10-K 1 form10-k.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

[ ] 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 001-36366

FG Financial Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		46-1119100
(State of incorporation)		(I.R.S Employer Identification No.)

970 Lake Carillon Dr., Suite 318, St. Petersburg, FL		33716
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(727)-304-5666

(Registrant’s telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	FGF	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $25.00 per share	FGFPP	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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	[ ]	Accelerated Filer [ ]

Non-Accelerated Filer	[ ]	Smaller Reporting Company [X]

Emerging Growth Company	[ ]

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. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. [ ]

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

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was $8,769,613 on June 30, 2020, computed on the basis of the closing sale price of the Registrant’s common stock on that date.

As of March 12, 2021, the total number of common shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock was 4,988,310.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Table of Contents

PART I	2

ITEM 1. BUSINESS	3

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS	5

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS	16

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES	16

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	16

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	16

PART II	16

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES	16

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA	17

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	18

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK	30

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA	31

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE	58

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	58

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION	58

PART III	59

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE	59

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION	66

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS	74

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE	76

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES	79

PART IV	79

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES	79

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY	81

SIGNATURES	82

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

PART I

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, discussions and statements regarding the Company’s future business plans and initiatives are forward-looking in nature. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these to be reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, and may impact our ability to implement and execute on our future business plans and initiatives. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation: risks associated with our limited business operations since the sale of our insurance operations in December 2019 (the “Asset Sale”); risks associated with our inability to identify and realize business opportunities, and the undertaking of any new such opportunities, following the Asset Sale; our ability to spend or invest the net proceeds from the Asset Sale in a manner that yields a favorable return; general conditions in the global economy, including the impact of health and safety concerns from the current outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus; our lack of operating history or established reputation in the reinsurance industry; our inability to obtain or maintain the necessary approvals to operate reinsurance subsidiaries; risks associated with operating in the reinsurance industry, including inadequately priced insured risks, credit risk associated with brokers we may do business with, and inadequate retrocessional coverage; our inability to execute on our investment and investment management strategy, including our strategy to invest in real estate assets; potential loss of value of investments; risk of becoming an investment company; fluctuations in our short-term results as we implement our new business strategy; risks of not being unable to attract and retain qualified management and personnel to implement and execute on our business and growth strategy; failure of our information technology systems, data breaches and cyber-attacks; our ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls; our limited operating history as a publicly traded company; the requirements of being a public company and losing our status as a smaller reporting company or becoming an accelerated filer; any potential conflicts of interest between us and our controlling stockholders and different interests of controlling stockholders; potential conflicts of interest between us and our directors and executive officers; volatility or decline of the shares of FedNat Holding Company common stock received by us as consideration in the Asset Sale or limitations and restrictions with respect to our ownership of such shares; risks of being a minority stockholder of FedNat Holding Company; and risks of our inability to continue to satisfy the continued listing standards of the Nasdaq following completion of the Asset Sale.

Our expectations and future plans and initiatives may not be realized. If one of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K are made only as of the date hereof and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect new information, future events or developments.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

FG Financial Group, Inc. (“FGF”, the “Company”, “we”, or “us”) is a reinsurance and investment management holding company focused on opportunistic collateralized and loss capped reinsurance, while allocating capital to SPAC and SPAC sponsor-related businesses. The Company’s principal business operations are conducted through its subsidiaries and affiliates. We were incorporated on October 2, 2012 in the State of Delaware under the name Maison Insurance Holdings, Inc., and changed our legal name to 1347 Property Insurance Holdings, Inc. on November 19, 2013. On March 31, 2014, we completed an initial public offering of our common stock. Prior to the offering, we were a wholly owned subsidiary of Kingsway America Inc., which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kingsway Financial Services Inc., or KFSI, a publicly owned Delaware holding company. From our inception through December 2, 2019, we operated as an insurance holding company, writing property and casualty insurance throughout the states of Louisiana, Florida and Texas through our subsidiaries. On December 2, 2019 we sold our three insurance subsidiaries as further described below, and embarked on a new strategy focused on insurance, reinsurance, real estate and related businesses and asset management. Accordingly, on December 14, 2020, our shareholders approved a change in our corporate name to FG Financial Group, Inc., to better align with this new business strategy.

As of December 31, 2020, Fundamental Global Investors, LLC, a privately owned investment management company, and its affiliates, or FGI, beneficially owned approximately 61% of our outstanding shares of common stock. D. Kyle Cerminara, Chairman of our Board of Directors, serves as Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Partner of FGI.

Sale of the Maison Business

On December 2, 2019, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding equity of three of the Company’s then wholly-owned subsidiaries, Maison Insurance Company (“Maison”), Maison Managers Inc. (“MMI”) and ClaimCor, LLC (“ClaimCor” and, together with Maison and MMI, the “Maison Business” or the “Insurance Companies”), to FedNat Holding Company, a Florida corporation (“FedNat”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2019 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and each of Maison, MMI and ClaimCor, on the one hand, and FedNat, on the other hand (the “Asset Sale”).

As consideration for the Asset Sale, FedNat paid the Company $51.0 million, consisting of $25.5 million in cash and $25.5 million in FedNat’s common stock, or 1,773,102 shares of common stock. In addition, upon the closing of the Asset Sale, $18.0 million of outstanding surplus note obligations payable by Maison to the Company, plus all accrued but unpaid interest, was repaid to the Company.

All of the employees of the Company became employees of FedNat as of the closing of the Asset Sale, other than John S. Hill, then serving as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Company and now serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, and Brian D. Bottjer, then serving as Controller of the Company and now serving as Senior Vice President and Controller.

On December 31, 2019, the shares of FedNat common stock issued to the Company in connection with the Asset Sale were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement entered into by the Company and FedNat at the closing of the Asset Sale.

In addition to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and FedNat entered into a Standstill Agreement, a Reinsurance Capacity Right of First Refusal Agreement (the “Reinsurance Agreement”), an Investment Advisory Agreement and a Transition Services Agreement at the closing of the Asset Sale.

Standstill Agreement

The Standstill Agreement imposes certain limitations and restrictions with respect to the voting securities of FedNat (including shares of FedNat common stock) that are owned or held beneficially or of record by the Company. Under the Standstill Agreement, the Company has agreed to vote all of the voting securities of FedNat beneficially owned by the Company in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors of FedNat with respect to any matter that is before the stockholders of FedNat for a vote by such stockholders. The Standstill Agreement imposes limitations on the sale of voting securities of FedNat held by the Company and restricts the Company from taking certain actions as a holder of voting securities of FedNat. The term of the Standstill Agreement is five years.

For insurance regulatory purposes, the Company has waived any rights that it may have to exercise control of FedNat.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Reinsurance Capacity Right of First Refusal Agreement

The Reinsurance Agreement provides the Company with a right of first refusal to sell reinsurance coverage to the insurance company subsidiaries of FedNat, providing reinsurance on up to 7.5% of any layer in FedNat’s catastrophe reinsurance program, subject to the annual reinsurance limit of $15.0 million, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Reinsurance Agreement. All reinsurance sold by the Company pursuant to the right of first refusal, if any, will be memorialized in an agreement in such form and subject to such terms and conditions as are customary in the property and casualty insurance industry. The Reinsurance Agreement is assignable by the Company subject to conditions set forth in the agreement. The term of the Reinsurance Agreement is five years. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not provided any reinsurance coverage to FedNat under the Reinsurance Agreement.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, FG Strategic Consulting, LLC (“FGSC”, formerly Fundamental Global Advisors LLC) a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was formed to provide investment advisory services to FedNat, including identifying, analyzing and recommending potential investments, advising as to existing investments and investment optimization, recommending investment dispositions, and providing advice regarding macro-economic conditions. In exchange for providing the investment advisory services, FedNat has agreed to pay FGSC an annual fee of $100,000. FGI Funds Management, LLC serves as the manager to FGSC. FGI Funds Management, LLC is affiliated with Fundamental Global Investors, LLC (“FGI”), the Company’s largest stockholder. The term of the Investment Advisory Agreement is five years.

Transition Services Agreement

To facilitate the transition following the Asset Sale, the Company and FedNat entered into a Transition Services Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to provide certain transition accounting services to FedNat and the Insurance Companies, as requested, and FedNat has agreed to arrange for certain prior employees of the Company who became employees of the FedNat in connection with the Asset Sale to provide transition accounting services to the Company, as requested, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Transition Services Agreement. The term of the Transition Services Agreement was one year, having expired on December 2, 2020.

Current Business

Our strategy has evolved to focus on opportunistic collateralized and loss capped reinsurance, while allocating capital to special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) and SPAC sponsor-related businesses. Accordingly, in the first quarter 2021, we have launched our “SPAC Platform,” as further discussed below. As part of our refined focus, we have adopted the following capital allocation philosophy:

“Grow intrinsic value per share with a long-term focus using fundamental research, allocating capital to asymmetric risk/reward opportunities.”

Historically, the Company has operated a real estate business through its subsidiary, FGI Metrolina Property Income Fund, LP, however, the Company does not anticipate that its real estate business will be a significant component of its future business plans.

Reinsurance:

The Company has formed a wholly-owned reinsurance subsidiary, Fundamental Global Reinsurance Ltd. (“FGRe”), a Cayman Islands limited liability company, to provide specialty property and casualty reinsurance. FGRe has been granted a Class B (iii) insurer license in accordance with the terms of The Insurance Law, 2010 and underlying regulations thereto and is subject to regulation by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (the “Authority”). The terms of the license require FGRe to receive a capital infusion in the amount of $5.0 million, which the Company effected in July 2020 via the transfer of 156,000 shares of FedNat common stock from the Company along with approximately $3.3 million in cash. The terms of the insurer license also require advance approval from the Authority should FGRe wish to enter into any reinsurance agreements which are not fully collateralized to their aggregate exposure limit. In November 2020, FGRe entered into its first reinsurance transaction, through a Funds at Lloyds syndicate. The maximum loss exposure in the transaction is approximately $2.9 million and covers all risks written by the syndicate during the 2021 calendar year. On November 12, 2020 FGRe initially funded a trust account at Lloyd’s with approximately $2.4 million to collateralize its obligations under the contract.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Asset Management:

FGSC serves as an investment advisor to FedNat Holding Company under the investment advisory agreement entered into at the closing of the Asset Sale. The Company has also formed Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC, a joint venture with a wholly owned subsidiary of FGI, to sponsor investment advisors that will manage private funds ranging the full spectrum of alternative equities, fixed income, private equity and real estate. In September 2020, the joint venture sponsored the launch of FG Special Situations Fund via an investment of $5.0 million. Approximately $4.0 million of this investment represented the sponsorship of our first special purpose acquisition company, or “SPAC”.

See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis—Limited Liability Investments and —Related Party Transactions, for further information regarding the Company’s investment and investment management activities.

