UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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(Rule 14a-101)

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THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.

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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of The Commerce Group Inc.

31st October 2007

 

This document is purely informative. Its content does not constitute, nor can it be
interpreted as, an offer or an invitation to sell, exchange or buy, and it is not binding on
the issuer in any way. The information about the plans of the Company, its evolution, its
results and its dividends represents a simple forecast whose formulation does not
represent a guarantee with respect to the future performance of the Company or the
achievement of its targets or estimated results. The recipients of this information must
be aware that the preparation of these forecasts is based on assumptions and
estimates, which are subject to a high degree of uncertainty, and that, due to multiple
factors, future results may differ materially from expected results. Among such factors,
the following are worth highlighting: the evolution of the insurance market and of the
economic environment in general in those countries where the Company operates;
changes in the legal framework; changes in monetary policy; circumstances which may
affect the competitiveness of insurance products and services; changes in the
underlying tendencies on which the mortality and morbidity tables used in Life and
Health insurance are based; frequency and severity of claims insured, with respect to
reinsurance and general insurance, as well as to life insurance; variations in interest
rates and exchange rates; risks associated with the use of derivative instruments; the
impact of future acquisitions.

MAPFRE S.A. does not undertake to update or revise periodically the content of this
document.

Disclaimer

2

 

Executive Summary

MAPFRE has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire all shares of The Commerce Group
Inc. (“Commerce”) at a price of $36.70 per share. The Board of Commerce deems the offer to be fair
and will recommend the transaction to its shareholders. The transaction will be carried out through the
merger of a subsidiary of MAPFRE with Commerce, under U.S. regulations

Commerce fits MAPFRE’s growth strategy:

Leading position in motor insurance in Massachusetts

Licenses in 50 states and operations in 17 of them

Quality operations and consistent underwriting profits

Experienced management team with proven track record

Positive financial impact from the outset:

Total consideration of $2,207mn (€1,538mn), paid entirely in cash

Acquisition price implies P/E 2008 of 13.1x (First Call consensus) and P/BV (Q3 ‘07 ) of 1.65x

Premium to market of 17.9% vs. 30th October’s closing price, 22.5% vs. the 30-day average and of 20.4% vs. the
3-month average

Initial funding through a bridge loan. Long-term funding expected to come from an equity capital raising of €500mn,
the issuance of hybrid debt of up to €800mn and internal resources

Immediately EPS accretive

Upon completion, MAPFRE would retain Commerce´s management team and together both groups
would design a cautious growth strategy in a number of new states, including dedicated services for
the Hispanic community

3

 

Overview of Commerce

Strategic rationale for MAPFRE

Transaction details and financial impact

Appendix

4

 

Overview of The Commerce Group, Inc.

The Commerce Group, Inc. (“Commerce”) began operating in 1971. Today it focuses on
writing personal automobile insurance
and other property and casualty lines in 17 states,
which it distributes primarily through independent agents

Since 1990, it is the largest and most profitable personal auto writer in Massachusetts. It
ranks as the 20
th largest company nationwide in this line

Its operations are rated ‘A+ (Superior)’ by A.M. Best, ‘A2’ by Moody’s and ‘A’ by S&P
                                     

% of
Total

Written and
accepted
premiums

                 

               $1.96B

Total

     12%

                  0.23

Outside
Massachusetts

     88%

               $1.72B

Massachusetts

’06 Breakdown of written and accepted premiums

Private Passenger

Auto Liability

50%

Auto Physical

Damage

29%

Other

8%

Commercial Auto

Liability

4%

Homeowners

9%

5

 

Geographic focus

Commerce has historically written business in Massachusetts, but has recently expanded in
16 other states

WA

OR

CA

MT

WY

CO

NM

ID

NV

UT

AZ

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

FL

MI

WI

IL

TN

MS

AL

GA

SC

NC

VA

KY

NY

PA

OH

IN

WV

RI

ME

VT

NH

MA

CT

DE

MD

NJ   

MI

AK

HI

American Commerce
Columbus, OH

State-Wide
Insurance Co.

