SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
Washington, D.C. 20549 |
FORM 8-K |
CURRENT REPORT |
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities |
Exchange Act of 1934 |
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 2, 2016 |
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ProAssurance Corporation |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware | 001-16533 | 63-1261433 |
(State of Incorporation) | (Commission File No.) | (IRS Employer I.D. No.) |
100 Brookwood Place, Birmingham, Alabama | 35209 |
(Address of Principal Executive Office ) | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (205) 877-4400 |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: | |
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-(c)) |
99.1 | News release issued on November 2, 2016 reporting results of our operations for the quarter and year ended September 30, 2016. |
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION |
by: /s/ Frank B. O’Neil |
----------------------------------------------------- |
Frank B. O’Neil Senior Vice-President |
NEWS RELEASE For More Information: Frank B. O’Neil, IRC Sr. Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations 800-282-6242 • 205-877-4461 • foneil@ProAssurance.com | ![]() |
Consolidated Income Statement Highlights ($ in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 232,016 | $ | 235,905 | (1.6 | %) | $ | 647,564 | $ | 651,343 | (0.6 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 205,775 | $ | 213,110 | (3.4 | %) | $ | 573,071 | $ | 581,855 | (1.5 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 185,275 | $ | 182,085 | 1.8 | % | $ | 539,587 | $ | 529,277 | 1.9 | % | |||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 25,261 | $ | 26,942 | (6.2 | %) | $ | 75,284 | $ | 82,201 | (8.4 | %) | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries | $ | (3,349 | ) | $ | (221 | ) | (1,415.4 | %) | $ | (6,607 | ) | $ | 3,821 | (272.9 | %) | ||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | 15,737 | $ | (36,632 | ) | 143.0 | % | $ | 18,314 | $ | (35,620 | ) | 151.4 | % | |||||||
Other income* | $ | 1,428 | $ | 2,759 | (48.2 | %) | $ | 5,963 | $ | 6,504 | (8.3 | %) | |||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 224,352 | $ | 174,933 | 28.3 | % | $ | 632,541 | $ | 586,183 | 7.9 | % | |||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 118,082 | $ | 108,806 | 8.5 | % | $ | 335,936 | $ | 317,884 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses* | $ | 55,812 | $ | 53,025 | 5.3 | % | $ | 166,735 | $ | 157,908 | 5.6 | % | |||||||||
Total expenses | $ | 180,838 | $ | 163,535 | 10.6 | % | $ | 519,851 | $ | 488,251 | 6.5 | % | |||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 9,680 | $ | 1,122 | 762.7 | % | $ | 16,457 | $ | 16,684 | (1.4 | %) | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 33,834 | $ | 10,276 | 229.3 | % | $ | 96,233 | $ | 81,248 | 18.4 | % | |||||||||
Operating income | $ | 24,437 | $ | 33,007 | (26.0 | %) | $ | 85,398 | $ | 103,789 | (17.7 | %) | |||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 53,456 | 54,232 | (1.4 | %) | 53,419 | 55,554 | (3.8 | %) | |||||||||||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net income per diluted share | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.19 | 231.6 | % | $ | 1.80 | $ | 1.46 | 23.3 | % | |||||||||
Operating income per diluted share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.61 | (24.6 | %) | $ | 1.60 | $ | 1.87 | (14.4 | %) | |||||||||
Certain consolidated totals include inter-segment eliminations. The eliminations affect individual line items only and have no effect on net income. * See Note 12 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the September 30, 2016 Form 10-Q for amounts by line item. |
Consolidated Key Ratios | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Current accident year loss ratio | 79.4 | % | 79.6 | % | 79.8 | % | 79.9 | % | |||
Effect of prior accident years’ reserve development | (15.7 | %) | (19.8 | %) | (17.5 | %) | (19.8 | %) | |||
Net loss ratio | 63.7 | % | 59.8 | % | 62.3 | % | 60.1 | % | |||
Expense ratio | 30.1 | % | 29.1 | % | 30.9 | % | 29.8 | % | |||
Combined ratio | 93.8 | % | 88.9 | % | 93.2 | % | 89.9 | % | |||
Operating ratio | 80.2 | % | 74.1 | % | 79.2 | % | 74.4 | % | |||
Return on equity* | 6.6 | % | 2.0 | % | 6.4 | % | 5.2 | % | |||
* Annualized |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