Insurance

FGRe is currently in the process of establishing and seeking regulatory approvals for a Risk Retention Group (“RRG”) to be domiciled in the state of Vermont for the purpose of providing directors and officers insurance coverage to special purpose acquisition vehicles. The Company expects to begin operation of the RRG in the 4th quarter of 2021. FGRe would anticipate providing capital, along with others, to facilitate the underwriting of such insurance coverage. The Company will focus on fee income derived from originating, underwriting, and servicing the insurance business, while mitigating our financial risk with external reinsurance partners.

SPAC Platform

On December 21, 2020 we formed FG SPAC Solutions LLC (“FGSS”), a Delaware company, to facilitate the launch of our “SPAC Platform”. Under the SPAC Platform, we plan to provide various strategic, administrative, and regulatory support services to newly formed SPACs for a monthly fee. The Company co-founded a partnership to participate as a co-sponsor for newly formed SPACs. The Company also participates in the risk capital investments associated with the launch of such SPACs through its Asset Management business, specifically FG Special Situations Fund, LP. The first transaction entered into under the SPAC Platform occurred on January 11, 2021 by and among FGSS and Aldel Investors, LLC, the sponsor of Aldel Financial, Inc. (“Aldel”), a special purpose acquisition company which filed its initial registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 2021, but has not yet consummated an initial public offering. Under the agreement between FGSS and Aldel Investors, LLC (the “Agreement”), FGSS has agreed to provide certain accounting, regulatory, strategic advisory, and other administrative services to Aldel, which include assistance with negotiations with a potential merger target for the SPAC as well as assistance with the de-SPAC process. Additional information regarding our formation of FGSS and our SPAC Platform can be found in Item 13 of this report under the heading “Formation of FG SPAC Partners, LP.”

Employees

As of December 31, 2020 we had three employees. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and believe that relations with our employees are satisfactory. Each of our employees has entered into confidentiality agreements with us.

Website

Our corporate website is www.fgfinancial.com. Information contained at the website is not a part of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Relating to Our Industry, Business and Operations

We have had limited operations upon which to predict our future performance, since the sale of the Maison Business.

We sold our Maison Business at the end of 2019 and, since then, have begun to implement our business plans to operate as a diversified insurance, reinsurance, real estate, and investment management holding company. Accordingly, our historical financial statements provide little basis upon which to predict our future performance. Our revenue has also been reduced, as we have limited assets with which to generate revenue. Our failure to secure additional sources of revenue may have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the uncertainty surrounding our future operations and business prospects may negatively impact the value and liquidity of our common stock. If we are unable to implement our business plans successfully, our financial condition and results of operations will be impaired, and your investment in our Company will be at risk.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

We incurred a substantial loss during our first year following the sale of the Maison Business.

We sustained a loss of $22,457,000 during 2020, the first year following the sale of the Maison Business. If we continue to incur such losses, we may be unable to continue our business, and you could lose your entire investment in the Company.

We may need additional capital in the future in order to grow and operate our business. Such capital may not be available to us or may not be available to us on favorable terms. Furthermore, our raising additional capital could dilute your ownership interest in our company.

We expect that we will need to raise additional capital in the future through public or private equity or debt offerings or otherwise in order to further capitalize our reinsurance subsidiary and implement our business strategy, fund liquidity needs caused by underwriting or investment losses, replace capital lost in the event of significant reinsurance losses or adverse reserve developments, meet applicable statutory jurisdiction requirements; and/or expand business to include the sponsorship of a risk retention group to address the D&O liability insurance needs of the SPAC market.

If we were required to raise additional capital, equity or debt financing may not be available at all or may be available only on terms that are not favorable to us. In the case of equity financings, dilution to our shareholders’ ownership could result, and in any case such securities may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of existing shareholders. If we raise additional funds by incurring debt financing, the terms of the debt may involve significant cash payment obligations as well as covenants and specific financial ratios that may restrict our ability to operate our business or pay dividends. If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms or at all, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We intend to participate in a risk retention group which will provide director’s and officer’s insurance to special purpose acquisition companies and represents a line of insurance for which we do not have previous experience.

Risk retention groups (“RRG”) are mutual companies, or companies owned by the members of the group that allow businesses with similar insurance needs to pool their risks and form an insurance company that operates under state regulated guidelines. Risk retention groups are treated differently from traditional insurance companies in that they are exempted from having to obtain a license in every state in which they write insurance, and are also exempt from other various state laws that regulate insurance. As a result, a RRG may not be adequately capitalized and able to remain solvent if faced with continuing losses. While we intend to mitigate this risk through the purchase of reinsurance, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to purchase adequate reinsurance on favorable terms. Due to our inexperience in providing director’s and officer’s insurance, we run the risk of underwriting our coverage at levels that do not provide adequate returns for our shareholders. Furthermore, we run the risk of not generating external interest in our RRG after incurring significant start-up and regulatory costs associated with the formation of the group.

We do not have an operating history or established reputation in the reinsurance industry, and our lack of an established operating history and reputation may make it difficult for us to attract or retain business.

As part of our business going forward, we plan to provide specialty property and casualty reinsurance through FGRe. We will not have an operating history on which we can base an estimate of our future earnings prospects. We also do not have an established reputation in the reinsurance industry. Reputation is a very important factor in the reinsurance industry, and competition for business is, in part, based on reputation. Although we expect that our reinsurance policies will be fully collateralized, we will be a relatively newly formed reinsurance company and do not yet have a well-established reputation in the reinsurance industry. Our lack of an established reputation may make it difficult for us to attract or retain business. We will compete with major reinsurers, all of which have substantially greater financial marketing and management resources than we do, which may make it difficult for us to effectively market our products or offer our products at a profit. In addition, we do not have, nor do we currently intend to obtain financial strength ratings, which may discourage certain counterparties from entering into reinsurance contracts with us and may prevent us from writing certain types of business.

As a reinsurer, we will depend on our clients’ evaluations of the risks associated with their insurance underwriting, which may subject us to reinsurance losses.

In the proportional reinsurance business, in which we will assume an agreed percentage of each underlying insurance contract being reinsured, or quota share contracts, we do not plan to separately evaluate each of the original individual risks assumed under these reinsurance contracts. We will therefore be largely dependent on the original underwriting decisions made by ceding companies, which will subject us to the risk that the clients may not have adequately evaluated the insured risks and that the premiums ceded may not adequately compensate us for the risks we assume. Those risks could be concentrated in relatively few industries, companies, geographic regions, asset types or other areas of risk. This limited diversification could expose us to losses which are disproportionate to the overall insurance market. We also have non-exclusive contracts with third parties for their underwriting services. We also do not plan to separately evaluate each of the individual claims made on the underlying insurance contracts under quota share arrangements, in which case we will be dependent on the original claims decisions made by our clients.

The involvement of reinsurance brokers may subject us to their credit risk.

As a standard practice of the reinsurance industry, reinsurers frequently pay amounts owed on claims under their policies to reinsurance brokers, and these brokers, in turn, remit these amounts to the ceding companies that have reinsured a portion of their liabilities with the reinsurer. In some jurisdictions, if a broker fails to make such a payment, the reinsurer might remain liable to the client for the deficiency notwithstanding the broker’s obligation to make such payment. Conversely, in certain jurisdictions, when the client pays premiums for policies to reinsurance brokers for payment to the reinsurer, these premiums are considered to have been paid and the client will no longer be liable to the reinsurer for these premiums, whether or not the reinsurer has actually received them from the broker. Consequently, as a reinsurer, we expect to assume a degree of credit risk associated with the brokers that we intend to do business with.

We may not be successful in carrying out our investment and investment management strategy, and the fair value of our investments will be subject to a loss in value.

We have formed an investment advisory firm subsidiary, FGSC which is a relying advisor of an affiliated investment advisor registered with the SEC, to carry out our investment advisory services. We have also formed Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC, a joint venture with Fundamental Global Investors, LLC to sponsor investment advisors that we anticipate will manage private funds ranging the full spectrum of alternative equities, fixed income, private equity and real estate. In exchange for seeding the new funds, we expect to receive a special interest in each new fund (or its general partner). Since we plan to conduct our investment activities through private funds, our contributions made to those funds may be subject to lock-up agreements and our ability to access this capital may be limited for a defined period, which may increase a risk of loss of all or a significant portion of value. Our investments may also become concentrated. A significant decline in the values of these investments may produce a large decrease in our consolidated shareholders’ equity and can have a material adverse effect on our consolidated book value per share and earnings.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

As discussed above under Item 1. “Business,” in connection with the Asset Sale, the Advisor and FedNat have entered into an investment advisory agreement in which the Advisor has agreed to provide investment advisory services to FedNat, including identifying, analyzing and recommending potential investments, advising as to existing investments and investment optimization, recommending investment dispositions, and providing advice regarding macro-economic conditions. Any fees received for such services may not be commensurate with the services provided. We also may not be able to enter into such advisory management agreements with other entities on favorable terms, or at all. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We have purchased interests in income producing real estate assets, and seek to benefit from underlying rental income on long-term leases with high quality tenants as well as the capital appreciation from the underlying real estate assets. Investments in real estate assets are subject to varying degrees of risk. For example, an investment in real estate cannot generally be quickly converted to cash, limiting our ability to promptly vary our portfolio in response to changing economic, financial and investment conditions. Investments in real estate assets are also subject to adverse changes in general economic conditions which may reduce the demand for rental space. Moreover, we may not be able to acquire quality, income producing real estate assets or attract high-quality tenants on favorable terms, if at all. We also expect to compete with numerous other persons or entities seeking to buy real estate assets, including real estate investment trusts or other real estate operating companies with greater experience and financial strength. Any of these factors could impact our real estate investment strategy and have a material adverse impact on our business.

The insurance and reinsurance business is highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully in our industry.

The insurance and reinsurance industry is highly competitive. We compete with major U.S. and non-U.S. insurers and reinsurers, many of which have greater financial, marketing and management resources than we do. There has been significant consolidation in the insurance and reinsurance sector in recent years, and we may experience increased competition as a result of that consolidation, with consolidated entities having enhanced market power. These consolidated entities may use their enhanced market power and broader capital base to negotiate price reductions for products and services that compete with ours, and we may experience rate declines and possibly write less business. Any failure by us to effectively compete could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The insurance and reinsurance industry is highly cyclical, and we may at times experience periods characterized by excess underwriting capacity and unfavorable premium rates.

