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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

ý                                 QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2005

 

OR

 

o                                   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                    to                  

 

Commission File Number 0-26686

 

First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Texas

 

76-0465087

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

675 Bering Drive, Suite 710
Houston, Texas

 

77057

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(713) 977-2600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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 ý No o.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o No ý.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Shares Outstanding At
March 14, 2005

 

Common Stock-$.001 Par Value

 

4,411,693

 

 

 



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORM 10-Q
 

January 31, 2005

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I 

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended January 31, 2004 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2004 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

Part II

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

2



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -- APRIL 30, 2004 AND JANUARY 31, 2005

 

 

 

April 30,
2004

 

January 31,
2005

 

 

 

(Audited)

 

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables Held for Investment, net

 

$

209,777,347

 

$

230,941,033

 

Receivables Acquired for Investment, net

 

1,190,230

 

720,660

 

Cash and Short-Term Investments

 

2,018,490

 

721,167

 

Restricted Cash

 

19,036,747

 

19,444,867

 

Accrued Interest Receivable

 

2,576,023

 

2,339,549

 

Assets Held for Sale

 

851,426

 

864,617

 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Funds held under reinsurance agreement

 

4,182,134

 

4,818,003

 

Deferred financing costs and other assets, net of accumulated amortization and depreciation of $5,759,477 and $6,600,513

 

6,115,203

 

5,635,405

 

Current income taxes receivable

 

8,212

 

 

Interest rate derivative positions

 

 

844,495

 

Total assets

 

$

245,755,812

 

266,329,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse credit facilities

 

$

42,705,810

 

$

123,100,407

 

Term notes

 

164,718,190

 

104,442,696

 

Working capital facility

 

8,761,143

 

10,500,000

 

Other Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

1,708,984

 

2,048,576

 

Deferred income taxes payable

 

558,000

 

848,069

 

Total liabilities

 

218,452,127

 

240,939,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 5,583,669 issued; 5,000,269 outstanding at April 30, 2004 and 4,411,693 outstanding at January 31, 2005

 

5,584

 

5,584

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

18,754,608

 

18,754,608

 

Retained earnings

 

10,515,258

 

11,097,167

 

Less, treasury stock, at cost, 583,400 and 1,171,976 shares

 

(1,971,765

)

(4,467,311

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

27,303,685

 

25,390,048

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

245,755,812

 

$

266,329,796

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

For the Three Months and Nine Months Ended January 31, 2004 and 2005

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended January 31,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Income

 

$

7,499,053

 

$

7,220,443

 

$

23,493,418

 

$

21,173,847

 

Interest Expense

 

2,341,708

 

1,964,382

 

6,249,121

 

5,569,934

 

Net interest income

 

5,157,345

 

5,256,061

 

17,244,297

 

15,603,913

 

Provision for Credit Losses

 

3,324,302

 

2,574,748

 

9,986,006

 

7,459,259

 

Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses

 

1,833,043

 

2,681,313

 

7,258,291

 

8,144,654

 

Other Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Servicing revenue

 

1,347,128

 

820,952

 

3,845,366

 

2,696,316

 

Late fees and other

 

321,652

 

1,089,385

 

1,170,658

 

2,925,877

 

Income from investment

 

273,613

 

156,652

 

818,095

 

526,880

 

Other interest income

 

198,949

 

117,613

 

384,779

 

283,579

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate derivative positions

 

(26,923

)

5,562

 

(33,232

)

(232,192

)

Total other income

 

2,114,419

 

2,190,164

 

6,185,666

 

6,200,460

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and benefits

 

2,094,524

 

2,304,304

 

6,476,663

 

6,582,945

 

Operating expense

 

1,150,655

 

1,028,275

 

3,424,759

 

3,652,384

 

General and administrative

 

852,394

 

959,693

 

2,811,870

 

2,818,746

 

Other interest expense

 

113,611

 

140,014

 

363,479

 

374,646

 

Total operating expenses

 

4,211,184

 

4,432,286

 

13,076,771

 

13,428,721

 

(Loss) Income Before Provision for Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

(263,722

)

439,191

 

367,186

 

916,393

 

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

(26,517

)

(402,301

)

(9,397

)

(26,067

)

Deferred

 

(69,713

)

562,606

 

147,620

 

360,551

 

Total (benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(96,230

)

160,305

 

138,223

 

334,484

 

Minority Interest

 

 

 

(11,429

)

 

Net (Loss) Income

 

$

(167,492

)

$

278,886

 

$

240,392

 

$

581,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income per Common Share

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.12

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2005

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Treasury
Stock, at cost

 

Total

 

Balance at April 30, 2004

 

$

5,584

 

$

18,754,608

 

$

10,515,258

 

$

(1,971,765

)

$

27,303,685

 

Net income

 

 

 

581,909

 

 

581,909

 

Treasury stock purchases

 

 

 

 

(2,495,546

)

(2,495,546

)

Balance at January 31, 2005

 

$

5,584

 

$

18,754,608

 

$

11,097,167

 

$

(4,467,311

)

25,390,048

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2004 and 2005

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

240,392

 

$

581,909

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities —

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

2,809,815

 

2,931,083

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,986,006

 

7,459,259

 

Minority interest

 

(11,429

)

 

(Increase) decrease in:

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

696,434

 

236,474

 

Restricted cash

 

(12,857,251

)

(408,120

)

Deferred financing costs and other assets

 

(1,919,718

)

(660,048

)

Funds held under reinsurance agreement

 

(1,007,425

)

(635,869

)

Current income tax receivable

 

962,041

 

8,212

 

Interest rate derivative positions

 

3,789,285

 

(844,495

)

Increase (decrease) in:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(38,338

)

339,592

 

Deferred income taxes payable

 

534,224

 

290,069

 

Interest rate derivative positions

 

(3,907,344

)

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(723,308

)

9,298,066

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Origination of Receivables Held for Investment

 

(68,768,322

)

(104,941,043

)

Origination of Receivables Acquired for Investment

 

(328,787

)

 

Principal payments from Receivables Held for Investment

 

64,960,757

 

69,888,379

 

Principal payments from Receivables Acquired for Investment

 

836,061

 

469,570

 

Payments received on Assets Held for Sale

 

5,401,736

 

4,713,682

 

Purchase of furniture and equipment

 

(136,567

)

(88,391

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,964,878

 

(29,957,803

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from advances on—

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse credit facilities

 

108,416,068

 

201,034,659

 

Term notes

 

139,661,000

 

 

Working capital facility

 

 

2,043,863

 

Principal payments made on—

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse credit facilities

 

(207,670,589

)

(120,640,062

)

Term notes

 

(40,764,932

)

(60,275,494

)

Working capital facility

 

(1,953,375

)

(305,006

)

Treasury stock purchased

 

(105,630

)

(2,495,546

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(2,417,458

)

19,362,414

 

Decrease in Cash and Short-Term Investments

 

(1,175,888

)

(1,297,323

)

Cash and Short-Term Investments at Beginning of Period

 

2,617,680

 

2,018,490

 

Cash and Short-Term Investments at End of Period

 

$

1,441,792

 

$

721,167

 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for—

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

5,763,233

 

$

4,755,179

 

Income taxes

 

5,815

 

33,963

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

6



 

FIRST INVESTORS FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

January 31, 2005

 

1.                The Company

 

Organization.  First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc. (First Investors) was established to serve as a holding company for First Investors Financial Services, Inc. (FIFS) and FIFS’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, First Investors Insurance Company (FIIC), First Investors Auto Receivables Corporation (FIARC), F.I.R.C., Inc. (FIRC), First Investors Servicing Corporation (FISC), formerly known as Auto Lenders Acceptance Corporation (ALAC), FIFS Acquisition Funding Corp. LLC, Farragut Financial Corporation, and First Investors Auto Funding Corporation. First Investors, together with its wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries, is hereinafter referred to as the Company.

 

FIFS began operations in May 1989 and is principally involved in the business of originating and holding for investment retail installment contracts and promissory notes secured by new and used automobiles originated by factory authorized franchised dealers or directly through consumers. As of January 31, 2005, approximately 31% and 18% of receivables held for investment had been originated in Texas and Georgia, respectively. The Company currently operates in 28 states.

 

FIIC was organized under the captive insurance company laws of the state of Vermont for the purpose of reinsuring certain credit enhancement insurance policies that have been written by unrelated third party insurance companies.

 

On October 2, 1998, the Company completed the acquisition of FISC and the operations of FISC are included in the consolidated results of the Company since the date of acquisition. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, FISC performed servicing and collection activities on a portfolio of receivables originated for investment as well as on a portfolio of receivables originated and sold pursuant to two asset securitizations. As a result of the acquisition, the Company increased the total dollar value on its balance sheet of receivables, acquired an interest in certain trust certificates related to the asset securitizations and acquired certain servicing rights along with furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology to perform the servicing and collection functions for the portfolio of receivables under management.

 

On August 8, 2000, the Company entered into a partnership agreement (Partnership) whereby a subsidiary of the Company was the general partner owning 70% of the partnership interests and First Union Investors, Inc. served as the limited partner and owned 30% of the partnership interests.  On September 19, 2003, First Investors Financial Services, Inc. purchased the limited partnership interests previously held by First Union Investors, Inc.  The Partnership consists primarily of a portfolio of loans previously owned or securitized by FISC and certain other financial assets including charged-off accounts owned by FISC.

 

On December 24, 2002, the Company purchased 40% of common stock and an investment in the junior mezzanine debt of First Auto Receivables Corporation (FARC).  FARC purchased an approximately $197.5 million portfolio of installment loan receivables from a subsidiary of Union Acceptance Corporation.  FISC performs ongoing servicing and collection activities on the portfolio.

 

On March 19, 2003, FISC entered into a servicing agreement with an unrelated third party to service an approximately $300 million portfolio of installment loan receivables purchased from a subsidiary of Union Acceptance Corporation.

 

In total, at January 31, 2005, FISC performs servicing and collection functions on a managed receivables portfolio of approximately $448 million.

 

7



 

2.                Interim Financial Information

 

Basis of Presentation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of First Investors and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in which the Company exercises significant influence, but which it does not control (generally a 20% to 50% ownership interest), are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, except for variable interest entities for which the Company is considered the primary beneficiary under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of ARB No. 51, as amended in December 2003 by Interpretation 46R.  As of January 31, 2005, the Company does not have any entities under which FIN 46 as amended by Interpretation 46R would apply.

