Hallmark Specialty Underwriters, Inc. Announces th

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Oct. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hallmark Specialty Underwriters, Inc. ("HSU"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., announced today the hiring of Bob Lathrop to serve as Vice President of Property and Casualty. Mr. Lathrop succeeds Don Lundy who resigned August 31, 2013, to pursue another business opportunity. Mr. Lathrop will oversee underwriting, product development and operations of HSU's property and casualty product. With 36 years of experience in insurance, Mr. Lathrop joins HSU from Old Republic Insurance Company where he most recently served as Vice President of Underwriting and Production. Mr. Lathrop will report to Don Meyer, President of HSU.

Hallmark Specialty Underwriters, Inc. is a specialty managing general underwriter serving the niche and underserved commercial insurance marketplace in 6 states. HSU offers a diverse portfolio of surplus lines and admitted insurance products including transportation, umbrella, and property & casualty coverages. HSU is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. ("Hallmark" or "the Company"), an insurance holding company which, through its subsidiaries, engages in the sale of property/casualty insurance products to businesses and individuals. Hallmark's business involves marketing, distributing, underwriting and servicing commercial insurance, personal insurance and general aviation insurance, as well as providing other insurance related services. The Company is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and its common stock is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "HALL."

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.

The Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4395

For further information, please contact: Mark J. Morrison President and Chief Executive Officer 817.348.1600 www.hallmarkgrp.com