Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-168130

 

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

 

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders of PMA Capital Corporation (“PMA”) to be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Philadelphia Marriott West, 111 Crawford Avenue, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

 

At the special meeting, you will be asked to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 9, 2010 (the “merger agreement”), by and among Old Republic International Corporation (“Old Republic”), OR New Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Old Republic (“Merger Sub”), and PMA, pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into PMA and PMA will continue as the surviving entity and as a wholly owned subsidiary of Old Republic.

 

In the merger, each of your shares of PMA class A common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.55 shares of Old Republic common stock (the “exchange ratio”), provided that the volume weighted average price per share of Old Republic common stock on the NYSE, as reported by Bloomberg LP, for the twenty consecutive trading days ending on and including the fifth trading day prior to, but not including, the effective date of the merger, is at least $12.50 but not greater than $17.00 (the “Old Republic measurement price”). If the Old Republic measurement price is less than $12.50, the exchange ratio will be determined by dividing $6.875 by the Old Republic measurement price, subject to a maximum exchange ratio of 0.60 shares. If the Old Republic measurement price is greater than $17.00, the exchange ratio will be determined by dividing $9.350 by the Old Republic measurement price, subject to a minimum exchange ratio of 0.50 shares.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus provides a detailed description of the merger agreement and the proposed merger. In addition, it contains important information regarding the special meeting. We urge you to read this proxy statement/prospectus (and any documents incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference) carefully. Please pay particular attention to the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11.

 

The Board of Directors of PMA recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

 

The merger cannot be completed unless it is adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote on the merger, assuming a quorum is present.

 

Your vote is very important. If you are a registered shareholder, please vote your shares as soon as possible using one of the following methods to ensure that your vote is counted, regardless of whether you expect to attend the special meeting in person: (1) call the toll-free number specified on the enclosed proxy card and follow the instructions when prompted, (2) access the Internet website specified on the enclosed proxy card and follow the instructions provided to you, or (3) complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the special meeting.

 

If you have any questions about the proposed merger or about how to vote your shares, please call MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the firm assisting PMA in its solicitation of proxies, toll-free at (800)322-2885, or call PMA Investor Relations at (610) 397-5298.

 

We look forward to the successful completion of the merger.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Neal C. Schneider

Chairman of the Board

PMA Capital Corporation

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this proxy statement/prospectus or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated August 4, 2010, and is first being mailed to the shareholders of PMA on or about August 6, 2010.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about PMA from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, this proxy statement/prospectus refers to certain additional information about Old Republic that is not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. This information is available for you to review at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You can also obtain the documents incorporated by reference into and referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

 

 

If you would like to request any documents, please do so by September 13, 2010 in order to receive them before the special meeting.

 

For more information, please see the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 187.

 

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

 

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Old Republic (File No. 333-168130), constitutes a prospectus of Old Republic under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of Old Republic common stock to be issued to PMA shareholders under the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the special meeting of PMA shareholders, at which meeting PMA shareholders will be asked to vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement/prospectus. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated as of August 4, 2010. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of such incorporated document. Neither our mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to PMA shareholders nor the issuance by Old Republic of its common stock in connection with the merger will create any implication to the contrary.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding PMA has been provided by PMA and information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus regarding Old Republic has been provided by Old Republic.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
PMA CAPITAL CORPORATION

 

A special meeting of shareholders of PMA Capital Corporation (“PMA”) will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Philadelphia Marriott West, 111 Crawford Avenue, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, for the following purposes:

 

 

The Board of Directors of PMA recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

 

Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote on the merger, assuming a quorum is present.

 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. A complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available and kept open at the time and place of the special meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any shareholder during, and for purposes germane to, the special meeting.

 

Only shareholders or their proxy holders may attend the special meeting. If you hold shares in your name, please be prepared to provide proper identification, such as a driver’s license. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to provide proof of ownership, such as a recent account statement or letter from your bank, broker or other nominee, along with proper identification.

 

Your vote is very important. If you are a registered shareholder, please vote your shares as soon as possible using one of the following methods to ensure that your vote is counted, regardless of whether you expect to attend the special meeting in person: (1) call the toll-free number specified on the enclosed proxy card and follow the instructions when prompted, (2) access the Internet website specified on the enclosed proxy card and follow the instructions provided to you, or (3) complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you hold your shares in “street name” through a bank, broker or other nominee, you will need to follow the instructions provided to you by your bank, broker or other nominee to ensure that your shares are represented and voted at the special meeting.

 

Your proxy may be revoked at any time before the vote at the special meeting by following the procedures outlined in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

 

In connection with our solicitation of proxies for the special meeting, we are mailing this proxy statement/prospectus and proxy card on or about August 6, 2010.

 

By order of the Board of Directors of

 

PMA Capital Corporation

 

Neal C. Schneider

Chairman of the Board

August 4, 2010

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Information About the Companies

 

The Merger

 

Treatment of PMA Equity Compensation Awards and Performance-Based Compensation Awards

 

PMA’s Reasons for the Merger

	•	the challenges PMA would face continuing as an independent company,
	•	the opportunity to resolve issues relating to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s examination of PMA’s loss and loss adjustment expense reserves through a merger with Old Republic rather than engaging in administrative and legal review processes which, irrespective of their ultimate outcome, would likely hinder the long-term and day-to-day continuity of PMA’s business operations and, in the interim, potentially have a negative impact on its financial ratings,

	•	the fact that the merger consideration represented a premium of approximately 15% to the closing price of PMA’s class A common stock on June 8, 2010, the last trading day prior to execution of the merger agreement,
	•	the opinion of BofA Merrill Lynch, dated June 9, 2010, to PMA’s board of directors to the effect that, as of the date of the opinion and based on and subject to various assumptions and limitations described in its opinion, the exchange ratio provided for in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to holders of PMA class A common stock (see the section entitled “The Merger — Opinion of PMA’s Financial Advisor” for a more complete description),

	•	given the lengthy and thorough sale process undertaken by PMA and its financial advisor, the probability of receiving an offer better than the offer made by Old Republic was low,

	•	the benefits of the merger to PMA’s shareholders, clients, employees and other stakeholders compared to alternative strategies where PMA continued to operate independently,
	•	the terms of the merger agreement,
	•	the decentralized nature of Old Republic’s operations, which is expected to provide PMA with the ability to maintain its operations in substantially the manner they existed prior to the merger,
	•	based on the size of the transaction, the terms of the merger agreement and discussions with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, PMA believes there is a high likelihood that the transaction will be completed,
	•	Old Republic has higher financial strength ratings than PMA, with Old Republic’s principal property and casualty insurance subsidiaries having A.M. Best ratings of “A+” compared to PMA’s A.M. Best rating of “A−,” and
	•	that the merger is expected to qualify as a tax-free “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, which will permit PMA shareholders to defer recognition of taxes associated with their shares of PMA class A common stock (other than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) until they decide to sell the shares of Old Republic common stock received in the merger.

