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): March 9, 2006
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.
On March 9, 2006, the Board of Directors of Hallmark Financial
Services, Inc. (the "Company") elected Mark J. Morrison as President of the
Company, effective as of April 1, 2006. Mark E. Schwarz, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, previously held the additional title
of President. Mr. Morrison will also continue to serve as Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Morrison has no
employment agreement with the Company and serves in all positions at the
will of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Morrison, age 46, became Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company in March, 2004, and was given the
additional responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer in April, 2005. 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 First Capital Corporation. From 1995 to
1996, Mr. Morrison served as Controller of American Eagle Insurance Group,
and from 1993 to 1995 was a Director in the Credit Suisse Group of Republic
Insurance Group. From 1991 to 1993, he served as a Director of Anthem Life
Insurance Company. 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 March 22, 2006, the Company issued a press release announcing the
election of Mark J. Morrison as its President. 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 March 22, 2006.
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: March 22, 2006 By: /s/ Mark J. Morrison
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Mark J. Morrison, Chief Operating Officer