SEC Filing | James River Group Holdings

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

¨	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number: 001-36777

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Bermuda

98-0585280

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Wellesley House, 2^nd Floor, 90 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM08, Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(441) 278-4580

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

Emerging Growth Company x

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x

Number of shares of the registrant's common shares outstanding at May 3, 2017: 29,344,327

James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

Form 10-Q

Index

		Page
		Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	5

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income—Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	7

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity—Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	8

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	9

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	10

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29

	Critical Accounting Estimates	30

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	54

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	54

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	55
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	55
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	55
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	55
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosure	55
Item 5.	Other Information	55
Item 6.	Exhibits	55

Signatures		56

Exhibit Index		57

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. You can identify forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report by the use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could.” These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our future financial performance, our business prospects and strategy, anticipated financial position, liquidity and capital needs and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.

Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, among others:

the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves and the possibility that incurred losses may be greater than our loss and loss adjustment expense reserves;

inaccurate estimates and judgments in our risk management may expose us to greater risks than intended;

the potential loss of key members of our management team or key employees and our ability to attract and retain personnel;

adverse economic factors;

a decline in our financial strength rating resulting in a reduction of new or renewal business;

reliance on a select group of brokers and agents for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships;

reliance on a select group of customers for a significant portion of our business and the impact of our potential failure to maintain such relationships;

existing or new regulations that may inhibit our ability to achieve our business objectives or subject us to penalties or suspensions for non-compliance or cause us to incur substantial compliance costs;

a failure of any of the loss limitations or exclusions we employ;

losses from catastrophic events which substantially exceed our expectations and/or exceed the amount of reinsurance we have purchased to protect us from such events;

potential effects on our business of emerging claim and coverage issues;

exposure to credit risk, interest rate risk and other market risk in our investment portfolio;

losses in our investment portfolio;

the cyclical nature of the insurance and reinsurance industry, resulting in periods during which we may experience excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates;

changes in laws or government regulation, including tax or insurance law and regulations;

the impact of loss settlements made by ceding companies and fronting carriers on our reinsurance business;

a forced sale of investments to meet our liquidity needs;

our ability to obtain reinsurance coverage at reasonable prices or on terms that adequately protect us;

losses resulting from reinsurance counterparties failing to pay us on reinsurance claims or insurance companies with whom we have a fronting arrangement failing to pay us for claims;

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our underwriters and other associates exceeding their authority, committing fraud or taking excessive risks;

insufficient capital to fund our operations;

the potential impact of internal or external fraud, operational errors, systems malfunctions or cyber security incidents;

our ability to manage our growth effectively;

inadequacy of premiums we charge to compensate us for our losses incurred;

competition within the casualty insurance and reinsurance industry;

an adverse outcome in a legal action that we are or may become subject to in the course of our insurance and reinsurance operations;

in the event we do not qualify for the insurance company exception to the passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) rules and are therefore considered a PFIC, there could be material adverse tax consequences to an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation;

the Company or any of its foreign subsidiaries becoming subject to U.S. federal income taxation;

failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended;

the ownership of a significant portion of our outstanding shares by affiliates of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P. (the “D.E. Shaw Affiliates”) and their resulting ability to exert significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval in a manner that could conflict with the interests of other shareholders and additionally, the D.E. Shaw Affiliates having certain rights with respect to board representation and approval rights with respect to certain transactions;

changes in our financial condition, regulations or other factors that may restrict our subsidiaries’ ability to pay us dividends; and

other risks and uncertainties disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC”.

Accordingly, you should read this Quarterly Report completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except as expressly required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any obligation, and do not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this Quarterly Report, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by us, or on our behalf. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

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PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	(Unaudited)
	March 31,		December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Assets
Invested assets:
Fixed maturity securities:
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2017 – $938,362; 2016 – $940,212)	$	941,687	$	941,077
Trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2017 – $5,052; 2016 – $5,052)		5,066		5,063
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: 2017 – $74,531; 2016 – $74,553)		79,467		76,401
Bank loan participations held-for-investment, at amortized cost, net of allowance		224,224		203,526
Short-term investments		53,361		50,844
Other invested assets		59,645		55,419
Total invested assets		1,363,450		1,332,330

Cash and cash equivalents		94,224		109,784
Accrued investment income		6,920		7,246
Premiums receivable and agents’ balances, net		298,984		265,315
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses		188,782		182,737
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		5,255		2,877
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		95,983		90,147
Deferred policy acquisition costs		63,964		64,789
Intangible assets, net		38,782		38,931
Goodwill		181,831		181,831
Other assets		73,150		70,546
Total assets	$	2,411,325	$	2,346,533

See accompanying notes.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

	(Unaudited)
	March 31,		December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands, except share amounts)
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	980,563	$	943,865
Unearned premiums		400,181		390,563
Payables to reinsurers		43,207		39,899
Senior debt		88,300		88,300
Junior subordinated debt		104,055		104,055
Accrued expenses		34,030		36,884
Other liabilities		52,729		49,746
Total liabilities		1,703,065		1,653,312

Commitments and contingent liabilities

Shareholders’ equity:
Common Shares – 2017 and 2016: $0.0002 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 29,344,327 and 29,257,566 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		6		6
Preferred Shares – 2017 and 2016: $0.00125 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding		–		–
Additional paid-in capital		638,221		636,856
Retained earnings		64,872		55,232
Accumulated other comprehensive income		5,161		1,127
Total shareholders’ equity		708,260		693,221
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,411,325	$	2,346,533

See accompanying notes.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands, except share amounts)
Revenues
Gross written premiums	$	224,179		$	133,071
Ceded written premiums		(66,269	)		(26,170	)
Net written premiums		157,910			106,901
Change in net unearned premiums		(3,223	)		10,229
Net earned premiums		154,687			117,130

Net investment income		16,733			11,272
Net realized investment gains		1,047			547
Other income		3,935			2,380
Total revenues		176,402			131,329

Expenses
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		105,369			73,506
Other operating expenses		48,893			41,179
Other expenses		(114	)		(12	)
Interest expense		2,123			2,174
Amortization of intangible assets		149			149
Total expenses		156,420			116,996

Income before taxes		19,982			14,333
Income tax expense		1,532			1,496
Net income		18,450			12,837

Other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized gains, net of taxes of $1,514 in 2017 and $657 in 2016		4,034			15,620
Total comprehensive income	$	22,484		$	28,457

Per share data:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.63		$	0.44
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.61		$	0.43
Dividend declared per share	$	0.30		$	0.20

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		29,289,588			28,953,008
Diluted		30,327,423			29,742,252

See accompanying notes.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

	Number of Common Shares Outstanding		Class A Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Total
	(in thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2015		28,941,547	$	6	$	630,820		$	47,026		$	3,186	$	681,038
Net income		–		–		–			12,837			–		12,837
Other comprehensive income		–		–		–			–			15,620		15,620
Dividends		–		–		–			(5,849	)		–		(5,849	)
Exercise of stock options and related excess tax benefits		52,312		–		735			–			–		735
Compensation expense under stock incentive plans		–		–		1,189			–			–		1,189
Balances at March 31, 2016		28,993,859	$	6	$	632,744		$	54,014		$	18,806	$	705,570

Balances at December 31, 2016		29,257,566	$	6	$	636,856		$	55,232		$	1,127	$	693,221
Net income		–		–		–			18,450			–		18,450
Other comprehensive income		–		–		–			–			4,034		4,034
Dividends		–		–		–			(8,810	)		–		(8,810	)
Exercise of stock options		63,467		–		198			–			–		198
Vesting of restricted share units		23,294		–		(627	)		–			–		(627	)
Compensation expense under stock incentive plans		–		–		1,794			–			–		1,794
Balances at March 31, 2017		29,344,327	$	6	$	638,221		$	64,872		$	5,161	$	708,260

See accompanying notes.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	16,112		$	1,810

Investing activities
Securities available-for-sale:
Purchases – fixed maturity securities		(46,276	)		(73,162	)
Sales – fixed maturity securities		32,148			32,533
Maturities and calls – fixed maturity securities		15,406			28,085
Purchases – equity securities		–			(3,000	)
Sales – equity securities		409			–
Bank loan participations:
Purchases		(75,983	)		(14,100	)
Sales		37,462			2,463
Maturities		18,840			17,580
Other invested assets:
Purchases		(250	)		(375	)
Return of Capital		–			849
Short-term investments, net		(2,517	)		(529	)
Securities receivable or payable, net		(336	)		399
Purchases of property and equipment		(970	)		(1,216	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(22,067	)		(10,473	)

Financing activities
Dividends paid		(8,885	)		(5,790	)
Issuance of common shares under equity incentive plans		303			667
Common share repurchases		(732	)		(224	)
Repayments of financing obligations net of proceeds		(291	)		(271	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(9,605	)		(5,618	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(15,560	)		(14,281	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		109,784			106,406
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	94,224		$	92,125

Supplemental information
Interest paid	$	2,101		$	1,950

See accompanying notes.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Accounting Policies

Organization

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (referred to as “JRG Holdings” or, with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an exempted holding company registered in Bermuda, organized for the purpose of acquiring and managing insurance and reinsurance entities.

The Company owns six insurance companies based in the United States (“U.S.”) focused on specialty insurance niches and a Bermuda-based reinsurance company as described below:

James River Group Holdings UK Limited (“James River UK”) is an insurance holding company formed in 2015 in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”). JRG Holdings contributed James River Group, Inc. (“James River Group”), a U.S. insurance holding company, to James River UK in 2015.

James River Group is a Delaware domiciled insurance holding company formed in 2002, which owns all of the Company’s U.S.-based subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly through one of its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries. James River Group oversees the Company’s U.S. insurance operations and maintains all of the outstanding debt in the U.S.

James River Insurance Company (“James River Insurance”) is an Ohio domiciled excess and surplus lines insurance company that, with its wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, James River Casualty Company, is authorized to write business in every state and the District of Columbia.

Falls Lake National Insurance Company (“Falls Lake National”) is an Ohio domiciled insurance company which wholly owns Stonewood Insurance Company (“Stonewood Insurance”), a North Carolina domiciled company, Falls Lake General Insurance Company, an Ohio domiciled company, and Falls Lake Fire and Casualty Company, a California domiciled company. Falls Lake National began writing specialty admitted fronting and program business in late 2013. Falls Lake Fire and Casualty began operations in 2016.

Stonewood Insurance is a workers’ compensation insurance company that writes insurance primarily for the residential construction and light manufacturing industries. Stonewood Insurance writes workers’ compensation coverage in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“JRG Re”) was formed in 2007 and commenced operations in 2008. JRG Re, a Bermuda domiciled reinsurer, provides non-catastrophe casualty reinsurance to U.S. third parties and to the Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and do not contain all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and its subsidiaries from their respective dates of inception or acquisition, as applicable. Readers are urged to review the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a more complete description of the Company’s business and accounting policies. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements.

Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Accounting Policies (continued)

Estimates and Assumptions

Preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Those estimates are inherently subject to change, and actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.

Variable Interest Entities

Entities that do not have sufficient equity at risk to allow the entity to finance its activities without additional financial support or in which the equity investors, as a group, do not have the characteristic of a controlling financial interest are referred to as variable interest entities (“VIE”). A VIE is consolidated by the variable interest holder that is determined to have the controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) as a result of having both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of an entity subject to consolidation based on a qualitative assessment of the VIE’s capital structure, contractual terms, nature of the VIE’s operations and purpose, and the Company’s relative exposure to the related risks of the VIE on the date it becomes initially involved in the VIE. The Company reassesses its VIE determination with respect to an entity on an ongoing basis.

The Company holds interests in VIEs through certain equity method investments included in “other invested assets” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company has determined that it should not consolidate any of the VIEs as it is not the primary beneficiary in any of the relationships. Although the investments resulted in the Company holding variable interests in the entities, they did not empower the Company to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities. The Company’s investments related to these VIEs totaled $31.1 million and $27.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, representing the Company’s maximum exposure to loss.

Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting using the prospective method. The guidance requires that all tax effects related to share-based payments be made through the income statement at the time of settlement as opposed to excess tax benefits being recognized in additional paid-in capital under the previous guidance. The ASU also removes the requirement to delay recognition of a tax benefit until it reduces current taxes payable. Additionally, all tax related cash flows resulting from share-based payments are now reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, a change from the previous requirement to present tax benefits as an inflow from financing activities and an outflow from operating activities. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities increased by $292,000 and net cash used in financing activities was increased by $292,000 for the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur in accordance with ASU 2016-09. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated income statements.

Prospective Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance applies to all companies that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. Under this guidance, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018 and must be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2014-09 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on reported fee income. The Company does not believe adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Accounting Policies (continued)

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. Among other things, this ASU will require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet will be made as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company has not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the agreement as a capital lease, are met. This update will require the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability, discounted to the present value, for all leases that extend beyond 12 months. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2016-02 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Current GAAP delays the recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The update will require financial assets measured at amortized cost, such as bank loan participations held for investment, to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected by means of an allowance for credit losses that runs through net income. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Upon adoption, this ASU will be applied using the modified-retrospective approach, by which a cumulative-effect adjustment will be made to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period presented. The Company has not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect Company’s financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments to address the diversity in practice of how certain cash receipts and payments are classified in the statement of cash flows. The update addresses specific issues, including distributions received from equity method investees and the classification of cash receipts and payments that have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, the update will be applied using the retrospective transition method. The Company has not yet completed the analysis of how adopting this ASU will affect its financial statements, but does not expect a material impact on our statement of cash flows.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments

The Company’s available-for-sale investments are summarized as follows:

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	107,019	$	5,001	$	(811	)	$	111,209
Residential mortgage-backed		145,415		1,037		(2,990	)		143,462
Corporate		379,076		4,775		(3,750	)		380,101
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		172,092		819		(714	)		172,197
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		62,493		191		(130	)		62,554
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		70,242		105		(179	)		70,168
Redeemable preferred stock		2,025		—		(29	)		1,996
Total fixed maturity securities		938,362		11,928		(8,603	)		941,687
Equity securities		74,531		6,240		(1,304	)		79,467
Total investments available-for-sale	$	1,012,893	$	18,168	$	(9,907	)	$	1,021,154
December 31, 2016
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	101,793	$	5,032	$	(984	)	$	105,841
Residential mortgage-backed		152,703		1,070		(2,975	)		150,798
Corporate		379,727		4,382		(5,661	)		378,448
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		167,967		906		(826	)		168,047
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		64,823		276		(85	)		65,014
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		71,174		131		(185	)		71,120
Redeemable preferred stock		2,025		—		(216	)		1,809
Total fixed maturity securities		940,212		11,797		(10,932	)		941,077
Equity securities		74,553		4,503		(2,655	)		76,401
Total investments available-for-sale	$	1,014,765	$	16,300	$	(13,587	)	$	1,017,478

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2017 are summarized, by contractual maturity, as follows:

	Cost or Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(in thousands)

One year or less	$	98,952	$	99,404
After one year through five years		232,153		233,770
After five years through ten years		172,470		171,838
After ten years		115,255		119,020
Residential mortgage-backed		145,415		143,462
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		172,092		172,197
Redeemable preferred stock		2,025		1,996
Total	$	938,362	$	941,687

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments (continued)

Actual maturities may differ for some securities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value for available-for-sale securities aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	28,964	$	(811	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,964	$	(811	)
Residential mortgage-backed		87,741		(1,545	)		31,113		(1,445	)		118,854		(2,990	)
Corporate		156,461		(3,519	)		3,402		(231	)		159,863		(3,750	)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		52,815		(713	)		4,749		(1	)		57,564		(714	)
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		52,142		(130	)		—		—			52,142		(130	)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		51,941		(179	)		—		—			51,941		(179	)
Redeemable preferred stock		1,996		(29	)		—		—			1,996		(29	)
Total fixed maturity securities		432,060		(6,926	)		39,264		(1,677	)		471,324		(8,603	)
Equity securities		9,667		(161	)		6,999		(1,143	)		16,666		(1,304	)
Total investments available-for-sale	$	441,727	$	(7,087	)	$	46,263	$	(2,820	)	$	487,990	$	(9,907	)
December 31, 2016
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	28,398	$	(984	)	$	—	$	—		$	28,398	$	(984	)
Residential mortgage-backed		93,242		(1,548	)		32,330		(1,427	)		125,572		(2,975	)
Corporate		199,841		(4,212	)		8,477		(1,449	)		208,318		(5,661	)
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		47,990		(799	)		7,195		(27	)		55,185		(826	)
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		50,573		(85	)		—		—			50,573		(85	)
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		48,989		(185	)		—		—			48,989		(185	)
Redeemable preferred stock		1,809		(216	)		—		—			1,809		(216	)
Total fixed maturity securities		470,842		(8,029	)		48,002		(2,903	)		518,844		(10,932	)
Equity securities		21,345		(1,071	)		6,558		(1,584	)		27,903		(2,655	)
Total investments available-for-sale	$	492,187	$	(9,100	)	$	54,560	$	(4,487	)	$	546,747	$	(13,587	)

The Company held securities of 156 issuers that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2017 with a total fair value of $488.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $9.9 million. None of the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses has ever missed, or been delinquent on, a scheduled principal or interest payment.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments (continued)

At March 31, 2017, 99.4% of the Company’s fixed maturity security portfolio was rated “BBB-” or better (“investment grade”) by Standard & Poor’s or received an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. Fixed maturity securities with ratings below investment grade by Standard & Poor’s or another nationally recognized rating agency at March 31, 2017 had an aggregate fair value of $5.6 million and an aggregate net unrealized gain of $254,000.

Management concluded that none of the fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management does not intend to sell available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs. Management also concluded that none of the equity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management has evaluated the near-term prospects of these equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment, and management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of their fair value.

At March 31, 2017, the Company held a participation in a loan issued by a company that produces and supplies power to Puerto Rico through a power purchase agreement with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), a public corporation and governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. PREPA’s credit strength and ability to make timely payments has been impacted by the economic conditions in Puerto Rico, thus raising doubt about the company’s ability to meet the debt obligations held by the Company. Management concluded that the loan was impaired. At March 31, 2017, the loan had a carrying value of $1.4 million, unpaid principal of $1.6 million, and an allowance for credit losses of $146,000. At December 31, 2016, the loan had a carrying value of $1.7 million, unpaid principal of $2.0 million, and an allowance for credit losses of $177,000.

The Company’s bank loan portfolio includes loans to oil and gas companies in the energy sector. The market values of these loans have been impacted by declining energy prices. At March 31, 2017, the Company’s oil and gas exposure in the bank loan portfolio was in four loans with a carrying value of $9.9 million and an unrealized loss of $1.4 million. All of the loans were current at March 31, 2017. Management concluded that two of these loans were impaired as of March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2017, the two impaired loans had a carrying value of $2.0 million, unpaid principal of $2.5 million and an allowance for credit losses of $411,000. At December 31, 2016, one loan was impaired with a carrying value of $1.6 million, unpaid principal of $2.2 million and an allowance for credit losses of $545,000.

Management also concluded that one non-energy sector loan was impaired at March 31, 2017. The loan had a carrying value of $630,000, unpaid principal of $712,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $82,000. At December 31, 2016, three non-energy sector loans were impaired with a total carrying value of $3.2 million, unpaid principal of $3.5 million, and an allowance for credit losses of $221,000.

The aggregate allowance for credit losses was $639,000 at March 31, 2017 on impaired loans from four issuers with a total carrying value of $4.0 million and unpaid principal of $4.8 million. At December 31, 2016, the aggregate allowance for credit losses was $943,000 on impaired loans from five issuers with a total carrying value of $6.5 million and unpaid principal of $7.6 million. The aggregate allowance for credit losses on impaired loans was $4.6 million at March 31, 2016 and $4.3 million at December 31, 2015.

Bank loan participations generally have a credit rating that is below investment grade (i.e. below “BBB-” for Standard & Poor’s) at the date of purchase. These bank loans are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized rating agency. These bank loans include assignments of, and participations in, performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. Bank loans consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit loans, and other similar loans and investments. Management believed that it was probable at the time that these loans were acquired that the Company would be able to collect all contractually required payments receivable.

Table of Contents

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments (continued)

Generally, the accrual of interest on a bank loan participation is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest. A bank loan participation may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. Generally, bank loan participations are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. Interest received on nonaccrual loans generally is reported as investment income. There were no bank loans on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level believed adequate by management to absorb estimated probable credit losses. Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on consultations and advice of the Company’s independent investment manager, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The Company generally records an allowance equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of bank loans that it has determined to be impaired as a practical expedient for an estimate of probable future cash flows to be collected on those bank loans. Bank loans are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

The average recorded investment in impaired bank loans was $5.3 million and $5.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Investment income of $84,000 and $71,000, respectively, was recognized during the time within those periods that the loans were impaired. The Company recorded net realized investment gains of $177,000 and net realized investment losses of $304,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, for changes in the fair value of impaired bank loans.

Changes in unrealized gains or losses on securities held for trading are recorded as trading gains or losses within net investment income. Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes $3,000 of net trading gains, all of which relates to securities still held at March 31, 2017.

The Company’s realized gains and losses are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities:
Gross realized gains	$	338		$	842
Gross realized losses		(296	)		(1	)
		42			841

Bank loan participations:
Gross realized gains		1,136			60
Gross realized losses		(539	)		(352	)
		597			(292	)

Equity securities:
Gross realized gains		409			–
Gross realized losses		–			–
		409			–

Short-term investments and other:
Gross realized gains		–			–
Gross realized losses		(1	)		(2	)
		(1	)		(2	)
Total	$	1,047		$	547

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments (continued)

Realized investment gains or losses are determined on a specific identification basis.

The Company invests selectively in private debt and equity opportunities. These investments, which together comprise the Company’s other invested assets, are primarily focused in renewable energy, limited partnerships, and bank holding companies.

					Investment Income
	Carrying Value				Three Months Ended
	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)

Renewable energy LLCs (a)	$	31,074	$	27,067	$	5,594	$	681
Renewable energy bridge financing notes (b)		–		–		–		244
Limited partnerships (c)		24,071		23,852		382		156
Bank holding companies (d)		4,500		4,500		86		86
Total other invested assets	$	59,645	$	55,419	$	6,062	$	1,167

(a)

The Company’s Corporate and Other segment owns equity interests ranging from 2.6% to 32.8% in various LLCs whose principal objective is capital appreciation and income generation from owning and operating renewable energy production facilities (wind and solar). The LLCs are managed by an affiliate of the Company’s largest shareholder and the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has invested in certain of these LLCs. The equity method is used to account for the Company’s LLC investments. Income for the LLCs primarily reflects adjustments to the carrying values of investments in renewable energy projects to their determined fair values. The fair value adjustments are included in revenues for the LLCs. Expenses for the LLCs are not significant and are comprised of administrative and interest expenses. The Company received cash distributions from these investments totaling $1.6 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(b)

The Company has held investments in bridge financing notes for renewable energy projects. The notes, all with affiliates of the Company’s largest shareholder, generally matured in less than one year and carried primarily variable rates of interest ranging from 7.0% to 15.0%. Original discounts and commitment fees received were recognized over the terms of the notes under the effective interest method.

(c)

The Company owns investments in limited partnerships that invest in concentrated portfolios of publicly-traded small cap equities, loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies, and equity tranches of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Income from the partnerships is recognized under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s Corporate and Other segment held an investment in a limited partnership with a carrying value of $2.7 million at March 31, 2017. The Company recognized investment income of $68,000 and $92,000 on the investment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment holds investments in limited partnerships of $21.4 million at March 31, 2017. Investment income of $314,000 and $64,000 was recognized on the investments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At March 31, 2017, the Company’s Excess and Surplus Lines segment has an outstanding commitment to invest another $1.0 million in a limited partnership that invests in loans of middle market private equity sponsored companies.