 

The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the fiscal year. In the opinion of management, the information furnished reflects all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of January 31, 2005, and the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005, and its cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005.

 

The consolidated financial statements for the interim periods have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed July 26, 2004.

 

Receivables Held for Investment.  Receivables Held for Investment represents the aggregate outstanding balance of installment sales contracts and promissory notes originated by the Company through its automobile dealer relationships or directly with consumers.  The Company accrues interest income monthly using the effective interest method.  When a receivable becomes 90 days past due, the income accrual is suspended until the payments become current. When a loan is charged off or the collateral is repossessed, the remaining income accrual is written off.

 

Receivables Acquired for Investment.  In connection with loans that were acquired in a portfolio purchase by the Partnership, the Company estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected future principal and interest cash flows. For certain purchased loans, the amount paid for a loan reflects the Company’s determination that it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. Accordingly, at acquisition, the Company recognizes the excess of the loan’s scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest payments over its expected cash flows as an amount that should not be accreted. The remaining amount, representing the excess of the loan’s expected cash flows over the amount paid, is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan.  As a result of the amortization of the outstanding principal balance of the receivables portfolio, the majority of the remaining cash flows projected constitute default collections from obligors.  Given the nature of the remaining cash flows of individual loans, the Company determined that the timing of collections on Receivables Acquired for Investment was much more unpredictable than contractual cash flows from non-defaulted receivables.  Therefore, under the guidance provided by Practice Bulletin 6, Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans, Receivables Acquired for Investment are accounted for under the cost-recovery method beginning September 30, 2003.  Under the cost recovery method, cash proceeds from collections are applied to first reduce the Company’s basis in the assets.  Cash collected in excess of this cost basis is recognized as income when received.

 

Other Income.  Other Income consists of income received from servicing activities, late fees and other loan-related fees, income from investments, loan origination fees, product sales, reinvestment revenue and unrealized gain or loss on interest rate derivative positions.  Servicing revenue is accrued as services are rendered. Late fees and other loan-related fees are recognized when received.  Income from investments and reinvestment revenue are

 

8



 

accrued based on the respective interest rate of such investment and unrealized gain or loss on interest rate derivatives is recognized as changes occur in the derivatives fair value.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses.  The Company calculates the allowance for credit losses in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.  SFAS No. 114, Accounting for Creditors for Impairment of a Loan does not apply to loans currently held by the Company because they comprise a large group of smaller balance homogenous loans that are evaluated collectively for impairment.

 

The Company initiates efforts to make customer contact when the customer is one day past due and becomes more aggressive as the loan becomes more delinquent.  Management reviews past due loans and considers various factors including payment history, job status and any events that may have occurred that prevent the customer from making a payment.  Through the evaluation, if it is determined that the loan is uncollectible, the collateral is typically repossessed.  Generally this occurs at 90 to 120 days past due.  Upon repossession, the uncollectible portion of the loan and 100% of accrued interest is written off.  The fair value of the collateral is recorded in Assets Held for Sale.  In the event the collateral is unable to be located, the Company will write off the entire balance after exhausting all collection efforts.

 

The Company applies a systematic methodology in order to determine the amount of the allowance for credit losses.  The specific methodology utilized is a six-month migration analysis whereby the Company compares the aging status of each loan from six months prior to the aging loan status as of the reporting date.  These factors are then applied to the aging status of each loan at the reporting date in order to calculate the number of loans that are expected to migrate to impaired status.  The estimated number of impairments is then multiplied by estimated loss per loan, which is based on historical information.  The computed reserve is then compared to the amount recorded for adequacy.  The Company compares the six-month result to prior six-month periods to compare trends and evaluate any other internal or external factors that may affect collectibility. The allowance for credit losses is based on estimates and qualitative evaluations, and ultimate losses will vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments, either positive or negative, become necessary, are reported in earnings in the period they become known.

 

Treasury Stock.  In September, 2004, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $1.5 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  This plan was subsequently amended in December, 2004, authorizing the repurchase of an additional $1 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock, resulting in the total authorization of $2.5 million to repurchase the Company’s stock.  During the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, the Company engaged in the following transactions:

 

Three Months Ended
January 31, 2005

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31, 2005

 

# of Shares
Repurchased

 

Wtd. Avg.
Price/Share

 

# of Shares
Repurchased

 

Wtd. Avg.
Price/Share

 

587,676

 

$

4.24

 

588,576

 

$

4.24

 

 

As a result of the 587,676 shares repurchased during the third quarter, the Company completed the $2.5 million authorized increase in the share repurchase plan and, as a result, announced the conclusion of its share repurchase plan originally adopted in December 2001.  Since the inception of the plan, a total of 1,171,976 shares were repurchased at a weighted average price of $3.81 per share.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  The Company has an employee stock option plan and a non-employee director stock option plan, which are described more fully in Note 9.  The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. This pronouncement requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company accounts for stock compensation awards under the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees which requires compensation cost to be recognized based on the excess, if any, between the quoted market price

 

9



 

of the stock at the date of grant and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. All options awarded under the Company’s plan are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of the grant.

 

The following table presents the Company’s net income per share had the Company adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation under SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148.

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended January 31,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

Net (Loss) Income, as reported

 

$

(167,492

)

$

278,886

 

$

240,392

 

$

581,909

 

Deduct: Total stock option plan compensation expense determined under fair value based method for awards granted, modified or settled, net of taxes

 

32,562

 

44,933

 

79,256

 

125,643

 

Pro Forma Net (Loss) Income

 

$

(200,054

)

$

233,953

 

$

161,136

 

$

456,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income per Common Share, as reported

 

$

(0.03

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.12

 

Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income per Common Share, pro forma

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.05

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.09

 

 

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2004 amounts to conform with the fiscal 2005 presentation.

 

3.              Receivables Held for Investment

 

The receivables generally have terms between 48 and 72 months and are collateralized by the underlying vehicles.  Net receivable balances consisted of the following at April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005:

 

 

 

April 30,
2004

 

January 31,
2005

 

Receivables

 

$

207,489,339

 

$

227,611,249

 

Unamortized premium and deferred fees (1)

 

4,487,394

 

5,742,463

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

(2,199,386

)

(2,412,679

)

Net receivables

 

$

209,777,347

 

$

230,941,033

 

   


(1)          Includes premium and discounts paid to dealer plus deferred acquisition cost.

 

Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the periods ended January 31, 2004 and 2005 was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Nine Months
Ended January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

2,397,216

 

$

2,199,386

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,986,006

 

7,459,260

 

Charge-offs, net of recoveries

 

(10,121,583

)

(7,245,967

)

Balance, end of period

 

$

2,261,639

 

$

2,412,679

 

 

10



 

4.              Receivables Acquired for Investment

 

Receivables Acquired for Investment comprise loans previously originated by Auto Lenders Acceptance Corporation and another third party.  Loans originated by Auto Lenders Acceptance Corporation include a portfolio of warehouse loans and a portfolio of loans that were previously securitized.  The securitized loans were subsequently redeemed and funded through one of the Company’s credit facilities.  Receivables Acquired for Investment previously originated by Auto Lenders Acceptance Corporation were purchased at a discount relating to credit quality.  As a result of the amortization of the outstanding principal balance of the receivables portfolio, the majority of the remaining cash flows projected constitute default collections from obligors.  Given the nature of the remaining cash flows of individual loans, the Company determined that the timing of collections on Receivables Acquired for Investment was much more unpredictable than contractual cash flows from non-defaulted receivables.  Therefore, under the guidance provided by Practice Bulletin 6, Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans, Receivables Acquired for Investment are accounted for under the cost-recovery method beginning September 30, 2003.  Under the cost recovery method, cash proceeds from collections are applied to first reduce the Company’s basis in the assets.  Cash collected in excess of this cost basis is recognized as income when received. Receivables Acquired for Investment previously originated by Auto Lenders Acceptance Corporation were $979,496 and $671,935 as of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, respectively.

 

On September 30, 2003 the Company purchased $9.4 million of defaulted auto loan receivables from an unrelated third party.  These loans of $210,734 and $48,725 are included in Receivables Acquired for Investment on the balance sheet as of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005 respectively, and are accounted for using the cost-recovery method.  The Company may, from time to time, consider similar acquisitions in the future.

 

5.              Debt

 

The Company finances its loan origination through two warehouse credit facilities. The Company’s credit facilities provide for one-year terms and have been renewed annually. Management of the Company believes that the credit facilities will continue to be renewed or extended or that it would be able to secure alternate financing on satisfactory terms; however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. In January 2002 the Company issued $159 million in asset-backed notes (“Term Notes”) secured by a discrete pool of receivables. On November 20, 2003, the Company issued $140 million in Term Notes secured by a discrete pool of receivables.  Substantially all receivables retained by the Company are pledged as collateral for the credit facilities and the Term Notes. The weighted average interest rate for the Company’s secured borrowings including the effect of program fees, dealer fees, and other comprehensive income (loss) amortization was 3.54% and 3.96% for the three months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 3.48% and 3.58% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Warehouse Facilities as of January 31, 2005

 

Facility

 

Capacity

 

Outstanding

 

Interest Rate

 

Fees

 

Insurance

 

Borrowing
Rate At
January 31,
2005

 

FIARC

 

$

150,000,000

 

$

89,120,297

 

Commercial paper rate plus .3%

 

.25% of Unused Facility

 

.35

%

3.05

%

FIRC

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

33,980,110

 

Option of a) Base Rate, which is the higher of prime rate or fed funds plus .5% or b) LIBOR plus .5%

 

.25% of Unused Facility

 

See below

 

2.44

%

 

11



 

Warehouse Facilities – Credit Enhancement as of January 31, 2005

 

Facility

 

Cash Reserve

 

Advance
Rate

 

Insurance

 

FIARC

 

1% of outstanding receivables

 

94

%

Surety Bond

 

FIRC

 

1% of borrowings

 

100

%

Default Insurance (ALPI)

 

 

FIRC - - In order to obtain a lower cost of funding, the Company has agreed to maintain credit enhancement insurance covering the receivables pledged as collateral under the FIRC credit facility. The facility lenders are named as additional insureds under these policies. The coverages are obtained on each receivable at the time it is originated by the Company, and the applicable premiums are prepaid for the life of the receivable. Each receivable is covered by multiple credit insurance policies, consisting of basic default insurance under a standard auto loan protection policy (known as “ALPI” insurance) together with certain supplemental coverages relating to physical damage and other risks. Solely at its expense, the Company carries these coverages and neither the vehicle purchasers nor the dealers are charged for the coverages, nor are they usually aware of their existence. The Company’s ALPI insurance policy is written by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh (“National Union”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group.

