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EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv23w1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv31w2.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv32w1.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv31w1.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv21w1.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv32w2.htm
EX-10.6.6 - EX-10.6.6 - MICROFINANCIAL INCb78741exv10w6w6.htm
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Commission File No. 1-14771
MicroFinancial Incorporated
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
     
Massachusetts
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  04-2962824
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
10M Commerce Way,
Woburn, MA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  01801
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, Including Area Code:
(781) 994-4800
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share
  The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No  þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes o     No  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No  o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one).
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No  þ
 
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $32,182,225 computed by reference to the closing price of such stock as of such date.
 
As of March 16, 2010, 14,229,420 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Registrant’s fiscal year end of December 31, 2009, are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
 


 

 
Table of Contents
 
 
                 
        Page
Description
      Number
 
      Business     2  
      Risk Factors     6  
      Properties     11  
      Legal Proceedings     11  
      (Removed and Reserved)     11  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     12  
      Selected Financial Data     14  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Including Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)     16  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     29  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     29  
      Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     29  
      Controls and Procedures     30  
      Other Information     30  
 
PART III
      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     31  
      Executive Compensation     31  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     31  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     32  
      Principal Accountant Fees and Services     32  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     33  
    36  
 EX-10.6.6
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
General
 
MicroFinancial Incorporated (referred to as “MicroFinancial,” “we,” “us” or “our”) was formed as a Massachusetts corporation on January 27, 1987. We operate primarily through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, TimePayment Corp. (“TimePayment”) and Leasecomm Corporation (“Leasecomm”). TimePayment is a specialized commercial finance company that leases and rents “microticket” equipment and provides other financing services. Leasecomm started originating leases in January 1986 and in October 2002 suspended virtually all originations due to an interruption in financing. TimePayment commenced originating leases in July 2004. The average amount financed by TimePayment in 2009 was approximately $5,500 while Leasecomm historically financed contracts averaging approximately $1,900. We have used proprietary software in developing a sophisticated, risk-adjusted pricing model and in automating our credit approval and collection systems, including a fully-automated Internet-based application, credit scoring and approval process.
 
We provide financing alternatives to a wide range of lessees ranging from start-up businesses to established businesses. We primarily lease and rent low-priced commercial equipment, which is used by these lessees in their daily operations. We do not market our services directly to lessees. We primarily source our originations through a nationwide network of independent equipment vendors, sales organizations, brokers and other dealer-based origination networks. We fund our operations through cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our revolving line of credit.
 
TimePayment finances a wide variety of products with no single product representing more than 20% of the amount financed in its portfolio as of December 31, 2009.
 
We depend heavily on external financing to fund new leases and contracts. On August 2, 2007, we entered into a three-year $30 million revolving line of credit with a bank syndicate led by Sovereign Bank (’Sovereign”) based on qualified TimePayment lease receivables. On July 9, 2008 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $60 million. On February 10, 2009, we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $85 million. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible lease contracts and a security interest in all of our other assets. Until the February 2009 amendment, borrowings bore interest at the prime rate (“Prime”) or at the 90-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.75%. Following the amendment, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either Prime plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%, in each case subject to a minimum interest rate of 5%. Under the terms of the facility, loans are Prime Rate Loans, unless we elect LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically coverts to a Prime Rate Loan.
 
The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010, at which time the outstanding loan balance plus interest becomes due and payable. It is our intention to renew the current credit facility or replace it with a new facility from another financing source under similar terms and conditions prior to the scheduled maturity date. A failure to renew or replace the revolving credit facility under similar terms and conditions would significantly impact our ability to originate new lease transactions and manage our operations. We can provide no assurance in our ability to renew or to replace this line under similar terms and conditions, if at all.
 
Prior to obtaining the Sovereign revolving line of credit, on September 29, 2004, we entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT under which we could borrow a maximum of $30 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime plus 1.5% or at the 90-day LIBOR plus 4.0%. On July 20, 2007, by mutual agreement between CIT and us, we paid off and terminated the CIT line of credit without penalty.
 
Leasing, Servicing and Financing Programs
 
We originate leases for products that typically have limited distribution channels and high selling costs. We facilitate sales of such products by allowing dealers to make them available to their customers for a small monthly lease payment rather than a higher initial purchase price. We primarily lease and rent low-priced commercial


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equipment to small merchants. We currently lease a wide variety of equipment including advertising and display equipment, security equipment, paging systems, water coolers, restaurant equipment and card-based payment authorization systems. In addition, in the past we have acquired service contracts and contracts in certain other financing markets, and continue to look for opportunities to invest in these types of assets. Our current portfolio also includes consumer financings which consist of service contracts from dealers that primarily provide residential security monitoring services, as well as consumer leases for a wide range of consumer products.
 
Since resuming originations in June 2004 we have originated and continue to service contracts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The concentration of leases in certain states as of the end of each of the past three years, as a percentage of our total portfolio, is reflected below. No other state accounted for more than five percent of such total.
 
                                 
Year Ended
               
December 31,
  California   Florida   New York   Texas
 
2007
    13 %     13 %     7 %     8 %
2008
    12 %     13 %     7 %     8 %
2009
    12 %     13 %     7 %     8 %
 
Terms of Equipment Leases
 
Substantially all equipment leases originated or acquired by us are non-cancelable. We generally originate leases on transactions referred to us by a dealer where we buy the underlying equipment from the referring dealer upon funding the approved application. Leases are structured with limited recourse to the dealer, with risk of loss in the event of default by the lessee residing with us in most cases. We perform all the processing, billing and collection functions under our leases.
 
During the term of a typical lease, we receive payments sufficient, in the aggregate, to cover our borrowing cost and the cost of the underlying equipment, and to provide us with an appropriate profit. Throughout the term of the lease, we charge late fees, prepayment penalties, loss and damage waiver fees and other service fees, when applicable. Initial terms of the leases we funded in 2009 generally range from 12 to 60 months, with an average initial term of 44 months.
 
The terms and conditions of all of our leases are substantially similar. In most cases, the contracts require lessees to: (i) maintain, service and operate the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s and government-mandated procedures; (ii) insure the equipment against property and casualty loss; (iii) pay all taxes associated with the equipment; and (iv) make all scheduled contract payments regardless of the performance of the equipment. Our standard lease forms provide that in the event of a default by the lessee, we can require payment of liquidated damages and can seize and remove the equipment for sale, refinancing or other disposal at our discretion. Any additions, modifications or upgrades to the equipment, regardless of the source of payment, are automatically incorporated into, and deemed a part of, the equipment financed.
 
We seek to protect ourselves from credit exposure relating to dealers by entering into limited recourse agreements with our dealers, under which the dealer agrees to reimburse us for defaulted contracts under certain circumstances, primarily upon evidence of dealer errors or misrepresentations in originating a lease or contract.
 
Residual Interests in Underlying Equipment
 
We typically own a residual interest in the equipment covered by our leases. The value of such interest is estimated at inception of the lease based upon our estimate of the fair market value of the asset at lease maturity. At the end of the lease term, the lessee has the option to buy the equipment at the fair market value, return the equipment or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the equipment is returned, we may either sell the equipment, or place it into our used equipment rental or leasing program.
 
Dealers
 
We provide financing to obligors under microticket leases and contracts through a nationwide network of equipment vendors, independent sales organizations and brokers. We do not sign exclusive agreements with our


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dealers. Dealers interact directly with potential lessees and typically market not only their products and services, but also the financing arrangements offered through us. During the year ended 2009 we had over 1,000 different dealers originating leases and contracts.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2007 our top two dealers accounted for 10.0% and 8.4% of the leases originated. No other dealer accounted for more than 5% of leases originated in 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2008 our top dealer accounted for 4.5% of the leases originated. During the year ended December 31, 2009 our top dealer accounted for 3.6% of the leases originated.
 
Use of Technology
 
Our business is operationally intensive, due in part to the small average amount financed. Accordingly, technology and automated processes are critical in keeping servicing costs to a minimum while providing quality customer service.
 
We have developed TimePaymentDirect, an Internet-based application processing, credit approval and dealer information tool. Using TimePaymentDirect, a dealer can input an application and obtain an almost instantaneous credit decision automatically over the Internet, all without any contact with our employees. We also offer Instalease®, a program that allows a dealer to submit applications to us by telephone, telecopy or e-mail, receive approval, and complete a sale from a lessee’s location. By assisting the dealers in providing timely, convenient and competitive financing for their equipment contracts and offering dealers a variety of value-added services, we simultaneously promote equipment contract sales and the utilization of TimePayment as the preferred finance provider, thus differentiating us from our competitors.
 
We have used our proprietary software to develop a multidimensional credit-scoring model which generates pricing of our leases and contracts commensurate with the risk assumed. This software does not produce a binary “yes or no” decision, but rather, for a “yes” decision, determines the price at which the lease or contract might be profitably underwritten. We use this credit scoring model in most, but not all, of our credit decisions.
 
Underwriting
 
The nature of our business requires that the underwriting process perform two levels of review: the first focused on the ultimate end-user of the equipment or service and the second focused on the dealer. The approval process begins with the submission by telephone, facsimile or electronic transmission of a credit application by the dealer. Upon submission, we either manually or through TimePaymentDirect conduct our own independent credit investigation of the lessee using our proprietary database. In order to facilitate this process we will use recognized commercial credit reporting agencies such as Dun & Bradstreet, Paynet and Experian. Our software evaluates this information on a two-dimensional scale, examining both credit depth (how much information exists on an applicant) and credit quality (credit performance, including past payment history). We use this information to underwrite a broad range of credit risks and provide financing in situations where our competitors may be unwilling to provide such financing. The credit-scoring model is complex and automatically adjusts for different transactions. In situations where the amount financed is over $10,000 we may go beyond our own data base and recognized commercial credit reporting agencies to obtain information from less readily available sources such as banks. In certain instances, we will require the lessee to provide verification of employment and salary.
 
The second aspect of the credit decision involves an assessment of the originating dealer. Dealers undergo both an initial screening process and ongoing evaluation, including an examination of dealer portfolio credit quality and performance, lessee complaints, cases of fraud or misrepresentation, aging studies, application activity and conversion rates for applications. This ongoing assessment enables us to manage our dealer relationships, and in some instances, may result in ending relationships with poorly performing dealers.
 
Upon credit approval, we require receipt of a signed lease on our standard or other pre-approved lease form. After the equipment is shipped and installed, the dealer invoices us and we verify that the lessee has received and accepted the equipment. Upon the completion of a satisfactory verification with the lessee, the lease is forwarded to our funding and documentation department for payment to the dealer and the establishment of the accounting and billing procedures for the transaction.


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Service Contracts
 
In the past we have also from time to time acquired service contracts, under which a homeowner purchases a security system and simultaneously signs a contract with the dealer for the monitoring of that system for a monthly fee. Upon approval of the monitoring application and verification with the homeowner that the system is installed, we would purchase the right to the payment stream under the monitoring contract from the dealer at a negotiated multiple of the monthly payments. We have not purchased any new security service contracts since 2004, although we do originate security equipment leases that include monitoring provided by a third party. Our service contract portfolio represents a less significant portion of our revenue stream over time.
 
Bulk and Portfolio Acquisitions
 
In addition to originating leases through our dealer relationships, from time to time we have also purchased lease portfolios from dealers or other sources. While certain of these leases may not have met our underwriting standards at inception, we will purchase the leases once the lessee demonstrates a satisfactory payment history. We prefer to acquire these smaller lease portfolios in situations where the seller will continue to act as a dealer following the acquisition. We did not purchase any material portfolios in 2009, 2008 or 2007.
 
Servicing and Collections
 
We perform all the servicing functions on our leases and contracts through our automated servicing and collection system. Servicing responsibilities generally include billing, processing payments, remitting payments to dealers, paying taxes and insurance and performing collection and liquidation functions.
 
Our automated lease administration system handles application tracking, invoicing, payment processing, automated collection queuing, portfolio evaluation and report writing. The system is linked with our bank accounts for payment processing and also provides for direct withdrawal of lease and contract payments from a lessee’s bank account. We monitor delinquent accounts using our automated collection process. We use several computerized processes in our customer service and collection efforts, including the generation of daily priority call lists and scrolling for daily delinquent account servicing, generation and mailing of delinquency letters, and routing of incoming customer service calls to appropriate employees with instant computerized access to account details. Our collection efforts include sending collection letters, making collection calls, reporting delinquent accounts to credit reporting agencies, and litigating delinquent accounts when necessary to obtain and enforce judgments.
 
Competition
 
The microticket leasing and financing industry is highly competitive. We compete for customers with a number of national, regional and local banks and finance companies. Our competitors also include equipment manufacturers that lease or finance the sale of their own products. While the market for microticket financing has traditionally been fragmented, we could also be faced with competition from small or large-ticket leasing companies that could use their expertise in those markets to enter and compete in the microticket financing market. Our competitors include larger, more established companies, some of which may possess substantially greater financial, marketing and operational resources than us, including a lower cost of funds and access to capital markets and other funding sources which may be unavailable to us.
 
Employees
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had 111 full-time employees, of whom 39 were engaged in sales and underwriting activities and dealer service, 44 were engaged in servicing and collection activities, and 28 were engaged in general administrative activities. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good. None of our employees are members of a collective bargaining unit in connection with their employment with us.


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Executive Officers
 
     
Name and Age of Executive Officers
 
Title
 
Richard F. Latour, 56
  Director, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary
James R. Jackson, Jr., 48
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Steven J. LaCreta, 50
  Vice President, Lessee Relations and Legal
Stephen J. Constantino, 44
  Vice President, Human Resources
 
Backgrounds of Executive Officers
 
Richard F. Latour has served as our President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary since October 2002 and as President, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary, as well as a director of the Corporation, since February 2002. From 1995 to January 2002, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary. From 1986 to 1995 Mr. Latour served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Latour was Vice President of Finance with Trak Incorporated, an international manufacturer and distributor of consumer goods, where he was responsible for all financial and operational functions. Mr. Latour earned a B.S. in accounting from Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts.
 
James R. Jackson Jr. has served as our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2002. Prior to joining us, from 1999 to 2001, Mr. Jackson was Vice President of Finance for Deutsche Financial Services Technology Leasing Group. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Jackson held positions as Manager of Pricing and Structured Finance and Manager of Business Planning with AT&T Capital Corporation.
 
Steven J. LaCreta has served as our Vice President, Lessee Relations and Legal since May 2005. From May 2000 to May 2005, Mr. LaCreta served as Vice President, Lessee Relations. From November 1996 to May 2000, Mr. LaCreta served as our Director of Lessee Relations. Prior to joining us, Mr. LaCreta was a Leasing Collection Manager with Bayer Corporation.
 
Stephen J. Constantino has served as our Vice President, Human Resources since May 2000. From 1994 to May 2000, Mr. Constantino served as our Director of Human Resources. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Constantino served as our Controller. From 1991 to 1992, Mr. Constantino served as our Accounting Manager.
 
Availability of Information
 
We maintain an Internet website at http://www.microfinancial.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as Section 16 reports on Form 3, 4, or 5, are available free of charge on this site as soon as is reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our Guidelines on Corporate Governance, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters for the Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Compensation and Benefits Committee, Credit Policy Committee and Strategic Planning Committee of our Board of Directors are also available on our Internet site. The Guidelines, Code of Ethics and charters are also available in print to any shareholder upon request. Requests for such documents should be directed to Richard F. Latour, Chief Executive Officer, at 10M Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801. Our Internet site and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. Our filings with the SEC are also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Set forth below and elsewhere in this report and in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission are risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report and other periodic statements we make.


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We depend on external financing to fund leases and contracts, and adequate financing may not be available to us in amounts that are sufficient, together with our cash flow, to originate new leases.
 
Our lease and finance business is capital intensive and requires access to substantial short-term and long-term credit to fund leases and contracts. We will continue to require significant additional capital to maintain and expand our funding of leases and contracts, as well as to fund any future acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios. Our uses of cash include the origination and acquisition of leases and contracts, payment of interest and principal on borrowings, payment of selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes, capital expenditures and dividends.
 
In August 2007, we entered into a three-year $30 million line of credit with Sovereign based on qualified TimePayment lease receivables. On July 9, 2008 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our line of credit with Sovereign to $60 million. On February 10, 2009 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $85 million. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible lease contracts and a security interest in all of our other assets. Until the February 2009 amendment borrowings bore interest at Prime or at LIBOR plus 2.75%. Following the amendment, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either Prime plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75% in each case subject to a minimum interest rate of 5%. Under the terms of the facility, loans are Prime Rate Loans, unless we elect LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically converts to a Prime Rate Loan.
 
The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010 at which time the outstanding loan balance plus interest becomes due and payable. It is our intention to renew the current credit facility or replace it with a new facility from another financing source under similar terms and conditions prior to the scheduled maturity date. Given the tight credit conditions in the current marketplace, it may be difficult for us to obtain additional low cost capital. An inability to renew or replace our existing credit facility upon its maturity in August 2010 would significantly impact our ability to originate new lease transactions and manage our operations. We can provide no assurance in our ability to renew or replace our revolving line of credit under similar terms and conditions, if at all.
 
Our ability to draw down amounts under our credit facility is potentially restricted by a borrowing base calculated with respect to our eligible receivables, and our revolving line of credit has financial covenants that we must comply with to obtain funding and avoid an event of default. Our credit facility contains certain provisions which limit our ability to incur indebtedness from other sources. Any credit facility we enter into upon renewal or replacement of our existing credit facility may have similar or additional financial covenants or restrictions. Any default or other interruption of our external funding could have a material negative effect on our ability to fund new leases and contracts, and could, as a consequence, have an adverse effect on our financial results.
 
A protracted economic downturn may cause an increase in defaults under our leases and lower demand for the commercial equipment we lease.
 
A protracted economic downturn such as the one the United States and other nations are currently experiencing could result in a decline in the demand for some of the types of equipment or services we finance, which could lead to a decline in originations. A protracted economic downturn may slow the development and continued operation of small commercial businesses, which are the primary market for the commercial equipment leased by us. Such a downturn could also adversely affect our ability to obtain capital to fund lease and contract originations or acquisitions, or to complete securitizations. In addition, a protracted downturn could result in an increase in delinquencies and defaults by our lessees and other obligors, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and earnings, as well as on our ability to securitize leases. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Additionally, as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 leases in the states of California, Florida, New York and Texas accounted for approximately 40% of our portfolio. Economic conditions in these states may affect the level of collections from, as well as delinquencies and defaults by, these obligors.


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We experience a significant rate of default under our leases, and a higher than expected default rate would have an adverse effect on our cash flow and earnings.
 
Even in times of general economic growth, the credit characteristics of our lessee base correspond to a high incidence of delinquencies, which in turn may lead to significant levels of defaults. The credit profile of our lessees heightens the importance of both pricing our leases and contracts for the risk assumed, as well as maintaining an adequate allowance for losses. Our lessees, moreover, have been affected by the current economic downturn like almost all small businesses. Significant defaults by lessees in excess of those we anticipate in setting our prices and allowance levels may adversely affect our cash flow and earnings. Reduced cash flow and earnings could limit our ability to repay debt and obtain financing, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
In addition to our usual practice of originating leases through our dealer relationships, from time to time we have purchased lease portfolios from dealers. While certain of these leases at inception would not have met our underwriting standards, we will purchase leases once the lessee demonstrates a payment history. We prefer to acquire these smaller lease portfolios in situations where the company selling the portfolio will continue to act as a dealer following the acquisition. Despite the demonstrated payment history, such leases may experience a higher rate of default than leases that meet our origination standards.
 
Our allowance for credit losses may prove to be inadequate to cover future credit losses.
 
We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our investments in leases, service contracts and rental contracts at an amount we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in our portfolio. We cannot be sure that our allowance for credit losses will be adequate over time to cover losses caused by adverse economic factors, or unfavorable events affecting specific leases, industries or geographic areas. Losses in excess of our allowance for credit losses may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We are vulnerable to changes in the demand for the types of equipment we lease or price reductions in such equipment.
 
Our portfolio is comprised of a wide variety of equipment including advertising and display equipment, ATM machines, automotive repair equipment, copiers, security equipment, phone systems water cooler, restaurant equipment and card based payment authorization systems. Reduced demand for financing of the types of equipment we lease could adversely affect our lease origination volume, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Technological advances may lead to a decrease in the price of these types of systems or equipment and a consequent decline in the need for financing of such equipment. These changes could reduce the need for outside financing sources that would reduce our lease financing opportunities and origination volume in such products. These types of equipment are often leased by small commercial businesses which may be particularly susceptible to the current economic downturn, which may also affect demand for these products.
 
In the event that demand for financing the types of equipment that we lease declines, we will need to expand our efforts to provide lease financing for other products. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to do so successfully. Because many dealers specialize in particular products, we may not be able to capitalize on our current dealer relationships in the event we shift our business focus to originating leases of other products. Our failure to successfully enter into new relationships with dealers of other products or to extend existing relationships with such dealers in the event of reduced demand for financing of the systems and equipment we currently lease would have a material adverse effect on us.
 
We may face adverse consequences of litigation, including consequences of using litigation as part of our collection policy.
 
Our use of litigation as a means of collection of unpaid receivables exposes us to counterclaims on our suits for collection, to class action lawsuits and to negative publicity surrounding our leasing and collection policies. We have been a defendant in attempted class action suits as well as counterclaims filed by individual obligors in


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attempts to dispute the enforceability of the lease or contract. This type of litigation may be time consuming and expensive to defend, even if not meritorious, may result in the diversion of management’s time and attention, and may subject us to significant liability for damages or result in invalidation of our proprietary rights. We believe our collection policies and use of litigation comply fully with all applicable laws. Because of our persistent enforcement of our leases and contracts through the use of litigation, we may have created ill will toward us on the part of certain lessees and other obligors who were defendants in such lawsuits. Our litigation strategy has also generated adverse publicity in certain circumstances. Adverse publicity could negatively impact public perception of our business and may materially impact the price of our common stock. In addition to legal proceedings that may arise out of our collection activities, we may face other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Increased interest rates may make our leases or contracts less profitable.
 
Since we generally fund our leases and contracts through our credit facilities or from working capital, our operating margins could be adversely affected by an increase in interest rates. For example, borrowings under our amended credit facility bear interest either at Prime plus 1.75% or at LIBOR plus 3.75%, in each case subject to a minimum interest rate of 5% per year. The implicit yield on all of our leases and contracts is fixed due to the leases and contracts having scheduled payments that are fixed at the time of origination. When we originate or acquire leases or contracts, we base our pricing in part on the “spread” we expect to achieve between the implicit yield on each lease or contract and the effective interest cost we expect to pay when we finance such leases and contracts. Increases in interest rates during the term of each lease or contract could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread, to the extent such lease or contract was financed with variable-rate funding. We may undertake to hedge against the risk of interest rate increases, based on the size and interest rate profile of our portfolio. Such hedging activities, however, would limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. In addition, our hedging activities may not protect us from interest rate-related risks in all interest rate environments. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We do not currently have any hedging arrangements with respect to interest rate changes.
 
We may not be able to realize our entire investment in the residual interests in the equipment covered by our leases.
 
At the inception of a lease we record a residual value for the lease equipment as an asset based upon an estimate of the fair market value at lease maturity. There can be no assurance that our estimated residual values will be realized due to technological or economic obsolescence, unusual wear or tear on the equipment, or other factors. Failures to realize the recorded residual values may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We face intense competition, which could cause us to lower our lease rates, hurt our origination volume and strategic position and adversely affect our financial results.
 
