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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

 

or

 

¨ 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 0-50179

 


 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   04-3669482

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

15090 Avenue of Science

San Diego, California 92128

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 858-676-2100

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: not applicable

 


 

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  x or No  ¨

 

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

 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock as of October 29, 2004 was 21,199,728.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page

PART I      FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
Item 1.      Unaudited Financial Statements    2
      

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004

   2
      

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004

   3
      

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004

   4
      

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004

   5
       Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    6
Item 2.     

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

   36
Item 3.     

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   66
Item 4.      Controls and Procedures    67
PART II      OTHER INFORMATION     
Item 1.      Legal Proceedings    68
Item 2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    69
Item 3.      Defaults Upon Senior Securities    69
Item 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    69
Item 5.      Other Information    69
Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    69
       Signatures    S-1
       Exhibit Index    Ex-1
      

Certifications

    


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements. When used in this report, statements which are not historical in nature, including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. They also include statements containing a projection of revenues, earnings or losses, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial terms.

 

The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon our management’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future operations and economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to them. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition that we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. Some of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from expectations are:

 

  changes in demand for, or value of, mortgage loans due to the attributes of the loans we originate; the characteristics of our borrowers; and fluctuations in the real estate market, interest rates or the market in which we sell or securitize our loans;

 

  a general deterioration in economic or political conditions;

 

  our ability to protect and hedge our mortgage loan portfolio against adverse interest rate movements;

 

  changes in government regulations that affect our ability to originate and service mortgage loans;

 

  changes in the credit markets, which affect our ability to borrow money to originate mortgage loans;

 

  the degree and nature of our competition;

 

  our ability to employ and retain qualified employees; and

 

  the other factors referenced in this report, including, without limitation, under the section entitled “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. We qualify any and all of our forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors.

 

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In this Form 10-Q, unless the context requires otherwise, “Accredited,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” means Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. and its subsidiaries.

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)    December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 27,119     $ 73,469  

Restricted cash

     209       5,690  

Mortgage loans held for sale, net of market reserve of $12,213 and $14,372, respectively

     1,277,075       1,848,376  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses of $19,890 and $51,328, respectively

     2,090,237       4,047,046  

Mortgage-related securities, at fair value

     3,692       3,754  

Mortgage servicing rights, net

     1,119       331  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     20,674       32,653  

Other receivables

     44,911       60,570  

Prepaid income taxes

     —         19,878  

Deferred income tax asset

     16,052       17,214  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     20,329       27,693  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 3,501,417     $ 6,136,674  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

LIABILITIES:

                

Warehouse facilities

   $ 1,515,195     $ 2,411,415  

Securitization bond financing

     1,724,389       3,275,887  

Income taxes payable

     2,949       —    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     46,661       50,975  
    


 


Total liabilities

     3,289,194       5,738,277  
    


 


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)

                

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY

     —         84,094  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 20,366,314 shares at December 31, 2003 and 21,161,641 shares at September 30, 2004 (including 326,113 and 563,767, respectively, of restricted stock awarded under the deferred compensation plan)

     20       21  

Additional paid-in capital

     61,585       78,970  

Note receivable for common stock

     (1,250 )     (1,250 )

Unearned compensation

     (5,623 )     (11,685 )

Other comprehensive loss

     —         (1,921 )

Retained earnings

     157,491       250,168  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     212,223       314,303  
    


 


TOTAL

   $ 3,501,417     $ 6,136,674  
    


 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

(dollars and shares outstanding in thousands, except for earnings per share)   Three Months Ended
September 30,


  Nine Months Ended
September 30,


    2003

  2004

  2003

  2004

REVENUES:

                       

Interest income

  $ 47,870   $ 97,493   $ 120,484   $ 242,792

Gain on sale of loans (including $0, $0, $2,834 and $0, respectively, with a related party)

    65,237     77,993     171,317     210,342

Loan servicing income

    1,979     1,996     5,789     5,205

Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives

    1,051     309     5,439     2,083

Other income

    98     283     583     413
   

 

 

 

Total revenues

    116,235     178,074     303,612     460,835
   

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

                       

Salaries, wages and benefits

    28,700     42,674     79,523     117,775

Interest expense (including $0, $0, $597 and $0, respectively, with a related party)

    16,616     37,114     43,628     86,137

Occupancy

    3,449     4,810     8,448     13,341

Provision for losses

    6,537     14,416     22,916     39,708

Depreciation and amortization

    1,260     2,911     3,343     6,934

General and administrative expenses

    10,590     15,878     29,019     42,002
   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    67,152     117,803     186,877     305,897
   

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    49,083     60,271     116,735     154,938

INCOME TAXES

    19,634     23,234     46,694     61,101

MINORITY INTEREST—DIVIDENDS ON PREFFERED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARY

    —       1,160     —       1,160
   

 

 

 

NET INCOME

  $ 29,449   $ 35,877   $ 70,041   $ 92,677
   

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

  $ 1.50   $ 1.75   $ 4.09   $ 4.57
   

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

  $ 1.40   $ 1.66   $ 3.56   $ 4.31
   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

                       

BASIC

    19,651     20,470     17,139     20,287
   

 

 

 

DILUTED

    21,046     21,580     19,687     21,516
   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
(dollars in thousands)    2003

    2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 70,041     $ 92,677  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     3,343       6,934  

Amortization of unearned compensation

     406       2,473  

Loss on disposal of furniture, fixtures, and equipment

     120       39  

Mortgage loans held for sale originated, net of fees

     (4,467,876 )     (6,076,570 )

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale, net of fees

     4,223,016       5,789,582  

Collection of principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale

     22,902       52,405  

Net change in fair value hedge basis adjustment on mortgage loans held for sale and securitized loans

     (10,769 )     (16,910 )

Amortization of net deferred origination fees on securitized loans

     (447 )     1,972  

Cash received on mortgage-related securities

     11,205       2,419  

Net unrealized gain on mortgage-related securities

     (6,513 )     (2,086 )

Accretion of mortgage-related securities

     (671 )     (380 )

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights

     1,598       788  

Provision for losses

     22,916       39,708  

Deferred income taxes

     (2,743 )     (1,162 )

Income tax deduction for disqualifying stock dispositions

     —         5,625  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Other receivables

     (15,510 )     (15,659 )

Prepaid income taxes

     —         (19,878 )

Other assets

     2,442       (2,642 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     10,262       3,691  

Income taxes payable

     (998 )     (2,949 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (137,276 )     (139,923 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Capital expenditures

     (11,398 )     (18,952 )

Mortgage loans held for investment originated

     (1,140,347 )     (2,905,882 )

Principal payments on securitized loans

     119,857       581,562  
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,031,888 )     (2,343,272 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net proceeds from warehouse credit facilities

     569,573       896,220  

Payments of borrowings on residual interest credit facility

     (6,859 )     —    

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing

     719,847       2,167,569  

Payments of securitization bond financing.

     (141,289 )     (616,071 )

Change in restricted cash

     (1,367 )     (5,481 )

Payments on capital leases

     (208 )     (12 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     547       1,123  

Proceeds from issuance of stock under ESPP

     1,873       2,103  

Net proceeds from initial public offering and concurrent private placement

     38,294       —    

Proceeds from preferred stock offering of consolidated subsidiary

     —         84,094  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     1,180,411       2,529,545  
    


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     11,247       46,350  

BEGINNING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     11,300       27,119  
    


 


ENDING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   $ 22,547     $ 73,469  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest

   $ 38,960     $ 74,772  

Income taxes

   $ 50,359     $ 78,194  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Transfer of loans held for sale to loans held for investment

   $ 720,940     $ 2,570,380  

Transfer of loans held for sale to real estate owned, included in other assets

   $ 7,347     $ 4,721  

Transfer of mortgage related securities from other liabilities

   $ —       $ 16  

Unearned compensation

   $ 284     $ 129  

Deferred compensation

   $ —       $ 8,406  

Conversion of convertible debt to common stock

   $ 3,000     $ —    

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock

   $ 5,113     $ —    

Conversion of warrants to common stock

   $ 1     $ —    

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(unaudited)

 

    Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in

Capital


 

Note
Receivable
for
Common

Stock


   

Unearned

Compensation


   

Other

Comprehensive

Loss


   

Retained

Earnings


 

Total


 
    Shares

  Amount

           
    (dollars in thousands)  

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2003

  5,833,873   $ 6   $ 2,351   $ (1,250 )   $ (574 )   $ —       $ 57,476   $ 58,009  

Issuance of common stock for options exercised

  517,546     1     864                                   865  

Issuance of common stock in initial public offering and concurrent private placement, net of offering costs

  5,653,712     6     38,288                                   38,294  

Conversion of preferred stock, convertible debt and warrants to common stock

  7,631,191     7     8,106                                   8,113  

Issuance of common stock in the employee stock purchase plan

  403,879           4,045                                   4,045  

Stock compensation related to non-employee stock options

              434             (434 )                   —    

Amortization of unearned compensation

                            282                     282  

Issuance and amortization of restricted stock—net of forfeited shares

  326,113           5,415             (4,897 )                   518  

Tax benefit for disqualifying stock dispositions

              2,082                                   2,082  

Net income

                                            100,015     100,015  
   
 

 

 


 


 


 

 


BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2003

  20,366,314   $ 20   $ 61,585   $ (1,250 )   $ (5,623 )     —       $ 157,491   $ 212,223  
   
 

 

 


 


 


 

 


Issuance of common stock for options exercised

  469,797     1     1,122                                   1,123  

Issuance of common stock in the employee stock purchase plan

  87,876           2,103                                   2,103  

Stock compensation related to non-employee stock options

              129             (129 )                      

Amortization of unearned compensation

                            274                     274  

Issuance and amortization of restricted stock—net of forfeited shares

  237,654           8,406             (6,207 )                   2,199  

Tax benefit for disqualifying stock dispositions

              5,625                                   5,625  

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

                                    (1,921 )           (1,921 )

Net income

                                            92,677     92,677  
   
 

 

 


 


 


 

 


BALANCE, September 30, 2004

  21,161,641   $ 21   $ 78,970   $ (1,250 )   $ (11,685 )   $ (1,921 )   $ 250,168   $ 314,303  
   
 

 

 


 


 


 

 


 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 (Unaudited)

 

1. THE COMPANY AND A SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (“AHLHC”), a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”), AHL’s wholly owned subsidiary Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (“REIT”) and the recently formed subsidiary Accredited Home Lenders Canada, Inc. (collectively the “Company”). REIT was formed in May 2004 as a Maryland real estate investment trust for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in AHLHC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

On February 14, 2003, AHLHC completed an initial public offering (the “Offering”) whereby 9,650,000 shares of its common stock (of which 4,493,022 shares were offered by AHLHC) were sold to the public resulting in gross proceeds of $35.9 million to AHLHC. In addition, AHLHC sold 510,697 shares of its common stock in a concurrent private placement resulting in gross proceeds of $3.8 million to AHLHC. Concurrently, 5,893,546 shares of common stock of AHLHC were issued in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of AHL as part of a reorganization whereby AHL became a wholly owned subsidiary of AHLHC. The acquisition of AHL has been accounted for at historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interests, and the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the reorganization had occurred as of the first day of the earliest period presented herein. The consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company for the periods prior to the date of the reorganization consist of those of AHL.

 

On March 18, 2003, the underwriters of the Company’s Offering purchased an additional 907,500 shares of common stock (of which 649,993 shares were offered by the Company) at $7.44 per share upon partial exercise of their over-allotment option pursuant to the Offering, resulting in gross proceeds of $4.8 million to the Company.

 

In August 2004, REIT completed a public offering of 3,400,000 Series A Preferred Shares, and in September 2004 sold an additional 100,000 Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The sale of the 3,500,000 Series A Preferred Shares resulted in gross proceeds of $87.5 million to REIT. In October 2004, REIT closed the public offering of 593,678 additional Series A Preferred Shares. The sale resulted in an additional $15.0 million of gross proceeds to REIT.

 

General—The Company engages in the business of originating, financing, securitizing, selling and servicing non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. The Company focuses on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. The Company originates loans primarily based upon the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay the loan and the adequacy of the collateral.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Restricted Cash—Cash held on behalf of employees for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and flexible spending accounts is classified as restricted cash. In addition, the Company has deposited $4.2 million in a bank account to cover the risk of loss on its errors and omissions liability insurance coverage.

 

Mortgage Banking Activities—The Company derives its revenue from the interest earned on mortgage loans and from the sale of loans to various third-party investors under purchase and sale agreements. Loan sales may be either on a servicing retained or released basis, and may take the form of a securitization. The Company may also retain interest-only strips or the right to other excess cash flows. Gains or losses resulting from loan sales are recognized at the time of sale, based on the difference between the net sales proceeds, including retained interests, and the allocated book value of the loans sold.

 

In the past, the Company has entered into securitizations structured as sales and retained a residual interest. The Company also sold loans to a third-party securitizer and retained the right to receive future payments based upon certain excess cash flows (primarily excess interest or prepayment penalties) generated by such loans. The revenue recognized from such transactions included an adjustment for such residual interests or excess cash flows (collectively, “mortgage-related securities”) based upon the net present value of the amount expected to be received from the underlying loans less amounts paid to investors, estimated credit losses, servicing fees, as well as mortgage insurance fees, guarantee fees, and trustee fees for the securitizations. The net present value of the mortgage-related securities is determined based on assumptions for loan prepayments, defaults and other factors that market participants would demand for such financial instruments.

 

The Company measures mortgage-related securities like debt securities classified as trading securities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Accordingly, mortgage-related securities are recorded at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses recorded in the results of operations in the period of change in fair value. The Company determines the fair value of mortgage-related securities at origination and at each reporting period by discounting the estimated net future cash flows using assumptions that market participants would use to estimate fair value, including assumptions about interest rates, credit losses, and prepayment speeds. To the Company’s knowledge, there is no active market for the sale of such mortgage-related securities; accordingly, the Company’s estimate of fair value is subjective.

 

In the ordinary course of business, an investor may request that the Company refund a portion of the premium paid on the sale of mortgage loans if a loan is prepaid in full within a certain amount of time from the date of sale. The Company records a reserve for estimated premium recapture on loans sold, which is charged to gain on sale of loans.

 

Securitized Loans and Securitization Bond Financing—Since July 2002, the Company has completed a total of eight securitizations totaling $ 4.2 billion structured as a financing under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.

 

These securitizations are structured legally as sales, but for accounting purposes are treated as financings under SFAS No. 140. These securitizations do not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trusts may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by the Company and, the Company, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has discretion, consistent with prudent mortgage servicing practices, to determine whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trusts that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans remain on the balance sheet (referred to as “securitized loans”), retained interests are not created, and securitization bond financing replaces the warehouse debt originally associated with

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

the securitized loans. The Company records interest income on securitized loans and interest expense on the bonds issued in the securitizations over the life of the securitizations. Deferred debt issuance costs and discount related to the bonds are amortized on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the bonds.

 

The Company periodically evaluates the need for or the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its securitized loans and loans held for securitization. Provision for loan losses on securitized loans and loans held for securitization is made in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss allowances at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses in such portfolio. The Company defines a loan as impaired at the time the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent under its payment terms. Probable losses are determined based on segmenting the portfolio relating to their contractual delinquency status and applying the Company’s historical loss experience. The Company also uses other analytical tools to determine the reasonableness of the allowance for loan losses. Loss estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of the Company’s control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change. Carrying values are written down to fair value when the loan is foreclosed or deemed uncollectible.

 

Mortgage loans held for investment—Both securitized loans and loans held for securitization are classified as mortgage loans held for investment. The loans held for securitization are carried at the lower of aggregate cost (including hedge basis adjustments) or market. See discussion above for securitized loans.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments—As part of the Company’s interest rate management process, the Company uses derivative financial instruments such as Eurodollar futures and options. In connection with five of the securitizations structured as financings, the Company entered into interest rate cap agreements. It is not the Company’s policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

The Company designates certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and, at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, the Company evaluates the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure that there remains adequate correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the adverse effect of interest rate changes on the fair market value of mortgage loans held for sale, the Company is using derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instruments and mortgage loans are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time the mortgage loans are sold. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness. During the third quarter 2004, the Company implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its securitized loans under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133 hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitized loans attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

 

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the changes occur.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Provision for Losses—Market valuation adjustments have been provided on certain nonperforming loans, other loans held for sale and real estate owned. These adjustments are based on the Company’s estimate of expected losses, calculated using loss severity and loss frequency rate assumptions, and are based on the value that the Company could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Provision for losses on securitized loans is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses on such loans. Provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. The Company also accrues liabilities associated with loans sold which may be required to be repurchased due to breaches of representations and warranties and early payment defaults. The Company periodically evaluates the estimates used in calculating expected losses and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of the Company’s control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, it is reasonably possible that they could change.

 

Escrow and Fiduciary Funds—The Company maintains segregated bank accounts in trust for investors with respect to payments on securitized loans and mortgage loans serviced for investors, as well as for mortgagors with respect to property tax and hazard insurance premium payments escrowed by mortgagors with the Company. Such accounts amounted to $35.4 million and $78.4 million at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively, and are excluded from the Company’s assets and liabilities.

 

Stock-Based Compensation—SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value.

 

The Company has been accounting for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant over the grant price.

 

The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 29,449     $ 35,877  

Add: Stock-based compensation included in reported net income, net of tax

     —         85  

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined using fair value method, net of tax

     (85 )     (491 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 29,364     $ 35,471  
    


 


Earnings per share:

                

Basic—as reported

   $ 1.50     $ 1.75  

Basic—pro forma

   $ 1.49     $ 1.73  

Diluted—as reported

   $ 1.40     $ 1.66  

Diluted—pro forma

   $ 1.40     $ 1.64  

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 70,041     $ 92,677  

Add: Stock-based compensation included in reported net income, net of tax

     —         164  

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined using fair value method, net of tax

     (187 )     (1,473 )
    


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 69,854     $ 91,368  
    


 


Earnings per share:

                

Basic—as reported

   $ 4.09     $ 4.57  

Basic—pro forma

   $ 4.08     $ 4.50  

Diluted—as reported

   $ 3.56     $ 4.31  

Diluted—pro forma

   $ 3.55     $ 4.25  

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: no dividends, an expected option life of five years, a risk-free rate of 3.0% and 3.4% (nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively) and a 48.8% and 54.5% weighted average volatility (nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively). The Company’s volatility is calculated as an average of its own volatility and the mean of its closest competitors’ volatility for the respective periods due to the limited period of time since the Offering. The weighted average fair value at grant date was $6.81 and $17.98 for options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Segment Reporting—While the Company’s management monitors the revenue streams through wholesale and retail loan originations, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision-maker on a company-wide basis. The Company has identified REIT and AHL as separate operating segments, however they are aggregated to a single reporting segment for financial reporting due to commonality and similarity of operations. See Note 15 for supplemental condensed consolidating financial information.

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements—The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the valuation of the mortgage-related securities, mortgage servicing rights, derivative financial instruments and hedged assets, the determination of the market reserve on loans and the allowance for loan losses on securitized loans and loans held for investment, and the determination of the reserves for repurchases.