 

The premiums that the Company paid during the three months and nine months ended January 31, 2005 for its three credit enhancement insurance coverages, of which the largest component is basic ALPI insurance, represented approximately 2.9% of the principal amount of the receivables originated during the periods. Aggregate premiums paid for ALPI coverage alone were $1,028,980 and $606,135 during the three months ended and $2,645,416 and $2,216,261 for nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and accounted for 2.7% and 3.6% during the three months ended and 2.5% and 3.2% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, of the principal amount of the receivables originated during such respective periods.

 

In April 1994, the Company organized First Investors Insurance Company (the “Insurance Subsidiary”) under the captive insurance company laws of the State of Vermont. The Insurance Subsidiary is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and is a party to a reinsurance agreement whereby the Insurance Subsidiary reinsures 100% of the risk under the Company’s ALPI insurance policy. At the time each receivable is insured by National Union, the risk is automatically reinsured to its full extent and approximately 96% of the premium paid by the Company to National Union with respect to such receivable is ceded to the Insurance Subsidiary. When a loss covered by the ALPI policy occurs, National Union pays it after the claim is processed, and National Union is then reimbursed in full by the Insurance Subsidiary.  In addition to the monthly premiums and liquidity reserves of the Insurance Subsidiary, a trust account is maintained by National Union to secure the Insurance Subsidiary’s obligations for losses it has reinsured.

 

The result of the foregoing reinsurance structure is that National Union, as the “fronting” insurer under the captive arrangement, is unconditionally obligated to the Company’s credit facility lenders for all losses covered by the ALPI policy, and the Company, through its Insurance Subsidiary, is obligated to indemnify National Union for all such losses. As of January 31, 2005, the Insurance Subsidiary had capital and surplus of $2,451,776 and unencumbered cash reserves of $1,790,632 in addition to the $3,300,508 trust account.

 

The ALPI coverage as well as the Insurance Subsidiary’s liability under the Reinsurance Agreement, remains in effect for each receivable that is pledged as collateral under the warehouse credit facility. Once receivables are transferred from FIRC to FIARC and financed under the commercial paper facility, ALPI coverage and the Insurance Subsidiary’s liability under the Reinsurance Agreement is cancelled with respect to the transferred receivables. Any unearned premium associated with the transferred receivables is returned to the Company. The Company believes the losses its Insurance Subsidiary will be required to indemnify will be less than the premiums ceded to it. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not exceed the premiums ceded and the capital and surplus of the Insurance Subsidiary.

 

12



 

FIARC – Credit Enhancement for the FIARC warehouse facility is provided to the commercial paper investors by a cash reserve account equal to 1% of the receivables held by FIARC and, additionally, a surety bond issued by MBIA. The Company is not a guarantor of, or otherwise a party to, such commercial paper.

 

Warehouse Facilities – Agents and Expirations

 

Facility

 

Agent

 

Expiration

 

Event if not Renewed

FIARC

 

Wachovia

 

February 15, 2006

 

Receivables pledged would be allowed to amortize; however, no new receivables would be allowed to transfer from the FIRC facility

FIRC

 

Wachovia

 

December 1, 2005

 

Convert to a term loan which would mature nine months thereafter and amortize monthly in accordance with the borrowing base with the remaining balance due at maturity

 

On December 4, 2003, the FIRC facility was renewed, under similar terms and conditions, at the $50 million commitment level until December 2, 2004, and was subsequently extended until December 1, 2005.  On June 15, 2004, the FIRC facility was extended to $65 million, and reverted back to $50 million on September 13, 2004.  On January 29, 2004, following a short-term extension of the original maturity date, the FIARC facility was renewed, under similar terms and conditions, to December 2, 2004, and was subsequently extended until February 15, 2006.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, there was $0 and $34 million, respectively, outstanding.

 

Management presently intends to seek further extensions to these warehouse facilities prior to the current expiration dates.  Management further considers its relationship with its lenders to be satisfactory and has no reason to believe that the FIRC and FIARC facilities will not be renewed at each of their respective expiration dates.

 

The following table contains pertinent information on the Term Notes as of January 31, 2005.

 

Term Notes

 

Issuance Date

 

Issuance
Amount

 

Maturity Date

 

Outstanding

 

Interest
Rate

 

2002-A

 

January 29, 2002

 

$

159,036,000

 

December 15, 2008

 

$

23,636,247

 

3.46

%

2003-A

 

November 11, 2003

 

$

139,661,000

 

April 20, 2011

 

$

80,806,448

 

2.58

%

 

Credit enhancement on the two Term Notes is as follows:

 

Facility

 

Cash Reserve

 

Advance Rate

 

Insurance

2002-A

 

2% of Initial Pool Balance including Pre-Funding Amount of $25 million

 

99% initial advance decreasing to 97%

 

Surety Bond

2003-A

 

0.5% of Initial Pool Balance increasing to 2% of Initial Pool Balance including Pre-Funding Amount of $30 million

 

96.5% initial advance decreasing to 96.1%

 

Surety Bond

 

Term Notes - - On January 29, 2002, the Company, through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary First Investors Auto Owner Trust 2002-A (“2002 Auto Trust”) completed the issuance of $159,036,000 of 3.46% Class A asset-backed notes (“2002-A Term Notes”). The initial pool of automobile receivables transferred to the 2002 Auto Trust totaled $135,643,109, which was previously owned by FIRC and FIARC, secure the 2002-A Term

 

13



 

Notes.  In addition to the issuance of the Class A Notes, the 2002 Auto Trust also issued $4,819,000 in Class B Notes that were retained by the Company and pledged to secure the Working Capital Facility as further described below.  Proceeds from the issuance, which totaled $159,033,471 were used to (i) fund a $25,000,000 pre-funding account to be used for future loan originations; (ii) repay all outstanding borrowings under the FIARC commercial paper facility, (iii) reduce the outstanding borrowings under the FIRC credit facility, (iv) pay transaction fees related to the 2002-A Term Note issuance, and (v) fund a cash reserve account of 2% or $2,712,862 of the initial receivables pledged which will serve as a portion of the credit enhancement for the transaction. The Class A Term Notes bear interest at 3.46% and require monthly principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class A Term Notes to 97% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool. The final maturity of the 2002-A Term Notes is December 15, 2008.  The Class B Notes do not bear interest but require principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class B Notes to 3% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool.  A surety bond issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation provides credit enhancement for the Class A Notes.  In the event that certain asset quality covenants are not met, the reserve account target level will increase to 6% of the then current principal balance of the receivables pool.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, the outstanding principal balances on the 2002-A Term Notes were $44,335,659 and $23,636,247, respectively.

 

On November 20, 2003, the Company, through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary First Investors Auto Owner Trust 2003-A (“2003 Auto Trust”) completed the issuance of $139,661,000 of 2.58% Class A asset-backed notes (“2003-A Term Notes”). The initial pool of automobile receivables transferred to the 2003 Auto Trust totaled $114,726,891, which was previously owned by FIRC and FIARC, secure the 2003-A Term Notes.  In addition to the issuance of the Class A Notes, the 2003 Auto Trust also issued $5,065,891 in Class B Notes that were retained by the Company and pledged to secure the Working Capital Facility as further described below.  Proceeds from the issuance, which totaled $139,656,629 were used to (i) fund a $30,000,000 pre-funding account to be used for future loan originations; (ii) repay all outstanding borrowings under the FIARC commercial paper facility, (iii) reduce the outstanding borrowings under the FIRC credit facility, (iv) pay transaction fees related to the 2003-A Term Note issuance, and (v) fund an initial cash reserve account of 0.5% or $573,635 of the initial receivables pledged.  The Class A Term Notes bear interest at 2.58% and require monthly principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class A Term Notes to 96.1% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool. The final maturity of the 2003-A Term Notes is April 20, 2011.  The Class B Notes do not bear interest but require principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class B Notes to 3.9% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool.  A surety bond issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation provides credit enhancement for the Class A Notes.  In the event that certain asset quality covenants are not met, the reserve account target level will increase to 6% of the then current principal balance of the receivables pool.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, the outstanding principal balances on the 2003-A Term notes were $120,382,531 and $80,806,448, respectively.

 

Working Capital Facility.  On December 6, 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with Wachovia Securities to refinance the $11,175,000 outstanding balance of a working capital term loan previously provided by Bank of America and Wachovia and increase the size of the facility to $13.5 million.  The renewal facility was provided to a special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, First Investors Residual Funding LP.  The facility originally consisted of a $9 million revolving tranche and a $4.5 million term loan tranche which amortizes monthly.  The term loan tranche of this working capital facility was evidenced by the Class B Notes issued in conjunction with the 2002 Auto Trust financing. The remaining $9 million of the $13.5 million working capital facility revolves monthly in accordance with a borrowing base consisting of the over-collateralization amount and reserve accounts for each of the Company’s other credit facilities.  The facility is secured solely by the residual cash flow and cash reserve accounts related to the Company’s warehouse credit facilities, the acquisition facility and the existing and future term note facilities.  During 2002, the facility was modified to increase the interest rate from LIBOR plus 1.5% to LIBOR plus 2.25%.  The commitment fee paid on the total available amount of the facility was maintained at 1.5%.  In addition, the monthly principal amortization under the term loan tranche was increased to the greater of $250,000 or the principal distributions made under the Class B Notes issued under the 2002 Auto Trust financing.  On December 4, 2003, the Working Capital Facility was extended to December 2, 2004.  Under the terms of the extension, the monthly amortization requirement was replaced with the requirement that outstandings under the facility could not exceed the lesser of a borrowing base

 

14



 

or the $9 million facility limit.  On October 26, 2004, the Working Capital Facility was extended until October 10, 2005, increasing the commitment amount to $13.5 million.  The interest rate remained at LIBOR plus 2.25% and the commitment fee paid on the total available amount of the facility was maintained at 1.5%.  At April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, there was $8,761,143 and $10,500,000, respectively, outstanding under this facility.