The microticket leasing and financing industry is highly competitive. We compete for customers with a number of national, regional and local banks and finance companies. Our competitors also include equipment manufacturers that lease or finance the sale of their own products. While the market for microticket financing has traditionally been fragmented, we could also be faced with competition from small or large-ticket leasing companies that could use their expertise in those markets to enter and compete in the microticket financing market. Our competitors include larger, more established companies, some of which may possess substantially greater financial, marketing and operational resources than us, including lower cost of funds and access to capital markets and other funding sources which may be unavailable to us. If a competitor were to lower its lease rates, we could be forced to follow suit or be unable to regain origination volume, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, competitors may seek to replicate the automated processes used by us to monitor dealer performance, evaluate lessee credit information, appropriately apply risk-adjusted pricing, and efficiently service a nationwide portfolio. The development of computer software similar to that developed by us may jeopardize our strategic position and allow our competitors to operate more efficiently than we do.


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Government regulation could restrict our business.
 
Our leasing business is not currently subject to extensive federal or state regulation. While we are not aware of any proposed legislation, the enactment of, or a change in the interpretation of, certain federal or state laws affecting our ability to price, originate or collect on receivables (such as the application of usury laws to our leases and contracts) could negatively affect the collection of income on our leases and contracts, as well as the collection of fee income. Any such legislation or change in interpretation, particularly in Massachusetts, whose laws govern the majority of our leases and contracts, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to originate leases and contracts at current levels of profitability, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Changes to the bankruptcy laws that would make it easier for lessees to file for bankruptcy could increase delinquency and defaults on the existing portfolio.
 
We may face risks in acquiring other portfolios and companies, including risks relating to how we finance any such acquisition or how we are able to assimilate any portfolios or operations we acquire.
 
In addition to organic growth a portion of our growth strategy may involve acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios from time to time. Our inability to identify suitable acquisition candidates or portfolios, or to complete acquisitions on favorable terms, could limit our ability to grow our business. Any major acquisition would require a significant portion of our resources. The timing, size and success, if at all, of our acquisition efforts and any associated capital commitments cannot be readily predicted. We may finance future acquisitions by using shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of the two. Any acquisition we make using common stock would result in dilution to existing stockholders. If the common stock does not maintain a sufficient market value, or if potential acquisition candidates are otherwise unwilling to accept common stock as part or all of the consideration for the sale of their businesses, we may be required to utilize more of our cash resources, if available, or to incur additional indebtedness in order to initiate and complete acquisitions. Additional debt, or intangible assets incurred as a result of any such acquisition, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, our credit facilities contain covenants that place significant restrictions on our ability to acquire all or substantially all of the assets or securities of another company, including a limit on the aggregate dollar amount of such acquisitions of $10 million over the term of the facility. These provisions could prevent us from making an acquisition we may otherwise see as attractive, whether by using shares of our common stock as consideration or by using cash.
 
We also may experience difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, services, products and personnel of acquired companies, an inability to sustain or improve the historical revenue levels of acquired companies, the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations, and the potential loss of key employees of such acquired companies. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
If we were to lose key personnel, our operating results may suffer or it may cause a default under our debt facilities.
 
Our success depends to a large extent upon the abilities and continued efforts of Richard Latour, President and Chief Executive Officer and James R. Jackson, Jr., Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and our other senior management. We have entered into employment agreements with Mr. Latour and Mr. Jackson, as well as other members of our senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of the key members of our senior management before we are able to attract and retain qualified replacement personnel could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, under our Sovereign credit facility, an event of default would arise if Mr. Latour or Mr. Jackson were to leave their positions as our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, respectively, unless a suitable replacement were appointed within 90 days. Our failure to comply with these provisions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Certain provisions of our articles and bylaws may have the effect of discouraging a change in control or acquisition of the company.
 
Our restated articles of organization and restated bylaws contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder


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might consider favorable, including:(i) provisions authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock; (ii) providing for a Board of Directors with staggered terms; (iii) requiring super-majority or class voting to effect certain amendments to the articles and bylaws and to approve certain business combinations; (iv) limiting the persons who may call special stockholders’ meetings and; (v) establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholders’ meetings. In addition, certain provisions of Massachusetts law to which we are subject may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or an unsolicited acquisition proposal.
 
Our stock price may be volatile, which could limit our access to the equity markets and could cause you to incur losses on your investment.
 
If our revenues do not grow or grow more slowly than we anticipate, or if operating expenditures exceed our expectations or cannot be adjusted accordingly, the market price of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the market price of our common stock has been in the past and could in the future be materially and adversely affected for reasons unrelated to our specific business or results of operations. General market price declines or volatility in the future could adversely affect the price of our common stock. In addition, short-term trading strategies of certain investors can also have a significant effect on the price of specific securities. In addition, the trading price of the common stock may be influenced by a number of factors, including the liquidity of the market for the common stock, investor perceptions of us and the equipment financing industry in general, variations in our quarterly operating results, interest rate fluctuations and general economic and other conditions. Moreover, the stock market has experienced significant price and value fluctuations, which have not necessarily been related to corporate operating performance. The volatility of the stock market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in the public markets.
 
There is no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock in the future.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2002, our Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends on our common stock to comply with our banking agreements and we paid no dividends in the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004. During 2005, we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on five dates, and a special dividend of $0.25 per share payable to shareholders of record on January 31, 2006. During 2006, 2007 and 2008, we declared dividends of $0.20 per share. During 2009, we declared dividends of $0.15 per share. Future dividend payments are subject to ongoing review and evaluation by our Board of Directors. The decision as to the amount and timing of future dividends we may pay, if any, will be made in light of our financial condition, capital requirements and growth plans, as well as our external financing arrangements and any other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant. We can give no assurance as to the amount and timing of the payment of future dividends.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
At December 31, 2009, our corporate headquarters and operations center occupied approximately 24,400 square feet of office space at 10M Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801. The lease for this space expires on December 31, 2010.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
We are involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. Although we do not expect that the outcome of any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect our operating results or cash flows in a particular period. We routinely assess all of our litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and record our best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where we assess the likelihood of loss as probable.
 
Item 4.   (Removed and Reserved)


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PART II
 
Item 5.   Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities
 
Market Information
 
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share is currently listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “MFI.” Our common stock was previously listed on the American Stock Exchange through the close of business on February 15, 2008, and prior to that on the New York Stock Exchange through the close of business on January 16, 2006, in each case under the same symbol. The following chart shows the high and low sales price of our common stock in each quarter over the past two fiscal years.
 
                                                                 
    2009   2008
    First
  Second
  Third
  Fourth
  First
  Second
  Third
  Fourth
    Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter
 
Stock Price
                                                               
High
  $ 2.80     $ 3.98     $ 3.75     $ 3.47     $ 6.25     $ 5.15     $ 4.93     $ 4.00  
Low
  $ 1.55     $ 1.72     $ 2.85     $ 2.49     $ 4.60     $ 3.00     $ 3.30     $ 1.50  
 
Holders
 
We believe there were approximately 475 stockholders of the Company as of March 15, 2010, including beneficial owners who hold through a broker or other nominee.
 
Dividends
 
During the fourth quarter of 2002, our Board of Directors suspended the payment of dividends to comply with our banking agreements and we paid no dividends during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004.
 
During 2005, we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of February 9, 2005, April 29, 2005, July 27, 2005, October 27, 2005 and December 28, 2005, and a special dividend of $0.25 per share payable to shareholders of record on January 31, 2006.
 
During 2006, we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006, September 29, 2006 and December 29, 2006.
 
During 2007, we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of March 30, 2007, June 29, 2007, September 28, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
 
During 2008, we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of May 15, 2008, August 15, 2008, November 14, 2008 and January 19, 2009. The dividend payable on January 19, 2009 was declared on December 24, 2008.
 
During 2009 we declared dividends of $0.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of April 30, 2009, July 30, 2009 and October 30, 2009.
 
On January 22, 2010 we declared a dividend of $0.05 per share payable on February 15, 2010 to shareholders of record of MicroFinancial Incorporated stock on February 1, 2010.
 
Future dividend payments are subject to ongoing review and evaluation by our Board of Directors. The decision as to the amount and timing of future dividends, if any, will be made in light of our financial condition, capital requirements and growth plans, as well as our external financing arrangements and any other factors our Board of Directors may deem relevant. We can give no assurance as to the amount and timing of future dividends.
 
Our credit facility also restricts the amount of cash that TimePayment can dividend up to MicroFinancial during any year, to 50% of consolidated net income for the immediately preceding year.
 
Repurchases
 
We did not repurchase any of our equity securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.


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Performance Graph
 
The following graph compares our cumulative total stockholder return since December 31, 2004 with the American Stock Exchange Composite Stock Index, the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Financials Index and the NASDAQ Composite. Cumulative total stockholder return shown in the performance graph is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2004 and the reinvestment of dividends. The historic stock price performance information shown in this graph may not be indicative of current stock price levels or future stock price performance.
 
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
December 2009
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
The information under the caption “Performance Graph” above is not deemed to be “filed” as part of this Annual Report, and is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such information will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 unless we explicitly incorporate it into such a filing at the time.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial and operating data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The selected consolidated financial data were derived from our financial statements and accounting records. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included herein.
 
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Income Statement Data:
                                       
Revenues:
                                       
Income on financing leases
  $ 29,415     $ 23,095     $ 12,302     $ 3,917     $ 4,140  
Rental income
    8,584       9,829       13,612       20,897       25,359  
Income on service contracts
    676       925       1,271       1,870       3,467  
Other income(1)
    7,490       5,676       4,486       5,758       6,318  
                                         
Total revenues
    46,165       39,525       31,671       32,442       39,284  
                                         
Expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
    13,371       13,060       12,824       14,499       20,884  
Provision for credit losses
    22,039       15,313       7,855       6,985       10,468  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,628       976       1,344       5,326       9,497  
Interest
    2,769       1,020       143       162       1,148  
                                         
Total expenses
    39,807       30,369       22,166       26,972       41,997  
                                         
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    6,358       9,156       9,505       5,470       (2,713 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    2,231       3,206       3,303       1,555       (1,053 )
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 4,127     $ 5,950     $ 6,202     $ 3,915     $ (1,660 )
                                         
Net income (loss) per common share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.29     $ 0.42     $ 0.45     $ 0.28     $ (0.12 )
Diluted
    0.29       0.42       0.44       0.28       (0.12 )
Weighted-average shares:
                                       
Basic
    14,147,436       14,002,045       13,922,974       13,791,403       13,567,640  
Diluted
    14,261,644       14,204,105       14,149,634       13,958,759       13,567,640  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ 0.20     $ 0.20     $ 0.50  
 


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    December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 391     $ 5,047     $ 7,080     $ 28,737     $ 32,926  
Restricted cash
    834       528       561              
Gross investment in leases(2)
    194,629       158,138       102,128       44,314       33,004  
Unearned income
    (55,821 )     (49,384 )     (35,369 )     (13,682 )     (3,658 )
Allowance for credit losses
    (13,856 )     (11,722 )     (5,722 )     (5,223 )     (8,714 )
Investment in service contracts, net
          32       203       613       1,626  
Investment in rental contracts, net
    379       240       106       313       3,025  
Total assets
    127,097       104,850       70,982       59,721       65,188  
Revolving line of credit
    51,906       33,325       6,531       5       161  
Subordinated notes payable
                            2,602  
Total liabilities
    60,332       40,512       10,154       3,585       10,501  
Total stockholders’ equity
    66,765       64,338       60,828       56,136       54,687  
 
                                         
    December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (Dollars in thousands, except statistical data)  
 
Other Data:
                                       
Operating Data:
                                       
Value of leases originated(3)
  $ 113,987     $ 104,529     $ 83,698     $ 33,343     $ 7,296  
Value of rental contracts originated
                            1,731  
Dealer funding(4)
    76,306       68,007       54,035       21,498       6,364  
Average yield on leases(5)
    27.7 %     28.5 %     29.0 %     30.0 %     30.6 %
Cash Flows From (Used In):
                                       
Operating activities
  $ 57,897     $ 43,310     $ 30,440     $ 26,870     $ 35,228  
Investing activities
    (77,969 )     (69,523 )     (55,203 )     (22,114 )     (6,978 )
Financing activities
    15,416       24,180       3,106       (8,945 )     (5,033 )
                                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (4,656 )   $ (2,033 )   $ (21,657 )   $ (4,189 )   $ (23,217 )
                                         
Selected Ratios:
                                       
Return on average assets
    3.56 %     6.77 %     9.49 %     6.27 %     (2.43 )%
Return on average stockholders’ equity
    6.30       9.51       10.60       7.07       (2.84 )
Operating margin(6)
    61.51       61.91       54.81       38.39       19.74  
Credit Quality Statistics:
                                       
Net charge-offs
  $ 19,906     $ 9,313     $ 7,356     $ 10,476     $ 16,717  
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average gross investment(7)
    11.28 %     7.15 %     9.99 %     26.34 %     30.79 %
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of average gross investment(7)
    12.49       11.76       10.67       17.56       19.28  
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross investment(8)
    7.12       7.41       5.59       11.63       25.16  
 
 
(1) Includes loss and damage waiver fees, service fees, interest income, and miscellaneous revenue.
 