Historically, insurers and reinsurers have experienced significant fluctuations in operating results due to competition, frequency of occurrence or severity of catastrophic events, levels of capacity, general economic conditions, changes in equity, debt and other investment markets, changes in legislation, case law and prevailing concepts of liability and other factors. Demand for reinsurance is influenced significantly by the underwriting results of primary insurers and prevailing general economic conditions. The supply of insurance and reinsurance is related to prevailing prices and levels of surplus capacity that, in turn, may fluctuate in response to changes in rates of return being realized in the insurance and reinsurance industry on both underwriting and investment sides. As a result, the insurance and reinsurance business historically has been a cyclical industry characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity, as well as periods when shortages of capacity permitted favorable premium levels and changes in terms and conditions. Until recently, the supply of insurance and reinsurance had increased over the past several years, and may again in the future, either as a result of capital provided by new entrants or by the commitment of additional capital by existing insurers or reinsurers. Continued increases in the supply of insurance and reinsurance may have consequences for us, including fewer contracts written, lower premium rates, increased expenses for customer acquisition and retention, and less favorable policy terms and conditions.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Climate change, as well as increasing regulation in the area of climate change, may adversely affect our insurance and reinsurance business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changing weather patterns and climatic conditions, such as global warming, may have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters in certain parts of the world and created additional uncertainty as to future trends and exposures. Although the loss experience of catastrophe insurers and reinsurers has historically been characterized as low frequency, there is a growing concern today that climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and, in recent years, the frequency of major catastrophes appears to have resumed historical levels or increased and may continue to increase in the future.

Claims for catastrophic events, or an unusual frequency of smaller losses in a particular period, could expose us to large losses, cause substantial volatility in our results of operations and could have a material adverse effect on our ability to write new business if we are not able to adequately assess and reserve for the increased frequency and severity of catastrophes resulting from these environmental factors. Additionally, catastrophic events could result in declines in the value of investments we hold and significant disruptions to our physical infrastructure, systems, and operations. Climate change-related risks may also specifically adversely impact the value of the securities that we hold.

Changes in security asset prices may impact the value of our real estate investments, resulting in realized or unrealized losses on our invested assets. These risks are not limited to, but can include: (i) changes in supply/demand characteristics for fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas); (ii) advances in low-carbon technology and renewable energy development; and (iii) effects of extreme weather events on the physical and operational exposure of industries and issuers, and the transition that these companies make towards addressing climate risk in their own businesses.

However, we cannot predict how legal, regulatory and/or social responses to concerns around global climate change may impact our business. There can be no assurance that our reinsurance coverage and other measures taken will be sufficient to mitigate losses resulting from one or more catastrophic events. As a result, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events and the continuation and worsening of recent trends could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Environmental, Social and Governance and sustainability have become major topics that encompass a wide range of issues, including climate change and other environmental risks. We are also subject to complex and changing laws, regulation and public policy debates relating to climate change which are difficult to predict and quantify and may have an adverse impact on our business. Changes in regulations relating to climate change or our own leadership decisions implemented as a result of assessing the impact of climate change on our business may result in an increase in the cost of doing business or a decrease in premiums in certain lines of business.

Underwriting risks and reserving for losses are based on probabilities and related modeling, which are subject to inherent uncertainties.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to assess accurately the risks associated with the businesses that we insure and reinsure. We establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses which represent estimates based on actuarial and statistical projections, at a given point in time, of our expectations of the ultimate future settlement and administration costs of losses incurred. We utilize actuarial models as well as available historical insurance industry loss ratio experience and loss development patterns to assist in the establishment of loss reserves. Most or all of these factors are not directly quantifiable, particularly on a prospective basis, and the effects of these and unforeseen factors could negatively impact our ability to accurately assess the risks of the policies that we write. Changes in the assumptions used by these models or by management could lead to an increase in our estimate of ultimate losses in the future. In addition, there may be significant reporting lags between the occurrence of the insured event and the time it is reported to the insurer and additional lags between the time of reporting and final settlement of claims. In addition, the estimation of loss reserves is more difficult during times of adverse economic and market conditions due to unexpected changes in behavior of claimants and policyholders, including an increase in fraudulent reporting of exposures and/or losses, reduced maintenance of insured properties or increased frequency of small claims. Changes in the level of inflation also result in an increased level of uncertainty in our estimation of loss reserves. As a result, actual losses and loss adjustment expenses paid can deviate, perhaps substantially, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

If our loss reserves are determined to be inadequate, we will be required to increase loss reserves at the time of such determination with a corresponding reduction in our net income in the period when the deficiency becomes known. It is possible that claims in respect of events that have occurred could exceed our claim reserves and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, in a particular period, or our financial condition in general. As a compounding factor, although most insurance contracts have policy limits, the nature of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance is such that losses and the associated expenses can exceed policy limits for a variety of reasons and could significantly exceed the premiums received on the underlying policies, thereby further adversely affecting our financial condition.

Risks Relating to Financial Markets and Investments

Adverse developments in the financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital.

Adverse developments in the financial markets, such as disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the capital and credit markets, may result in realized and unrealized capital losses that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and our businesses, and may also limit our access to capital required to operate our business. Depending on market conditions, we could incur additional realized and unrealized losses on our investment portfolio in future periods, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and business. Economic conditions could also have a material impact on the frequency and severity of claims and therefore could negatively impact our underwriting returns. The volatility in the financial markets could continue to significantly affect our investment returns, reported results, and shareholders’ equity.

The capital requirements of our businesses depend on many factors, including regulatory and rating agency requirements, the performance of our investment portfolio, our ability to write new business successfully, the frequency and severity of catastrophe events and our ability to establish premium rates and reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses.

Our investments in special purpose acquisition companies as well as the sponsors of special purpose acquisition companies involve a high degree of risk.

We expect to invest in initial public offerings (“IPOs”) of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”), including SPACs that are sponsored by our affiliates. In general, a SPAC is a special purpose vehicle that is formed to raise capital from the public through an IPO with the purpose, usually, of using the proceeds to acquire a single unspecified business or assets to be identified after the IPO. The IPO proceeds are held in a trust account until released to fund a business combination or used to redeem shares sold in the IPO. SPACs are required to either consummate a business combination or liquidate within a set period of time following their IPO. Because, at the time of the IPO, the SPAC has no operating history or any plans, arrangements or understandings with any prospective investment targets, we will have no basis upon which to evaluate the SPAC’s ability to achieve its business objectives. If a SPAC fails to complete its initial business transaction within the required time period, it will never generate any operating revenues and our SPAC investment may receive only a fixed dollar amount per share upon redemption, or less than such fixed amount in certain circumstances which could significantly affect our operating results and shareholders’ equity.

Additionally, as of December 31, 2020, we have invested $4.0 million to acquire equity interests in the sponsor of a SPAC (“Sponsor”) and expect to acquire additional interests in sponsors of SPACs in the future. By investing in a Sponsor, we have provided risk capital which allows the Sponsor to launch the IPO of the SPAC. In exchange for this investment, we own interests in the Sponsor that entitle us to receive distributions of shares and warrants in the SPAC after the lock-up period following the SPACs IPO has expired. These Sponsor interests do not have redemption rights to receive any portion of our original investment back from the trust account of the SPAC, as is normally associated with an IPO investment directly into a SPAC. Accordingly, an investment in a Sponsor is subject to a much higher degree of risk than an investment in a SPAC because the entire investment may be lost if the SPAC is not successful in consummating a business combination. Such potential loss could have a material effect on our financial results and shareholders’ equity.

Risks Relating to Sale of Maison Business

The shares of FedNat common stock we have received as part of the consideration for the Asset Sale are subject to certain limitations and restrictions.

The shares of FedNat common stock we have received in the Asset Sale were issued pursuant to the terms of a Standstill Agreement entered into between the Company and FedNat upon the closing of the Asset Sale. The Standstill Agreement imposes certain limitations and restrictions with respect to our ownership of FedNat common stock, including, among other things, requiring us to vote all of the voting securities of FedNat we own in accordance with the recommendation of FedNat’s board of directors and prohibiting us from publicly advising or influencing any person with respect to the voting of any shares of FedNat common stock and taking any action to nominate any person for election to FedNat’s board of directors. Our status as a minority stockholder of FedNat as well as the limitations and restrictions expected to be set forth in the Standstill Agreement may limit our ability to exert significant influence on FedNat’s management and operations and matters requiring approval of FedNat’s stockholders. FedNat’s management and holders of a larger percentage of FedNat’s common stock may also take or encourage actions that decrease the value of our shares of FedNat common stock or are not in our best interests as a minority stockholder.

As a result of the Asset Sale, we are a very small public company with a large cash balance relative to our market capitalization.

As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $12.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $18.0 million in investments. We expect to invest significant funds into the implementation of our new business strategy, which will increase our operating expenses. Until we secure additional revenue streams, we may lose a significant amount of cash, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the value of our investments may be materially adversely affected by financial market performance, general economic conditions, and other factors that may result in the recognition of other-than-temporary impairments. Each of these events may cause us to reduce the carrying value of our investment portfolio and may adversely affect our results of operations.

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We also remain subject to the listing standards of Nasdaq and SEC rules and regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Exchange Act even though compliance with these reporting requirements is economically burdensome. While all public companies face the costs and burdens associated with being publicly traded, given our limited business operations, the costs and burdens of being a public company may be material.

We are subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants under the Purchase Agreement, which may limit our operations in certain respects.

We are subject to the non-competition and non-solicitation covenants in the Purchase Agreement until December 2, 2024. During this period of time, subject to certain exceptions, we will generally be prohibited from (i) marketing, selling and issuing residential property and casualty insurance policies to residential consumers anywhere in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas (a “Restricted Business”), and owning the equity securities of, managing, operating or controlling any person that engages in a Restricted Business, (ii) hiring or soliciting certain employees of FedNat or the companies sold under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, and (iii) soliciting or accepting business from certain third parties on any customer, agent or vendor list of Maison, MMI, or ClaimCor in connection with a Restricted Business. The non-competition covenant does not apply to our reinsurance business, and we will be permitted to enter into reinsurance contracts in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas.

The limitations set forth in the non-competition and non-solicitation covenants may negatively impact the scope of our future operations, limit our recruitment of key employees, restrict our ability to enter into strategic relationships, and impair our ability to pursue certain business alternatives, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

Our failure to obtain or maintain approval of insurance regulators and other regulatory authorities as required for the operations of our reinsurance subsidiary may have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

FGRe has a Class B (iii) insurer license in accordance with the terms of The Insurance Law, 2010 and underlying regulations thereto, and is subject to regulation by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (“CIMA”). Insurance statutes and policies of CIMA regulate items such as the minimum levels of capital at FGRe and the surplus and liquidity of FGRe. Furthermore, CIMA may restrict dividends and distributions from FGRe, require we obtain advance approval of ownership and transfer of shares, and maintain a principal office and maintain a principal representative on the island of Grand Cayman. Failure to comply with the laws, regulations and requirements applicable to a Cayman Islands-domiciled reinsurance subsidiary could result in consequences which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We will be subject to the risk of possibly becoming an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

We will be subject to the risk of inadvertently becoming an investment company, which would require us to register under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Registered investment companies are subject to extensive, restrictive and potentially adverse regulations relating to, among other things, operating methods, management, capital structure, dividends and transactions with affiliates. Registered investment companies are not permitted to operate their business in the manner in which we currently operate and plan to operate our business in the future.

