted the stipulation of settlement to the Court for approval. The settlement provides for a full release of all defendants in connection with the allegations made and a settlement payment to the class of $30 million, inclusive of all Plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and expenses and settlement costs, all of which will be paid by the Company’s insurance carriers. On January 26, 2024 the Court issued an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement and scheduled a final settlement hearing for May 24, 2024.
On November 13, 2023, a purported class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, on behalf of Paul Glantz against James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and certain of its officers, asserting claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Mr. Glantz alleges that he purchased James River common stock between August 7, 2023 and November 7, 2023, inclusive, that the Company failed to disclose that it lacked effective internal controls regarding the recognition of reinstatement premiums for reinsurance and as a result the Company overstated its net income, and that, as a result, Mr. Glantz suffered unspecified damages. On January 12, 2024, both Mr. Glantz and Madhav Ghimire, another individual shareholder, filed an application with the court for appointment as Lead Plaintiff, and on January 26, 2024 Mr. Glantz filed a notice of non-opposition to Mr. Ghimire's competing motion for appointment as Lead Plaintiff. On March 25, 2024 the court entered an order appointing Mr. Ghimire as lead plaintiff. Plaintiff's consolidated amended complaint is due no later than May 24, 2024. We believe that the claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend this lawsuit.
On March 11, 2024, the Company filed a complaint (the “Complaint”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Commercial Division against Fleming Intermediate Holdings LLC (“Fleming”), a Cayman Islands limited liability company, relating to the previously announced Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2023 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Fleming agreed to purchase all of the outstanding common shares of JRG Re (the “Transaction”). The complaint alleges that Fleming breached the Stock Purchase Agreement by its refusal to close the Transaction on March 1, 2024 as required under the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, and seeks specific performance of Fleming’s obligation to complete the Transaction and an award of damages. The Company subsequently filed a motion for preliminary injunction to require Fleming to fulfill its contractual obligation to close the Transaction, and on April 6, 2024 the Court granted the Company’s motion and ordered Fleming to complete the Transaction on or prior to April 16, 2024. On April 8, 2024, Fleming filed a notice of appeal of the preliminary injunction, which is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division, First Department. The Transaction closed on April 16, 2024. On April 19, 2024, Fleming filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint. The Company’s response to the Motion to Dismiss is due May 9, 2024.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors in the quarter ended March 31, 2024 from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, except as follows:
The purchase price received for the sale of JRG Re on April 16, 2024 is subject to a post-closing adjustment process that could result in a significant reduction to the sale proceeds.
In accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, the cash portion of the purchase price received by the Company for the sale of JRG Re on April 16, 2024 (the “Closing Date”) was calculated based on an estimated closing statement, which in turn was based on an estimated balance sheet of JRG Re. Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, the estimated closing statement is subject to a post-closing adjustment process between the Company and the buyer to produce a final closing statement based on a final balance sheet of JRG Re as of the Closing Date; this adjustment process could result in a change to the purchase price paid by the buyer on the Closing Date. It is possible that there will be material disputes between the Company and the buyer in connection with the post-closing adjustment process. The Stock Purchase Agreement provides procedures for resolving disputes between the parties regarding the final closing statement and final balance sheet and it is possible that these resolution procedures could result in a significant reduction to the amount of the final sales proceeds.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other information
The Company intends to hold the 2024 annual general meeting of shareholders (the "2024 Annual Meeting") on October 24, 2024. The record date, time and location of the 2024 Annual Meeting will be set forth in the proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting to be distributed to shareholders prior to the meeting.
Shareholder proposals intended for inclusion in the Company's definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act must be received by August 15, 2024. Any such shareholder proposal should be sent to our registered office c/o Conyers Corporate Services (Bermuda) Limited, Clarendon House, P.O. Box HM 1022, Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda. Any such proposal must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8.
In accordance with the Company's Fourth Amended and Restated Bye-laws (the "Bye-laws"), shareholders who intend to nominate a person for election as a director or submit a proposal regarding any other matter of business at the 2024 Annual Meeting must deliver written notice of the shareholder's intention to do so, which notice must include the information required by the Bye-laws. To be timely, the shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by the Company's Secretary at the registered office of the Company identified above no earlier than June 26, 2024 and no later than August 15, 2024, and must include the information required by the Bye-laws. In addition to satisfying the foregoing requirements under the Bye-laws, to comply with the universal proxy rules, shareholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the board of directors' nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 promulgated under the Exchange Act, which must also be received within the time period specified in the immediately preceding statement.
Item 6. Exhibits
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Exhibit Number | | Description |
10.1 | | Waiver Agreement dated February 26, 2024 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 7, 2023 by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as borrowers, KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank”) as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, KeyBank and Truist Securities, Inc. as Joint Book Runners and Joint Lead Arrangers, Truist Bank as Syndication Agent, and the lender parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 28, 2024, Commission File No. 001-36777) |
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10.2 | | Limited Waiver Agreement dated February 26, 2024 to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2017, as amended, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as borrowers, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as the lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 28, 2024, Commission File No. 001-36777) |
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10.3 | | First Amendment dated April 16, 2024 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 7, 2023 by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as borrowers, KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank”) as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, KeyBank and Truist Securities, Inc. as Joint Book Runners and Joint Lead Arrangers, Truist Bank as Syndication Agent, and the lender parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2024, Commission File No. 001-36777)* |
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10.4 | | Fourth Amendment dated April 16, 2024 to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 2, 2017, as amended, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as borrowers, and BMO Bank N.A., as the lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2024, Commission File No. 001-36777)* |
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31.1 | | |
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31.2 | | |
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32.1 | | |
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101.INS | | Inline XBRL Instance Document |
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101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
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101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
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101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
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101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
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101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
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104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document in Exhibit 101. |
*Pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K, the Schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted. A copy of the omitted schedules will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | James River Group Holdings, Ltd. |
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Date: | May 9, 2024 | By: | /s/ Frank N. D’Orazio |
| | | Frank N. D’Orazio |
| | | Chief Executive Officer and Director |
| | | (Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: | May 9, 2024 | By: | /s/ Sarah C. Doran |
| | | Sarah C. Doran |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (Principal Financial Officer) |