 

Reclassifications—Certain items in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

Recent Accounting Developments—In March 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staffing Accounting Bulletin No. 105 (“SAB No. 105”). SAB No. 105 contains specific guidance that significantly limits opportunities for registrants to recognize an asset related to a commitment to originate a mortgage loan that will be held for sale prior to funding the loan, which differs from the current accounting guidance provided by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 149 (“SFAS No. 149”). SFAS No. 149 requires that the entity that makes the mortgage loan commitment record the commitment on its balance sheet at

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

fair value, but does not address how to measure the fair value of the loan commitment. SAB No. 105 requires that fair value measurement of loan commitments include only differences between the guaranteed interest rate in the loan commitment and a market interest rate, excluding any expected cash flows related to the customer relationship or loan servicing. SAB No. 105 is effective for new loan commitments accounted for as derivatives entered into after March 31, 2004. SAB No.105 permits registrants to continue to use previously applied accounting policies to commitments entered into on or before March 31, 2004. We quote interest rates to borrowers, which are generally subject to change by us. Although we typically honor such interest rate quotes, the quotes do not constitute interest rate locks, minimizing the potential interest rate exposure. We do not account for our interest rate quotes as derivatives. We do not expect that the application of SAB No. 105 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

2. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

 

The Company’s ability to continue to originate and purchase loans is dependent, in part, upon its ability to securitize and sell loans in the secondary market in order to generate cash proceeds for new originations and purchases. The value of and market for the Company’s loans are dependent upon a number of factors, including general economic conditions, interest rates and governmental regulations. Adverse changes in such factors may affect the Company’s ability to securitize or sell loans for acceptable prices within reasonable periods of time.

 

Geographical Concentration—Properties securing the mortgage loans in the Company’s servicing portfolio, including loans subserviced, are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. At September 30, 2003 and 2004, approximately 34% and 33%, respectively, of the properties were located in California. The remaining properties securing mortgage loans serviced did not exceed 10% in any other state at any period end.

 

Loan originations are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, approximately 33% and 29%, respectively, of the principal balance of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California. The remaining originations did not exceed 10% in any other state during any of such periods.

 

3. MORTGAGE LOANS

 

Mortgage loans held for sale—Mortgage loans held for sale were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 

Mortgage loans held for sale—principal balance

   $ 1,288,630     $ 1,853,673  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     (1,368 )     6,791  

Net deferred origination costs

     2,026       2,284  

Market reserve

     (12,213 )     (14,372 )
    


 


Mortgage loans held for sale, net

   $ 1,277,075     $ 1,848,376  
    


 


 

Mortgage loans held for investment—Mortgage loans held for investment were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 

Mortgage loans held for investment—principal balance

   $ 2,095,398     $ 4,083,987  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     17,302       19,276  

Net deferred origination fees

     (2,573 )     (4,889 )

Allowance for loan losses

     (19,890 )     (51,328 )
    


 


Mortgage loans held for investment, net

   $ 2,090,237     $ 4,047,046  
    


 


 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, mortgage loans held for investment included unpaid principal balance of $334.3 million and $681.5 million, respectively, in loans held for a securitization.

 

Provision for losses—Activity in the market reserve on loans held for sale was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 11,634     $ 13,698     $ 6,885     $ 12,213  

Provision for losses

     3,013       1,281       10,799       4,942  

Chargeoffs, net

     (2,206 )     (607 )     (5,243 )     (2,783 )
    


 


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 12,441     $ 14,372     $ 12,441     $ 14,372  
    


 


 


 


Reserve % of loans held for sale

     0.91 %     0.78 %     0.91 %     0.78 %
    


 


 


 


 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses on mortgage loans held for investment was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 10,330     $ 40,080     $ 4,550     $ 19,890  

Provision for losses

     4,327       11,806       10,107       32,498  

Chargeoffs, net

     (107 )     (558 )     (107 )     (1,060 )
    


 


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 14,550     $ 51,328     $ 14,550     $ 51,328  
    


 


 


 


Allowance % of mortgage loans held for investment

     0.92 %     1.26 %     0.92 %     1.26 %
    


 


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, $7.5 million and $18.5 million of mortgage loans held for investment were 90 days or more delinquent under their payment terms, respectively. This increase results from the increased age and size of the Company’s securitized loan portfolio.

 

As of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, $4.2 million and $2.3 million of real estate owned, net of the reserve for losses on real estate owned of $1.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, is included in other assets. Activity in the reserve for losses on real estate owned was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 1,733     $ 1,171     $ 2,092     $ 1,684  

Provision for (recovery of) losses

     (61 )     669       340       1,197  

Chargeoffs, net

     59       (833 )     (701 )     (1,874 )
    


 


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 1,731     $ 1,007     $ 1,731     $ 1,007  
    


 


 


 


 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Provision for losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations is composed of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


     2003

    2004

   2003

   2004

Provision—allowance for losses on mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 4,327     $ 11,806    $ 10,107    $ 32,498

Provision—market reserve on loans

     3,013       1,281      10,799      4,942

Provision (recovery)—reserve for real estate owned

     (61 )     669      340      1,197

Provision (recovery)—reserve for repurchases

     (616 )     476      1,087      811

Net losses (gains) on real estate owned

     (126 )     184      583      260
    


 

  

  

     $ 6,537     $ 14,416    $ 22,916    $ 39,708
    


 

  

  

 

4. MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES

 

Mortgage-related securities consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 6,335     $ 3,865     $ 8,356     $ 3,692  

Net unrealized gains

     1,400       457       6,513       2,086  

Interest accretion

     150       146       671       379  

Cash collected

     (3,550 )     (187 )     (11,205 )     (2,419 )

Reclassification to other liabilities

     —         (527 )     —         16  
    


 


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 4,335     $ 3,754     $ 4,335     $ 3,754  
    


 


 


 


 

The Company utilized the following assumptions to revalue all mortgage-related securities that arose from sales of loans by the Company to third party investors outstanding at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2003


  

September 30,

2004


Annual prepayment speeds

   20.0% to 67.5%    20.0% to 65.0%

Discount rate

   15%    15%

Expected cumulative credit losses

   4.2%    4.1%

Interest rates on adjustable rate loans

   Forward LIBOR curve    Forward LIBOR curve

Fair value at period end

   $(297)    $(313)

 

The fair value of the mortgage-related securities that arose from the sales of loans to a third party investor (a former related party) of ($297,000) and ($313,000) at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively, is included in other liabilities on the balance sheet.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company utilized the following assumptions to revalue all mortgage-related securities that arose from the Company’s 2000 securitization outstanding at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2003


  

September 30,

2004


Annual prepayment speeds

   22.0% to 55.2%    22.0% to 38.0%

Discount rate

   15%    15%

Expected cumulative credit losses

   4.9%    4.2%

Interest rates on adjustable rate loans

   Forward LIBOR curve    Forward LIBOR curve

Fair value at period end

   $3,692    $3,754

 

5. MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

 

The Company recognizes as a separate asset the rights to service mortgage loans for others once such rights are contractually separated from the underlying loans. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of the estimated net servicing income and are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

 

Mortgage servicing rights were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

     2004

    2003

    2004

 

Balance, beginning of period

   $ 2,005      $ 542     $ 3,116     $ 1,119  

Amortization

     (487 )      (211 )     (1,598 )     (788 )
    


  


 


 


Balance, end of period

   $ 1,518      $ 331     $ 1,518     $ 331  
    


  


 


 


 

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights at September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004 was $1.8 million and $342,000, respectively.

 

The Company periodically evaluates mortgage servicing rights for impairment, which is measured as the excess of cost over fair value. This review is performed on a disaggregated basis based on loan type using prepayment assumptions ranging from 20.0% to 67.5% and 20.0% to 65.0% for December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively, and a discount rate of 15% at both December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004. Impairment, if it occurs, is recognized in a valuation allowance for each pool in the period of impairment. No impairment was identified as of December 31, 2003. As of September 30, 2004, $39,000 of impairment was recognized.

 

As of September 30, 2003 and 2004, the unpaid principal balance of loans sold servicing retained was $362.8 million and $200.4 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedged Instrument Activity—The Company uses hedge accounting as defined by SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its mortgage loans held for sale. At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, fair value hedge basis adjustments of ($1.4) million and $6.8 million, respectively, are included in mortgage loans held for sale related to the $762.9 million and $931.9 million, respectively, of such loans designated as hedged assets. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with fair value hedges of ($1.5 million) and ($336,000) was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, and is included in gain on sale of loans in the consolidated statements of operations. The effective portion of this hedging is also recorded, but by definition has a neutral impact.

 

The Company uses hedge accounting as defined by SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its loans held for investment. At December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, fair value hedge basis adjustments of $17.3 million and $19.3 million, respectively, are included in loans held for investment related to the $1.2 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, of such loans designated as hedged assets. During the third quarter 2004, the Company implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its securitized loans under SFAS No. 133. Previously, the Company had been using fair value hedge accounting, but elected to use this alternative method to accommodate elements of the REIT requirements. The net impact on earnings is not expected to be materially different under the two methods. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133 hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitized loans attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported in other comprehensive income, while the ineffective portion is reported in current earnings. Hedge effectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of ($1.9) million, net of tax, was recorded in other comprehensive loss during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and is included as a component of stockholders’ equity. This effective portion will be reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of ($204) thousand was recorded in earnings during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, and is included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with fair value hedges of ($175,000) and ($748,000) was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and is included as a reduction in interest income in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

At September 30, 2004, the Company had outstanding futures contracts with a fair value of ($3.9) million included in accrued liabilities of which contracts with a fair value of ($3.9) million are designated as hedge instruments. The Company is required to maintain a cash deposit in a margin account with its broker related to these derivative transactions. At September 30, 2004, approximately $21.4 million was on deposit in such margin account, which is included in other receivables. Accordingly, the net liquidation value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and related margin account is $17.5 million at September 30, 2004. In addition, the Company had option contracts and interest rate cap agreements with a fair value of $687,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, included in other assets at September 30, 2004.

 

At December 31, 2003, the Company had outstanding futures contracts with a fair value of ($9.4) million included in accrued liabilities of which contracts with a fair value of ($8.9) million are designated as hedge instruments. The Company is required to maintain a cash deposit in a margin account with its broker related to these derivative transactions. At December 31, 2003, approximately $20.4 million was on deposit in such margin account, which is included in other receivables. Accordingly, the net liquidation value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and related margin account is $11.0 million at December 31, 2003. In addition, the Company had option contracts and interest rate cap agreements with a fair value of $715,000 and $160,000, respectively, included in other assets at December 31, 2003.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The effect of the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments and the related hedged asset recorded in the various statement of operation line items are detailed below (dollars in thousands). The following table is not representative of our hedge ineffectiveness as it excludes the income statement effects attributable to fluctuations in interest rates that have been recognized in premiums on whole loans sales and interest margins.

 

    

Three Months

Ended September 30, 2003


 
     Interest
Income


    Gain on
Sale


   

Net Gain (Loss)

on MRS


    Interest
Expense


   Total

 

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (624 )   $ (3,582 )   $ 395     $ —      $ (3,811 )

Net realized gain (loss)

     618       5,291       (744 )     —        5,165  
    


 


 


 

  


Total

   $ (6 )   $ 1,709     $ (349 )   $ —      $ 1,354  
    


 


 


 

  


 

    

Three Months

Ended September 30, 2004


 
     Interest
Income


    Gain on
Sale


   

Net Gain (Loss)

on MRS


   

Interest

Expense


    Total

 

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (1,859 )   $ 23,834     $ 9     $ (204 )   $ 21,780  

Net realized loss

     (886 )     (23,012 )     (157 )     —         (24,055 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (2,745 )   $ 822     $ (148 )   $ (204 )   $ (2,275 )
    


 


 


 


 


 

    

Nine Months

Ended September 30, 2003


 
     Interest
Income


    Gain on
Sale


   

Net Gain (Loss)

on MRS


   

Interest

Expense


   Total

 

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (1,656 )   $ 541     $ 3,680     $ —      $ 2,565  

Net realized loss

     (2,315 )     (9,119 )     (4,754 )     —        (16,188 )
    


 


 


 

  


Total

   $ (3,971 )   $ (8,578 )   $ (1,074 )   $ —      $ (13,623 )
    


 


 


 

  


 

    

Nine Months

Ended September 30, 2004


 
     Interest
Income


    Gain on
Sale


   

Net Gain (Loss)

on MRS


    Interest
Expense


    Total

 

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (4,269 )   $ 18,925     $ 615     $ (204 )   $ 15,067  

Net realized loss

     (3,578 )     (17,671 )     (617 )             (21,866 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (7,847 )   $ 1,254     $ (2 )   $ (204 )   $ (6,799 )
    


 


 


 


 


 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

7. CREDIT FACILITIES

 

Credit Facilities—The Company had in place the following credit facilities:

 

     Amount Outstanding

    

December 31,

2003


   September 30,
2004


A $500 million combined warehouse credit facility expiring July 30, 2005, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans and REO property, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.1% to 5.3% at September 30, 2004).    $ 387.9 million    $ 419.5 million
A $650 million warehouse credit facility expiring May 27, 2005, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.2% to 3.4% at September 30, 2004).    $ 190.3 million    $ 470.2 million
A $40 million warehouse credit facility expiring August 31, 2005, collateralized by performing loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 5.25% at September 30, 2004).    $ 11.0 million    $ 10.8 million
A $450 million warehouse credit facility expiring April 18, 2005, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.0% to 4.1% at September 30, 2004). In November 2004, the credit facility was expanded to $600 million and the expiration date was extended to November 7, 2005.    $ 152.4 million    $ 244.6 million
A $150 million non-discretionary; $150 million discretionary warehouse credit facility expiring November 12, 2004, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.0% to 4.6% at September 30, 2004). In October 2004, the discretionary portion of the credit facility was expanded to $350 million and the expiration date was extended to November 30, 2004.    $ 168.4 million    $ 266.4 million
A $400 million warehouse credit facility expiring April 20, 2005, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.1% to 4.3% at September 30, 2004). In October 2004, the credit facility was expanded to $600 million.    $ 175.0 million    $ 296.0 million
A $500 million warehouse credit facility expiring October 8, 2004, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 2.7% to 3.3% at September 30, 2004). In October 2004, the credit facility expiration date was extended to October 7, 2005.    $ 214.7 million    $ 409.0 million
A $300 million warehouse credit facility expiring January 31, 2005, collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans and REO property, bearing interest based on one-month LIBOR (rate was 3.1% to 4.8% at September 30, 2004).    $ 215.5 million    $ 294.9 million
    

  

Total warehouse credit facilities

   $ 1,515.2 million    $ 2,411.4 million
    

  

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all covenant requirements for each of the facilities. The Company’s warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements and limitations on other indebtedness. If the Company fails to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise defaults under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if the Company defaults under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under the Company’s other facilities.

 

The Company anticipates that its borrowings will be repaid from net proceeds from the sale of loans and other assets, cash flows from operations, or from refinancing the borrowings. The Company believes that it can continue to comply with loan covenants and that other alternative sources of credit are available to the Company to repay maturing loans if anticipated asset sales are not completed by loan due dates.

 

8. SECURITIZATION BOND FINANCING

 

The following is a summary of the outstanding securitization bond financing (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 

Total secured bonds

   $ 1,724,475     $ 3,277,732  

Unamortized bond discount

     (86 )     (1,845 )
    


 


Total Securitization bond financing, net

   $ 1,724,389     $ 3,275,887  
    


 


 

The bonds are collateralized by securitized loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $1.8 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs, included in other assets, are approximately $7.7 million and $12.1 million at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

Amounts collected by the Company as servicer of the mortgage loans are remitted to the trustee, who in turn distributes such amounts each month to the bondholders, together with other amounts received with respect to the mortgage loans, net of fees payable to the Company, trustee and insurer of the bonds. Interest collected each month on the mortgage loans will generally exceed the amount of interest accrued on the bonds. A portion of such excess interest will initially be distributed as principal to the bonds. As a result of such principal distributions, the excess of the unpaid principal balance of the loans over the unpaid principal balance of the bonds (“overcollateralization”) will increase. The securitization agreements require that a certain level of overcollateralization be maintained. Once a required level has been reached, excess interest will no longer be used to accelerate the amortization of the bonds. Whenever the level of overcollateralization falls below the required level, excess interest will again be paid as principal to the bonds until the required level has been reached. Excess interest that is not paid to the bonds in order to create or maintain the required overcollateralization level, or used to make certain other payments, will be passed through to the Company. The securitization agreements provide that if delinquencies or losses on the underlying mortgage loans exceed certain maximums, the required levels of credit enhancement would be increased. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company received $56.5 million of excess interest from these securitizations. Therefore, the bonds are not necessarily expected to be outstanding through the stated maturity date set forth above.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the expected repayment requirements relating to the securitization bond financing at September 30, 2004. Amounts listed as bond payments are based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment speeds:

 

    

September 30, 2004

(dollars in thousands)


 

Three months ending December 31:

        

2004

   $ 177,753  

Years ending December 31:

        

2005

     1,075,453  

2006

     853,576  

2007

     459,372  

2008

     249,327  

2009

     183,544  

Thereafter

     278,707  

Discount

     (1,845 )
    


Total

   $ 3,275,887  
    


 

9. INCOME TAXES

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred tax asset were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     December 31,
2003


    September 30,
2004


 

Loan securitizations*

   $ 4,403     $ 14,699  

Loans held for sale

     11,408       10,700  

Market reserve on loans held for sale

     5,627       6,042  

State taxes

     3,419       2,504  

Other reserves and accruals

     1,712       2,768  
    


 


Deferred tax assets

     26,569       36,713  
    


 


Mortgage-related securities

     (10,517 )     (11,104 )

Investment in real estate investment trust

     —         (8,395 )
    


 


Deferred tax liabilities

     (10,517 )     (19,499 )
    


 


Net deferred tax asset

   $ 16,052     $ 17,214  
    


 



* Includes the allowance for loan losses on securitized loans, net deferred origination fees on securitized loans, net basis adjustment for fair value hedging and miscellaneous temporary differences related to the off balance sheet securitization.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The components of the income tax (benefit) expense consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

   2004

    2003

    2004

 

Federal:

                               

Current

   $ 2,069    $ (1,352 )   $ 39,920     $ 50,432  

Deferred

     13,788      20,345       (2,215 )     (742 )
    

  


 


 


       15,857      18,993       37,705       49,690  
    

  


 


 


State:

                               

Current

     494      (1,748 )     9,517       11,154  

Deferred

     3,283      5,989       (528 )     257  
    

  


 


 


       3,777      4,241       8,989       11,411  
    

  


 


 


Total

   $ 19,634    $ 23,234     $ 46,694     $ 61,101  
    

  


 


 


 

The deferred income tax expense resulted from temporary differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes. The primary sources of these differences were the origination and reversal of various reserves, accruals and book/tax differences in the accounting for loans held for sale and mortgage securitizations.