 

The Company presently intends to seek a renewal of the working capital facility from its lender prior to maturity.  Should the facility not be renewed, the outstanding balance of the receivables would be amortized in accordance with the borrowing base.  Management considers its relationship with its lenders to be satisfactory and has no reason to believe that this credit facility will not be renewed.  If the facility is not renewed, however, or if material changes are made to its terms and conditions, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Shareholder Loans.  On December 3, 2001 the Company entered into an agreement with one of its shareholders who is a member of its Board of Directors under which the Company may, from time to time, borrow up to $2.5 million.  On December 6, 2004, the original $2.5 million shareholder loan was replaced with a $2.5 million loan containing identical terms and conditions between the Company and a limited partnership that is affiliated with a current shareholder and member of the board of directors.  The proceeds of the borrowings will be utilized to fund certain private and open market purchases of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a Stock Repurchase Plan authorized by the Board of Directors and for general corporate purposes.  Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a fixed rate of 10% per annum.  The facility is unsecured and expressly subordinated to the Company’s senior credit facilities. The facility matures on December 3, 2008 but may be repaid at any time unless the Company is in default on one of its other credit facilities.  There were no amounts outstanding under this facility as of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005 respectively.

 

Loan Covenants.  The documentation governing these credit facilities and Term Notes contains numerous covenants relating to the Company’s business, the maintenance of credit enhancement insurance covering the receivables (if applicable), the observance of certain financial covenants, the avoidance of certain levels of delinquency experience and other matters. The breach of these covenants, if not cured within the time limits specified, could precipitate events of default that might result in the acceleration of the FIRC credit facility, the Term Notes and the working capital facility or the termination of the commercial paper facilities. The Company was not in default with respect to any financial covenants governing these financing arrangements at January 31, 2005.

 

Interest Rate Management.  The Company’s warehouse credit facilities and working capital facilities bear interest at floating interest rates which are reset on a short-term basis while the secured Term Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of interest. The Company’s receivables bear interest at fixed rates that do not generally vary with a change in market interest rates. Since a primary contributor to the Company’s profitability is its ability to manage its net interest spread, the Company seeks to maximize the net interest spread while minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates. In connection with managing the net interest spread, the Company may periodically enter into interest rate swaps or caps to minimize the effects of market interest rate fluctuations on the net interest spread. To the extent that the Company has outstanding floating rate borrowings or has elected to convert a portion of its borrowings from fixed rates to floating rates, the Company will be exposed to fluctuations in short-term interest rates.

 

During the nine months ended January 31, 2005, as a requirement of the FIARC commercial paper facility, the Company entered into seven interest rate cap transactions, with strike rates of 5%.  The aggregate initial notional amounts of the caps were $97,056,198 which amortize over six years.  The Company paid an aggregate of $1,076,687 in premiums to purchase these caps.  The interest rate caps were not designated as hedges, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and reflected in net income.  As of January 31, 2005, the combined value of the interest rates caps were $844,495 and are recorded under other assets as interest rate derivative positions.  During the three months ended January 31, 2005, the Company recorded a combined unrealized gain of $5,562 and during the nine months ended January 31, 2005, the Company recorded a combined unrealized loss of $232,192 that is included as a separate caption under other income.

 

15



 

During fiscal year 2004, as a requirement of the FIARC commercial paper facility, the Company entered into various interest rate cap transactions at cap rates ranging from 6.5% to 7.5% with a notional balance that amortized over five to nine year periods. The interest rate caps were not designated as hedges and, accordingly, changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps were recorded as unrealized gains or losses and reflected in net income.  On December 2, 2003, the Company terminated all interest rate caps outstanding in exchange for proceeds of $356,000.  The caps were terminated following the repayment of all outstanding principal under the FIARC facility following the issuance of the 2003-A Term Notes.  As a result, a realized loss of $14,000 was incurred relative to the aggregate market value of the interest rate caps.

 

On June 1, 2001, the Company entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $100 million and a maturity date of April 15, 2004.  Under the terms of these swaps, the Company paid a floating rate based on one month LIBOR and received a fixed rate of 5.025%.  Management elected to enter into these swap agreements to offset the uneconomical position of the existing pay fixed rate swap created by rapidly declining market interest rates.  In connection with the decision to enter into the $100 million pay floating rate swap, the Company elected to change the designation of the $100 million pay fixed rate swap from a cash flow hedge and not account for the instrument as a hedge under SFAS No. 133.  As a result, the change in fair value of the swaps is reflected in net income for periods subsequent to May 31, 2001.

 

6.              Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, are as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

Weighted average shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

 

5,004,236

 

4,747,197

 

5,011,088

 

4,915,815

 

Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants

 

77,291

 

71,740

 

69,042

 

96,832

 

Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share

 

5,081,527

 

4,818,937

 

5,080,130

 

5,012,647

 

 

For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005, the Company had 259,500 and 468,000, respectively, of stock options and stock warrants which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.  These were not included in the computation of earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive for the periods presented.

 

7.              Investment in First Auto Receivables Corporation

 

On December 24, 2002, the Company invested $475,061 for a 40% ownership interest in First Auto Receivables Corporation (“FARC”) and $712,591 for junior mezzanine investments of FARC.  FARC purchased a $197.5 million automobile loan portfolio from UAFC-2 Corporation, a subsidiary of Union Acceptance Corporation, with proceeds from $186 million in senior bridge debt, $8.9 million of senior mezzanine debt, $1.8 million of junior mezzanine debt and $1.2 million of equity.  The bridge debt interest rate is LIBOR plus 1%, the senior mezzanine interest rate is 22.5% and the junior mezzanine interest rate is 25%.

 

The Company accounts for its ownership investment in FARC using the equity method in accordance with APB Opinion 18.  In addition to the equity and debt investments, the Company performs loan servicing and

 

16



 

collection activities on the portfolio.  The Company recognized servicing revenue of  $266,359 and $207,505 for the three months ended and $1,087,922 and $707,997 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, interest income of $28,589 and $27,473 for the three months ended and $134,874 and $82,418 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and equity in earnings in FARC of $273,612 and $156,652 for the three months ended and $818,095 and $526,880 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, the equity investment in FARC of $968,327 and junior mezzanine debt of $716,675 are included in Deferred Financing Costs and Other Assets on the balance sheet.

 

8.              New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for loans acquired through a transfer (including a business combination) that have differences between their expected cash flows and their contractual cash flows, due in part to credit quality. The SOP requires that the excess of the expected cash flows at acquisition to be collected over the acquirer’s initial investment be recognized on a level-yield basis over the loan’s life. Any future revised estimate of cash flows in excess of the original cash flows is recognized as a future yield adjustment. Future decreases in actual cash flows over the original expected cash flows are recognized as impairment and expensed immediately. Valuation allowances can not be created or “carried over” in the initial accounting for loans acquired that are within the scope of the SOP. SOP 03-3 is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004.  The Company does not anticipate SOP 03-3 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment -a revision to SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123(R) eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and generally requires instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method.

 

SFAS No. 123(R) is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. SFAS 123(R) applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to such awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. The cumulative effect of initially applying SFAS No. 123(R), if any, is recognized as of the required effective date. As of the required effective date, all public entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 will apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. Under that transition method, compensation cost is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. The Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the impact that SFAS No. 123(R) will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

9.                  Shareholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock.  The Company has authorized 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a $1.00 par value.  As of January 31, 2005, no shares have been issued.

 

Employee Stock Option Plan. In June 1995, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan (the Plan). The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and provides that options may be granted to officers and other key employees for the purchase of up to 300,000 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in capitalization. On September 10,

 

17



 

2002, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance was increased to 500,000. Options may be granted either as incentive stock options (which are intended to qualify for certain favorable tax treatment) or as non-qualified stock options.  The Compensation Committee selects the persons to receive options and determines the exercise price, the duration, any conditions on exercise and other terms of the options. In the case of options intended to be incentive stock options, the exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of common stock on the date of grant. With respect to non-qualified stock options, the exercise price may be fixed as low as 50% of the fair market value per share at the time of grant. In no event may the duration of an option exceed 10 years and no option may be granted after the expiration of 10 years from the adoption of the Plan. As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, a total of 282,500 and 370,500, respectively, options had been issued and remained outstanding leaving a remaining 217,500 and 129,500, respectively, available under the plan.  All stock options issued to date under the Plan have been issued as incentive stock options with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant.

 

The exercise price of the option is payable in cash upon exercise.  At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, options may be issued in tandem with stock appreciation rights entitling the option holder to receive an amount in cash or in shares of common stock, or a combination thereof, equal in value to any increase since the date of grant in the fair market value of the common stock covered by the option.

 

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan - In September 2002, the Non-Employee Stock Option Plan was established to further align the interests of the Company’s directors with the interests of the shareholders, as well as attracting and retaining qualified directors.  The Board of Directors administers the plan and the options will not be qualified as incentive stock options.  A total of 500,000 shares of common stock are available for issuance.  Option grants will be both automatic and discretionary.  Automatic grants of 20,000 shares for each non-employee director, or 100,000 shares total, were approved in September 2002.  Subsequent automatic grants of an option to purchase 20,000 shares shall be made to each non-employee director on July 15th each year, beginning July 15, 2003. The plan also gives the Board of Directors discretionary authority to provide for additional option grants if the Company’s annual financial performance exceeds parameters established by the Board.  No discretionary grants have been awarded.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, a total of 270,000 and 390,000, respectively, options had been issued under the plan, leaving a remaining 230,000 and 110,000, respectively, available for issuance.  In addition to the options granted above, there were an additional 20,000 options granted to a director in 1995, before the adoption of the Non-Employee Stock Option Plan.  All options issued under this plan were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the of the underlying common stock on the date of the grant

 

10.       Subsequent Events

 

On February 28, 2005, the Company notified the note holders of the 2002-A securitization of its intent to exercise its prepayment call provision effective March 15, 2005.  The Company intends to finance the call through its FIRC and FIARC loan facilities, and thus believes there will be a minimal cash impact.

 

11.       Other Events

 

On November 16, 2004, the Company received a letter from NASDAQ, indicating that the NASDAQ is reviewing the Company’s eligibility for listing on the NASDAQ National Market as a consequence of failure to meet the minimum 400 round lot shareholder requirement of Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(4).  In the letter, NASDAQ stated that the Company had until December 1, 2004, to provide an acceptable plan to regain compliance, or the staff will initiate delisting of the Company’s common stock.  As a result of this action, and after considering the costs and benefits associated with the continued listing on the NASDAQ National Market, the Company has elected to delist itself from the NASDAQ National Market electing instead to list its shares on the over-the-counter bulletin board market.  The Company has maintained its registration under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and continues to file Forms
10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail an annual report to stockholders following each fiscal year end.