(2) Consists of receivables due in installments and estimated residual value.
 
(3) Represents the amount paid to dealers upon funding of leases plus the associated unearned income.

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(4) Represents the net amount paid to dealers upon funding of leases and contracts.
 
(5) Represents the aggregate of the implied interest rate on each lease originated during the period weighted by the amount funded.
 
(6) Represents income before provision (benefit) for income taxes and provision for credit losses as a percentage of total revenues.
 
(7) Represents a percentage of average gross investment in leases and net investment in service contracts.
 
(8) Represents allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross investment in leases and net investment in service contracts.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Including Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
The following discussion includes forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). When used in this discussion, the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, among other things, those associated with:
 
  •  the demand for the equipment types we finance;
 
  •  our significant capital requirements;
 
  •  our ability or inability to obtain the financing we need, or to use internally generated funds, in order to continue originating contracts;
 
  •  the risks of defaults on our leases;
 
  •  our provision for credit losses;
 
  •  our residual interests in underlying equipment;
 
  •  possible adverse consequences associated with our collection policy;
 
  •  the effect of higher interest rates on our portfolio;
 
  •  increasing competition;
 
  •  increased governmental regulation of the rates and methods we use in financing and collecting on our leases and contracts;
 
  •  acquiring other portfolios or companies;
 
  •  dependence on key personnel;
 
  •  adverse results in litigation and regulatory matters, or promulgation of new or enhanced legislation or regulations; and
 
  •  general economic and business conditions.
 
The risk factors above and those under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6, as well as any other cautionary language included herein, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we described in our forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are significantly beyond our control. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information contained herein will in fact transpire.


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Overview
 
We are a specialized commercial finance company that provides “microticket” equipment leasing and other financing services. In June 2004 we established a new wholly-owned operating subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. The average amount financed by TimePayment during 2009 was approximately $5,500 while Leasecomm historically financed contracts averaging approximately $1,900. Our portfolio consists of water coolers, security equipment, point-of-sale (“POS”) authorization systems, automotive repair equipment, restaurant equipment and other business equipment leased to commercial enterprises.
 
We derive the majority of our revenues from leases originated and held by us, payments on service contracts, rental contracts and fee income. Historically, we have funded the majority of our leases and contracts through our revolving-credit loans, term loans, cash from operations and on-balance sheet securitizations, and to a lesser extent our subordinated debt programs.
 
On August 2, 2007, we entered into a new three-year $30 million line of credit with Sovereign Bank based on qualified TimePayment lease receivables. On July 9, 2008 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our line of credit with Sovereign from $30 million to $60 million. On February 10, 2009 we entered into an amended agreement to increase the line of credit to $85 million. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible lease contracts and a security interest in all of our other assets. Until the February 2009 amendment, outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime or at LIBOR plus 2.75%. Following the amendment, outstanding borrowings bear interest at either Prime plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%, in each case subject to a minimum interest rate of 5%. Under the terms of the facility, loans are Prime Rate Loans, unless we elect LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically coverts to a Prime Rate Loan.
 
The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010, at which time the outstanding loan balance plus interest becomes due and payable. It is our intention to renew the current credit facility or replace it with a new facility from another financing source under similar terms and conditions prior to the scheduled maturity date. A failure to renew or replace the revolving credit facility under similar terms and conditions would significantly impact our ability to originate new lease transactions and manage our operations. We can provide no assurance in our ability to renew or to replace this line under similar terms and conditions, if at all.
 
Prior to obtaining the Sovereign revolving line of credit, on September 29, 2004, we entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT under which we could borrow a maximum of $30 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime plus 1.5% or at the 90-day LIBOR plus 4.0%. On July 20, 2007, by mutual agreement between CIT and us, we paid off and terminated the CIT line of credit without penalty.
 
In a typical lease transaction, we originate a lease through our nationwide network of equipment vendors, independent sales organizations and brokers. Upon our approval of a lease application and verification that the lessee has received the equipment and signed the lease, we pay the dealer for the cost of the equipment, plus the dealer’s profit margin.
 
Substantially all leases originated or acquired by us are non-cancelable. During the term of the lease, we are scheduled to receive payments sufficient to cover our borrowing costs and the cost of the underlying equipment and to provide us with an appropriate profit. We pass along some of the costs of our leases and contracts by charging collection fees, loss and damage waiver fees, late fees and other service fees, when applicable. The initial non-cancelable term of the lease is equal to or less than the equipment’s estimated economic life and often provides us with additional revenues based on the residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease. Initial terms of the leases in our portfolio generally range from 12 to 60 months, with an average initial term of 44 months as of December 31, 2009.
 
In the past, we have also from time to time acquired service contracts under which a homeowner purchases a security system and simultaneously signs a contract with the dealer for the monitoring of that system for a monthly fee. Upon approval of the monitoring application and verification with the homeowner that the system is installed, we would purchase the right to the payment stream under the monitoring contract from the dealer at a negotiated multiple of the monthly payments. We have not purchased any new security monitoring contracts since 2004,


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although we do originate security equipment leases that include monitoring. Our service contract portfolio has represented a less significant portion of our revenue stream over time.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
We consider certain of our accounting policies to be the most critical to our financial condition and results of operations in the sense that they involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. We have identified our most critical accounting policies as those policies related to revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, income taxes and accounting for share-based compensation. These accounting policies are discussed below as well as within the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Our lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, we record the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Amortization of unearned lease income and initial direct costs is suspended if, in our opinion, full payment of the contractual amount due under the lease agreement is doubtful. In conjunction with the origination of leases, we may retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon termination of the lease. The value of such interest is estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically for impairment. At the end of the lease term, the lessee has the option to buy the equipment at the fair market value, return the equipment or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the lessee continues to rent the equipment, we record our investment in the rental contract at its estimated residual value. Rental revenue and depreciation are recognized based on the methodology described below. Other revenues such as loss and damage waiver fees and service fees relating to the leases and contracts are recognized as they are earned.
 
Our investments in cancelable service contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the contract. Income on service contracts from monthly billings is recognized as the related services are provided. Our investment in rental contracts is either recorded at estimated residual value and depreciated using the straight-line method over a period of 12 months or at the acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method over a period of 36 months. Rental income from monthly billings is recognized as the customer continues to rent the equipment. We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of our investments in service and rental contracts.
 
Allowance for Credit Losses
 
We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our investment in leases, service contracts and rental contracts at an amount that we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in our portfolio. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, we do not have a formal credit review committee to review individual transactions. Rather, we developed a sophisticated, risk-adjusted pricing model and have automated the credit scoring, approval and collection processes. We believe that with the proper risk-adjusted pricing model, we can grant credit to a wide range of applicants provided we have priced appropriately for the associated risk. As a result of approving a wide range of credits, we experience a relatively high level of delinquency and write-offs in our portfolio. We periodically review the credit scoring and approval process to ensure that the automated system is making appropriate credit decisions. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, we do not evaluate transactions individually for the purpose of developing and determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Contracts in our portfolio are not re-graded subsequent to the initial extension of credit and the allowance is not allocated to specific contracts. Rather, we view the contracts as having common characteristics and maintain a general allowance against our entire portfolio utilizing historical collection statistics and an assessment of current credit risk in the portfolio as the basis for the amount.
 
We have adopted a consistent, systematic procedure for establishing and maintaining an appropriate allowance for credit losses for our microticket transactions. We estimate the likelihood of credit losses net of recoveries in the portfolio at each reporting period based upon a combination of the lessee’s bureau reported credit score at lease


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inception and the current delinquency status of the account. In addition to these elements, we also consider other relevant factors including general economic trends, trends in delinquencies and credit losses, static pool analysis of our portfolio, trends in recoveries made on charged off accounts, and other relevant factors which might affect the performance of our portfolio. This combination of historical experience, credit scores, delinquency levels, trends in credit losses, and the review of current factors provide the basis for our analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. We take charge-offs against our receivables when such receivables are deemed uncollectible. In general a receivable is uncollectable when it is 360 days past due where no contact has been made with the lessee for 12 months or, if earlier, when other adverse events occur with respect to an account. Historically, the typical monthly payment under our microticket leases has been small and as a result, our experience is that lessees will pay past due amounts later in the process because of the small amount necessary to bring an account current.
 
Income Taxes
 
Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The process involves summarizing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items, such as leases, for tax and accounting purposes. In addition, our income tax calculations involve the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. Differences between the basis of assets and liabilities result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and to the extent management believes recovery is more likely than not, a valuation allowance is unnecessary.
 
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are subject to potential financial statement recognition based on prescribed recognition and measurement criteria. Based on our evaluation, we concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our financial statements. At December 31, 2009, there have been no material changes to the liability for uncertain tax positions and there are no significant unrecognized tax benefits. We do not expect our unrecognized tax positions to change significantly over the next twelve months.
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
We have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, (formerly SFAS 123(R) — Share Based Payments), which requires the measurement of compensation cost for all outstanding unvested share-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results differ from our estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We estimate the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of ASC Topic 718 and Securities and Exchange Commission, (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 — Share Based Payments. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected option term, volatility of our stock, the risk-free interest rate and our dividend yield. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value made by us under ASC Topic 718.


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Results of Operations
 
Revenues
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Income on financing leases
  $ 29,415       27.4 %   $ 23,095       87.7 %   $ 12,302  
Rental income
    8,584       (12.7 )     9,829       (27.8 )     13,612  
Income on service contracts
    676       (26.9 )     925       (27.2 )     1,271  
Loss and damage waiver fees
    4,136       27.8       3,236       59.2       2,033  
Service fees and other
    3,340       45.2       2,300       45.9       1,576  
Interest income
    14       (90.0 )     140       (84.0 )     877  
                                         
Total revenues
  $ 46,165       16.8 %   $ 39,525       24.8 %   $ 31,671  
                                         
 
Our lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, we record the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Other revenues such as loss and damage waiver fees, service fees relating to the leases and contracts, and rental revenues are recognized as they are earned.
 
Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $46.2 million, an increase of $6.6 million or 16.8% from the year ended December 31, 2008. Revenue from leases was $29.4 million, up $6.3 million from the previous year as a result of the increased originations. Rental income was $8.6 million, down $1.2 million from 2008. Other revenue components contributed $8.2 million, up $1.5 million from the previous year in connection with the increased size in our portfolio, despite a decline in service contracts of $249,000 during the year. The decline in rental income is primarily explained by attrition rates in the two sources of rental income. One source is rental agreements that are originated and cancellable on a monthly basis. We have not originated any new rental contracts since 2004. The other is the rental income that is recognized at the end of the lease term when a lessee chooses to keep the equipment and rents it on a monthly basis. The decline in rental contracts is the result of attrition of Leasecomm rental contracts which is partially offset by Timepayment lease contracts coming to term and converting to rentals. We have not funded any new service contracts since 2004; therefore this segment of revenue continues to decline.
 
Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $39.5 million, an increase of $7.8 million or 24.8% from the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenue from leases was $23.1 million, up $10.8 million from the previous year as a result of the increased originations. Rental income was $9.8 million, down $3.8 million from 2007. Other revenue components contributed $6.6 million, up $0.8 million from the previous year, despite a decline in interest income of $737,000 during the year. The decrease in interest income is a result of the decrease in cash and cash equivalents on hand as well as lower rates of investment. The decline in rental income is primarily explained by attrition rates in the two sources of rental income described above. In addition, the decline in income from service contracts is consistent with the lack of any new service contract originations since we resumed funding in 2004.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 13,371       2.4 %   $ 13,060       1.8 %   $ 12,824  
As a percent of revenue
    29.0 %             33.0 %             40.5 %
 
Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include costs of maintaining corporate functions such as accounting, finance, collections, legal, human resources, sales and underwriting, and information systems. SG&A expenses also include commissions, service fees and other marketing costs associated with our portfolio of leases and rental contracts. SG&A expenses increased by $311,000 or 2.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. Significant factors in the increase of the SG&A expense include


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increases in payroll and employee benefits of $842,000 due to the increase in headcount and an increase in cost of equipment sold of $162,000. These increases were offset in part by decreases in: professional fees of $231,000; recruiting expenses of $222,000; and collection expenses of $131,000.
 
SG&A expenses increased by $236,000 or 1.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Significant factors in the increase of the SG&A expense include increases in: payroll and employee benefits of $171,000; bank service charges of $172,000; marketing and promotion expenses of $122,000; collection expenses of $120,000; and postage expense of $111,000. These increases were offset in part by decreases in: professional fees of $262,000; debt closing expense of $150,000; and sales programs of $105,000.
 
Provision for Credit Losses
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Provision for credit losses
  $ 22,039       43.9 %   $ 15,313       94.9 %   $ 7,855  
As a percent of revenue
    47.7 %             38.7 %             24.8 %
 
We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our investment in leases, service contracts and rental contracts at an amount that we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in our portfolio. Our provision for credit losses increased $6.7 million or 43.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. Net charge-offs increased $10.6 million to $19.9 million, or 113.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. The provision was based on providing a general allowance against leases funded during the year and our analysis of actual and expected losses in our portfolio as a whole. The increase in the allowance reflects the growth in lease receivables associated with new lease originations, increased delinquency levels, and the current economic climate.
 
Our provision for credit losses increased $7.5 million or 94.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Net charge-offs increased $1.9 million to $9.3 million, or 25.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. The provision was based on providing a general allowance against leases funded during the year and our analysis of actual and expected losses in our portfolio as a whole. The increase in the allowance reflects the growth in lease receivables associated with new lease originations, increased delinquency levels, and the current economic climate.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Depreciation — fixed assets
  $ 429       12.0 %   $ 383       36.8 %   $ 280  
Depreciation — rental equipment
    1,170       181.9       415       (40.3 )     695  
Amortization — service contracts
    29       (83.7 )     178       (51.8 )     369  
                                         
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 1,628       66.8 %   $ 976       (27.4 )%   $ 1,344  
                                         
As a percent of revenue
    3.5 %             2.5 %             4.2 %
 
Depreciation and amortization expense consists of depreciation on fixed assets and rental equipment, and the amortization of service contracts. Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated over their expected useful lives. Certain rental contracts are originated as a result of the renewal provisions of our lease agreements where at the end of the lease term, the customer may elect to continue to rent the leased equipment on a month-to-month basis. The rental equipment is recorded at its residual value and depreciated over a term of 12 months. This term represents the estimated life of a previously leased piece of equipment and is based upon our historical experience. In the event the contract terminates prior to the end of the 12 month period, the remaining net book value is expensed.
 
We have in the past offered a rental agreement, which allowed the customer, assuming the contract was current and no event of default existed, to terminate the contract at any time by returning the equipment and providing us with 30 days notice. These assets were recorded at cost and depreciated over an estimated life of 36 months. This term was


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based upon our historical experience. In the event that the contract terminated prior to the end of the 36 month period, the remaining net book value was expensed. We have not originated any such rental contracts since 2004.
 
Service contracts were recorded at cost and amortized over their estimated life of 84 months. In a typical service contract acquisition, a homeowner will purchase a home security system and simultaneously sign a contract with the security dealer for monthly monitoring of the system. The security dealer would then sell the rights to that monthly payment to us. We perform all of the processing, billing, collection and administrative work on the service contract. The estimated life is based upon the expected life of such contracts in the security monitoring industry and our historical experience. In the event the contract terminates prior to the end of the 84 month term, the remaining net book value is expensed. We have not originated any new service contracts since 2004.
 
Depreciation expense on rentals increased by $755,000 or 181.9% in connection with the TimePayment rental portfolio, and amortization of service contracts decreased by $149,000 or 83.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. The carrying value of our rental equipment increased from $240,000 at December 31, 2008 to $379,000 at December 31, 2009. The carrying value of our service contracts decreased from $32,000 at December 31, 2008 to $0 at December 31, 2009. Depreciation on property and equipment increased by $46,000 or 12.0% for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Depreciation expense on rentals decreased by $280,000 or 40.3%, and amortization of service contracts decreased by $191,000 or 51.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. The carrying value of our rental equipment and service contracts decreased from $309,000 at December 31, 2007 to $272,000 at December 31, 2008. Depreciation on property and equipment increased by $103,000 or 36.8% for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Interest Expense
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Interest
  $ 2,769       171.5 %   $ 1,020       613.3 %   $ 143  
As a percent of revenue
    6.0 %             2.6 %             0.5 %
 
We pay interest on borrowings under our revolving line of credit. Interest expense increased by $1.7 million or 171.5% for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase resulted primarily from the increased borrowings as well as higher rates of interest on our revolving line of credit. At December 31, 2009, we had notes payable of $51.9 million compared to notes payable of $33.3 million at December 31, 2008. The interest rate on our revolving line of credit was 5.0% at December 31, 2009 compared to 3.25% at December 31, 2008.
 
Interest expense increased by $877,000 or 613.3% for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. This increase resulted primarily from the increased borrowings on our revolving line of credit. At December 31, 2008, we had notes payable of $33.3 million compared to notes payable of $6.5 million at December 31, 2007.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
                                         
    2009     Change     2008     Change     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Provision for income taxes
  $ 2,231       (30.4 )%   $ 3,206       (2.9 )%   $ 3,303  
As a percent of revenue
    4.8 %             8.1 %             10.4 %
 
The provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any necessary valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets, involves summarizing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items, such as leases, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities which are recorded on the balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets


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will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and to the extent we believe recovery is more likely than not, a valuation allowance is unnecessary.
 
The provision for income taxes decreased by $975,000, or 30.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease resulted primarily from the $2.8 million decrease in income before income taxes and the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions of $445,000 due to the expiration of certain state statues of limitations. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 35.1% compared to 35.0% for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
The provision for income taxes decreased by $97,000, or 2.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease resulted primarily from the $349,000 decrease in income before income taxes. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 35.0% compared to 34.8% for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Other Operating Data
 
Dealer fundings were $76.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $7.8 million or 11.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase is a result of our continuing business development efforts that include increasing the size of our vendor base and sourcing a larger number of applications from those vendors. We funded these contracts using cash provided by operating activities as well as net borrowings of $18.6 million against our revolving lines of credit. Receivables due in installments, estimated residual values, net investment in service contracts, and investment in rental equipment increased from $162.1 million at December 31, 2008 to $197.9 million at December 31, 2009, an increase of $35.8 million, or 22.1%. Unearned income increased by $6.4 million, or 13.0%, from $49.4 million at December 31, 2008 to $55.8 million at December 31, 2009. This increase was due to the $76.9 million in originations in 2009, representing a substantial increase over 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $14.6 million, or 33.7%, to $57.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, from the year ended December 31, 2008, due primarily to the increase in originations.
 
Dealer fundings were $69.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $14.4 million or 26%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007 reflecting our business development efforts. We funded these contracts using cash provided by operating activities as well as net borrowings of $26.8 million against our lines of credit. Receivables due in installments, estimated residual values, net investment in service contracts, and investment in rental equipment increased from $107.5 million at December 31, 2007 to $162.1 million at December 31, 2008, an increase of $54.6 million, or 51%. Unearned income increased by $14 million, or 39.5%, from $35.4 million at December 31, 2007 to $49.4 million at December 31, 2008. This increase was due to the $69 million in originations in 2008, representing a substantial increase over 2007. Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $12.9 million, or 42.3%, to $43.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, from the year ended December 31, 2007 primarily due to the increase in originations.


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Selected Quarterly Data
 
The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2009 and 2008. This unaudited quarterly information was prepared on the same basis as the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and, in the opinion of our management, reflects all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations, and you should read them in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
                                                                 
    2009     2008  
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
    (Unaudited)  
 
Revenues:
                                                               
Income on leases
  $ 6,789     $ 7,098     $ 7,635     $ 7,893     $ 4,940     $ 5,596     $ 6,030     $ 6,529  
Rental income
    2,209       2,138       2,124       2,113       2,752       2,484       2,330       2,263  
Income on service contracts
    189       175       162       150       259       240       221       205  
Loss and damage waiver fees
    986       1,018       1,048       1,084       688       768       849       931  
Service fees and other
    671       699       1,001       969       549       532       632       587  
Interest income
    13       1                   60       27       23       30  
                                                                 
Total revenues
    10,857       11,129       11,970       12,209       9,248       9,647       10,085       10,545  
                                                                 
Expenses:
                                                               
Selling, general and administrative
    3,572       3,492       3,349       2,958       3,239       3,198       3,260       3,363  
Provision for credit losses
    5,453       4,993       5,437       6,156       3,357       3,060       3,782       5,114  
Depreciation and amortization
    335       383       440       470       230       230       245       271  
Interest
    516       661       751       841       152       234       310       324  
                                                                 
Total expenses
    9,876       9,529       9,977       10,425       6,978       6,722       7,597       9,072  
                                                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
    981       1,600       1,993       1,784       2,270       2,925       2,488       1,473  
Provision for income taxes
    378       616       767       470       713       1,053       905       535  
                                                                 
Net income
  $ 603     $ 984     $ 1,226     $ 1,314     $ 1,557     $ 1,872     $ 1,583     $ 938  
                                                                 
Net income per common share — basic
  $ 0.04     $ 0.07     $ 0.09     $ 0.09     $ 0.11     $ 0.13     $ 0.11     $ 0.07  
Net income per common share — diluted
    0.04       0.07       0.09       0.09       0.11       0.13       0.11       0.07  
Dividends declared per common share
          0.05       0.05       0.05             0.05       0.05       0.10  


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Exposure to Credit Losses
 
The amounts in the table below represent the balance of delinquent receivables on an exposure basis for all leases, rental contracts and service contracts in our portfolio as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. An exposure basis aging classifies the entire receivable based on the invoice that is the most delinquent. For example, in the case of a rental or service contract, if a receivable is 90 days past due, all amounts billed and unpaid are placed in the over 90 days past due category. In the case of lease receivables, where the minimum contractual obligation of the lessee is booked as a receivable at the inception of the lease, if a receivable is 90 days past due, the entire receivable, including all amounts billed and unpaid as well as the minimum contractual obligation yet to be billed, will be placed in the over 90 days past due category.
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Current
  $ 140,000       79.7 %   $ 110,423       77.3 %   $ 75,528       81.8 %
31-60 days past due
    6,233       3.6       6,941       4.8       4,565       5.0  
61-90 days past due
    5,336       3.0       5,079       3.6       3,016       3.2  
Over 90 days past due
    24,046       13.7       20,438       14.3       9,205       10.0  
                                                 
Receivables due in installments
  $ 175,615       100.0 %   $ 142,881       100.0 %   $ 92,314       100.0 %
                                                 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
Our lease and finance business is capital-intensive and requires access to substantial short-term and long-term credit to fund lease originations. Since our inception, we have funded our operations primarily through borrowings under our credit facilities, on-balance sheet securitizations, the issuance of subordinated debt, free cash flow and the proceeds from our initial public offering completed in February 1999. We will continue to require significant additional capital to maintain and expand our funding of leases and contracts, as well as to fund any future acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios. In the near term, we expect to finance our business utilizing cash from operations, cash on hand and our revolving line of credit which matures in August 2010. Additionally, our uses of cash include the payment of interest and principal on borrowings, selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes, payment of dividends, and capital expenditures.
 
