UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 18, 2005
HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
0-16090 87-0447375
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
777 Main Street, Suite 1000, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
817-348-1600
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under
the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of
Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. (the "Company") has appointed Mark J.
Morrison as its Chief Operating Officer, effective as of April 18, 2005.
Mr. Morrison will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In connection with his new
responsibilities, Mr. Morrison's base compensation will be increased to
$225,000 per year.
Mr. Morrison, age 45, became Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company in March, 2004. He has been employed in
the property and casualty insurance industry since 1993. Prior to joining
the Company, he had since 2001 served as President of Associates Insurance
Group, a subsidiary of Travelers Property Casualty Corp. From 1996 through
2000, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Associates Insurance Group, the insurance division of Associates First
Capital Corporation. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Morrison served as Controller
of American Eagle Insurance Group, and from 1993 to 1995 was Director of
Corporate Accounting for Republic Insurance Group. From 1991 to 1993, he
served as Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis at Anthem Inc. Mr.
Morrison began his career as a public accountant with Ernst & Young, LLP
from 1982 to 1991, where he completed his tenure as a Senior Manager.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 18, 2005, the Company issued a press release announcing the
appointment of Mark J. Morrison as its Chief Operating Officer. A copy of
such press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press release dated April 18, 2005
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned duly authorized.
HALLMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Date: April 18, 2005 By: /s/ Mark J. Morrison
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Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer