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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file No.
MicroFinancial Incorporated
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Massachusetts
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04-2962824 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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10M Commerce Way,
Woburn, MA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
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01801
(zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(781) 994-4800
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
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Title of Each Class |
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed
all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the registrants voting and
non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of June 30, 2004, the last day of the
registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter,
was approximately $27,536,000, computed by reference to the
closing price of such stock as of such date.
As of March 1, 2005, 13,186,416 shares of the
registrants common stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrants proxy statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the
Registrants fiscal year end of December 31, 2004, are
incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PART I
MicroFinancial Incorporated (MicroFinancial or the
Company) was formed as a Massachusetts corporation
on January 27, 1987. The Company, which operates primarily
through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Leasecomm Corporation and
TimePayment Corp. LLC, is a specialized commercial finance
company that leases and rents microticket equipment
and provides other financing services in amounts generally
ranging from $400 to $15,000, with an average amount financed of
approximately $1,900 and an average lease term of
44 months. Leasecomm Corporation started originating leases
in January 1986, while TimePayment Corp. LLC started originating
leases in July 2004. The Company has used proprietary software
in developing a sophisticated, risk-adjusted pricing model and
in automating its credit approval and collection systems,
including a fully-automated, Internet-based application, credit
scoring and approval process.
The Company provides financing to lessees which may have few
other sources of credit. The Company primarily leases and rents
low-priced commercial equipment, which is used by these lessees
in their daily operations. The Company does not market its
services directly to lessees, but sources leasing transactions
through a nationwide network of independent sales organizations
and other dealer-based origination networks
(Dealers).
The majority of the Companys leases are currently for
authorization systems for point-of-sale, card-based payments by,
for example, debit, credit and charge cards (POS
authorization systems). POS authorization systems require
the use of a POS terminal capable of reading a cardholders
account information from the cards magnetic strip and
combining this information with the amount of the sale entered
via a POS terminal keypad, or POS software used on a personal
computer to process a sale. The terminal electronically
transmits this information over a communications network to a
computer data center and then displays the returned
authorization or verification response on the POS terminal.
The Company depends heavily on external financing to fund new
leases and contracts. During 2004, the Company established a new
secured revolving line of credit which replaced its previous
primary finding sources. In September 2002, the Companys
then-existing credit facility failed to renew. Renewal of the
credit facility required 100% participation from the nine
lenders, and one of the lenders chose not to renew. As a result,
in October 2002, the Company was forced to suspend virtually all
new contract originations until a source of funding was obtained
or at such time that the senior credit facility had been paid in
full. In June 2004, MicroFinancial secured a $10.0 million
credit facility, comprised of a one-year $8.0 million line
of credit and a $2.0 million three-year subordinated note,
that enabled the Company to resume microticket contract
originations. In conjunction with raising new capital, the
Company also inaugurated a new wholly owned operating
subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. LLC. On September 29, 2004,
MicroFinancial secured a three-year, $30.0 million, senior
secured revolving line of credit from CIT Commercial Services, a
unit of CIT Group. This line of credit replaced the previous one
year, $8 million line of credit obtained in June 2004 under
more favorable terms and conditions. In addition, it retired the
existing outstanding debt with the former bank group.
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Leasing, Servicing and Financing Programs |
The Company originates leases for products that typically have
limited distribution channels and high selling costs. The
Company facilitates sales of such products by making them
available to Dealers customers for a small monthly lease
payment rather than a higher initial purchase price. The Company
primarily leases and rents low-priced commercial equipment to
small merchants. The majority of the Companys leases are
currently for POS authorization systems; however, the Company
also leases a wide variety of other equipment including
advertising and display equipment, coffee machines, paging
systems, water coolers and restaurant equipment. In addition,
the Company also acquires service contracts and contracts in
certain other financing markets. The Company opportunistically
seeks to enter various other financing markets.
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The Companys residential financings include acquiring
service contracts from Dealers that primarily provide security
monitoring services.
Prior to the suspension of new contract originations in October
2002, the Company originated leases, contracts and loans in all
50 states of the United States and its territories. Since
resuming the origination of contracts in June 2004 the Company
has originated contracts in approximately 30 states, and
going forward expects to resume originating leases in all
50 states of the United States and its territories. The
Company continues to service leases, contracts and loans in all
50 states of the United States and its territories. As of
both December 31, 2003 and 2004, leases in California,
Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and New York accounted for
approximately 40% of the Companys portfolio. Only
California accounted for more than 10% of the total portfolio as
of December 31, 2003 and 2004 at approximately 14%. None of
the remaining states accounted for more than 4% of such total.
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Terms of Equipment Leases |
Substantially all equipment leases originated or acquired by the
Company are non-cancelable. In a typical lease transaction, the
Company originates leases referred to it by the Dealer and buys
the underlying equipment from the referring Dealer upon the
funding of an approved application. Leases are structured with
limited recourse to the Dealer, with risk of loss in the event
of default by the lessee residing with the Company in most
cases. The Company performs all processing, billing and
collection functions under its leases.
During the term of a typical lease, the Company is scheduled to
receive payments sufficient, in the aggregate, to cover the
Companys borrowing costs and the costs of the underlying
equipment, and to provide the Company with an appropriate
profit. Throughout the term of the lease, the Company charges
late fees, prepayment penalties, loss and damage waiver fees and
other service fees, when applicable. Initial terms of the leases
in the Companys portfolio generally range from 12 to
48 months, with an average initial term of 44 months
as of December 31, 2004.
The terms and conditions of all of the Companys leases are
substantially similar. In most cases, the contracts require
lessees to: (i) maintain, service and operate the equipment
in accordance with the manufacturers and
government-mandated procedures; (ii) insure the equipment
against property and casualty loss; (iii) pay all taxes
associated with the equipment; and (iv) make all scheduled
contract payments regardless of the performance of the
equipment. The Companys standard lease forms provide that
in the event of a default by the lessee, the Company can require
payment of liquidated damages and can seize and remove the
equipment for subsequent sale, refinancing or other disposal at
its discretion. Any additions, modifications or upgrades to the
equipment, regardless of the source of payment, are
automatically incorporated into, and deemed a part of, the
equipment financed.
The Company seeks to protect itself from credit exposure
relating to Dealers by entering into limited recourse agreements
with its Dealers, under which the Dealer agrees to reimburse the
Company for defaulted contracts under certain circumstances,
primarily upon evidence of Dealer errors or misrepresentations
in originating a lease or contract.
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Residual Interests in Underlying Equipment |
The Company typically owns a residual interest in the equipment
covered by a lease. The value of such interests is estimated at
inception of the lease based upon the lease terms and the
Companys realization experience for the existing
portfolio. At the end of the lease term, contractually, the
lessee has the option to either buy the equipment at a price
quoted by the Company, return the equipment or continue to rent
the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the equipment is
returned, the Company may either sell the equipment, or place it
into its used equipment rental or leasing program.
In a typical transaction for the acquisition of service
contracts, a homeowner will purchase a security system and
simultaneously sign a contract with the Dealer for the
monitoring of that system for a monthly fee.
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The Dealer will then sell the right to payment under that
contract to the Company for a multiple of the monthly payments.
The Company contracts with third party monitoring stations which
perform the monitoring service. The Company performs all
processing, billing and collection functions under these
contracts.
The Company provides financing to obligors under microticket
leases, contracts and loans through a network of independent
Dealers. Historically, the Company has had over 1,000 different
Dealers originating leases, contracts and loans. When the
Company suspended nearly all of its new contract originations in
October 2002, the number of dealers it utilized for the limited
number of contracts it was able to originate declined
substantially. As the Company begins to originate more contracts
following the establishment of its new line of credit in
September 2004, the Company expects to begin to expand again the
number of dealers in its network, though it may take time to
re-establish its relationships. One dealer accounted for
approximately 10.98%, 56.14% and 9.94% of all originations
during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004,
respectively. Another dealer accounted for approximately 23.38%
of all originations during the year ended December 31, 2003
and a third dealer accounted for 10.79% of all originations
during the same year. No other dealer accounted for more than
10% of the Companys origination volume during the years
ended December 31, 2002, or 2003. During the year ended
December 31, 2004 the Companys top four dealers
accounted for 65.09% of all of the leases originated at 21.84%,
16.83%, 15.71%, and 10.71%, respectively. No other dealer
accounted for more than 10% of the Companys origination
volume during the year ended December 31, 2004.
The Company does not sign exclusive agreements with its Dealers.
Dealers interact with merchants directly and typically market
not only POS authorization systems, but also financing through
the Company and ancillary POS processing services.
The Companys business is operationally intensive, due in
part to the small average amount financed. Accordingly,
technology and automated processes are critical in keeping
servicing costs to a minimum while providing quality customer
service.
The Company has developed
TimePaymentDirecttm,
an Internet-based application processing, credit approval and
Dealer information tool. Using
TimePaymentDirecttm,
a Dealer can input an application directly to the Company via
the Internet and obtain almost instantaneous approval
automatically over the Internet through the Companys
computer system, all without any contact with any employee of
the Company. The Company also offers
InstaleaseR,
a program that allows a Dealer to submit applications by
telephone, telecopy or e-mail to a Company representative,
receive approval, and complete a sale from a lessees
location. By assisting the Dealers in providing timely,
convenient and competitive financing for their equipment or
service contracts and offering Dealers a variety of value-added
services, the Company simultaneously promotes equipment and
service contract sales and the utilization of the Company as the
finance provider, thus differentiating the Company from its
competitors.
The Company has used its proprietary software to develop a
multidimensional credit-scoring model which generates pricing of
its leases, contracts and loans commensurate with the risk
assumed. This software does not produce a binary yes or
no decision, but rather, determines the price at which the
lease, contract or loan might be profitably underwritten. The
Company uses credit scoring in most, but not all, of its
extensions of credit.
The nature of the Companys business requires that the
underwriting process perform two levels of review: the first
focused on the ultimate end-user of the equipment or service and
the second focused on the Dealer. The approval process begins
with the submission by telephone, facsimile or electronic
transmission of a credit application by the Dealer. Upon
submission, the Company, either manually or through
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TimePaymentDirecttmover
the Internet, conducts its own independent credit investigation
of the lessee through its own proprietary database and
recognized commercial credit reporting agencies such as
Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The
Companys software evaluates this information on a
two-dimensional scale, examining both credit depth (how much
information exists on an applicant) and credit quality (credit
performance, including past payment history). The Company is
thus able to analyze both the quality and amount of credit
history available with respect to both obligors and Dealers and
to assess the credit risk. The Company uses this information to
underwrite a broad range of credit risks and provide financing
in situations when its competitors may be unwilling to provide
such financing. The credit-scoring model is complex and
automatically adjusts for different transactions. In situations
where the amount financed is over $6,000, the Company may go
beyond its own data base and recognized commercial credit
reporting agencies to obtain information from less readily
available sources such as banks. In certain instances, the
Company will require the lessee to provide verification of
employment and salary.
The second aspect of the credit decision involves an assessment
of the originating Dealer. Dealers undergo both an initial
screening process and ongoing evaluation, including an
examination of Dealer portfolio credit quality and performance,
lessee complaints, cases of fraud or misrepresentation, aging
studies, number of applications and conversion rates for
applications. This ongoing assessment enables the Company to
manage its Dealer relationships, including ending relationships
with poorly performing Dealers.
Upon credit approval, the Company requires receipt of signed
lease documentation on the Companys standard, or other
pre-approved, lease form before funding. Once the equipment is
shipped and installed, the Dealer invoices the Company, and
thereafter, the Company verifies that the lessee has received
and accepted the equipment. Upon the completion of a
satisfactory verification with the lessee, the lease is
forwarded to the Companys funding and documentation
department for payment to the Dealer and the establishment of
the accounting and billing procedures for the transaction.
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Bulk and Portfolio Acquisitions |
In addition to originating leases through its Dealer
relationships, the Company, from time to time, has purchased
lease portfolios from Dealers. While certain of these leases
initially do not meet the Companys underwriting standards,
the Company often will purchase the leases once the lessee
demonstrates a payment history. The Company will only acquire
these smaller lease portfolios in situations where the company
selling the portfolio will continue to act as a Dealer following
the acquisition. The Company has also completed the acquisition
of six large POS authorization system lease and rental
portfolios: two in 1996, one in 1998, one in 1999, one in 2000
and the acquisition of the rental and lease portfolio of
Resource Leasing in 2001.
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Servicing and Collections |
The Company performs all servicing functions on its leases,
contracts and loans, including its securitized leases, through
its automated servicing and collection system. Servicing
responsibilities generally include billing, processing payments,
remitting payments to Dealers and investors in the
Companys securitization programs (the
Securitizations), preparing investor reports, paying
taxes and insurance and performing collection and liquidation
functions.
The Companys automated lease administration system handles
application tracking, invoicing, payment processing, automated
collection queuing, portfolio evaluation and report writing. The
system is linked with bank accounts for payment processing and
provides for direct withdrawal of lease, contract and loan
payments. The Company monitors delinquent accounts using its
automated collection process. The Company uses several
computerized processes in its customer service and collection
efforts, including the generation of daily priority call lists
and scrolling for daily delinquent account servicing, generation
and mailing of delinquency letters, and routing of incoming
customer service calls to appropriate employees with instant
computerized access to account details. The Companys
collection efforts include one or more of the following: sending
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collection letters, making collection calls, reporting
delinquent accounts to credit reporting agencies, and litigating
delinquent accounts when necessary and obtaining and enforcing
judgments.
The microticket leasing and financing industry is highly
competitive. The Company competes for customers with a number of
national, regional and local banks and finance companies. The
Companys competitors also include equipment manufacturers
that lease or finance the sale of their own products. While the
market for microticket financing has traditionally been
fragmented, the Company could also be faced with competition
from small- or large-ticket leasing companies that could use
their expertise in those markets to enter and compete in the
microticket financing market. The Companys competitors
include larger, more established companies, some of which may
possess substantially greater financial, marketing and
operational resources than the Company, including a lower cost
of funds and access to capital markets and to other funding
sources which may be unavailable to the Company.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had 103 full-time
employees, of whom 8 were engaged in sales and underwriting
activities and Dealer service, 59 were engaged in servicing and
collection activities, and 36 were engaged in general
administrative activities. Management believes that its
relationship with its employees is good. No employees of the
Company are members of a collective bargaining unit in
connection with their employment by the Company.
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Name and Age of |
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Executive Officers |
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Title |
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Richard F. Latour, 51
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Director, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer,
Secretary and Clerk |
James R. Jackson, Jr., 43
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Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Carol A. Salvo, 38
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Vice President, Legal |
Steven J. LaCreta, 45
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Vice President, Lessee Relations |
Stephen J. Constantino, 39
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Vice President, Human Resources |
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Backgrounds of Executive Officers |
Richard F. Latour has served as President, Chief Executive
Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary of the Company since
October 2002 and as President, Chief Operating Officer,
Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary, as well as a director of the
Corporation, since February 2002. From 1995 to January 2002, he
served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer,
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary. From
1986 to 1995 Mr. Latour served as Vice President of Finance
and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Latour was Vice President of Finance for eleven years
with Trak Incorporated, an international manufacturer and
distributor of consumer goods, where he was responsible for all
financial and operational functions. Mr. Latour earned a
B.S. in accounting from Bentley College in Waltham,
Massachusetts.
James R. Jackson Jr. has served as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since April 2002. Prior to
joining the Company, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Jackson was
Vice President of Finance for Deutsche Financial Services
Technology Leasing Group. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Jackson
held positions as Manager of Pricing and Structured Finance and
Manager of Business Planning with AT&T Capital Corporation.
Carol A. Salvo has served as Vice President, Legal of the
Company since 1996. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Salvo served as
Director of Legal Collection Services of the Company. From 1992
to 1995, Ms. Salvo served as Litigation Supervisor of the
Company. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Salvo was a
junior accountant with InfoPlus Inc.
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Steven J. LaCreta has served as Vice President, Lessee Relations
since May 2000. From November 1996 to May 2000, Mr. LaCreta
served as Director of Lessee Relations of the Company. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. LaCreta was a Leasing Collection
Manager with Bayer Corporation.
Stephen J. Constantino has served as Vice President, Human
Resources since May 2000. From 1994 to May 2000,
Mr. Constantino served as Director of Human Resources of
the Company. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Constantino served as
the Controller of the Company. From 1991 to 1992,
Mr. Constantino served as the Accounting Manager of the
Company. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Constantino served as a
Senior Accountant of the Company. Prior to joining the Company,
Mr. Constantino was a Senior Accountant with Child World,
Inc.
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Availability of Information |
The Company maintains an Internet website at
http://www.microfinancial.com. The Companys annual reports
on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or
furnished pursuant to Section 13 (a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as Section 16
reports on Form 3, 4, or 5, are available free of
charge on this site as soon as is reasonably practicable after
the Company files or furnishes these reports with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Companys Guidelines on
Corporate Governance, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and
charters for its Board Committees are also available on its
internet site. The Guidelines, Code of Ethics and charters are
also available in print to any shareholder upon request.
Requests for such documents should be directed to Richard F.
Latour, Chief Executive Officer, at 10M Commerce Way, Woburn,
Massachusetts 01801. The Companys Internet site and the
information contained therein or connected thereto are not
incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. The
Companys filings with the SEC are also available on the
SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
At December 31, 2004, the Companys corporate
headquarters and operations center occupied 44,659 square
feet of office space at 10M Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts
01801. The lease for this space expires on December 31,
2005. The Company is currently evaluating whether to renew the
current lease or to move to a new facility. The Company does not
expect this decision to have a material effect on its operations.
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Item 3. |
Legal Proceedings |
Management believes, after consultation with counsel, that the
allegations against the Company included in the lawsuits
described below are subject to substantial legal defenses, and
the Company is vigorously defending each of the allegations. The
Company also is subject to claims and suits arising in the
ordinary course of business. At this time, it is not possible to
estimate the ultimate loss or gain, if any, related to these
lawsuits, nor if any such loss will have a material adverse
effect on the Companys results of operations or financial
position.
A. In October 2002, the Company was served with a Complaint
in an action in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York filed by approximately 170 present
and former lessees asserting individual claims. The Complaint
contains claims for violation of RICO (18 U.S.C.
§ 1964), fraud, unfair and deceptive acts and
practices, unlawful franchise offerings, and intentional
infliction of mental anguish. The claims purportedly arise from
Leasecomms dealer relationships with Themeware, E-Commerce
Exchange, Cardservice International, Inc., and Online Exchange
for the leasing of websites and virtual terminals. The Complaint
asserts that the Company is responsible for the conduct of its
dealers in trade shows, infomercials and web page
advertisements, seminars, direct mail, telemarketing, all which
are alleged to constitute unfair and deceptive acts and
practices. Further, the Complaint asserts that Leasecomms
lease contracts as well as its collection practices and late
fees are unconscionable. The Complaint seeks restitution,
compensatory and treble damages, and injunctive relief. The
Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint on
January 31, 2003. By decision dated September 30,
2003, the court dismissed the complaint with leave to file an
amended
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complaint. An Amended Complaint was filed in November 2003. The
Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which
was denied by the United States District Court in September
2004. The Company has filed an answer to the Amended Complaint
denying the Plaintiffs allegations and asserting
counterclaims. Because of the uncertainties inherent in
litigation, the Company cannot predict whether the outcome will
have a material adverse effect.
B. On August 22, 2002 plaintiff Aaron Cobb filed a
Complaint against Leasecomm Corporation and MicroFinancial, Inc.
and another Entity known as Galaxy Mall, Inc. alleging breach of
contract; Fraud, Suppression and Deceit; Unjust Enrichment;
Conspiracy; Conversion; Theft by Deception; and violation of
Alabama Usury Laws. The Complaint was filed on behalf of Aaron
Cobb individually, and on behalf of a class of persons and
entities similarly situated in the State of Alabama. More
specifically, the Plaintiff purports to represent a class of
persons and small business in the State of Alabama who allegedly
were induced to purchase services and/or goods from any of the
Defendants named in the Complaint. The case is venued in Bullock
County, Alabama. On March 31, 2003 the trial court entered
an Order denying the Companys Motion to Dismiss. An appeal
of the Order was filed with the Alabama Supreme Court on
May 12, 2003. On February 20, 2004, the Alabama
Supreme Court overruled the Companys application for
rehearing. On February 24, 2004, Plaintiff filed a First
Amended Class Action Complaint in which Plaintiff added
Electronic Commerce International (ECI) as an
additional party defendant. No new allegations were asserted
against the Company in the Amended Complaint. On March 31,
2004 the Company filed an answer to the Amended Complaint
denying the Plaintiffs allegations. The Company continues
to deny any wrongdoing and plans to vigorously defend this
claim. The Company also filed an additional motion to enforce a
forum selection clause, which, if successful, would have caused
the case to be dismissed with leave to re-file in Massachusetts.
Galaxy Mall filed a similar motion. The motions were scheduled
to be heard in September 2004, however, the parties have reached
an agreement on settlement terms and are currently drafting the
settlement documents. The settlement, if finalized and signed by
the parties, will require court approval to become effective.
Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the Company
cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material adverse
effect.
