Note 8 - Other Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Other Assets [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

The following table shows the components of other assets as of the dates indicated:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Deposit with the IRS (Note 9)	$	88,557	$	88,557
Corporate-owned life insurance	84,981		83,248
Property and equipment (1)(2)	87,541		70,665
Accrued investment income	29,348		29,255
Deferred policy acquisition costs	14,350		14,127
Reinsurance recoverables	7,523		7,368
Other	65,055		50,615
Total other assets	$	377,355	$	343,835

______________________

(1) Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $126.8 million and $118.5 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Depreciation expense was $4.1 million and $2.4 million for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $8.3 million and $4.7 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(2) Includes $47.0 million and $49.7 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, related to our technology upgrade project and $15.6 million at June 30, 2017 of leasehold improvements related to our new corporate headquarters.