 

18



 

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Financial Reporting Release No. 60, which was issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), requires all registrants to discuss critical accounting policies or methods used in the preparation of financial statements.  Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The preparation of financial statements includes the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of net revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The following is a review of the more significant assumptions and estimates, as well as the accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Receivables Held for Investment.  The Company accrues interest income monthly using the effective interest method. Interest income also includes additional amounts received upon early payoffs of certain receivables attributable to the difference between the principal balance of the receivables calculated using the Rule of 78’s method and the principal balance of the receivables calculated using the effective interest method. When a receivable becomes 90 days past due, the income accrual is suspended until the payments become current. When a loan is charged off or the collateral is repossessed, the remaining income accrual is written off.

 

Receivables Acquired for Investment.  The Company estimates the amount and timing of undiscounted expected future principal and interest cash flows. For certain purchased loans, the amount paid for a loan reflects the Company’s determination that it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan’s contractual terms. Accordingly, at acquisition, the Company recognizes the excess of the loan’s scheduled contractual principal and contractual interest payments over its expected cash flows as an amount that should not be accreted. The remaining amount, representing the excess of the loan’s expected cash flows over the amount paid, is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan.  As a result of the amortization of the outstanding principal balance of the receivables portfolio, the majority of the remaining cash flows projected constitute default collections from obligors.  Given the nature of the remaining cash flows of individual loans, the Company determined that the timing of collections on Receivables Acquired for Investment was much more unpredictable than contractual cash flows from non-defaulted receivables.  Therefore, under the guidance provided by Practice Bulletin 6, Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans, Receivables Acquired for Investment are accounted for under the cost-recovery method beginning September 30, 2003.  Under the cost recovery method, cash proceeds from collections are applied to first reduce the Company’s basis in the assets.  Cash collected in excess of this cost basis is recognized as income when received.

 

Other Income.  Other Income consists of income received from servicing activities, late fees and other loan-related fees, income from investments, reinvestment revenue and unrealized loss on interest rate derivative positions.  Servicing revenue is accrued as services are rendered. Late fees and other loan-related fees are recognized when received.  Income from investments and reinvestment revenue are accrued based on the respective interest rate of such investment and unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives is recognized when incurred.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses.  The Company calculates the allowance for credit losses in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.   SFAS No. 114, Accounting for Creditors for Impairment of a Loan does not apply to loans currently held by the Company because they are composed of a large group of smaller balance homogenous loans that are evaluated collectively for impairment.

 

The Company initiates efforts to make customer contact when the customer is one day past due and become more aggressive as the loan becomes further past due.  Management reviews past due loans and considers various factors including payment history, job status and any events that may have occurred that prevent the customer from making a payment.  Through the evaluation, if it is determined that the loan is uncollectible, the collateral is typically repossessed.  Generally this occurs when a loan is 90 to 120 days past due.   Upon repossession, the uncollectible portion of the loan and 100% of accrued interest is written off.  The fair value of the collateral is recorded as an Assets Held for Sale.  Fair value is determined by estimating the proceeds of the collateral, which

 

19



 

primarily are composed of auction proceeds on the sale of the automobile less selling related expenses.  After collection of all proceeds, the Company records an adjustment, positive or negative, based on the difference between the fair value estimate and the true proceeds received.   In the event the collateral is unable to be located, the Company will write off the entire balance after exhausting all collection efforts.

 

The Company applies a systematic methodology in order to determine the amount of the allowance for credit losses.  The specific methodology utilized is a six-month migration analysis whereby the Company compares the aging status of each loan from six months prior to the aging loan status as of the reporting date.  These factors are then applied to the aging status of each loan at the reporting date in order to calculate the number of loans that are expected to migrate to impaired status.  The estimated number of impairments is then multiplied by estimated loss per loan, which is based on historical information.  The computed reserve is then compared to the amount recorded for adequacy.  The Company compares the six-month result to prior six-month periods to compare trends and evaluate any other internal or external factors that may affect collectibility. The allowance for credit losses is based on estimates and qualitative evaluations, and ultimate losses will vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments, either positive or negative, become necessary, are reported in earnings in the period they become known.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  The Company has an employee stock option plan and a non employee director stock option plan. The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. This pronouncement requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company accounts for stock compensation awards under the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees which requires compensation cost to be recognized based on the excess, if any, between the quoted market price of the stock at the date of grant and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. All options awarded under the Company’s plan are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value on the date of the grant.

 

Managed Receivables

 

The Company’s managed receivables are (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

As of or for the
Periods Ended
January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

Receivables Held for Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

17,173

 

16,672

 

Principal balance

 

$

213,362

 

$

227,611

 

Average principal balance of receivables outstanding during the nine-month period

 

$

223,507

 

$

214,121

 

Average principal balance of receivables outstanding during the three-month period

 

$

218,320

 

$

222,886

 

Receivables Acquired for Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

743

 

654

 

Principal balance

 

$

1,476

 

$

721

 

Other Servicing:

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

20,268

 

15,461

 

Principal balance

 

$

313,551

 

$

220,078

 

Total Managed Receivables Portfolio:

 

 

 

 

 

Number

 

38,184

 

32,787

 

Principal balance

 

$

528,389

 

$

448,419

 

Average principal balance of receivables outstanding during the nine-month period

 

$

595,744

 

$

463,995

 

Average principal balance of receivables outstanding during the three-month period

 

$

549,788

 

$

452,408

 

 

20



 

The following table sets forth information with regard to the Company’s net interest spread, which represents the difference between the effective yield on Receivables Held for Investment and the Company’s average cost of debt utilized to fund these receivables, and its net interest margin (averages based on month-end balances):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

Receivables Held for Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effective yield on Receivables Held  for Investment (1)

 

13.7

%

13.0

%

14.0

%

13.2

%

Average cost of debt (2)

 

4.0

%

3.5

%

3.6

%

3.5

%

Net interest spread (3)

 

9.7

%

9.5

%

10.4

%

9.7

%

Net interest margin (4)

 

9.5

%

9.4

%

10.3

%

9.7

%

 


(1)          Represents interest income as a percentage of average Receivables Held for Investment outstanding.

 

(2)          Represents interest expense as a percentage of average debt outstanding.

 

(3)          Represents effective yield on Receivables Held for Investment less average cost of debt.

 

(4)          Represents net interest income as a percentage of average Receivables Held for Investment outstanding.

 

Net interest income is the difference between interest earned from the receivables portfolio and interest expense incurred on the credit facilities used to finance the receivables. Net interest income was $5.3 million and $15.6 million for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, an increase of 2.1% when compared to the amounts reported for the three months ended January 31, 2004, and a decrease of 9.5% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 when compared to the amounts reported for the nine months ended January 31, 2004.

 

The amount of net interest income is the result of the relationship between the average principal amount of receivables held and the average rate earned thereon and the average principal amount of debt incurred to finance such receivables and the average rates paid thereon. Changes in the principal amount and rate components associated with the receivables and debt can be segregated to analyze the periodic changes in net interest income. The following table analyzes the changes attributable to the principal amount and rate components of net interest income (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
January 31, 2004 to 2005

 

Nine Months Ended
January 31, 2004 to 2005

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in

 

Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in

 

 

 

Average
Principal
Amount

 

Average
Rate

 

Total Net

 

Average
Principal
Amount

 

Average Rate

 

Total Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables Held for Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

$

157

 

$

(436

)

$

(279

)

$

(8,489

)

$

6,169

 

$

(2,320

)

Interest expense

 

$

(147

)

$

(231

)

$

(378

)

$

(2,433

)

$

1,753

 

$

(680

)

Net interest income

 

$

304

 

$

(205

)

$

99

 

$

(6,056

)

$

4,416

 

$

(1,640

)

 

21



 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months and Nine Months Ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands)

 

Key Factors. The critical factors affecting the Company’s profitability during any period are (i) loan origination volume and the corresponding growth in Receivables Held For Investment; (2) the level of net interest spread, which is defined as the difference between the effective yield on Receivables Held for Investment and the cost of funds under the Company’s credit facilities and securitizations utilized to finance these receivables; (3) the level of provision for credit losses; (4) the amount of income derived from other activities; and (5) the ability of the Company to control operating expenses relative to the total amount of the managed portfolio.

 

Executive Summary.  Net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 was $279 and $582 respectively, compared to $(167) and $240 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively.  Basic and diluted earnings per common share were $0.06 and $0.12 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $(0.03) and $0.05 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively.  The increase in net income for the three months ended January 31, 2005 compared to January 31, 2004 is due to (i) a lower provision for loan losses, (ii) an increase in other income from product sales and loan related fee collections, (iii) lower operating expenses, and (iv) an increase in average Receivables Held for Investment, partially offset by several factors including (i) a decline in effective yields, (ii) a decline in loan servicing income, (iii) an increase in salaries and benefits and (iv) an increase in general and administrative expenses.  The increase in net income for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 compared to January 31, 2004 is due to several factors, including (i) a lower provision for loan losses and (ii) an increase in other income from product sales and loan related fee collections, partially offset by several factors including (i) a decline in effective yields, (ii) a decline in average Receivables Held for Investment, (iii) a decline in loan servicing income, (iv) an increase in the unrealized loss on interest rate derivatives and (v)  a decrease in income from investment.

 

Interest Income. Interest income for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 decreased to $7,220 and $21,174 compared to $7,499 and $23,493 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively.

 

The level of interest income, a primary driver of financial results, is impacted by the average outstanding balance of the portfolio of Receivables Held for Investment, the weighted average interest rate on Receivables Held for Investment, the mix of direct and indirect receivables within Receivables Held for Investment, and the level of prepayments and charge-offs.  Interest income on Receivables Held for Investment decreased 4% and 15%, respectively for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, compared to the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The reduction in yield for the three months ended January 31, 2005 is primarily due to a decrease in the weighted average interest rate of 78 basis points, partially offset by an increase in average Receivables Held for Investment.  The reduction in yield for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 is primarily due to (i) a decrease in the weighted average interest rate of 83 basis points, and (ii) a decline in average Receivables Held for Investment.  The decline in the weighted average interest rate reflects the Company’s increased focus on receivables originated directly to consumers which typically carry lower interest rates.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 decreased to $1,964 and $5,570 compared to $2,342 and $6,249 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively. Interest expense on Receivables Held for Investment decreased 16% and 11% for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively.  The reduction in interest expense is primarily due to (i) a decrease in the average debt outstanding of $14,826, or 6% for the three months ended January 31, 2005 and $19,546, or 8% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 primarily as a result of a the Company’s decision to lock in interest rates on $140 million of debt in November 2003 through the issuance of Term Notes in which an additional $28 million of debt was incurred due to securitizing loans that were not previously secured through other facilities and (ii) the termination of swap agreements in April 2004. These events were partially offset by (i) the Company’s decision to lock in interest rates on $140 million of debt in November 2003 through the issuance of Term Notes to minimize the risk of future interest rate increases as longer term fixed rate Term Notes typically carry higher interest rates than shorter term floating rate debt and (ii) an increase in overall market interest rates as a result of the current economic environment and market rate increases adopted by the Federal Reserve Board.