• | A quarter-over-quarter increase in gross premiums written in our Lloyd’s segment (+15.9%) partially offset declines in our Specialty P&C (-2.9%) and Workers’ Compensation (-3.0%) segments where competition remains a major factor. |
• | Net premiums earned increased 1.8% as compared to last year’s third quarter, primarily due to a 22.3% increase in our Lloyd’s segment. Net premiums earned in our Specialty P&C segment was fractionally higher in the quarter than in 2015. |
• | Our coordinated sales and marketing efforts produced $1.9 million of direct premium in the quarter underscoring the importance of our unique ability to provide healthcare professional liability and workers’ compensation solutions through the broker distribution channel that primarily services evolving, complex healthcare entities in the U.S. |
• | Net realized investment gains were $15.7 million in the third quarter, which is a $52.4 million change from the prior year-quarter. |
• | There was a $3.1 million decrease in equity of earnings in unconsolidated subsidiaries as compared to last year’s third quarter. In addition, net investment income declined $1.7 million quarter-over-quarter due to lower average balances in our fixed maturities portfolio and the continuing low interest rate environment. |
• | Net favorable development was $29.0 million in the quarter, compared to $36.2 million in the year-ago period. There was $30.0 million of favorable development in our Specialty P&C segment, reflecting a continuation of better than expected loss severity trends, and our Workers’ Compensation segment saw $1.8 million of favorable development. This was slightly offset by a $2.8 million reduction in previously recorded favorable prior year development in our Lloyd’s segment due to a change in the methodology utilized to determine prior period loss development. We explain these changes, which we believe will result in a more transparent reflection of results, in greater detail in our Lloyd’s segment reporting. |
• | The current accident year net loss ratio was essentially unchanged from last year’s third quarter. A decrease of 14.9 points in our Lloyd’s segment and a 1.8 point decrease in our Workers’ Compensation segment almost entirely offset a 2.5 point increase in Specialty P&C. That increase is primarily due to a change in the mix of business and changes in our exposure base with the addition of complex risks such as healthcare facilities. Our consolidated calendar year net loss ratio was again lower than our consolidated current accident year net loss ratio due to the recognition of net favorable loss development in our Specialty P&C and Workers’ Compensation segments. |
• | The quarter-over-quarter increase of one point in our expense ratio reflects an increase in operating expenses in our Workers’ Compensation segment due to higher compensation and related benefits as well as higher state assessments that are based on reported and/or paid claim results. |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
Reconciliation of Net Income to Operating Income (In thousands, except per share data) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 33,834 | $ | 10,276 | $ | 96,233 | $ | 81,248 | |||||||
Items excluded in the calculation of operating income: | |||||||||||||||
Net realized investment (gains) losses | $ | (15,737 | ) | $ | 36,632 | $ | (18,314 | ) | $ | 35,620 | |||||
Net realized gains (losses) attributable to SPCs which no profit/loss is retained* | $ | 1,189 | $ | (1,760 | ) | $ | 1,502 | $ | (1,176 | ) | |||||
Guaranty fund assessments (recoupments) | $ | 91 | $ | 99 | $ | 143 | $ | 234 | |||||||
Pre-tax effect of exclusions | $ | (14,457 | ) | $ | 34,971 | $ | (16,669 | ) | $ | 34,678 | |||||
Tax effect at 35% | $ | 5,060 | $ | (12,240 | ) | $ | 5,834 | $ | (12,137 | ) | |||||
Operating income | $ | 24,437 | $ | 33,007 | $ | 85,398 | $ | 103,789 | |||||||
Per diluted common share | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.19 | $ | 1.80 | $ | 1.46 | |||||||
Effect of exclusions | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | 0.42 | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | 0.41 | |||||
Operating income per diluted common share | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 1.60 | $ | 1.87 | |||||||