C. In March 2003, a purported class action was filed in
Superior Court in Massachusetts against Leasecomm and one of its
dealers. The class sought to be certified is a nationwide class
(excluding certain residents of the State of Texas) who signed
identical or substantially similar lease agreements with
Leasecomm covering the same product. After the Company had filed
a motion to dismiss, but before the motion to dismiss was heard
by the Court, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. The Amended
Complaint asserted claims against the Company for declaratory
relief, absence of consideration, unconscionability, and
violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A,
Section 11. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the
Amended Complaint. The Court allowed the Companys motion
to dismiss the Amended Complaint in March 2004. In May 2004, a
purported class action on behalf of the same named plaintiffs
and asserting the same claims was filed in Cambridge District
Court. The Company has filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint,
which was heard in August 2004, and denied by the District
Court. On September 16, 2004, the Company filed an Answer
and Counterclaims to the Amended Complaint denying the
plaintiffs allegations. On March 2, 2005, the
plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended
complaint. The Court has not ruled yet on plaintiffs
motion for leave to file an amended complaint. In
plaintiffs proposed amended complaint plaintiffs seek to
add a claim for usury against the Company. Because of the
uncertainties inherent in litigation, the Company cannot predict
whether the outcome will have a material adverse effect.
D. On April 28, 2003, Plaintiff Wallace Dickey filed a
purported class action against Leasecomm Corporation,
Cardservice International, Inc., Linkpoint International, Inc.,
and Clear Commerce Corporation alleging that he lease-financed
through Leasecomm the right to use certain computer software
manufactured, distributed, and sold by the other defendants. The
Plaintiff did not allege that Leasecomm failed to provide the
lease financing contemplated by the Leasecomm lease. Instead,
the Plaintiff alleged that the other defendants software
failed to operate as well as he believed it would. He sued for a
declaration that would allow him to rescind his contract, to
recover money paid in the course of the transaction, and to
recover damages allegedly caused by unspecified deceptive trade
practices. The Plaintiff asserted his claims on behalf of
himself and all others similarly situated. Leasecomm
denied all of the Plaintiffs allegations. The defendants
agreed to a
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proposed class action settlement with the Plaintiff and his
counsel. The proposed settlement, if granted final approval by
the Court, would apply to all Texas residents who lease-financed
through Leasecomm the same software rights that the Plaintiff
lease-financed. The Court preliminarily approved certification
of the Texas class for settlement purposes only, and the parties
distributed notice to all class members in accordance with the
Courts instructions. Upon expiration of the notice period,
the Parties sought and the Court granted final approval to the
settlement class. The Courts judgment became final on
October 8, 2004.
E. On April 29, 2003, Leasecomm was served with a
Complaint filed in the Orange County Superior Court for the
State of California. In that Complaint, Maria J. Smith purports
to bring a claim against Leasecomm and two other defendants
(Galaxy Mall, Inc. and Electronic Commerce International, Inc.)
for unfair business practices and competition under California
Business and Professions Code section 17200 et seq. The
essence of the claim is that Smith and others who are similarly
situated were defrauded in connection with their acquisition of
certain licenses that were financed by Leasecomm. In May 2003,
Leasecomm filed a motion to stay the action in favor of a
Massachusetts forum based on a forum selection clause contained
in plaintiffs lease agreement with Leasecomm. After filing
the motion, Leasecomm entered into settlement negotiations with
plaintiffs counsel to explore the possibility of resolving
the matter on a class wide basis without the need for further
litigation (meaning the settlement would, if accepted, apply not
only to the named plaintiff but to others similarly situated).
The parties signed a stipulation setting forth the terms of
their agreement and the Court has preliminarily approved the
settlement, approved the form of notice to class members. On
October 15, 2004, the Parties sought and the Court granted
final approval to the settlement class. The sixty-day period for
the filing of appeals has run, therefore the settlement has
become final.
F. In October 2003, the Company was served with a purported
class action complaint which was filed in United States District
Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging violations of
the federal securities laws. The purported class would consist
of all persons who purchased Company securities between
February 5, 1999 and October 30, 2002. The Complaint
asserts that during this period the Company made a series of
materially false or misleading statements about the
Companys business, prospects and operations, including
with respect to certain lease provisions, the Companys
course of dealings with its vendor/dealers, and the
Companys reserves for credit losses. In April 2004, an
Amended Class Action Complaint was filed which added
additional defendants and expanded upon the prior allegations
with respect to the Company. The Company has filed a Motion to
Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which is awaiting decision by the
Court. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the
Company cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material
adverse effect.
G. In February 2004, a purported class action was filed in
Superior Court in Massachusetts against Leasecomm, a dealer, and
a party purportedly related to the dealer. The class sought to
be certified is a nationwide class who signed lease agreements
identical to, or substantially similar to, the plaintiffs
lease agreement with Leasecomm, and covering the same product.
The Complaint asserts claims for declaratory judgment, absence
of consideration, unconscionability, and violation of
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A, Section 11.
The claims concern the validity, enforceability, and alleged
unconscionability of this Leasecomm lease of a product which
enabled a merchant to process credit card payments. The
Complaint seeks rescission of lease agreements with Leasecomm,
restitution, multiple damages and attorneys fees under
Chapter 93A, and injunctive relief. The Company filed a
Motion to Dismiss the Complaint, which the Court granted,
entering judgment dismissing the Complaint. On December 17,
2004 plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal with respect to the
judgment of dismissal, which plaintiffs subsequently withdrew by
filing a Withdrawal of Appeal dated February 8, 2005.
H. On June 21, 2004, Leasecomm was named as defendant
in a punitive class action complaint filed in the Los Angeles
County Superior Court for the State of California. In that
Complaint, styled as Margarita Hinojosa, et al. v.
Leasecomm Corporation, case no. BC317371, plaintiffs purport to
bring claims against Leasecomm on behalf of themselves and
others similarly situated for fraud, unfair business practices
under California Business & Professions Code
section 17200 et seq., false advertising under California
Business & Professions Code section 17500 et seq.
and violations of various California consumer protection
statutes. The essence of the claim is that plaintiffs and others
who are similarly situated were defrauded in connection with
their acquisition of credit card swipe machines that were
financed by Leasecomm and which plaintiffs claim
9
they intended to use to add value to telephone calling cards
that could be used for their personal use or resale to others.
During negotiations with plaintiffs counsel prior to the
filing of the Complaint, Leasecomm reached a proposed class
action settlement of all claims. On January 11, 2005, the
Court granted final approval to the Stipulation of Settlement.
The sixty-day period for the filing of appeals has run,
therefore the settlement has become final.
I. In February 2003, Leasecomm received a Civil
Investigative Demand (CID) from the Office of the
Attorney General, State of Washington, to which it has
responded. The CID concerns an investigation of monitoring
agreements between Priority One, Inc. and various State of
Washington consumers, as to which Leasecomm appears to be the
assignee of the right to receive monthly payments, and of
monitoring agreements between former Priority One, Inc.
customers and security monitoring companies which were entered
into after the assignments to Leasecomm. The investigation was
concluded in March, 2005, through the signing and filing of an
Assurance of Discontinuance in In re: State of
Washington v. Priority One Security, Inc. and William
Roberts, in which the Attorney General, ADT Security Services,
Inc., Protect America, Inc. and Leasecomm have joined.
|
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
No matters were submitted to a vote of the security holders of
the Company during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004.
PART II
|
|
Item 5. |
Market for Registrants Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters |
(a) Market Information
The Companys common stock, par value $0.01 per share
(the Common Stock), is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol MFI.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Stock Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
1.49 |
|
|
|
1.84 |
|
|
|
3.49 |
|
|
|
3.44 |
|
|
|
3.45 |
|
|
|
3.39 |
|
|
|
4.08 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
Low
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
|
|
2.58 |
|
|
|
2.55 |
|
|
|
3.14 |
|
|
|
3.40 |
|
(b) Holders
At March 14, 2005, there were approximately 120
stockholders of record of the common stock. However, many
holders shares are listed under their brokerage
firms names. The Company estimates the number of
beneficial shareholders to be approximately 850.
(c) Dividends
During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Board of Directors
suspended the future payment of dividends to comply with the
Companys then-existing banking agreements. The Company
paid no dividends for the years ended December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2004, respectively.
10
Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2004, the Companys
Board of Directors announced a resumption of dividend payments
with a cash dividend of $0.05 per share payable to
shareholders of record on February 9, 2005. Additionally,
the Companys Board of Directors announced a second
dividend of $0.05 per share payable on May 13, 2005 to
holders of record of MicroFinancial common stock at the close of
business on April 29, 2005. Future dividend payments are
subject to ongoing quarterly review and evaluation by the Board
of Directors. The decision as to the amount and timing of future
dividends paid by the Company, if any, will be made at the
discretion of the Companys Board of Directors in light of
the financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and
prospects of the Company and any restrictions under the
Companys credit facilities or subordinated debt
agreements, as well as other factors the Board of Directors may
deem relevant, and there can be no assurance as to the amount
and timing of payment of future dividends.
(d) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Not applicable.
(e) Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
Not applicable.
|
|
Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data |
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial
and operating data for the Company and its subsidiaries for the
periods and at the dates indicated. The selected consolidated
financial data were derived from the financial statements and
accounting records of the Company. The data presented below
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements, related notes and other financial information
included herein.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | |
Income Statement Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income on financing leases and loans
|
|
$ |
69,847 |
|
|
$ |
70,932 |
|
|
$ |
53,012 |
|
|
$ |
30,904 |
|
|
$ |
11,970 |
|
|
Rental income
|
|
|
27,638 |
|
|
|
37,664 |
|
|
|
37,154 |
|
|
|
34,302 |
|
|
|
31,009 |
|
|
Income on service contracts
|
|
|
8,687 |
|
|
|
8,665 |
|
|
|
9,734 |
|
|
|
8,593 |
|
|
|
5,897 |
|
|
Other income(1)
|
|
|
33,305 |
|
|
|
36,830 |
|
|
|
26,922 |
|
|
|
17,775 |
|
|
|
11,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
139,477 |
|
|
|
154,091 |
|
|
|
126,822 |
|
|
|
91,574 |
|
|
|
60,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
38,371 |
|
|
|
44,899 |
|
|
|
45,535 |
|
|
|
33,856 |
|
|
|
26,821 |
|
|
Provision for credit losses
|
|
|
38,912 |
|
|
|
54,092 |
|
|
|
88,948 |
(2) |
|
|
59,758 |
|
|
|
47,918 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
10,227 |
|
|
|
14,378 |
|
|
|
18,385 |
|
|
|
16,592 |
|
|
|
14,010 |
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
15,858 |
|
|
|
14,301 |
|
|
|
10,787 |
|
|
|
7,515 |
|
|
|
2,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
103,368 |
|
|
|
127,670 |
|
|
|
163,655 |
|
|
|
117,721 |
|
|
|
91,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
36,109 |
|
|
|
26,421 |
|
|
|
(36,833 |
) |
|
|
(26,147 |
) |
|
|
(30,665 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
15,249 |
|
|
|
10,104 |
|
|
|
(14,735 |
) |
|
|
(10,460 |
) |
|
|
(20,449 |
)(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
20,860 |
|
|
$ |
16,317 |
|
|
$ |
(22,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,687 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,216 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic(4)
|
|
$ |
1.64 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
|
$ |
(1.72 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.77 |
) |
|
Diluted(5)
|
|
|
1.63 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
(1.72 |
) |
|
|
(1.20 |
) |
|
|
(0.77 |
) |
Dividends per common share
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross investment in leases and loans(6)
|
|
$ |
452,885 |
|
|
$ |
438,723 |
|
|
$ |
367,173 |
|
|
$ |
194,898 |
|
|
$ |
69,181 |
|
Unearned income
|
|
|
(132,687 |
) |
|
|
(104,538 |
) |
|
|
(67,574 |
) |
|
|
(23,729 |
) |
|
|
(6,313 |
) |
Allowance for credit losses
|
|
|
(40,924 |
) |
|
|
(45,026 |
) |
|
|
(69,294 |
) |
|
|
(43,011 |
) |
|
|
(14,963 |
) |
Investment in service contracts, net
|
|
|
12,553 |
|
|
|
14,126 |
|
|
|
14,463 |
|
|
|
8,844 |
|
|
|
4,777 |
|
Investment in rental contracts, net
|
|
|
6,537 |
|
|
|
10,348 |
|
|
|
5,633 |
|
|
|
3,758 |
|
|
|
1,785 |
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
342,602 |
|
|
|
361,728 |
|
|
|
295,085 |
|
|
|
156,414 |
|
|
|
71,270 |
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
201,991 |
|
|
|
203,053 |
|
|
|
168,927 |
|
|
|
58,843 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
Subordinated notes payable
|
|
|
4,785 |
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
4,589 |
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
246,579 |
|
|
|
251,172 |
|
|
|
208,482 |
|
|
|
85,148 |
|
|
|
9,177 |
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
96,023 |
|
|
|
110,556 |
|
|
|
86,603 |
|
|
|
71,266 |
|
|
|
62,093 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except statistical data) | |
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of leases and loans originated(7)
|
|
$ |
236,763 |
|
|
$ |
155,308 |
|
|
$ |
111,829 |
|
|
$ |
3,429 |
|
|
$ |
920 |
|
|
Value of service contracts acquired(8)
|
|
|
4,138 |
|
|
|
6,658 |
|
|
|
6,773 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value of rental contracts originated
|
|
|
5,686 |
|
|
|
12,379 |
|
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
Dealer fundings(9)
|
|
|
145,400 |
|
|
|
111,100 |
|
|
|
74,000 |
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
668 |
|
|
Average yield on leases and loans(10)
|
|
|
38.0 |
% |
|
|
38.1 |
% |
|
|
36.9 |
% |
|
|
32.5 |
% |
|
|
30.1 |
% |
Cash Flows From (used in):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities
|
|
$ |
116,360 |
|
|
$ |
122,280 |
|
|
$ |
120,628 |
|
|
$ |
98,052 |
|
|
$ |
58,793 |
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
(157,947 |
) |
|
|
(116,860 |
) |
|
|
(80,141 |
) |
|
|
(2,839 |
) |
|
|
(912 |
) |
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
43,081 |
|
|
|
(10,104 |
) |
|
|
(35,139 |
) |
|
|
(94,174 |
) |
|
|
(54,705 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,494 |
|
|
|
(4,684 |
) |
|
|
5,348 |
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
3,176 |
|
Selected Ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on average assets
|
|
|
6.86 |
% |
|
|
4.63 |
% |
|
|
(6.73 |
)% |
|
|
(6.95 |
)% |
|
|
(8.98 |
)% |
|
Return on average stockholders equity
|
|
|
23.86 |
|
|
|
15.80 |
|
|
|
(22.42 |
) |
|
|
(19.87 |
) |
|
|
(15.32 |
) |
|
Operating margin(11)
|
|
|
53.79 |
|
|
|
52.25 |
|
|
|
41.09 |
|
|
|
36.70 |
|
|
|
28.58 |
|
Credit Quality Statistics:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net charge-offs
|
|
$ |
37,888 |
(12) |
|
$ |
51,408 |
(12) |
|
$ |
65,081(3 |
) |
|
$ |
86,041 |
|
|
$ |
75,967 |
|
|
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average gross investment(13)
|
|
|
9.00 |
% |
|
|
11.20 |
% |
|
|
15.60 |
% |
|
|
29.40 |
% |
|
|
54.71 |
% |
|
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of average gross
investment(14)
|
|
|
9.24 |
|
|
|
11.78 |
|
|
|
21.32 |
|
|
|
20.42 |
|
|
|
34.51 |
|
|
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross
investment(15)
|
|
|
8.79 |
|
|
|
9.94 |
|
|
|
18.16 |
|
|
|
21.11 |
|
|
|
20.23 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes loss and damage waiver fees, service fees, interest
income, and equipment sales revenue. |
|
(2) |
The provision for 2002 includes an additional provision of
$35.0 million to reserve against certain dealer receivables
as well as delinquent portfolio assets. In the past, dealer
receivables had been offset, in some instances, against the
funding of new contracts. While the Company had suspended the
funding of new deals, management felt that the collection of
these receivables would be more difficult. Although the |
12
|
|
|
Company continued to pursue collections on these accounts,
management believed that the cost associated with the legal
enforcement would outweigh the benefits realized. |
|
(3) |
During 2004 the Company recorded an income tax benefit of
$7.9 million that resulted from a reduction in the
Companys estimate of certain tax liabilities that had been
included in accrued income taxes on the Companys balance
sheet. |
|
(4) |
Net income per common share (basic) is calculated based on
weighted-average common shares outstanding of 12,728,441,
12,789,605, 12,821,946, 13,043,744 and 13,182,833 for the years
ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004
respectively. |
|
(5) |
Net income per common share (diluted) is calculated based
on weighted-average common shares outstanding on a diluted basis
of 12,807,814, 12,945,243, 12,821,946, 13,043,744 and 13,182,833
for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and
2004 respectively. |
|
(6) |
Consists of receivables due in installments, estimated residual
value, and loans receivable. |
|
(7) |
Represents the amount paid to Dealers upon funding of leases and
loans, plus the associated unearned income. |
|
(8) |
Represents the amount paid to Dealers upon the acquisition of
service contracts, including both non-cancelable service
contracts and month-to-month service contracts. |
|
(9) |
Represents the amount paid to Dealers upon funding of leases,
contracts and loans. |
|
|
(10) |
Represents the aggregate of the implied interest rate on each
lease and loan originated during the period weighted by the
amount funded at origination for each such lease and loan. |
|
(11) |
Represents income before provision (benefit) for income taxes
and provision for credit losses as a percentage of total
revenues. |
|
(12) |
In 1999 the Company included a special provision of
$12.7 million in net charge-offs for a loan made to one
company, collateralized by approximately 3,500 microticket
consumer contracts, and guaranteed by, among other security, an
insurance performance bond. MicroFinancial has obtained
judgments against the company and the insurance company in the
amounts of $23.0 million and $14.0 million,
respectively. Charge-offs against the special reserve were $6.4
and $7.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2000
and 2001, respectively. |
|
(13) |
Represents net charge-offs as a percentage of average gross
investment in leases and loans and investment in service
contracts. |
|
(14) |
Represents provision for credit losses as a percentage of
average gross investment in leases and loans and investment in
service contracts. |
|
(15) |
Represents allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross
investment in leases and loans and investment in service
contracts. |
|
|
Item 7. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
The following discussion includes forward-looking statements (as
such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995). When used in this discussion, the words
may, will, expect,
intend, anticipate, believe,
estimate, continue, plan and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company, or industry results, to differ materially from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking
statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
including, among other things, those associated with:
|
|
|
|
|
our dependence on point of sale authorization systems, expansion
into new markets and the development of a sizeable Dealer base; |
|
|
|
our significant capital requirements; |
|
|
|
our ability or inability to obtain the financing we need in
order to continue originating new contracts; |
13
|
|
|
|
|
the risks of defaults on our leases; |
|
|
|
possible adverse consequences associated with our collection
policy; |
|
|
|
the effect of higher interest rates on our portfolio; |
|
|
|
increasing competition; |
|
|
|
increased governmental regulation of the rates and methods we
use in financing and collecting our leases and loans; |
|
|
|
acquiring other portfolios or companies; |
|
|
|
dependence on key personnel; |
|
|
|
adverse results in litigation and regulatory matters, or
promulgation of new or enhanced legislation or
regulations; and |
|
|
|
general economic and business conditions. |
The risk factors above and those under Risk Factors
beginning on page 25, as well as any other cautionary
language included herein, provide examples of risks,
uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to
differ materially from the expectations we described in our
forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are
significantly beyond our control. The Company expressly
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any
updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained
herein to reflect any change in the Companys expectations
with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. In light of
these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that
the forward-looking information contained herein will in fact
transpire.
The Company is a specialized commercial finance company that
provides microticket equipment leasing and other
financing services in amounts generally ranging from $400 to
$15,000, with an historical average amount financed of
approximately $1,900. The Company primarily leases point-of-sale
(POS) authorization systems and other small business
equipment to small commercial enterprises.
The Company derives the majority of its revenues from leases
originated and held by the Company, payments on service
contracts, rental payments, and fee income. Historically, the
Company has funded the majority of leases, contracts and loans
through its revolving-credit and term loan facilities (the
Credit Facilities) and on-balance sheet
securitizations, and to a lesser extent, its subordinated debt
program (Subordinated Debt) and internally generated
funds. Between October 2002 and September 2004, an interruption
in the Companys financing sources had a significant impact
on its ability to find new contracts. As of September 30,
2002, the Companys then-existing credit facility failed to
renew and the Company began paying down the balance of the debt.
At December 31, 2002, the Company was in default of certain
of its debt covenants in its credit facility and securitization
agreements. These covenants required the Company to maintain
certain ratios of fixed charges to consolidated earnings, a
minimum consolidated tangible net worth and compliance with a
borrowing base. In April 2003, the Company entered into a
long-term agreement with its lenders. This long-term agreement
waived the defaults described above, and in consideration for
the waiver, required the outstanding balance of the loan to be
repaid over a term of 22 months beginning in April 2003 at
an interest rate of prime plus 2.0%. The Company also received a
waiver for the covenant violations in connection with the
securitization agreement and amended the securitization
agreement to conform the covenants therein to the covenants in
the senior credit facility. In October 2002, the Company was
forced to suspend virtually all new contract originations until
a new source of financing could be obtained or until such time
as the credit facility had been paid in full.