Hempstead, NY

Commerce Insurance Co.
Webster, MA

Commerce West
Pleasanton, CA

Citation Insurance  
Webster, MA

Heartland (3% of DPW)

Northeast (80% of DPW)

West (15% of DPW) (1)

Recent Expansion States (2% of DPW) (2)

(1) Pro forma for $170mm of premium from Stonewood Insurance Agency Agreement, anticipated to write $20mm by 06/2008, $50mm by
06/2009
and $100mm by 06/2010

(2) Pro forma for $41mm of premium from SWICO acquired April 2007

RI

6

 

Key Strengths: competitive position

Leading market position in the Massachusetts P&C business:

Strong brand recognition

Excellent agency relationships

Leading market shares:

# 1 in personal auto (31.5%)

# 1 in homeowners (9.8%)

# 2 in commercial auto (12.7%)

Above average position in affinity group marketing programs

Outstanding customer service

Unsurpassed economies of scale

Highly experienced management team with proven track record

In-depth understanding of the Massachusetts and U.S. regulatory and underwriting
environment

7

 

Key strengths: distribution through independent agents

Independent agents are Commerce’s main distribution channel

Relations with agents are excellent, as evidenced by their high degree of loyalty: nearly 60%
of all agents in Massachusetts have been with the group for over 10 years

Commerce ensures the interests of agents are aligned with its own through an effective profit
sharing system, which utilises a three-year rolling plan. To qualify for profit sharing, an
agent’s portfolio generally must have a three-year average loss ratio of 60% or better

Commerce devotes considerable attention and resources to providing a high level of service
to both the agents and their customers, thus enhancing satisfaction and retention

8

 

Key strengths: distribution through the AAA

Commerce enjoys a strategic relationship with numerous American Automobile
Association (AAA) clubs

In Massachusetts:

Commerce has exclusive distribution agreements with all three AAA clubs, whose members
receive a 5% discount on their premiums

In 2006, 50% of all personal auto DPW came from AAA members (42% written by Commerce’s
network of independent agents and 8% through AAA agencies)

The present agreements were renewed on 01.01.2007 for a period of 20 years

Outside of Massachusetts:

Commerce distributes its products through AAA clubs in eleven states

AAA Southern New England has a 5% shareholding in American Commerce

Growth opportunities are significant, as Commerce has currently penetrated less than 1% of a
membership base exceeding 100 million

9

 

Distribution network

10

Independent

Agents

AAA Agents

Brokers

Total

California

120

---

1,080

1,200

Massachusetts

792

3

---

795

Arizona

294

---

---

294

Oregon

200

1

---

201

New York

---

---

72

72

New Hampshire

55

---

---

55

Ohio

37

12

---

49

Indiana

35

1

---

36

Kentucky

25

2

---

27

Idaho

---

2

---

2

Tennessee

---

2

---

2

Connecticut

---

1

---

1

Oklahoma

---

1

---

1

Rhode Island

---

1

---

1

South Dakota

---

1

---

1

Washington

---

1

---

1

TOTAL

1,558

28

1,152

2,738

 

Commerce competitive position

Source:   A.M. Best (2006)

Personal auto

Commerce Group

1

31.5%

Safety Group

2

11.2

Arbella Insurance Group

3

9.6

Liberty Mutual Insurance Companies

4

7.7

MetLife Auto & Home Group

5

7.1

Travelers Insurance Companies

6

7.0

Plymouth Rock Companies

7

6.1

Amica Mutual Group

8

3.6

Hanover Insurance Grp Prop and Cas Cos

9

3.6

White Mountains Insurance Group

10

2.9

Allstate Insurance Group

11

2.3

USAA Group

12

2.1

Quincy Mutual Group

13

1.4

Main Street America Group

14

1.3

Homeowners

Commercial auto

Massachusetts

Rank

% of Market

1

9.8%

2

12.7%

11

3.2

3

11.0

7

5.2

4

10.5

5

6.7

9

3.6

10

3.2

--

0.0

3

8.2

1

13.5

16

2.1

6

6.0

13

3.0

44

0.1

9

3.3

5

7.9

14

2.6

8

3.8

27

1.1

--

0.0

15

2.5

--

0.0

6

5.9

36

0.2

21

1.5

16

1.4

Massachusetts

Rank

% of Market

Massachusetts

Rank

% of Market

11

 

