UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

xQuarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016

 

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.)

 

90 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM08, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(441) 278-4580

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x   No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x   No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the

 

Large accelerated filer  o   Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  o   Smaller reporting company  o

 

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 stock outstanding at August 5, 2016: 29,091,496

 

 
   

 

 

James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

Form 10-Q

Index

 

    Page
  Number
   
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
   
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 3
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income – Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 5
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 6
     
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 7
     
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 8
     
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 32
     
  Critical Accounting Estimates 33
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 54
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 54
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 55
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 55
Item 1A. Risk Factors 55
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 55
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 55
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure 55
Item 5. Other Information 55
Item 6. Exhibits 55
   
Signatures 56
   
Exhibit Index 57

 

   

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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 can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can identify forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” 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, statements relating to our future financial performance, our business prospects and strategy, anticipated financial position, 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;

 

·losses from catastrophic events which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events;

 

·the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel;

 

·adverse economic factors;

 

·a decline in our financial strength rating resulting in a reduction of new or renewal business;

 

·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 such relationships;

 

·existing or new regulations that may inhibit our ability to achieve our business objectives or subject us to penalties or suspensions for non-compliance or cause us to incur substantial compliance costs;

 

·a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we employ;

 

·potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues;

 

·exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio;

 

·losses in our investment portfolio;

 

·the cyclical nature of the insurance and reinsurance industry, resulting in periods during which we may experience excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates;

 

·additional government or market regulation;

 

·the impact of loss settlements made by ceding companies and fronting carriers on our reinsurance business;

 

·a forced sale of investments to meet our liquidity needs;

 

·our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at reasonable prices or on terms that adequately protect us;

 

·our underwriters and other associates taking excessive risks;

 

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·losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims or insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims;

 

·insufficient capital to fund our operations;

 

·the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cybersecurity incidents;

 

·our ability to manage our growth effectively;

 

·inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred;

 

·competition within the casualty insurance and reinsurance industry;

 

·an adverse outcome in a legal action that we are or may become subject to in the course of our insurance and reinsurance operations;

 

·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;

 

·the Company or our subsidiaries, James River Group Holdings UK Limited, a holding company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, or JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., a Bermuda domiciled reinsurance company, becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation;

 

·failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

·the ownership of a significant portion of our outstanding shares by affiliates of D. E. Shaw & Co. L.P. (the “D.E. Shaw Affiliates”) and their resulting ability to exert significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval in a manner that could conflict with the interests of other shareholders and additionally, the D.E. Shaw Affiliates having certain rights with respect to board representation and approval rights with respect to certain transactions;

 

·changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our ability to pay dividends; and

 

·other risks and uncertainties disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC”.

 

Accordingly, you should read this Quarterly Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual 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.

 

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PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   (Unaudited)     
   June 30,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Assets          
Invested assets:          
Fixed maturity securities:          
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost:  2016 – $923,706; 2015 – $897,445)  $952,572   $899,660 
Trading, at fair value (amortized cost:  2016 – $5,053;  2015 – $5,053)   5,064    5,046 
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: 2016 – $84,005; 2015 – $69,830)   92,692    74,111 
Bank loan participations held-for-investment, at amortized cost, net of allowance   205,957    191,700 
Short-term investments   14,906    19,270 
Other invested assets   48,032    54,504 
Total invested assets   1,319,223    1,244,291 
           
Cash and cash equivalents   80,654    106,406 
Accrued investment income   7,613    8,068 
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net   219,186    176,685 
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses   153,706    131,788 
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses   5,973    11,298 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums   61,117    44,146 
Deferred policy acquisition costs   55,800    60,754 
Intangible assets, net   39,230    39,528 
Goodwill   181,831    181,831 
Other assets   65,528    50,702 
Total assets  $2,189,861   $2,055,497 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

 

   (Unaudited)     
   June 30,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (in thousands, except share amounts) 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
Liabilities:          
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses  $843,337   $785,322 
Unearned premiums   322,323    301,104 
Payables to reinsurers   26,922    19,867 
Senior debt   88,300    88,300 
Junior subordinated debt   104,055    104,055 
Accrued expenses   28,812    29,476 
Other liabilities   46,214    46,335 
Total liabilities   1,459,963    1,374,459 
           
Commitments and contingent liabilities          
           
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common Shares – 2016 and 2015: $0.0002 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 2016 and 2015: 29,091,496 and 28,941,547 shares issued and outstanding, respectively   6    6 
Preferred Shares – 2016 and 2015: $0.00125 par value; 20,000,000 convertible shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding        
Additional paid-in capital   635,557    630,820 
Retained earnings   62,737    47,026 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   31,598    3,186 
Total shareholders’ equity   729,898    681,038 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity  $2,189,861   $2,055,497 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands, except share amounts) 
Revenues                    
Gross written premiums  $170,671   $184,011   $303,742   $315,269 
Ceded written premiums   (37,613)   (25,197)   (63,783)   (47,796)
Net written premiums   133,058    158,814    239,959    267,473 
Change in net unearned premiums   (14,503)   (52,754)   (4,274)   (44,402)
Net earned premiums   118,555    106,060    235,685    223,071 
                     
Net investment income   11,553    13,000    22,825    24,986 
Net realized investment gains (losses)   1,619    350    2,166    (2,456)
Other income   2,784    817    5,164    1,093 
Total revenues   134,511    120,227    265,840    246,694 
                     
Expenses                    
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   76,659    67,931    150,165    142,415 
Other operating expenses   39,974    36,580    81,153    76,377 
Other expenses   91    69    79    138 
Interest expense   2,041    1,744    4,215    3,448 
Amortization of intangible assets   149    149    298    298 
Total expenses   118,914    106,473    235,910    222,676 
                     
Income before taxes   15,597    13,754    29,930    24,018 
Income tax expense   1,001    1,265    2,497    2,152 
Net income   14,596    12,489    27,433    21,866 
                     
Other comprehensive income:                    
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes of $1,987 and $2,644 in 2016 and $(1,879) and $(1,144) in 2015   12,792    (15,005)   28,412    (11,056)
Total comprehensive income (loss)  $27,388   $(2,516)  $55,845   $10,810 
                     
Per share data:                    
Basic earnings per share  $0.50   $0.44   $0.95   $0.77 
Diluted earnings per share  $0.49   $0.43   $0.92   $0.75 
Dividend declared per share  $0.20   $0.16   $0.40   $0.32 
                     
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   29,035,512    28,547,616    28,994,260    28,544,003 
Diluted   29,825,914    29,214,859    29,784,083    29,156,604 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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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
Earnings
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   Total 
       (in thousands) 
Balances at December 31, 2014   28,540,350   $6   $628,236   $41,323   $18,356   $687,921 
Net income               21,866        21,866 
Other comprehensive loss                   (11,056)   (11,056)
Dividends               (9,242)       (9,242)
Exercise of stock options and related excess tax benefits   41,250        842            842 
Compensation expense under stock incentive plans           1,854            1,854 
Balances at June 30, 2015   28,581,600   $6   $630,932   $53,947   $7,300   $692,185 
                               
Balances at December 31, 2015   28,941,547   $6   $630,820   $47,026   $3,186   $681,038 
Net income               27,433        27,433 
Other comprehensive income                   28,412    28,412 
Dividends               (11,722)       (11,722)
Exercise of stock options and related excess tax benefits   149,949        2,050            2,050 
Compensation expense under stock incentive plans           2,687            2,687 
Balances at June 30, 2016   29,091,496   $6   $635,557   $62,737   $31,598   $729,898 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Operating activities          
Net cash provided by operating activities  $29,747   $48,853 
           
Investing activities          
Securities available-for-sale:          
Purchases – fixed maturity securities   (157,918)   (151,661)
Sales – fixed maturity securities   68,049    27,586 
Maturities and calls – fixed maturity securities   52,728    58,068 
Purchases – equity securities   (3,000)   (7,998)
Bank loan participations:          
Purchases   (51,304)   (62,172)
Sales   5,360    56,293 
Maturities   33,304    26,207 
Other invested assets:          
Purchases   (1,000)   (27,113)
Return of capital   985     
Maturities and repayments   6,500    6,342 
Short-term investments, net   4,364    26,269 
Securities receivable or payable, net   (1,598)   921 
Purchases of property and equipment   (1,858)   (423)
Net cash used in investing activities   (45,388)   (47,681)
           
Financing activities          
Dividends paid   (11,604)   (9,133)
Issuances of common shares under equity incentive plans   1,743    646 
Common share repurchases   (716)    
Excess tax benefits from equity incentive plan transactions   1,023    196 
Repayments of financing obligations net of proceeds   (557)   (323)
Other financing       (109)
Net cash used in financing activities   (10,111)   (8,723)
Change in cash and cash equivalents   (25,752)   (7,551)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   106,406    73,383 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $80,654   $65,832 
           
Supplemental information          
Interest paid  $3,973   $3,631 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, 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 and reinsurance entities.

 

The Company owns six insurance companies based in the United States (“U.S.”) focused on specialty insurance niches and a Bermuda-based reinsurance company 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.”). The Company contributed James River Group, Inc. (“James River Group”), a U.S. insurance holding company, to James River UK in 2015.

 

·James River Group, Inc. (“James River Group”) is a Delaware domiciled insurance holding company 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 (“James River Insurance”) is an Ohio domiciled excess and surplus lines insurance company that, with its wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, James River Casualty Company, a Virginia domiciled insurance company, is authorized to write business in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

·​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, Falls Lake General Insurance Company, an Ohio domiciled company, and Falls Lake Fire and Casualty Company, a California domiciled company. Falls Lake Fire and Casualty began operations in late June of 2016.

 

·​Stonewood Insurance is a workers’ compensation insurance company that writes insurance primarily for the residential construction and light manufacturing industries. Stonewood Insurance writes workers’ compensation coverage in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

 

·​JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“JRG Re”) is a Bermuda domiciled reinsurer that provides reinsurance to U.S. third parties and to the Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries.

 

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 accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Readers are encouraged to review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 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, 2015 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.

 

Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.Accounting Policies (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 (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or 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 in limited liability companies (“LLCs”) 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 $23.8 million and $26.0 million as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, representing the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.

 

Prospective Accounting Standards

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which creates a new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will serve as a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries. The guidance applies to all companies that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. Under this guidance, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU No. 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018 and must be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Insurance (Topic 944), Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. ASU 2015-09 requires additional disclosures about short-duration contracts. The disclosures will focus on the liability for the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. ASU 2015-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016. While increased disclosures will be required by this ASU, the Company does not believe adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU was issued to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. Among other things, this ASU will require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet will be made as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company has not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to improve the financial reporting of leasing transactions. Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the agreement as a capital lease, are met. This update will require the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, discounted to the present value, for all leases that extend beyond 12 months. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2016-02 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for share-based payment awards. The guidance requires that, prospectively, all tax effects related to share-based payments be made through the income statement at the time of settlement as opposed to excess tax benefits being recognized in additional paid-in capital under the current guidance. The ASU also removes the requirement to delay recognition of a tax benefit until it reduces current taxes payable. This change is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings. Additionally, all tax related cash flows resulting from share-based payments are to be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the current requirement to present tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2016-09 to determine the potential impact that adopting the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU was issued to provide more useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments. Current GAAP delays the recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The update will require a financial asset measured at amortized cost, such as bank loan participations held-for-investment, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by means of an allowance for credit losses that runs through net income. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Upon adoption, this ASU will be applied using the modified-retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment will be made to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period presented. The Company has not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect the Company’s financial statements.