In June 2004, MicroFinancial secured a $10.0 million credit
facility, comprised of a one-year $8.0 million line of
credit and a $2.0 million three-year subordinated note,
that enabled the Company to resume microticket contract
originations. In conjunction with raising new capital, the
Company also inaugurated a new wholly owned operating
subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. LLC. On September 29, 2004,
MicroFinancial
14
secured a three-year, $30.0 million, senior secured
revolving line of credit from CIT Commercial Services, a unit of
CIT Group. This line of credit replaced the previous one year,
$8 million line of credit obtained in June 2004 under more
favorable terms and conditions. In addition, it retired the
existing outstanding debt with the former bank group. The new
financing has enabled the Company to resume origination of
contracts.
In a typical lease transaction, the Company originates leases
through its network of independent Dealers. Upon approval of a
lease application by the Company and verification that the
lessee has both received the equipment and signed the lease, the
Company pays the Dealer the cost of the equipment, plus the
Dealers profit margin. In a typical transaction for the
acquisition of service contracts, a homeowner purchases a
security system and simultaneously signs a contract with the
Dealer for the monitoring of that system for a monthly fee. Upon
credit approval of the monitoring application and verification
with the homeowner that the system is installed, the Company
purchases from the Dealer the right to the payment stream under
that monitoring contract at a negotiated multiple of the monthly
payments.
Substantially all leases originated or acquired by the Company
are non-cancelable. During the term of the lease, the Company is
scheduled to receive payments sufficient, in the aggregate, to
cover the Companys borrowing costs and the costs of the
underlying equipment, and to provide the Company with an
appropriate profit. The Company enhances the profitability of
its leases, contracts and loans by charging late fees,
prepayment penalties, loss and damage waiver fees and other
service fees, when applicable. Collection fees are imposed based
on the Companys estimate of the costs of collection. The
Company may only impose late fees on the first four months of
late payments and is prohibited from imposing compound late fees
or from assessing late fees as a percentage of the total
outstanding late payments including outstanding late fees. The
loss and damage waiver fees are charged if a customer fails to
provide proof of insurance and are reasonably related to the
cost of replacing the lost or damaged equipment or product. The
initial non-cancelable term of the lease is equal to or less
than the equipments estimated economic life and often
provides the Company with additional revenues based on the
residual value of the equipment financed at the end of the
initial term of the lease. Initial terms of the leases in the
Companys portfolio generally range from 12 to
48 months, with an average initial term of 44 months
as of December 31, 2004. Substantially all service and
rental contracts are month-to-month contracts with expected
terms of 7 years for service contracts, 15 months for
lessees that continue to rent their equipment beyond the
original term, and 22 months for other types of rental
contracts.
|
|
|
Critical Accounting Policies |
In response to the SECs release No. 33-8040,
Cautionary Advice regarding Disclosure About Critical
Accounting Policies, Management identified the most
critical accounting principles upon which our financial status
depends. The Company determined the critical principles by
considering accounting policies that involve the most complex or
subjective decisions or assessments. The Company identified its
most critical accounting policies to be those related to revenue
recognition, maintaining the allowance for credit losses and
determining provisions for income taxes. These accounting
policies are discussed below as well as within the notes to the
consolidated financial statements.
The Companys lease contracts are accounted for as
financing leases. At origination, the Company records the gross
lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased
equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease
income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross
lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the
cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct
costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using
the interest method. Amortization of unearned lease income and
initial direct costs is suspended if, in the opinion of
management, full payment of the contractual amount due under the
lease agreement is doubtful. In conjunction with the origination
of leases, the Company may retain a residual interest in the
underlying equipment upon termination of the lease. The value of
such interests is estimated at inception of the lease and
evaluated periodically for impairment. At the end of the lease
term, contractually, the lessee has the option to either buy the
equipment at a price quoted by the Company, return the equipment
or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to month basis. If
the lessee continues to rent the equipment, the Company records
an investment in rental contracts at estimated
15
residual value and recognizes revenue and depreciation based on
the methodology described below. Other revenues such as loss and
damage waiver fees, and service fees relating to the leases,
contracts and loans are recognized as they are earned.
The Companys investments in cancelable service contracts
are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the
service period. Income on service contracts from monthly
billings is recognized as the related services are provided. The
Company periodically evaluates whether events or circumstances
have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or
recoverability of the investment in service contracts. The
Companys investment in rental contracts is either recorded
at estimated residual value and depreciated using the
straight-line method over a period of 12 months or at the
acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method
over a period of 36 months. Rental income from monthly
billings is recognized on a monthly basis as the customer
continues to rent the equipment. The Company periodically
evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that may
affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the
investment in rental contracts. Loans are reported at their
outstanding principal balance. Interest income on loans is
recognized as it is earned.
|
|
|
Allowance for Credit Losses |
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its
investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and
loans at an amount that it believes is sufficient to provide
adequate protection against losses in its portfolio. The
allowance is determined principally on the basis of the
historical loss experience of the Company and the level of
recourse provided by such lease, service contract, rental
contract or loan, if any, and reflects managements
judgment of additional loss potential considering current
economic conditions and the nature and characteristics of the
underlying lease portfolio. The Company determines the necessary
periodic provision for credit losses taking into account actual
and expected losses in the portfolio as a whole and the
relationship of the allowance to the net investment in leases,
service contracts, rental contracts and loans. Such provisions
generally represent a percentage of funded amounts of leases,
contracts and loans. The resulting charge is included in the
provision for credit losses.
Leases, service contracts, rental contracts and loans are
charged against the allowance for credit losses and are put on
non-accrual when they are deemed to be uncollectable. Generally,
the Company deems leases, service contracts, rental contracts
and loans to be uncollectable when one of the following occurs:
(i) the obligor files for bankruptcy; (ii) the obligor
dies, and the equipment is returned; or (iii) when an
account has become 360 days delinquent without contact with
the lessee. Historically, the typical monthly payment under the
Companys leases has been between $30 and $50 per
month. As a result of these small monthly payments, the
Companys experience is that lessees will pay past due
amounts later in the process because of the small amount
necessary to bring an account current (at 360 days past
due, a lessee may only owe lease payments of between $360 and
$600).
The Company has developed and regularly updates proprietary
credit scoring systems designed to improve its risk-based
pricing. The Company uses credit scoring in most, but not all,
of its extensions of credit. In addition, the Company employs
collection procedures and a legal process to resolve any credit
problems.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the
provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities
and any necessary valuation allowance recorded against net
deferred tax assets. The process involves summarizing temporary
differences resulting from the different treatment of items, for
example, leases, for tax and accounting purposes. In addition,
the calculation of the Companys tax liabilities involves
dealing with estimates in the application of complex tax
regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. Differences between
the basis of assets and liabilities result in deferred tax
assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet.
Management must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax
assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax
carry-back availability and to the extent management believes
recovery is more likely than not, no valuation allowance is
deemed necessary.
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Income on financing leases and loans
|
|
$ |
53,012 |
|
|
|
(41.7 |
)% |
|
$ |
30,904 |
|
|
|
(61.3 |
)% |
|
$ |
11,970 |
|
Rental income
|
|
|
37,154 |
|
|
|
(7.7 |
)% |
|
|
34,302 |
|
|
|
(9.6 |
)% |
|
|
31,009 |
|
Income on service contracts
|
|
|
9,734 |
|
|
|
(11.7 |
)% |
|
|
8,593 |
|
|
|
(31.4 |
)% |
|
|
5,897 |
|
Service fees and other
|
|
|
26,922 |
|
|
|
(34.0 |
)% |
|
|
17,775 |
|
|
|
(35.4 |
)% |
|
|
11,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
126,822 |
|
|
|
(27.8 |
)% |
|
|
91,574 |
|
|
|
(34.1 |
)% |
|
|
60,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys lease contracts are accounted for as
financing leases. At origination, the Company records the gross
lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased
equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease
income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross
lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the
cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct
costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using
the interest method. Other revenues such as loss and damage
waiver fees, service fees relating to the leases, contracts and
loans, and rental revenues are recognized as they are earned.
Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2004 were
$60.4 million, a decrease of $31.2 million, or 34.1%,
from the year ended December 31, 2003. The decline in
revenue was due to decreases of $18.9 million, or 61.3%, in
income on financing leases and loans and $6.3 million, or
35.4%, in service fee and other income. In addition, rental
revenue decreased $3.3 million or 9.6% and income on
service contracts decreased $2.7 million, or 31.4%, as
compared to such amounts in the previous years period. The
overall decrease in revenue can be attributed to the decrease in
the overall size of the Companys portfolio of leases,
rentals and service contracts. The shrinking portfolio is a
direct result of the Companys decision during the third
quarter of 2002 to cease funding new originations as a result of
its Lenders not renewing the revolving credit facility on
September 30, 2002.
Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003, were
$91.6 million, a decrease of $35.2 million, or 27.8%,
from the year ended December 31, 2002, due primarily to
decreases of $22.1 million, or 41.7%, in income on
financing leases and loans and $9.1 million, or 34.0%, in
service fee and other income. In addition, rental revenue
decreased $2.9 million or 7.7% and income on service
contracts decreased $1.1 million, or 11.7%, as compared to
such amounts in the previous years period. The decrease in
income on financing leases and loans was due to the decreased
number of leases originated primarily resulting from the
Companys decision during the third quarter of 2002 to
suspend the funding of new contracts. The decrease in fee income
and other income is the result of decreased fees from the
lessees related to the collection and legal process employed by
the Company. The decrease in rental and service contract income
is a result of the decreased number of lessees that have
continued to rent their equipment beyond their original lease
term, and decreased originations in rental and service contracts
in 2003.
|
|
|
Selling, General and Administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
$ |
45,535 |
|
|
|
(25.6 |
)% |
|
$ |
33,856 |
|
|
|
(20.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
26,821 |
|
As a percent of revenue
|
|
|
35.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
37.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44.4 |
% |
The Companys selling, general and administrative
(SG&A) expenses include costs of maintaining corporate
functions including accounting, finance, collections, legal,
human resources, sales and underwriting and information systems.
SG&A expenses also include commissions, service fees and
other marketing costs associated with the Companys
portfolio of leases and rental contracts. SG&A expenses
decreased by $7.0 million, or 20.8%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003. The decrease was primarily driven by a
reduction in personnel-related expenses of approximately
17
$2.8 million, as management reduced headcount from 136 to
103, and decreases of $1.6 million in sales programs,
$1.1 million in legal services, and $1.0 million in
rent expense. The expense reductions were achieved as management
continued to align the Companys infrastructure with
current business conditions.
SG&A expenses decreased by $11.7 million, or 25.6%, for
the year ended December 31, 2003, as compared to the year
ended December 31, 2002. The decrease was primarily driven
by a reduction in personnel related expenses of approximately
$5.8 million, as management reduced headcount from 203 to
136, and decreases of $2.0 million in collection related
expenses, $1.8 million in cost of goods sold, and $700,000
in rent expense. As with the following year, the expense
reductions were achieved as part of managements attempt to
align the Companys infrastructure with existing business
conditions.
|
|
|
Provision for Credit Losses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Provision for credit losses
|
|
$ |
88,948 |
|
|
|
(32.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
59,758 |
|
|
|
(19.8 |
)% |
|
$ |
47,918 |
|
As a percent of revenue
|
|
|
70.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
79.4 |
% |
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its
investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and
loans at an amount that it believes is sufficient to provide
adequate protection against losses in its portfolio. The
Companys provision for credit losses decreased by
$11.8 million, or 19.8%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003, while net charge-offs decreased 11.7% to
$76.0 million. The provision was based on the
Companys historical policy of providing a provision for
credit losses based upon the dealer fundings and revenue
recognized in any period, as well as taking into account actual
and expected losses in the portfolio as a whole and the
relationship of the allowance to the net investment in leases,
service contracts, rental contracts and loans.
The Companys provision for credit losses decreased by
$29.2 million, or 32.8%, for the year ended
December 31, 2003, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2002, while net charge-offs increased 32.0% to
$86.0 million. The provision was based on the
Companys historical policy of providing a provision for
credit losses based upon the dealer fundings and revenue
recognized in any period, as well as taking into account actual
and expected losses in the portfolio as a whole and the
relationship of the allowance to the net investment in leases,
service contracts, rental contracts and loans.
|
|
|
Depreciation and Amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Depreciation fixed assets
|
|
$ |
2,261 |
|
|
|
(36.1 |
)% |
|
$ |
1,445 |
|
|
|
(44.6 |
)% |
|
$ |
801 |
|
Depreciation and amortization rentals
|
|
|
9,351 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
% |
|
|
9,528 |
|
|
|
(4.1 |
)% |
|
|
9,142 |
|
Depreciation and amortization contracts
|
|
|
6,773 |
|
|
|
(17.0 |
)% |
|
|
5,619 |
|
|
|
(27.6 |
)% |
|
|
4,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
18,385 |
|
|
|
(9.8 |
)% |
|
|
16,592 |
|
|
|
(15.6 |
)% |
|
|
14,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a percent of revenue
|
|
|
14.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.2 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist primarily of the
depreciation taken against fixed assets and rental equipment,
and the amortization of the Companys investment in service
contracts. The Companys investment in fixed assets is
recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the
service period of the asset. Rental equipment is either recorded
at estimated residual value and depreciated using the
straight-line method over a period of 12 months or at the
acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method
over a period of 36 months. Service contracts are recorded
at cost and amortized over their estimated life of
84 months. The Company periodically evaluates whether
events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the
estimated useful life or recoverability of the asset and any
resulting charge is made to depreciation and amortization
expense. Depreciation and amortization related to rental
contracts decreased by $386,000, or 4.1% and depreciation and
amortization related to service contracts decreased by
$1.6 million, or 27.6%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003. The decrease in
18
depreciation and amortization can be attributed to the decrease
in the overall size of the Companys portfolio of leases,
rentals and service contracts. Depreciation related to the
Companys property and equipment decreased by $644,000, or
44.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2004, as compared to
the year ended December 31, 2003.
For the year ended December 31, 2003 as compared to the
year ended December 31, 2002, depreciation and amortization
related to rental contracts increased by $177,000, or 1.9% and
depreciation and amortization related to service contracts
decreased by $1.2 million, or 17.0%. Depreciation related
to the Companys property and equipment decreased by
$816,000, or 36.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2003,
as compared to the year ended December 31, 2002.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Interest
|
|
$ |
10,787 |
|
|
|
(30.3 |
)% |
|
$ |
7,515 |
|
|
|
(69.6 |
)% |
|
$ |
2,283 |
|
As a percent of revenue
|
|
|
8.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
The Company pays interest on outstanding borrowings under the
senior credit facility, subordinated debt and the on balance
sheet securitizations. Interest expense decreased by
$5.2 million, or 69.6%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003. This decrease resulted primarily from
the Companys decreased level of borrowings. At
December 31, 2004, the Company had notes payable of
$34,000, compared to $58.8 million at December 31,
2003.
Interest expense decreased by $3.3 million, or 30.3%, for
the year ended December 31, 2003, as compared to the year
ended December 31, 2002. This decrease resulted primarily
from the Companys decreased level of borrowings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
Change | |
|
2003 | |
|
Change | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Benefit for income taxes
|
|
$ |
(14,735 |
) |
|
|
(29.0 |
)% |
|
$ |
(10,460 |
) |
|
|
95.5 |
% |
|
$ |
(20,449 |
) |
As a percent of revenue
|
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33.9 |
% |
The process for determining the provision for income taxes,
deferred tax assets and liabilities and any necessary valuation
allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets, involves
summarizing temporary differences resulting from the different
treatment of items, for example, leases, for tax and accounting
purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and
liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. Management
must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be
recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back
availability and to the extent management believes recovery is
more likely than not, no valuation allowance is deemed
necessary. Benefit for income taxes increased by
$10.0 million, or 95.5%, for the year ended
December 31, 2004, as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2003. This increase resulted primarily from a
$7.9 million reduction in the Companys estimate of
certain tax liabilities that had been included in Income taxes
payable on the balance sheet.
Benefit for income taxes decreased by $4.3 million, or
29.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2003, as compared to
the year ended December 31, 2002. This decrease resulted
primarily from a corresponding improvement in the Companys
Loss before benefit for income taxes.
Dealer fundings were $668,000 during the year ended
December 31, 2004, a decrease of $932,000, or 58.3%,
compared to the year ended December 31, 2003. During the
first nine months of 2003, the Company was able to fund a very
limited number of contracts using its own free cash flow. The
amount and timing of the originations was restricted by the
Companys then existing banking agreements. Dealer fundings
then ceased completely until the Company resumed new contract
originations in July 2004 in light of its new financing
19
arrangements in June and September 2004. Receivables due in
installments, estimated residual values, loans receivable,
investment in service contracts, and investment in rental
equipment also decreased from $218.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003 to $85.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004, representing a decrease of
$133.3 million, or 61.1%. Unearned income decreased by
$17.4 million, or 73.4%, from $23.7 million at
December 31, 2003 to $6.3 million at December 31,
2004. This decrease was primarily due to continued amortization
and a lack of new lease originations in 2004. Net cash provided
by operating activities decreased by $39.3 million, or
40.1%, to $58.8 million during the year ended
December 31, 2004, from the year ended December 31,
2003, because of the decrease in the size of the Companys
overall portfolio.
Dealer fundings were $1.6 million during the year ended
December 31, 2003, a decrease of $72.4 million, or
97.8%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. This
decrease is a result of the failure of the credit facility to
renew and the related suspension of virtually all new contract
originations in the third quarter of 2002. Receivables due in
installments, estimated residual values, loans receivable,
investment in service contracts, and investment in rental
equipment also decreased from $396.5 million for the year
ended December 31, 2002 to $218.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003, representing a decrease of
$178.2 million, or 44.9%. Unearned income decreased by
$43.9 million, or 64.9%, from $67.6 million at
December 31, 2002 to $23.7 million at
December 31, 2003. This decrease was primarily due to
continued amortization and a lack of new lease originations in
2003. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by
$22.5 million, or 18.7%, to $98.1 million during the
year ended December 31, 2003, from the year ended
December 31, 2002, because of the decrease in the size of
the Companys overall portfolio.