We plan to monitor the value of our investments and structure our operations and transactions to qualify for exemptions under the Investment Company Act. Accordingly, we may structure transactions in a less advantageous manner than if we did not have Investment Company Act concerns, or we may avoid otherwise economically desirable transactions due to those concerns. In addition, adverse developments with respect to our ownership of our operating subsidiaries, including significant appreciation or depreciation in the market value of certain of our publicly traded holdings, could result in our inadvertently becoming an investment company. If it were established that we were an investment company, there would be a risk, among other material adverse consequences, that we could become subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both, in an action brought by the SEC, that we would be unable to enforce contracts with third parties or that third parties could seek to obtain rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period it was established that we were an unregistered investment company.

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If we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of integrated internal controls, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place so that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that will need to be evaluated frequently. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires public companies to conduct an annual review and evaluation of their internal controls and attestations of the effectiveness of internal controls by independent auditors. We currently qualify as a smaller reporting company under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As a smaller reporting company we are exempt from the requirement to include the auditor’s report of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting until such time as we no longer qualify as a smaller reporting company based on our public float and our reporting of more than $100 million in annual revenues in a fiscal year. Regardless of our qualification status, we have implemented control systems and procedures in order to satisfy the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act and applicable requirements of Nasdaq, among other items. Maintaining these internal controls is costly and may divert management’s attention.

Our evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting may identify material weaknesses that may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC, or violations of Nasdaq’s listing rules. There also could be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements also could suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. This may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could also lead to a decline in the price of our common stock.

While we currently qualify as a smaller reporting company under SEC regulations, we cannot be certain if we take advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to these companies that we will not make our common stock less attractive to investors. Once we lose smaller reporting company status, the costs and demands placed upon our management are expected to increase.

The SEC’s rules permit smaller reporting companies like us to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies. As long as we qualify as a smaller reporting company, based on our public float, and report less than $100 million in annual revenues in a fiscal year we are permitted, and we intend to, omit the auditor’s attestation on internal control over financial reporting that would otherwise be required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

We lost our status as an emerging growth company as of December 31, 2019. While we expect to remain a smaller reporting company and non-accelerated filer, we now face increased disclosure requirements as a non-emerging growth company, such as stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation (“say-on-pay”). Until such time that we lose smaller reporting company status, it is unclear if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on certain disclosure exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile and could cause our stock price to decline. As a result of the loss of our emerging growth company status, the costs and demands placed upon our management have increased, as we now must comply with additional disclosure and accounting requirements. In addition, even if we remain a smaller reporting company, if our public float exceeds $75 million and we report $100 million or more in annual revenues in a fiscal year, we will become subject to the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring an independent registered public accounting firm to provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, making the public reporting process more costly.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Holders of our outstanding shares of 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, have dividend, liquidation and other rights that are senior to the rights of the holders of our common shares.

As of March 12, 2021, we have issued and outstanding 700,000 shares of preferred stock designated as 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $25.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The aggregate liquidation preference with respect to the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock is approximately $17.5 million, and annual dividends on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are $1.4 million. Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof, out of lawfully available funds for the payment of dividends, cumulative cash dividends from and including the original issue date at the rate of 8.00% of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference per annum (equivalent to $2.00 per annum per share). Upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, before any payment is made to holders of our common shares, holders of these preferred shares are entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of payment. This would reduce the remaining amount of our assets, if any, available to distribute to holders of our common shares.

Our Board of Directors has the authority to designate and issue additional preferred shares with liquidation, dividend and other rights that are senior to those of our common shares similar to the rights of the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock. Because our decision to issue additional securities will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future securities issuances reducing the market price of our common shares and diluting their interests.

We may fail to satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq and may have to delist our common shares.

Even though we currently satisfy the continued listing standards for Nasdaq and expect to continue to do so, we can provide no assurance that we will continue to satisfy the continued listing standards in the future. In the event that we are unable to satisfy the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, our common shares may be delisted from that market. Any delisting of our common shares from Nasdaq could:

	●	adversely affect our ability to attract new investors;

	●	decrease the liquidity of our outstanding common shares;

	●	reduce our flexibility to raise additional capital;

	●	reduce the price at which our common shares trade; and

	●	increase the transaction costs inherent in trading such common shares with overall negative effects for our stockholders.

In addition, delisting of our common shares could deter broker-dealers from making a market in or otherwise seeking or generating interest in our common shares, and might deter certain institutions and persons from investing in our securities at all. For these reasons and others, delisting could adversely affect the price of our common shares and our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Technology and Operational Risks

Our information technology systems may fail or suffer a loss of security which may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our business is highly dependent upon the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our computer and data processing systems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to process our business timely and efficiently and protect our information systems from physical loss or unauthorized access. In the event that our systems cannot be accessed due to a natural catastrophe, terrorist attack or power outage, or systems and telecommunications failures or outages, external attacks such as computer viruses, malware or cyber-attacks, or other disruptions occur, our ability to perform business operations on a timely basis could be significantly impaired and may cause our systems to be inaccessible for an extended period of time. A sustained business interruption or system failure could adversely impact our ability to perform necessary business operations in a timely manner, hurt our relationships with our business partners and customers and have a material adverse effect our financial condition and results of operations.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Our operations also depend on the reliable and secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. From time to time, we may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, systems failures and disruptions. Computer viruses, hackers, phishing attacks, social engineering schemes, ransomware, employee misconduct and other external hazards could expose our data systems to security breaches, cyber-attacks or other disruptions. In addition, we routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information by electronic means. Our systems and networks may be subject to breaches or interference. Any such event may result in operational disruptions as well as unauthorized access to or the disclosure or loss of our proprietary information or our customers’ information or theft of funds and other monetary loss, which in turn may result in legal claims, regulatory scrutiny and liability, damage to our reputation, the incurrence of costs to eliminate or mitigate further exposure, the loss of customers or affiliated advisers or other damage to our business.

Risks Related to Human Capital

We may be unable to attract and retain key personnel and management, which could adversely impact our ability to successfully implement and execute our business and growth strategy.

The successful implementation of our business and growth strategy depends in large part upon the ability and experience of members of our management and other personnel. We experienced a number of personnel changes in connection with the closing of our Asset Sale, including the resignations of our President and Chief Executive Officer, and our Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer.

As of December 31, 2020, we had three employees, Larry G. Swets, Jr., who serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer, John S. Hill, who serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Brian D. Bottjer, who serves as our Senior Vice President and Controller. Our performance will be dependent on our ability to identify, hire, train, motivate and retain qualified management and personnel with experience in the reinsurance industry, investment advisory services, and in real estate investments. We may not be able to attract and retain such personnel on acceptable terms, or at all. If we lose the service of qualified management or other personnel or are unable to attract and retain the necessary members of management or personnel, we may not be able to successfully execute on our business strategy, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

We have directors who also serve as directors and/or executive officers for other public companies or for our controlling stockholders or their affiliates, which may lead to conflicting interests.

We have directors who serve as executive officers and/or directors of other public companies. One of our directors also serves as CEO of Fundamental Global Investors, LLC (“FGI”) and its affiliates, which together, as of December 31, 2020, beneficially owned approximately 61% of our outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, FGI and its affiliates beneficially own 5% of our outstanding shares of 8.00% cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A. One of our directors serves as an executive officer and director of Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. (OTC: AFHIF) (“Atlas”), a specialty commercial automobile insurance company. In addition, our chief executive officer and director, Mr. Swets and our chairman, Mr. Cerminara, also currently serve as executive officers of FG New America Acquisition Corp, (NYSE: FGNA), a blank check company formed to effect a merger, reorganization or similar business combination. We have sponsored a portion of the risk capital used to launch FGNA, through an investment of approximately $4 million in our joint venture, Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC. Mr. Swets also serves as director of Limbach Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LMB) (“Limbach”), an affiliate of KFSI (which, together with its affiliates, holds a warrant exercisable for common shares representing 23% of our outstanding shares of common stock). On October 13, 2020 our director, Mr. Wong, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Harbor Custom Development, Inc. (Nasdaq: HCDI), and serves as the chairperson of its audit committee. Our Director, General Payne, also currently serves on the Board of Directors of BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American: BKTI).

Our executive officers and members of our Company’s Board of Directors have fiduciary duties to our stockholders; likewise, persons who serve in similar capacities at Atlas, FGNA, Limbach and FGI have fiduciary duties to those companies’ investors. We may find, though, the potential for a conflict of interest if our Company and one or more of these other companies pursue acquisitions, investments and other business opportunities that may be suitable for each of us. Our directors who find themselves in these multiple roles may, as a result, have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting more than one of the companies to which they owe fiduciary duties. Furthermore, our directors who find themselves in these multiple roles own stock options, shares of common stock and other securities in some of these entities. These ownership interests could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the applicable individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for our Company and these other entities. From time to time, we may enter into transactions with or participate jointly in investments with Atlas, FGNA, Limbach or FGI or its affiliates. We may create new situations in the future in which our directors serve as directors or executive officers in future investment holdings of such entities.

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Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to our and other businesses in which they are involved in their discretion, potentially to the detriment of the Company.

Our executive officers and directors are not required to, and will not, commit their full time to our affairs, which may result in a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our operations and those other businesses in which they are involved. Our chief executive officer is engaged in other business endeavors for which he may be entitled to substantial compensation, and our executive officers are not obligated to contribute any specific numbers of hours per week to our affairs. Our directors also serve as officers and board members for other entities. If our executive officers’ and directors’ elect to devote substantial amounts of time to the affairs of other businesses in excess of current levels, they might not assign sufficient attention to the Company, potentially impairing our results of operations, financial condition, and prospects and the value of our securities.

Members of our management and companies with which they are affiliated in the past have been, and may in the future be, involved in civil disputes and litigation and governmental investigations relating to their business affairs unrelated to our company. Any such claims or investigations may divert management’s attention from our business or be detrimental to our reputation, resulting in adverse effects upon our results of operations, financial condition, and prospects and the value of our securities held by investors.

We have a limited operating history as a publicly-traded company. Our inexperience as a public company and the requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management’s attention, affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members and have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

We have a limited operating history as a publicly-traded company. As a publicly-traded company, we are required to develop and implement substantial control systems, policies and procedures in order to satisfy our periodic SEC reporting and Nasdaq obligations. Management’s past experience may not be sufficient to successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company. Failure to do so could jeopardize our status as a public company, and the loss of such status may have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.

In addition, as a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Act, and Nasdaq rules, including those promulgated in response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The requirements of these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. To maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, we need to continually commit significant resources, maintain staff and provide additional management oversight. In addition, implementing our business strategy and sustaining our growth will require us to commit additional management, operational and financial resources to identify new professionals to join our organization and to maintain appropriate operational and financial systems to adequately support expansion. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

As a public company, we incur significant annual expenses related to these steps associated with, among other things, director fees, reporting requirements, transfer agent fees, accounting, administrative personnel, auditing and legal fees and similar expenses. We also incur higher costs for director and officer liability insurance. Any of these factors make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our Board of Directors. Finally, we expect to incur additional costs once we lose smaller reporting company status or are required to provide an auditor attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

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Risks Related to Investment Performance

Our results of operations will fluctuate from period to period and may not be indicative of our long-term prospects.