  

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments

 

The Company’s available-for-sale investments are summarized as follows:

 

   Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 
June 30, 2016                    
Fixed maturity securities:                    
State and municipal  $93,311   $9,742   $(3)  $103,050 
Residential mortgage-backed   164,910    3,055    (187)   167,778 
Corporate   377,232    16,271    (4,124)   389,379 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   136,001    2,614    (99)   138,516 
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies   78,215    685        78,900 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   72,012    898        72,910 
Redeemable preferred stock   2,025    14       2,039 
Total fixed maturity securities   923,706    33,279    (4,413)   952,572 
Equity securities   84,005    10,533    (1,846)   92,692 
Total investments available-for-sale  $1,007,711   $43,812   $(6,259)  $1,045,264 
December 31, 2015                    
Fixed maturity securities:                    
State and municipal  $95,864   $7,728   $(135)  $103,457 
Residential mortgage-backed   137,308    1,718    (2,139)   136,887 
Corporate   368,961    3,988    (9,781)   363,168 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   130,231    890    (425)   130,696 
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies   89,734    698    (269)   90,163 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   73,322    165    (232)   73,255 
Redeemable preferred stock   2,025    9        2,034 
Total fixed maturity securities   897,445    15,196    (12,981)   899,660 
Equity securities   69,830    5,512    (1,231)   74,111 
Total investments available-for-sale  $967,275   $20,708   $(14,212)  $973,771 

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2016 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows:

 

   Cost or
Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands) 
One year or less  $55,893   $56,053 
After one year through five years   288,962    292,639 
After five years through ten years   158,539    166,278 
After ten years   117,376    129,269 
Residential mortgage-backed   164,910    167,778 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   136,001    138,516 
Redeemable preferred stock   2,025    2,039 
Total  $923,706   $952,572 

 

Actual maturities may differ for some securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

 

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) 
June 30, 2016                        
Fixed maturity securities:                              
State and municipal  $752   $(3)  $   $   $752   $(3)
Residential mortgage-backed           37,984    (187)   37,984    (187)
Corporate   145       11,149    (4,124)   11,294    (4,124)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   27,932    (42)   6,187    (57)   34,119    (99)
Total fixed maturity securities   28,829    (45)   55,320    (4,368)   84,149    (4,413)
Equity securities   4,488    (600)   5,897    (1,246)   10,385    (1,846)
Total investments available-for-sale  $33,317   $(645)  $61,217   $(5,614)  $94,534   $(6,259)

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

   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) 
December 31, 2015                              
Fixed maturity securities:                              
State and municipal  $9,492   $(135)  $   $   $9,492   $(135)
Residential mortgage-backed   39,895    (465)   40,656    (1,674)   80,551    (2,139)
Corporate   177,149    (5,281)   6,433    (4,500)   183,582    (9,781)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   74,518    (339)   11,437    (86)   85,955    (425)
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies   43,907    (231)   4,012    (38)   47,919    (269)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   49,452    (213)   2,186    (19)   51,638    (232)
Total fixed maturity securities   394,413    (6,664)   64,724    (6,317)   459,137    (12,981)
Equity securities   4,196    (172)   5,704    (1,059)   9,900    (1,231)
Total investments available-for-sale  $398,609   $(6,836)  $70,428   $(7,376)  $469,037   $(14,212)

 

The Company held securities of 31 issuers at June 30, 2016 that were in an unrealized loss position with a total fair value of $94.5 million and gross unrealized losses of $6.3 million. None of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses has ever missed, or been delinquent on, a scheduled principal or interest payment.

 

At June 30, 2016, 86.3% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “A-“ or better by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. Fixed maturity securities with ratings below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or another nationally recognized rating agency at June 30, 2016 had an aggregate fair value of $11.1 million and an aggregate net unrealized loss of $3.4 million.

 

Management concluded that none of the fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. 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. Management also concluded that none of the equity securities with an unrealized loss at June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management has evaluated the near-term prospects of these equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment, and management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of their fair value.

 

At March 31, 2015 the Company held two municipal bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with at total par value of $4.5 million. Puerto Rico’s weak economic conditions and heavy debt burden heightened the risk of default on the bonds and management concluded that the bonds, which had been downgraded to below investment grade, were other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015. The Company recognized impairment losses of $660,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The bonds were sold during the second quarter of 2015 and a net realized gain of $22,000 was recognized on the sales.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

At December 31, 2015, the Company held participations in two loans issued by companies that produce and supply power to Puerto Rico through power purchase agreements with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), a public corporation and governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. PREPA’s credit strength and ability to make timely payments was impacted by the economic conditions in Puerto Rico, thus raising doubt about the companies’ ability to meet the debt obligations held by the Company. Management concluded that the loans were impaired at December 31, 2015. The allowance for credit losses on the loans was $414,000. The loans had a carrying value of $3.9 million and unpaid principal of $4.6 million at December 31, 2015. One of the loans was repaid in full at its scheduled maturity in June 2016. Management concluded that the remaining loan, scheduled to mature in 2017, was still impaired at June 30, 2016. The allowance for credit losses on the loan was $239,000 at June 30, 2016. The loan had a carrying value of $2.2 million and unpaid principal of $2.6 million at June 30, 2016.

 

A number of the Company’s bank loans are to oil and gas companies in the energy sector. The market values of these loans were impacted by declining energy prices. At June 30, 2016, the Company’s oil and gas exposure was in six bank loans and one bond with a total carrying value of $16.2 million and an unrealized loss of $2.0 million. Management concluded that two of these loans continued to be impaired as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. At June 30, 2016, these loans had a carrying value of $2.1 million, unpaid principal of $5.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $3.4 million. At December 31, 2015, the loans had a carrying value of $1.7 million, unpaid principal of $5.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $3.9 million. All of the other loans are current at June 30, 2016.

 

Management also concluded that one non-energy sector loan was impaired at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. At June 30, 2016, the loan had a carrying value of $603,000, unpaid principal of $718,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $115,000. At December 31, 2015, the loan had a carrying value of $689,000, unpaid principal of $722,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $34,000.

 

The aggregate allowance for credit losses was $3.7 million at June 30, 2016 on four impaired loans with a total carrying value of $5.0 million and unpaid principal of $9.1 million. At December 31, 2015, the aggregate allowance for credit losses was $4.3 million on five impaired loans with a total carrying value of $6.3 million and unpaid principal of $11.1 million.

 

Bank loan participations generally 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.

 

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 June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on consultations and advice of the Company’s independent investment manager, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The Company generally records an allowance equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of bank loans that it has determined to be impaired as a practical expedient for an estimate of probable future cash flows to be collected on those bank loans. Bank loans are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

 

The average recorded investment in impaired bank loans was $5.6 million and $7.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Investment income of $170,000 and $153,000, respectively, was recognized during the time within those periods that the loans were impaired. The Company recorded net realized gains of $913,000 and $610,000, respectively, in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and net realized gains of $175,000 and $203,000, respectively, in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 for changes in the fair value of impaired bank loans.

 

Changes in unrealized gains or losses on securities held for trading are recorded as trading gains or losses within net investment income. Net investment income for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $7,000 and $19,000, respectively, of net trading gains of which $7,000 and $19,000, respectively, relates to securities held at June 30, 2016.

 

The Company’s realized gains and losses are summarized as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Fixed maturity securities:                    
Gross realized gains  $568   $101   $1,410   $1,288 
Gross realized losses   (1)   (5)   (2)   (665)
    567    96    1,408    623 
Bank loan participations:                    
Gross realized gains   1,133    242    1,193    532 
Gross realized losses   (81)   (12)   (433)   (3,654)
    1,052    230    760    (3,122)
Short-term investments and other:                    
Gross realized gains   1    24    1    47 
Gross realized losses   (1)       (3)   (4)
        24    (2)   43 
Total  $1,619   $350   $2,166   $(2,456)

 

Realized investment gains or losses are determined on a specific identification basis.

 

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 bank holding companies.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

           Investment Income 
   Carrying Value   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   December 31,   June 30,   June 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Category                              
Renewable energy LLCs (a)  $23,777   $26,001   $(1,451)  $2,163   $(769)  $4,615 
Renewable energy bridge financing notes (b)       6,500    207    874    450    1,499 
Limited partnerships (c)   19,755    17,503    1,680    85    1,836    (74)
Bank holding companies (d)   4,500    4,500    86    86    172    172 
Total other invested assets  $48,032   $54,504   $522   $3,208   $1,689   $6,212 

 

(a)The Company’s Corporate and Other segment owns equity interests ranging from 2.7% to 33.3% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The LLCs are managed by an affiliate of the Company’s largest shareholder and the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has 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 $1.5 million and $951,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

(b)The Company has held investments in bridge loans for renewable energy projects. The notes, all with affiliates of the Company’s largest shareholder, generally matured in less than one year and carried primarily variable rates of interest ranging from 7.3% to 15.0%. Original discounts and commitment fees received were recognized over the terms of the notes under the effective interest method. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the outstanding balance of a $6.5 million note was fully repaid. In the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company invested $26.5 million in these notes and received repayments of $6.3 million.

 

(c)The Company owns investments in limited partnerships that invest in concentrated portfolios of high yield bonds of companies undergoing financial stress, publicly-traded small cap equities, loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies, and equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Income from the partnerships is recognized under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s Corporate and Other segment held investments in limited partnerships of $2.4 million at June 30, 2016 and recognized investment income of $235,000 and investment losses of $74,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company is an investor in one limited partnership held by the Corporate and Other segment. The Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment holds investments in limited partnerships of $17.4 million at June 30, 2016. Investment income of $1.6 million was recognized on the investments for the six months ended June 30, 2016. At June 30, 2016 the Company’s Excess and Surplus lines segment has an outstanding commitment to invest another $2.6 million in a limited partnership that invests in loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Investments (continued)

 

(d)The Company holds $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company. Interest on the notes, which mature on August 12, 2023, is fixed at 7.6% per annum. Interest income on the notes was $172,000 in both six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is the Lead Independent Director of the bank holding company and is an investor in the bank holding company. Additionally, one of the Company’s directors is an investor in the bank holding company and a lender to the bank holding company. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer is a former investor in the bank holding company.

 

The Company holds common shares issued by the bank holding company. The shares, which are publicly traded, are classified as available-for sale equity securities and carried at fair value ($8.3 million at June 30, 2016 and $8.4 million at December 31, 2015). Income of $233,000 was recognized on the shares for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

The Company holds a $1.0 million certificate of deposit issued by the bank holding company. The certificate of deposit, which matures on December 19, 2016, is carried as a short-term investment. Interest income of $6,000 and $3,000 was recognized on this investment for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Two of the Company’s directors were members of the board of managers of First Wind Capital, LLC (“First Wind”) until January 29, 2015. First Wind is an affiliate of the Company’s largest shareholder. At December 31, 2014, the Company held fixed maturity securities with a fair value of $12.6 million issued by First Wind. These securities were called in March 2015, resulting in a realized gain of $845,000. Also at December 31, 2014, the Company held a bank loan participation with a carrying value of $4.6 million from an affiliate of First Wind. The loan was repaid in full in January 2015.