 

Recommendations of the PMA Board of Directors with Respect to the Merger

 

Shareholders Entitled to Vote; Vote Required

 

Opinion of PMA’s Financial Advisor

 

Old Republic’s Reasons for the Merger

 

Interests of PMA Officers and Directors in the Merger

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

Accounting Treatment

 

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger

 

No Appraisal Rights in the Merger

 

Conditions to Completion of the Merger

	•	adoption by PMA shareholders of the merger agreement;
	•	shares of Old Republic common stock issuable to the shareholders of PMA pursuant to the merger will have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
	•	absence of any order, decree or injunction issued, and of any action taken by any court or agency or other law preventing or making illegal the consummation of the merger;
	•	receipt of all required regulatory approvals; and
	•	receipt of voluntary written terminations of employment or severance agreements with the Chief Executive Officer of PMA and six of the eight other PMA officers party to such agreements effective prior to the merger.

 

No Solicitation of Other Offers by PMA

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement

	•	the merger shall not have been consummated on or before December 31, 2010, unless the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement failed to perform or observe the applicable covenants and agreements under the merger agreement;

	•	a required regulatory approval has been denied or any governmental entity has taken action permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the merger, including with respect to antitrust matters, if HSR approval has not been obtained within 120 days of the filing of the HSR application (such 120 day period to be extended for another 120 days if HSR approval is a reasonable possibility);
	•	the other party has breached a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that would preclude the satisfaction of certain conditions to the consummation of the merger and such breach is not remedied within the applicable cure period;
	•	the PMA board of directors shall have (i) failed to recommend the approval and adoption of the merger agreement to the PMA shareholders, (ii) made any PMA change of recommendation, (iii) approved or recommended, or publicly proposed to approve or recommend, any alternative proposal or (iv) failed to recommend to PMA’s shareholders that they reject any tender offer or exchange offer that constitutes an alternative transaction within the ten business day period specified in Rule 14e-2(a) of the Exchange Act; or
	•	the PMA shareholders have not adopted the merger agreement at the PMA special meeting. See “The Merger Agreement — Termination of the Merger Agreement.”

 

Termination Fees and Expenses

 

Purpose of the PMA Special Meeting

	•	to adopt the merger agreement; and
	•	to approve the adjournment or postponement of the PMA special meeting for the solicitation of additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes present, in person or represented by proxy, at the time of the special meeting to adopt the merger agreement.

 

Voting by PMA Directors and Executive Officers

 

Directors and Executive Officers of Old Republic After the Merger

 

Ownership of Old Republic After the Merger

 

Rights of PMA Shareholders

 

Recent Developments

		Quarters Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2010				2009				Change				2010				2009				Change
Operating Revenues		$	935.3			$	912.2				2.5	%		$	1,864.9			$	1,790.7				4.1	%
Net Operating Income (Loss)			10.0				(49.6	)			120.3				33.2				(103.5	)			132.1
Net Income (Loss)		$	57.4			$	(15.8	)			461.4	%		$	82.5			$	(69.8	)			218.2	%
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net Operating Income (Loss)		$	0.05			$	(0.21	)			123.8	%		$	0.16			$	(0.44	)			136.4	%
Net Income (Loss)		$	0.23			$	(0.07	)			428.6	%		$	0.35			$	(0.30	)			216.7	%
Cash Dividends Per Share:		$	0.1725			$	0.1700				1.5	%		$	0.3450			$	0.3400				1.5	%
Ending Book Value Per Share:														$	16.84			$	15.93				5.7	%

		Quarters Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
		2010				2009				Change				2010				2009				Change
Operating revenues:
General insurance		$	468.3			$	507.0				(7.6	)%		$	947.5			$	1,030.8				(8.1	)%
Mortgage guaranty			152.1				166.5				(8.7	)			312.6				337.8				(7.5	)
Title insurance			293.5				219.0				34.0				555.6				379.3				46.5
Corporate and other			21.3				19.5				9.1				49.1				42.7				14.9
Total		$	935.3			$	912.2				2.5	%		$	1,864.9			$	1,790.7				4.1	%
Pretax operating income (loss):
General insurance		$	29.3			$	46.4				(36.8	)%		$	98.6			$	104.6				(5.8	)%
Mortgage guaranty			(22.1	)			(137.9	)			83.9				(56.3	)			(282.5	)			80.1
Title insurance			4.0				5.6				(28.2	)			(4.6	)			(3.4	)			(34.5	)
Corporate and other			(3.2	)			(0.1	)			N/M				(1.4	)			2.4				(157.0	)
Sub-total			7.9				(86.0	)			109.2				36.2				(178.8	)			120.3
Realized investment gains (losses):
From sales			72.8				0.3								75.8				0.3
From impairments			—				—								—				—
Net realized investment gains (losses)			72.8				0.3				N/M				75.8				0.3				N/M
Consolidated pretax income (loss)			80.8				(85.6	)			194.3				112.1				(178.4	)			162.8
Income taxes (credits)			23.3				(69.8	)			133.5				29.5				(108.6	)			127.2
Net income (loss)		$	57.4			$	(15.8	)			461.4	%		$	82.5			$	(69.8	)			218.2	%
Consolidated underwriting ratio:
Benefits and claim ratio			60.4	%			78.8	%							60.0	%			81.3	%
Expense ratio			48.8				42.3								48.1				41.0
Composite ratio			109.2	%			121.1	%							108.1	%			122.3	%
Components of diluted earnings per share:
Net operating income (loss)		$	0.05			$	(0.21	)			123.8	%		$	0.16			$	(0.44	)			136.4	%
Net realized investment gains (losses)			0.18				0.14								0.19				0.14
Net income (loss)		$	0.23			$	(0.07	)			428.6	%		$	0.35			$	(0.30	)			216.7	%
Cash dividends paid per share		$	0.1725			$	0.1700				1.5	%		$	0.3450			$	0.3400				1.5	%