* Net realized investment gains or losses on investments held by our Cayman Islands reinsurance subsidiary, Eastern Re, are recognized in the earnings of our Corporate segment and the portion of earnings related to the gain or loss, net of our participation, is distributed back to the cells through our SPC dividend expense. To be consistent with our exclusion of net realized investment gains or losses recognized in earnings, we are excluding the portion of Net realized investment gains or losses that is included in the SPC dividend expense during all periods presented. |
Balance Sheet Highlights (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
September 30, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | ||||||
Total investments | $ | 3,849,956 | $ | 3,650,130 | |||
Total assets | $ | 5,015,775 | $ | 4,906,021 | |||
Total liabilities | $ | 2,973,608 | $ | 2,947,667 | |||
Common shares (par value $0.01) | $ | 627 | $ | 625 | |||
Retained earnings | $ | 2,034,898 | $ | 1,988,035 | |||
Treasury shares | $ | (421,666 | ) | $ | (419,560 | ) | |
Shareholders’ equity | $ | 2,042,167 | $ | 1,958,354 | |||
Book value per share | $ | 38.38 | $ | 36.88 |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
Specialty P&C Insurance Segment ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 155,838 | $ | 160,516 | (2.9 | %) | $ | 410,201 | $ | 416,656 | (1.5 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 134,989 | $ | 140,846 | (4.2 | %) | $ | 354,510 | $ | 361,564 | (2.0 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 116,199 | $ | 115,593 | 0.5 | % | $ | 335,080 | $ | 343,065 | (2.3 | %) | |||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 117,211 | $ | 117,253 | 0.0 | % | $ | 339,101 | $ | 347,598 | (2.4 | %) | |||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 72,311 | $ | 63,974 | 13.0 | % | $ | 205,787 | $ | 197,056 | 4.4 | % | |||||||||
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | $ | 26,563 | $ | 26,251 | 1.2 | % | $ | 77,519 | $ | 80,057 | (3.2 | %) | |||||||||
Total expenses | $ | 98,968 | $ | 90,225 | 9.7 | % | $ | 283,400 | $ | 277,113 | 2.3 | % | |||||||||
Segment operating results | $ | 18,243 | $ | 27,028 | (32.5 | %) | $ | 55,701 | $ | 70,485 | (21.0 | %) |
Specialty P&C Insurance Segment Key Ratios | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Current accident year loss ratio | 88.1 | % | 85.6 | % | 88.3 | % | 86.7 | % | |||
Effect of prior accident years’ reserve development | (25.9 | %) | (30.3 | %) | (26.9 | %) | (29.3 | %) | |||
Net loss ratio | 62.2 | % | 55.3 | % | 61.4 | % | 57.4 | % | |||
Underwriting expense ratio | 22.9 | % | 22.7 | % | 23.1 | % | 23.3 | % | |||
Combined ratio | 85.1 | % | 78.0 | % | 84.5 | % | 80.7 | % |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
Workers' Compensation Segment ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 59,910 | $ | 61,788 | (3.0 | %) | $ | 194,420 | $ | 195,964 | (0.8 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 54,444 | $ | 56,244 | (3.2 | %) | $ | 175,986 | $ | 178,060 | (1.2 | %) | |||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 54,498 | $ | 54,577 | (0.1 | %) | $ | 163,974 | $ | 159,436 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 54,584 | $ | 54,638 | (0.1 | %) | $ | 164,670 | $ | 159,797 | 3.0 | % | |||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 34,472 | $ | 36,132 | (4.6 | %) | $ | 104,160 | $ | 102,545 | 1.6 | % | |||||||||
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | $ | 18,331 | $ | 16,231 | 12.9 | % | $ | 52,494 | $ | 47,421 | 10.7 | % | |||||||||
Segregated portfolio cell dividend expense (income) | $ | 3,102 | $ | (1,933 | ) | 260.5 | % | $ | 5,801 | $ | 1,481 | 291.7 | % | ||||||||
Total expenses | $ | 55,905 | $ | 50,430 | 10.9 | % | $ | 162,455 | $ | 151,447 | 7.3 | % | |||||||||
Segment operating results | $ | (1,321 | ) | $ | 4,208 | (131.4 | %) | $ | 2,215 | $ | 8,350 | (73.5 | %) |
Workers’ Compensation Segment Key Ratios | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Current accident year loss ratio | 66.6 | % | 68.4 | % | 65.9 | % | 67.1 | % | |||
Effect of prior accident years’ reserve development | (3.3 | %) | (2.2 | %) | (2.4 | %) | (2.8 | %) | |||
Net loss ratio | 63.3 | % | 66.2 | % | 63.5 | % | 64.3 | % | |||
Underwriting expense ratio | 33.6 | % | 29.7 | % | 32.0 | % | 29.7 | % | |||
Combined ratio | 96.9 | % | 95.9 | % | 95.5 | % | 94.0 | % |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
Lloyd’s Syndicate Segment ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 18,956 | $ | 16,355 | 15.9 | % | $ | 50,870 | $ | 46,886 | 8.5 | % | |||||||||