Growth in market share in MA personal auto

Source:  Commerce public filings & Equity Research

Since 1990, when it first became the largest writer of personal auto insurance in MA,
Commerce’ market share has risen from 11.5% to 31.5% in 2006

Commerce has significantly and consistently grown its MA personal auto business

(policies in thousands; premiums in $ million)

$733

$794

$809

$816

$868

$918

$1,046

$1,118

$1,172

$1,201

$1,253

553

600

609

615

654

693

791

834

870

889

929

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Commerce MA personal auto premiums written

Commerce MA personal auto policies in force

31.5%

30.0%

29.0%

27.6%

25.9%

23.2%

22.3%

21.3%

21.6%

21.8%

20.8%

16.3%

11.5%

12.4%

14.8%

16.0%

16.4%

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Commerce market share in MA

12

 

Key Strengths: underwriting results and claims handling

Commerce has been delivering consistently for over 15 years positive technical results
and significant reserve redundancies, thanks to:

Effective underwriting:

The largest proprietary underwriting database in the Massachusetts market with a high degree of
data reliability, providing superior risk selection and pricing capabilities

Strict underwriting guidelines

No meaningful environmental risks legacy issues

Quick and efficient handling of claims:

24-hour claim reporting service, which improves customer satisfaction by making the initial claim
handling much faster and ultimately reduces indemnity payments

Outsourced drive-in centres, close to repair shops, allowing quick adjustment and settlement of car
body damages. Additionally, Commerce has a panel of preferred body shops with guaranteed
prices and workmanship

Sophisticated software systems used for internal and external claims processing and field
communications that increase productivity while reducing expenses and indemnity payments

Significant internal resources devoted to fighting fraud, complemented by external investigators

Regular surveys among agents, customers and third-party claimants to monitor the quality of
claims handling

Low-cost structure, high degree of centralisation and unsurpassed economies of scale

13

 

MA internal personal auto acquisition costs (1)

Commerce enjoys a low cost structure enabling it to compete effectively

Source:  Company public filings.

(1) Policy acquisition costs include the company's general fixed expenses (i.e. salaries, advertising, etc.) allocated to acquisition costs, excluding

actual commissions payable to the agents.

                       14.1

Amica

                       14.7

Liberty

                       13.5

White Mountain

Percent of earned premium

Direct Writers

                          7.3%

USAA

                          7.7%

All companies

                       12.0

Metropolitan

                          7.5

State Farm

                       11.8

Arbella

                          8.5

Plymouth Rock

                          8.1

Hanover

                          6.0

Safety

                          4.1

Travelers

                          3.3%

Commerce

Percent of earned premium

Agency companies

14

 

Strong, consistent historical underwriting results

Source: Commerce public filings, A.M. Best.

N.B. Combined ratios are on a statutory basis.

Combined Ratio

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Ratio

Expense Ratio

Reserve Redundancies

($83.8)

($87.8)

Additions to (reductions in) reserves for earlier losses ($ millions)

($35.3)

($39.9)

($61.4)

($42.4)

($14.4)

($43.7)

($61.4)

($57.0)

($25.2)

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

107.2%

101.2%

89.1%

87.3%

87.8%

96.3%

99.3%

99.1%

96.9%

98.6%

98.7%

96.9%

98.9%

92.6%

98.9%

100.1%

115.7%

110.3%

108.0%

106.0%

101.7%

106.1%

80

90

100

110

120

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Commerce

U.S. P&C Industry

59.9%

60.8%

62.9%

73.4%

75.5%

74.6%

71.8%

72.1%

71.7%

71.1%

71.7%

65.5%

75.3%

73.6%

75.0%

81.5%

88.4%

81.4%

78.9%

76.4%

72.7%

78.7%

50

60

70

80

90

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

22.9%

24.9%

27.2%

29.2%

26.5%

23.8%

24.4%

25.1%

26.5%

27.1%

25.9%

26.2%

26.3%

25.4%

24.9%

24.6%

25.1%

26.5%

27.4%

27.9%

27.6%

27.0%

15

20

25

30

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

15

 