		Quarters Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2010				2009				2010				2009
Realized gains (losses) from sales applicable to previously impaired securities:
Actual tax basis (loss) on sales		$	(44.0	)		$	—			$	(44.0	)		$	—
GAAP valuation impact of the original impairment charge on securities sold			71.9				—				71.9				—
Net total			27.9				—				27.9				—
Net realized gains from sales of all other securities			44.9				0.3				47.9				0.3
Net realized gains from all securities sales		$	72.8			$	0.3			$	75.8			$	0.3

 

In addition to the other information included in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed in “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below, you should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding whether to vote to adopt the merger agreement. If any of the risks described below actually materialize, the businesses, financial conditions, results of operations, prospects or stock prices of PMA, Old Republic or the combined company could be materially adversely affected. See “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

Risk factors are uncertainties and events over which Old Republic has limited or no control, and which can have a materially adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition. Old Republic and its business segments are subject to a variety of risk factors and, within individual segments, each type of insurance coverage may be exposed to varying risk factors. The following sections set forth Old Republic’s evaluation of the most prevalent material risk factors for Old Republic as a whole and for each business segment, which risks will also affect the combined company after the merger. There may be risks which Old Republic management does not presently consider to be material that may later prove to be material risk factors as well.

 

Parent Company

 

Dividend Dependence and Liquidity

 

Old Republic is an insurance holding company with no operations of its own. Its principal assets consist of the business conducted by its insurance subsidiaries. It relies upon dividends from such subsidiaries in order to pay the interest and principal on its debt obligations, dividends to its shareholders, and corporate expenses. The ability of the insurance subsidiaries to declare and pay dividends is subject to regulations under state laws that limit dividends based on the amount of their statutory adjusted unassigned surplus or statutory earnings, and require them to maintain minimum amounts of capital, surplus and reserves. Dividends in excess of the ordinary limitations can only be declared and paid with prior regulatory approval, of which there can be no assurance. The inability of the insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends in an amount sufficient to meet Old Republic’s debt service and cash dividends on stock, as well as other cash requirements could result in liquidity issues.

 

Capitalization

 

Old Republic has access to various capital and liquidity resources including dividends from its subsidiaries, holding company investments, undrawn capacity under its commercial paper program, and access to debt and equity capital markets. At December 31, 2009 Old Republic’s consolidated debt to equity ratio was 8.9%. This relatively low level of financial leverage is assumed to provide Old Republic with additional borrowing capacity to meet some possible future capital needs.

 

Risk Factors Common to Old Republic and its Insurance Subsidiaries

 

Investment Risks

 

Old Republic’s invested assets and those of its subsidiaries are centrally managed through a wholly owned asset management subsidiary. Most of the investments consist of fixed maturity securities. Changes in interest rates directly affect the income from, and the fair value of fixed maturity investments. Such changes could reduce the value of Old Republic’s investment portfolio and adversely affect Old Republic’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations and financial condition. A smaller percentage of total investments are in indexed funds and actively managed equities. A change in general economic conditions, the stock market, or in many other external factors could adversely affect the value of those investments and, in turn, Old Republic’s, or its subsidiaries’ results and financial condition. Further, Old Republic manages its fixed maturity investments by taking into account the maturities of such securities and the anticipated liquidity needs of Old Republic and its subsidiaries. Should Old Republic suddenly experience greater than anticipated liquidity needs for any reason, it could face a liquidity risk that could affect adversely its financial condition or operating results.

Excessive Losses and Loss Expenses

 

Although Old Republic’s business segments encompass different types of insurance, the greatest risk factor common to all insurance coverages is excessive losses due to unanticipated claims frequency, severity or a combination of both. Many of the factors affecting the frequency and severity of claims depend upon the type of insurance coverage, but others are shared in common. Severity and frequency can be affected by changes in national economic conditions, unexpectedly adverse outcomes in claims litigation, often as a result of unanticipated jury verdicts, changes in court made law, adverse court interpretations of insurance policy provisions resulting in increased liability or new judicial theories of liability, together with unexpectedly high costs of defending claims.

 

Inadequate Reserves

 

Reserves are the amounts that an insurance company sets aside for its anticipated policy liabilities. Claim reserves are an estimate of liability for unpaid claims and claims defense and adjustment expenses, and cover both reported as well as IBNR claims. It is not possible to calculate precisely what these liabilities will amount to in advance and, therefore, the reserves represent a best estimate at any point in time. Such estimates are based upon known historical loss data and expectations of future trends in claim frequency and severity, interest rates and other economic considerations. The latter are affected by a variety of factors over which insurers have little or no control and which can be quite volatile.

 

Reserve estimates are periodically reviewed in light of known developments and, where necessary, they are adjusted and refined as circumstances may warrant. Nevertheless, the reserve setting process is inherently uncertain. If for any of these reasons reserve estimates prove to be inadequate, Old Republic’s subsidiaries can be forced to increase their reported liabilities; such an occurrence could result in a materially adverse impact on their results of operations and financial condition.

 

Inadequate Pricing

 

Premium rates are generally determined on the basis of historical data for claim frequency and severity as well as related production and other expense patterns. In the event ultimate claims and expenses exceed historically projected levels, premium rates are likely to prove insufficient. Premium rate inadequacy may not become evident quickly, may require time to correct, and, much like excessive losses can affect adversely Old Republic’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

As indicated above, Old Republic manages its fixed-maturity investments with a view toward matching the maturities of those investments with the anticipated liquidity needs of its subsidiaries for the payment of claims and expenses. If a subsidiary suddenly experienced greater-than-anticipated liquidity needs for any reason, it could require an injection of funds that might not necessarily be available to meet its obligations at a point in time.

 

Regulatory Environment

 

Old Republic’s insurance businesses are subject to extensive governmental regulation in all of the state and similar jurisdictions in which they operate. These regulations relate to such matters as licensing requirements, types of insurance products that may be sold, premium rates, marketing practices, capital and surplus requirements, investment limitations, underwriting limitations, dividend payment limitations, transactions with affiliates, accounting practices, taxation and other matters. While most of the regulation is at the state level, the federal government has increasingly expressed an interest in regulating the insurance business and has injected itself through the Graham-Leach-Bliley Act, the Patriot Act, financial services regulation, changes in the Internal Revenue Code and other legislation. All of these regulations raise the costs of conducting an insurance business through increased compliance expenses. Furthermore, as existing regulations evolve through administrative and court interpretations, and as new regulations are adopted, there can be no way of predicting what impact these changes will have on Old Republic’s businesses in the future, and the impact could adversely affect Old Republic’s profitability and limit its growth.