 

3.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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for each major specifically identifiable intangible asset class were as follows:

 

      June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
  

Life

(Years)

 

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

  

Gross

Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

 
      ($ in thousands) 
Intangible Assets                       
Trademarks  Indefinite  $22,200   $   $22,200   $ 
Insurance licenses and authorities  Indefinite   9,164        9,164     
Identifiable intangibles not subject to amortization      31,364        31,364     
                        
Broker relationships  24.6   11,611    3,745    11,611    3,447 
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization      11,611    3,745    11,611    3,447 
      $42,975   $3,745   $42,975   $3,447 

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4.Earnings Per Share

 

The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 
Net income to shareholders  $14,596   $12,489   $27,433   $21,866 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
Basic   29,035,512    28,547,616    28,994,260    28,544,003 
Common share equivalents   790,402    667,243    789,823    612,601 
Diluted   29,825,914    29,214,859    29,784,083    29,156,604 
                     
Earnings per share:                    
Basic  $0.50   $0.44   $0.95   $0.77 
Common share equivalents   (0.01)   (0.01)   (0.03)   (0.02)
Diluted  $0.49   $0.43   $0.92   $0.75 

 

Common share equivalents relate to stock options and restricted share units (“RSU’s”). For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, all common share equivalents are dilutive. For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015, common share equivalents of 994,335 and 995,180 shares, respectively, are excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share as their effects are anti-dilutive.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5.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:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at beginning of period  $672,588   $614,969   $653,534   $589,042 
Add: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance:                    
Current year   81,407    70,449    159,580    147,422 
Prior years   (4,748)   (2,518)   (9,415)   (5,007)
Total incurred losses and loss and adjustment expenses   76,659    67,931    150,165    142,415 
Deduct: Loss and loss adjustment expense payments net of reinsurance:                    
Current year   8,946    9,601    10,890    14,603 
Prior years   50,670    45,795    103,178    89,350 
Total loss and loss adjustment expense payments   59,616    55,396    114,068    103,953 
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at end of period   689,631    627,504    689,631    627,504 
Add: Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period   153,706    134,750    153,706    134,750 
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period  $843,337   $762,254   $843,337   $762,254 

 

A $4.7 million reserve redundancy developed in the three months ended June 30, 2016 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2015. This favorable reserve development included $3.6 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment primarily from the 2014, 2013, and 2008 accident years. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at June 30, 2016 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios. The Company also experienced $617,000 and $520,000 of favorable development on prior accident years for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment and Casualty Reinsurance segment, respectively.

 

The Company experienced $2.5 million of favorable reserve development in the three months ended June 30, 2015 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2014. This reserve development included $3.4 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, primarily from the 2014, 2013 and 2012 accident years. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at June 30, 2015 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios. The Company also experienced $189,000 of favorable development for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment partially offset by $1.1 million of adverse development in the Casualty Reinsurance segment, primarily related to one reinsurance treaty from the 2012 underwriting year. This treaty contained deficit carry forward provisions which resulted in favorable adjustments of a similar magnitude to reduce sliding scale commissions on the treaty.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5.Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)

 

A $9.4 million reserve redundancy developed in the six months ended June 30, 2016 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2015. This favorable reserve development included $8.0 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment primarily from the 2014, 2013, and 2012 accident years. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at June 30, 2016 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios. The Company also experienced $928,000 and $483,000 of favorable development on prior accident years for the Specialty Admitted Insurance and Casualty Reinsurance segment, respectively.

 

A $5.0 million reserve redundancy developed in the six months ended June 30, 2015 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2014. This favorable reserve development included $8.4 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment primarily from the 2014, 2013, and 2012 accident years. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at June 30, 2015 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios. The Company also experienced $196,000 of favorable development on prior accident years for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment. The favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance segments was partially offset by $3.6 million of adverse reserve development in the Casualty Reinsurance segment, primarily related to one reinsurance relationship from the 2011 underwriting year that experienced higher loss development in 2015 than expected.

 

6.Other Comprehensive Income

 

The following table summarizes the components of comprehensive income:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, before U.S. income taxes  $15,346   $(16,788)  $32,464   $(11,577)
U.S. income taxes   (2,147)   1,871    (3,077)   1,330 
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of U.S. income taxes   13,199    (14,917)   29,387    (10,247)
Less reclassification adjustment:                    
Net realized investment gains   567    96    1,408    623 
U.S. income tax (expense) benefit   (160)   (8)   (433)   186 
Reclassification adjustment for investment gains realized in net income   407    88    975    809 
Other comprehensive income (loss)  $12,792   $(15,005)  $28,412   $(11,056)

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7.Contingent Liabilities

 

The Company is a party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its operations. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not materially impact its financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

 

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, JRG Re, entered into two letter of credit facilities with banks as security to third-party reinsureds on reinsurance assumed by JRG Re. JRG Re has established custodial accounts to secure these letters of credit. Under a $100.0 million facility, $88.8 million of letters of credit were issued through June 30, 2016, which were secured by deposits of $113.7 million. Under a $102.5 million facility, $38.4 million of letters of credit were issued through June 30, 2016, which were secured by deposits of $50.1 million. JRG Re has 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 reinsured was $235.3 million at June 30, 2016.

 

8.Segment Information

 

The Company has four reportable segments: the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, the Casualty Reinsurance segment, and the Corporate and Other segment. Segment profit (loss) is measured by underwriting profit (loss), which is generally defined as net earned premiums less loss and loss adjustment expenses and other operating expenses of the operating segments. Fee income and expenses of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment is included in that segment’s underwriting profit (loss). Fee income of the Excess and Surplus Lines Segment of $2.7 million and $2.1 million was included in underwriting profit for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, fee income included in underwriting profit was $5.0 million and $2.4 million, 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
   Casualty
Reinsurance
   Corporate
and
Other
   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016                    
Gross written premiums  $97,427   $34,201   $39,043   $   $170,671 
Net earned premiums   70,565    12,207    35,783        118,555 
Underwriting profit of insurance segments   9,783    125    206        10,114 
Net investment income (loss)   5,079    640    6,936    (1,102)   11,553 
Interest expense               2,041    2,041 
Segment revenues   78,940    13,329    43,304    (1,062)   134,511 
Segment goodwill   181,831                181,831 
Segment assets   731,324    215,034    1,148,489    95,014    2,189,861 

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

8.Segment Information (continued)

 

   Excess and
Surplus
Lines
   Specialty
Admitted
Insurance
   Casualty
Reinsurance
   Corporate
and
Other
   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015                    
Gross written premiums  $77,417   $17,931   $88,663   $   $184,011 
Net earned premiums   52,867    10,150    43,043        106,060 
Underwriting profit of insurance segments   5,769    199    594        6,562 
Net investment income   3,706    583    5,656    3,055    13,000 
Interest expense               1,744    1,744 
Segment revenues   57,531    10,760    48,845    3,091    120,227 
Segment goodwill   181,831                181,831 
Segment assets   712,047    140,654    1,098,508    111,503    2,062,712 
                          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016                         
Gross written premiums  $179,535   $62,888   $61,319   $   $303,742 
Net earned premiums   136,070    23,612    76,003        235,685 
Underwriting profit of insurance segments   18,987    600    540        20,127 
Net investment income   8,365    1,251    13,163    46    22,825 
Interest expense               4,215    4,215 
Segment revenues   150,730    25,376    89,612    122    265,840 
Segment goodwill   181,831                181,831 
Segment assets   731,324    215,034    1,148,489    95,014    2,189,861 
                          
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015                         
Gross written premiums  $153,135   $38,857   $123,277   $   $315,269 
Net earned premiums   112,267    19,705    91,099        223,071 
Underwriting profit of insurance segments   13,212    44    635        13,891 
Net investment income   7,072    1,102    10,717    6,095    24,986 
Interest expense               3,448    3,448 
Segment revenues   118,569    20,962    100,997    6,166    246,694 
Segment goodwill   181,831                181,831 
Segment assets   712,047    140,654    1,098,508    111,503    2,062,712 

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

8.Segment Information (continued)

 

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) of the operating segments by individual segment to consolidated income before taxes:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Underwriting profit (loss) of the insurance segments:                
Excess and Surplus Lines  $9,783   $5,769   $18,987   $13,212 
Specialty Admitted Insurance   125    199    600    44 
Casualty Reinsurance   206    594    540    635 
Total underwriting profit of insurance segments   10,114    6,562    20,127    13,891 
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment   (5,475)   (4,255)   (10,727)   (8,634)
Underwriting profit   4,639    2,307    9,400    5,257 
Net investment income   11,553    13,000    22,825    24,986 
Net realized investment gains   1,619    350    2,166    (2,456)
Amortization of intangible assets   (149)   (149)   (298)   (298)
Other income and expenses   (24)   (10)   52    (23)
Interest expense   (2,041)   (1,744)   (4,215)   (3,448)
Income before taxes  $15,597   $13,754   $29,930   $24,018 

 

9.Other Operating Expenses and Other Expenses

 

Other operating expenses consist of the following:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Amortization of policy acquisition costs  $22,710   $22,400   $45,791   $46,902 
Other underwriting expenses of the operating segments   11,789    9,925    24,635    20,841 
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment   5,475    4,255    10,727    8,634 
Total  $39,974   $36,580   $81,153   $76,377 

 

Other expenses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 total $91,000 and $69,000, and $79,000 and $138,000, respectively. Other expenses include filing fees, expenses associated with the Company’s minority investment in a partnership that was involved in the construction of a building that the Company was deemed to own for accounting purposes, and due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities which were not consummated.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10.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.

 

To measure fair value, the Company obtains quoted market prices for its investment securities from its outside investment managers. If a quoted market price is not available, the Company uses prices of similar 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) 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, 2014.

 

The Company reviews fair value prices provided by its outside 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.

 

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10.Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2016 are summarized below:

 

   Fair Value Measurements Using 
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Available-for-sale securities:                    
Fixed maturity securities:                    
State and municipal  $   $103,050   $   $103,050 
Residential mortgage-backed       167,778        167,778 
Corporate       389,379        389,379 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed       133,516    5,000    138,516 
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies       78,900        78,900 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   72,189    721        72,910 
Redeemable preferred stock       2,039        2,039 
Total fixed maturity securities   72,189    875,383    5,000    952,572 
Equity securities:                    
Preferred stock       69,052        69,052 
Common stock   22,906    734        23,640 
Total equity securities   22,906    69,786        92,692 
Total available-for-sale securities  $95,095   $945,169   $5,000   $1,045,264 
Trading securities:                    
Fixed maturity securities  $   $5,064   $   $5,064 
Short-term investments  $1,100   $13,806   $   $14,906 

  

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10.Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 are summarized below:

 

   Fair Value Measurements Using 
   Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Available-for-sale securities:                    
Fixed maturity securities:                    
State and municipal  $   $103,457   $   $103,457 
Residential mortgage-backed       136,887        136,887 
Corporate       363,168        363,168 
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed       125,696    5,000    130,696 
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies       90,163        90,163 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   72,542    713        73,255 
Redeemable preferred stock       2,034        2,034 
Total fixed maturity securities   72,542    822,118    5,000    899,660 
Equity securities:                    
Preferred stock       54,092        54,092 
Common stock   19,285    734        20,019 
Total equity securities   19,285    54,826        74,111 
Total available-for-sale securities  $91,827   $876,944   $5,000   $973,771 
Trading securities:                    
Fixed maturity securities  $1,244   $3,802   $   $5,046 
Short-term investments  $2,926   $16,344   $   $19,270 

 

The beginning and ending balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) consist of one available-for-sale fixed maturity security with a fair value of $5.0 million, and there was no activity (purchases, sales, transfers, gains or losses) involving Level 3 securities for the three months or six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015. A market approach using prices in trades of comparable securities was utilized to determine the fair value of this security at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

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 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.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10.Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months or six months ended June 30, 2016 or 2015. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

There were no realized gains or losses included in earnings for the three months or six months ended June 30, 2016 attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to Level 3 assets valued at fair value on a recurring basis that are still held at June 30, 2016.

 

The Company measures certain bank loan participations at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year as part of the Company’s impairment evaluation when loans are determined by management to be impaired.