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of
operations of the Company for 2003 and 2004. This quarterly
information is unaudited, prepared on the same basis as the
audited Consolidated Financial Statements and, in the opinion of
our management, reflects all necessary adjustments, consisting
only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair
presentation of the information for the periods presented. The
quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of
future results of operations, which you should read in
conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements
and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income on leases and loans
|
|
$ |
9,821 |
|
|
$ |
8,378 |
|
|
$ |
7,173 |
|
|
$ |
5,532 |
|
|
$ |
4,167 |
|
|
$ |
3,235 |
|
|
$ |
2,560 |
|
|
$ |
2,008 |
|
|
Income on service contracts rental and fees
|
|
|
15,750 |
|
|
|
15,586 |
|
|
|
14,884 |
|
|
|
14,450 |
|
|
|
13,841 |
|
|
|
12,547 |
|
|
|
11,665 |
|
|
|
10,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
25,571 |
|
|
|
23,964 |
|
|
|
22,057 |
|
|
|
19,982 |
|
|
|
18,008 |
|
|
|
15,782 |
|
|
|
14,225 |
|
|
|
12,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling general and administrative
|
|
|
9,131 |
|
|
|
8,709 |
|
|
|
7,837 |
|
|
|
8,178 |
|
|
|
7,280 |
|
|
|
6,845 |
|
|
|
7,235 |
|
|
|
5,461 |
|
|
Provision for credit losses
|
|
|
10,799 |
|
|
|
15,249 |
|
|
|
13,852 |
|
|
|
19,858 |
|
|
|
13,408 |
|
|
|
14,181 |
|
|
|
10,295 |
|
|
|
10,034 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
4,270 |
|
|
|
4,087 |
|
|
|
4,106 |
|
|
|
4,129 |
|
|
|
4,294 |
|
|
|
3,936 |
|
|
|
3,161 |
|
|
|
2,619 |
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
2,629 |
|
|
|
2,145 |
|
|
|
1,589 |
|
|
|
1,152 |
|
|
|
846 |
|
|
|
611 |
|
|
|
559 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
26,829 |
|
|
|
30,190 |
|
|
|
27,384 |
|
|
|
33,317 |
|
|
|
25,828 |
|
|
|
25,573 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
18,381 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
First | |
|
Second | |
|
Third | |
|
Fourth | |
|
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
Quarter | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes
|
|
|
(1,258 |
) |
|
|
(6,226 |
) |
|
|
(5,327 |
) |
|
|
(13,336 |
) |
|
|
(7,820 |
) |
|
|
(9,791 |
) |
|
|
(7,025 |
) |
|
|
(6,029 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit for income taxes(1)
|
|
|
(503 |
) |
|
|
(2,490 |
) |
|
|
(2,131 |
) |
|
|
(5,336 |
) |
|
|
(3,128 |
) |
|
|
(3,917 |
) |
|
|
(2,810 |
) |
|
|
(10,594 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(755 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,736 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,196 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,692 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,874 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,215 |
) |
|
$ |
4,565 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss) per common share basic
|
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.32 |
) |
|
|
0.35 |
|
Net Income (loss) per common share diluted
|
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.32 |
) |
|
|
0.33 |
|
Dividends per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
In the fourth quarter of 2004, the benefit for income taxes
includes a benefit of $7.9 million that resulted from a
reduction in the Companys estimate of certain tax
liabilities that had been included in income taxes payable on
the Companys balance sheet. |
|
|
|
Exposure to Credit Losses |
The following table sets forth certain information as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 with respect to delinquent
leases, service contracts and loans. The percentages in the
table below represent the aggregate on such date of the actual
amounts not paid on each invoice by the number of days past due,
rather than the entire balance of a delinquent receivable, over
the cumulative amount billed at such date from the date of
origination on all leases, service contracts, and loans in the
Companys portfolio. For example, if a receivable is
90 days past due, the portion of the receivable that is
over 30 days past due will be placed in the 31-60 days
past due category, the portion of the receivable which is over
60 days past due will be placed in the 61-90 days past
due category and the portion of the receivable which is over
90 days past due will be placed in the over 90 days
past due category. The Company historically used this
methodology of calculating its delinquencies because of its
experience that lessees who miss a payment do not necessarily
default on the entire lease. Accordingly, the Company includes
only the amount past due rather than the entire lease receivable
in each category.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
) | |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands | |
Cumulative amounts billed
|
|
$ |
600,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
478,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
303,695 |
|
|
|
|
|
31-60 days past due
|
|
$ |
5,772 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
$ |
5,446 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
$ |
1,858 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
% |
61-90 days past due
|
|
|
6,019 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
3,995 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
|
1,818 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
% |
Over 90 days past due
|
|
|
137,607 |
|
|
|
22.9 |
% |
|
|
85,883 |
|
|
|
17.9 |
% |
|
|
29,673 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total past due
|
|
$ |
149,398 |
|
|
|
24.9 |
% |
|
$ |
95,324 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
% |
|
$ |
33,349 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
Alternatively, the amounts in the table below represent the
balance of delinquent receivables on an exposure basis for all
leases, rental contracts, and service contracts in the
Companys portfolio as of December 31, 2004. An
exposure basis aging classifies the entire receivable based on
the invoice that is the most delinquent. For example, in the
case of a rental or service contract, if a receivable is
90 days past due, all amounts billed and unpaid are placed
in the over 90 days past due category. In the case of lease
receivables, where the minimum contractual obligation of the
lessee is booked as a receivable at the inception of the lease,
if a receivable is 90 days past due, the entire receivable,
including all amounts billed and unpaid as well as the minimum
contractual obligation yet to be billed, will be placed in the
over 90 days past due category.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in | |
|
|
thousands) | |
Current
|
|
$ |
19,945 |
|
|
|
33.4 |
% |
31-60 days past due
|
|
|
1,079 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
61-90 days past due
|
|
|
987 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Over 90 days past due
|
|
|
37,668 |
|
|
|
63.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross receivables due in installments
|
|
$ |
59,679 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
The Companys lease and finance business is
capital-intensive and requires access to substantial short-term
and long-term credit to fund new lease originations. Since
inception, the Company has funded its operations primarily
through borrowings under its credit facilities, its on-balance
sheet securitizations, the issuance of subordinated debt and an
initial public offering completed in February of 1999. The
Company will continue to require significant additional capital
to maintain and expand its volume of leases, and contracts
funded, as well as to fund any future acquisitions of leasing
companies or portfolios. Additionally, the Companys uses
of cash include the payment of interest expenses, repayment of
borrowings under its credit facilities and securitizations,
payment of selling, general and administrative expenses, income
taxes and capital expenditures.
For the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31,
2004, respectively, the Companys primary source of
liquidity was cash provided by operating activities due to the
unavailability of a credit facility between October 2002 and
June 2004. See Overview above. The Company generated
cash flow from operations of $58.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 and $98.1 million for year
ended December 31, 2003.
The Company used net cash in investing activities of $912,000
for the year ended December 31, 2004 and $2.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 2003. Investing activities
primarily relate to the origination of new leases and contracts
as well as capital expenditures.
Net cash used in financing activities was $54.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2004 and $94.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 2003. Financing activities
include net borrowings and repayments on our various financing
sources.
The Company believes that cash flows from its existing portfolio
and available borrowings on the existing credit facility will be
sufficient to support the Companys operations and lease
origination activity for the foreseeable future.
The Company utilizes its credit facilities to fund the
origination and acquisition of leases that satisfy the
eligibility requirements established pursuant to each facility.
22
Borrowings outstanding under the Companys revolving credit
facilities and long-term debt consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of | |
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2003 | |
|
As of December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum | |
|
|
Amounts | |
|
|
|
Amounts | |
|
|
|
Unused | |
|
Facility | |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Interest Rate | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
Interest Rate | |
|
Capacity | |
|
Amount | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Revolving credit facility old(1)
|
|
$ |
55,346 |
|
|
|
6.00% |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
7.25% |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Revolving credit facility new(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
6.75% |
|
|
|
29,966 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
MFI I term note securitization(3)
|
|
|
3,247 |
|
|
|
5.58% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.58% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term notes(4)
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
7.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated notes(5)
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
7.0%-12.5% |
|
|
|
5,152 |
|
|
|
7.75%-13.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
62,105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
29,966 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
After September 30, 2002, this facility failed to renew and
the Company no longer had the ability to draw down additional
amounts. |
|
(2) |
The unused capacity is subject to lease eligibility and the
borrowing base formula |
|
(3) |
The MFI I term note securitization is a one-time funding that
pays down over time, without any ability for the Company to draw
down additional amounts. |
|
(4) |
The term notes were a one-time funding, without any ability for
the Company to draw down additional amounts. |
|
(5) |
Subordinated notes are generally one-time fundings, without any
ability for the Company to draw down additional amounts. |
On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into a
three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT
Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group (CIT), whereby it may
borrow a maximum of $30.0 million based upon qualified
lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings with respect to the
revolving line of credit bear interest based at Prime plus 1.5%
for Prime Rate Loans, or the prevailing rate per annum as
offered in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus
4.0% for LIBOR Loans. If the LIBOR Loans are not renewed upon
their maturity they automatically convert into Prime Rate Loans.
The prime rates at December 31, 2003, and December 31,
2004 were 4.00% and 5.25% respectively. The 90-day LIBOR rate at
December 31, 2004 was 2.56%. As of December 31, 2004,
based on lease eligibility and the borrowing base formula, the
Company had $16.6 million in excess availability on the CIT
line of credit.
Prior to obtaining the $30.0 million secured line of credit
discussed above, the Company had borrowings outstanding under a
$192.0 million senior credit facility with a group of
financial institutions, which had failed to renew as of
September 30, 2002. While cash flows from its portfolio and
other fees had been sufficient to repay amounts borrowed under
the senior credit facility, securitizations and subordinated
debt, in October 2002, the Company was forced to suspend
virtually all new contract originations until a new source of
liquidity was obtained or until such time as the senior credit
facility was paid in full. At December 31, 2002, the
Company was in default of certain of its debt covenants in its
senior credit facility. These covenants required that the
Company maintain certain ratios of fixed charges to consolidated
earnings, a minimum consolidated tangible net worth, and
compliance with a borrowing base. On April 14, 2003, the
Company entered into a long-term agreement with its lenders in
which the lenders waived the defaults described above and the
Company agreed to repay the outstanding balance of the loan over
a term of 22 months beginning in April 2003 at an interest
rate of prime plus 2.0%. As of December 31, 2004, the loan
under the senior credit facility had been fully repaid.
23
The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, periodically
finances its lease and service contracts, together with
unguaranteed residuals, through securitizations using special
purpose entities. The assets of such special purpose entities
and cash collateral or other accounts created in connection with
the financings in which they participate are not available to
pay creditors of Leasecomm Corporation, TimePayment Corp, LLC,
MicroFinancial Incorporated, or other affiliates. However, the
special purpose entities to which such assets are required under
generally accepted accounting principles to be consolidated in
the financial statements of the Company. As a result, such
assets and the related liability remain on the balance sheet and
do not receive gain on sale treatment. The amounts borrowed
under the securitization were fully repaid as of
December 31, 2004.
The Companys secured revolving line of credit with CIT has
financial covenants that it must comply with in order to obtain
funding through the facility and to avoid an event of default.
Some of the critical financial covenants under the CIT line of
credit as of December 31, 2004 include:
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated tangible capital funds not less than
$42.5 million |
|
|
|
Allowance for credit losses of at least 9.0% of gross lease
installments |
|
|
|
Maximum leverage ratio of not more than 3:1 |
As of December 31, 2004, management believes that the
Company was in compliance with all covenants in its borrowing
relationships.
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments |
The Company has entered into various agreements, such as long
term debt agreements, capital lease agreements and operating
lease agreements that require future payments be made. Long-term
debt agreements include all debt outstanding under the
securitization, subordinated notes, demand notes and other notes
payable.
At December 30, 2004, the repayment schedules for
outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility,
long-term debt, minimum lease payments under non-cancelable
operating leases and future minimum lease payments under capital
leases were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit | |
|
Long-Term | |
|
Operating | |
|
Capital | |
|
|
For the Period Ended December 31, |
|
Facility(1) | |
|
Debt | |
|
Leases | |
|
Leases | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2005
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
|
$ |
2,052 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
2,712 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
|
$ |
5,152 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
$ |
5,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The Companys obligation to repay the revolving credit
facility in the current year is subject to lease collateral
availability and the borrowing base formula. The credit facility
expires on September 29, 2007. |
The Company accepts lease applications on daily basis and as a
result has a pipeline of applications that have been approved,
where a lease has not been originated. The Companys
commitment to lend, however, does not become binding until all
of the steps in the lease origination process have been
completed, including but not limited to the receipt of a
complete and accurate lease document and all required supporting
24
information and successful verification with the lessee. Since
the Company funds on the same day a lease is successfully
verified, at any given time, the Company has no firm outstanding
commitments to lend.
|
|
|
Market Risk and Financial Instruments |
This analysis presents the hypothetical loss in earnings, cash
flows, and fair value of the financial instruments held by the
Company at December 31, 2004, that are sensitive to changes
in interest rates.
The implicit yield to the Company on all of its leases,
contracts and loans is on a fixed interest rate basis due to the
leases, contracts and loans having scheduled payments that are
fixed at the time of origination of the lease. When the Company
originates or acquires leases, contracts, and loans it bases its
pricing in part on the spread it expects to achieve between the
implicit yield rate to the Company on each lease and the
effective interest cost it will pay when it finances such
leases, contracts and loans through its credit facility.
Increases in interest rates during the term of each lease,
contract or loan could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result
in a negative spread. The Company has adopted a policy designed
to protect itself against interest rate volatility during the
term of each lease, contract or loan.
Given the relatively short average life of the Companys
leases, contracts and loans, the Companys goal is to
maintain a blend of fixed and variable interest rate
obligations. Currently, given the restrictions imposed by the
Companys senior lender on the Companys ability to
prepay its fixed rate debt, the Company is limited in its
ability to manage the blend of fixed and variable rate interest
obligations. As of December 31, 2004, the Companys
outstanding fixed-rate indebtedness outstanding under the
Companys subordinated debt represented 99.3% of the
Companys total outstanding indebtedness of
$5.2 million.
The Companys credit facility bears interest at rates which
fluctuate with changes in the prime rate or the 90-day LIBOR.
The Companys interest expense on its credit facility and
the fair value of its fixed rate debt is sensitive to changes in
market interest rates. The effect of a 10% adverse change in
market interest rates, sustained for one year, on the
Companys interest expense and the fair value of its fixed
rate debt would be immaterial.
|
|
|
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements |
See Note B of the notes to the consolidated financial
statements included herein for a discussion of the impact of
recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Set forth below and elsewhere in this report and in other
documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
are risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results
to differ materially from the results contemplated by the
forward-looking statements contained in this report and other
periodic statements we make.
|
|
|
We depend on external financing to fund new leases and
contracts, and adequate financing may not be available to us in
amounts, together with our cash flow, sufficient both to
originate new leases and to service our debt. |
Our lease and finance business is capital-intensive and requires
access to substantial short-term and long-term credit to fund
new leases, contracts and loans. We will continue to require
significant additional capital to maintain and expand our volume
of leases, contracts and loans funded, as well as to fund any
future acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios.
In addition, until recently we were required to pay down our
existing debt under our former credit facility according to an
agreed schedule. As of September 30, 2002, our credit
facility failed to renew and consequently, we were forced to
suspend substantially all new origination activity as of
October 11, 2002. At December 31, 2002, we were in
default of certain of our debt covenants in our then-existing
credit facility. These covenants required that we maintain a
certain ratio of fixed charges to consolidated earnings, a
minimum consolidated tangible net worth, and compliance with a
borrowing base. On April 14, 2003, we
25
entered into a long-term agreement with our former lenders which
waived the defaults described above, and in consideration for
this waiver, required the outstanding balance of the loan to be
repaid over a term of 22 months beginning in April 2003.
In June 2004, we secured a $10.0 million credit facility,
comprised of a one-year $8.0 million line of credit and a
$2.0 million three-year subordinated note, that enabled us
to resume microticket contract originations. In conjunction with
raising new capital, we formed a wholly owned operating
subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. LLC. On September 29, 2004,
we secured a three-year, $30.0 million, senior secured
revolving line of credit from CIT Commercial Services, a unit of
CIT Group. This line of credit replaced the previous one year,
$8.0 million line of credit obtained in June 2004 under
more favorable terms and conditions, including, but not limited
to, pricing at prime plus 1.5% or LIBOR plus 4%. In addition, it
retired the remaining outstanding debt with our former lenders.
Our uses of cash include the origination and acquisition of
leases, contracts and loans, payment of interest expenses,
repayment of borrowings under our credit facilities,
subordinated debt and securitizations, payment of selling,
general and administrative expenses, income taxes and capital
expenditures.
Any default or other interruption of our external funding could
have a material negative effect on our ability to fund new
leases and contracts, and would have an adverse effect on our
financial results.
|
|
|
The delay in new originations caused by our former credit
facilitys failure to renew in 2002 has decreased the size
of our portfolio and may continue to adversely affect our
financial performance. |
As a result of the failure of our old credit facility to renew,
in October 2002, we were forced to suspend virtually all new
contract originations until we obtained a source of funding or
at such time that the senior credit facility has been paid in
full. During the first half of 2003, we were able to fund a very
limited number of new contracts using our own free cash flow.
The amount and timing of the new originations was restricted by
both the amount of available cash, and the terms of our banking
agreements. For example, total revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2004 were $60.4 million, a decrease of
$31.2 million, or 34.1%, from the year ended
December 31, 2003. The decline in revenue was due to
decreases of $18.9 million, or 61.3%, in income on
financing leases and loans and $6.3 million, or 35.4%, in
service fee and other income. In addition, rental revenue
decreased $3.3 million or 9.6% and income on service
contracts decreased $2.7 million, or 31.4%, as compared to
such amounts in the previous years period. The overall
decrease in revenue can be attributed to the decrease in the
overall size of our portfolio of leases, rentals and service
contracts. The shrinking portfolio is a direct result of our
decision during the third quarter of 2002 to cease funding new
originations as a result of our former lenders not renewing the
revolving credit facility on September 30, 2002. Our
recently signed credit facilities in June and September 2004
have enabled us to resume contract originations. However, our
contract originations may be constrained by the amount of
financing available and this may have an adverse affect on our
revenues. Even if we have the funding to originate new
contracts, the absence of new contract origination from the
period beginning in the third quarter of 2002 will have an
affect on our portfolio and financial performance for some time,
since we will not be collecting any payments from leases,
contracts and loans that may have originated during that time
had there been financing available. As the average age of the
outstanding loans in our loan portfolio increased during that
period, a greater portion of payments being made on those loans
consisted of principal payments, and a lesser portion consisted
of interest, which adversely impacts our revenue. It may take
some time before the new contract and loan originations bring
our loan portfolios average age to the point where it was
before we suspended new originations.
In addition, after we ceased funding new originations in 2002,
we were required to terminate a number of our front
end personnel, such as sales personnel, sales support
personnel and credit personnel. As we begin to originate new
contracts and loans in light of our new credit facilities, we
may face challenges in rebuilding those competencies through new
hires.
26
|
|
|
We are vulnerable to changes in the demand for the types of
systems we lease or price reductions in such systems. |
The majority of our leases are currently for authorization
systems for point-of-sale (POS), card-based payments by, for
example, debit, credit and charge cards. We also lease a wide
variety of other equipment including advertising and display
equipment, coffee machines, paging systems, water coolers and
restaurant equipment. Reduced demand for financing of these
types of equipment, in particular POS authorization systems,
could adversely affect our lease volume, which in turn could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Technological advances may
lead to a decrease in the price of these types of systems or
equipment and a consequent decline in the need for financing of
such equipment. In addition, for POS authorization systems,
business and technological changes could change the manner in
which POS authorization is obtained. These changes could reduce
the need for outside financing sources that would reduce our
lease financing opportunities and origination volume in such
products.
In the event that demand for financing POS authorization systems
or other types of equipment that we lease declines, we will need
to expand our efforts to provide lease financing for other
products. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be
able to do so successfully. Because many dealers specialize in
particular products, we may not be able to capitalize on our
current dealer relationships in the event we shift our business
focus to originating leases of other products. Our failure to
successfully enter into new relationships with dealers of other
products or to extend existing relationships with such dealers
in the event of reduced demand for financing of the systems and
equipment we currently lease would have a material adverse
effect on us.
|
|
|
Even if we had adequate financing, our expansion strategy may
be affected by our limited sources for new originations and our
inexperience with lending for new products. |
Our revenue growth since the third quarter of 2002 has been
severely affected by the failure of our former credit facility
to renew and a lack of new financing prior to June 2004. Even
with our new long-term line of credit, our principal growth
strategy of expansion into new products and markets may be
adversely affected by (i) our inability to re-establish old
sources or cultivate new sources of originations and
(ii) our inexperience with products with different
characteristics from those we currently offer, including the
type of obligor and the amount financed.
New Sources. A majority of our leases and contracts are
originated through a network of dealers which deal exclusively
in POS authorization systems. We are currently unable to
capitalize on these relationships in originating leases for
products other than POS authorization systems. In addition, we
have lost contacts with some of our old sources during the time
we had suspended new originations. Some of these dealers have
found other financing sources during that time. We may face
difficulties in re-establishing our relationships with such
sources. Our failure to develop additional relationships with
dealers of products which we lease or may seek to lease would
hinder our growth strategy.
New Products. Our existing portfolio primarily consists
of leases to owner-operated or other small commercial
enterprises with little business history and limited or poor
personal credit history at the owner level. These leases are
characterized by small average monthly payments for equipment
with limited residual value at the end of the lease term. Our
ability to successfully underwrite new products with different
characteristics is highly dependent on our ability (i) to
successfully analyze the credit risk associated with the user of
such new products so as to appropriately apply our risk-adjusted
pricing to such products and (ii) to utilize our
proprietary software to efficiently service and collect on our
portfolio. We can give no assurance that we will be able to
successfully manage these credit risk issues, which could have a
material adverse effect on us.
|
|
|
We experience a significant rate of default under our leases,
and a higher than expected default rate would have an adverse
affect on our cash flow and earnings. |
The credit characteristics of our lessee base correspond to a
high incidence of delinquencies which in turn may lead to
significant levels of defaults. Our receivables which were
contractually past due by 31 days or more at
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 represented
$95.3 million and $33.3 million, respectively,
27
which represented 19.8% and 11.0%, respectively, of the
cumulative amount billed at that date from the date of
origination on all leases, service contracts and loans in our
portfolio. (Receivables which were over 90 days past due
represented 17.9% and 9.8%, respectively, of such cumulative
amounts at that date.) Under our charge-off policy, cumulative
net charge-offs after recoveries from our inception to
December 31, 2004 have totaled 19.88% of total cumulative
receivables plus total billed fees over that period. The credit
profile of our lessees heightens the importance to us of both
pricing our leases, loans and contracts for risk assumed, as
well as maintaining adequate reserves for losses. Significant
defaults by lessees in excess of those we anticipate in setting
our prices and reserve levels may adversely affect our cash flow
and earnings. Reduced cash flow and earnings could limit our
ability to repay debt, obtain financing and effect
securitizations, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to our usual practice of originating leases through
our dealer relationships, from time to time we have purchased
lease portfolios from dealers. While certain of these leases
initially do not meet our underwriting standards, we often will
purchase the leases once the lessee demonstrates a payment
history. We will only acquire these smaller lease portfolios in
situations where the company selling the portfolio will continue
to act as a dealer following the acquisition. We have also
completed the acquisition of six large POS authorization system
lease and rental portfolios: two in 1996, one in 1998, one in
1999, one in 2000 and the acquisition of the rental and lease
portfolio of Resource Leasing in 2001.
|
|
|
We may face adverse consequences of litigation, including
consequences of using litigation as part of our collection
policy. |
Our use of litigation as a means of collection of unpaid
receivables exposes us to counterclaims on our suits for
collection, to class action lawsuits and to negative publicity
surrounding our leasing and collection policies. We have been a
defendant in attempted class action suits as well as
counterclaims filed by individual obligors in attempts to
dispute the enforceability of the lease, contract or loan. Any
of this type of litigation may be time consuming and expensive
to defend, even if not meritorious, may result in the diversion
of management time and attention, and may subject us to
significant liability for damages or result in invalidation of
our proprietary rights. We believe our collection policies and
use of litigation comply fully with all applicable laws. Because
of our persistent enforcement of our leases, contracts and loans
through the use of litigation, we may have created ill will
toward us on the part of certain lessees and other obligors who
were defendants in such lawsuits. Our litigation strategy has
generated adverse local publicity in certain circumstances.
