Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results

LANCASTER, Pa., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eastern Insurance Holdings,
Inc. ("EIHI") (Nasdaq: EIHI) today reported earnings for the three months
ended September 30, 2009. EIHI reported net income of $3.3 million, or $0.36
per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of
$3.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. EIHI's
diluted book value per share was $15.55 as of September 30, 2009 compared to
$14.13 as of December 31, 2008, an increase of $1.42 per share or 10.0
percent.

"Our largest business segment, workers' compensation insurance, led the
Company to another strong quarter of earnings and increases in our book value
per share" said Bruce M. Eckert, Chief Executive Officer. "Our profitable
performance was aided by the positive returns of our investment portfolio.
Also of significance were the solid operating results in our Midwest and
Southeast regions; additional confirmation of the benefits of our strategic,
geographic initiatives. Despite continuing rate pressures, we were able to not
only retain 84.7 percent of our renewal business, but also achieve
year-over-year premium growth. We continue to be pleased with the
marketplace's receptivity to our "ParallelPay" workers' compensation product.
Since its introduction at the end of the first quarter of this year, we have
recorded premium writings of approximately $4.2 million through September 30,
2009, the majority of which represents new premium writings."

Eckert continued, "Our group benefits insurance segment recorded a profitable
quarter, as well, principally aided by the strong performance of its
investment portfolio, particularly the convertible bond portfolio. Loss ratios
in our group life and long- and short-term disability policies were as
expected for the quarter; however, our dental loss ratio came in higher than
expected as a result of competitive rate pressure, particularly in our
Southeast market. We were pleased to note, however, that September results
indicated a 5.1 percent rate increase on our dental renewals while we
maintained an 85.9 percent retention ratio. A continuation of this trend
should bring our dental loss ratio more in line with previous years' results."

Consolidated highlights for the third quarter include:

-- Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 increased to $37.9 million
compared to $29.5 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in
revenue is due primarily to an increase in income from limited
partnerships and a change to net realized investment gains in 2009
from
net realized investment losses in 2008, partially offset by a decrease
in investment income;
-- Net premiums earned were $33.1 million for the third quarter of 2009
and
2008. Net premiums earned were impacted by the growth in workers'
compensation insurance premium and the acquisition of Employers
Security
Insurance Company offset by the termination of the reinsurance treaty
effective July 1, 2008 that comprised the run-off specialty
reinsurance
segment and a $588,000 reduction related to favorable third quarter
2009
loss experience under retrospectively rated policies;
-- Net investment income decreased $400,000 to $2.0 million ($1.4 million
after-tax) for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to
$2.4 million ($1.6 million after-tax) for the same period in 2008. The
decrease in net investment income is due primarily to the short-term
interest rate environment;
-- The change in equity interest in limited partnerships increased $2.2
million to income of $523,000 ($376,000 after-tax) for the three
months
ended September 30, 2009, compared to a loss of $1.7 million ($1.1
million after-tax) for the same period in 2008;
-- Net realized investment gains, excluding the segregated portfolio cell
reinsurance segment, were $1.8 million ($1.1 million after-tax) for
the
three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net realized
investment losses, excluding the segregated portfolio cell reinsurance
segment, of $3.8 million ($2.5 million after-tax) for the same period
in
2008; and

-- $350,000 ($228,000 after-tax) of favorable loss reserve development on
prior accident years was recorded in the workers' compensation
insurance
segment for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to no
favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years for the
same
period in 2008.

Weighted average fully diluted shares considered outstanding used to calculate
diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and
2008 consisted of the following:

2009 2008
---- ----
Shares issued on June 16, 2006 10,603,548 10,603,548
Weighted average ESOP shares 236,845 162,095
Weighted average restricted stock shares 117,429 93,711
Weighted average treasury shares purchased (2,091,757) (2,038,235)
Weighted average stock warrants exercised(1) 180,291 -
Stock warrants(1) - 306,099
--------- -------
Total 9,046,356 9,127,218
========= =========

(1) 306,099 warrants were outstanding as of January 1, 2009 of which
244,879 warrants were earned. The remaining 61,220 warrants will not be
earned. On March 10, 2009, the 244,879 warrants were exercised. EIHI
retained 64,588 warrants as payment of the exercise price.

Segment Operating Results

Workers' Compensation Insurance

EIHI's workers' compensation insurance segment reported net income of $2.5
million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $527,000 for the third
quarter of 2008. Highlights for the third quarter include:

-- Direct written premiums increased to $29.8 million for the three
months
ended September 30, 2009, compared to $26.4 million for the same
period
in 2008, an increase of 12.8 percent;
-- Net premiums earned increased to $17.8 million for the third quarter
of
2009, compared with $15.8 million for the third quarter of 2008, an
increase of 12.7 percent;
-- Net investment income was $800,000 for the third quarter of 2009,
compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease in
net investment income is due primarily to a decrease in the invested
asset base and the short-term interest rate environment;
-- The change in equity interest in limited partnerships was income of
$358,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a
loss of $1.4 million for the same period in 2008;
-- After-tax net realized investment gains of $220,000 were recorded for
the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to after-tax net
realized investment losses of $475,000 for the same period in 2008;
-- The combined ratio was 89.0 percent for the third quarter of 2009,
compared to 88.7 percent for the same period last year;
-- The accident year loss and LAE ratio was 64.8 percent and 60.0 percent
for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, $350,000 of favorable
loss reserve development on prior accident years was recorded, which
decreased the 2009 loss ratio by 2.0 percentage points compared to no
favorable loss reserve development on prior accident years in the
third
quarter of 2008; and

-- The expense ratio was 27.0 percent for the three months ended
September
30, 2009 and 2008.

Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance

As previously reported, the segregated portfolio cell reinsurance segment has
thirteen active programs, which produce fee-based revenue and segregated
portfolio cell dividends for EIHI's other business segments. Prospecting
activity in this segment has increased despite current economic trends,
largely as a result of our expansion into the Southeast and Midwest markets.

Group Benefits Insurance

EIHI's group benefits insurance segment reported net income of $911,000 for
the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a net loss of $1.1
million for the same period in 2008. Highlights for the third quarter include:

-- Net premiums earned were $9.0 million for the third quarter of 2009,
compared to $9.1 million in 2008;
-- Net investment income was $385,000 for the third quarter of 2009,
compared to $656,000 for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in
net
investment income is due primarily to a decrease in the invested asset
base and the short-term interest rate environment;
-- The change in equity interest in limited partnerships was income of
$61,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a
loss of $121,000 for the same period in 2008;
-- After-tax net realized investment gains of $896,000 were recorded for
the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to after-tax net
realized investment losses of $1.9 million for the same period in
2008;
-- The combined ratio was 105.1 percent for the third quarter of 2009,
compared to 95.7 percent for the same period last year;
-- The calendar year loss and LAE ratio was 72.4 percent for the three
months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 65.0 percent for the same
period in 2008. The increase in the calendar year loss and LAE ratio
is
primarily due to an increase in the dental loss ratio as a result of
the
competitive rate environment; and

-- The expense ratio was 32.7 percent for the three months ended
September
30, 2009, compared to 30.7 percent for the same period in 2008. The
increase in the expense ratio is largely a result of increased
corporate
expense allocations.

Run-Off Specialty Reinsurance

Prior to July 1, 2008, business in the run-off specialty reinsurance segment
was assumed through participation in a reinsurance treaty with an unaffiliated
ceding company related to an underground storage tank insurance program,
referred to as "EnviroGuard," and a non-hazardous waste transportation
product, referred to as "EIA Liability." Effective July 1, 2008, EIHI
terminated the reinsurance treaty that comprised the run-off specialty
reinsurance segment.

EIHI's run-off specialty reinsurance segment reported net income of $345,000
for the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million for the
same period last year. Highlights for the third quarter include:

-- Net premiums earned were $14,000 for the third quarter of 2009,
compared
to $2.1 million in 2008. The decrease in net premiums earned is due to
the July 1, 2008 termination of the reinsurance treaty that comprised
the run-off specialty reinsurance segment;
-- Net investment income was $259,000 for the three months ended
September
30, 2009, compared to $338,000 for the same period last year;
-- The change in equity interest in limited partnerships was income of
$104,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a
loss of $143,000 for the same period in 2008; and

-- After-tax net realized investment gains of $11,000 were recorded for
the
three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to after-tax net
realized investment losses of $171,000 for the same period in 2008.

Corporate and Other

The corporate and other segment primarily includes corporate expenses and
EIHI's third party administration business. The corporate and other segment
recorded a net loss of $415,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009,
compared to a net loss of $1.2 million for the same period in 2008. The
decrease in the net loss in 2009 compared to 2008 is due to a reduction in
corporate expenses and an increase in earnings from EIHI's jointly-owned
segregated portfolio cells.

Financial Condition

Total assets were $399.2 million as of September 30, 2009. Shareholders'
equity was $151.4 million as of September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009,
EIHI's book value per share and diluted book value per share were $15.60 and
$15.55, respectively. Outstanding shares used to calculate book value per
share and diluted book value per share were 9,691,257 and 10,340,445,
respectively, as of September 30, 2009. The basic book value per share
calculation includes the impact of restricted stock awards of 251,675 shares
and warrants exercised of 180,291. The diluted book value per share
calculation includes the additional impact of stock options to purchase
649,188 common shares, which have a weighted average exercise price of $14.36.

Conference Call with Investors

EIHI will hold a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Eastern Time on Friday, November 6, 2009 to review the Company's 2009 third
quarter results. The conference call will be available via a live webcast
accessed through the Investor Relations section of
www.easterninsuranceholdings.com. The dial-in numbers for the conference call
are as follows:

Live Call
---------
800-860-2442 (Domestic)
412-858-4600 (International)

A replay of the conference call will be available through November 16, 2009,
at 877-344-7529 (domestic) and 412-317-0088 (international). The replay
conference number for the conference call is 435122. An online archive of the
webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of
www.easterninsuranceholdings.com.