We anticipate that the performance of our reinsurance operations and our future investment and real estate portfolios will fluctuate from period to period. In addition, because we plan to underwrite products and make investments to achieve favorable return on equity over the long-term, our short-term results of operations may not be indicative of our long-term prospects. Our results of operations may also be adversely impacted by general economic conditions and the conditions and outlook of the reinsurance markets and capital markets.

Changes in the value of the investments we own could materially affect our income and increase the volatility of our earnings.

As of December 31, 2020 we have invested approximately $4 million as a seed investment to sponsor the launch of FG New America Acquisition Corp (NYSE: FGNA), a special purpose acquisition company which consummated its initial public offering on October 2, 2020. Our investment consists of both class A and class A-1 interests of the sponsor company, which represent beneficial ownership of approximately 1.4 million common shares of FGNA as well as approximately 0.4 million warrants to purchase common shares of FGNA at a price of $11.50 per share. The class A and class A-1 interests were purchased in a private placement and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are not transferrable except as provided for in the operating agreement of the Sponsor. Should FGNA not complete an initial business combination within 24 months after the closing of their initial public offering, our investment could be subject to total loss, materially affecting our operating results.

Our investment in FG New America Acquisition Corp (“FGNA”) as well as any such investments we make in the future in the at-risk capital of SPACs, directly or via the SPAC sponsor entities, do not have redemption rights to receive the original investment back from the trust account of the SPAC, with such redemption rights afforded only to investors in initial public offerings of SPACs. For this reason, such investments would become worthless if the SPAC fails to consummate a business combination within the specified time frame, which is typically 24 months from its initial public offering. Our investment in FGNA as well as such future investments are subject to transfer restrictions and additional risks which include the following:

	●	The ability of SPAC public stockholders to exercise redemption rights with respect to a large number of SPAC shares could increase the probability that its business combination would be unsuccessful.

	●	The requirement for SPACs to complete the business combination within 24 months after the initial public offering may give potential target businesses leverage over the SPAC in negotiating a business combination, in particular as a SPAC approaches its dissolution deadline, which could undermine its ability to complete the business combination on terms that would produce value for our investment.

	●	If a SPAC we are invested in is deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act, it may be required to institute burdensome compliance requirements and its activities may be restricted, which may make it difficult for it to complete the business combination.

	●	Past performance by SPAC’s management team and their affiliates may not be indicative of future performance of an investment in such a SPAC.

	●	SPACs are not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm or from a valuation or appraisal firm, and consequently, we may have no assurance from an independent source that the SPAC we invest in is paying a fair price for the target business from a financial point of view.

	●	We may experience dilution to our investment in any particular SPAC from additional issuance of shares by the SPAC in its business combination with a target business.

	●	A SPAC’s officers and directors often have additional fiduciary or contractual obligations to other entities and, accordingly, may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented in regard to merger. Additionally, the sponsor, executive officers and directors of SPACs we invest in may and often do hold at-risk investments in such SPACs. Since such sponsor, executive officers and directors will lose their entire investment in the SPAC if the business combination is not completed, a conflict of interest may arise in determining for such SPACs whether a particular business combination target is appropriate for a business combination.

	●	A SPAC is considered an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if the SPAC we invest in takes advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies or smaller reporting companies, this could make its securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare its performance with other public companies.

We also own approximately 1.4 million shares of FedNat common stock representing approximately 25% of the total assets listed on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. The value of this investment has declined considerably since our initial investment, and could continue to decline, materially affecting our income and causing volatility in our earnings. Furthermore, the shares of FedNat common stock were issued to us pursuant to the terms of a Standstill Agreement entered into between the Company and FedNat upon the closing of the Asset Sale. Should we need to reduce or completely liquidate our investment in FedNat common stock to maintain our liquidity or for any other reason, we may be limited as to the timing and number of shares we can sell pursuant to the terms of the Standstill Agreement.

Risks Related to Our Significant Shareholder

Fundamental Global Investors, LLC and its affiliates control a substantial interest in us and thus may exert substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support.

As of December 31, 2020, FGI and its affiliates own approximately 61% of our issued and outstanding common stock. Accordingly, they may exert a substantial influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote, potentially in a manner that you do not support. D. Kyle Cerminara, Chairman of our Board of Directors, serves as Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder and Partner of FGI. Due to his position on our Board of Directions as well as his position at FGI, he has considerable influence on actions requiring a stockholder vote. See Risks Related to Human Capital—Our executive officers and directors will allocate their time to our and other businesses in which they are involved in their discretion, potentially to the detriment of the Company and—We have directors who also serve as directors and/or executive officers for other public companies or for our controlling stockholders or their affiliates, which may lead to conflicting interests.

General Risk Factors

Unfavorable global economic conditions, including as a result of health and safety concerns, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our results of operations and the implementation of our new business strategy could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy, including conditions that are outside of our control, such as the impact of health and safety concerns from the current outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The most recent global financial crisis caused by the coronavirus resulted in extreme volatility and disruptions in the capital and credit markets. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business and could delay the implementation of our new business strategy.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Adverse events such as health-related concerns about working in our offices, the inability to travel and other matters affecting the general work environment have negatively impacted and could continue to harm our business and our business strategy. In addition, during the pandemic, we have experienced significant losses related to the value of our investment in shares of FedNat common stock, and we may continue to experience such losses to the extent the pandemic negatively impacts FedNat’s business. The extent to which our operations and investments may continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new developments concerning the severity of the pandemic and actions by government authorities to contain the pandemic or treat its impact. In the event of a major disruption caused by the pandemic, we may lose the services of our employees, experience system interruptions or face challenges accessing the capital or credit markets, which could lead to diminishment of our business operations. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and delay the implementation of our business strategy.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our executive offices are located at 970 Lake Carillon Drive, Suite 318, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. Our lease term expires in May 2021, however the Company intends to renew its lease for an additional six month period. Total minimum rent over the six-month term is expected to be $9,000.

In the opinion of the Company’s management, our executive offices are suitable for our current business and are adequately maintained.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Currently, it is not possible to predict legal outcomes and their impact on the future development of claims. Any such development will be affected by future court decisions and interpretations. Because of these uncertainties, additional liabilities may arise for amounts in excess of the Company’s current reserves.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market for Registrant’s Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC under the symbol “FGF.” Our Series A Preferred Stock is also traded on the Nasdaq Global Market tier of the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “FGFPP.” Our common and preferred stock previously traded under the symbols “PIH” and “PIHPP,” respectively. At the Company’s annual meeting held on December 14, 2020, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to change our corporate name and resulting in the change of our trading symbols effective December 17, 2020.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Number of Common Stockholders

As of December 31, 2020, we had 4,988,310 common shares outstanding, which were held by 14 stockholders of record, including Cede & Co., which holds shares on behalf of the beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock. Because brokers and other institutions hold many of our shares on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. It is the present policy of our Board of Directors to retain earnings, if any, for use in developing and expanding our business. In the future, our payment of dividends on our common stock will also depend on the amount of funds available, our financial condition, capital requirements and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider.

Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cash dividends at a rate of 8.00% per annum of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference (equivalent to $2.00 per annum per share), accruing from February 28, 2018. Dividends are payable to holders of our Series A Preferred Stock quarterly on or about the 15th day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on June 15, 2018. The record dates for dividend payment are March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, whether or not a business day, immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date. The first dividend record date was June 1, 2018. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock accumulate whether or not the Company has earnings, whether or not there are funds legally available for the payment of those dividends and whether or not those dividends are declared by the Board of Directors. We intend to declare regular quarterly dividends on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $10.2 million available for the payment of future dividends, if declared by the Board of Directors. The declaration, payment and amount of future dividends will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors expects to take into account a variety of factors when determining whether to declare any future dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, including (i) our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, retained earnings, and capital requirements, (ii) general business conditions, (iii) legal, tax and regulatory limitations, including those placed on our subsidiary companies, and (iv) any other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will declare dividends on our preferred shares in the future.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and information included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K. You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this annual report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis and set forth elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Unless context denotes otherwise, the terms “Company,” “FGF,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to FG Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

Overview

Sale of the Maison Business

On December 2, 2019, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding equity of three of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Maison Insurance Company (“Maison”), Maison Managers Inc. (“MMI”) and ClaimCor, LLC (“ClaimCor” and, together with Maison and MMI, the “Maison Business”), to FedNat Holding Company, a Florida corporation (“FedNat”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 25, 2019 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company and each of Maison, MMI and ClaimCor, on the one hand, and FedNat, on the other hand (the “Asset Sale”).

For more information on the Purchase Agreement, Asset Sale, and the Company’s future plans, see “Item 1. Business.”

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Coronavirus Impact

We continue to monitor the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on our operations.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Adverse events such as health-related concerns about working in our offices, the inability to travel and other matters affecting the general work environment have negatively impacted and could continue to harm our business and our business strategy. In addition, during the pandemic, we have experienced significant losses related to the value of our investment in shares of FedNat common stock, and we may continue to experience such losses to the extent the pandemic negatively impacts FedNat’s business. The extent to which our operations and investments may continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will depend largely on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new developments concerning the severity of the pandemic and actions by government authorities to contain the pandemic or treat its impact. Furthermore, the impacts of a potential worsening of global economic conditions and the continued disruptions to and volatility in the financial markets remain unknown. In the event of a major disruption caused by the pandemic, we may lose the services of our employees, experience system interruptions or face challenges accessing the capital or credit markets, which could lead to diminishment of our business operations. Any of the foregoing could harm our business and delay the implementation of our business strategy.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

Critical accounting policies are those that require us to make significant judgments, estimates or assumptions that affect amounts reported in our financial statements or the notes thereto. We base our judgments, estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable and prudent. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The business and economic uncertainty resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made such estimates and assumptions difficult to calculate. Set forth below is a summary of what we believe to be our most critical accounting policies and estimates.

Discontinued Operations

On December 2, 2019, we sold all of the issued and outstanding equity of Maison, MMI and ClaimCor. As a result, these operations have been classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements presented herein. Certain transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which have historically been eliminated upon consolidation, are shown on a gross basis in the accompanying financial statements as such transactions have occurred between discontinued operations and those operations which the Company has continued to utilize following the closing of the Asset Sale. These items include surplus notes in the amount of $18 million plus accrued interest, all of which were settled upon the closing of the Asset Sale. Interest associated with these surplus notes has been recorded as part of net investment income from continuing operations as well as interest expense as part of discontinued operations on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. All other significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Valuation of Investments

The Company’s equity securities are recorded at fair value using observable inputs such as quoted prices in inactive markets, quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, benchmark interest rates, broker quotes and other relevant inputs. Any change in the estimated fair value of its investments could impact the amount of unrealized gain or loss the Company has recorded, which could change the amount the Company has recorded for its investments and on its consolidated balance sheets and statements of income.