Table of Contents

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Investments (continued)

(d)

The Company holds $4.5 million of subordinated notes issued by a bank holding company. Interest on the notes, which mature on August 12, 2023, is fixed at 7.6% per annum. Interest income on the notes was $86,000 in both three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer was previously the Lead Independent Director of the bank holding company and an investor in the bank holding company. Additionally, one of the Company’s directors was an investor in the bank holding company and is currently a lender to the bank holding company.

At March 31, 2017, the Company held an investment in a collateralized loan obligation (CLO) where one of the underlying loans was issued by the bank holding company. The investment, with a carrying value of $5.0 million at March 31, 2017, is classified as an available-for-sale fixed maturity.

The Company has held common shares of the bank holding company. Realized investments gains of $409,000 were recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to shares of the bank holding company. Income of $199,000 was recognized on the shares for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The Company holds a $1.0 million certificate of deposit issued by the bank holding company. The certificate of deposit, which matures on December 19, 2017, is carried as a short-term investment. Interest income of $1,000 was recognized on this investment for both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

On December 11, 2007, the Company completed an acquisition of James River Group by acquiring 100% of the outstanding shares of James River Group common stock, referred to herein as the “Merger”. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and goodwill and intangible assets were recognized by the Company as a result of the transaction. Goodwill resulting from the Merger was $181.8 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for each major specifically identifiable intangible asset class were as follows:

		March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Life (Years)	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
		($ in thousands)
Intangible Assets
Trademarks	Indefinite	$	22,200	$	–	$	22,200	$	–
Insurance licenses and authorities	Indefinite		9,164		–		9,164		–
Identifiable intangibles not subject to amortization			31,364		–		31,364		–

Broker relationships	24.6		11,611		4,193		11,611		4,044
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization			11,611		4,193		11,611		4,044
		$	42,975	$	4,193	$	42,975	$	4,044

Table of Contents

JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Earnings Per Share

The following represents a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements:

	Income (Numerator)		Weighted-Average Common Shares (Denominator)		Earnings Per Share
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
Basic	$	18,450		29,289,588	$	0.63
Common share equivalents		–		1,037,835		(0.02	)
Diluted	$	18,450		30,327,423	$	0.61

Three months ended March 31, 2016
Basic	$	12,837		28,953,008	$	0.44
Common share equivalents		–		789,244		(0.01	)
Diluted	$	12,837		29,742,252	$	0.43

Common share equivalents relate to stock options and restricted share units (“RSU’s”). For the three months ended March 31, 2017, common share equivalents of 97,755 shares were excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share as their effects were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, all common share equivalents were dilutive.

Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance, to the gross amounts reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at beginning of period	$	761,128		$	653,534
Add: Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance:
Current year		108,783			78,173
Prior years		(3,414	)		(4,667	)
Total incurred losses and loss and adjustment expenses		105,369			73,506
Deduct: Loss and loss adjustment expense payments net of reinsurance:
Current year		3,698			1,944
Prior years		71,018			52,508
Total loss and loss adjustment expense payments		74,716			54,452
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses net of reinsurance recoverables at end of period		791,781			672,588
Add: Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period		188,782			141,739
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses gross of reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period	$	980,563		$	814,327

The Company experienced $3.4 million of favorable reserve development in the three months ended March 31, 2017 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2016. This reserve development included $3.2 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, primarily from the 2016 and 2014 accident years which were partially offset by unfavorable development in the 2006 accident year. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at March 31, 2017 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

An additional $42,000 of favorable development occurred in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, as favorable development in the 2015, 2014 and prior accident years slightly exceeded adverse development in the 2016 accident year. The Company also experienced $145,000 of favorable development for the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

The Company experienced $4.7 million of favorable reserve development in the three months ended March 31, 2016 on the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses held at December 31, 2015. This reserve development included $4.4 million of favorable development in the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, primarily from the 2013, 2014, and 2015 accident years which were offset partially by unfavorable development in the 2012 accident year. This favorable development occurred because our actuarial studies at March 31, 2016 for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment indicated that our loss experience on our casualty business continues to be below our initial expected loss ratios. An additional $311,000 of favorable development occurred in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, as favorable development in the 2012 and 2013 accident years exceeded adverse development in the 2014 accident year. The Company also experienced $37,000 of adverse development for the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the components of comprehensive income:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)

Unrealized gains arising during the period, before U.S. income taxes	$	5,998		$	17,118
U.S. income taxes		(1,636	)		(930	)
Unrealized gains arising during the period, net of U.S. income taxes		4,362			16,188
Less reclassification adjustment:
Net realized investment gains		450			841
U.S. income tax expenses		(122	)		(273	)
Reclassification adjustment for investment gains realized in net income		328			568
Other comprehensive income	$	4,034		$	15,620

7. Contingent Liabilities

The Company is a party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its operations. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not materially impact its financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.

The Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, JRG Re, entered into two letter of credit facilities with banks as security to third-party reinsureds on reinsurance assumed by JRG Re. JRG Re has established custodial accounts to secure these letters of credit. Under a $100.0 million facility, $87.0 million of letters of credit were issued through March 31, 2017 which were secured by deposits of $103.6 million. Under a $102.5 million facility, $45.2 million of letters of credit were issued through March 31, 2017 which were secured by deposits of $63.1 million. JRG Re has also established trust accounts to secure its obligations to selected reinsureds. The total amount deposited in the trust accounts for the benefit of third-party reinsureds was $249.0 million at March 31, 2017.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Segment Information

The Company has four reportable segments: the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, the Casualty Reinsurance segment, and the Corporate and Other segment. Segment profit (loss) is measured by underwriting profit (loss), which is generally defined as net earned premiums less loss and loss adjustment expenses and other operating expenses of the operating segments. Fee income and expenses of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment is included in that segment’s underwriting profit. Fee income of $3.8 million and $2.3 million was included in underwriting profit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Segment results are reported prior to the effects of intercompany reinsurance agreements among the Company’s insurance subsidiaries.

The following table summarizes the Company’s segment results:

	Excess and Surplus Lines		Specialty Admitted Insurance		Casualty Reinsurance		Corporate and Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Gross written premiums	$	108,995	$	72,464	$	42,720	$	–	$	224,179
Net earned premiums		93,849		16,253		44,585		–		154,687
Underwriting profit of insurance segments		8,800		842		1,093		–		10,735
Net investment income		3,183		636		7,124		5,790		16,733
Interest expense		–		–		–		2,123		2,123
Segment revenues		101,090		16,924		52,146		6,242		176,402
Segment goodwill		181,831		–		–		–		181,831
Segment assets		749,617		335,806		1,211,896		114,006		2,411,325

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Gross written premiums	$	82,108	$	28,687	$	22,276	$	–	$	133,071
Net earned premiums		65,505		11,405		40,220		–		117,130
Underwriting profit of insurance segments		9,204		475		334		–		10,013
Net investment income		3,286		611		6,227		1,148		11,272
Interest expense		–		–		–		2,174		2,174
Segment revenues		71,790		12,047		46,308		1,184		131,329
Segment goodwill		181,831		–		–		–		181,831
Segment assets		692,517		190,515		1,121,576		97,469		2,102,077

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Segment Information (continued)

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit of the operating segments by individual segment to consolidated income before taxes:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Underwriting profit of the insurance segments:
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	8,800		$	9,204
Specialty Admitted Insurance		842			475
Casualty Reinsurance		1,093			334
Total underwriting profit of insurance segments		10,735			10,013
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment		(6,461	)		(5,252	)
Underwriting profit		4,274			4,761
Net investment income		16,733			11,272
Net realized investment gains		1,047			547
Amortization of intangible assets		(149	)		(149	)
Other income and expenses		200			76
Interest expense		(2,123	)		(2,174	)
Income before taxes	$	19,982		$	14,333

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consist of the following:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Amortization of policy acquisition costs	$	27,638	$	23,081
Other underwriting expenses of the operating segments		14,794		12,846
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment		6,461		5,252
Total	$	48,893	$	41,179

10.

Fair Value Measurements

Three levels of inputs are used to measure fair value of financial instruments: (1) Level 1: quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets, (2) Level 2: inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument, and (3) Level 3: inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.

To measure fair value, the Company obtains quoted market prices for its investment securities from its outside investment managers. If a quoted market price is not available, the Company uses prices of similar securities. Values for U.S. Treasury and publicly-traded equity securities are generally based on Level 1 inputs which use the market approach valuation technique. The values for all other fixed maturity securities (including state and municipal securities and obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies) generally incorporate significant Level 2 inputs, and in some cases, Level 3 inputs, using the market approach and income approach valuation techniques. There have been no changes in the Company’s use of valuation techniques since December 31, 2015.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

10.

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The Company reviews fair value prices provided by its outside investment managers for reasonableness by comparing the fair values provided by the managers to those provided by its investment custodian. The Company also reviews and monitors changes in unrealized gains and losses. The Company has not historically adjusted security prices. The Company obtains an understanding of the methods, models and inputs used by the investment managers and independent pricing services, and controls are in place to validate that prices provided represent fair values. The Company’s control process includes, but is not limited to, initial and ongoing evaluation of the methodologies used, a review of specific securities and an assessment for proper classification within the fair value hierarchy, and obtaining and reviewing internal control reports for our investment manager that obtains fair values from independent pricing services.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 are summarized below:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	–	$	111,209	$	–	$	111,209
Residential mortgage-backed		–		143,462		–		143,462
Corporate		–		380,101		–		380,101
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		–		167,197		5,000		172,197
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		–		62,554		–		62,554
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		69,541		627		–		70,168
Redeemable preferred stock		–		1,996		–		1,996
Total fixed maturity securities		69,541		867,146		5,000		941,687
Equity securities:
Preferred stock		–		67,104		–		67,104
Common stock		11,629		734		–		12,363
Total equity securities		11,629		67,838		–		79,467
Total available-for-sale securities	$	81,170	$	934,984	$	5,000	$	1,021,154
Trading securities:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,250	$	3,816	$	–	$	5,066
Short-term investments	$	1,000	$	52,361	$	–	$	53,361

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

10.

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 are summarized below:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities:
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	–	$	105,841	$	–	$	105,841
Residential mortgage-backed		–		150,798		–		150,798
Corporate		–		378,448		–		378,448
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		–		163,047		5,000		168,047
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		–		65,014		–		65,014
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		70,465		655		–		71,120
Redeemable preferred stock		–		1,809		–		1,809
Total fixed maturity securities		70,465		865,612		5,000		941,077
Equity securities:
Preferred stock		–		64,827		–		64,827
Common stock		10,840		734		–		11,574
Total equity securities		10,840		65,561		–		76,401
Total available-for-sale securities	$	81,305	$	931,173	$	5,000	$	1,017,478
Trading securities:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,250	$	3,813	$	–	$	5,063
Short-term investments	$	1,100	$	49,744	$	–	$	50,844

The beginning and ending balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) consist of one available-for-sale fixed maturity security with a fair value of $5.0 million, and there was no activity (purchases, sales, transfers) involving Level 3 securities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. A market approach using prices in trades of comparable securities was utilized to determine the fair value for this security at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Transfers out of Level 3 occur when the Company is able to obtain reliable prices from pricing vendors for securities for which the Company was previously unable to obtain reliable prices. Transfers in to Level 3 occur when the Company is unable to obtain reliable prices for securities from pricing vendors and instead must use broker price quotes to value the securities.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

10.

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

There were no realized gains or losses included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017 attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to Level 3 assets valued at fair value on a recurring basis that are still held at March 31, 2017.

The Company measures certain bank loan participations at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the year as part of the Company’s impairment evaluation when loans are determined by management to be impaired.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1		Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2		Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
Bank loan participations held-for-investment	$	–	$	–	$	2,668	$	2,668

December 31, 2016
Bank loan participations held-for-investment	$	–	$	–	$	4,849	$	4,849

Bank loan participations held-for-investment that were determined to be impaired were written down to their fair value of $2.7 million at March 31, 2017 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2016.