 

The following is a reconciliation of the provision computed using the statutory federal income tax rate to the income tax provision reflected in the statements of operations (dollars in thousands):

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30,


   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

 

Federal income tax at statutory rate

   $ 17,180     $ 21,095     $ 40,857     $ 54,228  

State income tax, net of federal effects

     2,457       2,756       5,843       7,417  

Other

     (3 )     (617 )     (6 )     (544 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 19,634     $ 23,234     $ 46,694     $ 61,101  
    


 


 


 


 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded a $5.6 million reduction in income taxes payable and a corresponding increase to additional paid in capital related to corporate tax deductions arising from the sale by employees of common stock they acquired from the stock option plans and the ESPP prior to the fulfillment of required tax holding periods for such stock.

 

10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

December 31,

2003


   September 30,
2004


     

Accrued liabilities—payroll

   $ 16,884    $ 20,071

Accrued liabilities—general

     12,106      18,245

Reserve for repurchases

     5,445      5,765

Futures contracts

     9,359      3,874

Reserve for premium recapture

     2,470      2,735

Accounts payable—trade

     385      285

Capital leases

     12      —  
    

  

Total

   $ 46,661    $ 50,975
    

  

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

11. MINORITY INTEREST

 

On August 12, 2004, Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co.’s indirect subsidiary, Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust, closed the public offering of 3,400,000 shares of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust’s 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares. The offering resulted in gross proceeds of $85.0 million. These preferred shares have a par value of $1.00 and will pay investors cumulative dividends of $2.4375 per share annually, which is the equivalent of 9.75% of the $25.00 liquidation preference and face value per share.

 

On September 14, 2004, the underwriters of the above mentioned public offering purchased an additional 100,000 shares of the 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares pursuant to the exercise of their over-allotment option, resulting in gross proceeds of $2.5 million. See Note 16, “Subsequent Event.”

 

AHLHC has irrevocably and unconditionally agreed to pay in full to the holders of each share of REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which REIT or AHLHC may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. AHLHC’s guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to AHLHC’s indebtedness, on a parity with the most senior class of AHLHC’s preferred stock and senior to AHLHC’s common stock. The Preferred Shares are classified as minority interest in subsidiary on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

On September 9, 2004, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on the preferred shares at the rate of $0.3317 per share. The $1.2 million cash dividend was paid on September 30, 2004 to preferred stockholders on record at the close of business on September 15, 2004. The dividend payment is reported as minority interest—dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary in the Company’s statement of operations.

 

12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

A summary of the changes in options outstanding under the Company’s Stock Option Plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 follows:

 

     Number of Options

    Weighted Average
Exercise Price


Balance, January 1, 2004

   1,699,619     $ 5.80

Options granted

   423,475       35.54

Options exercised

   (469,239 )     2.40

Options cancelled

   (207,965 )     21.51
    

 

Balance, September 30, 2004

   1,445,890     $ 13.35
    

 

 

2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan—The Company’s 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2002 ESPP”) was adopted effective as of the closing of the Offering by the board of directors and approved by the stockholders in 2002. A total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock are currently authorized and reserved for issuance under the plan, which provides that the plan be cumulatively increased each January 1 through January 1, 2013 according to the formula specified by the 2002 ESPP. Employees, including officers and employee directors, are eligible to participate in the 2002 ESPP if they are employed for more than 20 hours per week and more than five months in any calendar year. The 2002 ESPP permits participants to purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to 15% of the participant’s compensation. Such amounts are applied to the

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

purchase of shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of 85% of the fair market value of the common stock as defined in the 2002 ESPP. On June 30, 2004, the Company issued 87,876 shares to employees with proceeds of $2.1 million. As of September 30, 2004, employees have contributed $1.3 million to the 2002 ESPP for future purchases of stock.

 

Deferred Compensation Plan—The Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the board of directors and approved by the stockholders in 2002. The Plan was effective as of January 1, 2003. A total of 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock is authorized and reserved for issuance under the Plan. The Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan that benefits directors, certain designated key members of management and highly compensated employees. Under the Plan, an employee may defer up to 100% of his or her base salary, director fee, bonus and/or commissions on a pre-tax basis. The Company may make both voluntary and/or matching contributions to the Plan on behalf of Plan participants and may make voluntary and/or matching contributions in the form of common stock. All Plan assets are corporate assets rather than individual property and are therefore subject to creditors’ claims against the Company. As of September 30, 2004, employees had voluntarily contributed $1.3 million to the Plan. In January 2004, April 2004 and July 2004, the Company awarded 158,538, 48,756 and 51,625 shares net of forfeitures, respectively, of restricted common stock under the Plan that vest 50% two years from the date of grant and 25% each year thereafter until fully vested. In March 2004, the Company granted 9,876 shares of restricted common stock under the Plan to its independent, outside directors and an additional 1,498 shares of restricted common stock to a member of its advisory board of directors, which vest in full two years from the date of grant.

 

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION):

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted to common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would then share in the earnings of the entity.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


Basic EPS

   $ 29,449    19,651    $ 1.50

Effect of dilutive shares

                  

Stock options

          1,355       

Unvested restricted stock

          40       
    

  
  

Diluted EPS

   $ 29,449    21,046    $ 1.40
    

  
  

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


Basic EPS

   $ 35,877    20,470    $ 1.75

Effect of dilutive shares

                  

Stock options

          963       

Unvested restricted stock

          147       
    

  
  

Diluted EPS

   $ 35,877    21,580    $ 1.66
    

  
  

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


Basic EPS

   $ 70,041    17,139    $ 4.09

Plus effect of income of assumed conversions

                  

Interest on convertible debt, net of tax

     16            

Effect of dilutive shares

                  

Warrants *

          67       

Stock options

          1,306       

Unvested restricted stock

          9       

Convertible preferred stock *

          827       

Convertible debt *

          339       
    

  
  

Diluted EPS

   $ 70,057    19,687    $ 3.56
    

  
  


* Represents the dilutive effect of the shares outstanding prior to the initial public offering at February 14, 2003.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


Basic EPS

   $ 92,677    20,287    $ 4.57

Effect of dilutive shares

                  

Stock options

          1,071       

Unvested restricted stock

          158       
    

  
  

Diluted EPS

   $ 92,677    21,516    $ 4.31
    

  
  

 

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Leases—The Company leases office space for its headquarters in San Diego, California, for various branch offices, executive suites, and record storage facilities across the country, and for certain equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2013.

 

At September 30, 2004, the minimum future lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ending:

      

2004

   $ 2,402

Years ending:

      

2005

     9,583

2006

     7,253

2007

     5,660

2008

     4,446

2009

     2,425

Thereafter

     1,742
    

Total

   $ 33,511
    

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other—The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its borrowers. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to fund loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statement of financial position. The credit risk is mitigated by the Company’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. The Company does not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. The Company commits to originate loans, in many cases dependent on the borrower’s satisfying various terms and conditions. These commitments totaled $177.3 million and $404.1 million as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

Commitments to sell loans generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a commitment or a non-delivery fee. The Company periodically enters into other loan sale commitments. Loan sale commitments totaled $447.2 million and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

In connection with various regulatory lending requirements, the Company is required to maintain certain minimum levels of net worth. The Company was in compliance with these requirements at September 30, 2004.

 

From time to time, the Company enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require the Company to indemnify parties against third party claims and other obligations customarily indemnified in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The terms of such obligations vary and, generally, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated. Therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, the Company has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations and no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2004.

 

Legal—Because the nature of the Company’s business involves the collection of numerous accounts, the validity of liens and compliance with various state and federal lending laws, it is subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to foreclosures, bankruptcies, condemnation and quiet title actions, and alleged statutory and regulatory violations. The Company is also subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to employee matters. Except as specifically set forth below, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits in the ordinary course of business will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

 

In December 2002, the Company was served with a complaint and motion for class certification in a class action lawsuit, Wratchford et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Madison County, Illinois under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the consumer protection statutes of the other states in which the Company does business. The complaint alleges that the Company has a practice of misrepresenting and inflating the amount of fees Accredited pays to third parties in connection with the residential mortgage loans the Company funds. Plaintiffs claim to represent a nationwide class consisting of all other persons similarly situated, that is, all persons who paid money to the Company to pay, or reimburse the Company’s payments of, third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund for the difference between what they paid and what was actually paid to the third party. Plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages on behalf of themselves and the class, in addition to pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court deems just and proper. The Company filed an answer to the complaint on January 17, 2003, and a hearing on the motion for class certification has been scheduled for December 21, 2004, but there has not yet been a ruling on the merits of either plaintiffs’ individual claims of the class. At the present time, the ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, that may result

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

is not determinable, and no amounts have been accrued in the Company’s financial statements with respect to this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

 

In January 2004, the Company was served with a complaint, Yturralde v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Sacramento County, California. The complaint alleges that the Company violated California and federal law by misclassifying the plaintiff, formerly a commissioned loan officer for the Company, as an exempt employee and failing to pay the plaintiff on an hourly basis and for overtime worked. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all of the Company’s other similarly situated current and former employees, lost wages and benefits, general damages, multiple statutory penalties and interest, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, and also seeks to enjoin further violations of wage and overtime laws and retaliation against employees who complain about such violations. The Company has been served with eleven substantially similar complaints on behalf of other former and current employees of the Company, which eleven actions have been consolidated with the Yturralde action. In addition, under current California law, a private individual who is not a current or former employee of an employer may bring an action to enforce certain provisions of California law against that employer. Such a complaint regarding this matter has been filed and served upon the Company. In September 2004, the Company appealed the court’s denial of the Company’s motion to compel arbitration of the consolidated cases, and a resolution of that appeal is not expected before early 2006. In the meantime, discussions have resumed between the parties regarding potential mediation of the claims. The Company does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, but, at the present time, the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the total amount of liability is not determinable. As a result, the Company has not accrued any amounts in its financial statements with respect to the litigation. However, the Company is pursuing settlements directly with current and former employees covered by the allegations of the complaints and, to date, the Company has effected settlements with many of these current and former employees. Accordingly, the Company has accrued amounts that are estimable in its financial statements for this group of current and former employees.

 

In June 2004, the Company was served with a class action complaint, Aslam v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., et al., brought in Cook County, Illinois. The complaint alleges that the purchase money, first priority mortgage loan the Company made to the plaintiff violated Illinois law because the loan, which had an interest rate in excess of 8%, included a prepayment charge and because the Company charged certain fees for the loan, which fees allegedly exceeded 3% of the original loan amount. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all other individuals to which the Company made loans with the same alleged violations, the damages allowed by statute, interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. The damages allowed by statute include actual economic damage and an amount equal to twice the total of all interest, discount and charges determined by the loan contract or paid by the obligor, whichever is greater. To the extent the plaintiff’s loan included any provisions or fees which might otherwise violate Illinois law, the Company included those provisions or fees in plaintiff’s loan on the basis that federal law preempted Illinois law with respect to plaintiff’s loan. The Company’s position in this regard was consistent with prior case law and previously announced positions of the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. However, in a decision filed on March 31, 2004, in U.S. Bank, National Association, et al., v. Clark, et al., consolidated cases that involve alleged violations of Illinois law similar to those alleged against the Company, an Illinois appellate court held that federal preemption was not available for the non-purchase money, first priority mortgage loans involved in those cases. A petition for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Illinois has been filed in the Clark litigation, but, if the Clark decision is not reversed on appeal, the rationale by which the Clark court reached its decision may undermine the Company’s ability to rely on federal preemption with respect to the loans it made to the plaintiff and other Illinois residents. The Company does not believe the loan it made to the plaintiff violates Illinois law even if not preempted by federal law, and, in November 2004, the Aslam suit was settled for a nominal sum. This settlement was with the individual plaintiff, not on behalf of any class, and the potential liability to the Company

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

represented by the Clark decision still exists. If one or more other Illinois residents were to successfully pursue a class action against the Company based on the Clark decision, the potential liability could materially and adversely affect the Company. At the present time, the likelihood of such a suit being brought, the ultimate outcome of any such suit and the amount of liability, if any, that might result is not determinable, and the Company has not accrued any amounts in its financial statements with respect to this potential liability.

 

15. SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

During the second quarter of 2004, Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (“REIT”) was formed as a Maryland real estate investment trust for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. All of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of REIT are held by AHL, a wholly owned subsidiary of AHLHC. AHLHC is the guarantor of REIT’s payment obligations in connection with the issuance of the REIT’s Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares in August, September and October 2004 (see Note 11 and 16). Such guarantee is full, unconditional and joint and several. The following supplemental financial information sets forth, on an unconsolidated basis, balance sheet, statement of income, and statement of cash flow information for AHLHC and its subsidiaries. The supplemental financial information reflects the investments of AHLHC in the subsidiaries using the equity method of accounting. The supplemental financial information is presented as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   

Accredited
Home

Lenders, Inc.


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

ASSETS

                                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 741     $ 26,378     $ —       $ 27,119  

Restricted cash

     87       122       —         209  

Mortgage loans held for sale, net of market reserve of $12,213

     —         1,277,075       —         1,277,075  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses of $19,890

     —         2,090,237       —         2,090,237  

Mortgage-related securities, at fair value

     —         3,692       —         3,692  

Mortgage servicing rights, net

     —         1,119       —         1,119  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     —         20,674       —         20,674  

Accounts receivable—intercompany

     44,968       (44,968 )     —         —    

Other receivables

     2       44,909       —         44,911  

Investment in subsidiary

     166,425       —         (166,425 )     —    

Deferred income tax asset

     —         16,052       —         16,052  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     —         20,329       —         20,329  
    


 


 


 


TOTAL

   $ 212,223     $ 3,455,619     $ (166,425 )   $ 3,501,417  
    


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                

LIABILITIES:

                                

Warehouse facilities

   $ —       $ 1,515,195     $ —       $ 1,515,195  

Securitization bond financing

     —         1,724,389       —         1,724,389  

Income taxes payable

     —         2,949       —         2,949  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     —         46,661       —         46,661  
    


 


 


 


Total liabilities

     —         3,289,194       —         3,289,194  
    


 


 


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                                

Common stock

     20       —         —         20  

Additional paid-in capital

     59,609       10,910       (9,726 )     61,585  

Note receivable for common stock

     —         (1,250 )     —         (1,250 )

Unearned compensation

     (4,897 )     (726 )     —         (5,623 )

Retained earnings

     157,491       157,491       (156,699 )     157,491  
    


 


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     212,223       166,425       (166,425 )     212,223  
    


 


 


 


TOTAL

   $ 212,223     $ 3,455,619     $ (166,425 )   $ 3,501,417  
    


 


 


 


 

27


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   

Accredited
Home

Lenders, Inc.


    Accredited
Mortgage
Loan REIT
Trust


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

ASSETS

                                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,007     $ 17,542     $ 54,920     $ —       $ 73,469  

Restricted cash

     1,305       4,385       —         —         5,690  

Mortgage loans held for sale, net of market reserve of $14,372

     —         1,848,376               —         1,848,376  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses of $51,328

     —         1,527,533       2,519,513       —         4,047,046  

Mortgage-related securities, at fair value

     —         3,754       —         —         3,754  

Mortgage servicing rights, net

     —         331       —         —         331  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     12       32,641       —         —         32,653  

Accounts receivable—intercompany

     54,502       (50,155 )     (4,347 )     —         —    

Other receivables

     8       38,086       22,476       —         60,570  

Investment in subsidiary

     257,474       74,464       —         (331,938 )     —    

Prepaid income taxes

             19,878                       19,878  

Deferred income tax asset

     —         17,214       —         —         17,214  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     3       17,769       9,921       —         27,693  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL

   $ 314,311     $ 3,551,818     $ 2,602,483     $ (331,938 )   $ 6,136,674  
    


 


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                        

LIABILITIES:

                                        

Warehouse facilities

   $ —       $ 2,411,415     $ —       $ —       $ 2,411,415  

Securitization bond financing

             837,201       2,438,686       —         3,275,887  

Income taxes payable

     —                 —         —         —    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     8       45,728       5,239       —         50,975  
    


 


 


 


 


Total liabilities

     8       3,294,344       2,443,925       —         5,738,277  
    


 


 


 


 


Minority interest in subsidiary

     —         —         —         84,094       84,094  
    


 


 


 


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                                        

Preferred stock

                     3,500       (3,500 )     —    

Additional paid-in capital-preferred stock

     —         —         80,594       (80,594 )     —    

Common stock

     21       —                         21  

Additional paid-in capital-common stock

     75,219       11,038       56,584       (63,871 )     78,970  

Note receivable for common stock

             (1,250 )                     (1,250 )

Unearned compensation

     (11,105 )     (580 )                     (11,685 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

             (871 )     (1,050 )             (1,921 )

Retained earnings

     250,168       249,137       18,930       (268,067 )     250,168  
    


 


 


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     314,303       257,474       158,558       (416,032 )     314,303  
    


 


 


 


 


TOTAL

   $ 314,311     $ 3,551,818     $ 2,602,483     $ (331,938 )   $ 6,136,674  
    


 


 


 


 


 

28


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   Accredited
Home
Lenders, Inc.


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

REVENUES:

                            

Interest income

   $ —      $ 47,870    $ —       $ 47,870

Gain on sale of loans

     —        65,237      —         65,237

Loan servicing income

     —        1,979      —         1,979

Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives

     —        1,051      —         1,051

Other income

     —        98              98

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     29,449             (29,449 )     —  
    

  

  


 

Total revenues

     29,449      116,235      (29,449 )     116,235
    

  

  


 

EXPENSES:

                            

Salaries, wages and benefits

     —        28,700      —         28,700

Interest expense

     —        16,616      —         16,616

Occupancy

     —        3,449      —         3,449

Provision for losses

     —        6,537      —         6,537

Depreciation and amortization

     —        1,260      —         1,260

General and administrative expenses

     —        10,590      —         10,590
    

  

  


 

Total expenses

     —        67,152      —         67,152
    

  

  


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     29,449      49,083      (29,449 )     49,083

INCOME TAXES

     —        19,634      —         19,634
    

  

  


 

NET INCOME

   $ 29,449    $ 29,449    $ (29,449 )   $ 29,449
    

  

  


 

 

29


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   Accredited
Home
Lenders, Inc.


   Accredited
Mortgage
Loan REIT
Trust


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

REVENUES:

                                   

Interest income

   $ —      $ 64,594    $ 32,919    $ (20 )   $ 97,493

Gain on sale of loans

     —        77,993      —        —         77,993

Loan servicing income

     —        1,996      —        —         1,996

Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives

     —        309      —        —         309

Other income

     —        2,483      116      (2,316 )     283

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     37,153      17,549      —        (54,702 )     —  
    

  

  

  


 

Total revenues

     37,153      164,924      33,035      (57,038 )     178,074
    

  

  

  


 

EXPENSES:

                                   

Salaries, wages and benefits

     75      42,599      —        —         42,674

Interest expense

     —        26,402      10,732      (20 )     37,114

Occupancy

     15      4,795      —        —         4,810

Provision for losses

     —        11,983      2,433      —         14,416

Depreciation and amortization

     —        2,911      —        —         2,911

General and administrative expenses

     26      15,847      2,321      (2,316 )     15,878
    

  

  

  


 

Total expenses

     116      104,537      15,486      (2,336 )     117,803
    

  

  

  


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     37,037      60,387      17,549      (54,702 )     60,271

INCOME TAXES

     —        23,234      —        —         23,234

MINORITY INTEREST—DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARY

     —        —        —        1,160       1,160
    

  

  

  


 

NET INCOME

   $ 37,037    $ 37,153    $ 17,549    $ (55,862 )   $ 35,877
    

  

  

  


 

 

30


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   Accredited
Home
Lenders, Inc.