Adverse publicity at a national level could negatively impact
public perception of our business and may materially impact the
price of our common stock. Any of these factors could adversely
affect our business operations and financial results and
condition.
In addition to legal proceedings that may arise out of our
business activities, we may face other litigation. In October
2003, we were served with a purported class action complaint
which was filed in the United States District Court for the
District of Massachusetts alleging violations of federal
securities law. The purported class would consist of all persons
who purchased our securities between February 5, 1999 and
October 30, 2002. The complaint asserts that during this
period we made a series of materially false or misleading
statements about our business, prospects and operations,
including with respect to certain lease provisions, our course
of dealings with our vendor/dealers, and our reserves for credit
losses. In April 2004, an amended class action complaint was
filed which added additional defendants and expanded upon the
prior allegations with respect to us. We filed a motion to
dismiss the amended complaint, which is awaiting decision by the
court. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, we
cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material adverse
effect on us.
|
|
|
Increased interest rates may make our leases, contracts or
loans less profitable. |
Since we generally fund our leases, contracts and loans through
our credit facilities or from working capital, our operating
margins could be adversely affected by an increase in interest
rates. The implicit yield to us on all of our leases, contracts
and loans is fixed due to the leases, contracts and loans having
scheduled payments that are fixed at the time of origination.
When we have in the past originated or acquired leases,
contracts and loans, we based our pricing in part on the
spread we expect to achieve between the implicit
28
yield rate to us on each lease, contract and loan and the
effective interest cost we will pay when we finance such leases,
contracts and loans. Increases in interest rates during the term
of each lease, contract and loan could narrow or eliminate the
spread, or result in a negative spread, to the extent such
lease, contract or loan was financed with floating-rate funding.
We may undertake to hedge against the risk of interest rate
increases, based on the size and interest rate profile of our
portfolio. Such hedging activities, however, would limit our
ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates
with respect to the hedged portfolio. In addition, our hedging
activities may not protect us from interest rate-related risks
in all interest rate environments. Adverse developments
resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
|
|
|
An economic downturn may cause an increase in defaults under
our leases and less demand for the commercial equipment we
lease. |
Further economic downturn could result in a decline in the
demand for some of the types of equipment or services which we
finance, which could lead additional defaults and to a decline
in future originations. An economic downturn may slow the
development and continued operation of small commercial
businesses, which are the primary market for POS authorization
systems and the other commercial equipment leased by us. Such a
downturn could also adversely affect our ability to obtain
capital to fund lease, contract and loan originations or
acquisitions or to complete securitizations. In addition, such a
downturn could result in an increase in delinquencies and
defaults by our lessees and other obligors beyond the levels
forecasted by us, which could have an adverse effect on our cash
flow and earnings, as well as on our ability to securitize
leases. These results could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Additionally, as of both December 31, 2003 and 2004, leases
in California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts and New York
accounted for approximately 40% of our portfolio. Economic
conditions in these states may affect the level of collections
from, as well as delinquencies and defaults by, these obligors.
|
|
|
We may not be able to maintain our NYSE listing. |
In February 2003, we were advised by the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) that we were not in compliance with the NYSEs
continued listing standards. Specifically, we did not have an
average market capitalization of at least $15 million and a
share price of at least $1.00 over a consecutive thirty
(30) day trading period. In accordance with the continued
listing criteria set forth by the NYSE, on April 1, 2003,
we presented a plan which management believed had the potential
to bring us back into compliance with the listing standards
within the required timeframes. We were notified in July 2004
that we had been reinstated by the NYSE as a company in
good standing under the NYSE listing standards then in
effect. In accordance with the NYSEs guidelines, we will
be subject to a twelve-month follow-up period to ensure that we
remain in compliance with the NYSE continued listing standards.
We have been notified of a proposed rule change by the NYSE
which would modify the listing standards in a way that may cause
us once again to fall under the continued listing standards. We
continue to monitor the status of this proposed rule change, and
any effect it might have on our compliance with continued
listing standards going forward. If we are unable to maintain
compliance with the NYSE listing standards, as they exist now or
as they may be changed in the future, we may be required to
transfer our listing to another exchange.
|
|
|
We face intense competition, which could cause us to lower
our lease rates, hurt our origination volume and strategic
position and adversely affect our financial results. |
The microticket leasing and financing industry is highly
competitive. We compete for customers with a number of national,
regional and local banks and finance companies. Our competitors
also include equipment manufacturers that lease or finance the
sale of their own products. While the market for microticket
financing has traditionally been fragmented, we could also be
faced with competition from small- or large-ticket leasing
companies that could use their expertise in those markets to
enter and compete in the microticket financing market. Our
competitors include larger, more established companies, some of
which may possess substantially greater financial, marketing and
operational resources than we, including lower cost of funds and
access to
29
capital markets and to other funding sources which may be
unavailable to us. If a competitor were to lower lease rates, we
could be forced to follow suit or be unable to regain
origination volume, either of which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. In addition, competitors may seek to replicate
the automated processes used by us to monitor dealer
performance, evaluate lessee credit information, appropriately
apply risk-adjusted pricing, and efficiently service a
nationwide portfolio. The development of computer software
similar to that developed by us by or for our competitors may
jeopardize our strategic position and allow such companies to
operate more efficiently than we do.
|
|
|
Government regulation could restrict our business. |
Our leasing business is not currently subject to extensive
federal or state regulation. While we are not aware of any
proposed legislation, the enactment of, or a change in the
interpretation of, certain federal or state laws affecting our
ability to price, originate or collect on receivables (such as
the application of usury laws to our leases and contracts) could
negatively affect the collection of income on our leases,
contracts and loans, as well as the collection of fee income.
Any such legislation or change in interpretation, particularly
in Massachusetts, whose law governs the majority of our leases,
contracts and loans, could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to originate leases, contracts and loans at current
levels of profitability, which in turn could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results
of operations.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires companies such as us
that are not expedited filers to comply with more stringent
internal control system and monitoring requirements beginning in
2006. Compliance with this new requirement may place an
expensive burden and significant time constraint on these
companies with limited resources.
|
|
|
We may face risks in acquiring other portfolios and
companies, including risks relating to how we finance any such
acquisition or how we are able to assimilate any portfolios or
operations we acquire. |
A portion of our growth strategy depends on the consummation of
acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios. Our inability
to identify suitable acquisition candidates or portfolios, or to
complete acquisitions on favorable terms, could limit our
ability to grow our business. Any major acquisition would
require a significant portion of our resources. The timing, size
and success, if at all, of our acquisition efforts and any
associated capital commitments cannot be readily predicted. We
may finance future acquisitions by using shares of our common
stock, cash or a combination of the two. Any acquisition we make
using common stock would result in dilution to existing
stockholders. If the common stock does not maintain a sufficient
market value, or if potential acquisition candidates are
otherwise unwilling to accept common stock as part or all of the
consideration for the sale of their businesses, we may be
required to utilize more of our cash resources, if available, or
to incur additional indebtedness in order to initiate and
complete acquisitions. Additional debt, as well as the potential
amortization expense related to goodwill and other intangible
assets incurred as a result of any such acquisition, could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
or results of operations. In addition, certain of our credit
facilities and subordinated debt agreements contain covenants
that do not permit us to merge or consolidate into or with any
other person or entity, issue any shares of our capital stock
if, after giving effect to such issuance, certain shareholders
cease to own or control specified percentages of our voting
capital stock, create or acquire any subsidiaries other than
certain permitted special purpose subsidiaries, or implement
certain changes to our board of directors. These provisions
could prevent us from making an acquisition using shares of our
common stock as consideration.
We also may experience difficulties in the assimilation of the
operations, services, products and personnel of acquired
companies, an inability to sustain or improve the historical
revenue levels of acquired companies, the diversion of
managements attention from ongoing business operations,
and the potential loss of key employees of such acquired
companies. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or results of
operations.
30
|
|
|
If we were to lose key personnel, our operating results may
suffer or it may cause a default under our debt facilities. |
Our success depends to a large extent upon the abilities and
continued efforts of Richard Latour, President and Chief
Executive Officer and James R. Jackson, Jr., Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, and our other senior management. We
have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Latour and
Mr. Jackson. The loss of the services of one or more of the
key members of our senior management before we are able to
attract and retain qualified replacement personnel could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations. In addition, under our credit facilities, an
event of default would arise if Mr. Latour or
Mr. Jackson were to leave their positions as our Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively,
unless a suitable replacement were appointed within
60 days. Our failure to comply with these provisions could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition or results of operations.
|
|
|
Certain provisions of our articles and bylaws may have the
effect of discouraging a change in control or acquisition of the
company. |
Our restated articles of organization and restated bylaws
contain certain provisions that may have the effect of
discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or
unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder might
consider favorable, including (i) provisions authorizing
the issuance of blank check preferred stock,
(ii) providing for a Board of Directors with staggered
terms, (iii) requiring super-majority or class voting to
effect certain amendments to the articles and bylaws and to
approve certain business combinations, (iv) limiting the
persons who may call special stockholders meetings and
(v) establishing advance notice requirements for
nominations for election to the Board of Directors or for
proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholders
meetings. In addition, certain provisions of Massachusetts law
to which we are subject may have the effect of discouraging,
delaying or preventing a change in control or an unsolicited
acquisition proposals.
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|
Our stock price may be volatile, which could limit our access
to the equity markets and could cause you to incur losses on
your investment. |
Since 1999, our common stock has been publicly traded. Our stock
has closed at prices ranging from a high of $16.90 in June 2001
to a low of $0.37 in April 2003. If our revenues do not grow or
grow more slowly than we anticipate, or if operating
expenditures exceed our expectations or cannot be adjusted
accordingly, the market price of our common stock could be
materially and adversely affected. In addition, the market price
of our common stock has been in the past and could in the future
be materially and adversely affected for reasons unrelated to
our specific business or results of operations. General market
price declines or volatility in the future could adversely
affect the price of our common stock. In addition, short-term
trading strategies of certain investors can also have a
significant effect on the price of specific securities. In
addition, the trading price of the common stock may be
influenced by a number of factors, including the liquidity of
the market for the common stock, investor perceptions of us and
the equipment financing industry in general, variations in our
quarterly operating results, interest rate fluctuations and
general economic and other conditions. Moreover, the stock
market recently has experienced significant price and value
fluctuations, which have not necessarily been related to
corporate operating performance. The volatility of the stock
market could adversely affect the market price of the common
stock and our ability to raise funds in the public markets.
|
|
|
There is no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends
on our common stock in the future. |
During the fourth quarter of 2002, our Board of Directors
suspended the future payment of dividends on our common stock to
comply with our banking agreements at the time. We paid no
dividends in the years ended December 31, 2003 and
December 31, 2004, respectively. Subsequent to the end of
fiscal year 2004, our Board of Directors announced a resumption
of dividend payments with a cash dividend of $0.05 per
share payable to shareholders of record on February 9,
2005. Additionally, the Companys Board of Directors
announced a second dividend of $0.05 per share payable on
May 13, 2005 to holders of record of MicroFinancial common
stock at the close of business on April 29, 2005. Future
dividend payments are
31
subject to ongoing quarterly review and evaluation by our Board
of Directors, however. The decision as to the amount and timing
of future dividends we may pay, if any, will be made at the
discretion of our Board of Directors in light of our financial
condition, capital requirements, earnings and prospects and any
restrictions under our credit facilities or subordinated debt
agreements, as well as other factors the Board of Directors may
deem relevant. We can give you no assurance as to the amount and
timing of payment of future dividends.
|
|
Item 7A. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
See Item 7, Market Risk and Financial Instruments.
|
|
Item 8. |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Including
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) |
MicroFinancial Incorporateds Financial Statements,
together with the related Independent Auditors Report,
appear at pages F-1 through F-27 of this Form 10-K.
|
|
Item 9. |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
Not applicable.
|
|
Item 9A. |
Controls and Procedures |
|
|
|
Disclosure controls and procedures |
We evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of
our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31,
2004. Our disclosure controls and procedures are the controls
and other procedures that we designed to ensure that we record,
process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information
we must disclose in reports that we file with or submit to the
SEC. Richard F. Latour, our President and Chief Executive
Officer, and James R. Jackson, our Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, reviewed and are responsible for conducting
this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, Messrs. Richard
F. Latour and James R. Jackson concluded that, as of the date of
their evaluation, our disclosure controls were effective.
During the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended
December 31, 2004, no changes were made in the
Companys internal control over financial reporting that
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, the Companys internal control over financial
reporting.
|
|
Item 9B. |
Other Information |
Not applicable.
PART III
|
|
Item 10. |
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
The sections, Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance, Governance of the
Corporation and Proposal 1 Election
of Directors, included in the Companys proxy
statement for its 2005 Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or before April 30, 2005, are hereby
incorporated by reference.
|
|
Item 11. |
Executive Compensation |
The sections, Compensation of Executive Officers and
Governance of the Corporation included in the
Companys proxy statement for its 2005 Special Meeting in
Lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30,
2005, are hereby incorporated by reference.
32
|
|
Item 12. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
The section Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management, included in the Companys
proxy statement for its 2005 Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2005, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
|
|
Item 13. |
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
The section Governance of the Corporation, included
in the Companys proxy statement for its 2005 Special
Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before
April 30, 2005, is hereby incorporated by reference.
|
|
Item 14. |
Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The section Proposal 2 Ratification of
the Selection of MicroFinancials Independent
Auditors, included in the Companys proxy statement
for its 2005 Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on or before April 30, 2005, is hereby
incorporated by reference.
PART IV
|
|
Item 15. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on
Form 8-K |
|
|
(a) (1) |
Financial Statements MicroFinancial Incorporateds
Financial Statements, together with the related Independent
Auditors Report, appear at pages F-1 through F-27 of this
Form 10-K |
(2) None
(3) Exhibits Index
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|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
3 |
.1 |
|
Restated Articles of Organization, as amended. Incorporated by
reference to the Exhibit with the same exhibit number in the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 1998. |
|
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Bylaws. Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit with the same
exhibit number in the Registrants Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 9, 1998. |
|
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated
August 22, 2000, among Leasecomm Corporation, the lenders
parties thereto, and Fleet National Bank as agent. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 in the Registrants
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 14, 2000. |
|
|
10 |
.2 |
|
Forbearance Agreement dated January 3, 2003 among Leasecomm
Corporation, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other
Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.3 |
|
Forbearance Agreement dated January 24, 2003 among
Leasecomm Corporation, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the
other Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.12 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.4 |
|
First Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement dated September 21, 2001 among Leasecomm
Corporation, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other
Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
33
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit | |
|
|
Number | |
|
Description |
| |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.5 |
|
Second Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among Leasecomm Corporation,
Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other Lenders named
therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.6 |
|
Third Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement dated June 30, 2003 among Leasecomm Corporation,
Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other Lenders named
therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.7 |
|
Fourth Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement dated November 7, 2003 among Leasecomm
Corporation, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other
Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 in the Registrants Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 30, 2004. |
|
|
10 |
.8 |
|
Warrant Purchase Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among the
Company, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other Lenders
named therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in
the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.9 |
|
Form of Warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company issued
April 14, 2003, together with schedule of warrant holders.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.10 |
|
Co-Sale Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among the Company,
Peter R. Bleyleben, Torrence C. Harder, Brian E. Boyle, Richard
F. Latour, Alan J. Zakon, and James R. Jackson, Jr., and
the Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.11 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among
the Company and the Lenders named therein. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Registrants
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.12 |
|
Letter Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among Fleet National
Bank, as Agent, the Company, and the holders of the
Companys 7.5% Term Notes. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.13 |
|
Letter Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among Fleet National
Bank, as Agent, the Company, and the holders of the
Companys Subordinated Capital Notes. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.15 in the Registrants
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.14 |
|
Commercial Lease, dated November 3, 1998, between Cummings
Properties Management, Inc. and MicroFinancial Incorporated.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 in the
Registrants Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
January 11, 1999. |
|
|
10 |
.15 |
|
Amendment to Lease #1, dated November 3, 1998, between
Cummings Properties Management, Inc. and MicroFinancial
Incorporated. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 in
the Registrants Amendment No. 2 to Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement
No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 11, 1999. |
|
|
10 |
.16 |
|
Lease Extension for the facility at 10-M Commerce Way, Woburn,
MA dated September 16, 2003 among MicroFinancial
Incorporated and Cummings Properties, LLC. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrants
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.17* |
|
1987 Stock Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit
with the same exhibit number in the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement
No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 9, 1998. |
|
|
10 |
.18* |
|
Forms of Grant under 1987 Stock Option Plan Incorporated by
reference to the Exhibit with the same exhibit number in the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 1998. |
34
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit | |
|
|
Number | |
|
Description |
| |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.19* |
|
1998 Equity Incentive Plan Incorporated by reference to the
Exhibit with the same exhibit number in the Registrants
Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 1999. |
|
|
10 |
.20* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Peter R. Bleyleben.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 in the
Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.21* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard F. Latour.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the
Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.23* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Carol Salvo.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 in the
Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.24* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and James R.
Jackson, Jr.. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.42 in the Registrants Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.25* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Stephen
Constantino. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 in
the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.26* |
|
Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven LaCreta.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 in the
Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.27* |
|
Forms of Restricted Stock Agreement grant under 1998 Stock
Option Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 in
the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004. |
|
|
10 |
.28 |
|
Amended and Restated Standard Terms and Condition of Indenture
dated as of September 2001 governing the MFI Finance
Corp. I, 5.5800% Lease-Backed Notes, Series 2000-3 (the
2001-3 Notes). Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 14, 2001. |
|
|
10 |
.29 |
|
Supplement to Indenture dated September 2001 governing the
2001-3 Notes. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 in
the Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2001. |
|
|
10 |
.30 |
|
Specimen 2001-3 Note. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.17 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 14, 2001. |
|
|
10 |
.31 |
|
Standard Terms and Conditions of Servicing governing the 2001-3
Notes. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2001 |
|
|
10 |
.32 |
|
Direction and Permanent Waiver of Trigger Events and Servicer
Events of Default dated April 15, 2003 among Ambac
Assurance Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National
Association (Wells Fargo), as indenture trustee, MFI
Finance Corp. I and Leasecomm Corporation waiving certain
covenants under the Amended and Restated Indenture dated as of
September 1, 2001 and related documents thereto, all with
respect to MFI Finance Corp. I. Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 in the Registrants Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.33 |
|
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Indenture dated
April 15, 2003 among the Company, MFI Finance Corp I,
Wells Fargo, as back-up servicer and Wells Fargo, as indenture
trustee. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.34 |
|
Second Amendment to Servicing Agreement dated October 14,
2002 among the Company, MFI Finance Corp I, Wells Fargo, as
back-up servicer and Wells Fargo, as indenture trustee.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
35
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit | |
|
|
Number | |
|
Description |
| |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.35 |
|
Third Amendment to Servicing Agreement dated April 15, 2003
among the Company, MFI Finance Corp I, Wells Fargo, as
back-up servicer and Wells Fargo, as indenture trustee.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 in the
Registrants Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003. |
|
|
10 |
.36 |
|
Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 10, 2004, by and
between TimePayment Corp. LLC and Ampac Capital Solutions, LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the
Registrants Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.37 |
|
Subordinated Promissory Note dated June 10, 2004, to Ampac
Capital Solutions, LLC by TimePayment Corp. LLC (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrants Form 8-K
filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.38 |
|
Subordinated Conditional Guaranty dated June 10, 2004, by
MicroFinancial Incorporated in favor of Ampac Capital Solutions,
LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the
Registrants Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.39 |
|
Warrant Certificate to purchase 100,000 shares of
Common Stock, dated June 10, 2004 issued to Acorn Capital
Group, LLC by MicroFinancial Incorporated (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrants Form 8-K
filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.40 |
|
Warrant Certificate to purchase up to 191,685 shares of
Common Stock, dated June 10, 2004 issued to Ampac Capital
Solutions, LLC by MicroFinancial Incorporated (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrants Form
8-K filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.41 |
|
Warrant Certificate to purchase up to 110,657 shares of
Common Stock, dated June 10, 2004 issued to Ampac Capital
Solutions, LLC by MicroFinancial Incorporated (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrants Form
8-K filed on June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.42 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated June 10, 2004 by and
among MicroFinancial Incorporated, Acorn Capital Group, LLC and
Ampac Capital Solutions, LLC (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on
June 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.43 |
|
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2004,
by and among Leasecomm Corporation and TimePayment Corp. LLC, as
Borrowers, MicroFinancial Incorporated, The CIT Group/Commercial
Services, Inc., as Agent, and the other financial institutions
from time to time party thereto, as Lenders. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants Form 8-K
filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.44 |
|
$30,000,000 Revolving Credit Note, dated as of
September 29, 2004, issued by Leasecomm Corporation and
TimePayment Corp. LLC and payable to the order of The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on
October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.45 |
|
Guaranty, dated as of September 29, 2004, by MicroFinancial
Incorporated in favor of The CIT Group/Commercial Services,
Inc., as Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.46 |
|
Pledge Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2004, by and
between MicroFinancial Incorporated and The CIT Group/Commercial
Services, Inc., as Secured Party, on behalf of the Lenders.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
Registrants Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.47 |
|
Security Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2004, by and
among Leasecomm Corporation, TimePayment Corp. LLC and The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc., as Agent. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrants Form 8-K
filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.48 |
|
Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of
September 29, 2004, by and among Leasecomm Corporation,
TimePayment Corp. LLC and The CIT Group/Commercial Services,
Inc., as Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.49 |
|
Revolving Credit Assignment of Leases, dated as of
September 29, 2004, by and among Leasecomm Corporation,
TimePayment Corp. LLC and The CIT Group/Commercial Services,
Inc., as Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7
of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
36
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit | |
|
|
Number | |
|
Description |
| |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.50 |
|
Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2004,
by and between MicroFinancial Incorporated and The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc., as Investor. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrants Form 8-K
filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.51 |
|
Warrant Certificate, dated as of September 29, 2004, for
the purchase of 50,000 shares of common stock, issued by
MicroFinancial Incorporated in favor of The CIT Group/Commercial
Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9
of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.52 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 29,
2004, by and between MicroFinancial Incorporated and The CIT
Group/Commercial Services, Inc., as Holder. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrants Form
8-K filed on October 4, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.53 |
|
Warrant Certificate, dated as of September 29, 2004 for the
purchase of 75,000 shares of common stock, issued by
MicroFinancial Incorporated in favor of Stonebridge Associates,
LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the
Registrants Form 10-Q filed on November 15, 2004) |
|
|
10 |
.54 |
|
Amendment to Warrant Certificate, dated as of September 29,
2004 for the purchase of 75,000 shares of common stock,
issued by MicroFinancial Incorporated in favor of Stonebridge
Associates, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
of the Registrants Form 8-K filed on December 2, 2004) |
|
|
21 |
.1 |
|
Subsidiaries of Registrant |
|
|
23 |
.1 |
|
Consent of Vitale Caturano & Company Ltd. |
|
|
23 |
.2 |
|
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP |
|
|
31 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
31 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
32 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
* |
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required
to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14(c) of this
Report. |
(b) See (a)(3) above.
