Atlantic American Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End Results for 2021; Declares Annual Dividend

ATLANTA, March 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today reported net income for the three month period ended December 31, 2021 of $2.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $11.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $4.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $12.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in net income during the fourth quarter of 2021 was primarily due to an $8.0 million decrease in unrealized gains in equity securities as a result of fluctuation in market values of the Company’s equity investments still held. The decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily due to an $11.8 million increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred. The increase in insurance benefits and losses incurred was primarily the result of loss experience within the Company’s life and health operations, returning to historical averages relative to the exceptionally low utilization experienced in 2020 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when many policyholders were sheltered in place.

Operating income (as defined below) decreased to $2.6 million in the three month period ended December 31, 2021 as compared to $3.6 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported operating loss of $1.5 million compared to operating income of $11.5 million for the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in operating income for the three and twelve month periods was primarily due to an increase in loss experience in the Company’s life and health operations, as mentioned above, predominantly within the Medicare supplement line of business.

Commenting on the results, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our property and casualty operations had an exceptional year and I’m pleased to report the renewal of a significant multi-year state contract, which also included a rate increase. With respect to our life and health operations, the voluntary benefits division had a banner year for new sales and kicked off January of 2022 with a record for issued business. We continue to invest in various initiatives that we believe will position the company for a successful 2022 and beyond. In our continued commitment to deliver value to our shareholders, the Board of Directors recently approved the Company’s annual dividend of $0.02 per share, which is payable on April 27, 2022 to shareholders of record on April 13, 2022.”
  
Atlantic American Corporation is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries. Its principal insurance subsidiaries are American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.

Note regarding non-GAAP financial measure: Atlantic American Corporation presents its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, from time to time, the Company may present, in its public statements, press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-GAAP financial measures such as operating income (loss). [We define operating income (loss) as net income excluding: (i) income tax expense; (ii) realized investment gains, net; and (iii) unrealized losses (gains) on equity securities, net.] Management believes operating income (loss) is a useful metric for investors, potential investors, securities analysts and others because it isolates the “core” operating results of the Company before considering certain items that are either beyond the control of management (such as income tax expense, which is subject to timing, regulatory and rate changes depending on the timing of the associated revenues and expenses) or are not expected to regularly impact the Company’s operating results (such as any realized and unrealized investment gains (losses), which are not a part of the Company’s primary operations and are, to a limited extent, subject to discretion in terms of timing of realization). The financial data attached includes a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to net income (loss), the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company’s definition of operating income (loss) may differ from similarly titled financial measures used by others. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Note regarding Private Securities Litigation Reform Act: Except for historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors and risks, including those detailed in statements and reports that Atlantic American Corporation files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:
J. Ross Franklin	Hilton H. Howell, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer	Chairman, President & CEO
Atlantic American Corporation	Atlantic American Corporation
404-266-5580	404-266-5505

Atlantic American Corporation
Financial Data

	Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data)	2021				2020				2021				2020
Insurance premiums
Life and health	$	29,216			$	29,656			$	116,234			$	121,167
Property and casualty		17,685				16,856				67,982				62,372
Insurance premiums, net		46,901				46,512				184,216				183,539
Net investment income		2,012				2,027				8,528				7,744
Realized investment gains, net		4,383				6,988				4,903				7,420
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net		(3,564	)			4,400				1,894				(3,431	)
Other income		-				5				13				76
Total revenue		49,732				59,932				199,554				195,348
Insurance benefits and losses incurred
Life and health		20,798				19,345				87,261				80,537
Property and casualty		10,876				10,653				44,433				39,339
Commissions and underwriting expenses		10,826				12,129				47,496				46,811
Interest expense		347				357				1,387				1,610
Other expense		3,497				2,432				13,675				11,548
Total benefits and expenses		46,344				44,916				194,252				179,845
Income before income taxes		3,388				15,016				5,302				15,503
Income tax expense		723				3,168				1,021				3,334
Net income	$	2,665			$	11,848			$	4,281			$	12,169
Earnings per common share (basic)	$	0.13			$	0.58			$	0.19			$	0.58
Earnings per common share (diluted)	$	0.12			$	0.54			$	0.19			$	0.56
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Net income	$	2,665			$	11,848			$	4,281			$	12,169
Income tax expense		723				3,168				1,021				3,334
Realized investment gains, net		(4,383	)			(6,988	)			(4,903	)			(7,420	)
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities, net		3,564				(4,400	)			(1,894	)			3,431
Non-GAAP Operating income (loss)	$	2,569			$	3,628			$	(1,495	)		$	11,514
	December 31,				December 31,
Selected Balance Sheet Data	2021				2020
Total cash and investments	$	308,195			$	298,630
Insurance subsidiaries		302,302				292,478
Parent and other		5,893				6,152
Total assets		402,286				405,187
Insurance reserves and policyholder funds		201,797				198,676
Debt		33,738				33,738
Total shareholders' equity		141,286				145,060
Book value per common share		6.66				6.84
Statutory capital and surplus
Life and health		38,625				42,326
Property and casualty		52,724				50,194