NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFSI ) ("the Company") announced today that it has received final regulatory approval and completed the acquisition of The Insco Dico Group ("Insco Dico"). The $88.7 million purchase price is approximately $7.0 million above Insco Dico's tangible book value as of December 31, 2013. The transaction was funded with existing working capital.
"Insco Dico significantly enhances the Company's presence in the domestic surety bonds market and expands our operations with new insurance products, additional distribution and unique industry expertise," said AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. President and CEO, Barry Zyskind. "As the improving trends in the economy and housing market continue, we expect the demand for Insco Dico's surety bonds will increase, providing additional value to AmTrust and its shareholders."
Insco Dico's subsidiaries include Developers Surety and Indemnity Company and Indemnity Company of California, which offer surety insurance to developers and contractors in all 50 states with California as the largest state. In addition, Insco Dico's subsidiary, Builders Insurance Services, markets general liability insurance policies to contractors in several western states. In 2013, Insco Dico generated approximately $52.0 million in insurance premium.
FBR Capital Markets & Co. served as financial advisor to AmTrust.
About AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a multinational insurance holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty property and casualty insurance products, including workers' compensation, commercial automobile and general liability; extended service and warranty coverage. For more information about AmTrust, visit www.amtrustgroup.com , or call AmTrust toll-free at 866.203.3037.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that actual developments will be those anticipated by the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements as a result of significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, non-receipt of expected payments from insureds or reinsurers, changes in interest rates, a downgrade in the financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, the effect of the performance of financial markets on our investment portfolio, our estimates of the fair value of our life settlement contracts, development of claims and the effect on loss reserves, accuracy in projecting loss reserves, the cost and availability of reinsurance coverage, the effects of emerging claim and coverage issues, changes in the demand for our products, our degree of success in integrating acquired businesses, the effect of general economic conditions, state and federal legislation, regulations and regulatory investigations into industry practices, risks associated with conducting business outside the United States, developments relating to existing agreements, disruptions to our business relationships with Maiden Holdings, Ltd., National General Holdings Corp., or third party agencies and warranty administrators, breaches in data security or other disruptions with our technology, heightened competition, changes in pricing environments, and changes in asset valuations. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. Additional information about these risks and uncertainties, as well as others that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, is contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
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AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. Investor Relations Elizabeth Malone CFA 646.458.7924 Hilly Gross 646.458.7925