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

REVENUES:

                            

Interest income

   $ —      $ 120,484    $       $ 120,484

Gain on sale of loans

            171,317              171,317

Loan servicing income

            5,789              5,789

Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives

            5,439              5,439

Other income

            583              583

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     70,041             (70,041 )     —  
    

  

  


 

Total revenues

     70,041      303,612      (70,041 )     303,612
    

  

  


 

EXPENSES:

                            

Salaries, wages and benefits

            79,523              79,523

Interest expense

            43,628              43,628

Occupancy

            8,448              8,448

Provision for losses

            22,916              22,916

Depreciation and amortization

            3,343              3,343

General and administrative expenses

            29,019              29,019
    

  

  


 

Total expenses

            186,877              186,877
    

  

  


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     70,041      116,735      (70,041 )     116,735

INCOME TAXES

            46,694              46,694
    

  

  


 

NET INCOME

   $ 70,041    $ 70,041    $ (70,041 )   $ 70,041
    

  

  


 

 

31


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   Accredited
Home
Lenders, Inc.


   Accredited
Mortgage
Loan REIT
Trust


   Eliminations

    Consolidated

             

REVENUES:

                                   

Interest income

   $ —      $ 203,958    $ 38,854    $ (20 )   $ 242,792

Gain on sale of loans

            210,342                     210,342

Loan servicing income

            5,204      1              5,205

Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives

            2,083                     2,083

Other income

            2,958      116      (2,661 )     413

Equity in net earnings of subsidiary

     93,953      20,090             (114,043 )     —  
    

  

  

  


 

Total revenues

     93,953      444,635      138,971      (116,724 )     460,835
    

  

  

  


 

EXPENSES:

                                   

Salaries, wages and benefits

     75      117,700                     117,775

Interest expense

            73,583      12,574      (20 )     86,137

Occupancy

     14      13,327                     13,341

Provision for losses

            36,066      3,642              39,708

Depreciation and amortization

            6,934                     6,934

General and administrative expenses

     27      41,971      2,665      (2,661 )     42,002
    

  

  

  


 

Total expenses

     116      289,581      18,881      (2,681 )     305,897
    

  

  

  


 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     93,837      155,054      20,090      (114,043 )     154,938

INCOME TAXES

            61,101                     61,101

MINORITY INTEREST—DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK OF SUBSIDIARY

                          1,160       1,160
    

  

  

  


 

NET INCOME

   $ 93,837    $ 93,953    $ 20,090    $ (115,203 )   $ 92,677
    

  

  

  


 

 

32


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

 

(dollars in thousands)    Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


    Accredited
Home
Lenders, Inc.


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Net income

   $ 70,041     $ 70,041     $ (70,041 )   $ 70,041  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                                

Depreciation and amortization

             3,343               3,343  

Amortization of unearned compensation

     221       185               406  

Loss on disposal of furniture, fixtures, and equipment

             120               120  

Mortgage loans held for sale originated, net of fees

             (4,467,876 )             (4,467,876 )

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale, net of fees

             4,223,016               4,223,016  

Collection of principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale

             22,902               22,902  

Net change in fair value hedge basis adjustment on mortgage loans held for sale and securitized loans

             (10,769 )             (10,769 )

Amortization of net deferred origination fees on securitized loans

             (447 )             (447 )

Cash received on mortgage-related securities

             11,205               11,205  

Net unrealized gain on mortgage-related securities

             (6,513 )             (6,513 )

Accretion of mortgage-related securities

             (671 )             (671 )

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights

             1,598               1,598  

Provision for losses

             22,916               22,916  

Deferred income taxes

             (2,743 )             (2,743 )

Income tax deduction for disqualifying stock dispositions

                             —    

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiary

     (70,041 )             70,041       —    

Net changes in assets and liabilities

     35,187       (38,991 )             (3,804 )
    


 


 


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     35,408       (172,684 )             (137,276 )
    


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Capital expenditures

             (11,398 )             (11,398 )

Mortgage loans held for investment originated

             (1,140,347 )             (1,140,347 )

Principal payments on securitized loans

             119,857               119,857  
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

             (1,031,888 )             (1,031,888 )
    


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Net proceeds from warehouse credit facilities

             569,573               569,573  

Payments of borrowings on residual interest credit facility

             (6,859 )             (6,859 )

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing

             719,847               719,847  

Payments of securitization bond financing

             (141,289 )             (141,289 )

Change in restricted cash

     (1,260 )     (107 )             (1,367 )

Payments on capital leases

             (208 )             (208 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     541       6               547  

Proceeds from issuance of stock under ESPP

     1,873                       1,873  

Net proceeds from initial public offering and concurrent private placement

     38,294                       38,294  
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     39,448       1,140,963               1,180,411  
    


 


 


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     74,856       (63,609 )             11,247  

BEGINNING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

             11,300               11,300  
    


 


 


 


ENDING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   $ 74,856     $ (52,309 )   $ __       $ 22,547  
    


 


 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                                

Cash paid during the period for:

                                

Interest

           $ 38,960             $ 38,960  

Income taxes

           $ 50,359             $ 50,359  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                

Transfer of loans held for sale to loans held for investment

           $ 720,940             $ 720,940  

Transfer of loans held for sale to real estate owned, included in other assets

           $ 7,347             $ 7,347  

Transfer of mortgage related securities from other liabilities

                                

Unearned compensation

           $ 284             $ 284  

Deferred compensation

                                

Conversion of convertible debt to common stock

           $ 3,000             $ 3,000  

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock

           $ 5,113             $ 5,113  

Conversion of warrants to common stock

           $ 1             $ 1  

 

33


Table of Contents

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

(dollars in thousands)   Accredited
Home
Lenders
Holding Co.


   

Accredited
Home

Lenders, Inc.


   

Accredited
Mortgage

Loan REIT
Trust


    Eliminations

    Consolidated

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                       

Net income

  $ 93,837     $ 93,953     $ 20,090     $ (115,203 )   $ 92,677  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

                                       

Depreciation and amortization

            6,934                       6,934  

Amortization of unearned compensation

    2,200       273                       2,473  

Loss on disposal of furniture, fixtures, and equipment

            39                       39  

Mortgage loans held for sale originated, net of fees

            (6,076,570 )                     (6,076,570 )

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans held for sale, net of fees

            5,789,582                       5,789,582  

Collection of principal payments on mortgage loans held for sale

            52,405                       52,405  

Net change in fair value hedge basis adjustment on mortgage loans held for sale and securitized loans

            (15,770 )     (1,140 )             (16,910 )

Amortization of net deferred origination fees on securitized loans

            570       1,402               1,972  

Cash received on mortgage-related securities

            2,419                       2,419  

Net unrealized gain on mortgage-related securities

            (2,086 )                     (2,086 )

Accretion of mortgage-related securities

            (380 )                     (380 )

Amortization of mortgage servicing rights

            788                       788  

Provision for losses

            36,066       3,642               39,708  

Deferred income taxes

            (1,162 )                     (1,162 )

Income tax deduction for disqualifying stock dispositions

    5,625                               5,625  

Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiary

    (93,953 )     (20,090 )             114,043       —    

Net change in assets and liabilities

    (9,439 )     (12,283 )     (15,715 )             (37,437 )
   


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (1,730 )     (145,312 )     8,279       (1,160 )     (139,923 )
   


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                       

Capital expenditures

    (12 )     (18,940 )                     (18,952 )

Mortgage loans held for investment originated

            (2,905,882 )                     (2,905,882 )

Principal payments on securitized loans

            489,879       91,683               581,562  

Capital contributions

            (26,000 )     26,000               —    
   


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

    (12 )     (2,460,943 )     117,683       —         (2,343,272 )
   


 


 


 


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                       

Net proceeds from warehouse credit facilities

            2,617,273       (1,721,053 )             896,220  

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing

            505,000       1,662,569               2,167,569  

Payments of securitization bond financing

            (520,579 )     (95,492 )             (616,071 )

Change in restricted cash

    (1,218 )     (4,263 )                     (5,481 )

Payments on capital leases

            (12 )                     (12 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    1,123                               1,123  

Proceeds from issuance of stock under ESPP

    2,103                               2,103  

Payments of dividends on preferred stock

    —         —         (1,160 )     1,160       —    

Proceeds from preferred stock offering of the consolidated subsidiary

    —         —         84,094       —         84,094  
   


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

    2,008       2,597,419       (71,042 )     1,160       2,529,545  
   


 


 


 


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    266       (8,836 )     54,920               46,350  

BEGINNING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    741       26,378       —         —         27,119  
   


 


 


 


 


ENDING BALANCE, CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  $ 1,007     $ 17,542     $ 54,920       —       $ 73,469  
   


 


 


 


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                                       

Cash paid during the period for:

                                       

Interest

          $ 30,850     $ 43,922             $ 74,772  

Income taxes

          $ 78,194                     $ 78,194  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                       

Contributed loans held for investment

    —       $ 2,616,151     $ (2,616,151 )     —         —    

Contributed warehouse credit facilities

    —       $ (1,721,053 )   $ 1,721,053       —         —    

Contributed securitization bond financing

    —       $ (871,609 )   $ 871,609       —         —    

Contributed net assets and liabilities

    —       $ 7,115     $ (7,115 )     —         —    

Transfer of loans held for sale to loans held for investment

          $ 2,570,380                     $ 2,570,380  

Transfer of loans held for sale to real estate owned, included in other assets

          $ 4,721                     $ 4,721  

Transfer of mortgage related securities from other liabilities

          $ 16                     $ 16  

Unearned compensation

          $ 129                     $ 129  

Deferred compensation

          $ 8,406                     $ 8,406  

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On October 6, 2004, Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co.’s indirect subsidiary, Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust, closed the reopened public offering of 593,678 shares of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust’s 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares. The offering resulted in gross proceeds of $15.0 million, bringing the total gross proceeds from offerings of the Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares to approximately $102.5 million. Payments in respect of the Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares are guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, by AHLHC. The Preferred Shares are classified as minority interest in subsidiary on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be reviewed in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report and in the Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this document contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of this Form 10-Q. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to factors discussed later in this section and elsewhere in this report.

 

General

 

We are a nationwide mortgage banking company that originates, finances, securitizes, services and sells non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. We focus on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. We originate our loans primarily through independent mortgage brokers across the United States and, to a lesser extent, through our direct sales force in our retail offices. We primarily sell our loans in whole loan sales and, to a lesser extent, we securitize our loans.

 

Revenue Model

 

Our operations generate revenues in three ways:

 

  Interest income. We have two primary components to our interest income. We generate interest income over the life of the loan on the loans we have securitized in structures that require financing treatment. This interest is partially offset by the interest we pay on the bonds that we issue to fund these loans. We also generate interest income on loans held for sale and for securitization from the time we originate the loan until the time we sell or securitize the loan. This interest income is partially offset by our borrowing costs under our warehouse facilities used to finance these loans.

 

  Gain on sale of loans. We generate gain on sale of loans by selling the loans we originate for a premium.

 

  Loan servicing income. Our loan servicing income represents all contractual and ancillary servicing revenue for loans we service for others, net of subservicing costs, some of our own servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights. Subservicing costs are the amounts we pay to others to service loans on our behalf.

 

Our revenues also include net gain (loss) on mortgage-related securities and derivatives, which reflect changes in the value of these instruments based on market conditions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, our management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of our estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Pursuant to our critical accounting policies the following reflect significant judgments by management:

 

  Fair value of mortgage-related securities;

 

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  Mortgage servicing rights valuation;

 

  Provision for losses; and

 

  Interest rate risk, derivatives and hedging strategies.

 

Fair Value of Mortgage-Related Securities

 

Our gain on sale of loans consists primarily of cash gain that results from whole loan sales and, in the past has also consisted of, to a lesser extent, non-cash gain that resulted from the fair value of our mortgage-related securities. We also record subsequent changes to the fair value of our mortgage-related securities in our income statement and to the asset on our balance sheet. In each case, the determination of fair value requires significant judgments by our management.

 

Our sales may be either on a servicing retained or released basis. If we retain the right to service the loans that we have sold, we may also record non-cash gain on sale related to the value of those servicing rights. See our further discussion below and under the heading “Mortgage Servicing Rights Valuations.”

 

Typically, our gain on sale recorded for whole loan sales has been cash gain. In a transaction structured as a loan sale with retained interests, the majority of the gain on sale we have recorded is non-cash gain based on the fair value of the mortgage-related securities retained in the transaction. We have not structured a transaction as a loan sale with retained interests since January 2002. Typically, the gain on sale we have recorded on securitizations structured as a sale has also been the non-cash gain based on the fair values of the mortgage-related securities we retain. We have not recorded non-cash gain from a securitization structured as a sale since the first quarter of 2000.

 

Gains or losses resulting from our loan sales are recorded at the time of sale. Upon sale, we allocate the book value of the loans sold among the value of the loans and any mortgage-related securities and mortgage servicing rights we retain in the transaction. The gain on sale that we record is primarily based on the difference between (i) the sum of the cash received plus the value of any mortgage-related securities and mortgage servicing rights generated by the transaction, and (ii) the book value that we had allocated to the loans sold. At the closing of a loan sale with retained interests or a securitization structured as a sale, we remove the mortgage loans held for sale and related warehouse debt from our consolidated balance sheet and add to our consolidated balance sheet the net cash received, the estimated fair value of the mortgage-related securities generated by the transaction, and the allocated book value of any mortgage servicing rights generated by the transaction.

 

Gain on sale revenue is recorded at the time we sell loans or securitize loans in transactions structured as a sale, but not when we securitize loans in a transaction structured as a financing. Accordingly, our financial results are significantly impacted by the timing of our loan sales and the securitization structure we may elect to implement. If we hold a significant pool of loans at the end of a reporting period, those loans will remain on our balance sheet, along with the related debt used to fund the loans. The revenue that we generate from those loans will not be recorded until the subsequent reporting period when we sell the loans. If we elect to complete a securitization structured as a financing rather than a transaction that would generate gain on sale revenue, our gain on sale revenue will be lower and our interest income will be higher than it would have been otherwise. Since we have completed eight securitizations structured as financings since the third quarter of 2002, we do expect differences in our results of operations as compared to historical results. A number of factors influence the timing of our loan sales, our targeted disposition strategy and the whole loan sale premiums we receive, including the current market demand for our loans, the quality of the loans we originate, the sufficiency of our loan documentation, liquidity needs, and our strategic objectives. Our management has from time to time delayed the sale of loans to a later period, and may do so again in the future.

 

Accounting for Mortgage-Related Securities

 

We measure our mortgage-related securities like debt securities classified as trading securities under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt

 

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and Equity Securities. When we enter into a loan sale transaction that generates a mortgage-related security, we record the fair value of that security as an asset on our balance sheet. Thereafter, we measure the fair value of the mortgage-related securities at each reporting date. Any change in fair value since the end of the prior period is recorded in our results of operations as an unrealized gain or loss. The carrying value of mortgage-related securities on our balance sheet is also increased or decreased accordingly.

 

How We Determine Fair Value of Mortgage-Related Securities

 

We are not aware of any active market for the sale of our mortgage-related securities. Accordingly, our estimate of fair value is subjective. We determine the fair value by discounting the estimated net future cash flows using assumptions that market participants would use, including assumptions about interest rates, credit losses, and prepayment speeds. The net future cash flows expected to be received include the interest paid by the borrowers on the loans and prepayment penalties, less amounts paid to other parties with interests in the loans, estimated credit losses, servicing fees, as well as mortgage insurance fees, guarantee fees, and trustee fees for securitizations. Our receipt of such cash flows may be delayed to the extent that the loan sale agreement does not require cash flows to be paid to us until they reach certain levels specified in such agreement.

 

Our estimate of the fair value of our mortgage-related securities could decrease if our actual cash flows from our mortgage-related securities are different than originally estimated, or if economic factors or market analyses cause us to change the assumptions we use to value mortgage-related securities. In particular, if we increase the loss or discount rate that we apply or if we have a significant increase in our prepayment rates, the fair value of our mortgage-related securities would decrease. Any decrease in the fair value would adversely affect our results of operations and the assets we carry on our balance sheet.

 

Securitizations Structured as Financings

 

While we currently generate the majority of our earnings and cash flows from whole loan sales, we intend to increase the percentage of our earnings and cash flows received from securitizations and other transactions in which we retain an interest in the mortgage loans that we have sold. These transactions will continue to be legally structured as sales, but for accounting purposes may be structured as a financing under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. This “portfolio-based” accounting more closely matches the recognition of income with the actual receipt of cash payments. Also, such securitization structures are consistent with our strategy to predominantly generate cash-based earnings rather than non-cash gain on sale revenue. We completed eight securitizations structured as financings since the third quarter of 2002.

 

Mortgage Servicing Rights Valuations

 

We recognize as a separate asset the rights to service mortgage loans for others once such rights are contractually separated from the underlying loans. We amortize mortgage servicing rights in proportion to and over the period of the estimated net servicing income and we record these rights at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We determine the fair value of mortgage servicing rights based upon the present value of estimated net future cash flows related to contractually specified servicing fees, which may include the rights to prepayment penalties.

 

Key assumptions we use to value mortgage servicing rights include prepayment speeds and discount rates. Actual prepayments generally differ from our initial estimates. If actual prepayment rates are different than we originally estimated, we may receive more or less mortgage servicing income, which could increase or decrease the value of our mortgage servicing rights. We periodically evaluate our mortgage servicing rights for impairment, which is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. In the event of impairment, the adjustment is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

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When we structure securitizations as financings, we do not record mortgage servicing rights, and since January 2002, we have not disposed of loans in a manner which requires the mortgage servicing rights to be recognized as a separate asset.

 

Provisions for Losses

 

We have provided market valuation adjustments on certain nonperforming loans, other loans we hold for sale and real estate owned. These adjustments are based upon our estimate of expected losses, calculated using loss severity and loss frequency rate assumptions, and are based upon the value that we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. An allowance for losses on mortgage loans held for investment is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain appropriate coverage for probable losses on such loans. The provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. We also accrue for liabilities associated with loans sold, which we may be requested to repurchase due to breaches of representations and warranties and early payment defaults. We periodically evaluate the estimates used in calculating expected losses, and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of our control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, it is reasonably possible that they could change.

 

Our estimate of expected losses could increase if our actual loss experience or repurchase activity is different than originally estimated, or if economic factors change the value we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale. In particular, if actual losses increase or if values reasonably expected to be obtained from a sale decrease, the provision for losses would increase. Any increase in the provision for losses would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Interest Rate Risk, Derivatives and Hedging

 

We regularly originate, securitize and sell fixed and variable rate loans. We face three primary types of interest rate risk: during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding; on our loans held for sale from the time of funding to the date of sale; and on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting.