Key Strengths: investment portfolio and returns

Commerce generates recurring investment yields from a portfolio made up primarily of high
quality fixed income investments:

Nearly 90% of ABS instruments are AAA-rated and an equal percentage is mortgage-backed

Sub-prime exposure is very limited ($28mn) and has caused losses of $4.7mn to date

12/31/06 Total :  $3,071mn

Private sector: 52%

Public sector: 48%

16

 

Key Strengths: profitability and cash generation

Commerce has consistently recorded growing profits and above-industry-average returns
on the back of its recurring positive underwriting results and strong net financial income

Source: Commerce public filings, A.M. Best

($ in millions)

Cash generation is also strong, as evidenced by a cash flow from operating activities of
$
344 million (18.8% of NPW)

($ in millions)

17

 

Key strengths: experienced management team

Source: Company public filings.

Appointed COO/EVP of non-MA operations in January 2007

17 years at California State Auto Association

COO and EVP of Non-MA
Operations

50

Lawrence Pentis

Appointed EVP of MA operations (responsible for underwriting,
product/pricing and marketing) in August 2006

Senior VP for Commerce Group in May 2001 until August 2006

Appointed General Counsel of Commerce Group in February 2000

Secretary of ACIC Holding and Commerce West

General Counsel and EVP of
MA Operations

44

James A. Ermilio

Appointed Senior VP of Policyholder Benefits in 1988 and appointed
EVP of country-wide policyholder benefits in August 2006

Became responsible for the Claims Operations of ACIC in August 2001
and of Commerce West and State-wide in 2007

Vice President – Mortgage Operations, 1981 – 1988                                     

EVP, Policyholder benefits
(claims)

51

Arthur J. Remillard III

A Certified Public Accountant, was appointed CFO and Senior VP of
Commerce Group in February 2006

Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Commerce Group from 1994
through 2006

Assistant Treasurer and Comptroller of Commerce Group from 1990 to
1994

CFO

46

Randall V. Becker

A Certified Public Accountant, was appointed CEO to replace Arthur
Remillard, Jr. in July 2006

Previously President and COO of Commerce Insurance since 2001

Appointed Executive Vice President of Commerce Group in 1989

CEO, President, Chairman of
the Board

63

Gerald Fels

Biography

Position

Age

Name

18

 

Overview of Commerce

Strategic rationale for MAPFRE

Transaction details and financial impact

Appendix

19

 

Consistency with MAPFRE´s current strategy

“Fit” of Commerce with MAPFRE

Criteria

Earnings per share accretive from the first year assuming the
announced financing mix

Return on Investment above MAPFRE’s cost of capital

The discontinuation of listing will increase Commerce’ EBT by about
$7mn/year

Operations that
increase earnings
per share in the
first three years

Commerce’s performance will be enhanced by the access to
MAPFRE’s:

Experience competing under different regulations, which will facilitate the
transition to the new regulatory environment in Massachusetts

Product knowledge across several countries in all P&C lines

Integrated and unified IT platform

Reinsurance solutions for the most appropriate protection of the portfolio

Companies whose
growth and
profitability can be
enhanced through
the application of
MAPFRE’s
expertise

US was indicated in the past as a target market for MAPFRE

Joint growth opportunities exist through:

The introduction of a specific offering for the Hispanic community (21.8 million
people in the states in which Commerce presently operates, equivalent to 14%
of their total population)

Business expansion in and outside of Massachusetts, including an increased
penetration of the AAA club members’ base

Markets or
segments that are
not fully penetrated
or developed by
MAPFRE

   

   

   

20

 