We generated cash flow from operations of $57.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, $43.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and $30.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Net cash used in investing activities was $78.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, $69.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $55.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Investing activities primarily relate to the origination of leases with investments in lease contracts, direct costs, property, and equipment.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Financing activities includes borrowings from and repayments on our various financing sources. During 2009 we borrowed $91.1 million and repaid $72.6 million. During 2008 we borrowed $87.5 million and repaid $60.7 million. During 2007 we borrowed $11.7 million and repaid $5.1 million. In addition, we paid dividends of $2.8 million in each of 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
The maturity date of our revolving line of credit is August 2, 2010, at which time the outstanding loan balance plus interest becomes due and payable. It is our intention to renew the current credit facility or replace it with a new facility from another financing source under similar terms and conditions prior to the scheduled maturity date. A failure to renew or replace the revolving credit facility under similar terms and conditions would significantly impact our ability to originate new lease transactions and manage our operations. We can provide no assurance in our ability to renew or to replace this line under similar terms and conditions.


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Borrowings
 
We utilize our revolving line of credit to fund the origination and acquisition of leases. Borrowings outstanding under our revolving line of credit consist of the following:
 
                                                                 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
                      Maximum
                      Maximum
 
    Amounts
    Interest
    Unused
    Facility
    Amounts
    Interest
    Unused
    Facility
 
    Outstanding     Rate     Capacity     Amount     Outstanding     Rate     Capacity     Amount  
    (Dollars in 000)  
 
Revolving credit facility(1)
  $ 51,906       5.00 %   $ 33,094     $ 85,000     $ 33,325       3.25 %   $ 26,675     $ 60,000  
                                                                 
 
 
(1) The unused capacity is subject to limitations based on lease eligibility and the borrowing base formula.
 
On August 2, 2007, we entered into a new three-year $30 million revolving line of credit with Sovereign based on qualified lease receivables. On July 9, 2008 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $60 million. On February 10, 2009 we entered into an amended agreement to increase the line of credit to $85 million. The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible lease contracts and a security interest in all of our other assets. Until the February 2009 amendment, outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime or the 90-day LIBOR plus 2.75%. Following the amendment, outstanding borrowings bear interest at Prime plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%, subject in each case to a minimum interest rate of 5%. At December 31, 2009 all of our loans were Prime Rate Loans. The interest rate on the revolving line of credit was 5.00% at December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2009 the qualified lease receivables eligible under the borrowing base exceeded the $85 million revolving line of credit. The revolving line of credit has financial covenants that we must comply with to obtain funding and avoid an event of default. As of December 31, 2009, we believe that we were in compliance with all covenants under the revolving line of credit.
 
Prior to obtaining the Sovereign revolving line of credit, on September 29, 2004, we entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT under which we could borrow a maximum of $30 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime plus 1.5% or at the 90-day LIBOR plus 4.0%. The Prime at December 31, 2006 was 8.25%. The 90-day LIBOR rate at December 31, 2006 was 5.36%. As of December 31, 2006, the interest rate on the CIT line of credit was 9.75%, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the CIT credit facility. On July 20, 2007, by mutual agreement between CIT and us, we paid off and terminated the CIT line of credit without penalty.
 
Financial Covenants
 
Our Sovereign revolving line of credit, like our prior facilities, has financial covenants that we must comply with in order to obtain funding through the facility and to avoid an event of default. These include requirements that we (i) maintain a ratio of our consolidated net earnings before interest, taxes and non-recurring non-cash items, as calculated under the agreement, to our consolidated interest expense of not less than 2:1 as of the end of any fiscal quarter; (ii) maintain consolidated tangible capital base (defined to mean our consolidated tangible net worth, as calculated under the agreement, plus subordinated debt) at minimum levels, which are increased from quarter to quarter in relation to our net income and any equity capital we receive; (iii) maintain a leverage ratio (defined to mean the ratio of consolidated total liabilities, less subordinated debt, to consolidated tangible net worth, plus subordinated debt) of 3.75:1 during fiscal 2009 and 4:1 during 2010; and (iv) not permit the amount of receivables over 90 days past due to exceed 18.75% of gross lease installments. The revolving line of credit also contains other affirmative and negative covenants, including a restriction on our ability to incur or guaranty indebtedness, dispose of or acquire assets or engage in a merger transaction, or make certain restricted payments. As of December 31, 2009, we believe that we were in compliance with all covenants in our borrowing relationships.


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Contractual Obligations and Lease Commitments
 
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations at December 31, 2009 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):
 
                                         
          Payments Due
    Payments
    Payments
    Payments
 
          Less than
    Due
    Due
    Due After
 
Contractual Obligations
  Total     1 Year     1-3 Years     4-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Revolving line of credit
  $ 51,906     $ 51,906     $     $     $  
Operating lease obligations
    237       237                    
Capital lease obligations
    96       70       26              
                                         
Total
  $ 52,239     $ 52,213     $ 26     $ 0     $ 0  
                                         
 
Contractual Obligations
 
We have entered into various agreements, such as debt and operating lease agreements that require future payments. During the year ended December 31, 2009 we had net borrowings of $18.6 million against our revolving line of credit. The $51.9 million of outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2009 will be repaid by the daily application of TimePayment receipts to our outstanding balance. Our future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases are $237,000 annually for the year 2010. Our future minimum lease payments under capital leases are $70,000, $25,000 and $1,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.
 
Lease Commitments
 
We accept lease applications on daily basis and have a pipeline of applications that have been approved, where a lease has not been originated. Our commitment to lend does not become binding until all of the steps in the lease origination process have been completed, including but not limited to the receipt of a complete and accurate lease document, all required supporting information and successful verification with the lessee. Since we fund on the same day a lease is successfully verified, we have no firm outstanding commitments to lend.
 
Market Risk and Financial Instruments
 
The following discussion about our risk management activities includes forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the normal course of operations, we also face risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include credit risk and legal risk, and are not represented in the analysis that follows.
 
The implicit yield on all of our leases and contracts is on a fixed interest rate basis due to the leases and contracts having scheduled payments that are fixed at the time of origination. When we originate or acquire leases or contracts, we base our pricing in part on the spread we expect to achieve between the implicit yield on each lease or contract and the effective interest rate we expect to incur in financing such lease or contract through our credit facility. Increases in interest rates during the term of each lease or contract could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread.
 
Given the relatively short average life of our leases and contracts, our goal is to maintain a blend of fixed and variable interest rate obligations which limits our interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2009, we have repaid all of our fixed-rate debt and have $51.9 million of outstanding variable interest rate obligations under our Sovereign revolving line of credit.
 
Our Sovereign line of credit bears interest at rates which fluctuate with changes in the Prime or the LIBOR; therefore, our interest expense is sensitive to changes in market interest rates. The effect of a 10% adverse change in market interest rates, sustained for one year, on our interest expense would be immaterial.
 
We maintain an investment portfolio in accordance with our investment policy guidelines. The primary objectives of the investment guidelines are to preserve capital, maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our operating needs, and to maximize return. We minimize investment risk by limiting the amount invested in any single security and by focusing on conservative investment choices with short terms and high credit quality standards. We do not


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use derivative financial instruments or invest for speculative trading purposes. Investment activity in 2009 was very limited given the lack of cash on hand to invest and the relatively low investment rates being offered.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” which was codified into FASB ASC 105-10-65. This topic established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by non governmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Following this statement, the Board will not issue new standards in the forms of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead it will issue Accounting Standards Updates. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-6-1,“Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities”, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard was subsequently codified into FASB ASC Topic 260 Earning Per Share. ASC Topic 260 clarifies that unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in computation of EPS pursuant to the two class method. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 260 (EITF 03-6-1) did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued EITF 07-05, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”, which was codified into FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This topic addresses the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. If an instrument (or an embedded feature) that has the characteristics of a derivative instrument under the relative paragraphs of FASB ASC 815 is indexed to an entity’s own stock, it is still necessary to evaluate whether it is classified in stockholders’ equity (or would be classified in stockholders’ equity if it were a freestanding instrument). The guidance in this topic shall be applied to outstanding instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which this Issue is initially applied. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle shall be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that fiscal year, presented separately. However, in circumstances in which a previously bifurcated embedded conversion option in a convertible debt instrument no longer meets the bifurcation criteria in FASB ASC Topic 815 at initial application of this topic, the carrying amount of the liability for the conversion option (that is, its fair value on the date of adoption) shall be reclassified to shareholders’ equity. Any debt discount that was recognized when the conversion option was initially bifurcated from the convertible debt instrument shall continue to be amortized. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 815 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Effective March 31, 2009, we have early adopted FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments — an amendment to FASB Statement No. 107 (FAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28 (APB 28) which were codified into ASC Topics 825 Financial Instruments and 270 Interim Reporting. The FSP amends FAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This also amends APB 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 825 and ASC Topic 270 has been included in the disclosures in this Form 10-K and previously filed 10-Q’s.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” which provides further clarification for guidance provided regarding measurement of fair values of assets and liabilities


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when the market activity has significantly decreased and in identifying transactions that are not orderly. This was codified into ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements. The adoption of the content of this ASC topic did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 , “Recognition and Presentation of Other-than-Temporary Impairments” which was codified into ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities This topic amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This ASC does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than- temporary impairments of equity securities. The adoption of this ASC topic did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-5, which content has been included in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value, which provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using a valuation technique. The guidance provided in this update is effective for the first reporting period beginning after issuance. Management is currently evaluating the content of ASC Topic 820 to determine if it will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial statements.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”) which was codified into FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events. This topic establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Statement is effective for interim and annual fiscal periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of this standard and has concluded it has no material effect on our financial position or results of operations. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09 to further amend the Subsequent Events Topic of the FASB. ASU 2010-09 removed the requirement for an entity that is an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. We have evaluated events and transactions that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the issuance date of these financial statements to determine if financial statement recognition or additional disclosure is required.
 
In January 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures as follows: 1 — Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entry should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. 2 — Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating update No. 2010-06 to determine if it will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial statements.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
See Item 7, under the caption Market Risk and Financial Instruments.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
Our Financial Statements, together with the related report of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, appear on pages F-1 through F-23 of this Form 10-K.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable.


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Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure controls and procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. Based upon the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our executive officers and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our executive officers, we assessed as of December 31, 2009, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment was based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment using those criteria, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 was effective.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
 
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, no changes were made in our internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
Not applicable.