 

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis 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) 
June 30, 2016                
Bank loan participations held-for-investment  $   $   $2,745   $2,745 
                     
December 31, 2015                    
Bank loan participations held-for-investment  $   $   $2,342   $2,342 

 

Bank loan participations held-for-investment that were determined to be impaired were carried at their fair value of $2.7 million at June 30, 2016 and $2.3 million at December 31, 2015.

 

In the determination of the fair value for bank loan participations and certain high yield bonds, the Company’s outside 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 outside 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 outside investment manager not to be representative of fair value are recorded at fair value as determined by the investment manager. In determining the fair value of such investments, the investment manager considers one or more of the following factors: type of security held, convertibility or exchangeability of the security, redeemability of the security (including 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 June 30, 2016, there were bank loan participations with an unpaid principal balance of $3.2 million and a carrying value of $2.8 million for which external sources were unavailable to determine fair value. At December 31, 2015, there were bank loan participations with an unpaid principal balance of $5.3 million and a carrying value of $4.6 million for which external sources were unavailable to determine fair value.

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

10.Fair Value Measurements (continued)

 

 

The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments are summarized below:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   Carrying
Value
   Fair Value   Carrying
Value
   Fair Value 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Assets                    
Available-for-sale:                    
Fixed maturity securities  $952,572   $952,572   $899,660   $899,660 
Equity securities   92,692    92,692    74,111    74,111 
Trading:                    
Fixed maturity securities   5,064    5,064    5,046    5,046 
Bank loan participations held-for-investment   205,957    198,905    191,700    180,086 
Cash and cash equivalents   80,654    80,654    106,406    106,406 
Short-term investments   14,906    14,906    19,270    19,270 
Other invested assets – notes receivable   4,500    6,169    11,000    12,548 
                     
Liabilities                    
Senior debt   88,300    84,763    88,300    79,539 
Junior subordinated debt   104,055    98,796    104,055    84,594 

 

The fair values of fixed maturity securities and equity securities 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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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 June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For notes receivable maturing within one year, carrying value was used to approximate fair value.

 

The fair values of bank loan participations held-for-investment, senior debt, and junior subordinated debt at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were determined using inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable (Level 3).

 

11.Capital Stock and Equity Awards

 

The Company issued 149,949 common shares in the first six months of 2016 related to stock option exercises, increasing the number of common shares outstanding to 29,091,496 at June 30, 2016.

 

The Company declared the following dividends during the first six months of 2016 and 2015:

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

11.Capital Stock and Equity Awards (continued)

 

       Payable to       
   Dividend per   Shareholders of       
Date of Declaration  Common Share   Record on  Payment Date  Total Amount 
                 
2016                
February 16, 2016  $0.20   March 14, 2016  March 28, 2016  $5.8 million 
May 3, 2016  $0.20   June 13, 2016  June 30, 2016  $5.9 million 
   $0.40         $11.7 million 
                 
2015                
February 17, 2015  $0.16   March 16, 2015  March 31, 2015  $4.6 million 
May 5, 2015  $0.16   June 15, 2015  June 30, 2015  $4.6 million 
   $0.32         $9.2 million 

 

Equity Incentive Plans

 

The Company’s shareholders have approved various equity incentive plans, including the Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Legacy Plan”), 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. Under the Legacy Plan, employees received non-qualified stock options. Options are outstanding under the Legacy Plan; however, no additional awards may be granted.

 

Employees are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, restricted share units (“RSUs”), and other awards under the 2014 LTIP. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 LTIP is 3,171,150, and at June 30, 2016, 1,086,657 shares are available for grant.

 

Non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, restricted share units, and other awards under the 2014 Director Plan. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Director Plan is 50,000, and at June 30, 2016, 36,552 shares are available for grant.

 

All options issued under the Legacy Plan vest in the event of a change in control. 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), and in the case of the 2014 LTIP for Good Reason (as defined), during the 12-month period following a Change in Control (as defined).

 

On February 16, 2016, the Board of Directors granted awards under the 2014 LTIP and 2014 Director Plan to the Company’s employees and directors. Non-qualified stock options for 706,203 shares were granted with an exercise price of $32.07 per share and a three year vesting period. RSUs for 58,663 shares were also awarded with a fair value on the date of grant of $32.07 per share. The RSUs vest over one to three year periods, depending on the award.

 

On May 3, 2016, the Board of Directors granted RSU awards for 1,628 shares under the 2014 Director Plan. The RSUs vest over one year and the fair value on the date of grant was $30.69 per share.

 

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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

11.Capital Stock and Equity Awards (continued)

 

Options

 

The following table summarizes the option activity:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   Shares   Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
   Shares   Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding:                    
Beginning of period   2,058,085   $18.11    3,104,768   $17.27 
Granted   706,203   $32.07    10,627   $24.32 
Exercised   (231,916)  $15.95    (41,250)  $15.65 
Forfeited   (3,362)  $21.00    (9,810)  $21.00 
End of period   2,529,010   $22.20    3,064,335   $17.30 
Exercisable, end of period   1,017,643   $17.01    1,763,124   $15.48 

 

RSUs

 

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

   Shares   Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2016          
Unvested, beginning of period   234,922   $21.00 
Granted   60,291   $32.03 
Unvested, end of period   295,213   $23.25 
           
June 30, 2015          
Unvested, beginning of period   340,474   $21.00 
Granted      $ 
Unvested, end of period   340,474   $21.00 

 

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
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Share based compensation expense  $1,498   $943   $2,687   $1,854 
U.S. tax benefit on share based compensation expense   421    257    757    505 

 

  30

Table of Contents 

 

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

11.Capital Stock and Equity Awards (continued)

 

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had $10.2 million of unrecognized share based compensation expense expected to be charged to earnings over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and options exercisable was 4.8 years and 3.4 years, respectively.

 

12.Subsequent Events

 

On August 3, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend is payable on September 30, 2016 to shareholders of record on September 12, 2016.

 

  31

 

 

 

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” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or “Quarterly Report”, and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The results of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2016, 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, and in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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 “JRG Holdings”, “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries.

 

Our Business

 

JRG Holdings is a Bermuda-based insurance holding company. We own and operate a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies with the objective of generating compelling returns on tangible equity while limiting volatility. We seek to do this by earning profits from insurance underwriting while opportunistically investing our capital to grow tangible equity for our shareholders.

 

Our underwriting profit for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $4.6 million and $9.4 million, respectively. In the prior year, for the same periods, we had an underwriting profit of $2.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The improvement in our underwriting results in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015 was primarily the result of the increased operating performance at our Excess and Surplus Lines segment.

 

We are organized into four reportable segments, which are separately managed business units:

 

·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 (“James River Insurance”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, James River Casualty Company (“James River Casualty”);

 

·The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment focuses on niche classes within the standard insurance markets, such as workers’ compensation coverage for residential contractors, light manufacturing operations, transportation workers and healthcare workers in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This segment also focuses on fronting and program business, where we retain a small percentage of the risk and seek to earn fee income by allowing other carriers and producers to use our licensure, ratings and infrastructure. This segment has admitted licenses in 48 states and the District of Columbia. While this segment has historically focused on workers’ compensation business, the majority of our gross written premium in this segment is now from fronting and program business;

 

·The Casualty Reinsurance segment provides working layer reinsurance to third parties (primarily through reinsurance intermediaries) and to our U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries (primarily through quota share reinsurance), through JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“JRG Re”), a Bermuda-based reinsurance company; and

 

·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, that are not reimbursed by our insurance segments.

 

All of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have financial strength ratings of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company.

 

   32

 

  

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, investment valuation and impairment, goodwill and intangible assets, and assumed reinsurance premiums. For a detailed discussion of each of these policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. There have been no significant changes to any of these policies during the current year.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table summarizes our results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands) 
                         
Gross written premiums  $170,671   $184,011    (7.2)%  $303,742   $315,269    (3.7)%
Net retention (1)   78.0%   86.3%       79.0%   84.8%    
Net written premiums  $133,058   $158,814    (16.2)%  $239,959   $267,473    (10.3)%
                               
Net earned premiums  $118,555   $106,060    11.8%  $235,685   $223,071    5.7%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   (76,659)   (67,931)   12.8%   (150,165)   (142,415)   5.4%
Other operating expenses   (37,257)   (35,822)   4.0%   (76,120)   (75,399)   1.0%
Underwriting profit (2), (3)   4,639    2,307    101.1%   9,400    5,257    78.8%
Net investment income   11,553    13,000    (11.1)%   22,825    24,986    (8.6)%
Net realized investment gains (losses)   1,619    350    362.6%   2,166    (2,456)    
Other income (expense)   (24)   (10)   140.0%   52    (23)    
Interest expense   (2,041)   (1,744)   17.0%   (4,215)   (3,448)   22.2%
Amortization of intangible assets   (149)   (149)       (298)   (298)    
Income before taxes   15,597    13,754    13.4%   29,930    24,018    24.6%
Income tax expense   1,001    1,265    (20.9)%   2,497    2,152    16.0%
Net income  $14,596   $12,489    16.9%  $27,433   $21,866    25.5%
Net operating income (2)  $13,665   $12,362    10.5%  $26,503   $24,053    10.2%
                               
Ratios:                              
Loss ratio   64.7%   64.0%       63.7%   63.8%    
Expense ratio   31.4%   33.8%       32.3%   33.8%    
Combined ratio   96.1%   97.8%       96.0%   97.6%    

 

(1) Net retention is defined as the ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums.

(2) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for further detail.

(3) Included in underwriting results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 is fee income of $3.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively ($2.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in the prior year).

 

   33

 

  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

 

The Company had an underwriting profit of $4.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. This compares to an underwriting profit of $2.3 million for the same period in the prior year.

 

The results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 include certain items that are significant to the operating results of the Company. These items include (on a pre-tax basis) net realized investment gains of $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and $350,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

 

We define net operating income as net income excluding certain non-operating items such as net realized investment gains and losses, expenses related to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, professional services fees related to the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, severance costs associated with terminated employees, and interest and other income and expenses on a leased building that we are deemed to own for accounting purposes. We use net operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because 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. Net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 

Our income before taxes and net income for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 reconcile to our net operating income as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Income as reported  $15,597   $14,596   $13,754   $12,489 
Net realized investment gains   (1,619)   (1,257)   (350)   (279)
Other expenses   91    127    69    45 
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes   306    199    165    107 
Net operating income  $14,375   $13,665   $13,638   $12,362 

 

Our combined ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was 96.1%. The combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjusting expenses, and other operating expenses to net earned premiums. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit, while a combined ratio greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. The combined ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2016 includes $4.7 million, or 4.0 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, including $3.6 million of net favorable development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, $617,000 of net favorable reserve development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, and $520,000 of net favorable reserve development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

 

In the prior year, the combined ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was 97.8%. The combined ratio included $2.5 million, or 2.4 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, including $3.4 million of net favorable development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $189,000 of net favorable development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, offset by $1.1 million of net adverse development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

 

   34

 

  

Our expense ratio improved from 33.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 to 31.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. This improvement was driven by a 33.5% increase in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s net earned premiums and an increase in fee income for the Company as a whole. Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment has significant scale and produces a lower expense ratio than our other operating segments. The Excess and Surplus Lines segment made up 49.8% of consolidated net earned premiums for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to 59.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Fee income for the Company increased from $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 to $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015

 

The Company had an underwriting profit of $9.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. This compares to an underwriting profit of $5.3 million for the same period in the prior year.

 

The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 include certain items that are significant to the operating results of the Company. These items include (on a pre-tax basis) net realized investment gains of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and net realized investment losses of $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, including $3.4 million of losses in the first quarter of 2015 from the sale of energy sector bank loans whose market values had declined significantly in response to the then declining oil and gas prices.