Net premiums written | $ | 16,342 | $ | 16,019 | 2.0 | % | $ | 42,575 | $ | 42,231 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 14,578 | $ | 11,915 | 22.3 | % | $ | 40,533 | $ | 26,776 | 51.4 | % | |||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 351 | $ | 260 | 35.0 | % | $ | 1,004 | $ | 653 | 53.8 | % | |||||||||
Other gains (losses) | $ | 784 | $ | (274 | ) | 386.1 | % | $ | 1,233 | $ | 234 | 426.9 | % | ||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 15,713 | $ | 11,901 | 32.0 | % | $ | 42,770 | $ | 27,663 | 54.6 | % | |||||||||
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ | 11,299 | $ | 8,700 | 29.9 | % | $ | 25,989 | $ | 18,283 | 42.1 | % | |||||||||
Underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses | $ | 6,251 | $ | 5,644 | 10.8 | % | $ | 16,660 | $ | 13,187 | 26.3 | % | |||||||||
Total expenses | $ | 17,550 | $ | 14,344 | 22.4 | % | $ | 42,649 | $ | 31,470 | 35.5 | % | |||||||||
Total income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 1,352 | $ | 132 | 924.2 | % | $ | 2,248 | $ | 752 | 198.9 | % | |||||||||
Segment operating results | $ | (3,189 | ) | $ | (2,575 | ) | (23.8 | %) | $ | (2,127 | ) | $ | (4,559 | ) | 53.3 | % |
Lloyd’s Syndicate Segment Key Ratios | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
Current accident year loss ratio | 58.1 | % | 73.0 | % | 65.0 | % | 68.3 | % | |||
Effect of prior accident years’ reserve development | 19.4 | % | — | % | (0.9 | %) | — | % | |||
Net loss ratio | 77.5 | % | 73.0 | % | 64.1 | % | 68.3 | % | |||
Underwriting expense ratio | 42.9 | % | 47.4 | % | 41.1 | % | 49.2 | % |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
Corporate Segment ($ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 2015 | % Change | 2016 | 2015 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 24,910 | $ | 26,682 | (6.6 | %) | $ | 74,280 | $ | 81,548 | (8.9 | %) | |||||||||
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries | $ | (3,349 | ) | $ | (221 | ) | (1,415.4 | %) | $ | (6,607 | ) | $ | 3,821 | (272.9 | %) | ||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) | $ | 15,687 | $ | (36,641 | ) | 142.8 | % | $ | 18,255 | $ | (35,645 | ) | 151.2 | % | |||||||
Total revenues | $ | 37,263 | $ | (8,621 | ) | 532.2 | % | $ | 86,686 | $ | 51,552 | 68.2 | % | ||||||||
Operating expenses | $ | 5,086 | $ | 5,137 | (1.0 | %) | $ | 20,748 | $ | 17,670 | 17.4 | % | |||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 3,748 | $ | 3,637 | 3.1 | % | $ | 11,285 | $ | 10,978 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||
Income taxes | $ | 8,328 | $ | 990 | 741.2 | % | $ | 14,209 | $ | 15,932 | (10.8 | %) | |||||||||
Segment operating results | $ | 20,101 | $ | (18,385 | ) | 209.3 | % | $ | 40,444 | $ | 6,972 | 480.1 | % |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
| changes in general economic conditions, including the impact of inflation or deflation and unemployment; |
| our ability to maintain our dividend payments; |
| regulatory, legislative and judicial actions or decisions that could affect our business plans or operations; |
| the enactment or repeal of tort reforms; |
| formation or dissolution of state-sponsored insurance entities providing coverages now offered by ProAssurance which could remove or add sizable numbers of insureds from or to the private insurance market; |
| changes in the interest rate environment; |
| changes in U.S. laws or government regulations regarding financial markets or market activity that may affect the U.S. economy and our business; |
| changes in the ability of the U.S. government to meet its obligations that may affect the U.S. economy and our business; |
| performance of financial markets affecting the fair value of our investments or making it difficult to determine the value of our investments; |
| changes in requirements or accounting policies and practices that may be adopted by our regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or the New York Stock Exchange and that may affect our business; |
| changes in laws or government regulations affecting the financial services industry, the property and casualty insurance industry or particular insurance lines underwritten by our subsidiaries; |
| the effect on our insureds, particularly the insurance needs of our insureds, and our loss costs, of changes in the healthcare delivery system, including changes attributable to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; |