In the determination of the fair value for bank loan participations and certain high yield bonds, the Company’s investment manager endeavors to obtain data from multiple external pricing sources. External pricing sources may include brokers, dealers and price data vendors that provide a composite price based on prices from multiple dealers. Such external pricing sources typically provide valuations for normal institutional size trading units of such securities using methods based on market transactions for comparable securities, and various relationships between securities, as generally recognized by institutional dealers. For investments in which the investment manager determines that only one external pricing source is appropriate or if only one external price is available, the relevant investment is generally recorded at fair value based on such price.

Investments for which external sources are not available or are determined by the investment manager not to be representative of fair value are recorded at fair value as determined by the Company, with input from its investment managers and valuation specialists as considered necessary. In determining the fair value of such investments, the Company considers one or more of the following factors: type of security held, convertibility or exchangeability of the security, redeemability of the security (including the timing of redemptions), application of industry accepted valuation models, recent trading activity, liquidity, estimates of liquidation value, purchase cost, and prices received for securities with similar terms of the same issuer or similar issuers. At March 31, 2017, there were bank loan participations with an unpaid principal balance of $1.8 million and a carrying value of $1.6 million for which external sources were unavailable to determine fair value. At December 31, 2016, there were bank loan participations with an unpaid principal balance of $2.3 million and a carrying value of $2.0 million for which external sources were unavailable to determine fair value.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

10.

Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The carrying values and fair values of financial instruments are summarized below:

	March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(in thousands)

Assets
Available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities	$	941,687	$	941,687	$	941,077	$	941,077
Equity securities		79,467		79,467		76,401		76,401
Trading:
Fixed maturity securities		5,066		5,066		5,063		5,063
Bank loan participations held-for-investment		224,224		223,676		203,526		203,123
Cash and cash equivalents		94,224		94,224		109,784		109,784
Short-term investments		53,361		53,361		50,844		50,844
Other invested assets – notes receivable		4,500		5,922		4,500		6,008

Liabilities
Senior debt		88,300		84,440		88,300		85,404
Junior subordinated debt		104,055		102,681		104,055		99,397

The fair values of fixed maturity securities and equity securities have been determined using quoted market prices for securities traded in the public market or prices using bid or closing prices for securities not traded in the public marketplace. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments approximate their carrying values due to their short-term maturity.

The fair values of other invested assets-notes receivable, senior debt, and junior subordinated debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were determined by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows under the terms of the note agreements or debt agreements, as applicable, discounted at an estimated market rate of interest at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The fair values of bank loan participations held-for-investment, senior debt, and junior subordinated debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were determined using inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable (Level 3).

11.

Capital Stock and Equity Awards

The Company issued 86,761 common shares in the first quarter of 2017 with 63,467 new shares related to stock option exercises and 23,294 new shares related to RSUs that vested in the first quarter. The total common shares outstanding increased from 29,257,566 at December 31, 2016 to 29,344,327 at March 31, 2017.

On February 14, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. The dividend totaled $8.9 million and was paid on March 31, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2017. On February 16, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend totaled $5.8 million and was paid on March 28, 2016 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2016.

Equity Incentive Plans

The Company’s shareholders have approved various equity incentive plans, including the Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Legacy Plan”), the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2014 LTIP”), and the 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (“2014 Director Plan”) (collectively, the “Plans”). All awards issued under the Plans are issued at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Under the Legacy Plan, employees received non-qualified stock options. Options are outstanding under the Legacy Plan; however, no additional awards may be granted under such plan.

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

11.

Capital Stock and Equity Awards (continued)

Employees are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, restricted share units (“RSUs”), and other awards under the 2014 LTIP. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 LTIP is 3,171,150, and at March 31, 2017, 876,309 shares are available for grant.

Non-employee directors of the Company are eligible to receive non-qualified stock options, share appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares, restricted share units, and other awards under the 2014 Director Plan. The maximum number of shares available for issuance under the 2014 Director Plan is 50,000, and at March 31, 2017, 32,994 shares are available for grant.

All options issued under the Legacy Plan vest in the event of a change in control. Generally, awards issued under the 2014 LTIP and 2014 Director Plan vest immediately in the event that an award recipient is terminated without Cause (as defined), and in the case of the 2014 LTIP for Good Reason (as defined) following a Change in Control as defined in the applicable plans.

The Board of Directors has granted awards under the 2014 LTIP and 2014 Director Plan to the Company’s employees and directors. On February 14, 2017, non-qualified stock options for 195,509 shares were granted with an exercise price of $42.17 per share and a three year vesting period. RSUs for 117,879 shares were also awarded with a fair value on the date of grant of $42.17 per share. On February 16, 2016, non-qualified stock options for 706,203 shares were granted with an exercise price of $32.07 per share and a three year vesting period. RSUs for 58,663 shares were also awarded with a fair value on the date of grant of $32.07 per share. RSUs vest over one to three year periods, depending on the award.

Options

The following table summarizes the option activity:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017					2016
	Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Outstanding:
Beginning of period		2,234,699		$	22.84		2,058,085		$	18.11
Granted		195,509		$	42.17		706,203		$	32.07
Exercised		(97,211	)	$	17.23		(80,616	)	$	16.52
Forfeited		(50,062	)	$	27.97		(3,362	)	$	21.00
End of period		2,282,935		$	24.62		2,680,310		$	21.83
Exercisable, end of period		1,334,756		$	20.47		1,165,401		$	16.81

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JAMES RIVER GROUP HOLDING, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

11.

Capital Stock and Equity Awards (continued)

RSUs

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

	Shares			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
March 31, 2017
Unvested, beginning of period		196,800		$	24.38
Granted		117,879		$	42.17
Vested		(37,485	)	$	32.07
Forfeited		(19,743	)	$	24.06
Unvested, end of period		257,451		$	31.43

March 31, 2016
Unvested, beginning of period		234,922		$	21.00
Granted		58,663		$	32.07
Unvested, end of period		293,585		$	23.21

Compensation Expense

Share based compensation expense is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period. The amount of expense and related tax benefit is summarized below:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Share based compensation expense	$	1,794	$	1,189
U.S. tax benefit on share based compensation expense		469		336

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $12.1 million of unrecognized share based compensation expense expected to be charged to earnings over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and options exercisable was 4.6 years and 3.8 years, respectively.

12.

Subsequent Events

On May 2, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per common share. The dividend is payable on June 30, 2017 to shareholders of record on June 12, 2017.

On May 2, 2017, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2014 LTIP to increase the number of common shares authorized for issuance by 1,000,000, with only 500,000 of such additional shares to be available for issuance as awards that are not share appreciation rights or share option awards.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or “Quarterly Report”, and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2017, or for any other future period. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, and in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Unless the context indicates or suggests otherwise, references to “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries.

Our Business

James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company. We own and operate a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies with the objective of generating compelling returns on tangible equity while limiting underwriting and investment volatility. We seek to accomplish this by consistently earning profits from insurance and reinsurance underwriting and generating meaningful risk-adjusted investment returns while managing our capital opportunistically.

Our underwriting profit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $4.3 million. In the prior year, for the same period, we had an underwriting profit of $4.8 million. As described herein, we recognized favorable reserve development of $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $4.7 million of favorable development for the same period in the prior year.

We are organized into four reportable segments, which are separately managed business units:

The Excess and Surplus Lines segment offers commercial excess and surplus lines liability and property insurance in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through James River Insurance Company (“James River Insurance”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, James River Casualty Company;

The Specialty Admitted Insurance segment focuses on niche classes within the standard insurance markets, such as workers’ compensation coverage for residential contractors, light manufacturing operations, transportation workers and healthcare workers in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This segment also focuses on fronting and program business, where we retain a small percentage of the risk and seek to earn fee income by allowing other carriers and producers to use our licensure, ratings and infrastructure. This segment has admitted licenses in 48 states and the District of Columbia;

The Casualty Reinsurance segment provides proportional and working layer casualty reinsurance to third parties (primarily through reinsurance intermediaries) and to our U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries (primarily through quota share reinsurance), through JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“JRG Re”), a Bermuda-based reinsurance company; and

The Corporate and Other segment consists of the management and treasury activities of our holding companies, interest expense associated with our debt, and expenses of our holding companies, including public company expenses, that are not reimbursed by our insurance segments.

All of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have financial strength ratings of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

The most critical accounting policies involve significant estimates and include those used in determining the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, investment valuation and impairment, goodwill and intangible assets, and assumed reinsurance premiums. For a detailed discussion of each of these policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. There have been no significant changes to any of these policies during the current year.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table summarizes our results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

	Three Months Ended March 31,						%
	2017			2016			Change
	($ in thousands)

Gross written premiums	$	224,179		$	133,071			68.5	%
Net retention (1)		70.4	%		80.3	%
Net written premiums	$	157,910		$	106,901			47.7	%

Net earned premiums	$	154,687		$	117,130			32.1	%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		(105,369	)		(73,506	)		43.3	%
Other operating expenses		(45,044	)		(38,863	)		15.9	%
Underwriting profit (2), (3)		4,274			4,761			(10.2	)%
Net investment income		16,733			11,272			48.4	%
Net realized investment gains		1,047			547			91.4	%
Other income and expense		200			76			163.2	%
Interest expense		(2,123	)		(2,174	)		(2.3	)%
Amortization of intangible assets		(149	)		(149	)		‒
Income before taxes		19,982			14,333			39.4	%
Income tax expense		1,532			1,496			2.4	%
Net income	$	18,450		$	12,837			43.7	%
Net operating income	$	17,719		$	12,838			38.0	%
Ratios:
Loss ratio		68.1	%		62.8	%
Expense ratio		29.1	%		33.2	%
Combined ratio		97.2	%		95.9	%

(1)

Net retention is defined as the ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums.

(2)

See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” for further detail.

(3)

Included in underwriting results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is fee income of $5.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

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The Company had an underwriting profit of $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This compares to an underwriting profit of $4.8 million for the same period in the prior year.

The results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 include certain non-operating items that are significant to the Company. These items (on a pre-tax basis) include:

Net realized investment gains of $1.0 million and $547,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In the first quarter of 2017, net realized investment gains are comprised principally of $420,000 of gains on the sale of bank loan securities, $409,000 of gains on the sale of equity securities and $177,000 of gains from a reduction in our bank loan credit allowance. In the first quarter of 2016, net realized investment gains were comprised principally of realized gains of $842,000 on the sale of fixed maturity securities net of $352,000 of impairment losses on energy sector bank loans.

Interest expense of $312,000 and $486,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, relating to finance expenses in connection with a minority interest in a real estate partnership pursuant to which we are deemed an owner for accounting purposes. The debt is nonrecourse to us and was not arranged by us.

We define adjusted net operating income as net income excluding certain non-operating expenses such as net realized investment gains and losses, expenses related to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, professional service fees related to the filing of registration statements for the offering of securities, severance costs associated with terminated employees, and interest and other income and expenses on a leased building that we are deemed to own for accounting purposes. We use adjusted net operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Our income before taxes and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 reconcile to our adjusted net operating income as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017						2016
	Income Before Taxes			Net Income			Income Before Taxes			Net Income
	(in thousands)

Income as reported	$	19,982		$	18,450		$	14,333		$	12,837
Net realized investment gains		(1,047	)		(834	)		(547	)		(307	)
Other expenses		(114	)		(100	)		(12	)		(8	)
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes		312			203			486			316
Adjusted net operating income	$	19,133		$	17,719		$	14,260		$	12,838

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Our combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 97.2%. The combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and other operating expenses to net earned premiums. A combined ratio of less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit, while a combined ratio greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. The combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes $3.4 million, or 2.2 percentage points, of net favorable development on prior accident years, including $3.2 million of net favorable development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, $42,000 of net favorable reserve development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, and $145,000 of net favorable reserve development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

Our combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 95.9%. The combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $4.7 million, or 4.0 percentage points, of net favorable development on prior accident years, including $4.4 million of net favorable development from the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and $311,000 of net favorable reserve development from the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment offset by $37,000 of net adverse development from the Casualty Reinsurance segment.