Competition

 

Each of Old Republic’s lines of insurance business is highly competitive and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Moreover, existing competitors and the capital markets have from time to time brought an influx of capital and newly-organized entrants into the industry, and changes in laws have allowed financial institutions, like banks and savings and loans, to sell insurance products. Increases in competition threaten to reduce demand for Old Republic’s insurance products, reduce its market share, reduce its growth, reduce its profitability and generally adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

 

Rating Downgrades

 

The competitive positions of insurance companies, in general, have come to depend increasingly on independent ratings of their financial strength and claims-paying ability. The rating agencies base their ratings on criteria they establish regarding an insurer’s financial strength, operating performance, strategic position and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. A significant downgrade in the ratings of any of Old Republic’s major policy-issuing subsidiaries could negatively impact their ability to compete for new business and retain existing business and, as a result, adversely affect their operations and financial condition.

 

Financial Institutions Risk

 

Old Republic’s subsidiaries have significant business relationships with financial institutions, particularly national banks. The subsidiaries are the beneficiaries of a considerable amount of security in the form of letters of credit which they hold as collateral securing the obligations of insureds and certain reinsurers. Some of the banks themselves have subsidiaries that reinsure Old Republic’s business. Other banks are depositories holding large sums of money in escrow accounts established by Old Republic’s title subsidiaries. There is thus a risk of concentrated financial exposures in one or more such banking institutions. If any of these institutions fail or are unable to honor their credit obligations, or if escrowed funds become lost or tied up due to the failure of a bank, the result could be adverse to Old Republic’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the following are risk factors that are particular to each of Old Republic’s three major business segments.

 

General Insurance Group

 

Catastrophic Losses

 

While Old Republic limits the property exposures it assumes, the casualty or liability insurance it underwrites creates an exposure to claims arising out of catastrophes. The two principal catastrophe exposures are earthquakes and acts of terrorism in areas where there are large concentrations of employees of an insured employer or other individuals who could potentially be injured and assert claims against an insured under workers’ compensation policies. Collateral damage to property or persons from acts of terrorism and other calamities could also expose general liability policies.

 

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, the reinsurance industry eliminated coverage from substantially all reinsurance contracts for claims arising from acts of terrorism. As discussed elsewhere in this report, the U.S. Congress subsequently passed TRIA, TRIREA, and TRIPRA legislation that required primary insurers to offer coverage for certified acts of terrorism under most commercial property and casualty insurance policies. Although these programs established a temporary federal reinsurance program through December 31, 2014, primary insurers like Old Republic’s general insurance subsidiaries retain significant exposure for terrorist act-related losses.

 

Long-Tailed Losses

 

Coverage for general liability is considered long-tailed coverage. Written in most cases on an “occurrence” basis, it often takes longer for covered claims to be reported and become known, adjusted and settled than it does for property claims, for example, which are generally considered short-tailed. The extremely long-tailed aspect of such claims as pollution, asbestos, silicosis, manganism (welding rod fume exposure), black lung, lead paint and other

toxic tort claims, coupled with uncertain and sometimes variable judicial rulings on coverage and policy allocation issues and the possibility of legislative actions, makes reserving for these exposures highly uncertain. While Old Republic believes that it has reasonably estimated its liabilities for such exposures to date, and that its exposures are relatively modest, there is a risk of materially adverse developments in both known and as-yet-unknown claims.

 

Workers’ Compensation Coverage

 

Workers’ compensation coverage is the second largest line of insurance written within Old Republic. The frequency and severity of claims under, and the adequacy of reserves for workers’ compensation claims and expenses can all be significantly influenced by such risk factors as future wage inflation in states that index benefits, the speed with which injured employees are able to return to work in some capacity, the cost and rate of inflation in medical treatments, the types of medical procedures and treatments, the cost of prescription medications, the frequency with which closed claims reopen for additional or related medical issues, the mortality of injured workers with lifetime benefits and medical treatments, the use of health insurance to cover some of the expenses, the assumption of some of the expenses by states’ second injury funds, the use of cost containment practices like preferred provider networks, and the opportunities to recover against third parties through subrogation. Adverse developments in any of these factors, if significant, could have a materially adverse effect on Old Republic’s operating results and financial condition.

 

Reinsurance

 

Reinsurance is a contractual arrangement whereby one insurer (the reinsurer) assumes some or all of the risk exposure written by another insurer (the reinsured). Old Republic uses reinsurance to manage its risks both in terms of the amount of coverage it is able to write, the amount it is able to retain for its own account, and the price at which it is able to write it. The availability of reinsurance and its price, however, are determined in the reinsurance market by conditions beyond Old Republic’s control.

 

Reinsurance does not relieve the reinsured company of its primary liability to its insureds in the event of a loss. It merely reimburses the reinsured company. The ability and willingness of reinsurers to honor their obligations represent credit risks inherent in reinsurance transactions. Old Republic addresses these risks by limiting its reinsurance to those reinsurers it considers the best credit risks. In recent years, however, there has been an ever decreasing number of reinsurers considered to be acceptable risks by Old Republic.

 

There can be no assurance that Old Republic will be able to find the desired or even adequate amounts of reinsurance at favorable rates from acceptable reinsurers in the future. If unable to do so, Old Republic would be forced to reduce the volume of business it writes or retain increased amounts of liability exposure. Because of the declining number of reinsurers Old Republic finds acceptable, there is a risk that too much reinsurance risk may become concentrated in too few reinsurers. Each of these results could adversely affect Old Republic’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

Insureds as Credit Risks

 

A significant amount of Old Republic’s liability and workers’ compensation business, particularly for large commercial insureds, is written on the basis of risk sharing underwriting methods utilizing large deductibles, captive insurance risk retentions, or other arrangements whereby the insureds effectively retain and fund varying and at times significant amounts of their losses. Their financial strength and ability to pay are carefully evaluated as part of the underwriting process and monitored periodically thereafter, and their retained exposures are estimated and collateralized based on pertinent credit analysis and evaluation. Because Old Republic is primarily liable for losses incurred under its policies, the possible failure or inability of insureds to honor their retained liability represents a credit risk. Any subsequently developing shortage in the amount of collateral held would also be a risk, as would the failure or inability of a bank to honor a letter of credit issued as collateral. These risk factors could have a material adverse impact on Old Republic’s results of operations and financial condition.