 

Provision for Credit Losses. The provision for credit losses for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, decreased to $2,575 and $7,459 as compared to $3,324 and $9,986 for the three and nine

 

22



 

months ended January 31, 2004. The decrease in provision for credit losses is primarily due to (i) improving economic trends, (ii) a change in portfolio mix to loans originated directly with the customer which typically have a lower loss frequency and (iii) the increase in recovery rates on repossessions and non-collateralized defaults.

 

Net charge-offs for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 decreased to $2,473 and $7,246, respectively, compared to $3,427 and $10,122 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The decrease in net charge-offs for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 is primarily due to (i) a decrease in loss frequency and loss severity from repossessions and (ii) an increase in recoveries from defaulted loans.

 

The level of provision for credit losses is a key driver of overall financial performance and should be positively impacted by improvement in general economic conditions, improvements in wholesale used car prices and lower net losses resulting from stricter underwriting controls adopted by the Company during 2000 and 2001.  Any additional economic deterioration or further decline in wholesale used car prices will negatively impact provision expense as will increases in the outstanding balance of receivables held for investment.

 

Servicing Revenue.  Servicing revenue decreased to $821 and $2,696 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $1,347 and $3,845 for three and nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The decrease in servicing revenue for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004 is due to the decrease in principal balance of the servicing portfolio, partially offset by revenues related to incentive servicing fees that were not present in 2004 and have been realized due to the favorable performance of the related serviced portfolio. Revenue derived from servicing activities will increase or decrease in direct proportion to the average outstanding balance of serviced receivables.

 

Late Fees and Other Income Late fees and other income increased to $1,089 and $2,926 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, compared to $322 and $1,171 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The increase is attributable to (i) increased collections and payments allocated to late fees and other income as a result of changes made to the methodology under which the Company allocated cash received to interest, uncollected fees and principal, (ii) an increase in loans originated for a third party (iii) an increase in income received related to GAP insurance and extended service contracts sold to consumers in connection with the Company’s direct lending activities and (iv) an increase in collection efforts.  Income derived from late fees and collection activities are recognized when received, and therefore can be potentially volatile from period to period based on overall cash collection, seasonality, delinquency rates and other factors.

 

Late fees and other income are driven by a number of factors including overall delinquency rates, the percentage of customers utilizing electronic payment methods and growth rates in the Company’s direct lending business which will affect the ability of the Company to generate fee income from marketing insurance and warranty products.

 

Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Interest Rate Derivative Positions.  In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Company is required to record interest rate derivative positions at fair value.  An unrealized gain of $6 and an unrealized loss of $232 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, compared to an unrealized loss of $27 and $33 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, are principally due to changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative positions.

 

Salaries and Benefit Expenses. Salaries and benefit expense increased to $2,304 and $6,583 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, compared to $2,095 and $6,477 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, respectively.  The increase is primarily due to additional permanent and temporary staffing to support a $20,895 and $36,173  increase in new loan originations during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in bonuses paid to collection personnel.

 

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses decreased to $1,028 for the three months ended January 31, 2005, compared to $1,151 for the three months ended January 31, 2004.  The decrease is due to refining the Company’s direct lending business, resulting in increased efficiencies, partially offset by an increase in postage costs due to the Company’s decision to grow the direct lending business. Operating expenses increased to $3,652 for the nine months ended January 31, 2005, compared to $3,425 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The increase is due to an increase in postage and credit bureau costs due to the Company’s decision to grow the direct lending business, partially offset by refining the direct lending business, resulting in increased efficiencies.

 

23



 

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $960 and $2,819 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005, compared to $852 and $2,812 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004.  The three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 experienced an increase in professional fees during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004, partially offset by a general decline in occupancy, travel, depreciation and amortization expense.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company finances its loan origination through two warehouse credit facilities. The Company’s credit facilities provide for one-year terms and have been renewed annually. Management of the Company believes that the credit facilities will continue to be renewed or extended or that it would be able to secure alternate financing on satisfactory terms; however, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. In January 2002 the Company issued $159 million in asset-backed notes (“Term Notes”) secured by a discrete pool of receivables. On November 20, 2003, the Company issued $140 million in Term Notes secured by a discrete pool of receivables.  Substantially all receivables retained by the Company are pledged as collateral for the credit facilities and the Term Notes. The weighted average interest rate for the Company’s secured borrowings including the effect of program fees, dealer fees, and other comprehensive income (loss) amortization was 3.54% and 3.96% for the three months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004 3.48% and 3.58% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Warehouse Facilities as of January 31, 2005

 

Facility

 

Capacity

 

Outstanding

 

Interest Rate

 

Fees

 

Insurance

 

Borrowing
Rate At
January 31,
2005

 

FIARC

 

$

150,000,000

 

$

89,120,297

 

Commercial paper rate plus .3%

 

.25% of Unused Facility

 

.35

%

3.05

%

FIRC

 

$

50,000,000

 

$

33,980,110

 

Option of a) Base Rate, which is the higher of prime rate or fed funds plus .5% or b) LIBOR plus .5%

 

.25% of Unused Facility

 

See below

 

2.44

%

 

Warehouse Facilities – Credit Enhancement as of January 31, 2005

 

Facility

 

Cash Reserve

 

Advance
Rate

 

Insurance

 

FIARC

 

1% of outstanding receivables

 

94

%

Surety Bond

 

FIRC

 

1% of borrowings

 

100

%

Default Insurance (ALPI)

 

 

FIRC - In order to obtain a lower cost of funding, the Company has agreed to maintain credit enhancement insurance covering the receivables pledged as collateral under the FIRC credit facility. The facility lenders are named as additional insureds under these policies. The coverages are obtained on each receivable at the time it is originated by the Company, and the applicable premiums are prepaid for the life of the receivable. Each receivable is covered by multiple credit insurance policies, consisting of basic default insurance under a standard auto loan protection policy (known as “ALPI” insurance) together with certain supplemental coverages relating to physical damage and other risks. Solely at its expense, the Company carries these coverages and neither the vehicle purchasers nor the dealers are charged for the coverages, nor are they usually aware of their existence. The

 

24



 

Company’s ALPI insurance policy is written by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh (“National Union”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American International Group.

 

The premiums that the Company paid during the three months and nine months ended January 31, 2005 for its three credit enhancement insurance coverages, of which the largest component is basic ALPI insurance, represented approximately 2.9% of the principal amount of the receivables originated during the periods. Aggregate premiums paid for ALPI coverage alone were $1,028,980 and $606,135 during the three months ended and $2,645,416 and $2,216,261 for nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and accounted for 2.7% and 3.6% during the three months ended and 2.5% and 3.2% for the nine months ended January 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, of the principal amount of the receivables originated during such respective periods.

 

In April 1994, the Company organized First Investors Insurance Company (the “Insurance Subsidiary”) under the captive insurance company laws of the State of Vermont. The Insurance Subsidiary is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and is a party to a reinsurance agreement whereby the Insurance Subsidiary reinsures 100% of the risk under the Company’s ALPI insurance policy. At the time each receivable is insured by National Union, the risk is automatically reinsured to its full extent and approximately 96% of the premium paid by the Company to National Union with respect to such receivable is ceded to the Insurance Subsidiary. When a loss covered by the ALPI policy occurs, National Union pays it after the claim is processed, and National Union is then reimbursed in full by the Insurance Subsidiary.  In addition to the monthly premiums and liquidity reserves of the Insurance Subsidiary, a trust account is maintained by National Union to secure the Insurance Subsidiary’s obligations for losses it has reinsured.

 

The result of the foregoing reinsurance structure is that National Union, as the “fronting” insurer under the captive arrangement, is unconditionally obligated to the Company’s credit facility lenders for all losses covered by the ALPI policy, and the Company, through its Insurance Subsidiary, is obligated to indemnify National Union for all such losses. As of January 31, 2005, the Insurance Subsidiary had capital and surplus of $2,451,776 and unencumbered cash reserves of $1,790,632 in addition to the $3,300,508 trust account.

 

The ALPI coverage as well as the Insurance Subsidiary’s liability under the Reinsurance Agreement, remains in effect for each receivable that is pledged as collateral under the warehouse credit facility. Once receivables are transferred from FIRC to FIARC and financed under the commercial paper facility, ALPI coverage and the Insurance Subsidiary’s liability under the Reinsurance Agreement is cancelled with respect to the transferred receivables. Any unearned premium associated with the transferred receivables is returned to the Company. The Company believes the losses its Insurance Subsidiary will be required to indemnify will be less than the premiums ceded to it. However, there can be no assurance that losses will not exceed the premiums ceded and the capital and surplus of the Insurance Subsidiary.

 

FIARC – Credit Enhancement for the FIARC warehouse facility is provided to the commercial paper investors by a cash reserve account equal to 1% of the receivables held by FIARC and, additionally, a surety bond issued by MBIA. The Company is not a guarantor of, or otherwise a party to, such commercial paper.

 

Warehouse Facilities – Agents and Expirations

 

Facility

 

Agent

 

Expiration

 

Event if not Renewed

 

FIARC

 

Wachovia

 

February 15, 2006

 

Receivables pledged would be allowed to amortize; however, no new receivables would be allowed to transfer from the FIRC facility

 

FIRC

 

Wachovia

 

December 1, 2005

 

Convert to a term loan which would mature nine months thereafter and amortize monthly in accordance with the borrowing base with the remaining balance due at maturity

 

 

On December 4, 2003, the FIRC facility was renewed, under similar terms and conditions, at the $50 million commitment level until December 2, 2004, and was subsequently extended until December 1, 2005.  On June 15, 2004, the FIRC facility was extended to $65 million, and reverted back to $50 million on September 13, 2004.  On January 29, 2004, following a short-term extension of the original maturity date, the FIARC facility was

 

25



 

renewed, under similar terms and conditions, to December 2, 2004, and was subsequently extended until February 15, 2006.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, there was $0 and $34 million, respectively, outstanding.