Our expense ratio improved from 33.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to 29.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The improvement is due to a 43.3% increase in the net earned premiums of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment and an increase in fee income for the Company as a whole. Our Excess and Surplus Lines segment (our largest segment with 60.7% of consolidated net earned premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2017) has significant scale and produces a lower expense ratio than our other operating segments. Fee income for the Company increased from $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

All of the Company’s U.S.-domiciled insurance subsidiaries are party to an intercompany pooling agreement that distributes the net underwriting results among the group companies based on their approximate pro-rata level of statutory capital and surplus to the total Company statutory capital and surplus. Additionally, each of the Company’s U.S.-domiciled insurance subsidiaries is a party to a quota share reinsurance agreement that cedes 70% of their premiums and losses to JRG Re. We report all segment information in this ‘‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ prior to the effects of intercompany reinsurance, consistent with the manner in which we evaluate the operating performance of our reportable segments.

Premiums

Insurance premiums are earned ratably over the terms of our insurance policies, generally twelve months. Reinsurance premiums assumed are earned over the terms of the underlying policies or reinsurance contracts. Contracts and policies written on a “losses occurring” basis cover claims that may occur during the term of the contract or policy, which is typically twelve months. Contracts which are written on a “risks attaching” basis cover claims which attach to the underlying insurance policies written during the terms of such contracts. Premiums earned on such contracts usually extend beyond the original term of the reinsurance contract, typically resulting in recognition of premiums earned over a 24-month period in proportion to the level of underlying exposure.

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The following table summarizes the change in premium volume by component and business segment:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				%
	2017		2016		Change
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums:
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	108,995	$	82,108		32.7	%
Specialty Admitted Insurance		72,464		28,687		152.6	%
Casualty Reinsurance		42,720		22,276		91.8	%
	$	224,179	$	133,071		68.5	%

Net written premiums:
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	96,971	$	71,535		35.6	%
Specialty Admitted Insurance		18,059		13,046		38.4	%
Casualty Reinsurance		42,880		22,320		92.1	%
	$	157,910	$	106,901		47.7	%

Net earned premiums:
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	93,849	$	65,505		43.3	%
Specialty Admitted Insurance		16,253		11,405		42.5	%
Casualty Reinsurance		44,585		40,220		10.9	%
	$	154,687	$	117,130		32.1	%

Our Excess and Surplus Lines, Specialty Admitted Insurance and Casualty Reinsurance segments each experienced significant growth in gross written premiums during the first quarter of 2017. Premiums for the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were affected by the following:

Gross written premiums for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment (which represents 48.6% of our consolidated gross written premiums) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased 32.7% over the prior year. Gross written premiums excluding commercial auto policies increased 10.8%, as policy submissions excluding commercial auto policies were 10.5% higher and 5.0% more policies were bound in the three months ended March 31, 2017 than in the three months ended March 31, 2016. Average premiums for non-commercial auto policies bound in the three months ended March 31, 2017 were 7.4% higher than for those bound in the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the increase in gross written premiums compared to the comparable period in 2016 was most notable in our:

Commercial Auto division (representing 38.6% of this segment’s 2017 business), which increased by $20.3 million or (93.8%). This division is focused on underwriting the hired and non-owned auto liability exposures for a variety of industry segments with a particular niche for insuring organizations that operate networks connecting independent contractors with customers.

Manufacturers and Contractors division (representing 20.2% of this segment’s 2017 business) which increased $2.4 million (or 12.3%).

Excess Casualty division (representing 8.7% of this segment’s 2017 business) which increased $2.3 million (or 31.1%).

Allied Health division (representing 6.3% of this segment’s 2017 business) which increased $1.5 million (or 28.1%).

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The components of gross written premiums for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment (which represents 32.3% of our consolidated gross written premiums for the three months ended March 31, 2017) are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,				%
	2017		2016		Change
	($ in thousands)

Workers’ compensation premium	$	10,635	$	9,354		13.7	%
Audit premiums on workers’ compensation policies		637		665		(4.2	)%
Allocation of involuntary workers’ compensation pool		527		665		(20.8	)%
Total workers’ compensation premium		11,799		10,684		10.4	%
Fronting and program premium		60,665		18,003		237.0	%
Total	$	72,464	$	28,687		152.6	%

It is our policy to audit the payroll for each expired workers’ compensation policy in the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment to determine the difference between the original estimated payroll at the time the policy was written and the final actual payroll of the insured after the policy is completed. Audit premiums increased both written and earned premiums during the three months ended March 31, 2017 by $637,000 compared to $665,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2016.

A significant portion of the fronting and program business is ceded to third party reinsurers and grew largely due to the June 2016 addition of a significant fronting contract. As a result, our net written premium for this segment increased by less than our gross written premiums, increasing 38.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Gross written premiums for the Casualty Reinsurance segment (which represents 19.1% of our consolidated gross written premiums) increased 91.8% to $42.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016. This premium increase is due primarily to $10.2 million of written premiums on new business in the quarter coupled with the renewal of a majority of the accounts written in the first quarter of 2016. One renewal had an increase in written premium of $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The Casualty Reinsurance segment generally writes large casualty-focused treaties that are expected to have lower volatility relative to property and catastrophe treaties. We rarely write stand-alone property reinsurance. When treaties that include property exposure are written, it is done with relatively low catastrophe sub-limits.

Net Retention

The ratio of net written premiums to gross written premiums is referred to as our net premium retention. Our net premium retention is summarized by segment as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016

Excess and Surplus Lines		89.0	%		87.1	%
Specialty Admitted Insurance		24.9	%		45.5	%
Casualty Reinsurance		100.4	%		100.2	%
Total		70.4	%		80.3	%

The net premium retention for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment increased from 87.1% in the first quarter of 2016 to 89.0% in the first quarter of 2017 due to both increased retention and increased premium on our commercial auto business.

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The net premium retention for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment decreased from 45.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to 24.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease is driven by the 237.0% growth in the segment’s fronting and program business, which generally has much lower net premium retention than our workers’ compensation business. This growth was largely due to the July 2016 addition of a significant fronting contract. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the net retention on the segment’s fronting and program business was 12.2% (18.8% in the three months ended March 31, 2016), while the net retention on the workers’ compensation business was 90.5% (90.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2016).

The net retention for the Casualty Reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 includes adjustments to the estimates of both gross and net written premiums from the prior year that caused this segment’s net premium retention to slightly exceed 100% in both periods.

Underwriting Results

The following table compares our combined ratios by segment:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016

Excess and Surplus Lines		90.6	%		85.9	%
Specialty Admitted Insurance		94.8	%		95.8	%
Casualty Reinsurance		97.5	%		99.2	%
Total		97.2	%		95.9	%

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Excess and Surplus Lines Segment

Results for the Excess and Surplus Lines segment are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,						%
	2017			2016			Change
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	108,995		$	82,108			32.7	%
Net written premiums	$	96,971		$	71,535			35.6	%

Net earned premiums	$	93,849		$	65,505			43.3	%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		(66,568	)		(40,663	)		63.7	%
Underwriting expenses		(18,481	)		(15,638	)		18.2	%
Underwriting profit (1), (2)	$	8,800		$	9,204			(4.4	)%

Ratios:
Loss ratio		70.9	%		62.1	%		–
Expense ratio		19.7	%		23.9	%		–
Combined ratio		90.6	%		85.9	%		–

(1)

See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”

(2)

Underwriting results include fee income of $3.8 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The combined ratio of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 90.6%, comprised of a loss ratio of 70.9% and an expense ratio of 19.7%. The combined ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 85.9%, comprised of a loss ratio of 62.1% and an expense ratio of 23.9%.

The loss ratio of 70.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes $3.2 million, or 3.4 percentage points, in net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. The loss ratio of 62.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $4.4 million, or 6.7 percentage points, in net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. The favorable reserve development in this segment reflects continuing positive loss trends.

The expense ratio for this segment dropped from 23.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to 19.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to a 43.3% increase in net earned premium from $65.5 million for three months ended March 31, 2016 to $93.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Fee income also reduced our expense ratio by 3.5 percentage points in the first quarter of 2016 and by 4.1 percentage points in the first quarter of 2017 as it grew from $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The reduced expense ratio and higher loss ratio in this segment is due to the increase in commercial auto premium as a percentage of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s total premium. Our commercial auto business has a lower expense ratio and higher loss ratio than the other underwriting divisions in the segment. Commercial auto made up 38.6% of the segment’s gross written premium for the first quarter of 2017 and is up from 26.4% for the first quarter of 2016.

As a result of the items discussed above, the underwriting profit of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment decreased 4.4% from $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $8.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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Specialty Admitted Insurance Segment

Results for the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,						%
	2017			2016			Change
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	72,464		$	28,687			152.6	%
Net written premiums	$	18,059		$	13,046			38.4	%

Net earned premiums	$	16,253		$	11,405			42.5	%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		(9,981	)		(6,600	)		51.2	%
Underwriting expenses		(5,430	)		(4,330	)		25.4	%
Underwriting profit (loss) (1), (2)	$	842		$	475			77.3	%

Ratios:
Loss ratio		61.4	%		57.9	%		–
Expense ratio		33.4	%		38.0	%		–
Combined ratio		94.8	%		95.8	%		–

(1)

See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

(2)

Underwriting results include fee income of $2.1 million and $820,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The combined ratio of the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 94.8%, comprised of a loss ratio of 61.4% and an expense ratio of 33.4%. This compares to the prior year’s combined ratio of 95.8%, comprised of a loss ratio of 57.9% and an expense ratio of 38.0%.

The loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes $42,000, or 0.3 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years. The loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $311,000, or 2.7 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development on prior accident years. The favorable reserve development in both periods reflects the fact that actual loss emergence of the workers’ compensation book has been better than expected.

The expense ratio of 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 declined from 38.0% in the prior year. The expense ratio declined in 2017 for this segment due to a 134.0% increase in net earned premium for the fronting and program business from $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as it continued to improve scale. Gross written premiums on fronting and program business grew from $18.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 to $60.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. In addition, fee income on fronting and program business reduced the expense ratio by 12.6 percentage points in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 7.2 percentage points in the three months ended March 31, 2016.

As a result of the items discussed above, the underwriting profit of the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment improved from $475,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $842,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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Casualty Reinsurance Segment

Results for the Casualty Reinsurance segment are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,						%
	2017			2016			Change
	($ in thousands)
Gross written premiums	$	42,720		$	22,276			91.8	%
Net written premiums	$	42,880		$	22,320			92.1	%

Net earned premiums	$	44,585		$	40,220			10.9	%
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		(28,820	)		(26,243	)		9.8	%
Underwriting expenses		(14,672	)		(13,643	)		7.5	%
Underwriting gain (1)	$	1,093		$	334			227.2	%

Ratios:
Loss ratio		64.6	%		65.2	%		–
Expense ratio		32.9	%		33.9	%		–
Combined ratio		97.5	%		99.2	%		–

(1)

See – “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

The Casualty Reinsurance segment focuses on lower volatility, proportional reinsurance which requires larger ceding commissions resulting in a higher commission expense than in our other segments.

The combined ratio of the Casualty Reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 97.5%, comprised of a loss ratio of 64.6% and an expense ratio of 32.9%. In the prior year, the combined ratio for the first quarter was 99.2%, comprised of a loss ratio of 65.2% and an expense ratio of 33.9%.

The loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes $145,000, or 0.3 percentage points, of net favorable reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years. The loss ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $37,000, or 0.1 percentage points, of adverse reserve development in our loss estimates for prior accident years.

The expense ratio for this segment decreased from 33.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to 32.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as the 10.9% growth in net earned premiums exceeded the 7.5% growth in underwriting expenses.