Guaranty Funds and Residual Markets

 

In nearly all states, licensed property and casualty insurers are required to participate in guaranty funds through assessments covering a portion of insurance claims against impaired or insolvent property and casualty insurers. Any increase in the number or size of impaired companies would likely result in an increase in Old Republic’s share of such assessments.

 

Many states have established second injury funds that compensate injured employees for aggravation of prior injuries or conditions. These second injury funds are funded by assessments or premium surcharges.

 

Residual market or pooling arrangements exist in many states to provide various types of insurance coverage to those that are otherwise unable to find private insurers willing to insure them. All licensed property and casualty insurers writing such coverage voluntarily are required to participate in these residual market or pooling mechanisms.

 

A material increase in any of these assessments or charges could adversely affect Old Republic’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

Prior Approval of Rates

 

Most of the lines of insurance underwritten by Old Republic are subject to prior regulatory approval of premium rates in a majority of the states. The process of securing regulatory approval can be time consuming and can impair Old Republic’s ability to effect necessary rate increases in an expeditious manner. Furthermore, there is a risk that the regulators will not approve a requested increase, particularly in regard to workers’ compensation insurance with respect to which rate increases often confront strong opposition from local business, organized labor, and political interests.

 

Mortgage Guaranty Group

 

Continued Material Losses

 

It is likely that Old Republic’s mortgage insurance segment will continue to incur material losses, particularly in its 2005 to early 2008 books of business due to the effect of the recession that began in 2007. Any decline in the rate and severity of losses will depend in part on improvements in general economic conditions, unemployment rates, and the housing, mortgage and credit markets. The timing of any such improvements cannot be accurately forecasted and there is no assurance that improvements will be uniform across all sectors. Housing values and unemployment may be the last to recover. The loan modification programs of the FDIC, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and some of the lenders are still in their early stages and it is unclear to what extent, if at all, such programs will reduce the rate of loan defaults and, in turn, mortgage insurance claims and losses.

 

Premium Income and Long-Term Claim Exposures

 

Mortgage insurers such as Old Republic issue long duration, guaranteed renewable policies covering multi-year periods during which exposure to loss exists. Loss exposures typically manifest themselves as recurring (“normal”) losses usually concentrated between the second and fifth year following issuance of anyone year’s new policies. Additionally, the policies cover catastrophic aggregations of claims such as are occurring during the current recession engendered by substantial market dislocations in the housing and mortgage lending industries.

 

Old Republic’s mortgage guaranty premiums stem principally from monthly installment policies. Substantially all such premiums are generally written and earned in the month coverage is effective. Recognition of normal or catastrophic claim costs, however, occurs only upon an instance of default, defined as an insured mortgage loan that has missed two or more consecutive monthly payments. Accordingly, there is a risk that the GAAP revenue recognition for insured loans is not appropriately matched to the risk exposure and the consequent recognition of both normal and most significantly, future catastrophic loss occurrences which are not permitted to be currently reserved for. As a result, mortgage guaranty GAAP earnings for any individual year or series of years may be materially adversely affected, particularly by cyclical catastrophic loss events such as the mortgage insurance industry has experienced since mid year 2007. Reported GAAP earnings and financial condition form, in part, the

basis for significant judgments and strategic evaluations made by management, analysts, investors, and other users of the financial statements issued by mortgage guaranty companies. The risk exists that such judgments and evaluations are at least partially based on GAAP financial information that does not match revenues and expenses and is not reflective of the long-term normal and catastrophic risk exposures assumed by mortgage guaranty insurers at any point in time.

 

Inadequate Loss Reserves

 

Old Republic’s mortgage insurance subsidiaries establish reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses based upon mortgage loans reported to be in default as well as estimates of those in default but not yet reported. Of necessity, the reserves are at best estimates by management, taking into consideration its judgments and assumptions regarding the housing and mortgage markets, unemployment rates and economic trends in general. During the current widespread, sustained economic downturn, loss reserve estimates become subject to greater uncertainty and volatility. The rate and severity of actual losses could prove to be greater than expected and require Old Republic to effect substantial increases in its loss reserves. Depending upon the magnitude, such increases could have a materially adverse impact on Old Republic’s mortgage insurance segment and Old Republic’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the actual losses paid by the mortgage insurance subsidiaries will not be materially greater than previously established loss reserves.

 

Fewer Coverage Rescissions

 

Old Republic’s mortgage insurance subsidiaries’ policy provisions permit them to rescind coverage where they find evidence that a mortgage loan did not qualify for insurance coverage or evidence of a material misrepresentation in the loan application by the borrower, the lender or the lender’s agent. During the past several years, the rate of rescissions has risen dramatically. As a result, rescissions have materially reduced loss payments, and Old Republic’s loss reserving estimates reflect assumptions as to the levels of rescission activity.

 

Some policyholders have increasingly challenged coverage rescissions, and mortgage insurers, including one of Old Republic’s subsidiaries, are currently involved in litigation with policyholders regarding rescissions. It is likely that the current rates of rescission will continue or even increase and that there will be further litigation or arbitral challenges to the mortgage insurance industry’s rescissions of coverage. If any of such challenges are successful with respect to Old Republic’s subsidiaries, it could have a materially adverse effect on the subsidiaries’ loss reserves, loss payments and their financial condition and results of operations, and potentially on the consolidated financial condition and results of Old Republic’s operations. Even if such challenges are unsuccessful, the costs of addressing them would likely be substantial.

 

Capital Adequacy

 

The past several years’ material increases in claims and loss payments have eroded the mortgage insurance subsidiaries’ statutory capital base. Total statutory capital for mortgage guaranty insurers is defined as the sum of policyholders’ surplus and the statutory contingency reserves. Sixteen states have insurance laws or regulations which require a mortgage insurer to maintain a minimum amount of statutory capital relative to the level of risk in force. While formulations of minimum capital may vary in certain states, the most common measure applied allows for a maximum permitted risk to capital ratio of 25 to 1. The failure to maintain the prescribed minimum capital level in a particular state would generally require a mortgage insurer to immediately stop writing new business until it reestablishes the required level of capital or receives a waiver of the requirement from a state’s insurance regulatory authorities. Legislation permitting the issuance of such waivers has recently been enacted in North Carolina, where Old Republic’s two principal mortgage insurance subsidiaries are domiciled, and eight of the other states.