 

Interest rate risk exists during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding and from the time of funding to the date of sale because the premium earned on the sale of these loans is partially contingent upon the then-current market rate of interest for loans as compared to the contractual interest rate of the loans. Our use of derivatives is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the gain on sale of loans due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

 

The interest rate risk on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting exists because some of these loans have fixed interest rates for a period of two or three years while the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and the holders of the securitization bonds is based upon an adjustable rate. We also have interest rate risk when the loans become adjustable after their two or three year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every six months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds. We use derivatives to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on the mortgage-related securities and changes in the cash flows of our securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting due to changes in LIBOR rates.

 

As part of our interest rate risk management process, we use derivative financial instruments such as options and Eurodollar futures. In connection with five of the securitizations structured as financings, we have entered into interest rate cap agreements. We do not use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

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We designate certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure there remains a highly effective correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the effect of interest rate changes on the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale, we are using derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instrument and mortgage loans are recognized in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time we sell the mortgage loans. This results in a correspondingly higher or lower gain on sale revenue at such time. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statements of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

During the third quarter 2004, we implemented the use of cash flow hedging on our securitized loans under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitized loans attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported in other comprehensive income, and the ineffective portion be reported in current earnings. For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur or when such instruments are settled.

 

Results Of Operations

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Executive Summary

 

  Net income was $92.7 million, or $4.31 per diluted share, an increase of 32% from the prior year.

 

  This increase was driven by a 60% growth in origination volume, to $9.0 billion, and an 85% growth in our serviced loans to $6.1 billion.

 

  Growth was achieved by increasing offices by 13 locations, and penetrating new and existing markets through 565 new employees.

 

  Whole loan sales of $5.8 billion resulted in gains recorded of $210.3 million, representing an average premium of 3.8%, versus 4.1% in 2003.

 

  Origination costs net of points and fees improved from 2.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to 2.0% in the comparable period in 2004.

 

  Credit quality as measured by lower delinquency and loss level percentages improved over the prior year.

 

Revenues

 

Total Revenues. Total revenues increased 51.8% from $303.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $460.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to increases in interest income of $122.3 million and gain on sale of loans of $39.0 million.

 

Interest Income. Interest income represents the interest earned on our mortgage loans held for sale and for securitization during the period prior to their sale or securitization, interest earned on securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting, prepayment penalty income from the on balance sheet portfolio, the fair value hedge accounting realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives purchased to manage our interest rate risk associated with securitized loans, net of the related fair value basis adjustments recorded due to the use of hedge accounting and, to a lesser extent, interest accreted on our mortgage-related securities. We do not accrue interest for mortgage loans that are 90 days or more delinquent. Interest income increased 101.5% from $120.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $242.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. Our average

 

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inventory of mortgage loans increased from $2.1 billion to $4.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and for the comparable period in 2004, as we increased loan production volume and completed quarterly securitizations that are accounted for as financings. Growth in interest income from higher balances was partially offset by a decrease in weighted average interest rate due to a more competitive environment.

 

The table below is a summary of net interest margin components:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2003


    Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004


 
     Average
Balance


   Amount

    Rate

    Average
Balance


   Amount

    Rate

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Warehouse

                                      

Interest income

   1,262,024    $ 73,323     7.75 %   2,016,907    $ 109,411     7.23 %

Interest expense

   1,195,617      (25,312 )   2.82 %   1,905,708      (40,695 )   2.85 %
         


 

      


 

Spread

          48,011     4.93 %          68,716     4.38 %
                                        

Securitizations

                                      

Interest income

   827,270    $ 47,162     7.60 %   2,349,936    $ 133,381     7.57 %

Interest expense

   827,538      (18,317 )   2.95 %   2,328,449      (45,442 )   2.60 %
         


 

      


 

Spread

          28,845     4.65 %          87,939     4.97 %

Net Interest Margin

   2,089,294    $ 76,856     4.90 %   4,366,844    $ 156,655     4.78 %
         


 

      


 

 

Gain on Sale of Loans. Total gain on sale of loans increased 22.8% from $171.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $210.3 million for the comparable period in 2004.

 

The components of the gain on sale of loans are illustrated in the following table:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Gain on whole loan sales

   $ 182,168     $ 218,906  

Provision for premium recapture

     (2,081 )     (2,699 )

Net gain (loss) on derivatives

     (8,579 )     1,254  

Net origination points and fees

     25,942       25,831  

Direct loan origination expenses

     (26,133 )     (32,950 )
    


 


Gain on sale of loans

   $ 171,317     $ 210,342  
    


 


 

Gain on whole loan sales increased 20.2% from $182.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $218.9 million for the comparable period in 2004 due to higher sales volume in 2004. Total whole loan sales increased 37.1% from $4.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $5.8 billion for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to an increase in loan originations of 60.3% from $5.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $9.0 billion in the comparable period of 2004, partially offset by $2.2 billion which were securitized during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The average whole loan sales premium, net of gains (losses) on related derivatives, was 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 3.8% for the comparable period in 2004. Our top ten loan purchasers during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, were as follows in descending order: Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., HSBC Mortgage Services, Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC (C-BASS), Wintergroup, Residential Funding Corporation, Sovereign Bank, Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB, UBS Paine Weber, DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. (Credit Suisse First Boston) and Chase Manhattan.

 

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The components of our net profit margin on whole loan sales are illustrated in the following table:

 

     Nine Months
Ended September 30,


 
         2003    

        2004    

 

Gain on whole loan sales (1)(2)

   4.3 %   3.8 %

Net gain (loss) on derivatives (2)

   (0.2 %)   0.0 %
    

 

Net gain on whole loan sales (1)(2)

   4.1 %   3.8 %

Net origination points and fees

   0.6 %   0.4 %

Loan origination expenses

   (2.7 %)   (2.4 %)
    

 

Net cost to originate (3)

   (2.1 %)   (2.0 %)
    

 

Net profit margin on whole loan sales

   2.0 %   1.8 %
    

 


(1) Excludes the provision for premium recapture.
(2) The percentages hereon are calculated based upon the respective amounts presented in the table above divided by our total whole loan sales of $4.2 billion and $5.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
(3) Net cost to originate loans is defined as total operating expenses (total expenses less interest expense and provision for losses), less allocated loan servicing related costs, plus yield spread premiums, less points and fees collected, all prior to any deferrals of origination costs for accounting purposes. This total is divided by total originations of $5.6 billion and $9.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Provision for premium recapture represents our estimate of the potential refunds of premium received on loan sales during the period based upon our historical experience. Provision for premium recapture increased 29.7% from $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.7 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase results from the increase in whole loan sales of 37.1% from $4.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $5.8 billion for the comparable period in 2004 slightly offset by the recovery of $178,000 of prior year reserves no longer needed.

 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives represents the realized and unrealized gain (loss) on the derivatives purchased to manage our interest rate risk associated with our mortgage loans held for sale from the time of funding commitment to sale commitment, net of the related fair value basis adjustments recorded due to the use of hedge accounting. We enter into these transactions to offset fluctuations in interest rates that affect our premiums earned on the sale of these loans. The net gain (loss) on derivatives increased from an $8.6 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to a $1.3 million gain for the comparable period in 2004. This increase results from an overall increase in market interest rates, as well as an increase in derivative volume during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

Net origination points and fees represent the revenue earned from the origination of mortgage loans held for sale, net of broker rebates paid, which are deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the related loans are sold. Net origination points and fees decreased from $25.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $25.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. This decrease results from an increase in broker fees paid per loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003 offset by a 37.1% increase in whole loan sales.

 

Direct loan origination expenses represent the costs incurred to originate mortgage loans held for sale that are deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the related loans are sold. Direct loan origination expenses increased from $26.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $33.0 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase results from the 37.1% increase in whole loan sales slightly offset by a decrease in our standard origination expense per loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003. The decrease in our standard origination expense per loan results from the increase in production and greater efficiency.

 

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Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income represents all contractual and ancillary servicing revenue for loans we service for others, net of subservicing costs, certain of our own servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights. Subservicing costs are the amounts we pay to others to service loans on our behalf. Loan servicing income decreased 10.1% from $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $5.2 million for the comparable period in 2004. This decrease results from the decrease in prepayment penalties on the off balance sheet portfolio collected due to a decrease in the portfolio balance during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2003.

 

Net Gain on Mortgage-Related Securities and Derivatives. Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives decreased 61.7% from $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.1 million for the comparable period in 2004.

 

Net gain on mortgage-related securities decreased 68.0% from $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. This gain represents the increase in fair value of the residual income from these securities due to stronger cash flow received than anticipated, primarily from lower losses. The decrease in the current year is due primarily to increasing interest rates.

 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives represents the realized and unrealized gain (loss) on the derivatives purchased to manage the interest rate risk associated with our mortgage-related securities. The risk arises because the cash we receive from our mortgage-related securities is dependent on the difference between the interest rates on the underlying loans and the yield payable to the senior security holders, or payable to the purchaser of the loans in the case of a sale with retained interests. The majority of the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities have interest rates which are fixed for the first two or three years, while the yield payable to the senior interests or purchaser changes monthly based upon short-term LIBOR. Net gain (loss) on derivatives went from a net loss of $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, to a neutral position for the comparable period in 2004 due to an increase in overall market interest rates and a lower mortgage related securities balance during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

Expenses

 

Total Expenses. Total expenses increased 63.7% from $186.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $305.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase was the result of higher salaries, wages, and benefits expense of $38.3 million, an increase in interest expense of $42.5 million, an increase in the provision for losses of $16.8 million and increases in other variable operating expenses associated with growth in loans originated and serviced.

 

Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits increased 48.1% from $79.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $117.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase was due to growth in the number of employees, as well as higher commission and bonus expenses that are variable expenses dependent upon loan production volume and profits. The total number of employees increased by 29.9% from 1,890 at September 30, 2003 to 2,455 at September 30, 2004. The commission and bonus expense increased by 37.0% from $46.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $63.6 million for the comparable period in 2004.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense represents the interest incurred on all outstanding debt and securitization bond financing, as well as the amortization of bond issue costs on the securitization bond financing and other costs associated with accessing our credit facilities. Interest expense increased 97.4% from $43.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, to $86.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. Our average outstanding borrowings, increased from $2.0 billion to $4.2 billion consistent with the increase in the average inventory of loans. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2004, interest expense of $43.6 million and $86.1 million, respectively, was recognized on the warehouse debt and securitization bond financing. Growth in interest expense from higher balances and higher interest rates was partially offset by a greater portion of lower cost floating rate debt in securitizations.

 

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Occupancy. Occupancy expense increased 57.9% from $8.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $13.3 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase resulted from growth in the total number of office sites leased from 41 at September 30, 2003 to 54 at September 30, 2004 due to our penetration in new geographic markets, as well as an increase in square footage in some existing sites.

 

Provision for Losses. Provision for losses increased 73.3% from $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $39.7 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increases in our provisions for losses were as follows: provision for losses on loans held for investment of $22.4 million, and provision for real estate owned of $857,000, offset by decreases in our market reserve on loans held for sale of $5.9 million, our provision for repurchases of $275,000 and in the net losses on real estate owned of $323,000. The increase in our provision for losses on loans held for investment results from the increase in our securitized loan balance from $1.6 billion at September 30, 2003 to $4.0 billion at September 30, 2004. The decrease in our market reserve on loans held for sale results from a decrease in delinquencies at September 30, 2004 compared to September 30, 2003 slightly offset by an increase in the loans held for sale balance. The decrease in our provision for repurchases results from a refinement to our reserve methodology to better incorporate estimated losses on loans sold, based upon historical data, for which no repurchase request has yet been received.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 107.4% from $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $6.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase results from our investment in technology and infrastructure resulting from the increase in the number of employees and offices during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 44.7% from $29.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $42.0 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase resulted from an increase in loan origination volume, an increase in our servicing portfolio, an increase in our number of leased locations and an increase in the number of employees as compared to 2003. Loan originations increased 60.3% from $5.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $9.0 billion in the comparable period of 2004. Our servicing portfolio increased 85.1% from $3.3 billion at September 30, 2003 to $6.1 billion at September 30, 2004. Our leased locations increased 31.7% from 41 at September 30, 2003 to 54 at September 30, 2004. Additionally, the total number of employees increased by 29.9% from 1,890 at September 30, 2003 to 2,455 at September 30, 2004.

 

Income Taxes. Income taxes increased 30.9% from $46.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $61.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was a result of a 32.7% increase in income before taxes from the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to the comparable period in 2004. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 39.4%. The two major components of our effective tax rate are the federal corporate tax rate of 35.0% and the effective state income tax rates. We operate and pay tax in nearly every state. As our operations and profits have expanded in various states, it has created changes in our effective tax rate depending upon each particular state’s tax structure and rate.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Executive Summary

 

  Net income was $35.9 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, an increase of 21.8% from the prior year.

 

  This was driven by a 46% growth in origination volume, to $3.2 billion, and an 85% growth in our serviced loans to $6.1 billion.

 

  Growth was achieved by increasing offices by 13 locations, and penetrating new and existing markets through 565 new employees.

 

  Whole loan sales of $2.3 billion resulted in gains recorded of $78.0 million, representing an average premium of 3.5%, versus 4.2% in 2003.

 

  Origination costs net of points and fees remained consistent at 1.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2004.

 

  Credit quality as measured by lower delinquency and loss level percentages improved over the prior year.

 

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Revenues

 

Total Revenues. Total revenues increased 53.2% from $116.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $178.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to increases in interest income of $49.6 million and gain on sale of loans of $12.8 million.

 

Interest Income. Interest income represents the interest earned on our mortgage loans held for sale and for securitization during the period prior to their sale or securitization, interest earned on securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting, prepayment penalty income from the on balance sheet portfolio, the fair value hedge accounting realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives purchased to manage our interest rate risk associated with securitized loans, net of the related fair value basis adjustments recorded due to the use of hedge accounting and, to a lesser extent, interest accreted on our mortgage-related securities. We do not accrue interest for mortgage loans that are 90 days or more delinquent. Interest income increased 103.7% from $47.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $97.5 million for the comparable period in 2004. Our average inventory of mortgage loans increased from $2.5 million to $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and for the comparable period in 2004, as we increased loan production volume and completed quarterly securitizations that are accounted for as financings. Growth in interest income from higher balances was partially offset by a decrease in weighted average interest rate due to a more competitive environment.

 

The table below is a summary of net interest margin components:

 

    

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2003


   

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2004


 
     Average
Balance


   Amount

    Rate

    Average
Balance


   Amount

    Rate

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Warehouse

                                      

Interest income

   1,511,042    $ 28,670     7.59 %   2,341,145    $ 42,734     7.30 %

Interest expense

   1,419,530      (9,602 )   2.71 %   2,236,885      (17,481 )   3.13 %
         


 

      


 

Spread

          19,068     4.88 %          25,253     4.17 %

Securitizations

                                      

Interest income

   986,392    $ 19,200     7.79 %   2,926,034    $ 54,758     7.49 %

Interest expense

   963,554      (7,015 )   2.91 %   2,832,335      (19,634 )   2.77 %
         


 

      


 

Spread

          12,185     4.88 %          35,124     4.72 %

Net Interest Margin

   2,497,434    $ 31,253     5.01 %   5,267,179    $ 60,377     4.59 %
         


 

      


 

 

Gain on Sale of Loans. Total gain on sale of loans increased 19.6% from $65.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $78.0 million for the comparable period in 2004.

 

The components of the gain on sale of loans are illustrated in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 
     (dollars in thousands)  

Gain on whole loan sales

   $ 64,983     $ 79,796  

Provision for premium recapture

     (776 )     (1,146 )

Net gain (loss) on derivatives

     1,709       822  

Net origination points and fees

     9,622       9,938  

Direct loan origination expenses

     (10,301 )     (11,417 )
    


 


Gain on sale of loans

   $ 65,237     $ 77,993  
    


 


 

Gain on whole loan sales increased 22.8% from $65.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $79.8 million for the comparable period in 2004 due to higher sales volume in 2004. Total whole loan sales increased 45.8% from $1.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.3 billion for the

 

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comparable period in 2004. This increase was due to an increase in loan originations of 45.6% from $2.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $3.2 billion in the comparable period of 2004, offset by $1.0 billion, which were securitized during the three months ended September 30, 2004. The average whole loan sales premium, net of gains (losses) on related derivatives, was 4.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 3.5% for the comparable period in 2004. These lower gains resulted primarily from lower interest rate margins reflecting stiff price competition in the non-prime mortgage origination market. Our top ten loan purchasers during the three months ended September 30, 2004, were as follows in descending order: Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., HSBC Mortgage Services, Credit-Based Asset Servicing and Securitization LLC (C-BASS), Sovereign Bank, Wintergroup, Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB, Saxon, Equity One, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. and Franklin Credit.

 

The components of our net profit margin on whole loan sales are illustrated in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


 
         2003    

        2004    

 

Gain on whole loan sales (1)(2)

   4.1 %   3.5 %

Net gain (loss) on derivatives (2)

   0.1 %   0.0 %
    

 

Net gain on whole loan sales (1)(2)

   4.2 %   3.5 %

Net origination points and fees

   0.6 %   0.5 %

Loan origination expenses

   (2.5 %)   (2.4 %)
    

 

Net cost to originate (3)

   (1.9 %)   (1.9 %)
    

 

Net profit margin on whole loan sales

   2.3 %   1.6 %
    

 


(1) Excludes the provision for premium recapture.
(2) The percentages hereon are calculated based upon the respective amounts presented in the table above divided by our total whole loan sales of $1.6 billion and $2.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
(3) Net cost to originate loans is defined as total operating expenses (total expenses less interest expense and provision for losses), less allocated loan servicing related costs, plus yield spread premiums, less points and fees collected, all prior to any deferrals of origination costs for accounting purposes. This total is divided by total originations of $2.2 billion and $3.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Provision for premium recapture represents our estimate of the potential refunds of premium received on loan sales during the period based upon our historical experience. Provision for premium recapture increased 47.7% from $776,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $1.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase results from the increase in whole loan sales of 45.8% from $1.6 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.3 billion for the comparable period in 2004.

 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives represents the realized and unrealized gain (loss) on the derivatives purchased to manage our interest rate risk associated with our mortgage loans held for sale from the time of funding commitment to sale commitment, net of the related fair value basis adjustments recorded due to the use of hedge accounting. We enter into these transactions to offset fluctuations in interest rates that affect our premiums earned on the sale of these loans. The net gain on derivatives decreased 51.9% from $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $822,000 for the comparable period in 2004. This decrease results from less of an increase in overall market interest rates during the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

Net origination points and fees represent the revenue earned from the origination of mortgage loans held for sale, net of broker rebates paid, which are deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the related loans are sold. Net origination points and fees increased from $9.6 million for the three months

 

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ended September 30, 2003 to $9.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase results from a 45.8% increase in whole loan sales offset by an increase in broker fees paid per loan for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

Direct loan origination expenses represent the costs incurred to originate mortgage loans held for sale that are deferred and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the related loans are sold. Direct loan origination expenses increased from $10.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $11.4 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase results from the 45.8% increase in whole loan sales offset by a decrease in our standard origination expense per loan for the three months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to the comparable period in 2003. The decrease in our standard origination expense per loan results from the increase in production and greater efficiency.