 

Management presently intends to seek further extensions to these warehouse facilities prior to the current expiration dates.  Management further considers its relationship with its lenders to be satisfactory and has no reason to believe that the FIRC and FIARC facilities will not be renewed at each of their respective expiration dates.

 

The following table contains pertinent information on the Term Notes as of January 31, 2005.

 

Term Notes

 

Issuance Date

 

Issuance
Amount

 

Maturity Date

 

Outstanding

 

Interest
Rate

 

2002-A

 

January 29, 2002

 

$

159,036,000

 

December 15, 2008

 

$

23,636,247

 

3.46

%

2003-A

 

November 11, 2003

 

$

139,661,000

 

April 20, 2011

 

$

80,806,448

 

2.58

%

 

Credit enhancement on the two Term Notes is as follows:

 

Facility

 

Cash Reserve

 

Advance
Rate

 

Insurance

 

2002-A

 

2% of Initial Pool Balance including Pre-Funding Amount of $25 million

 

99% initial advance decreasing to 97%

 

Surety Bond

 

2003-A

 

0.5% of Initial Pool Balance increasing to 2% of Initial Pool Balance including Pre-Funding Amount of $30 million

 

96.5% initial advance decreasing to 96.1%

 

Surety Bond

 

 

Term Notes - On January 29, 2002, the Company, through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary First Investors Auto Owner Trust 2002-A (“2002 Auto Trust”) completed the issuance of $159,036,000 of 3.46% Class A asset-backed notes (“2002-A Term Notes”). The initial pool of automobile receivables transferred to the 2002 Auto Trust totaled $135,643,109, which was previously owned by FIRC and FIARC, secure the 2002-A Term Notes.  In addition to the issuance of the Class A Notes, the 2002 Auto Trust also issued $4,819,000 in Class B Notes that were retained by the Company and pledged to secure the Working Capital Facility as further described below.  Proceeds from the issuance, which totaled $159,033,471 were used to (i) fund a $25,000,000 pre-funding account to be used for future loan originations; (ii) repay all outstanding borrowings under the FIARC commercial paper facility, (iii) reduce the outstanding borrowings under the FIRC credit facility, (iv) pay transaction fees related to the 2002-A Term Note issuance, and (v) fund a cash reserve account of 2% or $2,712,862 of the initial receivables pledged which will serve as a portion of the credit enhancement for the transaction. The Class A Term Notes bear interest at 3.46% and require monthly principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class A Term Notes to 97% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool. The final maturity of the 2002-A Term Notes is December 15, 2008.  The Class B Notes do not bear interest but require principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class B Notes to 3% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool.  A surety bond issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation provides credit enhancement for the Class A Notes.  In the event that certain asset quality covenants are not met, the reserve account target level will increase to 6% of the then current principal balance of the receivables pool.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, the outstanding principal balances on the 2002-A Term Notes were $44,335,659 and $23,636,247, respectively.

 

On November 20, 2003, the Company, through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary First Investors Auto Owner Trust 2003-A (“2003 Auto Trust”) completed the issuance of $139,661,000 of 2.58% Class A asset-backed notes (“2003-A Term Notes”). The initial pool of automobile receivables transferred to the 2003 Auto Trust totaled $114,726,891, which was previously owned by FIRC and FIARC, secure the 2003-A Term Notes.  In addition to the issuance of the Class A Notes, the 2003 Auto Trust also issued $5,065,891 in Class B Notes that

 

26



 

were retained by the Company and pledged to secure the Working Capital Facility as further described below.  Proceeds from the issuance, which totaled $139,656,629 were used to (i) fund a $30,000,000 pre-funding account to be used for future loan originations; (ii) repay all outstanding borrowings under the FIARC commercial paper facility, (iii) reduce the outstanding borrowings under the FIRC credit facility, (iv) pay transaction fees related to the 2003-A Term Note issuance, and (v) fund an initial cash reserve account of 0.5% or $573,635 of the initial receivables pledged.  The Class A Term Notes bear interest at 2.58% and require monthly principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class A Term Notes to 96.1% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool. The final maturity of the 2003-A Term Notes is April 20, 2011.  The Class B Notes do not bear interest but require principal reductions sufficient to reduce the balance of the Class B Notes to 3.9% of the outstanding balance of the underlying receivables pool.  A surety bond issued by MBIA Insurance Corporation provides credit enhancement for the Class A Notes.  In the event that certain asset quality covenants are not met, the reserve account target level will increase to 6% of the then current principal balance of the receivables pool.  As of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, the outstanding principal balances on the 2003-A Term notes were $120,382,531 and $80,806,448, respectively.

 

Working Capital Facility.  On December 6, 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with Wachovia Securities to refinance the $11,175,000 outstanding balance of a working capital term loan previously provided by Bank of America and Wachovia and increase the size of the facility to $13.5 million.  The renewal facility was provided to a special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, First Investors Residual Funding LP.   The facility originally consisted of a $9 million revolving tranche and a $4.5 million term loan tranche which amortizes monthly.  The term loan tranche of this working capital facility was evidenced by the Class B Notes issued in conjunction with the 2002 Auto Trust financing. The remaining $9 million of the $13.5 million working capital facility revolves monthly in accordance with a borrowing base consisting of the over-collateralization amount and reserve accounts for each of the Company’s other credit facilities.  The facility is secured solely by the residual cash flow and cash reserve accounts related to the Company’s warehouse credit facilities, the acquisition facility and the existing and future term note facilities.  During 2002, the facility was modified to increase the interest rate from LIBOR plus 1.5% to LIBOR plus 2.25%.  The commitment fee paid on the total available amount of the facility was maintained at 1.5%.    In addition, the monthly principal amortization under the term loan tranche was increased to the greater of $250,000 or the principal distributions made under the Class B Notes issued under the 2002 Auto Trust financing.  On December 4, 2003, the Working Capital Facility was extended to December 2, 2004.  Under the terms of the extension, the monthly amortization requirement was replaced with the requirement that outstandings under the facility could not exceed the lesser of a borrowing base or the $9 million facility limit.  On October 26, 2004, the Working Capital Facility was extended until October 10, 2005, increasing the commitment amount to $13.5 million.  The interest rate remained at LIBOR plus 2.25% and the commitment fee paid on the total available amount of the facility was maintained at 1.5%.  At April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005, there was $8,761,143 and $10,500,000, respectively, outstanding under this facility.

 

The Company presently intends to seek a renewal of the working capital facility from its lender prior to maturity.  Should the facility not be renewed, the outstanding balance of the receivables would be amortized in accordance with the borrowing base.  Management considers its relationship with its lenders to be satisfactory and has no reason to believe that this credit facility will not be renewed.  If the facility is not renewed, however, or if material changes are made to its terms and conditions, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Shareholder Loans.  On December 3, 2001 the Company entered into an agreement with one of its shareholders who is a member of its Board of Directors under which the Company may, from time to time, borrow up to $2.5 million.  On December 6, 2004, the original $2.5 million shareholder loan was replaced with a $2.5 million loan containing identical terms and conditions between the Company and a limited partnership that is affiliated with a current shareholder and member of the board of directors.  The proceeds of the borrowings will be utilized to fund certain private and open market purchases of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a Stock Repurchase Plan authorized by the Board of Directors and for general corporate purposes.  Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a fixed rate of 10% per annum.  The facility is unsecured and expressly subordinated to the Company’s senior credit facilities. The facility matures on December 3, 2008 but may be repaid at any time unless the Company is in default on one of its other credit facilities.  There were no amounts outstanding under this facility as of April 30, 2004 and January 31, 2005 respectively.

 

Loan Covenants.  The documentation governing these credit facilities and Term Notes contains numerous covenants relating to the Company’s business, the maintenance of credit enhancement insurance covering the

 

27



 

receivables (if applicable), the observance of certain financial covenants, the avoidance of certain levels of delinquency experience and other matters. The breach of these covenants, if not cured within the time limits specified, could precipitate events of default that might result in the acceleration of the FIRC credit facility, the Term Notes and the working capital facility or the termination of the commercial paper facilities. The Company was not in default with respect to any financial covenants governing these financing arrangements at January 31, 2005.

 

Interest Rate Management.  The Company’s warehouse credit facilities and working capital facilities bear interest at floating interest rates which are reset on a short-term basis while the secured Term Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of interest. The Company’s receivables bear interest at fixed rates that do not generally vary with a change in market interest rates. Since a primary contributor to the Company’s profitability is its ability to manage its net interest spread, the Company seeks to maximize the net interest spread while minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates. In connection with managing the net interest spread, the Company may periodically enter into interest rate swaps or caps to minimize the effects of market interest rate fluctuations on the net interest spread. To the extent that the Company has outstanding floating rate borrowings or has elected to convert a portion of its borrowings from fixed rates to floating rates, the Company will be exposed to fluctuations in short-term interest rates.

 

During the nine months ended January 31, 2005, as a requirement of the FIARC commercial paper facility, the Company entered into seven interest rate cap transactions, with strike rates of 5%.  The aggregate initial notional amounts of the caps were $97,056,198 which amortize over six years.  The Company paid an aggregate of $1,076,687 in premiums to purchase these caps.  The interest rate caps were not designated as hedges, and accordingly, changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and reflected in net income.  As of January 31, 2005, the combined value of the interest rates caps were $844,495 and are recorded under other assets as interest rate derivative positions.  During the three months ended January 31, 2005, the Company recorded a combined unrealized gain of $5,562 and during the nine months ended January 31, 2005, the Company recorded a combined unrealized loss of $232,192 that is included as a separate caption under other income.

 

During fiscal year 2004, as a requirement of the FIARC commercial paper facility, the Company entered into various interest rate cap transactions at cap rates ranging from 6.5% to 7.5% with a notional balance that amortized over five to nine year periods. The interest rate caps were not designated as hedges and, accordingly, changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps were recorded as unrealized gains or losses and reflected in net income.  On December 2, 2003, the Company terminated all interest rate caps outstanding in exchange for proceeds of $356,000.  The caps were terminated following the repayment of all outstanding principal under the FIARC facility following the issuance of the 2003-A Term Notes.  As a result, a realized loss of $14,000 was incurred relative to the aggregate market value of the interest rate caps.