(c) None.
37
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
MicroFinancial Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Richard F. Latour
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard F. Latour |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ James R. Jackson Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
|
James R. Jackson Jr. |
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Date: March 30, 2005
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons
on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Peter R. Bleyleben
Peter
R. Bleyleben |
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Richard F. Latour
Richard
F. Latour |
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Clerk,
Secretary
and Director |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ James R. Jackson
Jr.
James
R. Jackson Jr. |
|
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Brian E. Boyle
Brian
E. Boyle |
|
Director |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Torrence C. Harder
Torrence
C. Harder |
|
Director |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Fritz Von Mering
Fritz
Von Mering |
|
Director |
|
March 30, 2005 |
|
/s/ Alan J. Zakon
Alan
J. Zakon |
|
Director |
|
March 30, 2005 |
38
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
Financial Statements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
|
|
|
F-8 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of MicroFinancial,
Incorporated Woburn, MA
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
MicroFinancial Incorporated and subsidiaries (the
Company) as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and
the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders equity, and cash flows for the years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal
control over financial reporting. Our audit included
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
/s/ Deloitte &
Touche LLP
Boston, MA
March 30, 2004
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of MicroFinancial
Incorporated:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
MicroFinancial Incorporated (the Company) as of
December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the
year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration
of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company as of December 31, 2004, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
Vitale,
Caturano & Company, Ltd.
Boston, MA
February 7, 2005
F-3
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except | |
|
|
share data) | |
ASSETS |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
6,533 |
|
|
$ |
9,709 |
|
Net investment in leases and loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables due in installments
|
|
|
175,788 |
|
|
|
59,679 |
|
|
Estimated residual value
|
|
|
19,110 |
|
|
|
9,502 |
|
|
Initial direct costs
|
|
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
453 |
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advance lease payments and deposits
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
Unearned income
|
|
|
(23,729 |
) |
|
|
(6,313 |
) |
|
|
Allowance for credit losses
|
|
|
(43,011 |
) |
|
|
(14,963 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment in leases and loans
|
|
$ |
129,925 |
|
|
$ |
48,333 |
|
Investment in service contracts, net
|
|
|
8,844 |
|
|
|
4,777 |
|
Investment in rental contracts, net
|
|
|
3,758 |
|
|
|
1,785 |
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
2,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
2,086 |
|
|
|
754 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
2,892 |
|
|
|
2,412 |
|
Deferred income taxes, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
156,414 |
|
|
$ |
71,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Notes payable
|
|
$ |
58,843 |
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
Subordinated notes payable
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
4,589 |
|
Capitalized lease obligations
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
3,186 |
|
|
|
2,474 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
4,104 |
|
|
|
2,039 |
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
7,789 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
7,755 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
85,148 |
|
|
|
9,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares
authorized; no shares issued at December 31, 2003 and 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares
authorized; 13,410,646 shares issued at December 31,
2003 and 2004
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
44,245 |
|
|
|
45,244 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
29,402 |
|
|
|
19,186 |
|
|
Treasury stock, at cost (234,230 and 225,480 shares at
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004, respectively)
|
|
|
(2,515 |
) |
|
|
(2,420 |
) |
|
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
71,266 |
|
|
|
62,093 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
156,414 |
|
|
$ |
71,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-4
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per-share data) | |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income on financing leases and loans
|
|
$ |
53,012 |
|
|
$ |
30,904 |
|
|
$ |
11,970 |
|
|
Rental income
|
|
|
37,154 |
|
|
|
34,302 |
|
|
|
31,009 |
|
|
Income on service contracts
|
|
|
9,734 |
|
|
|
8,593 |
|
|
|
5,897 |
|
|
Loss and damage waiver fees
|
|
|
6,257 |
|
|
|
5,525 |
|
|
|
4,016 |
|
|
Service fees and other
|
|
|
20,665 |
|
|
|
12,250 |
|
|
|
7,475 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
126,822 |
|
|
|
91,574 |
|
|
|
60,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
45,535 |
|
|
|
33,856 |
|
|
|
26,821 |
|
|
Provision for credit losses
|
|
|
88,948 |
|
|
|
59,758 |
|
|
|
47,918 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
18,385 |
|
|
|
16,592 |
|
|
|
14,010 |
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
10,787 |
|
|
|
7,515 |
|
|
|
2,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
163,655 |
|
|
|
117,721 |
|
|
|
91,032 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before benefit for income taxes
|
|
|
(36,833 |
) |
|
|
(26,147 |
) |
|
|
(30,665 |
) |
Benefit for income taxes
|
|
|
(14,735 |
) |
|
|
(10,460 |
) |
|
|
(20,449 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(22,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,687 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,216 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(1.72 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends per common share
|
|
$ |
0.150 |
|
|
$ |
0.000 |
|
|
$ |
0.000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-5
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
For the Years Ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
Treasury Stock | |
|
Receivable | |
|
|
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
Paid-in | |
|
Retained | |
|
| |
|
From | |
|
Unearned | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
Capital | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
Officers | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except share data) | |
Balance at December 31, 2001
|
|
|
13,410,646 |
|
|
$ |
134 |
|
|
$ |
47,723 |
|
|
$ |
69,110 |
|
|
|
588,700 |
|
|
$ |
(6,343 |
) |
|
$ |
(68 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
110,556 |
|
Common stock dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,923 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,923 |
) |
Notes receivable from officers and employees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,098 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,098 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
13,410,646 |
|
|
$ |
134 |
|
|
$ |
47,723 |
|
|
$ |
45,089 |
|
|
|
588,700 |
|
|
$ |
(6,343 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
86,603 |
|
Restricted stock granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(284 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Restricted stock forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unearned compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
Treasury stock issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,828 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(354,470 |
) |
|
|
3,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,687 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,687 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
13,410,646 |
|
|
$ |
134 |
|
|
$ |
44,245 |
|
|
$ |
29,402 |
|
|
|
234,230 |
|
|
$ |
(2,515 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
71,266 |
|
Restricted stock granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unearned compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Treasury stock issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(95 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,750 |
) |
|
|
95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,015 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,216 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,216 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
13,410,646 |
|
|
$ |
134 |
|
|
$ |
45,244 |
|
|
$ |
19,186 |
|
|
|
225,480 |
|
|
$ |
(2,420 |
) |
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
(51 |
) |
|
$ |
62,093 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-6
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash received from customers
|
|
$ |
175,859 |
|
|
$ |
136,834 |
|
|
$ |
85,000 |
|
|
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
|
|
|
(41,573 |
) |
|
|
(39,359 |
) |
|
|
(26,274 |
) |
|
Cash (paid) received for income taxes
|
|
|
(3,829 |
) |
|
|
9,451 |
|
|
|
2,404 |
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
(10,222 |
) |
|
|
(8,987 |
) |
|
|
(2,364 |
) |
|
Interest received
|
|
|
393 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
120,628 |
|
|
|
98,052 |
|
|
|
58,793 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in lease contracts
|
|
|
(66,042 |
) |
|
|
(2,260 |
) |
|
|
(714 |
) |
|
Investment in inventory
|
|
|
(2,989 |
) |
|
|
(225 |
) |
|
|
(99 |
) |
|
Investment in direct costs
|
|
|
(4,150 |
) |
|
|
(137 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in service contracts
|
|
|
(6,773 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in fixed assets
|
|
|
(255 |
) |
|
|
(221 |
) |
|
|
(99 |
) |
|
Repayment of notes from officers
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of notes receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(80,141 |
) |
|
|
(2,839 |
) |
|
|
(912 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from secured debt
|
|
|
33,521 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,419 |
|
|
Repayment of secured debt
|
|
|
(66,672 |
) |
|
|
(110,054 |
) |
|
|
(69,978 |
) |
|
Proceeds from refinancing of secured debt
|
|
|
490,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepayment of secured debt
|
|
|
(490,100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from short-term demand notes payable
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of short-term demand notes payable
|
|
|
(1,181 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
) |
|
|
(250 |
) |
|
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
Repayment of subordinated debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(110 |
) |
|
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
|
|
|
1,983 |
|
|
|
16,140 |
|
|
|
2,376 |
|
|
Repayment of capital leases
|
|
|
(430 |
) |
|
|
(230 |
) |
|
|
(162 |
) |
|
Payment of dividends
|
|
|
(2,565 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
(35,139 |
) |
|
|
(94,174 |
) |
|
|
(54,705 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
5,348 |
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
3,176 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
5,494 |
|
|
|
6,533 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$ |
5,494 |
|
|
$ |
6,533 |
|
|
$ |
9,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating
activitities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(22,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,687 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,216 |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unearned income, net of initial direct costs
|
|
|
(53,012 |
) |
|
|
(30,904 |
) |
|
|
(11,970 |
) |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
18,385 |
|
|
|
16,592 |
|
|
|
14,010 |
|
|
|
Provision for credit losses
|
|
|
88,948 |
|
|
|
59,758 |
|
|
|
47,918 |
|
|
|
Recovery of equipment cost and residual value
|
|
|
102,058 |
|
|
|
72,202 |
|
|
|
39,621 |
|
|
|
Amortization of unearned compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
Non-cash interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable
|
|
|
(2,811 |
) |
|
|
6,389 |
|
|
|
(7,789 |
) |
|
|
|
Increase in income taxes receivable
|
|
|
(8,652 |
) |
|
|
8,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes
|
|
|
(6,666 |
) |
|
|
(16,050 |
) |
|
|
(11,255 |
) |
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in other assets
|
|
|
3,124 |
|
|
|
(1,207 |
) |
|
|
736 |
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
|
|
|
1,323 |
|
|
|
(653 |
) |
|
|
(712 |
) |
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
(1,313 |
) |
|
|
(1,772 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
120,628 |
|
|
$ |
98,052 |
|
|
$ |
58,793 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property acquired under capital leases
|
|
$ |
68 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
Fair market value of restricted stock issued
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
273 |
|
|
$ |
79 |
|
|
Fair market value of warrants issued
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
77 |
|
|
$ |
1,015 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated
financial statements.
F-7
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per-share data)
MicroFinancial Incorporated (the Company) which
operates primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries,
Leasecomm Corporation and TimePayment Corp, LLC, is a
specialized commercial finance company that primarily leases and
rents microticket equipment and provides other
financing services in amounts generally ranging from $400 to
$15,000 with an average amount financed of approximately $1,900
and an average lease term of 44 months. The Company does
not market its services directly to lessees but sources leasing
transactions through a network of independent sales
organizations and other dealer-based origination networks
nationwide. The Company has funded its operations primarily
through borrowings under its credit facilities, the issuance of
subordinated debt and on balance sheet securitizations. The
Company operates as a single business segment.
MicroFinancial incurred net losses of $22.1 million,
$15.7 million, and $10.2 million for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The net
losses incurred by the Company during the third and fourth
quarters of 2002 caused the Company to be in default of certain
debt covenants in its credit facility and securitization
agreements. In addition, as of September 30, 2002, the
Companys credit facility failed to renew and consequently,
the Company was forced to suspend substantially all new
origination activity as of October 11, 2002. MicroFinancial
has taken certain steps in an effort to improve its financial
position. In June 2004, MicroFinancial secured a
$10.0 million credit facility, comprised of a one-year
$8.0 million line of credit and a $2.0 million
three-year subordinated note, that enabled the Company to resume
microticket contract originations. In conjunction with raising
new capital, the Company also inaugurated a new wholly owned
operating subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. LLC. On
September 29, 2004, MicroFinancial secured a three-year,
$30.0 million, senior secured revolving line of credit from
CIT Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group. This line of
credit replaced the previous one year, $8 million line of
credit obtained in June 2004 under more favorable terms and
conditions including, but not limited to, pricing at prime plus
1.5% or LIBOR plus 4%. In addition, it retired the existing
outstanding debt with the former bank group.
Management has also continued to take steps to reduce overhead,
including a reduction in headcount from 203 at December 31,
2002 to 136 at December 31, 2003. During the twelve months
ended December 31, 2004, the employee headcount was further
reduced to 103 in a continued effort to maintain an
infrastructure that is aligned with current business conditions.
MicroFinancial, through its wholly owned subsidiaries,
periodically finances its lease and service contracts, together
with unguaranteed residuals, through securitizations using
special purpose entities. MFI Finance Corporation I (or
MFI I) and MFI Finance Corporation II, LLC (or
MFI II) are special purpose entities. The
assets of such special purpose entities and cash collateral or
other accounts created in connection with the financings in
which they participate are not available to pay creditors of
Leasecomm Corporation, TimePayment Corp. LLC, MicroFinancial
Incorporated, or other affiliates. While Leasecomm Corporation
generally does not sell its interests in leases, service
contracts or loans to third parties after origination, the
Company does, from time to time, contribute certain leases,
service contracts, or loans to special-purpose entities for
purposes of obtaining financing in connection with the related
receivables. The contribution of such assets under the terms of
such financings are intended to constitute true
sales of such assets for bankruptcy purposes (meaning that
such assets are legally isolated). However, the special purpose
entities to which such assets are contributed are required under
generally accepted accounting principles to be consolidated in
the financial statements of the Company. As a result, such
assets and the related liability remain on the balance sheet and
do not receive gain on sale treatment.
F-8
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
B. |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reported period. Significant areas
requiring the use of management estimates are the allowance for
credit losses, and income taxes. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased
with remaining maturities of less than three months to be cash
equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of overnight
investments, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and US
Government and Government-sponsored Securities.
As part of its servicing obligation under the securitization
agreements, the Company collects cash receipts for financing
contracts that have been pledged to special purpose entities.
These collections are segregated into separate accounts for the
benefit of the entities to which the related contracts were
pledged or sold and are remitted to such entities on a weekly
basis. These restrictions expired in 2004 shortly after the MFI
Finance Corporation I notes were repaid.
|
|
|
Leases and Revenue Recognition |
The Companys lease contracts are accounted for as
financing leases. At origination, the Company records the gross
lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased
equipment, initial direct costs incurred, and the unearned lease
income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross
lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the
cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct
costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using
the effective interest method, which results in a level rate of
return on the net investment in leases. Unamortized unearned
lease income and initial direct costs are written off if, in the
opinion of management, the lease agreement is determined to be
impaired.
In conjunction with the origination of leases, the Company may
retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon
termination of the lease. The value of such interest is
estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically
for impairment. An impairment is recognized when expected cash
flows to be realized subsequent to the end of the lease are
expected to be less than the residual value recorded. Other
revenues, such as loss and damage waiver and service fees
relating to the leases, contracts, and loans and rental revenues
are recognized as they are earned.
|
|
|
Allowance for Credit Losses |
The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its
investment in leases, service contracts and loans at an amount
that it believes is sufficient to provide adequate protection
against losses in its portfolio. The allowance is determined
principally on the basis of the historical loss experience of
the Company and the
F-9
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
level of recourse provided by such lease, service contract or
loan, if any, and reflects managements judgment of
additional loss potential considering current economic
conditions and the nature and characteristics of the underlying
lease portfolio. The Company determines the necessary periodic
provision for credit losses, taking into account actual and
expected losses in the portfolio, as a whole, and the
relationship of the allowance to the net investment in leases,
service contracts and loans.
It is managements opinion, given the nature of its
business and the large number of small balance lease
receivables, that a lease is impaired when one of the following
occurs: (i) the obligor files for bankruptcy; (ii) the
obligor dies, and the equipment is returned; or (iii) an
account has become 360 days past due without contact with
the lessee for 12 months. Management regularly reviews the
collectability of its lease receivables based upon all of its
communications with the individual lessees through its extensive
collection efforts and through further review of the
creditworthiness of the lessee.
|
|
|
Investment in Service Contracts |
The Companys investments in cancelable service contracts
are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the
service period, which is seven years. Income on service
contracts is recognized monthly as the related services are
provided.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, investment in service
contracts consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Gross investment in service contracts
|
|
$ |
14,673 |
|
|
$ |
9,968 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(5,829 |
) |
|
|
(5,191 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in service contracts, net
|
|
$ |
8,844 |
|
|
$ |
4,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company periodically evaluates whether events or
circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful
life or recoverability of the investment in service contracts.
|
|
|
Investment in Rental Contracts |
The Companys investments in rental contracts are either
recorded at estimated residual value for converted leases and
depreciated using the straight-line method over a period of
twelve months or at the acquisition cost and depreciated using
the straight line method over a period of three years.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, investment in rental
contracts consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Gross investment in rental contracts
|
|
$ |
14,578 |
|
|
$ |
11,061 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(10,820 |
) |
|
|
(9,276 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in rental contracts, net
|
|
$ |
3,758 |
|
|
$ |
1,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company periodically evaluates whether events or
circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful
life or recoverability of the investment in rental contracts.
Office furniture, equipment and capital leases are recorded at
cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over a
period of three to five years. Leasehold improvements are
amortized over the shorter of the life
F-10
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
of the lease or the asset. Upon retirement or other disposition,
the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are
removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is
reflected in income.
|
|
|
Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
For financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents,
restricted cash, net investment in leases and loans, accounts
payable, and other liabilities, the Company believes that the
carrying amount approximates fair value.
Debt issuance costs incurred in securing credit facility
financing are capitalized and subsequently amortized over the
term of the credit facility.
Deferred income taxes are determined under the asset/liability
method. Differences between the financial statement and tax
bases of assets and liabilities are measured using the currently
enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when these
differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is the result of
changes in the liability for deferred taxes. The principal
differences between assets and liabilities for financial
statement and tax return purposes are the treatment of leased
assets, accumulated depreciation and provisions for credit
losses. The deferred tax liability is reduced by loss
carry-forwards and alternative minimum tax credits available to
reduce future income taxes. In addition, Management must assess
the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from
future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and
determine the need for a valuation allowance.
|
|
|
New Accounting Pronouncements |
In July 2004, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 04-8
(EITF 04-8) The Effect of Contingently
Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share.
EITF 04-8 includes new guidance for determining when the
dilutive effect of contingently convertible debt investments
(Co-Cos) should be included in diluted earnings per
share. The accounting guidance provided in EITF 04-8 is
effective for reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2004. The Company has determined that the
adoption of this Statement will not have a material impact on
its results of operations of consolidated financial position.
In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123
(Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R).