 

Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income represents all contractual and ancillary servicing revenue for loans we service for others, net of subservicing costs, certain of our own servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights. Subservicing costs are the amounts we pay to others to service loans on our behalf. Loan servicing income remained relatively flat at $2.0 million for the three months ended September 2003 and the comparable period in 2004.

 

Net Gain on Mortgage-Related Securities and Derivatives. Net gain on mortgage-related securities and derivatives decreased 70.6% from $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $309,000 for the comparable period in 2004.

 

Net gain on mortgage-related securities decreased 67.3% from $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $457,000 for the comparable period in 2004. This gain represents the increase in fair value of the residual income from these securities. This increase for both years was due to declining interest rates and stronger cash flow received than anticipated, primarily from lower losses.

 

Net loss on derivatives represents the realized and unrealized loss on the derivatives purchased to manage the interest rate risk associated with our mortgage-related securities. The risk arises because the cash we receive from our mortgage-related securities is dependent on the difference between the interest rates on the underlying loans and the yield payable to the senior security holders, or payable to the purchaser of the loans in the case of a sale with retained interests. The majority of the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities have interest rates which are fixed for the first two or three years, while the yield payable to the senior interests or purchaser changes monthly based upon short-term LIBOR. Net loss on derivatives decreased 57.5% from $348,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003, to $148,000 for the comparable period in 2004 due to an increase in overall market interest rates which was partially offset by a lower mortgage related securities balance during the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

Expenses

 

Total Expenses. Total expenses increased 75.4% from $67.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $117.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase was the result of higher salaries, wages, and benefits expense of $14.0 million, an increase in interest expense of $20.5 million, an increase in the provision for losses of $7.9 million and increases in other variable operating expenses associated with growth in loans originated and serviced.

 

Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits increased 48.7% from $28.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $42.7 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase was due to growth in the number of employees, as well as higher commission and bonus expenses that are variable expenses dependent upon loan production volume and profits. The total number of employees increased by 31.7% from 1,890 at September 30, 2003 to 2,455 at September 30, 2004. Commission and bonus expense increased by 33.0% from $17.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $23.4 million for the comparable period in 2004.

 

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Interest Expense. Interest expense represents the interest incurred on all outstanding debt and securitization bond financing, as well as the amortization of bond issue costs on the securitization bond financing and other costs associated with accessing our credit facilities. Interest expense increased 123.4% from $16.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, to $37.1 million for the comparable period in 2004. Our average outstanding borrowings increased from $2.5 billion to $5.3 billion consistent with the increase in the average inventory of loans. Growth in interest expense from higher balances and higher interest rates was partially offset by a greater portion of lower cost floating rate debt in securitizations.

 

Occupancy. Occupancy expense increased 39.5% from $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $4.8 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase resulted from growth in the total number of office sites leased from 41 at September 30, 2003 to 54 at September 30, 2004 due to our penetration in new geographic markets, as well as an increase in square footage in some existing sites.

 

Provision for Losses. Provision for losses increased 120.5% from $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $14.4 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increases in our provisions for losses were as follows: provision for losses on loans held for investment of $7.5 million, provision for real estate owned of $730,000, provision for repurchases of $1.1 million and in the net losses on real estate owned of $310,000 offset by decreases in our market reserve on loans of $1.7 million. The increase in our provision for losses on loans held for investment results from the increase in our securitized loan balance from $1.6 billion at September 30, 2003 to $4.0 billion at September 30, 2004 and higher severity assumptions. The increase in our reserves for repurchases results from a refinement to our reserve methodology to better incorporate estimated losses on loans sold, based upon historical data, for which no repurchase request has yet been received. The decrease in our market reserve on loans results from a decrease in delinquencies at September 30, 2004 compared to September 30, 2003 slightly offset by an increase in the loans held for sale balance and higher severity assumptions.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 131.0% from $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $2.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. The increase results from our investment in technology and infrastructure resulting from the increase in the number of employees and offices during the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to the comparable period in 2003.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 49.9% from $10.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $15.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase resulted from an increase in loan origination volume, an increase in our servicing portfolio, an increase in our number of leased locations and an increase in the number of employees as compared to 2003. Loan originations increased 45.6% from $2.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $3.2 billion in the comparable period of 2004. Our servicing portfolio increased 85.1% from $3.3 billion at September 30, 2003 to $6.1 billion at September 30, 2004. Our leased locations increased 31.7% from 41 at September 30, 2003 to 54 at September 30, 2004. Additionally, the total number of employees increased by 29.9% from 1,890 at September 30, 2003 to 2,455 at September 30, 2004.

 

Income Taxes. Income taxes increased 18.3% from $19.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 to $23.2 million for the comparable period in 2004. This increase was a result of a 22.8% increase in income before taxes from the three months ended September 30, 2003 to the comparable period in 2004. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2004 was 38.6%. This rate reflects a cumulative year-to-date adjustment of the effective rate from 40.0% to 39.2%. Most of the change in effective rate relates to preferred stock dividends paid to external parties. The two major components of our effective tax rate are the federal corporate tax rate of 35.0% and the effective state income tax rates. We operate and pay tax in nearly every state. As our operations and profits have expanded in various states, it has created changes in our effective tax rate depending upon each particular state’s tax structure and rate.

 

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

 

REIT was formed on May 4, 2004 as a Maryland real estate investment trust for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets.

 

All of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of REIT are held by AHL, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. The shares were issued in exchange for a receivable, which was collected on June 4, 2004.

 

REIT intends to elect to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that its distributions to shareholders satisfy the real estate investment trust requirements and certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met.

 

On May 10, 11 and 12, 2004, AHL contributed to REIT mortgage loans with an aggregate principal balance of $707.5 million and an aggregate outstanding credit facility balance of $707.5 million. Additionally, AHL contributed to REIT deferred origination costs of $480,000, accrued interest income of $889,000 and market reserve on loans of $4.7 million related to the contributed loans, as well as cash of $26.0 million, resulting in additional paid in capital to REIT of $22.7 million.

 

On May 26, 2004, REIT completed the Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2004-2 securitization of $707.2 million of mortgage loans, of which $22.3 million represented upfront over-collateralization (which is the excess of the aggregate principal balance of the securitized mortgage loans over the outstanding principal balance of the related securitization notes). Pursuant to the securitization, two classes of notes were issued totaling $684.9 million, rated “AAA” and “Aaa” by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services and Moody’s Investor Service, respectively. Class A-1 Notes in the amount of $342.2 million were issued with a variable interest rate of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.29%, collateralized by fixed and adjustable interest rate conforming (in terms of loan amount) mortgage loans. Class A-2 Notes in the amount of $342.7 million were issued with a variable interest rate of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.30%, collateralized by fixed and adjustable interest rate conforming and non-conforming mortgage loans. The classes A-1 and A-2 Notes have a final stated maturity date of July 25, 2034.

 

This securitization was structured legally as a sale, but for accounting purposes is treated as a financing under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilitiesa replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. This securitization does not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trust may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by REIT. Also, AHL, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has sole discretion to use its best commercial judgment in determining whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trust that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans will remain on the balance sheet and securitization indebtedness will replace outstanding credit facility originally associated with the securitized mortgage loans. REIT will record interest income on the mortgage loans and interest expense on the securities issued from the securitization over the life of the securitization and will record provisions for losses on these securitized loans in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss reserves at a level considered adequate to cover probable losses in such portfolio.

 

The $26.0 million in cash contributed to REIT by AHL was used to pay off the outstanding credit facility balance on the $22.3 million of loans held as over-collateralization by the securitization, purchase interest rate caps held in the securitization, and pay underwriter fees and other costs associated with closing the securitization on May 26, 2004.

 

In June 2004, AHL transferred the retained interests from the Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2002-1 and 2002-2 securitizations to REIT as a contribution of $422.9 million of principal balance of securitized loans and related amounts that resulted in additional paid in capital of $14.5 million.

 

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On August 12, 2004, AHL contributed to REIT mortgage loans with an aggregate principal balance of $1.0 billion and related amounts that resulted in additional paid in capital to REIT of $4.4 million.

 

On August 26, 2004, REIT completed the Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2004-3 securitization of $1.0 billion of mortgage loans, of which $17.4 million represented upfront over-collateralization (which is the excess of the aggregate principal balance of the securitized mortgage loans over the outstanding principal balance of the related securitization notes). Pursuant to the securitization, twenty-five classes of notes were issued totaling $994.8 million. REIT obtained the retained interest in that transaction as a result. The classes of notes were issued as follows:

 

Class


  

Original Note

Principal

        Balance        


  

Interest

    Rate    


  

Ratings

S&P/Moody’s/Fitch


  

Final Stated

    Maturity Date    


1A1    $ 69,191,000    2.90%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1A2    $ 18,358,000    3.44%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1A3    $ 48,158,000    3.92%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1A4    $ 24,083,000    4.94%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1A5    $ 31,020,000    5.25%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1A6    $ 21,201,000    4.75%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
1M1    $ 9,832,000    5.25%    AA+/Aa2/AA    October 25, 2034
1M2    $ 7,989,000    5.25%    A+/A2/A+    October 25, 2034
1M3    $ 6,514,000    5.25%    BBB+/Baa2/BBB+    October 25, 2034
1M4    $ 2,458,000    5.25%    BBB/Baa3/BBB    October 25, 2034
 1B6    $ 1,844,000    5.25%    BBB/NR/BBB-    October 25, 2034
2A1    $ 310,058,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.30%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
2A2    $ 42,914,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.60%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
2A3    $ 120,165,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.17%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
2A4    $ 108,390,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.35%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
2A5    $ 48,867,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.54%    AAA/Aaa/AAA    October 25, 2034
2A6    $ 22,993,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.58%    AAA/Aa1/AA+    October 25, 2034
2M1    $ 21,077,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.60%    AA+/Aa2/AA+    October 25, 2034
2M2    $ 12,263,000    1 Month LIBOR + 0.65%    AA/Aa3/AA    October 25, 2034
2M3    $ 19,161,000    1 Month LIBOR + 1.12%    A+/A2/A+    October 25, 2034
2M4    $ 9,964,000    1 Month LIBOR + 1.35%    A/A3/A    October 25, 2034
2M5    $ 7,664,000    1 Month LIBOR + 1.80%    A-/Baa1/A-    October 25, 2034
2M6    $ 7,664,000    1 Month LIBOR + 1.90%    BBB+/Baa2/BBB+    October 25, 2034
2M7    $ 7,665,000    1 Month LIBOR + 2.50%    BBB/Baa3/BBB    October 25, 2034
 2B6    $ 15,328,000    1 Month LIBOR + 2.50%    BBB/NR/BBB-    October 25, 2034

 

In September 2004, AHL transferred the retained interests from the Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2003-1 and 2003-2 securitizations to REIT as a contribution of $491.9 million of principal balance of securitized loans and related amounts that resulted in additional paid in capital of $17.2 million. As of September 30, 2004, this increased the total securitized loan balance of REIT to $2.5 billion. In addition, AHL intends to contribute the net loans held for future securitization at September 30, 2004 of $681.5 million to REIT for a fourth quarter 2004 securitization. AHL also intends to contribute in the future additional retained interests in mortgage pools already securitized by it to REIT, as well as contributing additional loans to REIT for future securitizations.

 

In August 2004, REIT completed a public offering of 3,400,000 Series A Preferred Shares, and in September 2004 sold an additional 100,000 Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The sale of the 3,500,000 Series A Preferred Shares resulted in gross proceeds of $87.5 million to REIT.

 

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In October 2004, REIT closed the public offering of 593,678 additional Series A Preferred Shares. The sale resulted in an additional $15.0 million of gross proceeds to REIT.

 

Liquidity And Capital Resources

 

As a mortgage banking company, our primary cash requirements include the funding of (1) mortgage loan originations, including principal, as well as origination costs such as commissions and broker premiums, (2) interest expense on and repayment of principal on warehouse credit facilities and securitization bond financing, (3) operational expenses, (4) servicing advances, (5) hedging margin requirements, and (6) tax payments. We fund these cash requirements with cash received from (1) loan sales, (2) borrowings under warehouse credit facilities and securitization bond financing secured by mortgage loans, (3) cash distributions from our mortgage-related securities, (4) interest collections on mortgage loans, (5) servicing fees and other servicing income, and (6) points and fees collected from the origination of loans.

 

Our liquidity strategy is to maintain sufficient and diversified warehouse credit facilities to finance our mortgage loan originations, to maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of whole loan purchasers, and to maintain the ability to execute our own securitizations. This provides us the ability to finance our growing origination operations and to maximize our realization of the value of loans we originate. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, we had negative operating cash flows of approximately $137.3 million and $139.9 million, respectively, which resulted from more new loan originations than sales and securitizations. More specifically, during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, we used approximately $4.5 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively, of cash for new loan originations and purchases offset by cash proceeds from the sale of loans of $4.2 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively. In total, there was an increase in cash and cash equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004.

 

We use our various warehouse credit facilities to finance the actual funding of our loan originations. We generally sell or securitize our mortgage loans within three or four months of origination and pay down the warehouse credit facilities with the proceeds. At September 30, 2004, we had voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns of $87.1 million that increased our warehouse line availability by a corresponding amount. These voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns, which represent the excess of mortgage loan collateral pledged over the amount borrowed under our credit facilities, of $87.1 million plus cash of $73.5 million brought our total liquidity to $160.6 million at September 30, 2004. The majority of our current warehouse credit facilities are committed lines, which means that the lender is obligated to fund up to the committed amount subject to our meeting various financial and other covenants. One of our warehouse lines is, and in the future some may be, uncommitted, which means that the lender may fund the uncommitted amount at its discretion. The majority of our current warehouse credit facilities also contain a sub-limit for “wet” funding, which is the funding of loans for which the collateral custodian has not yet received the related loan documents. Our warehouse facilities generally have a one-year term.

 

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Except as otherwise noted below, all of our warehouse credit facilities accrue interest at a rate based upon one-month LIBOR plus a specified spread and as of November 8, 2004 have other material terms and features as follows:

 

      (in millions)

Warehouse Lender


   Inception
Date


   Committed
Amount


   Uncommitted
Amount


   Total
Facility
Amount


   Portion
Available
for Wet
Funding


   Expiration Date

Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB and Affiliate

   1997    $ 500    $ —      $ 500    $ 110    July 30, 2005

Residential Funding Corporation

   1999    $ 300    $ —      $ 300    $ 150    January 31, 2005

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc.

   2001    $ 650    $ —      $ 650    $ 100    May 27, 2005

HSBC Mortgage Services

   2001    $ 40    $ —      $ 40    $ 40    August 31, 2005

CDC Mortgage Capital, Inc.

   2002    $ 450    $ 150    $ 600    $ 180    November 7, 2005

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC

   2002    $ 350    $ 150    $ 500    $ 140    November 30, 2004

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company

   2003    $ 600    $ —      $ 600    $ 120    April 20, 2005

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Company

   2003    $ 500    $ —      $ 500    $ 200    October 7, 2005
         

  

  

  

    

Total

        $ 3,390    $ 300    $ 3,690    $ 1,040     
         

  

  

  

    

 

Most of our credit facilities include sublimits for aged and delinquent loans, as well as for REO (properties acquired through foreclosure of defaulted mortgage loans or through deeds in lieu of foreclosure).

 

Our warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements, and limitations on other indebtedness. If we fail to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise default under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if we default under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under our other facilities.

 

We are currently working on implementing an asset-backed commercial paper facility which, if consummated, we expect to provide us with warehouse financing at a lower cost than, and otherwise on terms and conditions generally as favorable as or better than, under our current warehouse credit facilities. We cannot predict when or guarantee that this facility will be implemented.

 

Subject to the various uncertainties described above, and assuming that we will be able to successfully execute our liquidity strategy, we anticipate that our liquidity, credit facilities and capital resources will be sufficient to fund our operations for the foreseeable future.

 

Liquidity And Capital Resources of REIT

 

REIT’s principal liquidity need will be to fund the initial over-collateralization amount, interest expense on and repayment of principal on securitization bond financing and warehouse credit facilities, and other transaction expenses associated with the execution of securitization transactions. REIT believes that cash generated from its portfolio of securitized loans and future contributions of capital will provide sufficient funds to meet its operating requirements and to pay dividends in accordance with the requirements to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for the foreseeable future.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2004 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 

     Payments Due by Period

(in thousands)


   Total

  

Less than

1 year


   1-3 years

   3-5 years

  

More than

5 years


Securitization bond financing

   $ 3,277,732    $ 177,753    $ 1,929,029    $ 892,243    $ 278,707

Warehouse and residual interest credit facilities

     2,411,415      2,411,415      —        —        —  

Capital lease obligations

     —        —        —        —        —  

Operating lease obligations

     33,511      2,402      16,836      12,531      1,742

Purchase obligations

     —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 5,722,658    $ 2,591,570    $ 1,945,865    $ 904,774    $ 280,449
    

  

  

  

  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

 

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our borrowers. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to individual borrowers to fund their loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statement of financial position. We seek to mitigate the credit risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. We do not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. We commit to originating loans, in many cases dependent upon the borrower’s satisfying various terms and conditions. These commitments totaled $177.3 million and $404.1 million as of December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation affects us most significantly in the area of loan originations by affecting interest rates. Interest rates normally increase during periods of high inflation (or in periods when the Federal Reserve Bank attempts to prevent inflation) and decrease during periods of low inflation.

 

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

You should carefully consider the following risks, together with other matters described in this Form 10-Q in evaluating our business and prospects. If any of the events referred to below actually occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Certain statements in this Form 10-Q (including certain of the following risk factors) constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We finance borrowers with lower credit ratings. The non-prime loans we originate generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime mortgage loans, which could result in losses on loans that we hold or that we are required to repurchase, the loss of our servicing rights and damage to our reputation as a loan servicer.

 

We are in the business of originating, selling and, to a lesser extent, securitizing and servicing non-prime mortgage loans. Non-prime mortgage loans generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime

 

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mortgage loans. Delinquency interrupts the flow of projected interest income from a mortgage loan and default can ultimately lead to a loss if the net realizable value of the real property securing the mortgage loan is insufficient to cover the principal and interest due on the loan. Also, our cost of financing and servicing a delinquent or defaulted loan is generally higher than for a performing loan. We bear the risk of delinquency and default on loans beginning when we originate them until we sell them and we continue to bear the risk of delinquency and default after we securitize loans or sell loans with a retained interest. Loans that become delinquent prior to sale or securitization may become unsaleable or saleable only at a discount, and the longer we hold loans prior to sale or securitization, the greater the chance we will bear the costs associated with the loans’ delinquency. Factors that may increase the time held prior to sale or securitization include the time required to accumulate loans for securitizations or sales of large pools of loans, the amount and timing of third-party due diligence in connection with sales or securitizations, and defects in the loans.