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are determined on the first-in first-out basis and credited or charged to the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Premium and discount on investments are amortized and accreted using the interest method and charged or credited to net investment income.

The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investment portfolio to determine if declines in market value are other-than-temporary. Further information regarding its detailed analysis and factors considered in establishing an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment is discussed within Note 5 – Investments, to the consolidated financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

The determination of whether or not to consolidate a variable interest entity under GAAP requires a significant amount of judgment concerning the degree of control over an entity by its holders of variable interests. To make these judgments, management has conducted an analysis, on a case-by-case basis, of whether we are the primary beneficiary and are therefore required to consolidate the entity. Management continually reconsiders whether we should consolidate a variable interest entity. Upon the occurrence of certain events, such as modifications to organizational documents and investment management agreements, management will reconsider its conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a variable interest entity.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Valuation of Net Deferred Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is calculated based on the expected tax treatment of transactions recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In determining its provision for income taxes, the Company interprets tax legislation in a variety of jurisdictions and makes assumptions about the expected timing of the reversal of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of net deferred income taxes.

The ultimate realization of the deferred income tax asset balance is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the Company’s temporary differences reverse and become deductible. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred income tax asset balance will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, management considers all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred income tax asset balances, including the Company’s past and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, and the availability of tax planning strategies. To the extent a valuation allowance is established in a period, an expense must be recorded within the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company uses the fair-value method of accounting for stock-based compensation awards granted. The Company determines the fair value of the stock options on their grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and determines the fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on their grant date using the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date the RSUs were issued (for those RSU which vest solely based upon the passage of time), as well as using multiple Monte Carlo simulations for those RSUs with market-based vesting conditions. The fair value of these awards is recorded as compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the expected period over which the awards will vest, with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital. When the stock options are exercised, or correspondingly, when the RSUs vest, the amount of proceeds together with the amount recorded in additional paid-in capital is recorded in shareholders’ equity.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 8, Note 3 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their effect, if any, on the Company.

Analysis of Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019

Investments

The table below summarizes, by type, the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.


($ in thousands)	Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Carrying Amount
As of December 31, 2020
FedNat common stock	$	20,751	$	–	$	12,209	$	8,542
Limited liability investments		8,651		695		–		9,346
Total investments	$	29,402	$	695	$	12,209	$	17,888

As of December 31, 2019
FedNat common stock	$	25,500	$	3,987	$	–	$	29,487
Limited liability investments		3,495		510		–		4,005
Total investments	$	28,995	$	4,497	$	–	$	33,492

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

FedNat Common Stock

On December 2, 2019, the Company received 1,773,102 shares of FedNat Holding Company common stock (Nasdaq: FNHC), along with $25.5 million cash as consideration for the Asset Sale. On July 14, 2020, the Company transferred 156,000 shares of FedNat common stock to FGRe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as a capital contribution for no consideration, and, on September 15, 2020, the Company transferred 330,231 shares of FedNat common stock to the Hale Parties as further described under the heading “Related Party Transactions”. Following the transactions, the Company directly holds 1,286,871 shares of FedNat common stock. As of March 15, 2021, the estimated fair value of the 1,442,871 shares of FedNat common stock held in the aggregate by the Company and its subsidiary was $6.9 million.

Limited Liability Investments

The Company’s limited liability investments are comprised of investments in a limited partnership and a limited liability company which seek to provide equity and asset-backed debt investment in a variety of privately-owned companies. The Company’s total investment in these two entities was approximately $638,000 as of December 31, 2020. The limited liability company is managed by Argo Management Group, LLC, an entity which is wholly owned by KFSI. The Company has accounted for these two investments at cost minus impairment, if any, as the investments do not have readily determinable fair values. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has received profit distributions of $80,000 and $91,000 on these investments, respectively, which has been included in income. Furthermore, both investments began the process of returning capital back to its investors in 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has received approximately 18% of its initial $776,000 investment back from these investments.

On June 18, 2018, the Company invested approximately $2.2 million in FGI Metrolina Property Income Fund, LP (“Metrolina”), which invests in real estate through a real estate investment trust which is wholly owned by Metrolina. The general partner of Metrolina, FGI Metrolina GP, LLC, is managed, in part, by Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company, a limited partner of Metrolina, does not have a controlling interest, but exerts significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies as it owns an economic interest of approximately 53% as of December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the Company has accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting, recognizing any unrealized holding gains or losses in income. On August 6, 2020, the Company increased its total investment in Metrolina to $4.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, Metrolina’s carrying amount on the Company’s balance sheet was approximately $4.7 million, including of $0.7 million in undistributed earnings.

Limited Liability Investment in Consolidated VIE

In September 2020, the Company invested $5.0 million into its joint venture, Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC (“FGAM’), to capitalize FG Special Situations Fund Advisor, LLC (“Advisor”), a Delaware limited liability company formed on September 2, 2020, and to sponsor the launch of FG Special Situations Fund, LP (the “Fund”), a Delaware limited partnership formed on September 2, 2020. The Fund is wholly owned by FGAM through the Fund’s general partner and Advisor, both of which are ultimately controlled by Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Of the total $5.0 million invested into the Fund, $4.0 million was used by FG New America Investors, LLC (the “Sponsor”) as part of a total $8.6 million of risk capital used to launch FG New America Acquisition Corp (NYSE: FGNA), a special purpose acquisition company which consummated its initial public offering on October 2, 2020, and entered into a definitive business combination with Opportunity Financial, LLC, on February 10, 2021. The Fund’s specific investment consists of both class A and class A-1 interests of the Sponsor, purchased for approximately $4.0 million. The interests represent a potential beneficial ownership of approximately 1.4 million common shares of FGNA as well as approximately 0.4 million warrants to purchase common shares of FGNA at a price of $11.50 per share. Both the class A and class A-1 interests of the Sponsor are subject to complete loss if FGNA is not able to consummate a business combination in accordance with the terms of its initial public offering. The class A and class A-1 interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are not transferrable, except as provided for in the operating agreement of the Sponsor. The remaining $987,000 invested in FGAM consists of cash equivalents owned by the Fund as of December 31, 2020, which are expected to be invested by the Fund in the future. Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of our Board, is the President and a director of FGNA and a manager of the Sponsor. Mr. Swets, our Chief Executive Officer, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of FGNA and a manager of the Sponsor.

The Company has determined that its investment in FGAM represents an investment in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), in which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and as such, has consolidated the financial results of FGAM as of December 31, 2020. The Company evaluates whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and continuously reconsiders that conclusion. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates its control rights as well as economic interests in the entity held either directly, or indirectly through affiliates via both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Further investments in, or redemptions of investments in FGAM, by either member of the joint venture could affect the entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary and will consolidate or deconsolidate accordingly.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

The Fund is considered an investment company for GAAP purposes, following the accounting and reporting guidance in ASC Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. FG Financial Group, Inc., as a noninvestment company parent of an investment company, has retained the specialized industry accounting principles of its investment company subsidiary when preparing its consolidated financial statements. This specialized accounting includes the measurement of the investment company’s investments at fair value. Furthermore, cash flows from investing activities of the Fund, such as the purchase and sale of investments, have been included in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, the assets of the Fund, which have been included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of the dates listed are as follows in the table below. The Fund reported no liabilities as of either date presented. The assets of the Fund may only be used to settle its obligations. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Fund is $5.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Assets ($ in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	987	$	–
Limited liability investments (Class A and Class A-1 interests in Sponsor)		4,013		–
Total assets	$	5,000	$	–

Impairment

The Company performs a quarterly analysis of its investments to determine if an impairment exists on its investments. Further information regarding the Company’s detailed analysis and factors considered in the evaluation of impairment is discussed within Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report.

We have not recorded any write-downs for an other-than-temporary impairment on our investments for either of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Funds Deposited with Reinsured Companies

On November 12, 2020, FGRe, our Cayman Islands based reinsurance subsidiary, initially funded a trust account at Lloyd’s with approximately $2.4 million in cash, to collateralize its obligations under a quota share agreement with a Funds at Lloyds syndicate. The quota share agreement is effective January 1, 2021.

Current Income Taxes Recoverable

Current income taxes recoverable were approximately $1.7 million as of December 31, 2020, compared to approximately $1.3 million as of December 31, 2019, representing the estimate of both the Company’s state and federal income taxes receivable as of each date.

Net Deferred Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes, as compared to the amounts used for income tax purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of approximately $12.2 million on its investment of FedNat common stock, resulting in a deferred tax asset of approximately $2.5 million. The Company’s gross deferred tax assets are $3.9 million as of December 31, 2020; however, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against all of its deferred tax assets, resulting in a net deferred income tax asset of $0 as of December 31, 2020, due to the uncertain nature surrounding our ability to realize these tax benefits in the future. As of December 31, 2019, the financial statements show a net deferred tax liability in the amount of $106,000, due to the sale of the Maison Business. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred taxes are as follows:

	As of December 31,
($ in thousands)	2020			2019
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	1,143		$	463
Share-based compensation		216			214
Investments		2,570			–
Other		5			7
Deferred income tax assets		3,934			684
Less: Valuation allowance		(3,934	)		–
Deferred income tax assets net of valuation allowance	$	–		$	684

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Investments	$	–		$	789
Other					1
Deferred income tax liabilities	$	–		$	790

Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	$	–		$	(106	)

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for federal income tax purposes of approximately $5.4 million, which will be available to offset future taxable income. Approximately $0.6 million of the Company’s NOLs will expire on December 31, 2039, while the remaining $4.8 million of the Company’s NOLs do not expire under current tax law.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Other Assets

Other assets increased $329,000, to $517,000 as of December 31, 2020, from $188,000 as of December 31, 2019. The major components of other assets, and the change therein, are shown below.

	December 31,
($ in thousands)	2020		2019		Change
Amount due under Investment Advisory Agreement with FedNat	$	–	$	35	$	(35	)
Amount due under Transition Services Agreement with FedNat		–		8		(8	)
Prepaid expenses		481		142		339
Other		36		3		33
Total	$	517	$	188	$	329

Related Party Transactions

Investment in Limited Liability Company and Limited Partnership

On April 21, 2016, KFSI completed the acquisition of Argo Management Group LLC (“Argo”). Argo’s primary business is to act as the Managing Member of Argo Holdings Fund I, LLC, an investment fund in which the Company has committed to invest $0.5 million. The managing member of Argo, Mr. John T. Fitzgerald, was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of KFSI on September 5, 2018 and has served on its board of directors since April 21, 2016. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has invested $0.3 million in Argo.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has invested $4.0 million as a limited partner in FGI Metrolina Property Income Fund, LP (“Metrolina”), which invests in real estate through a real estate investment trust wholly owned by Metrolina. The general partner of Metrolina, FGI Metrolina GP, LLC, is managed, in part, by Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. For the year ending December 31, 2020, the Company paid $80,000 in performance-based fees to the general partner of Metrolina. For the year ending December 31, 2019, approximately $37,000 in performance-based fees were waived by the general partner of Metrolina. Metrolina’s investment program is managed by FGI Funds Management LLC, an affiliate of FGI, which, with its affiliates, is the largest stockholder of the Company. The Company’s investment represents an approximate 53% ownership stake in Metrolina as of December 31, 2020.