Consolidated Financial Results
Set forth in the tables below are the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as
of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and unaudited statements of income
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

EASTERN INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

September December
30, 31,
2009 2008
----- -----
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed income securities, at estimated fair value
(amortized cost, $168,734; $180,102) $175,349 $183,136
Convertible bonds, at estimated fair value
(amortized cost, $14,431; $13,783) 15,955 12,346
Equity securities, at estimated fair value
(cost, $17,927; $22,287) 21,104 17,162
Other long-term investments, at estimated fair
value (cost, $10,177; $10,586) 9,857 9,519
----- -----
Total investments 222,265 222,163

Cash and cash equivalents 68,354 52,875
Accrued investment income 1,676 2,058
Premiums receivable (net of allowance, $582; $581) 39,171 29,615
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses
and loss adjustment expenses 28,188 29,637
Deferred acquisition costs 7,339 5,760
Deferred income taxes, net 3,438 6,281
Federal income taxes recoverable 205 16
Intangible assets 7,880 9,179
Goodwill 10,752 10,752
Other Assets 9,920 8,975
----- -----

Total assets $399,188 $377,311
======== ========

LIABILITIES
Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment
expenses $156,500 $159,117
Unearned premium reserves 53,442 42,365
Advance premium 1,375 1,594
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 12,791 13,136
Ceded reinsurance balances payable 5,754 6,886
Benefit plan liabilities 499 497
Segregated portfolio cell dividend payable 15,422 13,140
Loan payable 1,975 2,439
----- -----

Total liabilities $247,758 $239,174
-------- --------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Series A preferred stock, par value $0, auth.
shares - 5,000,000; no shares issued and outstanding - -
Common capital stock, par value $0, auth. shares
- 20,000,000; issued - 11,783,014 and
11,602,723, respectively; outstanding -
9,691,257 and 9,512,366, respectively - -
Unearned ESOP compensation (5,047) (5,606)
Additional paid in capital 112,666 111,772
Treasury stock, at cost (2,091,757 and 2,090,357
shares, respectively) (32,666) (32,655)
Retained earnings 70,989 66,492
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net 5,488 (1,866)
----- ------

Total shareholders' equity 151,430 138,137
------- -------

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $399,188 $377,311
======== ========

EASTERN INSURANCE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
------------ ------------
September September September September
30, 30, 30, 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
----- ----- ----- -----
Revenue:
Net premiums earned $33,108 $33,118 $100,864 $99,363
Net investment income 1,960 2,412 5,632 7,407
Change in equity interest
in limited partnerships 523 (1,657) 800 (1,965)
Net realized investment
gains (losses) 2,088 (4,518) 349 (4,213)
Other revenue 206 167 569 522
--- --- --- ---
Total revenue 37,885 29,522 108,214 101,114
------ ------ ------- -------

Expenses:
Losses and loss adjustment
expenses incurred 20,595 22,517 64,479 62,930
Acquisition and other
underwriting expenses 4,415 4,588 13,371 14,224
Other expenses 6,612 6,584 19,488 19,113
Amortization of intangible
assets 433 328 1,299 984
Policyholder dividends 118 325 241 253
Segregated portfolio
dividend expense 1,086 29 434 2,602
----- -- --- -----
Total expenses 33,259 34,371 99,312 100,106
------ ------ ------ -------
Income (loss) before
income taxes 4,626 (4,849) 8,902 1,008
Income tax expense
(benefit) 1,335 (1,760) 3,189 20
----- ------ ----- --
Net income (loss) $3,291 $(3,089) $5,713 $988
====== ======= ====== ====
Earnings per share (EPS):
Basic shares outstanding 9,027,706 8,776,743 8,963,740 9,017,853
Basis EPS $0.36 $(0.34) $0.63 $0.11

Diluted shares
outstanding 9,046,356 8,776,743 9,047,750 9,371,896
Diluted EPS $0.36 $(0.34) $0.62 $0.10

Cautionary Statement

Some of the statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, as amended. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect,"
"project," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict,"
"potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms or other similar
terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and
estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. No
assurance can be given that management's expectations, beliefs or projections
will occur or be achieved or accomplished. Factors that could affect the
Company's actual results include, among others, the fact that our loss
reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual
losses; the uncertain effects of emerging claim and coverage issues on our
business; an inability to obtain or collect on our reinsurance protection; a
downgrade in the A.M. Best rating of our insurance subsidiaries; the impact of
extensive regulation of the insurance industry and legislative and regulatory
changes; a failure to realize our growth strategies and investment objectives;
the further deterioration in the fixed income and equity security markets, the
effects of intense competition; the loss of one or more principal employees;
the geographic concentration of our business; the failure of independent
insurance brokers to adequately market our products; and other factors
described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Eastern Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Kevin Shook, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Eastern Insurance
Holdings, Inc., +1-717-735-1660, kshook@eains.com