Atlantic American Reports Increased Year to Date Operating Income

• Insurance premiums and operating earnings increase 6.9% and 2.0%, respectively, during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the comparable period in 2013.
• Debt reduced by $7.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlantic American Corporation (Nasdaq:AAME) today reported net income of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the three month period ended September 30, 2014, compared to net income of $2.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the three month period ended September 30, 2013. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, net income was $3.1 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.6 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2013. Realized investment gains for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 were $0.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively, decreasing from $2.3 million and $8.4 million, respectively, in the comparable periods in 2013. Included in net income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 was $0.8 million in other income resulting from the open market purchase of Company debt at a discount. Operating income (income before income taxes and realized investment and other gains, net) for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 was a loss of $11,000, as compared to $406,000 of operating income for the three month period ended September 30, 2013. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, operating income was $1.4 million, or 2.0% higher than the $1.3 million of operating income for the comparable nine month period of 2013.

Total revenues for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 were $42.7 million, decreasing 1.4% from $43.2 million for the three month period ended September 30, 2013. Insurance premiums during this quarter decreased nominally from the comparable 2013 premiums. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2014, total revenues were $125.4 million, increasing slightly from the comparable 2013 period revenues of $124.5 million. Insurance premiums during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 increased $7.4 million, or 6.9%, from the comparable period in 2013. Premiums earned from the Company's life and health and property and casualty operations were up 2.3% and 17.1%, respectively for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014.

Commenting, Hilton H. Howell, Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer, stated, "Our premium growth this year has been good; however, it leveled off during this current quarter as rate increases resulted in decreased sales activity. We have been closely monitoring our new business activity and aggressively working to not only diversify our product offering but also update our existing products to be not only more cost competitive but reflective of consumer needs. Licensing and product approval in our recently acquired company, Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company, has been progressing well and we believe that future quarters will reflect the substantial efforts which have been put forth. Our previously announced special $0.02 per share dividend to shareholders of record on November 14, 2014 and to be paid on or about December 5, 2014 is reflective of our recent successes and the confidence we have in our Company going forward."

Atlantic American is an insurance holding company involved through its subsidiary companies in specialty markets of the life, health, and property and casualty insurance industries. Its principal subsidiaries consist of American Southern Insurance Company, American Safety Insurance Company, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.

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 files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.