| consolidation of our insureds into or under larger entities which may be insured by competitors, or may not have a risk profile that meets our underwriting criteria or which may not use external providers for insuring or otherwise managing substantial portions of their liability risk; |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
| uncertainties inherent in the estimate of our loss and loss adjustment expense reserve and reinsurance recoverable; |
| changes in the availability, cost, quality, or collectability of insurance/reinsurance; |
| the results of litigation, including pre- or post-trial motions, trials and/or appeals we undertake; |
| effects on our claims costs from mass tort litigation that are different from that anticipated by us; |
| allegations of bad faith which may arise from our handling of any particular claim, including failure to settle; |
| loss or consolidation of independent agents, agencies, brokers, or brokerage firms; |
| changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans; |
| changes in the business or competitive environment may limit the effectiveness of our business strategy and impact our revenues; |
| our ability to retain and recruit senior management; |
| the availability, integrity and security of our technology infrastructure or that of our third-party providers of technology infrastructure, including any susceptibility to cyber-attacks which might result in a loss of information or operating capability; |
| the impact of a catastrophic event, as it relates to both our operations and our insured risks; |
| the impact of acts of terrorism and acts of war; |
| the effects of terrorism-related insurance legislation and laws; |
| assessments from guaranty funds; |
| our ability to achieve continued growth through expansion into new markets or through acquisitions or business combinations; |
| changes to the ratings assigned by rating agencies to our insurance subsidiaries, individually or as a group; |
| provisions in our charter documents, Delaware law and state insurance laws may impede attempts to replace or remove management or may impede a takeover; |
| state insurance restrictions may prohibit assets held by our insurance subsidiaries, including cash and investment securities, from being used for general corporate purposes; |
| taxing authorities can take exception to our tax positions and cause us to incur significant amounts of legal and accounting costs and, if our defense is not successful, additional tax costs, including interest and penalties; and |
| expected benefits from completed and proposed acquisitions may not be achieved or may be delayed longer than expected due to business disruption; loss of customers, employees or key agents; increased operating costs or inability to achieve cost savings; and assumption of greater than expected liabilities, among other reasons. |
Additional risks that could arise from our membership in the Lloyd's of London market and our participation in Syndicate 1729 include, but are not limited to, the following: | |
| members of Lloyd's are subject to levies by the Council of Lloyd's based on a percentage of the member's underwriting capacity, currently a maximum of 3%, but can be increased by Lloyd's; |
| Syndicate operating results can be affected by decisions made by the Council of Lloyd's over which the management of Syndicate 1729 has little ability to control, such as a decision to not approve the business plan of Syndicate 1729, or a decision to increase the capital required to continue operations, and by our obligation to pay levies to Lloyd's; |
| Lloyd's insurance and reinsurance relationships and distribution channels could be disrupted or Lloyd's trading licenses could be revoked making it more difficult for Syndicate 1729 to distribute and market its products; |
NEWS RELEASE CONTINUES | ![]() |
| rating agencies could downgrade their ratings of Lloyd's as a whole; and |
| Syndicate 1729 operations are dependent on a small, specialized management team and the loss of their services could adversely affect the Syndicate’s business. The inability to identify, hire and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could adversely affect the quality and profitability of Syndicate 1729’s business. |
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