As a result of the items discussed above, the Casualty Reinsurance segment had an underwriting gain of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $334,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

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Reserves

An indicator of reserve strength that we monitor closely is the percentage of our gross and net loss reserves that are comprised of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves.

The Company’s gross reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses at March 31, 2017 was $980.6 million. Of this amount, 66.9% relates to amounts that are IBNR. This amount was 68.0% at December 31, 2016. The Company’s gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:

	Gross Reserves at March 31, 2017
	Case		IBNR		Total
	(in thousands)
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	154,404	$	436,272	$	590,676
Specialty Admitted Insurance		66,335		84,927		151,262
Casualty Reinsurance		104,143		134,482		238,625
Total	$	324,882	$	655,681	$	980,563

At March 31, 2016, the amount of net reserves of $791.8 million that related to IBNR was 65.7%. This amount was 66.9% at December 31, 2016. The Company’s net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses by segment are summarized as follows:

	Net Reserves at March 31, 2017
	Case		IBNR		Total
	(in thousands)
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	141,260	$	356,095	$	497,355
Specialty Admitted Insurance		31,199		32,800		63,999
Casualty Reinsurance		98,870		131,557		230,427
Total	$	271,329	$	520,452	$	791,781

Other Operating Expenses

In addition to the underwriting, acquisition, and insurance expenses of the Excess and Surplus Lines segment, the Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, and the Casualty Reinsurance segment, discussed previously, other operating expenses also includes the expenses of the Corporate and Other segment.

Corporate and Other Segment

Other operating expenses for the Corporate and Other segment include personnel costs associated with the Bermuda and U.S. holding companies, professional fees, and various other corporate expenses that are included in our calculation of our expense ratio and our combined ratio. Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment represent the expenses of both the Bermuda and U.S. holding companies that were not reimbursed by our subsidiaries, including costs associated with potential acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. These costs vary from period-to-period based on the status of these initiatives.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the total operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment were $6.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The increase in these expenses was primarily related to increases in stock compensation expense resulting from the options and restricted stock units granted in February 2017.

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Investing Results

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $16.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The change in our net investment income is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016		% Change
	(in thousands)
Renewable energy LLCs	$	5,594	$	681		721.4	%
Other private investments		468		486		(3.7	)%
Other invested assets		6,062		1,167		419.5	%
All other net investment income		10,671		10,105		5.6	%
Total net investment income	$	16,733	$	11,272		48.4	%

The higher net investment income was driven by the performance of the Company’s renewable energy investments. Net investment income from renewable energy investments increased from $681,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $5.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. These investments are interests in certain limited liability companies that are managed by an affiliate of our largest affiliated shareholders, and together, the carrying value of these investments was $31.1 million at March 31, 2017. Our interests in these companies are classified as “other invested assets” and the equity method is being used to account for the investments. Excluding private investments, our net investment income increased by $566,000 (5.6%) over the first quarter of the prior year to $10.7 million (from $10.1 million). This increase in net investment income was partially due to a 6.9% increase in our average cash and invested assets in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016. The average duration of our fixed maturity portfolio was 3.5 years at March 31, 2017.

Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2017			2016
	($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities	$	6,578		$	6,535
Bank loan participations		3,612			2,981
Equity securities		1,228			1,412
Other invested assets		6,062			1,167
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments		254			117
Trading gains		3			12
Gross investment income		17,737			12,224
Investment expense		(1,004	)		(952	)
Net investment income	$	16,733		$	11,272

The following table summarizes our investment returns:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2017			2016

Annualized gross investment yield on:
Average cash and invested assets		4.9	%		3.6	%
Average fixed maturity securities		3.4	%		3.4	%

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Of our total cash and invested assets of $1,457.7 million at March 31, 2017, $94.2 million represents the cash and cash equivalents portion of the portfolio. The majority of the portfolio, or $1,021.2 million, is comprised of fixed maturity and equity securities that are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses on these securities reported, net of applicable taxes, as a separate component of accumulated comprehensive income or loss. Also included in our investments are $224.2 million of bank loan participations, $53.4 million of short-term investments, $59.6 million of other invested assets, and $5.1 million of fixed maturity securities classified as trading which are held at the U.S. holding company. Our trading portfolio is carried at fair value with changes to the value reported as net investment income in our condensed consolidated income statement.

The $224.2 million of bank loan participations in our investment portfolio are classified as held-for-investment and reported at amortized cost, net of an allowance for credit losses of $639,000. Changes in this credit allowance are included in realized gains or losses. These bank loan participations are primarily senior, secured floating-rate debt rated “BB”, “B”, or “CCC” by Standard & Poor’s or an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized statistical rating organization, and are therefore below investment grade. Bank loans include assignments of and participations in, performing and non-performing senior corporate debt generally acquired through primary bank syndications and in secondary markets. They consist of, but are not limited to, term loans, the funded and unfunded portions of revolving credit loans, and similar loans and investments. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair market value of these securities was $223.7 million and $203.1 million, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized net realized investment gains of $1.0 million. In the first quarter of 2017, net realized investment gains are principally comprised of $420,000 of gains on the sale of bank loan securities, $409,000 of gains on the sale of equity securities and $177,000 of gains from a reduction in our bank loan credit allowance.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we recognized net realized investment gains of $547,000. These realized investment gains included $841,000 of net realized investment gains recognized on the sale of fixed maturities. These realized investment gains were partially offset by $352,000 in impairment losses primarily related to our investment exposure to certain oil and gas loans in the energy sector.

In conjunction with its outside investment managers, the Company performs quarterly reviews of all securities within its investment portfolio to determine whether any impairment has occurred.

At March 31, 2017, the Company held a participation in a loan issued by a company that produces and supplies power to Puerto Rico through a power purchase agreement with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), a public corporation and governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. PREPA’s credit strength and ability to make timely payments has been impacted by the economic conditions in Puerto Rico, thus raising doubt about the company’s ability to meet the debt obligations held by the Company. Management concluded that the loan was impaired at March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2017, the loan had a carrying value of $1.4 million, unpaid principal of $1.6 million, and an allowance for credit losses of $146,000.

The Company’s bank loan portfolio includes loans to oil and gas companies in the energy sector. The market values of these loans have been negatively impacted by declining energy prices. At March 31, 2017, the Company’s oil and gas exposure in the bank loan portfolio was in four loans with a carrying value of $9.9 million and an unrealized loss of $1.4 million. All of the loans were current at March 31, 2017. Management concluded that two of these loans were impaired as of March 31, 2017. At March 31, 2017, the two impaired loans had a carrying value of $2.0 million, unpaid principal of $2.5 million and an allowance for credit losses of $411,000. Management also concluded that one non-energy sector loan was impaired at March 31, 2017. The loan had a carrying value of $630,000, unpaid principal of $712,000, and an allowance for credit losses of $82,000. The aggregate allowance for credit losses was $639,000 at March 31, 2017 on four impaired loans with a total carrying value of $4.0 million and unpaid principal of $4.8 million.

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Management concluded that none of the fixed maturity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2017 had experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management does not intend to sell available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, and it is not “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell these securities before a recovery in their value to their amortized cost basis occurs. Management also concluded that none of the equity securities with an unrealized loss at March 31, 2017 experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. Management has evaluated the near-term prospects of these equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment, and management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until a recovery of their fair value.

The amortized cost and fair value of our investments in available-for-sale securities were as follows:

	March 31, 2017							December 31, 2016
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Fair Value		% of Total Fair Value			Cost or Amortized Cost		Fair Value		% of Total Fair Value
	($ in thousands)
Fixed maturity securities:
State and municipal	$	107,019	$	111,209		10.9	%	$	101,793	$	105,841		10.4	%
Residential mortgage-backed		145,415		143,462		14.0	%		152,703		150,798		14.8	%
Corporate		379,076		380,101		37.2	%		379,727		378,448		37.2	%
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		172,092		172,197		16.9	%		167,967		168,047		16.5	%
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies		62,493		62,554		6.1	%		64,823		65,014		6.4	%
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government		70,242		70,168		6.9	%		71,174		71,120		7.0	%
Redeemable preferred stock		2,025		1,996		0.2	%		2,025		1,809		0.2	%
Total		938,362		941,687		92.2	%		940,212		941,077		92.5	%
Equity securities:
Preferred stock		61,784		67,104		6.6	%		61,806		64,827		6.4	%
Common stock		12,747		12,363		1.2	%		12,747		11,574		1.1	%
Total		74,531		79,467		7.8	%		74,553		76,401		7.5	%
Total investments	$	1,012,893	$	1,021,154		100.0	%	$	1,014,765	$	1,017,478		100.0	%

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The following table sets forth the composition of the Company’s portfolio of fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading) by rating as of March 31, 2017:

Standard & Poor’s or Equivalent Designation	Fair Value		% of Total
	($ in thousands)
AAA	$	170,206		18.0	%
AA		384,915		40.7	%
A		289,525		30.6	%
BBB		96,543		10.2	%
BB		1,576		0.2	%
Below BB and unrated		3,988		0.3	%
Total	$	946,753		100.0	%

At March 31, 2017, our portfolio of fixed maturity securities contained corporate fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading) with a fair value of $376.9 million. A summary of these securities by industry segment is shown below as of March 31, 2017:

Industry	Fair Value		% of Total
	($ in thousands)
Industrials and other	$	275,587		73.1	%
Financial		42,264		11.2	%
Utilities		59,034		15.7	%
Total	$	376,885		100.0	%

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Corporate fixed maturity securities (both available-for-sale and trading) include publicly traded securities and privately placed bonds as shown below as of March 31, 2017:

Public/Private	Fair Value		% of Total
	($ in thousands)
Publicly traded	$	346,900		92.0	%
Privately placed		29,985		8.0	%
Total	$	376,885		100.0	%

The amortized cost and fair value of our available-for-sale investments in fixed maturity securities summarized by contractual maturity are as follows:

	March 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		% of Total Value
	($ in thousands)
Due in:
One year or less	$	98,952	$	99,404		10.6	%
After one year through five years		232,153		233,770		24.9	%
After five years through ten years		172,470		171,838		18.2	%
After ten years		115,255		119,020		12.6	%
Residential mortgage-backed		145,415		143,462		15.2	%
Commercial mortgage and asset-backed		172,092		172,197		18.3	%
Redeemable preferred stock		2,025		1,996		0.2	%
Total	$	938,362	$	941,687		100.0	%

At March 31, 2017, the Company had no investments in securitizations of alternative-A mortgages, sub-prime mortgages, or collateralized debt obligations.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $2.1 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. See “— Liquidity and Capital Resources —Sources and Uses of Funds” for more information regarding our senior bank debt facility and trust preferred securities.

Amortization of Intangibles

The Company recorded $149,000 of amortization of intangible assets for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Income Tax Expense

Our effective tax rate fluctuates from period to period based on the relative mix of income reported by country and the respective tax rates imposed by each tax jurisdiction. For U.S.-sourced income, the Company’s U.S. federal income tax expense differs from the amounts computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to income before taxes due primarily to interest income on tax-advantaged state and municipal securities (state and municipal securities represent 10.9% and 9.6% of our available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively) and dividends received income. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, our U.S. federal income tax expense was 7.7% and 10.4% of income before taxes, respectively.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Sources and Uses of Funds

We are organized as a Bermuda holding company with our operations conducted by our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Accordingly, our holding company may receive cash through loans from banks, issuance of equity and debt securities, corporate service fees or dividends received from our subsidiaries, and/or other transactions. Our U.S. holding company may receive cash in a similar manner and also through payments from our subsidiaries pursuant to our U.S. consolidated tax allocation agreement.