MAPFRE Insurance Company Of Florida

Company domiciled and licensed in Florida, currently writing commercial lines business and more
recently personal Auto. Rated ‘A-’ by A.M. Best

MAPFRE Insurance Company

Company domiciled and licensed in New Jersey, as well as in 34 other states. Rated ‘A-’ by A.M.
Best

Road America Motor Club

Acquired by MAPFRE Asistencia in 2003. Founded in 1978, provides a variety of B2B services
related to roadside assistance and ancillary services to the OEM, telecom and insurance industries

More than 19 million customers

Two state-of-the-art call center facilities in Columbus, GA and Miami, FL

Overall capacity for more than 2 million services annually

Coverage of Canada (Road Canada) and Puerto Rico

Federal Assist, subsidiary of MAPFRE Asistencia specialised in providing Medical Travel Assistance,
Medical Case Management and Home Repairs Assistance since 1993

Furthermore, MAPFRE operates in the Associated Commonwealth of Puerto Rico through MAPFRE
Puerto Rico
, the oldest and third-largest insurer in the island, writing P&C, Life and Health insurance.
Rated ‘A’ by A.M. Best

MAPFRE current operations in the US

21

 

U.S. personal auto markets

MA has attractive demographics for personal auto insurance

Source:  NAIC, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, Insurance Information Institute, National Auto Dealers Association and AIPSO.  Data as of 2005.

840

843

845

845

849

926

931

945

962

983

991

1,028

1,059

1,063

1,113

1,122

1,182

$1,184

Average

Premium for personal
auto insurance

96.9  

86.3  

91.8  

93.5  

98.6  

92.5  

121.7

91.7  

97.3  

105.5  

92.5  

98.4  

87.7  

104.0  

92.3  

85.7  

87.0  

96.3%

Combined Ratio

Washington

Hawaii

California

Texas

Pennsylvania

Arizona

Michigan

Maryland

Alaska

Nevada

Connecticut

Delaware

Rhode Island

Florida

Massachusetts

New York

District of Columbia

New Jersey

State

4,225,106  

770,475  

24,523,124  

NA  

8,281,032  

3,661,581  

6,323,287  

3,779,282  

392,662  

1,631,401  

2,403,762  

589,277  

673,359  

10,879,575  

4,146,762  

9,100,868  

216,217  

5,132,615  

Number of Cars

Insured

35,730  

8.5  

2.1  

34,818  

5.7  

1.9  

37,283  

34.2  

2.5  

33,160  

34.7  

1.9  

34,810  

3.7  

1.8  

30,384  

27.9  

1.6  

32,719  

3.6  

1.8  

41,587  

5.3  

1.9  

36,636  

4.6  

2.5  

37,420  

23.2  

1.3  

47,701  

10.0  

2.1  

37,080  

5.7  

2.0  

35,757  

9.4  

1.8  

34,712  

19.1  

1.9  

43,601  

6.7  

2.0  

40,916  

13.5  

1.5  

53,594  

6.8  

0.8  

$43,318  

14.1%

1.8  

Per Capita

personal Income

% of Population

Hispanic

Vehicles Per

Housing Unit

22

 

Impact on MAPFRE’s business mix

MAPFRE Standalone(1)

Impact on
Geographic
Mix

MAPFRE Pro Forma

On the basis of
Premiums

Impact on
Product Mix

(1) Pro forma including recent acquisitions

Spain

58%

UNIDAD

AMERICA

19%

MAPFRE RE

11%

MAPFRE

ASISTENCIA

2%

MAPFRE INTL.

10%

Spain

53%

UNIDAD

AMERICA

17%

MAPFRE RE

10%

MAPFRE

ASISTENCIA

2%

MAPFRE INTL.

9%

EE.UU.

9%

Non-life

80%

Life

20%

Non-life

81%

Life

19%

23

 

Impact on MAPFRE’s business profile

MAPFRE’s business profile will be strengthened by the integration of Commerce:

Addition of an established and solid platform to develop a business in the U.S.