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PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information appearing in our proxy statement for the 2010 Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2010 (the “2010 Proxy Statement”) under the headings, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Governance of the Corporation” and “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors,” included in our proxy statement for the 2010 Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 30, 2010, is hereby incorporated by reference. The information under the heading “Executive Officers” in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is also incorporated by reference in this item.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information appearing in our 2010 Proxy Statement under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation of Executive Officers” and “Compensation of Directors” is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information appearing in our 2010 Proxy Statement under the heading, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management”, is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2009, relating to our equity compensation plans pursuant to which grants of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other rights to acquire shares may be granted from time to time.
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
                         
    Number of
             
    Securities
             
    to be Issued
    Weighted-Average
    Future Issuance
 
    Upon Exercise
    Exercise Price of
    Under Equity
 
    of Outstanding
    Outstanding
    Compensation Plans
 
    Options,
    Options,
    (Excluding Securities
 
    Warrants
    Warrants and
    Reflected in
 
Plan Category
  and Rights     Rights(2)     Column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
    1,258,028     $ 6.38       579,479  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
Total
    1,258,028     $ 6.38       579,479  
 
 
(1) Includes our 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (which was approved by stockholders at the 2001 special meeting of stockholders in lieu of annual meeting) and our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (which was approved by our stockholders at the 2008 special meeting of stockholders in lieu of annual meeting). The number of securities available for future issuance will be reduced by three for each share of restricted stock or other “full share” award made to an employee of the Company, and by one for any option granted or for any award made to non-employee directors, under the terms of our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
 
(2) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options; excludes restricted stock.


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Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
 
The information appearing in our 2010 Proxy Statement under the headings “Governance of the Corporation — Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” and “— Determination of Director Independence” is hereby incorporated by reference.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information appearing in our 2010 Proxy Statement under the heading “Proposal 2 — Ratification of the Selection of MicroFinancial’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” is hereby incorporated by reference.


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PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
  (a) (1)  Financial Statements
 
Our Financial Statements, together with the related report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, appear at pages F-1 through F-23 of this Form 10-K
 
(2) None
 
(3) Exhibits Index
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  3 .1   Restated Articles of Organization, as amended. Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit with the same exhibit number in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 1998.
  3 .2   Restated Bylaws, as amended. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2007.
  10 .1   Warrant Purchase Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among the Company, Fleet National Bank, as agent, and the other Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003.
  10 .2   Form of Warrants to purchase Common Stock of the Company issued April 14, 2003. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003.
  10 .3   Co-Sale Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among the Company, Peter R. Bleyleben, Torrence C. Harder, Brian E. Boyle, Richard F. Latour, Alan J. Zakon, and James R. Jackson, Jr., and the Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003.
  10 .4   Registration Rights Agreement dated April 14, 2003 among the Company and the Lenders named therein. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2003.
  10 .5.1   Commercial Lease, dated November 3, 1998, between Cummings Properties Management, Inc. and MicroFinancial Incorporated. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 in the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 1999.
  10 .5.2   Amendment to Lease #1, dated November 3, 1998, between Cummings Properties Management, Inc. and MicroFinancial Incorporated. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 in the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 1999.
  10 .5.3   Lease Extension for the facility at 10-M Commerce Way, Woburn, MA dated September 16, 2003 among MicroFinancial Incorporated and Cummings Properties, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003.
  10 .5.4   Lease Extension #2 for the facility at 10-M Commerce Way, Woburn, MA dated July 15, 2005 among MicroFinancial Incorporated and Cummings Properties, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005.
  10 .6.1*   1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 in the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration Statement No. 333-56639) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 1999.
  10 .6.2*   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement grant under 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  10 .6.3*   Form of incentive stock option agreement under 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6.3 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2007.
  10 .6.4*   Form of non-qualified stock option agreement under 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6.4 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2007.
  10 .6.5*   MicroFinancial Incorporated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2008.
  10 .6.6†   Form of restricted stock unit (RSU) agreement under the MicroFinancial Incorporated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.
  10 .7*   Compensatory Arrangements for Non-Employee Directors. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .8.1*   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard F. Latour dated March 15, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2007.
  10 .8.2*   Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard F. Latour dated December 24, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8.2 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .9.1*   Employment Agreement between the Company and James R. Jackson, Jr. dated May 4, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005.
  10 .9.2*   Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and James R. Jackson dated December 24, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9.2 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .10.1*   Employment Agreement between the Company and Stephen Constantino dated May 4, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005.
  10 .10.2*   Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Stephen Constantino dated December 24, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10.2 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .11.1*   Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven LaCreta dated May 4, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005.
  10 .11.2*   Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Steven LaCreta dated December 24, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11.2 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .12   Registration Rights Agreement dated June 10, 2004 by and among MicroFinancial Incorporated, Acorn Capital Group, LLC and Ampac Capital Solutions, LLC. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2004.
  10 .13   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 29, 2004, by and between MicroFinancial Incorporated and The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc., as Holder. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2004.
  10 .14.1   Credit Agreement dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.2   Unlimited Guaranty of Registrant dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.3   Unlimited Guaranty of Leasecomm dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  10 .14.4   Security Agreement between Borrower and Agent dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.5   Security Agreement between Registrant and Agent dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.6   Security Agreement between Leasecomm and Agent dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.7   Trademark Security Agreement and License dated August 2, 2007 by Borrower. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.8   Trademark Security Agreement and License dated August 2, 2007 by Registrant. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.9   Trademark Security Agreement and License dated August 2, 2007 by Leasecomm. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.10   Pledge Agreement of Registrant dated August 2, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2007.
  10 .14.11   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 9, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2008.
  10 .14.12   Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2009)
  10 .14.13   Additional Lender Supplement dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2009.
  10 .14.14   Commitment Increase Supplement dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2009.
  10 .14.15   Sovereign Note dated July 9, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .14.16   TD Banknorth Note dated July 9, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .14.17   Commerce Bank & Trust Company Note dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .14.18   Danversbank Note dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  10 .14.19   Wells Fargo Bank Note dated February 10, 2009. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14.15 in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009.
  21 .1†   Subsidiaries of Registrant
  23 .1†   Consent of Caturano and Company, P.C.
  31 .1†   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31 .2†   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32 .1†   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32 .2†   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Filed herewith.
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14(c) of this Report.
 
(b) See (a) (3) above.
 
(c) None.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Microfinancial Incorporated
 
  By: 
/s/  Richard F. Latour
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
  By: 
/s/  James R. Jackson Jr.
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: March 31, 2010
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
/s/  Peter R. Bleyleben

Peter R. Bleyleben
  Chairman of the Board of Directors   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  Richard F. Latour

Richard F. Latour
  President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer, Clerk, Secretary and Director   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  James R. Jackson Jr.

James R. Jackson Jr.
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  Brian E. Boyle

Brian E. Boyle
  Director   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  John W. Everets

John W. Everets
  Director   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  Torrence C. Harder

Torrence C. Harder
  Director   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  Fritz Von Mering

Fritz Von Mering
  Director   March 31, 2010
         
/s/  Alan J. Zakon

Alan J. Zakon
  Director   March 31, 2010


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
MicroFinancial Incorporated:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MicroFinancial Incorporated and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company was not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
/s/  Caturano and Company, P.C.
 
Boston, MA
March 31, 2010


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands,
 
    except share
 
    and per share data)  
 
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 391     $ 5,047  
Restricted cash
    834       528  
Net investment in leases:
               
Receivables due in installments
    175,615       142,881  
Estimated residual value
    19,014       15,257  
Initial direct costs
    1,509       1,211  
Less:
               
Advance lease payments and deposits
    (2,411 )     (982 )
Unearned income
    (55,821 )     (49,384 )
Allowance for credit losses
    (13,856 )     (11,722 )
                 
Net investment in leases
    124,050       97,261  
Investment in service contracts, net
          32  
Investment in rental contracts, net
    379       240  
Property and equipment, net
    699       759  
Other assets
    744       983  
                 
Total assets
  $ 127,097     $ 104,850  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Revolving line of credit
  $ 51,906     $ 33,325  
Accounts payable
    2,011       1,648  
Capital lease obligation
    93       125  
Dividends payable
          702  
Other liabilities
    1,250       1,308  
Income taxes payable
    209       8  
Deferred income taxes
    4,863       3,396  
                 
Total liabilities
    60,332       40,512  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note H)
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued at December 31, 2009 and 2008
           
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 14,174,326 and 14,038,257 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    142       140  
Additional paid-in capital
    46,197       45,774  
Retained earnings
    20,426       18,424  
Total stockholders’ equity
    66,765       64,338  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 127,097     $ 104,850  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Revenues:
                       
Income on financing leases
  $ 29,415     $ 23,095     $ 12,302  
Rental income
    8,584       9,829       13,612  
Income on service contracts
    676       925       1,271  
Loss and damage waiver fees
    4,136       3,236       2,033  
Service fees and other
    3,340       2,300       1,576  
Interest income
    14       140       877  
                         
Total revenues
    46,165       39,525       31,671  
                         
Expenses:
                       
Selling, general and administrative
    13,371       13,060       12,824  
Provision for credit losses
    22,039       15,313       7,855  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,628       976       1,344  
Interest
    2,769       1,020       143  
                         
Total expenses
    39,807       30,369       22,166  
                         
Income before provision for income taxes
    6,358       9,156       9,505  
Provision for income taxes
    2,231       3,206       3,303  
                         
Net income
  $ 4,127     $ 5,950     $ 6,202  
                         
Net income per common share — basic
  $ 0.29     $ 0.42     $ 0.45  
                         
Net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.42     $ 0.44  
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    14,147,436       14,002,045       13,922,974  
                         
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    14,261,644       14,204,105       14,149,634  
                         
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ 0.20  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
 
                                         
                Additional
          Total
 
    Common Stock     Paid-in
    Retained
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Equity  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Balance at December 31, 2006
    13,811,442     $ 138     $ 44,136     $ 11,862     $ 56,136  
Warrant exercises
    125,000       1       319             320  
Purchase and retirement of shares
    (75,000 )     (1 )     (398 )           (399 )
Stock issued for deferred compensation
    77,654       2       307             309  
Restricted stock granted
    11,682             72             72  
Stock-based compensation
                12             12  
Amortization of unearned compensation
    10,000             32             32  
Conversion of share-based liability awards to equity awards
                932             932  
Common stock dividends ($0.20 per share)
                      (2,788 )     (2,788 )
Net income
                      6,202       6,202  
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2007
    13,960,778       140       45,412       15,276       60,828  
Stock options exercised
    17,500             28             28  
Stock issued for deferred compensation
    53,729             241             241  
Stock-based compensation
                74             74  
Amortization of unearned compensation
    6,250             19             19  
Common stock dividends ($0.20 per share)
                      (2,802 )     (2,802 )
Net income
                      5,950       5,950  
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    14,038,257       140       45,774       18,424       64,338  
Stock issued for deferred compensation
    131,069       2       336             338  
Stock-based compensation
                73             73  
Amortization of unearned compensation
    5,000             14             14  
Common stock dividends ($0.15 per share)
                      (2,125 )     (2,125 )
Net income
                      4,127       4,127  
                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    14,174,326     $ 142     $ 46,197     $ 20,426     $ 66,765  
                                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Cash received from customers
  $ 76,022     $ 59,330     $ 42,553  
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
    (15,290 )     (14,564 )     (12,653 )
Cash paid for income taxes
    (563 )     (576 )     (230 )
Interest paid
    (2,286 )     (1,020 )     (107 )
Interest received
    14       140       877  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    57,897       43,310       30,440  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Investment in lease contracts
    (76,306 )     (68,007 )     (54,035 )
Investment in direct costs
    (1,294 )     (1,156 )     (761 )
Investment in property and equipment
    (369 )     (360 )     (407 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (77,969 )     (69,523 )     (55,203 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from secured debt
    91,146       87,541       11,685  
Repayment of secured debt
    (72,565 )     (60,747 )     (5,159 )
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
    (306 )     33       (561 )
Proceeds from capital leases obligations
    31       163        
Repayment of capital leases
    (63 )     (38 )      
Proceeds from exercise of common stock warrants
                41  
Purchase and retirement of common stock warrants
                (120 )
Proceeds from the sale of capital stock
          28        
Payment of dividends
    (2,827 )     (2,800 )     (2,780 )
                         
Net cash provided by financing activities
    15,416       24,180       3,106  
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,656 )     (2,033 )     (21,657 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
    5,047       7,080       28,737  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, ending
  $ 391     $ 5,047     $ 7,080  
                         
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activitites:
                       
Net income
    4,127       5,950       6,202  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Amortization of unearned income, net of initial direct costs
    (29,415 )     (23,095 )     (12,302 )
Depreciation and amortization
    1,628       976       1,344  
Provision for credit losses
    22,039       15,313       7,855  
Recovery of equipment cost and residual value
    56,881       40,549       22,909  
Stock-based compensation expense
    425       334       549  
Non-cash interest expense
                37  
Increase in deferred income taxes liability
    1,467       2,850       3,636  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                       
Income taxes payable
    201       (220 )     (513 )
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    239       (280 )     (87 )
Increase in accounts payable
    363       426       691  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    (58 )     507       119  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 57,897     $ 43,310     $ 30,440  
                         
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
                       
Fair value of stock issued for compensation
  $ 338     $ 241     $ 381  
Conversion of share-based liability awards to equity awards
                932  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
A.   Nature of Business
 
MicroFinancial Incorporated (referred to as “MicroFinancial,” “we,” “us” or “our”) operates primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TimePayment Corp. and Leasecomm Corporation. TimePayment is a specialized commercial finance company that leases and rents “microticket” equipment and provides other financing services. The average amount financed by TimePayment during 2009 was approximately $5,500 while Leasecomm historically financed contracts of approximately $1,900. We primarily source our originations through a nationwide network of independent equipment vendors, sales organizations and other dealer-based origination networks. We fund our operations through cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our line of credit.
 