 

It is likely that Old Republic’s principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, Republic Mortgage Insurance Company (“RMIC”) will breach the minimum capital requirement during 2010. In anticipation of its doing so, RMIC has requested and received waivers of the minimum policyholder position requirements from insurance regulatory authorities in Arizona, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon and Wisconsin, and has made similar requests to the insurance regulators in some of the other ten states that have similar minimum capital or maximum risk-to-capital requirements. Most of the waivers extend until July 1, 2011, but the waiver in Florida extends only

until February 16, 2011. Most of the other states have indicated a willingness to waive their requirements as well, while some have not yet committed. For those that are willing to waive their requirements, there can be no certainty as to how long their waivers will be in place, or that they will not exercise their discretion to terminate their waivers earlier than expected, or that RMIC will again meet their capital requirements by the end of the waiver period. For those states that have not yet committed, there can be no assurance that they will waive their requirements. Absent a waiver, RMIC could be barred from writing any new business in one of these states unless and until its capital base has recovered, and there can be no certainty when or if it will recover. New insurance written in the states that have not issued a waiver to RMIC represented approximately 32% of the total for through the first quarter of 2010.

 

In response to the possibility that a waiver may not be granted in all cases, Old Republic has positioned another mortgage insurance subsidiary, Republic Mortgage Insurance Company of North Carolina (“RMIC NC”), to be able to possibly write business in place of RMIC if the latter is required to cease. On October 7, 2009, RMIC and RMIC NC entered into an agreement with Fannie Mae under which Fannie Mae conditionally approved RMIC NC as an eligible, Fannie Mae — approved mortgage insurer in those states where RMIC becomes prohibited from writing business due to a breach of the minimum capital requirements noted above. The conditions limit the amount of business that RMIC NC would be permitted to write, and the approval is limited in duration and may be revoked by Fannie Mae at any time. On March 11, 2010, a substantially similar conditional approval was received from Freddie Mac. Accordingly, while the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agreements may help the mortgage insurance subsidiaries avoid a complete shutdown in certain states if RMIC’s capital requirements are breached, they would not permit RMIC NC to fully replace RMIC as the segments’ principal mortgage insurer.

 

Diminished Role for Fannie Mae Freddie Mac

 

The market for private mortgage insurance exists primarily as a result of restrictions within the federal charters of the GSEs which require an acceptable form of credit enhancement on loans purchased by the GSEs that have loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios in excess of 80%. These institutions establish the levels of required coverage, the underwriting standards for the loans they will purchase and the loss mitigation efforts that must be followed on insured loans. Changes in any of these respects could result in a reduction of the Mortgage Guaranty Group’s business or an increase in its claim costs.

 

In response to their deteriorating financial conditions, the GSEs were taken over and placed in conservatorship under the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) in September 2008. As their conservator, the FHFA could change the GSEs’ business practices with respect to mortgage credit enhancement, or new federal legislation prompted by the increasing role of the federal government in the residential mortgage market could alter their charters or restructure the GSEs in ways that may reduce or eliminate the purchase of private mortgage insurance. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on Old Republic’s subsidiaries and the entire mortgage insurance industry.

 

Competition

 

Competition is always a risk factor and comes not only from the five other mortgage insurers which comprise the industry, but also from the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) as well as the GSEs and the insured mortgage lenders themselves. Beginning in 2008, the volume of business underwritten by private mortgage insurers began to decrease generally as a result of more restrictive underwriting guidelines, increased premium rates, and changes to the pricing policies of the GSE’s. These changes, coupled with certain changes to the FHA’s guidelines, resulted in a significant increase in the FHA’s insured volume and its share of the market for mortgage default protection.

 

Other competitive risk factors faced by Old Republic’s mortgage insurance subsidiaries stem from certain credit enhancement alternatives to private mortgage insurance. These include:

 

 

Regulation and Litigation

 

The possibly adverse effect of litigation and regulation are ever present risk factors. Captive reinsurance and other risk participating structures with mortgage lenders have been challenged in recent years as potential violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”). From time to time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has considered adopting RESPA regulations which would have adversely impacted mortgage insurance by requiring that the premiums be combined with all other settlement service charges in a single package fee. The recently proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency would include new regulations for mortgage insurance. The industry is already subject to detailed regulation by the states’ insurance regulatory authorities, compliance with which is costly. The recent losses suffered by the industry have resulted in greater regulatory scrutiny and burdens for Old Republic’s subsidiaries and the industry as a whole. Any regulatory changes affecting capital requirements or reserving requirements could potentially have a material adverse effect on Old Republic’s mortgage insurance subsidiaries.

 

Title Insurance Group

 

Housing and Mortgage Lending Markets

 

The principal risk factor for the title insurance segment has been the sharp decline in residential real estate activity that began in 2006. The tightening and collapse of credit markets, the collapse of the housing market, the general decline in the value of real property, rising unemployment and the uncertainty and negative trends in general economic conditions have created a difficult operating environment for Old Republic’s title insurance subsidiaries. Depending upon their ultimate severity and duration, these conditions could have a materially adverse effect on the subsidiaries’ financial conditions and results of operation over the near term and longer. The impact of these conditions has been somewhat mitigated both by lower mortgage interest rates, leading to an increase in mortgage refinancings and by an increase in the number of agents producing business for Old Republic’s title insurance subsidiaries.

 

Competition

 

Business comes to title insurers primarily by referral from real estate agents, lenders, developers and other settlement providers. The sources of business lead to a great deal of competition among title insurers. Although the top four title insurance companies during 2009 accounted for about 92% of industry-wide premium volume, there are numerous smaller companies representing the remainder at the regional and local levels. The smaller companies are an ever-present competitive risk in the regional and local markets where their business connections can give them a competitive edge. Moreover, there is almost always competition among the major companies for key employees, especially those who are engaged in the production side of the business.

 

Regulation and Litigation

 

Regulation is also a risk factor for title insurers. The title insurance industry has recently been, and continues to be, under regulatory scrutiny in a number of states with respect to pricing practices, and alleged RESPA violations and unlawful rebating practices. The regulatory investigations could lead to industry-wide reductions in premium rates and escrow fees, the inability to get rate increases when necessary, as well as to changes that could adversely affect Old Republic’s ability to compete for or retain business or raise the costs of additional regulatory compliance.