Joint Venture Agreement

On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into the Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) of Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC (“FGAM”), a newly formed joint venture owned 50% by each of the Company and FGI Funds Management, LLC, an affiliate of FGI (“FGIFM” and together with the Company, each a “Member” and collectively, the “Members”). The purpose of FGAM is to sponsor, capitalize and provide strategic advice to investment managers (“Underlying Managers”) in connection with the launch and/or growth of their asset management business and the investment products they sponsor (each, a “Sponsored Fund”).

FGAM is governed by a Board of Managers consisting of four managers, two of which have been appointed by each Member. The Company has appointed two of its independent directors to the Board of Managers of FGAM. Certain major actions, including any decision to sponsor a new investment manager, require the prior consent of both Members.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

The LLC Agreement provides that each Member will contribute its proportionate interest of the amount of capital determined by the Board of Managers to be required to operate FGAM (“Operating Capital”). Unless otherwise agreed, the Company will contribute the capital required to be contributed to a Sponsored Fund (“Seed Capital”), as well as any amounts required to be contributed to an Underlying Manager for working capital purposes (“Working Capital”). Proceeds attributable to a contribution, directly or indirectly through an Underlying Manager, to a Sponsored Fund will be distributed to the Members in proportion to their capital contributions in respect of Seed Capital. All other proceeds received by FGAM attributable to a Sponsored Fund, including proceeds from revenue shares or ownership interests in Underlying Managers, will be distributed as follows: (i) first, to the Members until they have received cumulative distributions up to an amount of the Operating Capital funded by them; (ii) second, to the Members until they have received cumulative distributions up to an amount of Working Capital previously funded by them, plus a return of 5% per annum; and (iii) third, to the Members in proportion to their percentage interests.

In addition, neither FGIFM nor any of its affiliates may participate in a Sponsored Fund Transaction other than through FGAM unless FGIFM has first presented the opportunity to FGAM and either the Board of Managers or the Company has rejected such opportunity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such opportunity requires in excess of $5.0 million, FGIFM may offer amounts in excess of $5.0 million to a third party, subject to certain conditions.

On September 14, 2020 and September 28, 2020, the Company provided Seed Capital of $2.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, into FGAM, to capitalize FG Special Situations Fund Advisor, LLC (“Advisor”), a Delaware limited liability company formed on September 2, 2020, and to sponsor the launch of FG Special Situations Fund, LP (the “Fund”), a Delaware limited partnership also formed on September 2, 2020. The Fund is wholly owned by FGAM through the Fund’s general partner and the Advisor, both of which are ultimately controlled by Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. Of the total $5.0 million invested into the Fund, $4.0 million was used by FG New America Investors, LLC (the “Sponsor”) as part of a total $8.6 million of risk capital used to launch FG New America Acquisition Corp (NYSE: FGNA), a newly formed special purpose acquisition company which consummated its initial public offering on October 2, 2020, and entered into a definitive business combination with Opportunity Financial, LLC, on February 10, 2021. The Fund’s specific investment consists of both class A and class A-1 interests of the Sponsor, purchased for approximately $4.0 million. The class A and class A-1 interests represent beneficial ownership of approximately 1.4 million common shares of FGNA as well as approximately 0.4 million warrants to purchase common shares of FGNA at a price of $11.50 per share. Both the class A and class A-1 interests of the Sponsor are subject to complete loss if FGNA is not able to consummate a business combination in accordance with the terms of its initial public offering. The class A and class A-1 interests have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are not transferrable except as provided for in the operating agreement of the Sponsor. The remaining $1.0 million invested in FGAM consists of cash owned by the Fund as of December 31, 2020 and will be used by the Fund to sponsor additional future investments. Mr. Cerminara, the Chairman of our Board, is the President and a director of FGNA and a manager of the Sponsor. Mr. Swets, our Chief Executive Officer, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of FGNA and a manager of the Sponsor.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement entered into upon closing of the Asset Sale, FG Strategic Consulting (“FGSC,”, formerly Fundamental Global Advisors LLC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has agreed to provide investment advisory services to FedNat, including identifying, analyzing and recommending potential investments, advising as to existing investments and investment optimization, recommending investment dispositions, and providing advice regarding macro-economic conditions. In exchange for providing the investment advisory services, FedNat has agreed to pay FGSC an annual fee of $100,000. FGI Funds Management, LLC will serve as the manager to FGSC. Both Advisor and FGI Funds Management, LLC are affiliates of Fundamental Global Investors, LLC, the Company’s largest stockholder. The Investment Advisory Agreement runs through December 2, 2024.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Shared Services Agreement

On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into a Shared Services Agreement (the “Shared Services Agreement”) with Fundamental Global Management, LLC (“FGM”), an affiliate of FGI, pursuant to which FGM provides the Company with certain services related to the day-to-day management of the Company, including assisting with regulatory compliance, evaluating the Company’s financial and operational performance, providing a management team to supplement the executive officers of the Company, and such other services consistent with those customarily performed by executive officers and employees of a public company (collectively, the “Services”). In exchange for the Services, the Company pays FGM a fee of $456,250 per quarter (the “Shared Services Fee”), plus reimbursement of expenses incurred by FGM in connection with the performance of the Services, subject to certain limitations approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee from time to time.

The Shared Services Agreement has an initial term of three years, and thereafter renews automatically for successive one-year terms unless terminated in accordance with its terms. The Shared Services Agreement may be terminated by FGM or by the Company, by a vote of the Company’s independent directors, at the end of the initial or automatic renewal term upon 120 days’ notice, subject to payment by the Company of certain costs incurred by FGM to wind down the provision of Services and, in the case of a termination by the Company without cause, payment of a termination fee equal to the Shared Services Fee paid for the two quarters preceding termination.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid $1.4 million to FGM under the Shared Services Agreement.

Share Repurchase Transaction

On September 15, 2020, the Company entered into a Share Repurchase and Cooperation Agreement (the “Share Repurchase Agreement”) with Hale Partnership Capital Management, LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Hale Parties”), which, prior to the transaction, owned more than 18% of our outstanding common stock (the “Share Repurchase Transaction”).

Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Agreement, the Company agreed to purchase (exclusive of any fees or expenses) all of the 1,130,152 shares of the Company’s common stock, owned, of record or beneficially, by the Hale Parties, in exchange for an aggregate approximately $2.8 million in cash and 330,231 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of FedNat Holding Company previously owned by the Company (the “FedNat Shares”) having an estimated fair value of approximately $2.7 million on September 15, 2020. As acknowledged by the Hale Parties in the Share Repurchase Agreement, that certain Standstill Agreement, dated December 2, 2019, by and between FedNat Holding Company and the Company, imposes certain restrictions in respect of the FedNat Shares transferred by the Company to the Hale Parties. FedNat Holding Company is not party to, or a third-party beneficiary of, the Agreement.

The Share Purchase Agreement contains certain customary standstill provisions that, for a period of five years commencing September 15, 2020 (the “Standstill Period”), prohibit, among other things, the Hale Parties from (i) making certain announcements regarding the Company’s transactions, (ii) soliciting proxies, (iii) acquiring ownership of any securities of the Company, (iv) advising, encouraging or influencing any vote or disposition of any securities of the Company, (v) selling securities of the Company resulting in any third party owning more than 4.9% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Share Purchase Agreement), (vi) taking actions to change or influence the Board of Directors of the Company, Company management or the direction of certain Company matters and (vii) exercising certain stockholder rights. The Company and the Hale Parties further agreed that they will not disparage each other and that they will not initiate any lawsuit, claim or proceeding with respect to any claims against the Company or any of the Hale Parties, as applicable, based on facts known as of the Effective Date, in each case applicable during the Standstill Period, and to a mutual release of claims.

Each of the Company and the Hale Parties has the right to terminate the Share Purchase Agreement prior to the end of the Standstill Period if (i) any of the Hale Parties, in the case of the Company, or (ii) the Company, in the case of the Hale Parties, commits a material breach of the Share Purchase Agreement and such breach is not cured within 15 days after notice is given to the breaching party.

As the total consideration paid in the Share Repurchase transaction exceeded the fair value of the treasury shares repurchased by the Company, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.2 million to general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, representing the estimated fair value of the rights conveyed to the Company pursuant to the standstill provisions in the agreement. The fair value of the 1,130,152 shares of Company common stock, or approximately $5.2 million, was recorded to treasury stock.

Formation of FG SPAC Partners, LP

On January 4, 2021, FG SPAC Partners, LP (“FGSP”) was formed as a Delaware limited partnership to co-sponsor newly formed SPACs with their founders or partners. The Company is the sole managing member of the general partner of FGSP and holds an approximate 49% limited partner interest in FGSP directly and through its subsidiaries. Certain of our directors and officers also hold limited partner interests in FGSP. Our Chief Executive Officer and Director, Larry G. Swets, holds a 10% limited partner interest through Itasca Financial LLC, an advisory and investment firm for which Mr. Swets is managing member. The Chairman of our Board of Directors, D. Kyle Cerminara also holds a limited partner interest in FGSP through Fundamental Global, LLC, a newly formed holding company for which Mr. Cerminara is the manager and a member.

On January 11, 2021, FGSP purchased 1,075,000 founder shares from Aldel, for total consideration of $4,674. Concurrent with Aldel’s initial public offering, FGSP will purchase 650,000 warrants at a price of $0.10 per warrant, each exercisable to purchase one share of Aldel’s Class A common stock at an exercise price of $15.00 per share (the “OTM Warrants”), for an aggregate purchase price of $65,000. In addition, the Company through its joint venture investment in Fundamental Global Asset Management, LLC and the FG Special Situations Fund, LP, will invest approximately $1.0 million in the risk capital of Aldel Investors, LLC. The Company’s limited partnership interests in FGSP potentially represent beneficial ownership of approximately 816,700 founder shares and approximately 321,000 OTM Warrants of Aldel. Our Chief Executive Officer and Director, Larry G. Swets, will serve as Senior Advisor to Aldel upon the closing of its offering and has received 25,000 common shares of Aldel. The Chairman of our Board of Directors, D. Kyle Cerminara will serve as director of Aldel upon the closing of its offering and has also received 25,000 shares of Aldel.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Shareholders’ Equity

Offering of 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A

On February 28, 2018, we completed the underwritten public offering of 640,000 preferred shares designated as 8.00% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $25.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). Also, on March 26, 2018, we issued an additional 60,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative from the date of original issue and will be payable quarterly on the 15th day of March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on June 15, 2018, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. The first dividend record date for the Series A Preferred Stock was on June 1, 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Board of Directors declared dividends totaling $1,400 and $1,108, respectively, representing all quarterly amounts due for the Preferred Stock. Dividends are payable out of amounts legally available therefor at a rate equal to 8.00% per annum per $25.00 of stated liquidation preference per share, or $2.00 per share of Preferred Stock per year.

The Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to February 28, 2023. On and after that date, the stock will be redeemable at our option, for cash, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share, plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption. The Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption. The stock will generally have no voting rights except as provided in the Certificate of Designations or as from time to time provided by law. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and each other class or series of voting parity stock will be required at any time for us to authorize, create or issue any class or series of our capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, to amend any provision of our Certificate of Incorporation so as to materially and adversely affect any rights of the Series A Preferred Stock or to take certain other actions.

The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “FGFPP”.

The table below presents the primary drivers behind the changes to total shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

($ in thousands)	Preferred Shares Outstanding		Common Shares Outstanding			Treasury Shares		Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance, January 1, 2019		700,000		6,012,764			151,359	$	62,747

Adoption of new accounting standards		–		–			–		10
Dividends declared on Series A Preferred Stock ($2.00 per share)		–		–			–		(1,400	)
Stock compensation expense		–		53,184			–		414
Net income		–		–			–		311
Gains on investment portfolio (net of income taxes)		–		–			–		833
Balance, December 31, 2019		700,000		6,065,948			151,359	$	62,915

Dividends declared on Series A Preferred Stock ($2.00 per share)		–		–			–		(1,400	)
Stock compensation expense		–		52,514			–		311
Share Repurchase Transaction⁽¹⁾		–		(1,130,152	)		1,130,152		(5,176	)
Net loss		–		–			–		(22,457	)
Balance, December 31, 2020		700,000		4,988,310			1,281,511	$	34,193

(1) Refer to “Related Party Transactions” above for additional information regarding the Share Repurchase Transaction

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Net Investment Income

Net investment income (loss) decreased to $(17.3) million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $5.6 million year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of unrealized holding losses on the shares of FedNat common stock which the Company received upon the closing of the Asset Sale. Furthermore, the Company recognized a realized loss of approximately $2.1 million on the sale of 330,231 shares of FedNat common stock in the Share Repurchase Transaction, as previously discussed under the heading “Related Party Transactions.” Net investment income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2020			2019
Investment income (loss):
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on FNHC common stock	$	(16,196	)	$	3,987
Realized loss on FNHC common stock		(2,110	)		–
Dividend income from FNHC common stock		609			–
Interest on surplus notes issued by Maison		–			1,708
Income from limited liability investments		265			101
Loss on assignment of limited liability investments		–			(239	)
Other		172			30
Net investment income (loss)	$	(17,260	)	$	5,587

Other Income

Other income was $104,000 compared to $10,000 for the years ended December 3, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is comprised of fees earned under the Investment Advisory and Transition Services Agreements between the Company and FedNat.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $3.5 million to $6.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to professional fees incurred in the current year for various legal fees associated with the formulation and regulatory approval of FGRe, our Cayman Islands-based reinsurance subsidiary, and the general formulation and development of our new business strategy. Employee and facility costs also account for a portion of the increase, which includes $1.4 million paid to FGM under the Shares Services Agreement discussed under the heading “Related Party Transactions’ above. These costs have been included in general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, while employee and facility costs have been presented as part of discontinued operations for year ended December 31, 2019. Finally, the Company incurred a charge of $0.2 million along with associated legal fees in the current year which were related to the Share Repurchase Transaction, as previously described under the heading “Related Party Transactions.”

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Our actual effective tax rate varies from the statutory federal income tax rates as shown in the following table.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2020						2019
($ in thousands)	Amount			%			Amount			%

Provision for taxes at U.S. statutory marginal income tax rate of 21%	$	(4,856	)		21.0	%	$	121			21.0	%
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets deemed unrealizable		3,934			(17.0	)%		–			–%
Rate differential due to CARES Act		(214	)		0.9	%		–			–%
Non-deductible expenses associated with the Share Repurchase Transaction		516			2.2	%		–			–%
Net operating loss carryback		–			–%			(213	)		(36.9	)%
State income tax (net of federal benefit)		–			–%			265			45.9	%
Other		(45	)		0.2	%		94			16.3	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(665	)		2.9	%	$	267			46.2	%

As a result of the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), the Company recorded a credit of $214,000 against its income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, due to a provision in the CARES Act that allows for the five-year carryback of net operating losses. Prior to the passage of the CARES Act, these net operating losses were only available to offset future taxable income generated by the Company.

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

As a result of the Share Repurchase Transaction, discussed under the heading “Related Party Transactions,” the Company has permanent non-deductible expenses of approximately $2.5 million which are comprised of the cost of purchasing the Company’s own stock as well as the legal fees associated with the transaction. These are shown at the tax effected rate of 21%, or $516,000 in the preceding table.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of approximately $12.2 million on its investment of FedNat common stock, resulting in a deferred tax asset of approximately $2.5 million. The Company’s gross deferred tax assets are $3.9 million as of December 31, 2020; however the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against all of its deferred tax assets, resulting in a net deferred income tax asset of $0 as of December 31, 2020, due to the uncertain nature surrounding our ability to realize these tax benefits in the future.

Discontinued Operations

As previously discussed, on December 2, 2019, we completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding equity of our three former wholly owned subsidiaries, Maison, MMI and ClaimCor. Accordingly, the Company has classified the Maison Business as discontinued operations for all periods presented in this report as set forth in ASC 205-20 – Discontinued Operations.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the major classes of line items constituting pretax profit (loss) of discontinued operations to the after-tax profit (loss) of discontinued operations that are presented in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.

($ in thousands)	Year ended December 31, 2019
Gain from sale of the Maison Business
Cash consideration received from sale	$	25,500
Stock consideration received from sale		25,500
Total consideration received from sale		51,000
Less:
Carrying value of the Maison Business on December 1, 2019		39,099
Transaction and other sale related costs		2,818
Total pre-tax reductions		41,917
Pre-tax gain on sale		9,083
Income tax expense		2,017
Net gain from sale of the Maison Business	$	7,066

Net premiums earned	$	49,691
Net investment income		4,354
Other income		2,854
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		(41,634	)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(15,983	)
General and administrative expenses		(9,200	)
Interest expense on surplus notes due to affiliate		(1,708	)
Pretax loss from the Maison Business		(11,626	)
Income tax benefit		(2,488	)
Loss from the Maison Business, net of taxes	$	(9,138	)

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	$	(2,072	)

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Net Income

Net income for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as shown in the following table.

($ in thousands)	Year ended December 31,
	2020			2019
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(22,457	)	$	2,383
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		–			(2,072	)
Net income	$	(22,457	)	$	311

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share
Continuing operations	$	(4.15	)	$	0.16
Discontinued operations		–			(0.34	)
Loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(4.15	)	$	(0.18	)

Subsequent Event

On March 5, 2021, FedNat Holding Company filed a preliminary prospectus supplement with the SEC indicating that, as of the date of that filing, FedNat is prohibited from paying dividends on their common stock under the terms of their indenture for their senior notes, as their debt-to-capital ratio currently exceeds 35%. As of March 15, 2021, the Company owns 1,442,871 shares of FedNat Holding Company common stock.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Dollar amounts included in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” are presented in thousands, except as otherwise specified.

The purpose of liquidity management is to ensure that there is sufficient cash to meet all financial commitments and obligations as they fall due. The liquidity requirements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been met primarily from the cash proceeds of the Asset Sale, by funds generated from operations, and from the proceeds from the sales of our common and preferred stock. Cash provided from these sources has historically been used for loss and loss adjustment expense payments as well as other operating expenses.

On August 20, 2019, the Company entered into a $7.0 million Loan Agreement and a related Commercial Note (collectively, the “Loan Agreement”) with Hancock Bank, a trade name for Whitney Bank (n/k/a Hancock Whitney Bank) (the “Lender”). The Loan Agreement provided for a non-revolving line of credit of $7.0 million.

On November 29, 2019, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement and a related Amended and Restated Commercial Note (collectively, the “Amended and Restated Loan Agreement”) with Lender, which increased the existing non-revolving line of credit by an additional $10.0 million (the “Line of Credit Increase”), resulting in an amended and restated non-revolving line of credit loan in the aggregate principal amount of up to $17.0 million. Immediately prior to the closing of the Asset Sale, the Company drew $7.0 million under the line of credit, which was repaid to the Lender as of the closing of the Asset Sale. Upon repayment, the line of credit was terminated. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement bore interest at a rate per annum equal to 5.25%.

Upon the closing of the Asset Sale, the Company received cash consideration from FedNat in the amount of $25.5 million as well as $18.7 million representing the repayment of surplus notes and accrued interest due from Maison to the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the closing, the Maison Business was required to have a consolidated net GAAP book value of at least $42.0 million and was also required to settle any balances between the Company and the Maison Business. Additionally, prior to the closing of the Asset Sale, Maison was a limited partner in two limited partnerships and also had a limited interest in a limited liability company (collectively, the “Funds”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Maison assigned its interests in the Funds to the Company in exchange for the statutory carrying value of the Funds, paid in cash, at the closing of the Asset Sale. This resulted in net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $24.8 million, as shown in the table below.

($ in thousands)
Cash consideration from FedNat	$	25,500
Cash from FedNat to repay outstanding surplus note obligations		18,728
Capital contribution from the Company to the Maison Business to meet GAAP book value requirement		(9,057	)
Transaction bonuses paid to current and former executive officers of the Company		(605	)
Company acquisition of the Funds from Maison		(3,218	)
Payment of intercompany federal tax obligations		(3,702	)
Payment of transaction expenses directly associated with the Asset Sale		(2,868	)
Net cash proceeds	$	24,778

FG FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes the Company’s consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

($ in thousands)	Year ended December 31,
	2020			2019
Summary of Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	$	28,509		$	30,902

Net cash used by operating activities		(11,283	)		(20,638	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		(1,156	)		19,684
Net cash used by financing activities		(3,938	)		(1,439	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(16,377	)		(2,393	)

Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	$	12,132		$	28,509

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s net cash used by operating activities was approximately $11.3 million. The major drivers of which were as follows:

	●	Our net loss of approximately $22.5 million for the year, offset by approximately $16.0 million for a non-cash charge related to the unrealized losses associated with our shares of FedNat common stock.
	●	A cash outflow of approximately $2.4 million representing cash placed in trust as collateral, pursuant to our Funds at Lloyd’s quota share agreement effective January 1, 2021.
	●	A cash outflow of approximately $4.0 million for our investment in the Class A and Class A-1 interests in the Sponsor of FGNA. As this investment was made by our investment company subsidiary, we are required to show these cash outflows as operating activities.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s net cash used by financing activities consist of:

SEC Form 10-K filed by FG Financial Group, Inc.