SBX Seabright Holdings, Inc.

SeaBright Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBX) today announced results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recorded a net loss of $0.6 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted share compared to net income of $0.9 million or $0.04 per diluted share for the same period in 2010. Total revenue for the quarter increased 3.6% to $73.5 million versus $71.0 million in the year-earlier period. For the fourth quarter of 2011, net premiums earned increased 6.0% to $66.7 million compared to $63.0 million for the same period in 2010. Net realized gains totaled $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $1.1 million recorded in the same period in 2010. Net realized gains in 2010 resulted from the sale of investment securities in order to realize the Company’s capital loss carry forwards.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a net loss of $14.5 million or $0.69 per basic and diluted share compared to net loss of $1.6 million or $0.08 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2010. The reduction was primarily due to a decrease in net realized gains of $14.4 million. Total revenue for the period was $277.2 million versus $298.4 million in the year-earlier period. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net premiums earned were $249.6 million compared to $254.3 million for the same period in 2010. Net realized gains totaled $1.1 million in 2011 compared to $15.4 million recorded in 2010.

“Our net results in the fourth quarter reflected a relatively stable overall level of prior years’ loss reserves and a prudent increase relating to our current year loss estimates,” commented John Pasqualetto, SeaBright's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “While we see the tough recessionary driven claim environment persist, we are also seeing consistent movement upward on rates and, in addition, we are experiencing the benefits of improvements made in both our claims and underwriting operations.”

The net loss ratio for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 80.3% compared to 78.9% for the same period in 2010. During the fourth quarter of 2011, on a pre-tax basis, the Company recognized $0.2 million in net adverse development of prior years’ loss reserve estimates (consisting of $2.9 million of adverse development of direct loss reserves, offset by $2.7 million of favorable development related to ULAE, loss-based assessments and other estimates) compared to $2.1 million in net adverse development for the same period of 2010. The net loss ratio for the fourth quarter 2011 includes the impact of an increase in the current accident year estimated net loss ratio from 62.5% to 65.0%.

Total underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the fourth quarter 2011 were $19.5 million compared to $18.8 million for the same period in 2010. The net underwriting expense ratio for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 29.2% compared to 29.8% in the same period in 2010. The fourth quarter 2011 results include $1.0 million of previously announced severance and office closure costs which were expensed during the quarter.

The net combined ratio for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 109.5% compared to 108.7% for the same period in 2010.

Net investment income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $5.2 million compared to $5.7 million for the same period in 2010 as a result of lower yields on the investment portfolio.

The net loss ratio was 87.0% for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to 87.4% for the same period in 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, on a pre-tax basis, the Company recognized $31.4 million in adverse development of prior years' loss reserve estimates, compared to $32.6 million recorded in the same period in 2010.

Total underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $75.5 million compared to $72.1 million in the prior year period and the net underwriting expense ratio was 30.3% compared to 28.3% for the same period in 2010.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the net combined ratio was 117.3% compared to 115.7% for the same period in 2010.

At December 31, 2011, SeaBright had approximately 1,500 customers compared to approximately 1,640 at December 31, 2010. Customer count in the Company’s core business decreased by approximately 240 year-over-year, while customer count in the program business increased by approximately 100 year-over-year. Average premium size at December 31, 2011 was $262,000 in the core business compared to $236,000 at December 31, 2010 and was $101,000 in the program business compared to $100,000 at December 31, 2010.

At December 31, 2011, the Company had $700.3 million in fixed income securities, of which none were rated below investment grade and 91% were rated A- or above, excluding the impact of secondary insurance on the municipal bond portfolio.

About SeaBright Holdings, Inc.

SeaBright Holdings, Inc. is a holding company whose wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaBright Insurance Company, operates as a specialty underwriter of multi-jurisdictional workers’ compensation insurance. SeaBright Insurance Company distributes its maritime, alternative dispute resolution and state act products through selected independent insurance brokers and through its wholesale broker affiliate, PointSure Insurance Services, Inc. PointSure is licensed in 50 states and also offers insurance products from non-affiliated insurers. Paladin Managed Care Services, Inc., another SeaBright Holdings company, provides integrated managed medical care services to help employers control costs associated with on-the-job injuries. To learn more about SeaBright Holdings, Inc., visit our website at www.sbxhi.com.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time featuring remarks by John G. Pasqualetto, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaBright Holdings, Richard J. Gergasko, Chief Operating Officer and Neal A. Fuller, Senior Vice President and CFO. The conference call will be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://sbxhi.com/investors.html. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the Internet broadcast. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-466-4587 (domestic) or 719-325-2199 (international), (Passcode: 5366546). Please call at least five minutes before the scheduled start time.