 

Our income before taxes and net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 reconcile to our net operating income as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Income as reported  $29,930   $27,433   $24,018   $21,866 
Net realized investment (gains) losses   (2,166)   (1,564)   2,456    1,883 
Other expenses   79    119    138    90 
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes   792    515    330    214 
Net operating income  $28,635   $26,503   $26,942   $24,053 

 

Our combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was 96.0%. The combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $9.4 million, or 4.0 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, including $8.0 million of net favorable development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $928,000 of net favorable development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, and $483,000 of net favorable development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment. In the prior year, the combined ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was 97.6%. This ratio included $5.0 million, or 2.2 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years, including $8.4 million of net favorable reserve development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $196,000 million of net favorable reserve development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, offset by $3.6 million of net adverse development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

 

Our expense ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was 32.3% and 33.8%, respectively. The improvement is due to a 21.2% increase in the net earned premiums of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and an increase in fee income for the Company as a whole. Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment has significant scale and produces a lower expense ratio than our other operating segments. The Excess and Surplus Lines segment made up 50.3% of consolidated net earned premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to 57.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Fee income for the Company increased from $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 to $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

   35

 

  

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 level of statutory capital and surplus. Additionally, each of the Company’s U.S.-domiciled insurance subsidiaries is a party to a quota share reinsurance agreement that cedes 70% of their premiums and losses to JRG Re. 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.

 

Premiums

 

Insurance premiums are earned ratably over the terms of our insurance policies, generally twelve months. Reinsurance premiums assumed are earned over the terms of the underlying policies or reinsurance contracts. Contracts and policies written on a “losses occurring” basis cover claims that may occur during the term of the contract or policy, which is typically twelve months. Contracts which are written on a “risks attaching” basis cover claims which attach to the underlying insurance policies written during the terms of such contracts. Premiums earned on such contracts usually extend beyond the original term of the reinsurance contract, typically resulting in recognition of premiums earned over a 24-month period in proportion to the level of underlying exposure.

 

The following table summarizes the change in premium volume by component and business segment:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands)     
Gross written premiums:                              
Excess and Surplus Lines  $97,427   $77,417    25.8%  $179,535   $153,135    17.2%
Specialty Admitted Insurance   34,201    17,931    90.7%   62,888    38,857    61.8%
Casualty Reinsurance   39,043    88,663    (56.0)%   61,319    123,277    (50.3)%
   $170,671   $184,011    (7.2)%  $303,742   $315,269    (3.7)%
                               
Net written premiums:                              
Excess and Surplus Lines  $81,890   $60,924    34.4%  $153,425   $123,220    24.5%
Specialty Admitted Insurance   11,679    9,167    27.4%   24,725    20,641    19.8%
Casualty Reinsurance   39,489    88,723    (55.5)%   61,809    123,612    (50.0)%
   $133,058   $158,814    (16.2)%  $239,959   $267,473    (10.3)%
                               
Net earned premiums:                              
Excess and Surplus Lines  $70,565   $52,867    33.5%  $136,070   $112,267    21.2%
Specialty Admitted Insurance   12,207    10,150    20.3%   23,612    19,705    19.8%
Casualty Reinsurance   35,783    43,043    (16.9)%   76,003    91,099    (16.6)%
   $118,555   $106,060    11.8%  $235,685   $223,071    5.7%

 

Our Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance segments experienced significant growth in gross written premiums during 2016, while our Casualty Reinsurance segment experienced a significant decline in gross written premiums during the same period. Premiums for the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were affected by the following:

 

Gross written premiums for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment (which represents 59.1% of our consolidated gross written premiums in the first six months of 2016) increased 25.8% to $97.4 million and 17.2% to $179.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, over the corresponding prior year period. This increase is due, in part, to a 13.6% increase in the average premium for non-commercial auto policies from $17,306 to $19,664 in the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, policy submissions excluding commercial auto policies were 14.3% higher in the first six months of 2016 than in 2015. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the increase in gross written premiums compared to the same period in 2015 was most notable in our:

 

·Excess Casualty division (representing 11.1% of this segment’s 2016 business) which increased $4.7 million (or 59.7%) and $3.4 million (or 20.9%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016;

 

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·Manufacturers and Contractors division (representing 24.9% of this segment’s 2016 business) which increased $5.1 million (or 25.7%) and $5.4 million (or 13.6%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016;

 

·General Casualty division (representing 10.6% of this segment’s 2016 business) which increased $3.9 million (or 55.9%) and $4.6 million (or 32.1%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016; and

 

·Commercial Auto division (representing 25.3% of this segment’s 2016 business) which increased $4.7 million (or 25.1%) and $9.7 million (or 27.1%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

  The components of the increase in gross written premiums for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment are as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands)     
                         
Workers’ compensation premium  $7,892   $7,540    4.7%  $17,246   $17,167    0.5%
Audit premium on workers’ compensation policies   901    565    59.5%   1,566    967    61.9%
Allocation of involuntary workers’ compensation pool   348    439    (20.7)%   1,013    755    34.2%
    9,141    8,544    7.0%   19,825    18,889    5.0%
                               
Program and fronting premium   25,060    9,387    167.0%   43,063    19,968    115.7%
                               
   $34,201   $17,931    90.7%  $62,888   $38,857    61.8%

 

It is our policy to audit the payroll for each expired workers’ compensation policy for the difference between estimated payroll at the time the policy is written and the final actual payroll of the customer after the policy is completed. Audit premiums increased both written and earned premiums during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 by $901,000 and $1.6 million, respectively (in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, audit premiums increased both written and earned premiums by $565,000 and $967,000, respectively).

 

A significant portion of the program and fronting business is reinsured. As a result, our net written premium for this segment increased by less than our gross written premium, increasing 27.4% and 19.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

 

Gross written premiums for the Casualty Reinsurance segment (which represents 20.2% of our consolidated gross written premiums in the first six months of 2016) decreased 56.0% to $39.0 million and 50.3% to $61.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, over the same periods in 2015. The Casualty Reinsurance segment generally writes large casualty-focused treaties that are expected to have lower volatility relative to other property and casualty treaties. We rarely write stand-alone property reinsurance. When treaties are written, it is done with relatively low catastrophe sub-limits. The total premium decrease for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $49.6 million and $62.0 million, respectively. These declines are primarily timing differences and adjustments to premium estimates on policies written in prior years.

 

   37

 

  

Net Retention

 

The ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums is referred to as our net premium retention. Our net premium retention is summarized by segment as follows:

 

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
                 
Excess and Surplus Lines   84.1%   78.7%   85.5%   80.5%
Specialty Admitted Insurance   34.1%   51.1%   39.3%   53.1%
Casualty Reinsurance   101.1%   100.1%   100.8%   100.3%
Total   78.0%   86.3%   79.0%   84.8%

 

The net premium retention for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment increased from 2015 to 2016 as a result of increases in direct written premium for the Commercial Auto division of $4.7 million (or 25.1%) for the three months ended June 30, 2016 over the three months ended June 30, 2015 and $9.7 million (or 27.1%) for the six months ended June 30, 2016 over the six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

The net premium retention for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment decreased from 2015 to 2016 as a result of growth in the segment’s program and fronting business, which generally has much lower net premium retention than our workers’ compensation business. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the net retention on the segment’s program and fronting business was 13.7% and 15.8%, respectively (14.9% and 17.5% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015), while the net retention on the workers’ compensation business was 90.2% and 90.3%, respectively (90.9% and 90.8%, respectively, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015).

 

The net retention for the Casualty Reinsurance segment for 2016 and 2015 includes adjustments to the estimates of both gross and net written premiums from the prior year that caused this segment’s net premium retention to slightly exceed 100% in both periods.

 

Underwriting Results

 

The following table compares our combined ratios by segment:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
                 
Excess and Surplus Lines   86.1%   89.1%   86.0%   88.2%
Specialty Admitted Insurance   99.0%   98.0%   97.5%   99.8%
Casualty Reinsurance   99.4%   98.6%   99.3%   99.3%
Total   96.1%   97.8%   96.0%   97.6%

 

   38

 

  

Excess and Surplus Lines Segment

 

Results for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment are as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands)     
                         
Gross written premiums  $97,427   $77,417    25.8%  $179,535   $153,135    17.2%
Net written premiums  $81,890   $60,924    34.4%  $153,425   $123,220    24.5%
                               
Net earned premiums  $70,565   $52,867    33.5%  $136,070   $112,267    21.2%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   (46,061)   (32,688)   40.9%   (86,724)   (68,530)   26.5%
Underwriting expenses   (14,721)   (14,410)   2.2%   (30,359)   (30,525)   (0.5)%
Underwriting profit (1), (2)  $9,783   $5,769    69.6%  $18,987   $13,212    43.7%
                               
Ratios:                              
Loss ratio   65.3%   61.8%        63.7%   61.0%     
Expense ratio   20.9%   27.3%        22.3%   27.2%     
Combined ratio   86.1%   89.1%        86.0%   88.2%     

 

(1)See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”
(2)Underwriting results include fees of $2.7 million and $5.0 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively ($2.1 million and $2.4 million for the same periods in the prior year.)

 

The combined ratio of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 86.1% (comprised of a loss ratio of 65.3% and an expense ratio of 20.9%) and 86.0% (comprised of a loss ratio of 63.7% and an expense ratio of 22.3%), respectively. This compares to the prior year’s combined ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of 89.1% (comprised of a loss ratio of 61.8% and an expense ratio of 27.3%) and 88.2% (comprised of a loss ratio of 61.0% and an expense ratio of 27.2%), respectively.

 

The loss ratio of 65.3% and 63.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $3.6 million, or 5.1 percentage points, and $8.0 million, or 5.9 percentage points, respectively, in net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. In the prior year, the loss ratio of 61.8% and 61.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, includes $3.4 million, or 6.5 percentage points, and $8.4 million, or 7.5 percentage points, respectively, in net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. The favorable reserve development in this segment reflects benign loss activity and continuing positive loss trends.

 

The expense ratio for the three months ended June 30, 2015 of 27.3% decreased to 20.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The expense ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2015 of 27.2% decreased to 22.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The declines in the 2016 expense ratios are driven by growth in fee income from $2.1 million and $2.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, to $2.7 million and $5.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

 

As a result of the items discussed above, the underwriting profit of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment increased 69.6% and 43.7% from $5.8 million and $13.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, to $9.8 million and $19.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

 

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Specialty Admitted Insurance Segment

 

Results for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment are as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands)     
                         
Gross written premiums  $34,201   $17,931    90.7%  $62,888   $38,857    61.8%
Net written premiums  $11,679   $9,167    27.4%  $24,725   $20,641    19.8%
                               
Net earned premiums  $12,207   $10,150    20.3%  $23,612   $19,705    19.8%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   (7,480)   (6,133)   22.0%   (14,080)   (11,929)   18.0%
Underwriting expenses   (4,602)   (3,818)   20.5%   (8,932)   (7,732)   15.5%
Underwriting profit (1), (2)  $125   $199    (37.2)%  $600   $44    - 
                               
Ratios:                              
Loss ratio   61.3%   60.4%        59.6%   60.5%     
Expense ratio   37.7%   37.6%        37.8%   39.2%     
Combined ratio   99.0%   98.0%        97.5%   99.8%     

 

(1)See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”
(2)Underwriting results include fees of $742,000 and $1.6 million for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively ($454,000 and $839,000 for the same periods in 2015).

 

The combined ratio of the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 99.0% (comprised of a loss ratio of 61.3% and an expense ratio of 37.7%) and 97.5% (comprised of a loss ratio of 59.6% and an expense ratio of 37.8%), respectively. This compares to the prior year’s combined ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of 98.0% (comprised of a loss ratio of 60.4% and an expense ratio 37.6%) and 99.8% (comprised of a loss ratio of 60.5% and an expense ratio of 39.2%), respectively.