Enhanced geographical, business cycle and currency diversification

Considerable strengthening of management resources and skills in North America

24

 

Overview of Commerce

Strategic rationale for MAPFRE

Transaction details and financial impact

Appendix

25

 

Transaction highlights

Expected Timetable

Commerce operations to remain in Massachusetts

Management retention in place

Operations

2Q 2008

Estimated closing

Initial funding through a bridge loan

Expected long-term funding through an equity capital raising of €500mn, hybrid debt issuance
of up to €800mn and internal resources

Financing

Total consideration of $2,207mn (€1,538mn), $36.70 per share

Acquisition price implies P/E 2008 of 13.1x (First Call consensus) and P/BV (Q3 ‘07) of 1.65x

Premium to market of 17.9% vs. 30th October’s closing price, 22.5% vs. the 30-day average
and of 20.4% vs. the 3-month average

Pricing

All cash consideration

Structure

Acquisition of 100% of The Commerce Group Inc.

Transaction Overview

Subject to the relevant regulatory authorisations and to the requisite approval of the merger
agreement by the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Commerce common stock

Approved by the Board of MAPFRE and recommended by the Board of Commerce

Conditions and other

26

 

Financial impact: value creation for MAPFRE shareholders

The acquisition of Commerce will be immediately additive to MAPFRE’s EPS

Projected returns exceed MAPFRE’s cost of capital

Funding mix aimed to protect present solvency position by combining equity issuance
with a rational use of the Group’s hybrid capacity

0.005

--

0.005

2007

0.008

0.007

Commerce

0.021

0.016

Previously announced
acquisitions
(1)

0.031

0.025

Total

2008

2009

(1) Genel Sigorta, CCM, MCA, Bankinter Vida, shareholding in Cattolica

(Euros per share)

27

 

Transaction structure

1.

MAPFRE creates a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and capitalises it with the financial
resources needed to acquire Commerce

2.

The merger between the SPV and Commerce is approved by the holders of at least two
thirds of Commerce common stock

3.

SPV and Commerce merge

4.

The resulting company buys back Commerce´s shares. In exchange, shareholders will
receive cash

28

 

Overview of Commerce

Strategic rationale for MAPFRE

Transaction details and financial impact

Appendix

29

 

Organisational structure

Source: Company financials.

N.B.  Ratings represent S&P/Moody’s senior unsecured debt ratings at holding company and AM Best financial strength rating at insurance subsidiary.

(1) Pro forma for $170mn of premium from Stonewood Insurance Agency Agreement, anticipated to write $20mn by 06/2008, $50mn by 06/2009 and $100mn
by 06/2010.

(2) Announced in December 2006, completed in April 2007.

100%

Commerce
Insurance Co.

(Webster, MA)

A+

ACIC Holding Co.

(RI)

American Commerce

(Columbus, OH)

A+

Citation Insurance

(Webster, MA)

A+

100%

100%

95%

The Commerce Group, Inc.

(Webster, MA)

BBB/Baa2

AAA Southern New

England

5%

State-Wide Insurance (2)

(Hempstead, NY)

A+

Bay Finance Co.

(Webster, MA)

stopped doing business in
Aug. 2007

100%

NA

3

NA

MA, CT

--

1,846

# of Employees

’06 DPW ($mn)

Distribution

States

$95

795 Agents

MA

$1,544

795 Agents

MA, NH

$226 (1)

90

1,231 Agents

CA, OR, AZ

N/A

246

# of Employees

$168

738 Agents

WA, AZ, OK, RI, OR, OH, KY, IN,
TN, ID, SD,CT

’06 DPW ($mn)

Distribution

States

$38

145 Brokers, Direct

NY, NJ

A.M.Best FSR

Headquarters

A.M.Best FSR

Headquarters

Commerce West

(Pleasanton, CA)

A+

30

 

Commerce’s historical financials

Source: Company financials.