For interested individuals unable to join the conference call, a replay of the call will be available from February 22, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. ET through February 29, 2012, at 888-203-1112 (domestic) or 719-457-0820 (international), (Passcode: 5366546). The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

Cautionary Statement

Some of the statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms or other terminology. In particular, this press release may contain forward-looking statements about Company expectations with respect to loss reserves, the duration and severity of claims or economic conditions in the United States. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the Company's actual results include, among others, the fact that our loss reserves are based on estimates and may be inadequate to cover our actual losses; the uncertain effects of emerging claim and coverage issues or economic conditions in the U.S. on our business; the geographic concentration of our business; an inability to obtain or collect on our reinsurance protection; a downgrade in the A.M. Best rating of our insurance subsidiary; the impact of extensive regulation of the insurance industry and legislative and regulatory changes; a failure to realize our investment objectives; the effects of intense competition; the loss of one or more principal employees; the inability to acquire additional capital on favorable terms; a failure of independent insurance brokers to adequately market our products; the loss of our rights to fee income and protective arrangements that were established in connection with the acquisition of our business; and the effects of acts of terrorism or war. More information about these and other factors that potentially could affect our financial results is included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2011, and in our other public filings filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Set forth in the tables below are unaudited summary results of operations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 as well as selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. The following information is preliminary and unaudited and is subject to change until final results are publicly distributed upon the filing of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. The Company currently expects to file its audited consolidated financial statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of its annual report on Form 10-K in a timely fashion on or before March 15, 2012.

    SEABRIGHT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS     December 31, December 31, 2011 2010 (Unaudited) (Audited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) ASSETS   Fixed income securities available for sale, at fair value $ 700,346 $ 672,968 Cash and cash equivalents 28,503 15,958 Accrued investment income 6,987 7,085 Premiums receivable, net of allowance 18,332 15,023 Deferred premiums 142,486 168,842 Due from reinsurer 4,814 4,420 Reinsurance recoverables 94,173 56,746 Receivable under reserve guarantee 3,117 2,965 Prepaid reinsurance 4,424 4,288 Property and equipment, net 6,337 6,277 Federal income tax recoverable 12,823 11,749 Deferred income taxes, net 19,233 23,458 Deferred policy acquisition costs, net 21,834 25,574 Intangible assets, net 1,244 1,330 Goodwill 2,794 2,794 Other assets   11,391   7,085 Total assets $ 1,078,838 $ 1,026,562   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense $ 518,044 $ 440,919 Unearned premiums 130,300 155,786 Reinsurance funds withheld and balances payable 7,079 6,739 Premiums payable 6,351 8,645 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 51,553 51,456 Surplus notes   12,000   12,000 Total liabilities   725,327   675,545   Commitments and contingencies   Series A Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 750,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding – – Undesignated preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding – – Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding – 22,327,749 shares at December 31, 2011 and 22,025,450 shares at December 31, 2010 223 220 Paid-in capital 213,746 209,941 Accumulated other comprehensive income 23,269 5,591 Retained earnings   116,273   135,265 Total stockholders’ equity   353,511   351,017 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,078,838 $ 1,026,562     SEABRIGHT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)     Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,   2011     2010     2011     2010  

(in thousands, except share and earnings (loss) per share

information)

Revenue: (1) Premiums earned $ 66,739 $ 62,967 $ 249,551 $ 254,326 Claims service income 285 215 1,261 889 Net investment income 5,208 5,701 21,041 23,466 Net realized gains 388 1,138 1,051 15,425 Other income   919     949     4,257     4,253     73,539     70,970     277,161     298,359   Losses and expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expenses 53,854 49,924 218,413 223,050 Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses 19,518 18,751 75,521 72,084 Interest expense 135 132 525 528 Goodwill impairment – – – 1,527 Other expenses   1,969     1,935     8,028     7,509     75,476     70,742     302,487     304,698   Income (loss) before taxes (1,937 ) 228 (25,326 ) (6,339 )   Income tax benefit   (1,346 )   (704 )   (10,800 )   (4,756 ) Net income (loss)   (591 )   932     (14,526 )   (1,583 )   Other comprehensive income: Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale 5,479 (21,498 ) 28,319 4,227 Less: Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains recorded into income (388 ) (1,138 ) (1,051 ) (15,425 ) Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income   (1,692 )   7,866     (9,590 )   3,862   Other comprehensive income (loss)   3,399     (14,770 )   17,678     (7,336 ) Comprehensive income (loss) $ 2,808   $ (13,838 ) $ 3,152   $ (8,919 )   Basic earnings (loss) per share $ (0.03 ) $ 0.04 $ (0.69 ) $ (0.08 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.03 ) $ 0.04 $ (0.69 ) $ (0.08 )   Weighted average basic shares outstanding 21,167,193 20,919,033 21,118,711 20,867,720 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 21,167,193 21,573,599 21,118,711 20,867,720   Net loss ratio (2) 80.3 % 78.9 % 87.0 % 87.4 % Net underwriting expense ratio (3)   29.2 %   29.8 %   30.3 %   28.3 % Net combined ratio (4)   109.5 %   108.7 %   117.3 %   115.7 %   (1) Gross and net premiums written for the periods indicated were as follows:   Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,   2011     2010     2011     2010   (in thousands) Gross premiums written $ 67,267 $ 72,670 $ 261,392 $ 264,323 Net premiums written 61,366 62,389 225,624 240,214   (2) The net loss ratio is calculated by dividing loss and loss adjustment expenses for the period less claims service income by the net premiums earned for the period.   (3) The net underwriting expense ratio is calculated by dividing underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses for the period by the net premiums earned for the period.   (4) The net combined ratio is the sum of the net loss ratio and the net underwriting expense ratio.