 

As with Old Republic’s other business segments, litigation poses a risk factor. Litigation is currently pending in a number of states in actions against the title industry alleging violations of rate applications in those states with respect to title insurance issued in certain mortgage refinancing transactions and violations of federal anti-trust laws in settling and filing premium rates.

Other Risks

 

Inadequate title searches are among the risk factors faced by the entire industry. If a title search is conducted thoroughly and accurately, there should theoretically never be a claim. When the search is less than thorough or complete, title defects can go undetected and claims result.

 

To a lesser extent, fraud is also a risk factor for all title companies — sometimes in the form of an agent’s or an employee’s defalcation of escrowed funds, sometimes in the form of fraudulently issued title insurance policies.

 

The existing business of PMA is subject to significant risks. The risks affecting PMA’s business are described in Item 1A of its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. We anticipate that these risks will continue to apply to PMA’s businesses following the merger.

 

The announcement and pendency of the merger could have an adverse effect on Old Republic’s or PMA’s stock prices, businesses, financial conditions, results of operations or business prospects.

 

The announcement and pendency of the merger could disrupt PMA’s and/or Old Republic’s businesses in the following ways, among others:

 

 

The merger agreement also restricts PMA from engaging in certain actions and taking certain actions without Old Republic’s approval, which could prevent PMA from pursuing opportunities that may arise prior to the closing of the merger or termination of the merger agreement.

 

Any of these matters could adversely affect either or both companies’ respective businesses, financial conditions, results of operations, prospects and stock prices.

 

Because the market price of Old Republic common stock will fluctuate, PMA shareholders cannot be sure of the exchange ratio or the precise value of the merger consideration.

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Old Republic will issue to PMA’s shareholders 0.55 shares of Old Republic common stock for each share of PMA class A common stock, subject to a collar. Under the collar, the exchange ratio could be as low as 0.50 shares of Old Republic common stock for each share of PMA class A common stock or as high as 0.60 shares of Old Republic common stock for each share of PMA class A common stock. In addition, the price of Old Republic common stock issuable in the merger may vary from the price on the date that the parties entered into the merger agreement, on the date that the parties announced the merger, at the effective time of the merger, and on the date that you receive the merger consideration. Changes in the Old Republic stock price and stock prices of Old Republic and PMA generally may result from a variety of factors, including general market, economic and political conditions, changes in the parties’ respective businesses, operations and prospects, regulatory considerations, legal proceedings and developments, market assessments of the benefits of the merger and the likelihood that the merger will be consummated and the timing of such consummation, the prospects of post-merger operations and other factors. Many of these factors are beyond Old Republic’s control. Accordingly,

at the time of the PMA special meeting, PMA shareholders will not be able to calculate the precise value of the merger consideration that they would receive upon completion of the merger.

 

Many of the anticipated benefits of combining Old Republic and PMA may not be realized.

 

Old Republic and PMA entered into the merger agreement with the expectation that the merger would result in various benefits including, among other things, synergies, cost savings and operating efficiencies. The success of the merger will depend, in part, on Old Republic’s ability to realize these anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the businesses of Old Republic and PMA. However, to realize these anticipated benefits and cost savings, Old Republic must successfully combine the businesses of Old Republic and PMA. If Old Republic is not able to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

 

Old Republic and PMA have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will continue to operate independently. It is possible that the integration process could take longer than anticipated and could result in the loss of key employees or the disruption of each company’s ongoing businesses, which could adversely affect Old Republic’s ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger. Old Republic may have difficulty coordinating the operations and personnel of two geographically separated companies and addressing possible differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management attention and resources. These integration activities could have an adverse effect on the businesses of both Old Republic and PMA during the transition period. The integration process is subject to a number of uncertainties. Although Old Republic’s plans for integration are focused on minimizing those uncertainties to help achieve the anticipated benefits, no assurance can be given that these benefits will be realized or, if realized, the timing of their realization. Failure to achieve these anticipated benefits could result in increased costs or decreases in the amount of expected revenues and could adversely affect Old Republic’s future business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. In addition, Old Republic may not be able to eliminate duplicative costs or realize other efficiencies from integrating the businesses to offset part or all of the transaction and merger-related costs incurred by Old Republic and PMA.

 

Any delay in completing the merger may substantially reduce the benefits expected to be obtained from the merger.

 

The merger is subject to a number of conditions beyond the control of PMA and Old Republic that may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect its completion. See “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to Completion of the Merger.” Old Republic and PMA cannot predict whether or when the conditions required to complete the merger will be satisfied. The requirements for obtaining the required clearances and approvals could delay the effective time of the merger for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the merger may materially adversely affect the synergies and other benefits that Old Republic and PMA expect to achieve if the merger and the integration of their respective businesses are completed within the expected timeframe.

 

Failure to complete the merger could negatively affect the stock prices and the future business and financial results of Old Republic and PMA.

 

If the merger is not completed, the ongoing businesses of Old Republic or PMA may be adversely affected and Old Republic and PMA will be subject to several risks, including the following:

 

 

If the merger is not completed, PMA’s ability to reach a resolution with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department with respect to the Department’s examination of PMA’s insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 will be adversely impacted. See “The Merger — PMA’s Reasons for the Merger — Resolution of Pennsylvania Insurance Department Examination.” Based on recent discussions with representatives of the Department, in order to resolve the outstanding issues as a stand alone organization, PMA will need to engage in administrative and legal review processes which, irrespective of their ultimate outcome, will likely hinder the long-term and day-to-day continuity of PMA’s business operations and, in the interim, potentially have a negative impact on the financial ratings of its insurance subsidiaries. PMA cannot predict how long the processes would take or whether it would ultimately be successful. In the event that PMA is unsuccessful in its administrative and legal appeals, PMA could be required to take actions, such as increasing its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, that would materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Old Republic and PMA will incur substantial transaction and merger-related costs in connection with the merger.

 

Old Republic and PMA expect to incur a number of substantial non-recurring transaction fees and other costs associated with completing the merger, combining the operations of the two companies and achieving desired synergies. Additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration of the businesses of Old Republic and PMA.

 

Directors and officers of PMA have certain interests that are different from those of PMA shareholders generally.

 

Executive officers of PMA negotiated the terms of the merger agreement and the PMA board of directors approved the merger agreement and recommends that PMA shareholders vote in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement. Nine officers of PMA have management agreements with PMA that provide for severance payments and the acceleration of existing equity awards if the executive officer’s employment with PMA is terminated following a change in control transaction. The merger will constitute a change in control transaction. While it is a condition to the completion of the merger that Vincent Donnelly and six of these officers shall have delivered written voluntary terminations of these agreements, there can be no assurance that they will do so, in which event Old Republic would not be obligated to complete the merger.