 

The loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $617,000, or 5.1 percentage points, and $928,000, or 3.9 percentage points, respectively, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years. The loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 includes $189,000, or 1.9 percentage points, and $196,000, also 1.0 percentage points, respectively, of net favorable development on prior accident years. The favorable development in both 2016 and 2015 reflects the fact that actual loss emergence of the workers’ compensation book has been better than expected.

 

The expense ratio of the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment was 37.7% and 37.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the prior year ratios of 37.6% and 39.2%, respectively. The higher expense ratio in the six month period of the prior year for this segment was a function of the infrastructure and personnel costs associated with the program and fronting business. The growth in our gross written premiums on program and fronting business, which increased to $25.1 million and $43.1 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, from $9.4 million and $20.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, provided some economies of scale that contributed to a reduction in our expense ratio for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

As a result of the items discussed above, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment had an underwriting profit of $125,000 and $600,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, compared to an underwriting profit of $199,000 and $44,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

 

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Casualty Reinsurance Segment

 

Results for the Casualty Reinsurance segment are as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands)     
                         
Gross written premiums  $39,043   $88,663    (56.0)%  $61,319   $123,277    (50.3)%
Net written premiums  $39,489   $88,723    (55.5)%  $61,809   $123,612    (50.0)%
                               
Net earned premiums  $35,783   $43,043    (16.9)%  $76,003   $91,099    (16.6)%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses   (23,118)   (29,110)   (20.6)%   (49,361)   (61,956)   (20.3)%
Underwriting expenses   (12,459)   (13,339)   (6.6)%   (26,102)   (28,508)   (8.4)%
Underwriting profit (1)  $206   $594    (65.3)%  $540   $635    (15.0)%
                               
Ratios:                              
Loss ratio   64.6%   67.6%        64.9%   68.0%     
Expense ratio   34.8%   31.0%        34.3%   31.3%     
Combined ratio   99.4%   98.6%        99.3%   99.3%     

(1) See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

 

The Casualty Reinsurance segment focuses on low volatility, proportional insurance which requires larger ceding commissions resulting in a higher commission expense than in our other segments.

 

The combined ratio of the Casualty Reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 99.4% (comprised of a loss ratio of 64.6% and an expense ratio of 34.8%) and 99.3% (comprised of a loss ratio of 64.9% and an expense ratio of 34.3%), respectively. In the prior year, the combined ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was 98.6% (comprised of a loss ratio of 67.6% and an expense ratio of 31.0%) and 99.3% (comprised of a loss ratio of 68.0% and an expense ratio of 31.3%), respectively.

 

The loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 includes $520,000 and $483,000, respectively (or 1.5 and 0.6 percentage points), of net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. The loss ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 includes $1.1 million and $3.6 million (or 2.6 and 3.9 percentage points), of net adverse reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years.

 

The expense ratio for this segment increased from 31.0% and 31.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 to 34.8% and 34.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. The $3.6 million of adverse reserve development in the first half of 2015 resulted in sliding scale commission adjustments that reduced our expense ratio in both periods of 2015. Since there was favorable reserve development for the first half of 2016, there were not significant sliding scale commission adjustments reducing the expense ratio in 2016.

 

As a result of the items discussed above, the Casualty Reinsurance segment had an underwriting profit of $206,000 and $540,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to an underwriting profit of $594,000 and $635,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

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 June 30, 2016 was $843.3 million. Of this amount, 67.9% relates to amounts that are IBNR. This amount was 68.0% at December 31, 2015. The Company’s gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:

 

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   Gross Reserves at June 30, 2016 
   Case   IBNR   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Excess and Surplus Lines  $112,811   $400,931   $513,742 
Specialty Admitted Insurance   45,824    48,799    94,623 
Casualty Reinsurance   112,143    122,829    234,972 
Total  $270,778   $572,559   $843,337 

 

At June 30, 2016, the amount of net reserves of $689.6 million that related to IBNR was 68.0%. This amount was 68.0% at December 31, 2015. The Company’s net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:

 

   Net Reserves at June 30, 2016 
   Case   IBNR   Total 
   (in thousands) 
Excess and Surplus Lines  $96,838   $322,175   $419,013 
Specialty Admitted Insurance   25,170    28,204    53,374 
Casualty Reinsurance   98,686    118,558    217,244 
Total  $220,694   $468,937   $689,631 

 

Other Operating Expenses

 

Other operating expenses for the Company include the underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, the Casualty Reinsurance segment, and the Corporate and Other segment.

 

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, and various other corporate expenses that are included in the calculation of both our expense ratio and combined ratio. Other expenses of the Corporate and Other segment include costs associated with potential acquisitions and various strategic initiatives. These costs vary from period-to-period based on the status of these initiatives.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the total operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment were $5.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the total operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment were $10.7 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The increases in these expenses were primarily related to an increase in stock based compensation expense resulting from the options and restricted share units granted in February and May of 2016. Additional increases were from public company expenses, other professional service fees and excise taxes.

 

Investing Results

 

Net investment income for the second quarter of 2016 was $11.6 million which compares to $13.0 million for the same period in 2015. On a year-to-date basis, net investment income for 2016 was $22.8 million which compares to $25.0 million for the same period in 2015. The change in our net investment income is as follows:

 

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Three Months Ended

June 30,

   %   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   % 
   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change 
   ($ in thousands) 
Renewable energy investments  $(1,451)  $2,162      $(769)  $4,615    
Other private investments   1,972    1,046    88.5%   2,457    1,597    53.9%
All other net investment income   11,032    9,792    12.7%   21,137    18,774    12.6%
Total net investment income  $11,553   $13,000    (11.1%)  $22,825   $24,986    (8.6%)

 

The primary cause for the decline in net investment income in the quarter was a reduction in investment income from our investments in renewable energy from a gain of $2.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 to a loss of $1.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. On a year to date basis, the results of our investments in renewable energy projects decreased from a gain of $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 to a loss of $769,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Offsetting this amount was an increase in net investment income on other private investments. Absent these items, our net investment income increased $1.2 million over the second quarter of the prior year ($2.4 million increase on a year to date basis) due to a 4.6% and 3.6% increase in our average cash and invested assets from $1,338.6 million at June 30, 2015 and $1,350.7 million at December 31, 2015, respectively to $1,399.9 million at June 30, 2016.

 

Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Fixed maturity securities  $6,333   $5,949   $12,868   $11,648 
Bank loan participations   3,897    3,431    6,878    6,614 
Equity securities   1,524    1,135    2,936    2,196 
Other invested assets   521    3,208    1,688    6,212 
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments   35    207    152    244 
Trading gains (losses)   7    (23)   19    (17)
Gross investment income   12,317    13,907    24,541    26,897 
Investment expense   (764)   (907)   (1,716)   (1,911)
Net investment income  $11,553   $13,000   $22,825   $24,986 

 

The following table summarizes our investment returns:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Annualized gross investment yield on:                    
Average cash and invested assets   3.6%   4.2%   3.6%   4.1%
Average fixed maturity securities   3.5%   3.4%   3.4%   3.2%

 

Of our total cash and invested assets of $1,399.9 million at June 30, 2016, $80.7 million represents the cash and cash equivalents portion of the portfolio. The majority of the portfolio, or $1,045.3 million, is comprised of fixed maturity and equity 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 other comprehensive income or loss. Also included in our investments are $205.9 million of bank loan participations, $14.9 million of short-term investments, $48.0 million of other invested assets, and $5.1 million of fixed maturity

 

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securities classified as trading which are held at the U.S. holding company. Our trading portfolio is carried at fair value with changes to the value reported as net investment income in our condensed consolidated income statement.

 

The $206.0 million of bank loan participations in our investment portfolio are classified as held-for-investment and reported at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses of $3.7 million. Changes in this credit allowance are included in realized gains or losses. These bank loan participations are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt which are 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 loans, and similar loans and investments. At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair market value of these securities was $198.9 million, and $180.1 million, respectively.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized net realized investment gains of $1.6 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized net realized investment gains of $350,000.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized net realized investment gains of $2.2 million. These realized investment gains included $1.4 million of realized investment gains recognized on the sale of fixed maturity securities. Another $517,000 of net realized investment gains were recognized due to reductions in the allowance for credit losses on one impaired oil and gas loan. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recognized net realized investment losses of $2.5 million. The realized investment losses included $3.4 million principally from the sale of certain oil and gas bank loans in the energy sector as well as $660,000 in impairment losses related to our investment exposure to entities located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. These realized investment losses were partially offset by $1.3 million of net realized investment gains recognized on the sale of fixed maturities.

 

In conjunction with our outside investment managers, the Company performs quarterly reviews of all securities within its investment portfolio to determine whether any impairment has occurred. In connection with this review for the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company wrote down two municipal bonds issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that were considered other than temporarily impaired. Puerto Rico’s weak economic conditions and heavy debt burden heightened the risk of default on these bonds. The Company recognized impairment losses of $660,000 on these bonds for the three months ended March 31, 2015. These bonds were sold in the second quarter of 2015 and a net realized gain of $22,000 was recognized on the sales.

 

The Company holds a participation in a loan issued by a company that produces and sells power to Puerto Rico through a power purchase agreement with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), a public corporation and governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. PREPA’s credit strength has been affected by the economic conditions in Puerto Rico, thus raising doubt about its ability to make full and timely payments on the debt obligations held by the Company. Management concluded that the loan was impaired at June 30, 2016. The loan had a carrying value of $2.2 million, unpaid principal of $2.6 million and an allowance for credit losses of $239,000 at June 30, 2016.

 

The Company currently holds bank loans of oil and gas companies in the energy sector. The market values of these loans have declined significantly in response to declining energy prices. At June 30, 2016, the Company’s oil and gas exposure in the bank loan portfolio was in six bank loans and one bond with a total carrying value of $16.2 million and an unrealized loss of $2.0 million. Management concluded that two of these loans continued to be impaired as of June 30, 2016. The loans had a carrying value of $2.1 million, unpaid principal of $5.8 million and an allowance for credit losses of $3.4 million. Reductions in the allowance for credit losses on these loans in 2016 resulted in net realized investment gains of $845,000 and $494,000 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016. All of the other loans are current at June 30, 2016. At June 30, 2015, management concluded that two oil and gas loans were impaired. The loans had a carrying value of $2.2 million, unpaid principal of $2.3 million and an allowance for credit losses of $32,000.

 

At June 30, 2016, our available-for-sale investment portfolio of fixed maturity and equity securities had net unrealized gains of $37.6 million representing 3.7% of the cost or amortized cost of the portfolio. Additionally, at June 30, 2016, 86.3% of our fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “A-” or better by Standard & Poor’s or had an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization. Fixed maturity securities with ratings below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or another nationally recognized statistical rating

 

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organization at June 30, 2016 had an aggregate fair value of $11.1 million and an aggregate net unrealized loss of $3.4 million. The average duration of our investment portfolio was 3.7 years at June 30, 2016.

