HAF Hallmark

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (AMEX:HAF) today reported operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2005, was $2.9 million as compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2004. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2005, increased 57.1% to $9.2 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $5.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the same period in 2004. The decrease in net income per diluted share was primarily attributable to an increase in the weighted average shares outstanding as the result of a successful stockholder rights offering completed in the second quarter of 2005. Total revenues for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005, also increased as compared to the same periods of 2004. Total revenue for the fourth quarter increased 65.9% to $26.6 million in 2005 as compared to $16.1 million in 2004. Total revenue of $87.0 million for the 2005 fiscal year was $23.9 million greater than the $63.1 million in total revenue for fiscal 2004. "I am pleased to report that the operating results for fiscal 2005 were the best in the Company's history," stated Mark E. Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to building on our success with the recently completed acquisitions of Texas General Agency and Aerospace Insurance Managers," Mr. Schwarz continued. "The increase in total revenues for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005, as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2004, were mostly attributable to American Hallmark Insurance Company retaining the commercial business previously produced for a third party insurer," stated Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "The increase in net income for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005, versus the same periods in fiscal 2004 reflects continued favorable loss development in both operating units, increased premium retention and additional investment income from the successful completion of our capital plan in the second quarter of fiscal 2005," Mr. Morrison concluded. Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. engages primarily in sale of property and casualty insurance products. The Company's business involves marketing and underwriting commercial insurance in Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington; marketing and underwriting non-standard personal automobile insurance in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; marketing of general aviation insurance in 44 states; claims administration; and other insurance related services. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAF". Forward-looking statements in this Release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ substantially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company's products and services in the marketplace, competitive factors, interest rate trends, the availability of financing, underwriting loss experience and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, please contact: Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer at 817.348.1600 http://www.hallmarkgrp.com/ HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (In thousands) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31 December 31 2005 2004 2005 2004 Gross premiums written $26,482 $10,215 $89,467 $33,389 Ceded premiums written (663) (347) (1,215) (322) Net premiums written 25,819 9,868 88,252 33,067 Change in net unearned premiums (5,362) (1,095) (29,068) (622) Net premiums earned 20,457 8,773 59,184 32,445 Investment income, net of expenses 1,562 392 3,836 1,386 Realized gain (loss) 6 30 58 (27) Finance charges 508 539 2,044 2,183 Commission and fees 3,169 4,865 16,703 21,100 Processing and service fees 931 1,443 5,183 6,003 Other income 5 10 27 31 Total revenues 26,638 16,052 87,035 63,121 Losses and loss adjustment expenses 11,200 5,037 33,784 19,137 Other operating costs and expenses 10,740 8,944 38,492 35,290 Interest expense 600 3 1,264 64 Amortization of intangible asset (4) 7 27 28 Total expenses 22,536 13,991 73,567 54,519 Income before income tax expense 4,102 2,061 13,468 8,602 Income tax expense 1,208 660 4,282 2,753 Net income $2,894 $1,401 $9,186 $5,849 Basic earnings per share $0.03 $0.03 $0.13 $0.14 Diluted earnings per share $0.03 $0.03 $0.13 $0.14 DATASOURCE: Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. CONTACT: Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., +1-817-348-1600 Web site: http://www.hallmarkgrp.com/

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