Form 8-K Press Release 4th Quarter 2005


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): March 29, 2006 (March 28, 2006)

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)




Georgia
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-3722
(Commission File Number)
58-1027114
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
4370 Peachtree Rd., N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  30319
(Zip Code)


Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:      (404) 266-5500

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:
 
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
 
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






Item 2.02.   Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On March 28, 2006, Atlantic American Corporation (the “Registrant”) reported its results of operations for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005. A copy of the press release issued by the Registrant concerning the foregoing results is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference to such filing. The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)  Exhibits

99.1 Press Release, dated March 28, 2006, reporting the results of operations of the Registrant for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2005.




SIGNATURE

           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, hereunto duly authorized.

  ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
 
     By:      /s/ John G. Sample, Jr.
        John G. Sample, Jr.
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                          Date:    March 29, 2006




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits:

Exhibit 99.1         Press release dated March 28, 2006





Press Release 03282006

EXHIBIT 99.1

ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END
RESULTS

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 28, 2006 - Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq- AAME) today announced a loss for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $3.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $5.0 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2004. Total revenue for 2005 was $185.1 million, a 2.6% decline from 2004 total revenue of $190.1 million. Premiums during 2005 increased $6.7 million, or 3.9%, to $177.6 million from 2004 premiums of $170.9 million. Premium increases were attributable to new business opportunities primarily in the Company’s property and casualty operations. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, the Company reported a net loss of $4.1 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, during the same period in 2004. For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2005, total revenue decreased 21.0% to $36.8 million from $46.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. Premiums for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased nominally to $42.6 million compared to $42.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2004. The significant loss in the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005 and the declines in revenue for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2005 were attributable to a $10.7 million impairment charge which the Company recorded to reflect the write down of the value of its automotive sector investment holdings. Excluding consideration of realized investment gains (losses), pre-tax operating earnings for the year ended December 31, 2005 were $2.9 million, a 41.0% increase over 2004 pre-tax operating earnings of $2.1 million. Pre-tax operating earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 were $3.3 million which was approximately 3 times that of the comparable quarter in 2004.

Commenting on the quarter and year, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., president and chief executive officer, stated, “The fourth quarter write down of the value of our holdings in General Motors, General Motors Acceptance Corp. and Ford Motor Credit was not only significant but disappointing. We believe that ultimately some portion of these holdings, particularly those of General Motors Acceptance Corp. will rebound in value. Nevertheless, our fundamental business operations improved significantly in the fourth quarter of 2005 from prior periods and reflect the hard work of many people in resolving issues, primarily in our regional property casualty operations. Additionally, the first two months of 2006 are off to a promising beginning and we look forward to improved results in future periods.”

Atlantic American is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, property and casualty insurance industries. Its principal subsidiaries include American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Georgia Casualty & Surety Company, Association Risk Management General Agency, Association Casualty Insurance Company and Self-Insurance Administrators, Inc.

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 detailed from time to time in statements and reports that Atlantic American Corporation has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information contact:

John G. Sample, Jr.
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Atlantic American Corporation
(404) 266-5501




Atlantic American Corporation
Financial Data
As of December 31, 2005

               
  Three months ended
Dec. 31,
  Year ended
Dec. 31,
(Unaudited; In thousands, except per share data) 2005
2004
  2005
2004
Insurance premiums $    42,565   $    42,318   $    177,593   $    170,860
Investment income 4,445   4,002   16,685   15,860
Realized investment gains (losses), net (10,675)   (242)   (10,456)   2,199
Other income 502
  557
  1,263
  1,183
     Total revenue 36,837
  46,635
  185,085
  190,102
Insurance benefits and losses incurred 24,566   28,240   115,676   113,077
Commissions and underwriting expenses 15,174   13,453   58,376   56,089
Interest expense 1,003   740   3,611   3,071
Other 3,456
  3,284
  14,887
  13,544
     Total benefits and expenses 44,199
  45,717
  192,550
  185,781
Income (loss) before income taxes (7,362)   918   (7,465)   4,321
Income tax expense (benefit) (3,215)
  354
  (4,290)
  (696)
Net income (loss) $      (4,147)
  $         564
  $       (3,175)
  $       5,017
Net income (loss) per common share:  
     Basic $        (0.21)
  $        0.01
  $         (0.21)
  $         0.18
     Diluted $        (0.21)
  $        0.01
  $         (0.21)
  $         0.18
         
 
Selected Balance Sheet Data
December 31,
2005

December 31,
2004

 
Total investments $    276,968   $   279,035  
Total assets 460,417   470,511  
Insurance reserves and policy funds 286,351   292,287  
Debt 51,488   53,238  
Total shareholders' equity 80,453   88,960  
Book value per common share 3.14   3.56