SFAS 123R replaces SFAS No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), and supersedes
APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees. SFAS 123R requires companies to recognize
the compensation cost related to share-based payment
transactions with employees in the financial statements. The
compensation cost is measured based upon the fair value of the
instrument issued. Share-based compensation transactions with
employees covered within SFAS 123R include share options,
restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share
appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.
SFAS 123 included a fair-value-based method of accounting
for share-based payment transactions with employees, but allowed
companies to continue to apply the guidance in APB 25
provided that they disclose in the footnotes to the financial
statements the pro forma net income if the fair-value-based
method been applied. The Company is currently reporting
share-based payment transactions with employees in accordance
with APB 25 and provides the required disclosures.
SFAS 123R will be effective for the Company beginning
July 1, 2005.
F-11
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The Company has elected to apply the modified prospective
application transition method. The modified prospective
application transition method requires the application of this
standard to:
|
|
|
|
|
All new awards issued after the effective date; |
|
|
|
All modifications, repurchased or cancellations of existing
awards after the effective date; and |
|
|
|
Unvested awards at the effective date. |
For unvested awards, the compensation cost related to the
remaining requisite service that has not been
rendered at the effective date will be determined by the
compensation cost calculated currently for either recognition or
pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. The impact of
adoption of Statement 123R cannot be predicted at this time
because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted
in the future. However, had the Company adopted
Statement 123R in prior periods, the impact of that
standard would have approximated the impact of
Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma
net income and earnings per share discussed below in
Stock-based Employee Compensation.
SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs An
amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 (SFAS 151)
was issued in November 2004. SFAS 151 reinforces that
abnormal levels of idle facility expense, freight, handling
costs and spoilage are required to be expensed as incurred and
not included in overhead. The statement also requires fixed
production overheads be allocated to conversion costs based on
the production facilitys normal capacity. The provisions
in Statement 151 are effective prospectively for inventory
costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2005. The Company has determined that the adoption of this
Statement will not have a material impact on its results of
operations of consolidated financial position.
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement
No. 153, Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets An
Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29 (SFAS 153). APB
Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions
(APB 29) required that nonmonetary exchanges be
accounted for at fair value, subject to certain exceptions.
SFAS 153 has removed the exception for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets, and replaced it with an
exception for exchanges that lack commercial substance. The
provisions of SFAS 153 are effective prospectively for all
nonmonetary asset exchanges in fiscal periods beginning after
June 15, 2004. The Company has determined that the adoption
of this Statement will not have a material impact on its results
of operations of consolidated financial position.
|
|
|
Reclassification of Prior Year Balances |
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years
consolidated financial statements to conform to the current
presentation.
|
|
|
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share |
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed based on
the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share gives
effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding
during the period. The computation of diluted net income (loss)
per share does not assume the issuance of common shares that
have an antidilutive effect on net income per common share. All
stock options, common stock warrants, and unvested restricted
stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income
(loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003 and 2004 because their inclusion would have had an
antidilutive effect on net income (loss) per share. Options to
purchase 2,995,000 shares of common stock were not
included in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per
share for the years ended December 31, 2002 because their
effects were antidilutive. At December 31, 2003, 1,675,000
options and 268,199 warrants were excluded from the computation
of diluted net income (loss) per share. At December 31,
2004, 1,675,000 options, 663,035 warrants, and 16,250 unvested
shares of
F-12
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
restricted stock were excluded from the computation of diluted
net income (loss) per share because their effects were
antidilutive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(22,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,687 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,216 |
) |
Shares used in computation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used in computation
of net loss per common share
|
|
|
12,821,946 |
|
|
|
13,043,744 |
|
|
|
13,182,833 |
|
|
Dilutive effect of common stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computation of net loss per common
share assuming dilution
|
|
|
12,821,946 |
|
|
|
13,043,744 |
|
|
|
13,182,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(1.72 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based Employee Compensation |
All stock options issued to directors and employees have an
exercise price not less than the fair market value of the
Companys common stock on the date of grant. In accordance
with accounting for such options utilizing the intrinsic-value
method, there is no related compensation expense recorded in the
Companys financial statements. The Company follows the
disclosure-only requirements of SFAS No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.
SFAS No. 123 requires that compensation under a fair
value method be determined using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model and disclosed in a pro forma effect on
earnings and earnings per share. The Company accounts for
stock-based employee compensation plans under the recognition
and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
Interpretations. The current period amortization of unearned
compensation expense relating to the restricted stock awards is
reflected in net income (loss). No other stock-based employee
compensation cost is reflected in net income (loss), as either
all options granted under those plans had an exercise price
equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the
date of grant or options granted that result in variable
compensation costs had an exercise price greater than the fair
market value of the underlying common stock on December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The following table
illustrates the effect on net income (loss) and earnings per
share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation, to stock-based employee
compensation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net loss, as reported
|
|
$ |
(22,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(15,687 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,216 |
) |
Add: Stock based employee compensation expense Included in
reported net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of
related tax effects
|
|
|
(1,475 |
) |
|
|
(1,065 |
) |
|
|
(877 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(23,573 |
) |
|
$ |
(16,479 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,065 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income (loss) per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported Basic and Diluted
|
|
$ |
(1.72 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.20 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Basic and Diluted
|
|
$ |
(1.84 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.84 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-13
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
There were no options granted during the year ended
December 31, 2004. The fair value of option grants is
estimated on the date of grant utilizing the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
3.63 |
% |
|
|
3.34 |
% |
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
0.80 |
% |
|
|
0.00 |
% |
Expected life
|
|
|
7 years |
|
|
|
7 years |
|
Volatility
|
|
|
68.00 |
% |
|
|
76.00 |
% |
The weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for options
granted during 2002 and 2003 approximated $2.03 and
$0.62 per option, respectively.
|
|
C. |
Net Investment in Leases |
At December 31, 2004, future minimum payments on the
Companys lease receivables are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
54,262 |
|
2006
|
|
|
4,735 |
|
2007
|
|
|
552 |
|
2008
|
|
|
118 |
|
2009
|
|
|
12 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
59,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2004, the weighted-average remaining life
of leases in the Companys lease portfolio is approximately
12 months and the implicit rate of interest is
approximately 30.1%.
The Companys business is characterized by a high incidence
of delinquencies that in turn may lead to significant levels of
defaults. The Company evaluates the collectability of leases
originated and loans based on the level of recourse provided, if
any, delinquency statistics, historical loss experience, current
economic conditions and other relevant factors. The Company
provides an allowance for credit losses for leases which are
considered impaired.
The Company takes charge-offs against its receivables when such
receivables are 360 days past due and no contact has been
made with the lessee for 12 months.
F-14
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table sets forth the Companys allowance for
credit losses as of December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 and
the related provisions, charge-offs and recoveries for the years
ended December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2001
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
45,026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of other asset reserve at December 31, 2001
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for leases and loans credit losses
|
|
|
88,948 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total provisions for credit losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,948 |
|
Charge-offs (including $401 in other asset charge-offs)
|
|
|
76,844 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
11,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,081 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
69,294 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for leases and loans credit losses
|
|
|
59,758 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total provisions for credit losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59,758 |
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
93,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
7,112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,041 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
43,011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for leases and loans credit losses
|
|
|
47,918 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total provisions for credit losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,918 |
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
81,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
5,797 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,966 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In conjunction with the origination of leases, the Company may
retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon
termination of the lease. The value of such interests is
estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically
for impairment. The following table sets forth the
Companys estimated residual value as of December 31,
2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 and changes in the Companys
estimated residual value as a result of new originations, and
lease terminations for the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003, and 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of Estimated Residual Value at December 31, 2001
|
|
$ |
37,114 |
|
New Originations
|
|
|
10,254 |
|
Lease Terminations
|
|
|
(16,614 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance of Estimated Residual Value at December 31, 2002
|
|
$ |
30,754 |
|
New Originations
|
|
|
186 |
|
Lease Terminations
|
|
|
(11,830 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance of Estimated Residual Value at December 31, 2003
|
|
$ |
19,110 |
|
New Originations
|
|
|
92 |
|
Lease Terminations
|
|
|
(9,700 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance of Estimated Residual Value at December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
9,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
New originations represent the residual value added to the
Companys estimated residual value upon origination of new
leases. Lease terminations represent the residual value deducted
from the companys estimated residual value upon the
termination of a lease (i) that is bought out during or at
the end of the lease
F-15
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
term; (ii) upon expiration of the original lease term when
the lease converts to an extended rental contract or
(iii) that has been charged off by the Company.
|
|
D. |
Property and Equipment |
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, property and equipment
consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Inventory
|
|
$ |
904 |
|
|
$ |
261 |
|
Computer Equipment
|
|
|
6,124 |
|
|
|
5,521 |
|
Office Equipment
|
|
|
1,155 |
|
|
|
1,115 |
|
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,295 |
|
|
|
7,009 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
6,209 |
|
|
|
6,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
2,086 |
|
|
$ |
754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense associated with property and equipment
totaled $2,261,000, $1,445,000, and $801,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Total
depreciation and amortization expense was $18,385,000,
$16,592,000, and $14,010,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, computer equipment includes
$1,650,000 and $972,000 under capital leases. Accumulated
amortization related to capital leases amounted to $1,437,000
and $915,000 in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
|
|
E. |
Notes Payable and Subordinated Debt |
The Company had borrowings outstanding under its respective
credit facilities, securitization, and long-term debt agreements
with the following terms:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts Outstanding as of | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Interest Rate | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Credit facility old
|
|
|
prime + 2.0% |
|
|
$ |
55,346 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Credit facility CIT
|
|
|
prime + 1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
MFI I term note securitization
|
|
|
5.58% |
|
|
|
3,247 |
|
|
|
|
|
Term notes
|
|
|
7.50% |
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated notes
|
|
|
7.0%-13.0% |
|
|
|
3,262 |
|
|
|
5,152 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
62,105 |
|
|
$ |
5,186 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into a
three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT
Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group (CIT),
whereby it may borrow a maximum of $30.0 million based upon
qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings with respect
to the revolving line of credit bear interest based at Prime
plus 1.5% for Prime Rate Loans, or the prevailing rate per annum
as offered in the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) plus 4.0% for LIBOR Loans. If the LIBOR Loans are
not renewed upon their maturity they automatically convert into
prime rate loans. The prime rates at
F-16
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2003, and December 31, 2004 were 4.00%
and 5.25% respectively. The 90-day LIBOR rate at
December 31, 2004 was 2.56%.
In connection with the issuance of the above line of credit, the
Company issued warrants to CIT to purchase an aggregate of
50,000 shares of the Companys common stock at an
exercise price of $0.825 per share and expiring on
June 10, 2007. The fair market value of the warrants, as
determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was
accounted for as additional paid in capital and discount on
notes payable. The resulting notes payable discount was
$139,000, which is being amortized to interest expense under the
effective interest method. As of December 31, 2004, $14,000
had been accreted to interest expense.
Also in connection with the issuance of the above line of
credit, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of
75,000 shares of the Companys common stock at an
exercise price of $3.704 per share and expiring on
June 10, 2007. The warrants were issued to the financial
advisor the Company engaged to secure the CIT line of credit.
The fair market value of the warrants, as determined using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was accounted for as
additional paid in capital and debt issue costs. The resulting
debt issue costs was $131,000, which is being amortized over the
life of the commitment. As of December 31, 2004, $10,000
had been amortized to debt issue expense.
Borrowings on the above senior secured revolving line of credit
were used to pay off the Companys existing lending
syndicate in full, and replaced the $8.0 million line of
credit secured in June 2004, both of which are discussed further
below. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible
lease contracts pledged specifically to CIT. In addition, the
Company granted CIT a security interest in all of the assets of
the Company to further collateralize the outstanding borrowings.
Prior to obtaining the $30.0 million secured line of credit
discussed above, the Company had borrowings outstanding under a
$192.0 million senior credit facility with a group of
financial institutions (the lending syndicate), which had failed
to renew as of September 30, 2002. While cash flows from
its portfolio and other fees had been sufficient to repay
amounts borrowed under the senior credit facility,
securitizations and subordinated debt, in October 2002, the
Company was forced to suspend virtually all new contract
originations until a new source of liquidity was obtained or
until such time as the senior credit facility was paid in full.
At December 31, 2002, the Company was in default of certain
of its debt covenants in its senior credit facility. The
covenants that were in default with respect to the senior credit
facility required that the Company maintain a fixed charge ratio
in an amount not less than 130% of consolidated earnings, a
consolidated tangible net worth minimum of $77.5 million
plus 50% of net income quarterly beginning with
September 30, 2000, and compliance with the borrowing base.
On April 14, 2003, the Company entered into a long-term
agreement with its lenders. This long-term agreement waived the
defaults described above, and in consideration for this waiver,
required the outstanding balance of the loan to be repaid over a
term of 22 months beginning in April 2003 at an interest
rate of prime plus 2.0%. As of September 30, 2004, the loan
under the senior credit facility had been fully repaid.
Also, on April 14, 2003, the Company issued warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 268,199 shares of the
Companys common stock at an exercise price of
$.825 per share. The warrants were issued to the nine
lenders in the Companys lending syndicate in connection
with the waiver of defaults and an extension of the
Companys term loan. Due to the anti-dilutive rights
contained in the warrant agreement, on June 10, 2004, an
additional 2,207 warrants were issued to the nine lenders in the
Companys lending syndicate and all of the warrants were
re-priced to $.818 per share. This was a result of the
issuance of warrants in connection with the $10.0 million
credit facility discussed below. The warrants held by the nine
lenders in the Companys lending syndicate became 50%
exercisable as of June 30, 2004. Since all of the
Companys obligations to the lenders were paid in full
prior to September 30, 2004, the remaining 50% of the
warrants were automatically canceled pursuant to the terms of
the agreement. Unless the warrants are exercised, they will
expire on September 30, 2014. The fair market value of the
warrants, as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model, was
F-17
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
accounted for as additional paid in capital. The resulting cost
of the warrants was $77,000, which is being amortized to
interest expense under the interest method. As of
December 31, 2004, because the debt had been repaid in
full, the entire $77,000 had been accreted to interest expense.
The resulting effective interest rate on the senior credit
facility was prime plus 2.09%.
On June 10, 2004, the Company, through its new subsidiary,
TimePayment Corp LLC entered into a one year revolving line of
credit whereby it could borrow a maximum of $8.0 million
based upon qualified lease receivables. According to the
agreement, outstanding borrowings bear interest at 15.6%. Upon
the closing of the $30.0 million senior secured revolving
line of credit with CIT, the $8.0 million line of credit
was terminated by the Company.
In connection with the issuance of the above $8.0 million
line of credit, the Company issued warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Companys common
stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share and expiring
on June 10, 2007. The fair market value of the warrants, as
determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was
accounted for as additional paid in capital and discount on
notes payable. The resulting discount was $117,000, which was
being amortized to interest expense under the interest method.
Since the $8.0 million line of credit was canceled as of
September 29, 2004, as of December 31, 2004, the
entire discount had been accreted to interest expense.
MFI I issued three series of notes, the 2000-1 Notes, the 2000-2
Notes, and the 2001-3 Notes. In March 2000, MFI I issued the
2000-1 Notes in aggregate principal amount of $50,056,686. In
December 2000, MFI I issued the 2000-2 Notes in aggregate
principal amount of $50,561,633. In September 2001, MFI I issued
the 2001-3 Notes in aggregate principal amount of $39,397,354.
As of December 31, 2004, all of the notes issued by MFI I
had been fully repaid.
At December 31, 2003, the Company also had other notes
payable that totaled $250,000. These notes were two-year term
notes bearing interest at a rate of 7.5%. Other notes payable
included $250,000 due to stockholders and directors of the
Company at December 31, 2003. Interest paid to stockholders
under such notes was not material for the years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2003. These notes were fully repaid
as of December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
Subordinated Notes Payable |
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company also had
subordinated debt outstanding amounting to $3,262,000 and
$4,589,000 ($5,152,000 net of a discount of $563,000)
respectively. This debt is subordinated in the rights to the
Companys assets to notes payable to the primary lenders as
described above. Outstanding borrowings bear interest ranging
from 8% to 13.0% for fixed rate financing and prime plus 3% to
4% for variable rate financing. These notes have maturity dates
ranging from February 2005 to November 2007.
In June 2004, TimePayment Corp LLC secured a commitment for a
three year subordinated note for $2.0 million,
simultaneously with the closing of the $8.0 million credit
line discussed above. According to the agreement, outstanding
borrowings bear interest at 13.0%.
In connection with the issuance of the $2.0 million
subordinated note discussed above, the Company issued warrants
to purchase 110,657 shares of the Companys
common stock at an exercise price of $2.00 per share and
191,685 shares of the Companys common stock at an
exercise price of $2.91 per share, both expiring on
June 10, 2007. The fair market value of the warrants, as
determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was
accounted for as additional paid in capital and discount on
subordinated notes payable. The resulting discount was $628,000,
which is being amortized to interest expense under the interest
method. As of December 31, 2004, $65,000 had been accreted
to interest expense and the resulting effective interest rate on
the subordinated note was the base rate plus 12.4%.
F-18
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, subordinated notes payable
included $727,000 and $652,000 respectively due to stockholders,
officers and directors. Interest paid to stockholders, officers
and directors under such notes, at rates ranging between 8% and
12%, amounted to $84,000, $83,000, and $83,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively.
At December 31, 2004, the repayment schedule for
outstanding notes and subordinated notes is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit | |
|
Long-Term | |
|
|
For the Period Ended December 31, |
|
Facility(1) | |
|
Debt | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2005
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
|
$ |
2,052 |
|
|
$ |
2,086 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
5,152 |
|
|
$ |
5,186 |
|
Less Discount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(563 |
) |
|
|
(563 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
34 |
|
|
$ |
4,589 |
|
|
$ |
4,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The Companys obligation to repay the revolving credit
facility in the current year is subject to lease collateral
availability and the borrowing base formula. The credit facility
expires on September 29, 2007. |
It is estimated that the carrying amounts of the Companys
borrowings under its variable rate revolving credit agreements
approximate their fair value. The fair value of the
Companys short-term and long-term fixed rate borrowings is
estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the
Companys current incremental borrowing rates for similar
types of borrowing arrangements. At December 31, 2003 and
2004, the aggregate carrying value of the Companys fixed
rate borrowings was approximately $6,759,000 and $5,152,000
respectively, with an estimated fair value of approximately
$6,553,000 and $5,127,000 respectively.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company had authorized
5,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of
$0.01 of which zero shares were issued and outstanding.
The Company had 25,000,000 authorized shares of common stock
with a par value of $.01 per share of which
13,410,646 shares were issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2003 and 2004.
The Company had 234,230 and 225,480 shares of common stock
in treasury at December 31, 2003 and 2004, which is
recorded at cost.
F-19
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
|
Stock Options and Restricted Stock |
In 1987, the Company adopted its 1987 Stock Option Plan (the
Plan) which provided for the issuance of qualified
or nonqualified options to purchase shares of the Companys
common stock. In 1997, the Companys Board of Directors
approved an amendment to the Plan, as a result of the
June 16, 1997 stock split. Pursuant to this amendment, the
aggregate number of shares issued could not exceed 1,220,000 and
the exercise price of any outstanding options issued pursuant to
the Plan would be reduced by a factor of ten and the number of
outstanding options issued pursuant to the Plan would be
increased by a factor of ten. The Company adopted the 1998
Equity Incentive Plan (the 1998 Plan) on
July 9, 1998. The 1998 Plan permits the Compensation
Committee of the Companys Board of Directors to make
various long-term incentive awards, generally equity-based, to
eligible persons. The Company reserved 4,120,380 shares of
its common stock for issuance pursuant to the 1998 Plan.
Qualified stock options, which are intended to qualify as
incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue
Code, may be issued to employees at an exercise price per share
not less than the fair value of the common stock at the date
granted as determined by the Board of Directors. Nonqualified
stock options may be issued to officers, employees and directors
of the Company as well as consultants and agents of the Company
at an exercise price per share not less than fifty percent of
the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant as
determined by the Board. The vesting periods and expiration
dates of the grants are determined by the Board of Directors.
The option period may not exceed ten years.
On February 7, 2003, the Company offered non-director
employees and executives who had been granted stock options in
the past the opportunity to cancel any of the original option
agreements in exchange for a grant of restricted stock. All
option awards subject to the offer were converted to restricted
stock. In connection with this offer, on February 12, 2003,
1,325,000 options converted to 319,854 shares of restricted
common stock. In addition, on March 17, 2003, one
non-employee director was granted 50,000 shares of
restricted stock. The restricted stock vested 20% upon grant,
and 5% on the first day of each quarter after the grant date,
with accelerated vesting if the price of the Companys
common stock exceeds certain thresholds during the vesting
period. As of December 31, 2003, 15,384 shares had
been canceled, 354,470 shares were fully vested, and
$273,000 had been amortized from unearned compensation to
compensation expense, such that no further compensation expense
will be recorded related to these shares.
On February 4, 2004, one non-employee director was granted
25,000 shares of restricted stock. The restricted stock
vested 20% upon grant, and vests 5% on the first day of each
quarter after the grant date. As vesting occurs, compensation
expense is recognized and unearned compensation on the balance
sheet is reduced. As of December 31, 2004,
8,750 shares were fully vested, and $28,000 had been
amortized from unearned compensation to compensation expense.