 

On June 1, 2001, the Company entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $100 million and a maturity date of April 15, 2004.  Under the terms of these swaps, the Company paid a floating rate based on one month LIBOR and received a fixed rate of 5.025%.  Management elected to enter into these swap agreements to offset the uneconomical position of the existing pay fixed rate swap created by rapidly declining market interest rates.  In connection with the decision to enter into the $100 million pay floating rate swap, the Company elected to change the designation of the $100 million pay fixed rate swap from a cash flow hedge and not account for the instrument as a hedge under SFAS No. 133.   As a result, the change in fair value of the swaps is reflected in net income for periods subsequent to May 31, 2001.

 

Delinquency and Credit Loss Experience

 

The Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may be adversely affected by nonperforming receivables. The Company seeks to manage its risk of credit loss through (i) prudent credit evaluations, (ii) risk management activities, (iii) effective collection procedures, and (iv) by maximizing recoveries on defaulted loans. The allowance for credit losses of $2,412,679 as of January 31, 2005 and $2,199,386 as of April 30, 2004 as a percentage of Receivables Held for Investment of $227,611,249 as of January 31, 2005 and $207,489,339 as of April 30, 2004 was 1.1% and 1.1% respectively.

 

28



 

The Company considers a loan to be delinquent when the borrower fails to make a scheduled payment of principal and interest. Accrual of interest is suspended when the payment from the borrower is over 90 days past due. Generally, repossession procedures are initiated 90 to 120 days after the payment default.

 

The Company retains the credit risk associated with the receivables originated. The Company purchases credit enhancement insurance from third party insurers, which covers the risk of loss upon default and certain other risks. The Company established a captive insurance subsidiary to reinsure certain risks under the credit enhancement insurance coverage for all receivables.  In addition, receivables financed under the Auto Trust and FIARC commercial paper facilities do not carry default insurance.  Provisions for credit losses of $2,574,748 and $7,459,259 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2005 compared to and $3,324,302 and $9,986,006 for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2004 have been recorded.

 

The Company calculates the allowance for credit losses in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.   SFAS No. 114, Accounting for Creditors for Impairment of a Loan does not apply to loans currently held by the Company because they are composed of a large group of smaller balance homogenous loans that are evaluated collectively for impairment.

 

The Company applies a systematic methodology in order to determine the amount of the allowance for credit losses.  The specific methodology utilized is a six-month migration analysis whereby the Company compares the aging status of each loan from six months prior to the aging loan status as of the reporting date.  These factors are then applied to the aging status of each loan at the reporting date in order to calculate the number of loans that are expected to migrate to impaired status.  The estimated number of impairments is then multiplied by estimated loss per loan, which is based on historical information.  The computed reserve is then compared to the amount recorded for adequacy.  The Company compares the six-month result to prior six-month periods to compare trends and evaluate any other internal or external factors that may affect collectibility. The allowance for credit losses is based on estimates and qualitative evaluations, and ultimate losses will vary from current estimates. These estimates are reviewed periodically and as adjustments, either positive or negative, become necessary, are reported in earnings in the period they become known.

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s delinquency and charge-off experience over its last two fiscal years (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

As of or for the Nine Months Ended January
31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

 

 

Number
of Loans

 

Amount

 

Number
of Loans

 

Amount

 

Receivables Held for Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delinquent amount outstanding (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 - 59 days

 

224

 

$

2,166

 

263

 

$

2,488

 

60 - 89 days

 

101

 

1,108

 

76

 

629

 

90 days or more

 

321

 

3,489

 

183

 

1,469

 

Total delinquencies

 

646

 

$

6,763

 

522

 

$

4,586

 

Total delinquencies as a percentage of outstanding receivables.

 

3.8

%

3.1

%

3.1

%

2.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average receivables outstanding during the period (2)

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

4.5

%

 


(1)                                  Delinquent amounts outstanding do not include loans in bankruptcy status since collection activity is limited and highly regulated for bankrupt accounts.

 

(2)                                  The percentages have been annualized and are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

 

29



 

The lower annualized charge-off rate results from an improving economic environment coupled with an increase in the Company’s direct to consumer lending program and higher recovery rates on repossessions.

 

As of January 31, 2005, there were 379 accounts totaling $3,869,214 that were in bankruptcy status and were more than 30 days past due.  As of January 31, 2004, there were 475 accounts totaling $4,562,290 that were in bankruptcy status and were more than 30 days past due.  As of January 31, 2005 and 2004, 89% and 90%, respectively, of the bankruptcy delinquencies filed for protection under Chapter 13.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer. SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for loans acquired through a transfer (including a business combination) that have differences between their expected cash flows and their contractual cash flows, due in part to credit quality. The SOP requires that the excess of the expected cash flows at acquisition to be collected over the acquirer’s initial investment be recognized on a level-yield basis over the loan’s life. Any future revised estimate of cash flows in excess of the original cash flows is recognized as a future yield adjustment. Future decreases in actual cash flows over the original expected cash flows are recognized as impairment and expensed immediately. Valuation allowances can not be created or “carried over” in the initial accounting for loans acquired that are within the scope of the SOP. SOP 03-3 is effective for loans acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004.  The Company does not anticipate SOP 03-3 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment -a revision to SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“SFAS No. 123(R)”) that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123(R) eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and generally requires instead that such transactions be accounted for using a fair-value-based method.

 

SFAS No. 123(R) is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. SFAS 123(R) applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to such awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. The cumulative effect of initially applying SFAS No. 123(R), if any, is recognized as of the required effective date. As of the required effective date, all public entities that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 will apply SFAS No. 123(R) using a modified version of prospective application. Under that transition method, compensation cost is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. For periods before the required effective date, those entities may elect to apply a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods by SFAS No. 123. The Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the impact that SFAS No. 123(R) will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

Forward Looking Information

 

Statements and financial discussion and analysis included in this report that are not historical are considered to be forward-looking in nature. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Specific factors that could cause such differences include unexpected fluctuations in market interest rates, changes in economic conditions, changes in the competition for loans, or the inability to renew or obtain financing. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties is included in this report and the company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Company believes the factors discussed in its reports are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statement made herein or elsewhere by the Company or on its behalf.  The factors listed are not necessarily all of the important factors.  Unpredictable or

 

30



 

unknown factors not discussed could also have material adverse effects on actual results.  The Company does not intend to update its description of important factors each time a potential important factor arises.  The Company advises its stockholders that they should:  (1) be aware that important factors not described herein could affect the accuracy of our forward looking statements, and (2) use caution and common sense when analyzing our forward looking statements in this document or elsewhere.  All of such forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 

ITEM 3.                             QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The market risk discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the analysis that follows are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain adverse market conditions occur. Actual results in the future may differ materially due to changes in the Company’s product and debt mix, developments in the financial markets, and further utilization by the company of risk-mitigating strategies such as hedging.

 

The Company’s operating revenues are derived almost entirely from the collection of interest on the receivables it retains and its primary expense is the interest that it pays on borrowings incurred to purchase and retain such receivables. The Company’s credit facilities bear interest at floating rates which are reset on a short-term basis, whereas its receivables bear interest at fixed rates which do not generally vary with changes in interest rates. The Company is therefore exposed primarily to market risks associated with movements in interest rates on its credit facilities. The Company believes that it takes the necessary steps to appropriately reduce the potential impact of interest rate increases on the Company’s financial position and operating performance.

 

The Company relies almost exclusively on revolving credit facilities to fund its origination of receivables. Periodically, the Company will transfer receivables from a revolving to a term credit facility. Currently all of the Company’s credit facilities bear interest at floating rates tied to either a commercial paper index or LIBOR.

 

As of January 31, 2005, the Company had $133.6 million of floating rate secured debt outstanding under the FIRC warehouse and working capital facilities.  For every 1% increase in commercial paper rates or LIBOR, annual after-tax earnings would decrease by approximately $.9 million assuming the Company maintains a level amount of floating rate debt and assuming an immediate increase in rates.  As of January 31, 2004, the Company had $49.5 million of floating rate secured debt outstanding net of swap and cap agreements. For every 1% increase in commercial paper rates or LIBOR, annual after-tax earnings would have decreased by approximately $.3 million assuming the Company maintains a level amount of floating rate debt and assuming an immediate increase in rates.

 

ITEM 4.                             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 31, 2005 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended January 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

31



 

PART II
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 

ITEM 5.                             OTHER INFORMATION

 

On November 16, 2004, the Company received a letter from NASDAQ, indicating that the NASDAQ is reviewing the Company’s eligibility for listing on the NASDAQ National Market as a consequence of failure to meet the minimum 400 round lot shareholder requirement of Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(4).  In the letter, NASDAQ stated that the Company had until December 1, 2004, to provide an acceptable plan to regain compliance, or the staff will initiate delisting of the Company’s common stock.  As a result of this action, and after considering the costs and benefits associated with the continued listing on the NASDAQ National Market, the Company has elected to delist itself from the NASDAQ National Market electing instead to list its shares on the over-the-counter bulletin board market.  The Company has maintained its registration under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and continues to file Forms
10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail an annual report to stockholders following each fiscal year end.

 

ITEM 6.                             EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

(a)          Exhibits

 

10.114

 

Amended and restated Security Agreement dated February 18, 2005 between First Investors Auto Receivables Corporation, First Investors Financial Services, Inc., First Investors Servicing Corporation, Variable Funding Capital Corporation, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, MBIA Insurance Corporation, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

 

 

10.115

 

Amended and restated Insurance Agreement dated February 18, 2005 between MBIA Insurance Corporation, First Investors Auto Receivables Corporation, First Investors Financial Services, Inc., First Investors Servicing Corporation, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

 

 

 

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 section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

Filed with this 10-Q

 

 

 

 


(b)         Reports on Form 8-K

 

Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004, press release announcing preliminary results for the quarter end October 31, 2004 and a NASDAQ notice of potential delisting from The National Market Exchange.

 

Form 8-K filed March 10, 2005, press release announcing the quarter end January 31, 2005 financial results.

 

32



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

First Investors Financial Services Group, Inc.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: March 14, 2005

By: /s/ TOMMY A. MOORE, JR.

 

Tommy A. Moore, Jr.

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: March 14, 2005

By: /s/ BENNIE H. DUCK

 

Bennie H. Duck

 

Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

 

33