The payment of dividends by our subsidiaries to us is limited by statute. In general, the laws and regulations applicable to our domestic insurance subsidiaries limit the aggregate amount of dividends or other distributions that they may declare or pay within any 12-month period without advance regulatory approval. Generally, the limitations are based on the greater of statutory net income for the preceding year or 10.0% of statutory surplus at the end of the preceding year. In addition, insurance regulators have broad powers to prevent the reduction of statutory surplus to inadequate levels and could refuse to permit the payment of dividends calculated under any applicable formula. The maximum amount of dividends and return of capital available to us from JRG Re in 2017 is calculated to be approximately $105.1 million. However, any dividend payment is contingent upon continued compliance with Bermuda regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the enhanced solvency requirement calculations. The maximum amount of dividends available to the U.S. holding company from our U.S. insurance subsidiaries during 2017 without regulatory approval is $18.5 million.

At March 31, 2017, the Bermuda holding company had $2.2 million of cash and cash equivalents. The US holding company had $79.5 million of cash and invested assets, comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $6.4 million, fixed maturity securities of $5.1 million, short-term investments of $29.7 million, and other invested assets of $38.3 million, which are not subject to regulatory restrictions. Additionally, our U.K. intermediate holding company had no invested assets and cash of less than one thousand dollars at March 31, 2017.

Our net written premium to surplus ratio (defined as net written premiums to regulatory capital and surplus) is reviewed by management as well as our rating agency as a component of leverage and efficiency of deployed capital. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, our annualized net written premium to surplus ratio was 1.0 to 1.0 and 0.7 to 1.0, respectively.

The Company has a $215.0 million senior revolving credit facility (the “Facility”). The Facility is comprised of the following at March 31, 2017:

A $102.5 million secured revolving facility used by JRG Re to issue letters of credit for the benefit of third-party reinsureds. This portion of our credit facility is secured by our investment securities. At March 31, 2017, the Company had $45.2 million of letters of credit issued under the secured facility.

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A $112.5 million unsecured revolving facility to meet the working capital needs of the Company. All unpaid principal on the revolver is due at maturity. Interest accrues quarterly and is payable in arrears at 3-month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.625%, which is subject to change according to terms in the credit agreement. At March 31, 2017, the Company had a drawn balance of $73.3 million outstanding on the unsecured revolver.

The facility has been amended from time to time since its inception in 2013. On December 7, 2016, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for the Facility which, among other things, extended the maturity date of the Facility until December 7, 2021 and modified other terms including reducing the rate of interest and reducing the number of financial covenants. On May 20, 2015, under a provision of the credit agreement, the Company requested, and the lenders subsequently agreed, to increase the secured revolving facility by $40.0 million to its current total capacity of $102.5 million. On December 15, 2015, the Company closed on an amendment which accommodated the organization and capitalization of an intermediate holding company in the United Kingdom. In connection with the amendment, the intermediate holding company entered into a payment guaranty of the Company’s obligations under the senior revolving credit facility. An amendment effective December 30, 2015 adjusted certain financial covenants.

The senior revolving credit facility contains certain financial and other covenants (including risk-based capital, minimum shareholders’ equity levels, maximum ratios of total debt outstanding to total capitalization and minimum fixed charge coverage ratios) with which the Company is in compliance at March 31, 2017.

In May 2004, we issued $15.0 million of senior debt due April 29, 2034, with net proceeds to us of $14.5 million. The senior debt is not redeemable by the holder or subject to sinking fund requirements. Interest accrues quarterly and is payable in arrears at a floating rate per annum equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 3.85%. This senior debt is redeemable at par prior to its stated maturity at our option in whole or in part. The terms of the senior debt contain certain covenants, with which we are in compliance, and which, among other things, restrict our ability to assume senior indebtedness secured by our U.S. holding company’s common stock or its subsidiaries’ capital stock or to issue shares of its subsidiaries’ capital stock.

We sold trust preferred securities through five Delaware statutory trusts sponsored and wholly-owned by the Company or its subsidiaries. Each trust used the net proceeds from the sale of its trust preferred securities to purchase our floating-rate junior subordinated debt.

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The following table summarizes the nature and terms of the junior subordinated debt and trust preferred securities outstanding at March 31, 2017 (including the Company’s repurchases of a portion of these trust preferred securities):

	James River Capital Trust I		James River Capital Trust II		James River Capital Trust III		James River Capital Trust IV		Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I
	($ in thousands)
Issue date		May 26, 2004		December 15, 2004		June 15, 2006		December 11, 2007		January 10, 2008

Principal amount of trust preferred securities	$	7,000	$	15,000	$	20,000	$	54,000	$	30,000

Principal amount of junior subordinated debt	$	7,217	$	15,464	$	20,619	$	55,670	$	30,928

Carrying amount of junior subordinated debt net of repurchases	$	7,217	$	15,464	$	20,619	$	44,827	$	15,928

Maturity date of junior subordinated debt, unless accelerated earlier		May 24, 2034		December 15, 2034		June 15, 2036		December 15, 2037		March 15, 2038

Trust common stock	$	217	$	464	$	619	$	1,670	$	928

Interest rate, per annum		Three-Month LIBOR plus 4.0%		Three-Month LIBOR plus 3.4%		Three-Month LIBOR plus 3.0%		Three-Month LIBOR plus 3.1%		Three-Month LIBOR plus 4.0%

All of the junior subordinated debt is currently redeemable at 100.0% of the unpaid principal amount at our option.

The junior subordinated debt contains certain covenants with which we are in compliance as of March 31, 2017. All of these securities are currently redeemable at par.

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the ratio of total debt outstanding to total capitalization (defined as total debt plus total stockholders’ equity) was 21.4% and 21.7%, respectively. Having debt as part of our capital structure allows us to generate a higher return on equity and greater book value per share results than we could by using equity capital alone.

Ceded Reinsurance

Our insurance segments enter into reinsurance contracts to limit our exposure to potential losses arising from large risks, to protect against the aggregation of several risk in a common loss occurrence, and to provide additional capacity for growth. Our reinsurance is contracted under excess of loss and quota share reinsurance contracts. In excess of loss reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume all or a portion of the ceding company’s losses in excess of a specified amount. The premiums payable to the reinsurer are negotiated by the parties based on their assessment of the amount of risk being ceded to the reinsurer because the reinsurer does not share proportionately in the ceding company’s losses. In quota share reinsurance, the reinsurer agrees to assume a specified percentage of the ceding company’s losses arising out of a defined class of business in exchange for a corresponding percentage of premiums. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, our net premium retention was 70.4% and 80.3%, respectively.

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The following is a summary of our Excess and Surplus Lines segment’s ceded reinsurance in place as of March 31, 2017:

Line of Business		Company Retention

Casualty
Primary Specialty Casualty, including Professional Liability		Up to $1.0 million per occurrence, subject to a $1.0 million aggregate deductible.
Primary Casualty		Up to $2.0 million per occurrence. (1)
Excess Casualty		Up to $1.0 million per occurrence. (2)
Property		Up to $5.0 million per event. (3)

(1)

Total exposure to any one claim is generally $1.0 million.

(2)

For policies with an occurrence limit of $1.0 million or higher, the excess casualty treaty is set such that our retention is $1.0 million or less. For policies where we also write an underlying primary casualty policy, the net excess casualty limit is added to our retention on the primary casualty coverage, which results in a total retention of $2.0 million or less on any one risk.

(3)

The property catastrophe reinsurance treaty has a limit of $40.0 million with one reinstatement.

In our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we write a small book of excess property insurance, but we do not write primary property insurance. In our Excess and Surplus Lines segment, we have a surplus share reinsurance treaty in effect that was specifically designed to cover property risks. The surplus share treaty along with facultative reinsurance helps ensure that our net retained limit per risk will be $5.0 million or below.

We use catastrophe modeling software to analyze the risk of severe losses from hurricanes and earthquakes on our exposure. We utilize the model in our risk selection, pricing, and to manage our overall portfolio probable maximum loss (“PML”) accumulations. A PML is an estimate of the amount we would expect to pay in any one catastrophe event within a given annual probability of occurrence (i.e. a return period or loss exceedance probability). Based upon our modeling, a $45.0 million gross catastrophe loss would exceed our 1,000 year PML. In the event of a $45.0 million gross property catastrophe loss to the Company, we estimate our pre-tax cost at approximately $7.9 million, including reinstatement premiums and net retentions. In addition to this retention, we would retain any losses in excess of our reinsurance coverage limits.

Our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment purchases reinsurance for at least 50% of the exposed limits on specialty admitted property-casualty business. The segment enters into reinsurance contracts for the individual risk workers’ compensation business and fronting and program business. While the segment focuses on casualty business, incidental property risk is incurred in the fronting and program business. The segment is covered for $4.0 million in excess of $1.0 million per occurrence to manage exposure to an approximate 1,000 year PML. The following is a summary of our Specialty Admitted Insurance segment’s ceded reinsurance in place as of March 31, 2017:

Line of Business		Coverage

Casualty
Workers’ Compensation – Individual Risk		Quota share coverage for 50% of the first $600,000 per occurrence and excess of loss coverage for $29.4 million in excess of $600,000.
Workers’ Compensation – Program		Quota share coverage for 87.5% of the first $1.0 million per occurrence and excess of loss coverage for $49.0 million in excess of $1.0 million.
Commercial Auto – Program		Quota share coverage for 75% of $1.0 million per occurrence.
Professional Liability – Program		Quota share coverage for 65% of $1.0 million per occurrence.
General Liability – Program		Quota share coverage for 85% of the first $1.0 million per occurrence and excess of loss coverage for $1.0 million in excess of $1.0 million per occurrence.
Property		Excess of loss coverage for $4.0 million in excess of $1.0 million.

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In our Casualty Reinsurance segment, we also have limited property catastrophe exposure. We believe that this exposure would not exceed $1.0 million on any one event.

In the aggregate, we believe our pre-tax group-wide PML from a 1,000 year catastrophe event would not exceed $10.0 million, inclusive of reinstatement premiums payable.

We also have a clash and contingency reinsurance treaty to cover both the Excess and Surplus Lines and Specialty Admitted Insurance segments in the event of a claims incident involving more than one of our insureds. The treaty covers $6.0 million in excess of a $2.5 million retention for loss occurrences within the treaty term. This coverage has two reinstatements in the event we exhaust any of the coverage.

The Company’s insurance segments remain liable to policyholders if its reinsurers are unable to meet their contractual obligations under applicable reinsurance agreements. We establish allowances for amounts considered uncollectible. At March 31, 2017, there was no allowance for such uncollectible reinsurance recoverables. To minimize exposure to significant losses from reinsurance insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk. The Company generally seeks to purchase reinsurance from reinsurers with A.M. Best financial strength ratings of “A-” (Excellent) or better. The Company’s reinsurance contracts generally require reinsurers that are not authorized as reinsurers under U.S. state insurance regulations or that experience rating downgrades from rating agencies below specified levels to fund their share of the Company’s ceded outstanding losses and loss adjustment expense reserves, typically through the use of irrevocable and unconditional letters of credit. In fronting arrangements, which the Company conducts through its Specialty Admitted Insurance segment, we are subject to credit risk with regard to insurance companies who act as reinsurers for us in such arrangements. We customarily require a collateral trust arrangement to secure the obligations of the insurance entity for whom we are fronting.

At March 31, 2017, we had reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses of $188.8 million and reinsurance recoverables on paid losses of $5.3 million, and all material recoverable amounts were from companies with A.M. Best ratings of “A-” or better or collateral had been posted by the reinsurer for our benefit.

Credit Risk on Amounts Recoverable from an Indemnifying Party

The Company is also exposed to credit risk relating to insurance contracts with an insured in which the Company pays losses and loss adjustment expenses on the contract. The Company has an indemnity agreement with this insured and is contractually entitled to receive reimbursement for a significant portion of the losses and loss adjustment expenses paid on behalf of the insured party (a non-insurance entity). The insured party is required to collateralize all amounts currently due to the Company and to provide additional collateral sufficient to cover the unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses related to the contracts. At March 31, 2017, the cash collateral held by the Company from this insured exceeds the amount of claims receivable and unpaid reported losses and loss adjustment expenses outstanding. This is a growing relationship, and as such, there is an exposure to reported losses on this contract growing at a faster pace than growth in our collateral from the insured. To mitigate this risk, we closely monitor our exposure compared to our collateral held, and we request additional collateral from the insured when our analysis indicates that we have uncollateralized exposure. Based on our relationship with the insured and the cash collateral held, management does not believe that this credit exposure is material.