 

The amortized cost and fair value of our investments in available-for-sale securities were as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   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:                              
State and municipal  $93,311   $103,050    9.9%  $95,864   $103,457    10.6%
Residential mortgage-backed   164,910    167,778    16.0%   137,308    136,887    14.1%
Corporate   377,232    389,379    37.3%   368,961    363,168    37.3%
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   136,001    138,516    13.3%   130,231    130,696    13.4%
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies   78,215    78,900    7.5%   89,734    90,163    9.3%
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government   72,012    72,910    7.0%   73,322    73,255    7.5%
Redeemable preferred stock   2,025    2,039    0.1%   2,025    2,034    0.2%
Total   923,706    952,572    91.1%   897,445    899,660    92.4%
Equity securities:                              
Preferred stock   64,806    73,035    7.0%   50,631    54,092    5.5%
Common stock   19,199    19,657    1.9%   19,199    20,019    2.1%
Total   84,005    92,692    8.9%   69,830    74,111    7.6%
Total investments  $1,007,711   $1,045,264    100.0%  $967,275   $973,771    100.0%

 

The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading) by rating as of June 30, 2016:

 

Standard & Poor’s or Equivalent Designation  Fair Value   % of Total 
   ($ in thousands) 
AAA  $135,006    14.1%
AA   426,140    44.5%
A   265,701    27.7%
BBB   119,642    12.5%
BB   4,706    0.5%
Below BB and unrated   6,441    0.7%
Total  $957,636    100.0%

 

At June 30, 2016, our portfolio of fixed maturity securities contained corporate fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading) with a fair value of $389.4 million. A summary of these securities by industry segment is shown below as of June 30, 2016:

 

Industry  Fair Value   % of Total 
   ($ in thousands) 
Industrials and other  $267,698    68.8%
Financial   53,857    13.8%
Utilities   67,824    17.4%
Total  $389,379    100.0%

 

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The fair value of corporate fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading), which include publicly traded securities and privately placed bonds, is shown below as of June 30, 2016:

 

Public/Private  Fair Value   % of Total 
   ($ in thousands) 
Publicly traded  $371,120    95.3%
Privately placed   18,259    4.7%
Total  $389,379    100.0%

 

The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities summarized by contractual maturity were as follows:

 

   June 30, 2016 
   Amortized
Cost
   Fair
Value
   % of
Total Value
 
   ($ in thousands) 
Due in:               
One year or less  $55,893   $56,053    5.9%
After one year through five years   288,962    292,639    30.7%
After five years through ten years   158,539    166,278    17.5%
After ten years   117,376    129,269    13.6%
Residential mortgage-backed   164,910    167,778    17.6%
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed   136,001    138,516    14.5%
Redeemable preferred stock   2,025    2,039    0.2%
Total  $923,706   $952,572    100.0%

 

At June 30, 2016, the Company had no investments in securitizations of alternative-A mortgage or sub-prime mortgages.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $2.0 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively ($4.2 million and $3.4 million for the six month periods). The increase in interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2016 over the same period in the prior year was primarily due to a $461,000 increase in interest expense on a leased building that the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes, from $331,000 for 2015 to $792,000 for 2016.

 

In May 2004, we issued $15.0 million of senior debt due April 29, 2034, with net proceeds to us of $14.5 million. 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 three-month LIBOR plus 3.85%. This senior debt is redeemable, in whole or in part, at par prior to its stated maturity at our option. The terms of the senior debt contain certain covenants, with which we are in compliance at June 30, 2016, 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.

 

On June 5, 2013, the Company closed on a three-year $125.0 million senior revolving credit facility. The Company and JRG Re are borrowers on the senior revolving credit facility. The senior revolving credit facility was initially comprised of:

 

·A $62.5 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; and

 

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·A $62.5 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 at three-month LIBOR plus a margin, which is subject to change depending upon our total outstanding debt to capitalization.

 

On September 24, 2014, we closed on an amendment to the senior revolving credit facility which, among other things, included an increase in the size of the unsecured revolving facility from $62.5 million to $112.5 million and extended the maturity date from June 5, 2016 to September 24, 2019. The amendment also reduced the interest rate applicable to borrowings under the revolver such that the current LIBOR margin dropped from 2.25% to 2.00%. On May 20, 2015 under a provision of the credit agreement, we requested, and the lenders subsequently agreed, to increase the secured revolving facility by $40.0 million to a total capacity of $102.5 million. At June 30, 2016, the Company had $38.4 million letters of credit issued under the $102.5 million secured facility and a drawn balance of $73.3 million outstanding on the $112.5 million unsecured facility.

 

The Company closed on a second amendment to the senior revolving credit facility that was effective December 15, 2015, which, among other things, accommodated the organization and capitalization of an intermediate holding company in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the Company closed on a third amendment to the senior revolving credit facility that was effective December 30, 2015, which adjusted certain financial covenants. In connection with the December 15, 2015 amendment, the intermediate holding company entered into a payment guaranty of our obligations under the senior revolving credit facility.

 

The senior revolving credit facility contains certain financial and other covenants (including risk-based capital, minimum shareholders’ equity levels, maximum ratios of total debt outstanding to total capitalization and minimum fixed charge coverage ratios) with which the Company is in compliance at June 30, 2016.

 

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.

 

   47

 

  

The following table summarizes the nature and terms of the junior subordinated debt and trust preferred securities outstanding at June 30, 2016 (including the Company’s repurchase of a portion of these trust preferred securities described herein):

 

   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 
Principal 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 LIBOR plus 4.0%    

Three-Month LIBOR plus

3.4%

     Three-Month LIBOR plus 3.0%    Three-Month LIBOR plus 3.1%     Three-Month LIBOR plus 4.0%  

 

The junior subordinated debt contains certain covenants with which we are in compliance as of June 30, 2016. All of these securities are currently redeemable at 100% of the unpaid principal balance at our option.

 

At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the ratio of total debt outstanding to total capitalization (defined as total debt plus total stockholders’ equity) was 20.9% and 22.0%, respectively. Having debt as part of our capital structure allows us to generate a higher return on equity and greater book value per share results than we could by using equity capital alone.

 

Amortization of Intangibles

 

The Company recorded $149,000 of amortization of intangible assets for each of the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and $298,000 for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Our effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction. 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 (state and municipal securities represent 10.1% and 12.5% of our available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively) and dividends received income. For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, our U.S. federal income tax expense was 6.4% and 9.2% of income before taxes, respectively (8.3% and 9.0% for the six month periods, respectively).

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Sources and Uses of Funds

 

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 insurance 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. Under this formula, the maximum amount of dividends and return of capital available to the Company from JRG Re in 2016 is calculated to be approximately $89.4 million. In addition, insurance regulators have broad powers to prevent the reduction of statutory surplus to inadequate levels and could refuse to permit the payment of dividends calculated under any applicable formula. The maximum amount of dividends available to the U.S. holding company from our U.S. insurance subsidiaries during 2016 without regulatory approval is $19.8 million.

 

At June 30, 2016, the Bermuda holding company had $592,000 of cash and cash equivalents. The US holding company had $61.6 million of cash and invested assets, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $8.1 million, fixed maturity securities of $5.1 million, equity securities of $12.3 million, short-term investments of $5.4 million, and other invested assets of $30.7 million, which are not subject to regulatory restrictions. Additionally, our U.K. intermediate holding company had no invested assets at June 30, 2016, and cash of less than one thousand dollars.

 

Our net written premium to surplus ratio (defined as net written premiums to regulatory capital and surplus) is reviewed by management as well as our rating agency as a component of leverage and efficiency of deployed capital. For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, our annualized net written premium to surplus ratio was 0.8 to 1.0 and 1.0 to 1.0, respectively (0.7 to 1.0 and 0.9 to 1.0 for the six month periods, respectively).

 

Ceded Reinsurance

 

Our insurance subsidiaries enter into reinsurance contracts to limit our exposure to potential losses arising from large risks and to provide additional capacity for growth. Our reinsurance is contracted under excess of loss and 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 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. For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, our net premium retention was 78.0% and 86.3%, respectively (79.0% and 84.8% for the six month periods, respectively).

 

For certain casualty underwriting divisions of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we do not believe that the purchase of reinsurance is necessary since our total exposure to any one claim is a maximum of $1.0 million. The underwriting divisions that do not require reinsurance are Manufacturers and Contractors, General Casualty (including commercial auto liability), Sports and Entertainment, and Small Business. These underwriting divisions comprise 63.7% of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s gross written premiums for the six months ended June 30, 2016.

 

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The following is a summary of our ceded reinsurance in place as of June 30, 2016:

 

Line of Business   Company Retention
Casualty    
Primary Specialty Casualty   Up to $1.0 million per occurrence, subject to a $1.0 million aggregate deductible.
Excess Casualty   Up to $1.0 million per occurrence. (1)
Professional Liability   Up to $1.0 million per occurrence. (2)
Property   Up to $5.0 million per event. (3)

 

(1)For policies with an occurrence limit of $1.0 million or higher, the excess casualty treaty is set such that our retention is $1.0 million or less. For policies where we also write an underlying primary casualty policy, the net excess casualty limit is added to our retention on the primary casualty coverage, which results in a total retention of $2.0 million or less on any one risk.
(2)Only for policies where we do not write the underlying primary professional liability policy.
(3)The property catastrophe reinsurance treaty has a limit of $40.0 million with one reinstatement.

 

In our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we have a surplus share reinsurance treaty in effect that was specifically designed to cover property risks. The surplus share treaty along with facultative reinsurance helps ensure that our net retained limit per risk will be $5.0 million or below.

 

We have a clash and contingency reinsurance treaty to cover both the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance segments in the event of a claims incident involving more than one of our insureds. The treaty covers $6.0 million in excess of a $2.5 million retention for loss occurrences within the treaty term. This coverage has two reinstatements in the event we exhaust any of the coverage.

 

In our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we write a small book of excess property insurance but we do not write primary property insurance. 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). Based upon our modeling, a $45.0 million gross catastrophe loss would exceed our 1,000 year PML. In the event of a $45.0 million gross property catastrophe loss to the Company, we estimate our pre-tax cost at approximately $7.9 million, including reinstatement premiums and net retentions. In addition to this retention, we would retain any losses in excess of our reinsurance coverage limits.

 

Our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment enters 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, to provide additional capacity for growth and to support new program and fronting business initiatives.  This segment purchases reinsurance for at least 50% of the exposed limits on specialty admitted property casualty business. On a program-by-program basis, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment:

 

·purchases quota share reinsurance for 50% of the first $600,000 for workers’ compensation program business;

 

·purchases workers’ compensation excess of loss coverage for $400,000 in excess of $600,000, $4.0 million in excess of $1.0 million, $5.0 million in excess of $5.0 million, $10.0 million in excess of $10.0 million with a maximum on any one life of $12.0 million, and $10.0 million in excess of $20.0 million with a maximum on any one life of $10.0 million;

 

·purchases a property catastrophe reinsurance program for $4.0 million in excess of $1.0 million to manage its incidental property exposure to an approximate 1,000 year PML;

 

·purchases program specific quota share reinsurance between 50.0% and 100.0% of the primary risk layer and up to 100.0% of the excess layer; and

 

·purchases program specific excess of loss coverage for $9.0 million in excess of $1.0 million, $10.0 million in excess of $10.0 million with a maximum on any one life of $15.0 million, and $30.0 million in excess of $20.0 million with a maximum on any one life of $15.0 million.

 

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In our Casualty Reinsurance segment, we also have limited property catastrophe exposure. We believe that this exposure would not exceed $1.0 million on any one event.

 

In the aggregate, we believe our pre-tax group-wide PML from a 1,000 year catastrophe event would not exceed $10.0 million, inclusive of reinstatement premiums payable.

 

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligations to policyholders. The failure of a reinsurer to honor its obligations could result in losses to us, and therefore, we establish allowances for amounts considered uncollectible. At June 30, 2016 and 2015, there was no allowance for such uncollectible reinsurance recoverables. The Company generally seeks to purchase reinsurance from reinsurers with A.M. Best financial strength ratings of “A-” (Excellent) or better.

 

At June 30, 2016, we had reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of $153.7 million and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses of $6.0 million, and all material recoverable amounts were from companies with A.M. Best ratings of “A-” or better or collateral had been posted by the reinsurer for our benefit.