 

Following completion of the merger, one of the independent directors of PMA will join Old Republic’s board of directors as a Class 2 director. In addition, restricted shares held by non-employee directors of PMA will vest upon completion of the merger. These severance arrangements, directorship positions and equity awards are different from or in addition to the interests of PMA shareholders in the company. PMA shareholders should take into account such interests when they consider the PMA board of directors’ recommendation that the PMA shareholders vote for adoption of the merger agreement. For a discussion of the interests of directors and executive officers in the merger, see “The Merger — Interests of PMA Officers and Directors in the Merger.”

 

In certain circumstances, the merger agreement requires payment of a termination fee of $8 million by PMA to Old Republic and, under certain circumstances, PMA must allow Old Republic 3 business days to match any alternative acquisition proposal prior to any change in the PMA board’s recommendation. These terms could discourage a third party from proposing an alternative transaction to the merger.

 

Under the merger agreement, PMA may be required to pay to Old Republic a termination fee of $8 million if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. Should the merger agreement be terminated in circumstances under which such a termination fee is payable, the payment of this fee could have material and adverse consequences to the financial condition and operations of PMA. Additionally, under the merger agreement, in the event of a potential change by the PMA board of directors of its recommendation with respect to the merger, PMA must allow Old Republic 3 business days to make a revised proposal, prior to which the PMA board of directors may not change its recommendation with respect to the merger agreement. These terms could affect the structure, pricing and terms proposed by other parties seeking to acquire or merge with PMA, and could make it more difficult for another party to make a superior acquisition proposal for PMA. For a description of the termination rights of each party and the termination fee payable by PMA under the merger agreement, see “The Merger Agreement — Termination of the Merger Agreement” and “The Merger Agreement — Termination Fees and Expenses.”

Old Republic’s and PMA’s shareholders will be diluted by the merger.

 

The merger will dilute the ownership position of the current shareholders of Old Republic. Old Republic will issue a maximum of approximately 19,884,057 shares of Old Republic common stock pursuant to the merger based on the number of outstanding shares of PMA class A common stock on July 30, 2010 and assuming conversion of all of PMA’s 4.25% Convertible Debt and the exercise of all outstanding options to purchase shares of PMA class A common stock (which options, if unexercised, will be converted pursuant to the merger into options to acquire shares of Old Republic common stock). In addition, a maximum of approximately 573,871 shares of Old Republic common stock will be issuable in connection with outstanding PMA restricted share units that will be converted pursuant to the merger into restricted share units of Old Republic (the “As-Converted Award Shares”). After the effective time of the merger, Old Republic shareholders and PMA shareholders will own approximately 92.2% and 7.8%, respectively, of Old Republic on a fully diluted basis based on the outstanding shares of Old Republic common stock and PMA class A common stock on July 30, 2010 and assuming the issuance of the maximum number of As-Converted Award Shares.

 

The date that PMA shareholders will receive their merger consideration is uncertain.

 

The completion of the merger is subject to adoption by PMA shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions. While PMA and Old Republic currently expect to complete the merger near the end of the third quarter of 2010, such completion date could be later than expected due to delays in receiving such adoption or satisfying the conditions to closing. Accordingly, neither PMA nor Old Republic can provide PMA shareholders with a definitive date on which they will receive the merger consideration.

 

The market price of Old Republic common stock after the merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting PMA class A common stock currently.

 

If the merger is completed, holders of PMA class A common stock will become holders of Old Republic common stock. The results of operations and market price of Old Republic common stock may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the results of operations and market prices of PMA class A common stock. These factors include:

 

 

Accordingly, the historical market prices and financial results of PMA, which PMA shareholders considered when investing in PMA, may not be indicative of the market prices and financial results for the combined company after the merger.

 

The market price of Old Republic common stock and Old Republic’s earnings per share may decline as a result of the merger.

 

The market price of Old Republic common stock may decline as a result of, among other things, the merger if Old Republic does not achieve the perceived benefits of the merger as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts or if the effect of the merger on Old Republic’s financial results is not consistent with the expectations of financial or industry analysts. In addition, the failure to achieve expected benefits and unanticipated costs relating to the merger could reduce Old Republic’s future earnings per share.

 

In addition, following the merger, shareholders of Old Republic and former shareholders PMA will own interests in a company operating an expanded business with more assets and a different mix of liabilities. Current shareholders of Old Republic and shareholders of PMA may not wish to continue to invest in Old Republic, or for other reasons may wish to dispose of some or all of their interests in Old Republic. If, following the merger, large amounts of Old Republic’s common stock are sold, the price of its common stock could decline.

 

Certain provisions of Old Republic’s corporate documents could make a future acquisition of Old Republic more difficult.

 

The existence of some provisions in Old Republic’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws, as currently in effect, as well as its shareholders’ rights plan described below, could discourage potential proposals to acquire Old Republic, delay or prevent a change in control of Old Republic or limit the price that investors may be willing to pay in the future for shares of Old Republic common stock. As Old Republic shareholders, former PMA shareholders will be subject to the provisions of Old Republic’s corporate governing documents which could make it more difficult to effect a change of control of Old Republic, including:

 

 

Set forth below is certain selected historical consolidated financial data relating to PMA. The financial data has been derived from the unaudited financial statements filed as part of PMA’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and the audited financial statements filed as part of PMA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. This financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and other financial information contained in that Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, each of which is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. More comprehensive financial information, including management’s discussion and analysis of PMA’s financial condition and results of operations, is contained in other documents filed by PMA with the SEC, and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such other documents and all of the financial information and notes contained in those documents. See “Where You Can Find More Information” below.

 

 

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements (“pro forma financial statements”) that follow combine the historical accounts of Old Republic and PMA. The pro forma balance sheet as of March 31, 2010 therefore shows the combined financial position of Old Republic and PMA as if the merger of the two companies had occurred on that date. Similarly, the pro forma statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2009 and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 reflect the companies’ combined results of operations as if their merger had occurred as of January 1, 2009. These pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction with:

 

 

The pro forma financial statements have been prepared for informational purposes only. The financial position and results shown therein are not necessarily indicative of what the past financial position and results of operations of the two combined companies would have been, or those of their post merger periods.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income