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Cash Flows

Our sources of operating funds consist primarily of premiums written, investment income, reinsurance recoveries and proceeds from offerings of debt and equity securities and from sales and redemptions of investments. We use operating cash flows primarily to pay operating expenses, losses and loss adjustment expenses, and income taxes. The following table summarizes our cash flows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	16,112		$	1,810
Investing activities		(22,067	)		(10,473	)
Financing activities		(9,605	)		(5,618	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	$	(15,560	)	$	(14,281	)

Cash provided by operating activities increased from $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The growth in cash provided by operating activities reflects a $5.6 million increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. In addition, the growth in claims receivable on commercial auto policies was only $730,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $6.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016. This receivable represents reimbursements of claims due to us for payments of claims that we have made to insureds. The reimbursements of these claims typically lags our payment of the claims to insureds by approximately sixty days, so a decrease in the growth in this receivable has a favorable impact on our cash provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of the prior year.

Cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2017 included $8.9 million of dividends paid to shareholders. Cash used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2016 included $5.8 million of dividends paid to shareholders.

Ratings

The A.M. Best financial strength rating for our group’s regulated insurance subsidiaries is “A” (Excellent). This rating reflects A.M. Best’s opinion of our insurance subsidiaries’ financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet obligations to policyholders and is not an evaluation directed towards the protection of investors. The rating for our operating insurance and reinsurance companies of “A” (Excellent) is the third highest rating of the thirteen ratings issued by A.M. Best and is assigned to insurers that have, in A.M. Best’s opinion, an excellent ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders.

The financial strength ratings assigned by A.M. Best have an impact on the ability of our regulated subsidiaries to attract and retain agents and brokers and on the risk profiles of the submissions for insurance that our subsidiaries receive. The “A” (Excellent) ratings assigned to our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are consistent with our business plans and we believe allow our subsidiaries to actively pursue relationships with the agents and brokers identified in their marketing plans.

EQUITY

Equity Awards

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of share based compensation expense. The amount of unrecognized share based compensation expense to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average service period of 2.2 years at March 31, 2017 is $12.1 million. There were 97,211 and 80,616 options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, 37,485 RSUs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company granted 117,879 and 58,663 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The RSUs vest over one to three years. The Company granted 195,509 and 706,203 options with an exercise price of $42.17 and $32.07 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Reconciliation of Underwriting Profit (Loss)

We believe that the disclosure of underwriting profit by individual segment and of the Company as a whole is useful to investors, analysts, rating agencies and other users of our financial information in evaluating our performance because our objective is to consistently earn underwriting profits. We evaluate the performance of our segments and allocate resources based primarily on underwriting profit. Our definition of underwriting profit may not be comparable to that of other companies.

The following table reconciles the underwriting profit (loss) by individual segment and of the Company as a whole to consolidated income before U.S. Federal income taxes:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)

Underwriting profit of the operating segments:
Excess and Surplus Lines	$	8,800		$	9,204
Specialty Admitted Insurance		842			475
Casualty Reinsurance		1,093			334
Total underwriting profit of operating segments		10,735			10,013
Other operating expenses of the Corporate and Other segment		(6,461	)		(5,252	)
Underwriting profit (1)		4,274			4,761
Net investment income		16,733			11,272
Net realized investment gains		1,047			547
Other income and expense		200			76
Interest expense		(2,123	)		(2,174	)
Amortization of intangible assets		(149	)		(149	)
Income before taxes	$	19,982		$	14,333

(1)

Included in underwriting results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, is fee income of $5.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

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Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Operating Income

We define adjusted net operating income as net income excluding certain non-operating expenses such as net realized investment gains and losses, expenses related to due diligence costs for various merger and acquisition activities, severance costs associated with terminated employees and interest and other expenses on a leased building that we are deemed to own for accounting purposes. We use adjusted net operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance. Adjusted net operating income should not be viewed as a substitute for net income calculated in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of adjusted net operating income may not be comparable to that of other companies.

Our income before taxes and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 reconcile to our adjusted net operating income as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017						2016
	Income Before Taxes			Net Income			Income Before Taxes			Net Income
	(in thousands)

Income as reported	$	19,982		$	18,450		$	14,333		$	12,837
Net realized investment gains		(1,047	)		(834	)		(547	)		(307	)
Other expenses		(114	)		(100	)		(12	)		(8	)
Interest expense on leased building the Company is deemed to own for accounting purposes		312			203			486			316
Adjusted net operating income	$	19,133		$	17,719		$	14,260		$	12,838

Tangible Equity and Tangible Equity per Share

One of our key financial measures that we use to assess our longer term financial performance is our percentage growth in tangible equity per share and return on tangible equity. We believe tangible equity is a good measure to evaluate the strength of our balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we increased our tangible equity per share by 2.9%. Absent the $8.9 million in dividends paid to shareholders in the three months ended March 31, 2017, our tangible book value per share grew by 4.8% for the quarter. Using a five-quarter average methodology to determine our average shareholders’ equity, our operating return on tangible shareholders’ equity was 14.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

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We define tangible equity as the sum of shareholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets (net of amortization). Our definition of tangible equity may not be comparable to that of other companies, and it should not be viewed as a substitute for shareholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP. We use tangible equity internally to evaluate the strength of our consolidated balance sheet and to compare returns relative to this measure. The following table reconciles shareholders’ equity to tangible equity as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Equity		Equity per Share		Equity		Equity per Share
	(in thousands)

Shareholders’ equity	$	708,260	$	24.14	$	693,221	$	23.69
Less:
Goodwill		181,831		6.20		181,831		6.21
Intangible assets		38,782		1.32		38,931		1.33
Tangible equity	$	487,647	$	16.62	$	472,459	$	16.15

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that are subject to market risk. Our primary market risks have been interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities and equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities. We do not have material exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity risk.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure. In connection with the preparation of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the CEO and CFO, as of March 31, 2017, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

The effectiveness of any system of controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that our controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system will be attained.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are party to legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the outcome of such matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors in the quarter ended March 31, 2017 from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.

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Signatures

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, thereunto duly authorized.

	James River Group Holdings, Ltd.

Date: May 5, 2017	By:	/s/ J. Adam Abram
		J. Adam Abram
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 5, 2017	By:	/s/ Sarah C. Doran
		Sarah C. Doran
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number		Description
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

3.2		Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

3.3		Memorandum of Association of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

3.4		Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital, dated December 24, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

3.5		Certificate of Deposit of Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital, dated October 7, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

3.6		Third Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2015, Commission File No. 001-36777)

4.1		Form of Certificate of Common Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)

4.2		Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Senior Debentures Due 2034+

4.3		Indenture, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debentures Due 2034+

4.4		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust I, dated as of May 26, 2004, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Regular Trustees (as defined therein), and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in James River Capital Trust I+

4.5		Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2004, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of James River Capital Trust I+

4.6		Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2004, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2034+

4.7		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust II, dated as of December 15, 2004, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Administrators (as defined therein), and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the James River Capital Trust II+

4.8		Guarantee Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2004, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust II+

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Exhibit Number		Description
4.9		Indenture, dated June 15, 2006, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2036+

4.10		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of James River Capital Trust III, dated as of June 15, 2006, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee, the Administrators (as defined therein) and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the James River Capital Trust III+

4.11		Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 15, 2006, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust III+

4.12		Indenture dated December 11, 2007, by and between James River Group, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2037+

4.13		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated December 11, 2007, by and among James River Group, Inc., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee and the Administrators (as defined therein) and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in James River Capital Trust IV+

4.14		Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 11, 2007, by James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of James River Capital Trust IV+

4.15		Indenture dated as of January 10, 2008, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee relating to Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures Due 2038+

4.16		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of January 10, 2008, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., as Sponsor, Wilmington Trust Company, as Institutional Trustee and Delaware Trustee and the Administrators (as defined therein) for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interest in Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I+

4.17		Guarantee Agreement dated as of January 10, 2008, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., as Guarantor, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the capital securities of Franklin Holdings II (Bermuda) Capital Trust I+

10.1		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2016, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., JRG Reinsurance Company, Ltd., KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Letter of Credit Issuer, KeyBank National Association, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. as Joint Book Runners, KeyBank National Association, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and BMO Capital Markets Corp., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bank of Montreal and SunTrust Bank as Co-syndication Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)

10.2		Continuing Guaranty of Payment, dated as of June 5, 2013, among James River Group, Inc., as Guarantor, James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., as the Borrowers, pursuant to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, among the Borrowers, KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and as Letter of Credit Issuer, and certain Lender parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

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Exhibit Number		Description
10.3		Continuing Guaranty of Payment, dated as of December 15, 2015, by James River Group Holdings UK Limited, pursuant to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2013, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and JRG Reinsurance Company Ltd., KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent and as Letter of Credit Issuer, and certain Lender parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)

10.4		Form of Shareholder Indemnification Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2007, entered into by James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and James River Group, Inc., and each of (1) D. E. Shaw CF-SP Franklin, L.L.C., D. E. Shaw CH-SP Franklin, L.L.C., and D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., (2) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (3) Sunlight Capital Ventures, LLC and Sunlight Capital Partners II, LLC and (4) Lehman Brothers Offshore Partners Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)

10.5		Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)

10.6		Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)*

10.7		Form of Stock Option Agreement (Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2014)*

10.8		First Amendment to the Amended and Restated James River Group Holdings, Ltd. Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.9		James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.10		Amendment to the James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2017, Commission File No. 001-36777)*

Table of Contents

Exhibit Number		Description
10.11		Form of Nonqualified Share Option Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.12		Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.13		Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)*

10.14		James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.15		Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.16		Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 2014 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on December 9, 2014)*

10.17		James River Management Company, Inc. Leadership Recognition Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.18		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 18, 2014 among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., James River Group, Inc. and J. Adam Abram (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.19		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated November 18, 2014 among James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Robert P. Myron (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.20		Letter Agreement, dated December 19, 2016, among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., James River Group, Inc. and Sarah Doran (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)*

10.21		Separation and Release Agreement, dated November 14, 2016, by and among James River Group Holdings, Ltd., James River Group, Inc., and Gregg Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2016, Commission File No. 001-36777)*

10.22		Employment Agreement dated November 9, 2011 by and between James River Insurance Company, James River Management Company, Inc. and Richard Schmitzer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.23		James River Management Company, Inc. Leadership Recognition Program Award Letter dated September 30, 2011 to Richard Schmitzer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

Table of Contents

Exhibit Number		Description
10.24		Consulting Agreement dated November 18, 2014 by and between James River Group Holdings, Ltd. and Conifer Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-199958, filed with the Commission on November 24, 2014)*

10.25		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2014, by and among (1) James River Group Holdings, Ltd.; (2) (a) D. E. Shaw CH-SP Franklin, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, D. E. Shaw CF-SP Franklin, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company; and (b) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Goldman Sachs JRVR Investors Offshore, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership and (3) the persons identified as “Management Investors” on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company; Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 12, 2015, Commission File No. 001-36777)

31.1		Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

31.2		Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

32		Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Denotes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

+	Exhibit not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K. The Company will furnish a copy to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, J. Adam Abram, certify that:

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of James River Group Holdings, Ltd.;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 5, 2017

/s/ J. Adam Abram
J. Adam Abram
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Sarah C. Doran, certify that:

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of James River Group Holdings, Ltd.;

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(a)

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 5, 2017

/s/ Sarah C. Doran
Sarah C. Doran
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, J. Adam Abram, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Sarah C. Doran, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of our knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

	/s/ J. Adam Abram
	J. Adam Abram
	Chairman and
	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
	May 5, 2017

	/s/ Sarah C. Doran
	Sarah C. Doran
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)
	May 5, 2017