 

We also reacquire the risks of delinquency and default for loans that we are obligated to repurchase. Repurchase obligations are typically triggered in loan sale transactions if an early payment default occurs on the loan after sale, or in any sale or securitization if the loan materially violates our representations or warranties. At September 30, 2004, mortgage loans held for sale included approximately $12.6 million of loans repurchased. Our total provision for losses was $39.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. If we experience higher-than-expected levels of delinquency or default in pools of loans that we service, we may lose our servicing rights, which would result in a loss of future servicing income and may damage our reputation as a loan servicer.

 

We attempt to manage these risks with risk-based mortgage loan pricing and appropriate underwriting policies and loan collection methods. However, if such policies and methods are insufficient to control our delinquency and default risks and do not result in appropriate loan pricing, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be significantly harmed. Our total delinquency rate (including loans in foreclosure and converted into real estate owned) for our servicing portfolio was 1.5% at September 30, 2004. Historically, our delinquency rate has increased, and may increase in the future, as the mortgage loans in our portfolio age.

 

Any substantial economic slowdown could increase delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures and reduce our ability to originate loans.

 

Periods of economic slowdown or recession may be accompanied by decreased demand for consumer credit, decreased real estate values, and an increased rate of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. Any material decline in real estate values would increase the loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”) on loans that we hold pending sale and loans in which we have a residual or retained interest, weaken our collateral coverage and increase the possibility and severity of a loss if a borrower defaults. We originate loans to borrowers who make little or no down payment, resulting in higher LTVs. A lack of equity in the home may reduce the incentive a borrower has to meet his payment obligations during periods of financial hardship, which might result in higher delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. These factors would reduce our ability to originate loans and increase our losses on loans in which we have a residual or retained interest. In addition, loans we originate during an economic slowdown may not be as valuable to us because potential purchasers of our loans might reduce the premiums they pay for the loans to compensate for any increased risks arising during such periods. Any sustained increase in delinquencies, defaults or foreclosures is likely to significantly harm the pricing of our future loan sales and securitizations and also our ability to finance our loan originations.

 

We face intense competition that could adversely impact our market share and our revenues.

 

We face intense competition from finance and mortgage banking companies, Internet-based lending companies where entry barriers are relatively low, and from traditional bank and thrift lenders that have entered the non-prime mortgage industry. As we seek to expand our business further, we will face a significant number of additional competitors, many of whom will be well established in the markets we seek to penetrate. Some of our competitors are much larger, have better name recognition, and have far greater financial and other resources than us.

 

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The government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also expanding their participation in the non-prime mortgage industry. These government-sponsored entities have a size and cost-of-funds advantage that allows them to purchase loans with lower rates or fees than we are willing to offer. While the government- sponsored entities presently do not have the legal authority to originate mortgage loans, including non-prime loans, they do have the authority to buy loans. A material expansion of their involvement in the market to purchase non-prime loans could change the dynamics of the industry by virtue of their sheer size, pricing power and the inherent advantages of a government charter. In addition, if as a result of their purchasing practices, these government-sponsored entities experience significantly higher-than-expected losses, such experience could adversely affect the overall investor perception of the non-prime mortgage industry.

 

The intense competition in the non-prime mortgage industry has also led to rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards and frequent releases of new products and enhancements. As mortgage products are offered more widely through alternative distribution channels, such as the Internet, we may be required to make significant changes to our current retail and wholesale structure and information and technology systems to compete effectively. Our inability to continue enhancing our current Internet capabilities, or to adapt to other technological changes in the industry, could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. In addition, we rely on software and other technology-based programs to gather and analyze competitive and other data from the marketplace. Problems with our technology or inability to implement technological changes may, therefore, result in delayed detection of market trends and conditions.

 

Competition in the industry can take many forms, including interest rates and costs of a loan, less stringent underwriting standards, convenience in obtaining a loan, customer service, amount and term of a loan and marketing and distribution channels. The need to maintain mortgage loan volume in this competitive environment creates a risk of price competition in the non-prime mortgage industry. Price competition could prevent us from raising rates in response to a rising cost of funds or cause us to lower the interest rates that we charge borrowers, which could adversely impact our profitability and lower the value of our loans. If our competitors adopt less stringent underwriting standards, we will be pressured to do so as well, which would result in greater loan risk without compensating pricing. If we do not relax underwriting standards in response to our competitors, we may lose market share. Any increase in these pricing and underwriting pressures could reduce the volume of our loan originations and sales and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

An increase in interest rates could result in a reduction in our loan origination volumes, an increase in delinquency, default and foreclosure rates and a reduction in the value of and income from our loans.

 

The following are some of the risks we face related to an increase in interest rates:

 

  A substantial and sustained increase in interest rates could harm our ability to originate loans because refinancing an existing loan would be less attractive and qualifying for a purchase loan may be more difficult.

 

  Existing borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages may incur higher monthly payments as the interest rate increases, which may lead to higher delinquency and default rates.

 

  If prevailing interest rates increase after we fund a loan, the value that we receive upon the sale or securitization of the loan decreases.

 

 

The cost of financing our mortgage loans prior to sale or securitization is based primarily upon the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The interest rates we charge on our mortgage loans are based, in part, upon prevailing interest rates at the time of origination, and the interest rates on all of our mortgage loans are fixed for at least the first two or three years. If LIBOR increases after the time of loan origination, our net interest income—which represents the difference between the interest rates we

 

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receive on our mortgage loans pending sale or securitization and our LIBOR-based cost of financing such loans—will be reduced. The weighted average cost of financing our mortgage loans, prior to sale or securitization, was 2.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

 

  When we securitize loans or sell loans with retained interests, the value of and the income we receive from the securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting and the mortgage-related securities we retain are also based on LIBOR to the extent the underlying loans have an adjustable interest rate. This is because the income we receive from these mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities is based on the difference between the fixed rates payable on the loans for the first two or three years, and an adjustable LIBOR-based yield payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. We also have interest rate risk when the loans become adjustable after their two or three year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every six months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds.

 

Accordingly, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may be significantly harmed as a result of increased interest rates.

 

Our business may be significantly harmed by a natural disaster or slowdown in the economy of California, where we conduct a significant amount of business.

 

A significant portion of the mortgage loans we have originated, purchased or serviced has been secured by properties in California. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, approximately 29% of the unpaid principal balance of the loans we originated were collateralized by properties located in California. As of September 30, 2004, approximately 33% of the unpaid principal balance of loans we serviced were collateralized by properties located in California. An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties in this state. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio or that we have sold to others. This could restrict our ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our hedging strategies may not be successful in mitigating our risks associated with interest rates.

 

We use various derivative financial instruments to provide a level of protection against interest rate risks, but no hedging strategy can protect us completely. When rates change, we expect to record a gain or loss on derivatives which would be offset by an inverse change in the value of loans held for sale and mortgage-related securities, as reflected in the Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis in the section entitled “ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” We cannot assure you, however, that our use of derivatives will offset the risks related to changes in interest rates. There have been periods, and it is likely that there will be periods in the future, during which we will not have offsetting gains or losses in loan values after accounting for our derivative financial instruments. The derivative financial instruments we select may not have the effect of reducing our interest rate risk. In addition, the nature and timing of hedging transactions may influence the effectiveness of these strategies. Poorly designed strategies, improperly executed transactions, or inaccurate assumptions could actually increase our risk and losses. In addition, hedging strategies involve transaction and other costs. We cannot assure you that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging transactions will not result in losses. See “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements” and “ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

Our business requires a significant amount of cash and if it is not available our business will be significantly harmed.

 

Our primary sources of cash are our warehouse credit facilities and the proceeds from the sales and securitizations of our loans. We require substantial cash to fund our loan originations, to pay our loan origination

 

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expenses and to hold our loans pending sale or securitization. Also, as a servicer of loans, we are required to advance delinquent principal and interest payments, unpaid property taxes, hazard insurance premiums, and foreclosure and foreclosure-related costs. Our warehouse credit facilities also require us to observe certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of certain levels of cash and general liquidity in our company.

 

As of September 30, 2004, we financed substantially all of our loans through eight separate warehouse lenders. Each of these facilities is cancelable by the lender for cause at any time and at least one is cancelable at any time without cause. These facilities generally have a renewable, one-year term. Because these are short-term commitments of capital, the lenders may respond to market conditions, which may favor an alternative investment strategy for them, making it more difficult for us to secure continued financing. If we are not able to renew any of these warehouse credit facilities or arrange for new financing on terms acceptable to us, or if we default on our covenants or are otherwise unable to access funds under any of these facilities, or if the lenders do not honor their commitments for any reason, we will have to curtail our loan origination activities. This would result in decreased revenues and profits from loan sales.

 

The timing of our loan dispositions (which are periodic) is not always matched to the timing of our expenses (which are continuous). This requires us to maintain significant levels of cash to maintain acceptable levels of liquidity. When we securitize our loans or sell our loans with a retained interest, we may not receive any amounts in excess of the principal amount of the loan for up to 12 months or longer. Further, any decrease in demand in the whole loan market such that we are unable to timely and profitably sell our loans could inhibit our ability to meet our liquidity demands.

 

Our warehouse credit facilities contain covenants that restrict our operations and may inhibit our ability to grow our business and increase revenues.

 

Our warehouse credit facilities contain extensive restrictions and covenants that, among other things, require us to satisfy specified financial, asset quality and loan performance tests and may prohibit inter-company dividends in certain circumstances. If we fail to meet or satisfy any of these covenants, we would be in default under these agreements and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreements to be immediately due and payable, enforce their interests against collateral pledged under such agreements and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. These agreements also contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any one agreement, the lenders under our other agreements could also declare a default.

 

The covenants and restrictions in our warehouse credit facilities may restrict our ability to, among other things:

 

 

incur additional debt;

     

finance loans with certain attributes;

 

make certain investments or acquisitions;

     

reduce liquidity below certain levels; and

 

repurchase or redeem capital stock;

      hold loans for longer than established time periods.
 

engage in mergers or consolidations;

       

 

These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain financing or to engage in other business activities, which may significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our rights to cash flow from our securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting are subordinate to senior interests and may fail to generate any revenues for us if the revenue stream only generates enough revenues to pay the senior interest holders.

 

As part of the credit enhancement for our securitizations, the net cash flow that we receive from the securitized loans generally represents the excess of amounts, if any, generated by the underlying mortgage loans

 

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over the amounts required to be paid to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. This is also after deduction of servicing fees and any other specified expenses related to the sale or securitization. These excess amounts are derived from, and are affected by, the interplay of several factors, including:

 

  the extent to which the interest rates of the mortgage loans exceed the interest rates payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers;

 

  the level of losses and delinquencies experienced on the underlying loans; and

 

  the extent to which the underlying loans are prepaid by borrowers in advance of scheduled maturities.

 

Any combination of the factors listed above may reduce the income we receive from and the value of our securitized loans.

 

If we do not manage our growth effectively, our financial performance could be harmed.

 

In recent years, we have experienced rapid growth that has placed, and will continue to place, certain pressures on our management, administrative, operational and financial infrastructure. As of December 31, 2002, we had approximately 1,294 employees and by September 30, 2004, we had more than 2,455 employees. Many of these employees have very limited experience with us and a limited understanding of our systems and controls. The increase in the size of our operations may make it more difficult for us to ensure that we originate quality loans and that we service them effectively. We will need to attract and hire additional sales, servicing and management personnel in an intensely competitive hiring environment in order to preserve and increase our market share. At the same time, we will need to continue to upgrade and expand our financial, operational and managerial systems and controls. We also intend to continue to grow our business in the future, which could require capital, systems development and human resources beyond what we currently have. We cannot assure you that we will be able to:

 

  meet our capital needs;

 

  expand our systems effectively;

 

  allocate our human resources optimally;

 

  identify and hire qualified employees;

 

  satisfactorily perform our servicing obligations; or

 

  incorporate effectively the components of any businesses that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.

 

The failure to manage growth effectively would significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

The inability to attract and retain qualified employees could significantly harm our business.

 

We depend upon our wholesale account executives and retail loan officers to attract borrowers by, among other things, developing relationships with financial institutions, other mortgage companies and brokers, real estate agents, borrowers and others. We believe that these relationships lead to repeat and referral business. The market for skilled executive officers, account executives and loan officers is highly competitive and historically has experienced a high rate of turnover. Because of the difficulty in retaining qualified management personnel, we currently recruit college graduates to participate in our management trainee program. If we are unable to retain those trainees for a sufficient period following their training, we may be unable to recapture our costs of training and recruitment. In addition, if a manager leaves our company there is an increased likelihood that other members of his or her team will follow. Competition for qualified account executives and loan officers may lead to increased hiring and retention costs. If we are unable to attract or retain a sufficient number of skilled account executives at manageable costs, we will be unable to continue to originate quality mortgage loans that we are able to sell for a profit, which will reduce our revenues.

 

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An interruption in or breach of our information systems may result in lost business.

 

We rely heavily upon communications and information systems to conduct our business. As we implement our growth strategy and increase our volume of loan production, that reliance will increase. Any failure or interruption or breach in security of our information systems or the third-party information systems on which we rely could cause underwriting or other delays and could result in fewer loan applications being received, slower processing of applications and reduced efficiency in loan servicing. We cannot assure you that such failures or interruptions will not occur or if they do occur that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third parties on which we rely. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions could significantly harm our business.

 

The success and growth of our business will depend upon our ability to adapt to and implement technological changes.

 

Our mortgage loan origination business is currently dependent upon our ability to effectively interface with our brokers, borrowers and other third parties and to efficiently process loan applications and closings. The origination process is becoming more dependent upon technological advancement, such as the ability to process applications over the Internet, accept electronic signatures, provide status updates instantly and other customer-expected conveniences that are cost-efficient to our business. In addition, competition and increasing regulation may increase our reliance on technology as a means to improve efficiency. Implementing this new technology and becoming proficient with it may also require significant capital expenditures. As these requirements increase in the future, we will have to fully develop these technological capabilities to remain competitive or our business will be significantly harmed.

 

If we are unable to maintain and expand our network of independent brokers, our loan origination business will decrease.

 

A significant majority of our originations of mortgage loans comes from independent brokers. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 91.0% of our loan originations were originated through our broker network. Our brokers are not contractually obligated to do business with us. Further, our competitors also have relationships with our brokers and actively compete with us in our efforts to expand our broker networks. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in maintaining our existing relationships or expanding our broker networks, the failure of which could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

We may not be able to continue to sell and securitize our mortgage loans on terms and conditions that are profitable to us.

 

A substantial portion of our revenues come from the gain on sale generated by sales of pools of our mortgage loans as whole loans. We make whole loan sales to a limited number of institutional purchasers, some of which may be frequent, repeat purchasers, and others of which may make only one or a few purchases from us. We cannot assure you that we will continue to have purchasers for our loans on terms and conditions that will be profitable to us. Also, even though our mortgage loans are generally marketable to multiple purchasers, certain loans may be marketable to only one or a few purchasers, thereby increasing the risk that we may be unable to sell such loans at a profit.

 

We also rely on our ability to securitize our mortgage loans to realize a greater percentage of the full economic value of the loans. We cannot assure you, however, that we will continue to be successful in securitizing mortgage loans. Our ability to complete securitizations of our loans will depend upon a number of factors, including conditions in the credit and securities markets generally, conditions in the asset-backed securities market specifically, the availability of credit enhancements such as financial guarantee insurance, a senior subordinated structure or other means, and the performance of our previously securitized loans.

 

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Our financial results fluctuate as a result of seasonality and other timing factors, which makes it difficult to predict our future performance and may affect the price of our common stock.

 

Our business is generally subject to seasonal trends. These trends reflect the general pattern of housing sales, which typically peak during the spring and summer seasons. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future, reflecting the seasonality of the industry. Further, if the closing of a sale of loans is postponed, the recognition of gain from the sale is also postponed. If such a delay causes us to recognize income in the next quarter, our results of operations for the previous quarter could be significantly depressed.

 

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts on the part of loan applicants, mortgage brokers, other vendors and our employees.

 

When we originate mortgage loans, we rely heavily upon information supplied by third parties including the information contained in the loan application, property appraisal, title information and employment and income documentation. If any of this information is intentionally or negligently misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, the value of the loan may be significantly lower than expected. Whether a misrepresentation is made by the loan applicant, the mortgage broker, another third party or one of our own employees, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. A loan subject to a material misrepresentation is typically unsaleable or subject to repurchase if it is sold prior to detection of the misrepresentation. Even though we may have rights against persons and entities who made or knew about the misrepresentation, such persons and entities are often difficult to locate and it is often difficult to collect any monetary losses that we have suffered as a result of their actions.

 

We have controls and processes designed to help us identify misrepresented information in our loan origination operations. We cannot assure you, however, that we have detected or will detect all misrepresented information in our loan originations.

 

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts in other parts of our operations. If we experience a significant number of such fraudulent or negligent acts, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

 

Defective loans may harm our business.

 

In connection with the sale and securitization of our loans, we are required to make a variety of customary representations and warranties regarding our company and the loans. We are subject to these representations and warranties for the life of the loan and they relate to, among other things:

 

  compliance with laws;

 

  regulations and underwriting standards;

 

  the accuracy of information in the loan documents and loan file; and

 

  the characteristics and enforceability of the loan.

 

A loan that does not comply with these representations and warranties may take longer to sell, impact our ability to obtain third party financing, be unsaleable or saleable only at a discount. If such a loan is sold before we detect a non-compliance, we may be obligated to repurchase the loan and bear any associated loss directly, or we may be obligated to indemnify the purchaser against any such losses, either of which could reduce our cash available for operations and liquidity. We believe that we have qualified personnel at all levels and have established controls to ensure that all loans are originated to the market’s requirements, but we cannot assure you that we will not make mistakes, or that certain employees will not deliberately violate our lending policies. We seek to minimize losses from defective loans by correcting flaws if possible and selling or re-selling such loans. We also create allowances to provide for defective loans in our financial statements. We cannot assure you, however, that losses associated with defective loans will not harm our results of operations or financial condition.

 

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If the prepayment rates for our mortgage loans are higher than expected, our results of operations may be significantly harmed.

 

When a borrower pays off a mortgage loan prior to the loan’s scheduled maturity, the impact on us depends upon when such payoff or “prepayment” occurs. Our prepayment losses generally occur after we sell or securitize our loans and the extent of our losses depends on when the prepayment occurs. If the prepayment occurs:

 

  within 12 to 18 months following a whole loan sale, we may have to reimburse the purchaser for all or a portion of the premium paid by the purchaser for the loan, again resulting in a loss of our profit on the loan; or

 

  after we have securitized the loan or sold the loan in a sale with a retained interest, we lose the future income from that loan, and if we recorded a gain at the time of such securitization or sale, we may be required to record a charge against our earnings if actual prepayment rates for the related pool of loans are higher than the prepayment rates assumed in recording the gain at the time of sale or securitization.

 

Prepayment rates on mortgage loans vary from time to time and tend to increase during periods of declining interest rates. Of the securitized loans we serviced during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 27.5% (annualized) were prepaid. We seek to minimize our prepayment risk through a variety of means, including originating a significant portion of loans with prepayment penalties with terms of two to five years. No strategy, however, can completely insulate us from prepayment risks, whether arising from the effects of interest rate changes or otherwise. See “Statutory and Regulatory Risks” below for a discussion of statutes related to prepayment penalties.