Income Statement

Key Balance Sheet Items and Ratios

                           For the Year Ending December 31

2004

2005

2006

YTD 3Q'06

YTD 3Q'07

Total Investments and cash

$2,527.7

$2,765.3

$3,070.8

$2,985.3

$2,846.6

Premiums Receivable

459.8

475.1

480.6

511.6

497.9

Total Assets

3,612.2

3,927.0

4,110.9

4,089.1

3,979.7

Unpaid Losses/Loss Adjustment Expense

990.3

989.2

971.9

957.0

1,011.9

Unearned Premiums

902.6

933.2

935.4

986.0

989.9

Bonds Payable

298.2

298.4

298.6

298.5

298.7

Stockholders Equity

1,116.2

1,305.1

1,503.3

1,477.0

1,339.9

Shareholder Dividends Paid

43.0

49.4

66.0

49.1

57.9

Key Performance Ratios:

Return on Average Equity, Ex. AOCI

21.7%

20.2%

17.1%

13.1%

12.0%

Operating Return on Average Equity, Ex. AOCI

20.4

18.9

16.4

12.8

10.7

Loss and LAE Ratio

62.9

60.8

59.9

59.8

64.9

Underwriting Expense Ratio

24.9

26.5

29.2

27.5

29.1

Combined Ratio

87.8

87.3

89.1

87.3

94.0

Debt to Cap

21.1

18.6

16.6

16.8

17.8

($ in millions)

For the Year Ending December 31

2004

2005

2006

YTD 3Q'06

YTD 3Q'07

Revenues:

Direct Premiums Written

$1,838.2

$1,874.2

$1,864.2

$1,445.0

$1,447.7

Premiums Assumed

128.2

132.1

99.0

78.4

78.6

Earned Premiums

1,638.8

1,709.9

1,760.7

1,302.9

1,363.6

Net Investment Income

119.4

124.0

153.0

104.1

119.8

Premium Finance and Service Fees

28.4

28.3

28.6

21.4

23.5

Net Realized Investment Gains

23.6

22.9

16.6

7.7

28.9

  Total Revenue

1,806.6

1,884.4

1,949.5

1,436.0

1,535.8

Expenses:

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses

1,044.8

1,050.2

1,068.4

778.9

885.2

Policy Acquisition Costs

439.2

463.3

516.3

381.5

395.0

Interest Expense and Amortization of Bond Fees

18.3

18.3

18.3

13.7

13.7

  Total Expenses

1,502.4

1,531.8

1,603.0

1,174.1

1,293.9

Earnings before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

304.2

352.6

346.4

261.9

241.8

Income Taxes

89.0

107.8

104.0

79.1

69.2

Earnings before Minority Interest

215.2

244.8

242.4

182.8

172.6

Change in Accounting Principles

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

Minority Interest in Earnings of Affiliates

(0.8)

(0.9)

(0.9)

(0.7)

(1.2)

  Net Earnings

$214.4

$243.9

$241.5

$182.1

$171.4

Net premiums written

1,712.5

1,736.2

1,825.3

1,428.6

1,400.5

31

 

Investor Relations Department

Luigi Lubelli

Finance Director

+34-91-581-6071

Jesús Amadori Carrillo

+34-91-581-2086

Alberto Fernández-Sanguino

+34-91-581-2255

Beatriz Izard Pereda

+34-91-581-2061

Antonio Triguero Sánchez

+34-91-581-5211

Marisa Godino Alvarez

Secretaria

+34-91-581-2985

MAPFRE S.A.

Investor Relations Department

Carretera de Pozuelo, n° 52

28220 Majadahonda

relacionesconinversores@mapfre.com

32

 

In connection with the operation hereby disclosed, COMMERCE will file with the Stock
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), among other materials, a proxy statement. We urge investors
to read the proxy statement and these other materials when they become available because
they will contain important information about COMMERCE and the proposed acquisition.
Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement (when available) as well as
other filed documents containing information about the Company on the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov. Likewise, free copies of the COMMERCE's SEC filings are also available
at
http://www.commerceinsurance.com (Investor Relations). MAPFRE and its directors and
executive officers may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies. Information regarding such individuals is available at the web page
http://www.mapfre.com and will also be available in a Schedule 13D to be filed by MAPFRE
with the SEC.

Disclaimer

33