There was no stock option activity during the year ended
December 31, 2004. The following summarizes the stock
option activity for the years ended December 31, 2002 and
2003:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Price Per Share | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Outstanding at December 31, 2001
|
|
|
2,036,000 |
|
|
|
$9.48 to $13.544 |
|
|
$ |
11.337 |
|
Canceled
|
|
|
(391,000 |
) |
|
|
$6.70 to $13.544 |
|
|
$ |
11.184 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
|
$1.585 to $6.70 |
|
|
$ |
3.555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
2,995,000 |
|
|
|
$1.585 to $13.544 |
|
|
$ |
7.849 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Converted to Restricted Stock
|
|
|
(1,325,000 |
) |
|
|
$1.585 to $13.10 |
|
|
$ |
7.727 |
|
Canceled
|
|
|
(195,000 |
) |
|
|
$1.585 to $12.313 |
|
|
$ |
7.618 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
$0.86 |
|
|
$ |
0.860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004
|
|
|
1,675,000 |
|
|
|
$0.86 to $13.544 |
|
|
$ |
7.139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-20
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
The options vest over five years and are exercisable only after
they become vested. At December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004,
876,000, 843,000 and 1,178,000 respectively, of the outstanding
options were fully vested.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, 1,675,000 shares of
common stock were reserved for common stock option exercises.
Information relating to stock options at December 31, 2004,
summarized by exercise price, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted- | |
|
Weighted- | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Life | |
|
Average | |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
Shares | |
|
(Years) | |
|
Exercise Price | |
|
Shares | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
$12.3125
|
|
|
359,391 |
|
|
|
4.16 |
|
|
$ |
12.3125 |
|
|
|
359,391 |
|
$13.5440
|
|
|
40,609 |
|
|
|
4.16 |
|
|
$ |
13.5440 |
|
|
|
40,609 |
|
$9.7813
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
|
$ |
9.7813 |
|
|
|
280,000 |
|
$13.1000
|
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
|
6.14 |
|
|
$ |
13.1000 |
|
|
|
54,000 |
|
$6.7000
|
|
|
235,000 |
|
|
|
7.16 |
|
|
$ |
6.7000 |
|
|
|
94,000 |
|
$1.5850
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
7.91 |
|
|
$ |
1.5850 |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
$0.8600
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
8.08 |
|
|
$ |
0.8600 |
|
|
|
110,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$0.86 to $13.544
|
|
|
1,675,000 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
$ |
8.0865 |
|
|
|
1,178,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Current:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$ |
(7,198 |
) |
|
$ |
4,683 |
|
|
$ |
(8,045 |
) |
|
State
|
|
|
(872 |
) |
|
|
907 |
|
|
|
(1,149 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,070 |
) |
|
|
5,590 |
|
|
|
(9,194 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
(4,685 |
) |
|
|
(13,510 |
) |
|
|
(12,098 |
) |
|
State
|
|
|
(1,980 |
) |
|
|
(2,540 |
) |
|
|
843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,665 |
) |
|
|
(16,050 |
) |
|
|
(11,255 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
(14,735 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,460 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,449 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-21
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the components of the net
deferred tax liability and asset were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for credit losses
|
|
$ |
9,367 |
|
|
$ |
5,338 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
10,723 |
|
|
|
3,567 |
|
Alternative minimum tax credit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,384 |
|
Federal NOL Carryforward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,903 |
|
State NOL and other state attributes
|
|
|
1,922 |
|
|
|
2,588 |
|
State Valuation Allowance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,339 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
22,012 |
|
|
$ |
15,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease receivable and unearned income
|
|
$ |
(21,402 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,960 |
) |
Residual value
|
|
|
(7,644 |
) |
|
|
(3,801 |
) |
Initial direct cost
|
|
|
(722 |
) |
|
|
(181 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
|
$ |
(29,768 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,942 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax (liability) asset
|
|
$ |
(7,755 |
) |
|
$ |
3,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2004, the Company has a Federal loss
carry-forward of $14.0 million which may be used to offset
future income. This loss carry-forward is available for use
against future Federal income until expiration in 2024. In
addition, at December 31, 2004, the Company has State net
operating loss carry-forwards of $25.7 million which may be
used to offset future income. Such State NOLs have
restrictions and expire in approximately three to twenty years.
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the State
deferred tax assets as it is unlikely that these deferred tax
assets will be fully realized.
The following is reconciliation between the effective income tax
rate and the applicable statutory federal income tax rate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Federal statutory rate
|
|
|
(35.00 |
)% |
|
|
(35.00 |
)% |
|
|
(35.00 |
)% |
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
|
|
|
(5.38 |
)% |
|
|
(4.91 |
)% |
|
|
(5.60 |
)% |
State valuation allowance
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
7.63 |
% |
Nondeductible expenses and other
|
|
|
0.38 |
% |
|
|
(0.09 |
)% |
|
|
(33.71 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective income tax rate
|
|
|
(40.00 |
)% |
|
|
(40.00 |
)% |
|
|
(66.68 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The calculation of the Companys tax liabilities involves
dealing with estimates in the application of complex tax
regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The Company records
liabilities for estimated tax obligations for federal and state
purposes. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the
Nondeductible expenses and other rate of (33.71%) includes the
benefit of $7.9 million that resulted from a reduction in
the Companys estimate of certain tax liabilities that had
been included in income taxes payable on the Companys
balance sheet.
F-22
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
|
|
I. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
Operating and Capital Leases |
The Companys lease for its facility in Woburn,
Massachusetts expires in 2005. In 2003, the Company vacated the
facilities in Waltham, Massachusetts, Newark, California and
Herndon, Virginia and negotiated early terminations of the
outstanding leases. The lease for this space expires on
December 31, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating
whether to renew the current lease or to move to a new facility.
The Company does not expect this decision to have a material
effect on its operations.
The Company also has entered into various operating lease
agreements ranging from three to four years for additional
office equipment. At December 31, 2004, the future minimum
lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases are as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense under operating leases totaled $2,321,000,
$1,620,000 and $631,000 for the years ended December 31,
2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. Rental expense for the year
ended 2002 includes $316,000 for the net present value for the
remaining lease payments on office space that was not being
utilized.
The Company has entered into various capital lease agreements
ranging from three to four years for office equipment, computer
equipment and telecommunication systems. At December 31,
2004, future minimum lease payments under capital leases were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments
|
|
|
42 |
|
Less amounts representing interest
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
Management believes, after consultation with counsel, that the
allegations against the Company included in the lawsuits
described below are subject to substantial legal defenses, and
the Company is vigorously defending each of the allegations. The
Company also is subject to claims and suits arising in the
ordinary course of business. At this time, it is not possible to
estimate the ultimate loss or gain, if any, related to these
lawsuits, nor if any such loss will have a material adverse
effect on the Companys results of operations or financial
position.
A. In October 2002, the Company was served with a Complaint
in an action in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York filed by approximately 170 present
and former lessees asserting individual claims. The Complaint
contains claims for violation of RICO (18 U.S.C.
§ 1964), fraud, unfair and
F-23
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
deceptive acts and practices, unlawful franchise offerings, and
intentional infliction of mental anguish. The claims purportedly
arise from Leasecomms dealer relationships with Themeware,
E-Commerce Exchange, Cardservice International, Inc., and Online
Exchange for the leasing of websites and virtual terminals. The
Complaint asserts that the Company is responsible for the
conduct of its dealers in trade shows, infomercials and web page
advertisements, seminars, direct mail, telemarketing, all which
are alleged to constitute unfair and deceptive acts and
practices. Further, the Complaint asserts that Leasecomms
lease contracts as well as its collection practices and late
fees are unconscionable. The Complaint seeks restitution,
compensatory and treble damages, and injunctive relief. The
Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint on
January 31, 2003. By decision dated September 30,
2003, the court dismissed the complaint with leave to file an
amended complaint. An Amended Complaint was filed in November
2003. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended
Complaint, which was denied by the United States District Court
in September 2004. The Company has filed an answer to the
Amended Complaint denying the Plaintiffs allegations and
asserting counterclaims. Because of the uncertainties inherent
in litigation, the Company cannot predict whether the outcome
will have a material adverse effect.
B. On August 22, 2002 plaintiff Aaron Cobb filed a
Complaint against Leasecomm Corporation and MicroFinancial, Inc.
and another Entity known as Galaxy Mall, Inc. alleging breach of
contract; Fraud, Suppression and Deceit; Unjust Enrichment;
Conspiracy; Conversion; Theft by Deception; and violation of
Alabama Usury Laws. The Complaint was filed on behalf of Aaron
Cobb individually, and on behalf of a class of persons and
entities similarly situated in the State of Alabama. More
specifically, the Plaintiff purports to represent a class of
persons and small business in the State of Alabama who allegedly
were induced to purchase services and/or goods from any of the
Defendants named in the Complaint. The case is venued in Bullock
County, Alabama. On March 31, 2003 the trial court entered
an Order denying the Companys Motion to Dismiss. An appeal
of the Order was filed with the Alabama Supreme Court on
May 12, 2003. On February 20, 2004, the Alabama
Supreme Court overruled the Companys application for
rehearing. On February 24, 2004, Plaintiff filed a First
Amended Class Action Complaint in which Plaintiff added
Electronic Commerce International (ECI) as an
additional party defendant. No new allegations were asserted
against the Company in the Amended Complaint. On March 31,
2004 the Company filed an answer to the Amended Complaint
denying the Plaintiffs allegations. The Company continues
to deny any wrongdoing and plans to vigorously defend this
claim. The Company also filed an additional motion to enforce a
forum selection clause, which, if successful, would have caused
the case to be dismissed with leave to re-file in Massachusetts.
Galaxy Mall filed a similar motion. The motions were scheduled
to be heard in September 2004, however, the parties have reached
an agreement on settlement terms and are currently drafting the
settlement documents. The settlement, if finalized and signed by
the parties, will require court approval to become effective.
Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the Company
cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material adverse
effect.
C. In March 2003, a purported class action was filed in
Superior Court in Massachusetts against Leasecomm and one of its
dealers. The class sought to be certified is a nationwide class
(excluding certain residents of the State of Texas) who signed
identical or substantially similar lease agreements with
Leasecomm covering the same product. After the Company had filed
a motion to dismiss, but before the motion to dismiss was heard
by the Court, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. The Amended
Complaint asserted claims against the Company for declaratory
relief, absence of consideration, unconscionability, and
violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A,
Section 11. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the
Amended Complaint. The Court allowed the Companys motion
to dismiss the Amended Complaint in March 2004. In May 2004, a
purported class action on behalf of the same named plaintiffs
and asserting the same claims was filed in Cambridge District
Court. The Company has filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint,
which was heard in August 2004, and denied by the District
Court. On September 16, 2004, the Company filed an Answer
and Counterclaims to the Amended Complaint denying the
plaintiffs allegations. On March 2, 2005, the
plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended
complaint. The Court has not
F-24
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
ruled yet on plaintiffs motion for leave to file an
amended complaint. In plaintiffs proposed amended
complaint plaintiffs seek to add a claim for usury against the
Company. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation,
the Company cannot predict whether the outcome will have a
material adverse effect.
D. On April 28, 2003, Plaintiff Wallace Dickey filed a
purported class action against Leasecomm Corporation,
Cardservice International, Inc., Linkpoint International, Inc.,
and Clear Commerce Corporation alleging that he lease-financed
through Leasecomm the right to use certain computer software
manufactured, distributed, and sold by the other defendants. The
Plaintiff did not allege that Leasecomm failed to provide the
lease financing contemplated by the Leasecomm lease. Instead,
the Plaintiff alleged that the other defendants software
failed to operate as well as he believed it would. He sued for a
declaration that would allow him to rescind his contract, to
recover money paid in the course of the transaction, and to
recover damages allegedly caused by unspecified deceptive trade
practices. The Plaintiff asserted his claims on behalf of
himself and all others similarly situated. Leasecomm
denied all of the Plaintiffs allegations. The defendants
agreed to a proposed class action settlement with the Plaintiff
and his counsel. The proposed settlement, if granted final
approval by the Court, would apply to all Texas residents who
lease-financed through Leasecomm the same software rights that
the Plaintiff lease-financed. The Court preliminarily approved
certification of the Texas class for settlement purposes only,
and the parties distributed notice to all class members in
accordance with the Courts instructions. Upon expiration
of the notice period, the Parties sought and the Court granted
final approval to the settlement class. The Courts
judgment became final on October 8, 2004.
E. On April 29, 2003, Leasecomm was served with a
Complaint filed in the Orange County Superior Court for the
State of California. In that Complaint, Maria J. Smith purports
to bring a claim against Leasecomm and two other defendants
(Galaxy Mall, Inc. and Electronic Commerce International, Inc.)
for unfair business practices and competition under California
Business and Professions Code section 17200 et seq. The
essence of the claim is that Smith and others who are similarly
situated were defrauded in connection with their acquisition of
certain licenses that were financed by Leasecomm. In May 2003,
Leasecomm filed a motion to stay the action in favor of a
Massachusetts forum based on a forum selection clause contained
in plaintiffs lease agreement with Leasecomm. After filing
the motion, Leasecomm entered into settlement negotiations with
plaintiffs counsel to explore the possibility of resolving
the matter on a class wide basis without the need for further
litigation (meaning the settlement would, if accepted, apply not
only to the named plaintiff but to others similarly situated).
The parties signed a stipulation setting forth the terms of
their agreement and the Court has preliminarily approved the
settlement, approved the form of notice to class members. On
October 15, 2004, the Parties sought and the Court granted
final approval to the settlement class. The sixty-day period for
the filing of appeals has run, therefore the settlement has
become final.
F. In October 2003, the Company was served with a purported
class action complaint which was filed in United States District
Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging violations of
the federal securities laws. The purported class would consist
of all persons who purchased Company securities between
February 5, 1999 and October 30, 2002. The Complaint
asserts that during this period the Company made a series of
materially false or misleading statements about the
Companys business, prospects and operations, including
with respect to certain lease provisions, the Companys
course of dealings with its vendor/dealers, and the
Companys reserves for credit losses. In April 2004, an
Amended Class Action Complaint was filed which added
additional defendants and expanded upon the prior allegations
with respect to the Company. The Company has filed a Motion to
Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which is awaiting decision by the
Court. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the
Company cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material
adverse effect.
G. In February 2004, a purported class action was filed in
Superior Court in Massachusetts against Leasecomm, a dealer, and
a party purportedly related to the dealer. The class sought to
be certified is a nationwide class who signed lease agreements
identical to, or substantially similar to, the plaintiffs
lease agreement with Leasecomm, and covering the same product.
The Complaint asserts claims for declaratory
F-25
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
judgment, absence of consideration, unconscionability, and
violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A,
Section 11. The claims concern the validity,
enforceability, and alleged unconscionability of this Leasecomm
lease of a product which enabled a merchant to process credit
card payments. The Complaint seeks rescission of lease
agreements with Leasecomm, restitution, multiple damages and
attorneys fees under Chapter 93A, and injunctive relief.
The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint, which the
Court granted, entering judgment dismissing the Complaint. On
December 17, 2004 plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal with
respect to the judgment of dismissal, which plaintiffs
subsequently withdrew by filing a Withdrawal of Appeal dated
February 8, 2005.
H. On June 21, 2004, Leasecomm was named as defendant
in a punitive class action complaint filed in the Los Angeles
County Superior Court for the State of California. In that
Complaint, styled as Margarita Hinojosa, et al. v.
Leasecomm Corporation, case no. BC317371, plaintiffs purport to
bring claims against Leasecomm on behalf of themselves and
others similarly situated for fraud, unfair business practices
under California Business & Professions Code
section 17200 et seq., false advertising under California
Business & Professions Code section 17500 et seq.
and violations of various California consumer protection
statutes. The essence of the claim is that plaintiffs and others
who are similarly situated were defrauded in connection with
their acquisition of credit card swipe machines that were
financed by Leasecomm and which plaintiffs claim they intended
to use to add value to telephone calling cards that could be
used for their personal use or resale to others. During
negotiations with plaintiffs counsel prior to the filing
of the Complaint, Leasecomm reached a proposed class action
settlement of all claims. On January 11, 2005, the Court
granted final approval to the Stipulation of Settlement. The
sixty-day period for the filing of appeals has run, therefore
the settlement has become final.
I. In February 2003, Leasecomm received a Civil
Investigative Demand (CID) from the Office of the
Attorney General, State of Washington, to which it has
responded. The CID concerns an investigation of monitoring
agreements between Priority One, Inc. and various State of
Washington consumers, as to which Leasecomm appears to be the
assignee of the right to receive monthly payments, and of
monitoring agreements between former Priority One, Inc.
customers and security monitoring companies which were entered
into after the assignments to Leasecomm. The investigation was
concluded in March 2005, through the signing and filing of an
Assurance of Discontinuance in In re: State of
Washington v. Priority One Security, Inc. and William
Roberts, in which the Attorney General, ADT Security
Services, Inc., Protect America, Inc. and Leasecomm have joined.
In the normal course of its business, the Company has entered
into agreements that include indemnities in favor of third
parties, such as engagement letters with advisors and
consultants, outsourcing agreements, underwriting and agency
agreements, information technology agreements, distribution
agreements and service agreements. The foregoing agreements
generally do not contain any limits on the Companys
liability and therefore, it is not possible to estimate the
Companys potential liability under these indemnities.
The Company has entered into agreements relating to the
acquisition of assets, each of which contains indemnities in
favor of third parties that are customary to such commercial
transactions. It is not possible to estimate the Companys
potential liability for these indemnities due to the nature of
these indemnities.
In certain cases, the Company has recourse against third parties
with respect to the foresaid indemnities and the Company also
maintains insurance policies that may provide coverage against
certain of these claims.
|
|
J. |
Employee Benefit Plan: |
The Company has a defined contribution plan under
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide
retirement and profit sharing benefits covering substantially
all full-time employees. Employees are
F-26
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
eligible to contribute up to 100% of their gross salary until
they reach the maximum annual contribution amount allowed under
the Internal Revenue Code. The Company will contribute $0.50 for
every $1.00 contributed by an employee up to 3% of the
employees salary. Vesting in the Company contributions is
over a five-year period based upon 20% per year. The
Companys contributions to the defined contribution plan
were $216,900, $110,500 and $0 for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. In 2004
the Company was able to settle its obligation fully by
offsetting the match against the forfeiture account.
|
|
K. |
Concentrations of Credit Risk: |
The Companys financial instruments that are exposed to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of lease and
loan receivables and cash and cash equivalent balances. To
reduce the risk to the Company, credit policies are in place for
approving leases and loans, and lease pools are monitored by
management. In addition, the cash and cash equivalents are
maintained with several high-quality financial institutions.
One dealer accounted for approximately 10.98%, 56.14% and 9.94%
of all originations during the years ended December 31,
2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Another dealer accounted for
approximately 23.38% of all originations during the year ended
December 31, 2003 and a third dealer accounted for 10.79%
of all originations during the year ended December 31,
2003. No other dealer accounted for more than 10% of the
Companys origination volume during the years ended
December 31, 2002, or 2003. During the year ended
December 31, 2004 the Companys top four dealers
accounted for 65.09% of all of the leases originated during the
year at 21.84%, 16.83%, 15.71%, and 10.71%, respectively. No
other dealer accounted for more than 10% of the Companys
origination volume during the year ended December 31, 2004.
Prior to the suspension of new contract originations in October
2002, the Company originated leases, contracts and loans in all
50 states of the United States and its territories. Since
resuming the origination of contracts in June 2004 the Company
has originated contracts in approximately 30 states, but
expects to resume originating leases in all 50 states of
the United States and its territories. The Company continues to
service leases, contracts and loans in all 50 states of the
United States and its territories. As of both December 31,
2003 and 2004, leases in California, Florida, Texas,
Massachusetts and New York accounted for approximately 40% of
the Companys portfolio. Only California accounted for more
than 10% of the total portfolio as of December 31, 2003 and
2004 at approximately 14%. None of the remaining states
accounted for more than 4% of such total.
The majority of the Companys leases are currently for
authorization systems for point-of-sale, card-based payments by,
for example, debit, credit and charge cards (POS
authorization systems). POS authorization systems require
the use of a POS terminal capable of reading a cardholders
account information from the cards magnetic strip and
combining this information with the amount of the sale entered
via a POS terminal keypad, or POS software used on a personal
computer to process a sale. The terminal electronically
transmits this information over a communications network to a
computer data center and then displays the returned
authorization or verification response on the POS terminal.
|
|
L. |
Related-Party Transactions: |
Other notes payable includes $250,000 due to stockholders of the
Company at December 31, 2003. Interest paid to stockholders
under such notes was not material for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2004. These notes were fully repaid
as of December 31, 2004.
At December 31, 2003 and 2004, subordinated notes payable
included $727,000 and $652,000, respectively, due to
stockholders, officers and directors. Interest paid to
stockholders, officers and directors under such notes, at rates
ranging between 8% and 12%, amounted to $84,000, $83,000 and
$83,000 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and
2004, respectively.
F-27