 

We are exposed to environmental liabilities, with respect to properties that we take title to upon foreclosure, that could increase our costs of doing business and harm our results of operations.

 

In the course of our servicing activities, we may foreclose and take title to residential properties and become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to those properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. Moreover, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based upon damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

 

Statutory and Regulatory Risks

 

The nationwide scope of our operations exposes us to risks of noncompliance with an increasing and inconsistent body of complex laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

 

Because we originate mortgage loans in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia, we must comply with the laws and regulations, as well as judicial and administrative decisions, of all of these jurisdictions, as well as an extensive body of federal laws and regulations. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years, and, in addition, individual cities and counties have begun to enact laws that restrict non-prime loan origination activities in those cities and counties. The laws and regulations of each of these jurisdictions are different, complex and, in some cases, in direct conflict with each other. As our operations continue to grow, it may be more difficult to comprehensively identify, to accurately interpret and to properly program our technology systems and effectively train our personnel with respect to all of these laws and regulations, thereby potentially increasing our exposure to the risks of noncompliance with these laws and regulations.

 

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In addition, recently-enacted and changed laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and stock exchange rules, are creating uncertainties for companies like ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations due, in many cases, to their lack of specificity. As their applications evolve over time and new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, we may incur higher costs of compliance, resulting from ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices.

 

Our failure to comply with these laws can lead to:

 

  civil and criminal liability;

 

  loss of approved status;

 

  demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from purchasers of our loans;

 

  class action lawsuits; and

 

  administrative enforcement actions.

 

Stockholder refusal to comply with regulatory requirements may interfere with our ability to do business in certain states.

 

Some states in which we operate may impose regulatory requirements on our officers and directors and persons holding certain amounts, usually 10% or more, of our common stock. If any person holding such an amount of our stock fails to meet or refuses to comply with a state’s applicable regulatory requirements for mortgage lending, we could lose our authority to conduct business in that state.

 

We may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent brokers.

 

The mortgage brokers from which we obtain loans have parallel and separate legal obligations to which they are subject. While these laws may not explicitly hold the originating lenders responsible for the legal violations of mortgage brokers, increasingly federal and state agencies have sought to impose such assignee liability.

 

Recently, for example, the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) entered into a settlement agreement with a mortgage lender where the FTC characterized a broker that had placed all of its loan production with a single lender as the “agent” of the lender. The FTC imposed a fine on the lender in part because, as “principal,” the lender was legally responsible for the mortgage broker’s unfair and deceptive acts and practices. The United States Justice Department in the past has sought to hold a non-prime mortgage lender responsible for the pricing practices of its mortgage brokers, alleging that the mortgage lender was directly responsible for the total fees and charges paid by the borrower under the Fair Housing Act even if the lender neither dictated what the mortgage broker could charge nor kept the money for its own account. Accordingly, we may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent mortgage brokers.

 

We are no longer able to rely on the Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act to preempt certain state law restrictions on prepayment penalties, and we may be unable to compete effectively with financial institutions that are exempt from such restrictions.

 

The value of a mortgage loan depends, in part, upon the expected period of time that the mortgage loan will be outstanding. If a borrower pays off a mortgage loan in advance of this expected period, the holder of the mortgage loan does not realize the full value expected to be received from the loan. A prepayment penalty payable by a borrower who repays a loan earlier than expected helps offset the reduction in value resulting from the early payoff. Consequently, the value of a mortgage loan is enhanced to the extent the loan includes a prepayment penalty, and a mortgage lender can offer a lower interest rate and/or lower loan fees on a loan which has a prepayment penalty. Prepayment penalties are an important feature to obtain value on the loans we originate.

 

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Certain state laws restrict or prohibit prepayment penalties on mortgage loans, and we have relied on the federal Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act (the “Parity Act”) and related rules issued in the past by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”) to preempt state limitations on prepayment penalties. The Parity Act was enacted to extend to financial institutions, other than federally chartered depository institutions, the federal preemption which federally chartered depository institutions enjoy. However, on September 25, 2002, the OTS released a new rule that reduced the scope of the Parity Act preemption as of July 1, 2003, preventing us from relying on the Parity Act to preempt state restrictions on prepayment penalties. The elimination of this federal preemption requires us to comply with state restrictions on prepayment penalties. This may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to financial institutions that will continue to enjoy federal preemption of such state restrictions because such institutions will be able to charge prepayment penalties without regard to state restrictions and thereby may be able to offer loans with interest rate and loan fee structures that are more attractive than we are able to offer.

 

The increasing number of federal, state and local “anti-predatory lending” laws may restrict our ability to originate or increase our risk of liability with respect to certain mortgage loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

 

In recent years, several federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations have been adopted, or are under consideration, that are intended to eliminate so-called “predatory” lending practices. These laws, rules and regulations impose certain restrictions on loans on which certain points and fees or the annual percentage rate (“APR”) exceeds specified thresholds, commonly referred to as “high cost” loans. Some of these restrictions expose a lender to risks of litigation and regulatory sanction no matter how carefully a loan is underwritten. In addition, an increasing number of these laws, rules and regulations seek to impose liability for violations on purchasers of loans, regardless of whether a purchaser knew of or participated in the violation.

 

We have generally avoided and will continue to avoid originating “high cost” loans because the rating agencies generally will not rate securities backed by such loans and the companies that buy our loans and/or provide financing for our loan origination operations generally do not want to buy or finance such loans. The continued enactment of these laws, rules and regulations may prevent us from making certain loans that we would otherwise make, may cause us to cease operations in certain jurisdictions altogether and may cause us to reduce the APR or the points and fees on loans that we do make. In addition, the difficulty of managing the risks presented by these laws, rules and regulations may decrease the availability of warehouse financing and the overall demand for non-prime loans, making it difficult to fund, sell or securitize any of our loans. If we decide to relax our restrictions on loans subject to these laws, rules and regulations, we will be subject to greater risks for actual or perceived non-compliance with such laws, rules and regulations, including demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from our lenders and loan purchasers, class action lawsuits, increased defenses to foreclosure of individual loans in default, individual claims for significant monetary damages, and administrative enforcement actions. If nothing else, the growing number of these laws, rules and regulations will increase our cost of doing business, as we are required to develop systems and procedures to ensure that we do not violate any aspect of these new requirements. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

 

Our guarantee of the Series A preferred shares of the REIT is superior to claims of our common stockholders.

 

Our guarantee of payments on the Series A preferred shares of the REIT ranks behind all of our existing and future indebtedness but ahead of our common stock. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding, the holders of the Series A preferred shares will be entitled to be paid in full under the guarantee before any payment may be made to holders of our common stock.

 

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We are a holding company and our assets consist primarily of investments in our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our consolidated liabilities have been incurred by our subsidiaries. Therefore, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subject to the prior claims of any secured creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder of indebtedness of such subsidiary that is senior to that held by us.

 

If REIT fails to maintain its status as a real estate investment trust, the REIT will be subject to federal income tax on taxable income at regular corporate rates, and the value of our common stock may be adversely impacted as a result.

 

REIT was organized to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). REIT has conducted, and intends to continue to conduct, its operations so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust. Qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements, some on an annual and some on a quarterly basis, established under highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within REIT’s control. For instance, in order to qualify as a real estate investment trust, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of REIT may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) (the “Ownership Test”). Furthermore, each year REIT must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of REIT’s taxable income (the “Annual Distribution Requirements”). We cannot assure you that REIT will at all times satisfy these rules and tests.

 

If REIT were to fail to qualify as a real estate investment trust in any taxable year, as a result of a determination that we failed to meet the Ownership Test, the Annual Distribution Requirement or otherwise, REIT would be subject to federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Moreover, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, REIT would also be disqualified from treatment as a real estate investment trust for the four taxable years following the year during which the qualification is lost. This treatment would reduce REIT’s net earnings and cash flow available for distribution to shareholders, including to us as holder of REIT’s common shares, because of its additional tax liability for the years involved. Additionally, distributions to shareholders would no longer be required to be made by REIT. Accordingly, REIT’s failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and the value of the common stock held by our stockholders.

 

Moreover, in order to satisfy the Ownership Test, REIT’s Declaration of Trust establishes certain ownership restrictions on its shares of beneficial interest. For example, no individual (as described above) may beneficially own more than 9.8% of the value of REIT. Even with this restriction, depending on the concentration of ownership of our stock and the relative value in the REIT’s common and preferred shares, it is possible that our ownership of REIT’s common shares would cause REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test. In such a situation, the Declaration of Trust would require that the number of REIT common shares held by us which causes REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test be transferred to a charitable trust at a price no greater than the fair market value of the REIT common shares as of such date, and we would have no future beneficial interest in such REIT common shares (including the right to vote or receive dividends on such REIT common shares).

 

The market price of our common stock could be volatile.

 

The market price for our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to a number of factors, including:

 

  the issuance of new equity securities pursuant to a future offering;

 

  changes in interest rates;

 

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  competitive developments, including announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

  variations in quarterly operating results;

 

  changes in financial estimates and forecasts published by securities analysts;

 

  the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;

 

  investor perceptions of our company and the mortgage industry generally (including the non-prime and nonconforming mortgage industry); and

 

  general economic and other national conditions.

 

Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter takeover attempts, which may limit the opportunity of our stockholders to sell their shares at a favorable price.

 

Some of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders by providing them with the opportunity to sell their shares possibly at a premium over the then market price.

 

For example, our board of directors is divided into three classes. The term of the first class expires at the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of the second class expires in 2007, and the term of the third class expires in 2006. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of approximately one-third of the directors will expire, and new directors will be elected to serve for three years. It will take at least two annual meetings to effect a change in control of our board of directors because a majority of the directors cannot be elected at a single meeting, which may discourage hostile takeover bids.

 

In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board of directors without further action by the stockholders. These terms may include voting rights including the right to vote as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding. The issuance of any preferred stock in the future could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of our common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could delay, discourage, prevent or make it more difficult or costly to acquire or effect a change in control, thereby preserving the current stockholders’ control.

 

Our bylaws contain provisions that require stockholders to act only at a duly-called meeting and make it difficult for any person other than management to introduce business at a duly-called meeting by requiring such other person to follow certain notice procedures.

 

Finally, we are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. The preceding provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, could discourage potential acquisition proposals, delay or prevent a change of control and prevent changes in our management, even if such things would be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risks generally represent the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates and in equity and commodity prices. Our market risk relates primarily to interest rate fluctuations. We may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, which affects the spread between the rate of interest received on our mortgage loans and the related financing rate. Our profitability could be adversely affected during any period of unexpected or rapid changes in interest rates, by impacting the value of loans held for sale, held for investment and loans sold with retained interests. A significant change in interest rates could also change the level of loan prepayments, thereby adversely affecting our long-term net interest income and servicing income.

 

The objective of interest rate risk management is to control the effects that interest rate fluctuations have on the value of our assets and liabilities. Our management of interest rate risk is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on the mortgage-related securities and the market value of mortgage loans due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

 

We use several tools and risk management strategies to monitor and address interest rate risk. Such tools allow us to monitor and evaluate our exposure to these and to manage the risk profile to our loan portfolio in response to changes in the market risk. We cannot assure you, however, that we will adequately offset all risks associated with our loan portfolio.

 

As part of our interest rate management process, we may use derivative financial instruments such as financial futures and options, interest rate caps and swaps and financial forwards. We designate certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge our mortgage loans held for sale, mortgage loans held for securitization and securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133. At trade date, these instruments and their hedge relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure that there remains a highly effective correlation in the hedge relationship. Since our concern with interest rates is the potential change in fair market value of the loans, we treat these as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instruments and mortgage loans are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the changes occur. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statements of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the changes occur or when such instruments are settled.

 

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Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis

 

Changes in market interest rates affect our estimations of the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale, mortgage loans held for securitization and the fair value of our mortgage-related securities, securitized loans and related derivatives. Changes in fair value that are stated below are derived based upon immediate and equal changes to market interest rates of various maturities. The base or current interest rate curve is adjusted by the levels shown below:

 

As of September 30, 2004:

 

     +50 bp

    +100 bp

    -50 bp

    -100 bp

 

Change in fair value of mortgage loans committed and held for sale

   $ (18,904,370 )   $ (37,487,949 )   $ 19,234,680     $ 38,811,147  

Change in fair value of derivatives related to mortgage loans committed and held for sale

     16,105,000       32,190,000       (16,135,000 )     (32,290,000 )

Change in fair value of mortgage-related securities and securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting

     (22,922,903 )     (44,989,777 )     22,603,062       45,960,450  

Change in fair value of derivatives related to mortgage-related securities and securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting

     19,330,760       39,315,613       (18,694,029 )     (37,142,314 )
    


 


 


 


Net change

   $ (6,391,513 )   $ (10,972,113 )   $ 7,008,713     $ 15,339,283  
    


 


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2003:

 

     +50 bp

    +100 bp

    -50 bp

    -100 bp

 

Change in fair value of mortgage loans committed and held for sale

   $ (10,333,912 )   $ (20,478,367 )   $ 10,529,354     $ 21,260,736  

Change in fair value of derivatives related to mortgage loans committed and held for sale

     8,377,246       16,704,493       (8,357,246 )     (16,764,493 )

Change in fair value of mortgage-related securities and securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting

     (13,346,147 )     (26,423,265 )     13,610,605       27,483,096  

Change in fair value of derivatives related to mortgage-related securities and securitized loans subject to portfolio-based accounting

     12,073,917       24,269,267       (11,954,583 )     (23,796,201 )
    


 


 


 


Net change

   $ (3,228,896 )   $ (5,927,872 )   $ 3,828,130     $ 8,183,138  
    


 


 


 


 

The simulation analysis reflects our efforts to balance the repricing characteristics of our interest-earning assets and supporting funds.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In December 2002, the Company was served with a complaint and motion for class certification in a class action lawsuit, Wratchford et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Madison County, Illinois under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the consumer protection statutes of the other states in which the Company does business. The complaint alleges that the Company has a practice of misrepresenting and inflating the amount of fees Accredited pays to third parties in connection with the residential mortgage loans the Company funds. Plaintiffs claim to represent a nationwide class consisting of all other persons similarly situated, that is, all persons who paid money to the Company to pay, or reimburse the Company’s payments of, third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund for the difference between what they paid and what was actually paid to the third party. Plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages on behalf of themselves and the class, in addition to pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court deems just and proper. The Company filed an answer to the complaint on January 17, 2003, and a hearing on the motion for class certification has been scheduled for December 21, 2004, but there has not yet been a ruling on the merits of either plaintiffs’ individual claims of the class. At the present time, the ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, that may result is not determinable, and no amounts have been accrued in the Company’s financial statements with respect to this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

 

In January 2004, the Company was served with a complaint, Yturralde v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Sacramento County, California. The complaint alleges that the Company violated California and federal law by misclassifying the plaintiff, formerly a commissioned loan officer for the Company, as an exempt employee and failing to pay the plaintiff on an hourly basis and for overtime worked. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all of the Company’s other similarly situated current and former employees, lost wages and benefits, general damages, multiple statutory penalties and interest, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, and also seeks to enjoin further violations of wage and overtime laws and retaliation against employees who complain about such violations. The Company has been served with eleven substantially similar complaints on behalf of other former and current employees of the Company, which eleven actions have been consolidated with the Yturralde action. In addition, under current California law, a private individual who is not a current or former employee of an employer may bring an action to enforce certain provisions of California law against that employer. Such a complaint regarding this matter has been filed and served upon the Company. In September 2004, the Company appealed the court’s denial of the Company’s motion to compel arbitration of the consolidated cases, and a resolution of that appeal is not expected before early 2006. In the meantime, discussions have resumed between the parties regarding potential mediation of the claims. The Company does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, but, at the present time, the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the total amount of liability is not determinable. As a result, the Company has not accrued any amounts in its financial statements with respect to the litigation. However, the Company is pursuing settlements directly with current and former employees covered by the allegations of the complaints and, to date, the Company has effected settlements with many of these current and former employees. Accordingly, the Company has accrued amounts that are estimable in its financial statements for this group of current and former employees.

 

In June 2004, the Company was served with a class action complaint, Aslam v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., et al., brought in Cook County, Illinois. The complaint alleges that the purchase money, first priority mortgage loan the Company made to the plaintiff violated Illinois law because the loan, which had an interest rate in excess of 8%, included a prepayment charge and because the Company charged certain fees for the loan, which fees allegedly exceeded 3% of the original loan amount. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all other individuals to which the Company made loans with the same alleged violations, the damages allowed by statute, interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. The damages allowed by statute include actual economic damage and an amount equal to twice the total of all interest, discount and charges determined by the

 

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loan contract or paid by the obligor, whichever is greater. To the extent the plaintiff’s loan included any provisions or fees, which might otherwise violate Illinois law, the Company included those provisions or fees in plaintiff’s loan on the basis that federal law preempted Illinois law with respect to plaintiff’s loan. The Company’s position in this regard was consistent with prior case law and previously announced positions of the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate. However, in a decision filed on March 31, 2004, in U.S. Bank, National Association, et al., v. Clark, et al., consolidated cases that involve alleged violations of Illinois law similar to those alleged against the Company, an Illinois appellate court held that federal preemption was not available for the non-purchase money, first priority mortgage loans involved in those cases. A petition for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Illinois has been filed in the Clark litigation, but, if the Clark decision is not reversed on appeal, the rationale by which the Clark court reached its decision may undermine the Company’s ability to rely on federal preemption with respect to the loans it made to the plaintiff and other Illinois residents. The Company does not believe the loan it made to the plaintiff violates Illinois law even if not preempted by federal law, and, in November 2004, the Aslam suit was settled for a nominal sum. This settlement was with the individual plaintiff, not on behalf of any class, and the potential liability to the Company represented by the Clark decision still exists. If one or more other Illinois residents were to successfully pursue a class action against the Company based on the Clark decision, the potential liability could materially and adversely affect the Company. At the present time, the likelihood of such a suit being brought, the ultimate outcome of any such suit and the amount of liability, if any, that might result is not determinable, and the Company has not accrued any amounts in its financial statements with respect to this potential liability.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the three month period ended September 30, 2004.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

For a list of exhibits filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to the Exhibit Index beginning on page Ex-1.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: November 15, 2004

 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

By:

 

/s/    JAMES A. KONRATH          


    James A. Konrath
    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)

By:

 

/s/    JOHN S. BUCHANAN            


    John S. Buchanan
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

2.1 (1)   Agreement and Plan of Merger
3.1 (2)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
3.2 (2)   Bylaws of the Company.
4.1 (2)   Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.2 (3)   Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement.
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 (4)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2 (4)   Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, filed March 28, 2003.
(2) Incorporated by reference to amendment number 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated November 12, 2002.
(3) Incorporated by reference to amendment number 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated August 20, 2002.
(4) The information contained in these certifications is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company whether before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

Ex-1