-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Vr+8XCA+cLkOCs0DMMAZg3Ey+AJ9MiyQScmwjOR36A4sLSCxch6B7wz9EpcW4ti4 eCExAyPNPvc4F+9aoG/Ecw== 0000950134-06-017389.txt : 20061124 0000950134-06-017389.hdr.sgml : 20061123 20060906215227 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950134-06-017389 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: CORRESP PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060906 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000819913 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE CARRIERS, NEC [6399] IRS NUMBER: 870447375 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: CORRESP BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 777 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1000 CITY: FORT WORTH STATE: TX ZIP: 76102 BUSINESS PHONE: 8173481600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 777 MAIN STREET STREET 2: STE 1000 CITY: FORT WORTH STATE: TX ZIP: 76102 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ACOI INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN CREDIT OPTICAL INC /DE/ DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19910611 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PYRAMID GROWTH INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19890124 CORRESP 1 filename1.htm corresp
 

September 6, 2006
VIA EDGAR
Mr. Jim B. Rosenberg
Senior Assistant Chief Accountant
Division of Corporation Finance
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
RE:   Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005
Filed March 23, 2006
File No. 001-11252
Dear Mr. Rosenberg:
     By letter dated June 20, 2006, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) provided written comments to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) regarding the above-referenced filing. The Company responded to such comments by correspondence filed via EDGAR on July 3, 2006. On August 25, 2006, Ms. Dana Hartz of the SEC Staff orally provided three comments to the Company’s response. The Company responded to such additional comments by correspondence filed via EDGAR on August 29, 2006. On September 6, 2006, Ms. Hartz orally requested clarification of the final response contained in the Company’s correspondence dated August 29, 2006. This letter is intended to respond to this latest oral request for clarification.
     In connection with the agreement between Hallmark General Agency, Inc. (“HGA”) and Clarendon National Insurance Company (“CNIC”), the commission revenues and expenses related to these policies are deferred and recognized pro rata over the period covered by the underlying policies. The unearned commission revenues are included in “Unearned revenue” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The prepaid commission expenses are included in “Deferred policy acquisition costs” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

     In future filings, commencing with its next Form 10-K, the Company will clarify its relationship with third party insurers. In such future filings, the Company will also clarify where commission revenues and expenses attributable to such arrangements with third party insurers are recorded in its consolidated balance sheet.
     In connection with our response to the Staff’s comments, the Company acknowledges that (i) the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; (ii) Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not foreclose the commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and (iii) the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
     We trust that the foregoing responds sufficiently to the Staff’s request for additional clarification. If you have any questions concerning the Company’s responses, please do not hesitate to contact our Chief Accounting Officer, Jeffrey R. Passmore, or the undersigned at 817-348-1600.
         
  Very truly yours,


Mark J. Morrison
President, Chief Executive Officer
 		  
     
     
     
 
cc:   Mark E. Schwarz, Executive Chairman
Jeffrey R. Passmore, Chief Accounting Officer
Cecil R. Wise, General Counsel
Steven D. Davidson, Esq.
Anne M. Mascarenhas, CPA

 

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