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries remain liable to policyholders if its reinsurers are unable to meet their contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements. 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’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 customarily require a collateral trust arrangement to secure the obligations of the insurance entity for whom we are fronting.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company is also exposed to credit risk relating to insurance contracts with an insured in which the Company pays losses and loss adjustment expenses on the contract. The Company has an indemnity agreement with this insured and is contractually entitled to receive reimbursement for a significant portion of the losses and loss adjustment expenses paid on behalf of the insured party (a non-insurance entity). The insured party is required to collateralize all amounts currently due to the Company and to provide additional collateral sufficient to cover the unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to the contracts. At June 30, 2016, the cash collateral held by the Company from this insured exceeds the amount of claims receivable and unpaid reported losses and loss adjustment expenses outstanding. This is a growing relationship, and as such, there is an exposure to reported losses on this contract growing at a faster pace than our collateral from the insured grows. To mitigate this risk, we closely monitor our exposure compared to our collateral held, and we request additional collateral from the insured when our analysis indicates that we have uncollateralized exposure. Based on our relationship with the insured and the cash collateral held, management does not believe that this credit exposure is material.

 

Cash Flows

 

Our sources of operating funds consist primarily of premiums written, investment income, reinsurance recoveries, proceeds from offerings of debt and equity securities and from sales and redemptions of investments. We use operating cash flows primarily to pay operating expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and income taxes.

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):          
Operating activities  $29,747   $48,853 
Investing activities   (45,388)   (47,681)
Financing activities   (10,111)   (8,723)
Change in cash and cash equivalents  $(25,752)  $(7,551)

 

Cash from operating activities declined from $48.9 million in the first half of 2015 to $29.7 million in the first half of 2016. This decline is partially attributable to a $14.4 million increase in claims receivable on commercial auto policies in the six months ended June 30, 2016, as the reimbursement of claims on these polices typically lags our payment of the claims to the insureds by approximately sixty days. There are also sixty day lags in the period between the recording of written premium on these policies and the cash receipts on these premium receivables.

 

Cash used in financing activities in the first half of 2016 included $11.6 million of dividends to shareholders. Cash used in financing activities in the first half of 2015 primarily related to $9.1 million of dividends paid to shareholders.

 

Ratings

 

The A.M. Best financial strength rating for our group’s regulated insurance subsidiaries is “A” (Excellent). 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. A.M. Best assigns ratings to both insurance and reinsurance companies. The rating for our operating insurance and reinsurance companies of “A” (Excellent), is the third 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.

 

   51

 

  

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. The “A” (Excellent) ratings obtained by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are consistent with our companies’ business plans and we believe allow our subsidiaries to actively pursue relationships with the agents and brokers identified in their marketing plans.

 

EQUITY

 

Equity Awards

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $1.5 million and $943,000, respectively, of share based compensation expense ($2.7 million and $1.9 million for the six month periods, respectively). The amount of unrecognized share based compensation expense to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average service period of 2.1 years at June 30, 2016 is $10.2 million. There were 151,300 options exercised during the three month period ending June 30, 2016 (231,916 were exercised in the six month period ending June 30, 2016). There were 41,250 options exercised for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. No RSU’s vested during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 or 2015. The Company granted 706,203 options with an exercise price of $32.07 during the six months ending June 30, 2016; no options were granted in the three months ended June 30, 2016. The Company granted 10,627 options with an exercise price of $24.32 during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015.

 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

Reconciliation of Underwriting Profit

 

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit by individual segment and of the Company as a whole to consolidated income before income taxes. We believe that these measures are useful to investors in evaluating the performance of our Company and its segments because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit. Our definition of underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Underwriting profit of operating segments:                    
Excess and Surplus Lines  $9,783   $5,769   $18,987   $13,212 
Specialty Admitted Insurance   125    199    600    44 
Casualty Reinsurance   206    594    540    635 
Total underwriting profit of operating segments   10,114    6,562    20,127    13,891 
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment   (5,475)   (4,255)   (10,727)   (8,634)
Underwriting profit (1)    4,639    2,307    9,400    5,257 
Net investment income   11,553    13,000    22,825    24,986 
Net realized investment gains (losses)   1,619    350    2,166    (2,456)
Other income and expense   (24)   (10)   52    (23)
Interest expense   (2,041)   (1,744)   (4,215)   (3,448)
Amortization of intangible assets   (149)   (149)   (298)   (298)
Income before taxes  $15,597   $13,754   $29,930   $24,018 

 

(1)Included in underwriting results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, is fee income of $3.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively ($2.6 million and $3.3 million for the same periods in the prior year).

 

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Reconciliation of Net Operating Income

 

We define net operating income as net income excluding certain non-operating items such as net realized investment gains and losses, expenses related to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, professional services fees related to the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, severance costs associated with terminated employees and interest and other expenses on a leased building that we are deemed to own for accounting purposes. We use net operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because 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. Net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

 

Our income before taxes and net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 reconcile to our net operating income as follows:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Income as reported  $15,597   $14,596   $13,754   $12,489 
Net realized investment gains   (1,619)   (1,257)   (350)   (279)
Other expenses   91    127    69    45 
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes   306    199    165    107 
Net operating income  $14,375   $13,665   $13,638   $12,362 

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2016   2015 
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
   Income
Before
Taxes
   Net
Income
 
   (in thousands) 
                 
Income as reported  $29,930   $27,433   $24,018   $21,866 
Net realized investment (gains) losses   (2,166)   (1,564)   2,456    1,883 
Other expenses   79    119    138    90 
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes   792    515    330    214 
Net operating income  $28,635   $26,503   $26,942   $24,053 

 

Growth in Tangible Equity

 

A key financial measure that we use to assess our longer term financial performance is our percentage growth in tangible equity per share. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we increased our tangible equity per share by 10.1% and by 12.7% after adding back the dividends paid on March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016.

 

We define tangible equity as the sum of shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets (net of amortization). Our definition of tangible equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible equity internally to evaluate the strength of our consolidated balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

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   June 30,
2016
   December 31,
2015
 
   (in thousands) 
         
Shareholders’ equity  $729,898   $681,038 
Less:          
Goodwill   181,831    181,831 
Intangible assets   39,230    39,528 
Tangible equity  $508,837   $459,679 

 

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 equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities and interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities. We do not have 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, 2015.

 

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 under 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 financial 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 management, including our CEO and CFO, as of June 30, 2016, 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 June 30, 2016.

 

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 the quarter ended June 30, 2016 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 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.

 

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PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

We are party to legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the outcome of such matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes in our risk factors in the quarter ended June 30, 2016 from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.

 

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Signatures

 

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.

 

  James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
     
Date:  August 5, 2016 By: /s/ J. Adam Abram
    J. Adam Abram
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date:  August 5, 2016 By: /s/ Gregg T. Davis
    Gregg T. Davis
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
3.1   Certificate of Incorporation of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
3.2   Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
3.3   Memorandum of Association of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
3.4   Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital, dated December 24, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
3.5   Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital, dated October 7, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
3.6   Third Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2015, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
4.1   Form of Certificate of Common Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)
     
4.2   Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Senior Debentures Due 2034+
     
4.3   Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures Due 2034+
     
4.4   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust I, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Regular Trustees (as defined therein), and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in James River Capital Trust I+
     
4.5   Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of James River Capital Trust I+
     
4.6   Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2034+
     
4.7   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust II, dated as of December 15, 2004, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Administrators (as defined therein), and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the James River Capital Trust II+
     
4.8   Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2004, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust II+

 

   57

 

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
4.9   Indenture, dated June 15, 2006, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2036+
     
4.10   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust III, dated as of June 15, 2006, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Administrators (as defined therein) and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the James River Capital Trust III+
     
4.11   Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 15, 2006, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust III+
     
4.12   Indenture dated December 11, 2007, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2037+
     
4.13   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated December 11, 2007, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee and the Administrators (as defined therein) and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in James River Capital Trust IV+
     
4.14   Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 11, 2007, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust IV+
     
4.15   Indenture dated as of January 10, 2008, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee relating to Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2038+
     
4.16   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of January 10, 2008, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee and the Administrators (as defined therein) for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interest in Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I+
     
4.17   Guarantee Agreement dated as of January 10, 2008, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I+
     
10.1   Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., the lenders named therein, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
10.2   Continuing Guaranty of Payment, dated as of June 5, 2013, among James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as the Borrowers, pursuant to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, among the Borrowers, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and as Letter of Credit Issuer, and certain Lender parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

 

   58

 

  

Exhibit

Number

  Description
10.3   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2014, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., the lenders named therein, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
10.4   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2015, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., the lenders named therein, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Annual Report Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
10.5   Continuing Guaranty of Payment, dated as of December 15, 2015, by James River Group Holdings UK Limited, pursuant to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and as Letter of Credit Issuer, and certain Lender parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
10.6   Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2015, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., the lenders named therein, and Key Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
10.7   Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of April 22, 2016, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., the lenders named therein, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
10.8   Form of Shareholder Indemnification Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2007, entered into by James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and James River Group, Inc., and each of (1) D. E. Shaw CF-SP Franklin, L.L.C., D. E. Shaw CH-SP Franklin, L.L.C., and D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., (2) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (3) Sunlight Capital Ventures, LLC and Sunlight Capital Partners II, LLC and (4) Lehman Brothers Offshore Partners Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)
     
10.9   Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)
     
10.10   Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)*
     
10.11   Form of Stock Option Agreement (Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)*
     
10.12   First Amendment to the Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.13   James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

 

   59

 

  

Exhibit

Number

  Description
10.14   Form of Nonqualified Share Option Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.15   Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.16   Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)*
     
10.17   James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.18   Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.19   Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)*
     
10.20   James River Management Company, Inc. Leadership Recognition Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.21   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 18, 2014 among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., James River Group, Inc. and J. Adam Abram (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.22   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 18, 2014 among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Robert P. Myron (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.23   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 18, 2014 by and between James River Group Holdings, Ltd., James River Group Inc. and Gregg T. Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2015, Commission File No. 001-36777)*
     
10.24   Employment Agreement dated November 9, 2011 by and between James River Insurance Company, James River Management Company, Inc. and Richard Schmitzer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.25   James River Management Company, Inc. Leadership Recognition Program Award Letter dated September 30, 2011 to Richard Schmitzer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*
     
10.26   Consulting Agreement dated November 18, 2014 by and between James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Conifer Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

 

   60

 

  

Exhibit

Number

  Description
10.27   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2014, by and among (1) James River Group Holdings, Ltd.; (2) (a) D. E. Shaw CH-SP Franklin, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, D. E. Shaw CF-SP Franklin, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company; and (b) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Goldman Sachs JRVR Investors Offshore, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership and (3) the persons identified as “Management Investors” on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company; Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2015, Commission File No. 001-36777)
     
31.1   Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
     
31.2   Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
     
32   Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

* Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.  
     
+ Exhibit not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K.  The Company will furnish a copy to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.  

 

   61

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, J. Adam Abram, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of James River Group Holdings, Ltd.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statement for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 5, 2016

 

/s/ J. Adam Abram  
J. Adam Abram  
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer)  

 

  

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Gregg T. Davis, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of James River Group Holdings, Ltd.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statement for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 5, 2016

 

/s/ Gregg T. Davis  
Gregg T. Davis  
Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Financial Officer)  

 

  

 

 

Exhibit 32

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the quarterly report of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof  (the “Report”), we, J. Adam Abram, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Gregg T. Davis, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of our knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

 

(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

  /s/ J. Adam Abram  
  J. Adam Abram  
  Chairman and  
  Chief Executive Officer  
  (Principal Executive Officer)  
  August 5, 2016  
     
  /s/ Gregg T. Davis  
  Gregg T. Davis  
  Chief Financial Officer  
  (Principal Financial Officer)  
  August 5, 2016