B.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MicroFinancial and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We operate in one principal business segment, the leasing and renting of equipment and other financing services.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates are revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, share-based payments and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of less than three months to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of overnight investments, collateralized repurchase agreements, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and US government and agency securities. As of December 31, 2009, our cash equivalents consisted of overnight investments.
 
Restricted Cash
 
Our line of credit requires that all TimePayment cash receipts be deposited into a cash collateral account held by Sovereign Bank. These funds are applied directly to amounts outstanding under the line of credit as they clear. Those funds which are pending clearance and application against the line of credit are deemed to be restricted
 
Leases and Revenue Recognition
 
Our lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, we record the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Amortization of unearned lease income and initial direct costs is suspended if, in our opinion, full payment of the contractual amount due under the lease agreement is doubtful. In conjunction with the origination of leases, we may retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon termination of the lease. The value of such interest is estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically for impairment. At the end of the lease term, the lessee has the option to buy the equipment at the fair market value, return the equipment or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the lessee continues to rent the


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
equipment, we record our investment in the rental contract at its estimated residual value. Rental revenue and depreciation are recognized based on the methodology described below. Other revenues such as loss and damage waiver fees and service fees relating to the leases and contracts are recognized as they are earned.
 
Allowance for Credit Losses
 
We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our investment in leases, service contracts and rental contracts at an amount that we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses on our portfolio. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, the business does not warrant the creation of a formal credit review committee to review individual transactions. As a result of approving a wide range of credits, we experience a relatively high level of delinquency and write-offs in our portfolio. We periodically review the credit scoring and approval process to ensure that the automated system is making appropriate credit decisions. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, we do not evaluate transactions individually for the purpose of determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Contracts in our portfolio are not re-graded subsequent to the initial extension of credit and the allowance is not allocated to specific contracts. Rather, we view the contracts as having common characteristics and we maintain a general allowance against our entire portfolio utilizing historical collection statistics and an assessment of current credit risk in the portfolio as the basis for the amount.
 
We have adopted a consistent, systematic procedure for establishing and maintaining an appropriate allowance for credit losses for our microticket transactions. We estimate the likelihood of credit losses net of recoveries in the portfolio at each reporting period based upon a combination of the lessee’s bureau reported credit score at lease inception and the current delinquency status of the account. In addition to these elements, we also consider other relevant factors including general economic trends, trends in delinquencies and credit losses, static pool analysis of our portfolio, trends in recoveries made on charged off accounts, and other relevant factors which might affect the performance of our portfolio. This combination of historical experience, credit scores, delinquency levels, trends in credit losses, and the review of current factors provide the basis for our analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. We take charge-offs against our receivables when such receivables are deemed uncollectible. In general, a receivable is deemed uncollectible when it is 360 days past due where no contact has been made with the lessee for 12 months or, if earlier, when other adverse events occur with respect to an account. Historically, the typical monthly payment under our microticket leases has been small and as a result, our experience is that lessees will pay past due amounts later in the process because of the small amount necessary to bring an account current.
 
Investment in Service Contracts
 
Our investments in cancelable service contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the contract. Income on service contracts from monthly billings is recognized as the related services are provided.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our investment in service contracts consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Investment in service contracts
  $ 1,350     $ 1,819  
Less accumulated amortization
    (1,350 )     (1,787 )
                 
Investment in service contracts, net
  $     $ 32  
                 
 
Amortization expense on service contracts totaled $29,000, $178,000 and $369,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income. We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of our investment in service contracts.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Investment in Rental Contracts
 
Our investment in rental contracts is either recorded at estimated residual value for converted leases and depreciated using the straight-line method over a period of twelve months or at the acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method over an estimated life of three years. Rental equipment consists of low-priced commercial equipment, including point-of-sale authorization systems and a wide variety of other equipment with similar characteristics.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our investment in rental contracts consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Investment in rental contracts
  $ 3,262     $ 4,020  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (2,883 )     (3,780 )
                 
Investment in rental contracts, net
  $ 379     $ 240  
                 
 
Depreciation expense on rental contracts totaled $1,170,000, $415,000 and $695,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income. We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the investment in rental contracts.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Office and computer equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated lives of three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated life of the improvement. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
For financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable, and other liabilities, we believe that the carrying amount approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the revolving line of credit is calculated based on the incremental borrowing rates currently available on loans with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of our revolving line of credit at December 31, 2009 approximates its carrying value.
 
Debt Issue Costs
 
Costs incurred in securing financing are capitalized in other assets and amortized over the term of the financing. We incurred amortization expense of $482,391, $195,000, and $345,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes. FASB ASC 740 prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value.


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
FASB ASC Topic 740-10 clarifies the accounting for income taxes, by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement and classification of amounts relating to uncertain tax positions, accounting for and disclosure of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition relating to the adoption of the new accounting standard.
 
Net Income Per Common Share
 
Basic net income per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net income per share does not assume the issuance of common shares that have an antidilutive effect on net income per common share. At December 31, 2009, 849,305 options were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their effect was antidilutive. At December 31, 2008, 1,292,067 options were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their effect was antidilutive. At December 31, 2007, 1,115,118 options were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect was antidilutive.
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Net income
  $ 4,127     $ 5,950     $ 6,202  
                         
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in computation of net income per share — basic
    14,147,436       14,002,045       13,922,974  
Dilutive effect of options, warrants and restricted stock
    114,208       202,060       226,660  
                         
Shares used in computation of net income per common share — assuming dilution
    14,261,644       14,204,105       14,149,634  
                         
Net income per common share — basic
  $ 0.29     $ 0.42     $ 0.45  
                         
Net income per common share — diluted
  $ 0.29     $ 0.42     $ 0.44  
                         
 
Stock-Based Employee Compensation
 
We have adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB, ASC Topic 718 Compensation — Stock Compensation (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, (“SFAS”) No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment.) FASB, ASC Topic 718 requires us to recognize the compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions with employees in the financial statements. The compensation cost is measured based upon the fair value of the instrument issued. Share-based compensation transactions with employees covered by FASB ASC Topic 718 include share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. Under the modified prospective method of adoption, compensation cost was recognized beginning with the year ended December 31, 2005 for stock based compensation. The modified prospective application transition method requires the application of this standard to:
 
  •  All new awards issued after the effective date;
 
  •  All modifications, repurchases or cancellations of existing awards after the effective date; and
 
  •  Unvested awards at the effective date.


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
For unvested awards, the compensation cost related to the remaining required service period that was not rendered upon the adoption date was determined based on the compensation cost calculated for either recognition or pro forma disclosure under FASB ASC Topic 718.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” which was codified into FASB ASC 105-10-65. This topic established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by non governmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. Following this statement, the Board will not issue new standards in the forms of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead it will issue Accounting Standards Updates. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 03-6-1,“Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities”, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. This standard was subsequently codified into FASB ASC Topic 260 Earning Per Share. ASC Topic 260 clarifies that unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in computation of EPS pursuant to the two class method. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 260 (EITF 03-6-1) did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In June 2008, the FASB issued EITF 07-05, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock”, which was codified into FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This topic addresses the determination of whether an instrument (or an embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. If an instrument (or an embedded feature) that has the characteristics of a derivative instrument under the relative paragraphs of FASB ASC Topic 815 is indexed to an entity’s own stock, it is still necessary to evaluate whether it is classified in stockholders’ equity (or would be classified in stockholders’ equity if it were a freestanding instrument). The guidance in this topic shall be applied to outstanding instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which this Issue is initially applied. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle shall be recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings (or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position) for that fiscal year, presented separately. However, in circumstances in which a previously bifurcated embedded conversion option in a convertible debt instrument no longer meets the bifurcation criteria in FASB ASC Topic 815 at initial application of this topic, the carrying amount of the liability for the conversion option (that is, its fair value on the date of adoption) shall be reclassified to shareholders’ equity. Any debt discount that was recognized when the conversion option was initially bifurcated from the convertible debt instrument shall continue to be amortized. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 815 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Effective March 31, 2009, we have early adopted FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments — an amendment to FASB Statement No. 107 (FAS 107) and APB Opinion No. 28 (APB 28) which were codified into ASC Topics 825, Financial Instruments and 270, Interim Reporting. The FSP amends FAS 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This also amends APB 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The adoption of the content of ASC Topic 825 and ASC Topic 270 has been included in the disclosures in this Form 10-K and previously filed 10-Q’s.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” which provides further clarification for guidance provided regarding measurement of fair values of assets and liabilities when the market activity has significantly decreased and in identifying transactions that are not orderly. This was codified into ASC Topic 820 Fair Value Measurements. The adoption of the content of ASC topic did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-than-Temporary Impairments” which was codified into ASC Topic 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities. This topic amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This ASC does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than- temporary impairments of equity securities. The adoption of this ASC topic did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
In August 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-5, which content has been included in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value, which provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using a valuation technique. The guidance provided in this update is effective for the first reporting period beginning after issuance. Management is currently evaluating the content of ASC Topic 820 to determine if it will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial statements.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”) which was codified into FASB ASC 855, Subsequent Events. This topic establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The Statement is effective for interim and annual fiscal periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company has evaluated the effect of the adoption of this standard and has concluded it has no material effect on our financial position or results of operations. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09 to further amend the Subsequent Events Topic of the FASB. ASU 2010-09 removed the requirement for an entity that is an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. We have evaluated events and transactions that have occurred after the balance sheet date through the issuance date of these financial statements to determine if financial statement recognition or additional disclosure is required.
 
In January 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that require new disclosures as follows: 1 — Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entry should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. 2 — Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating update No. 2010-06 to determine if it will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial statements.


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
C.   Net Investment in Leases
 
At December 31, 2009, future minimum payments due on our lease receivables are as follows:
 
         
Year Ending December 31,
     
 
2010
  $ 77,966  
2011
    51,676  
2012
    30,227  
2013
    12,536  
2014
    3,210  
         
Total
  $ 175,615  
         
 
At December 31, 2009, the weighted-average remaining life of the leases in our portfolio is approximately 33 months and the weighted-average implicit rate of interest is approximately 27.5%.
 
A summary of the activity in our allowance for credit losses is as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Allowance for credit losses, beginning
  $ 11,722     $ 5,722     $ 5,223  
Provision for credit losses
    22,039       15,313       7,855  
Charge-offs
    (24,181 )     (13,641 )     (12,119 )
Recoveries
    4,276       4,328       4,763  
                         
Allowance for credit losses, ending
  $ 13,856     $ 11,722     $ 5,722  
                         
 
A summary of the changes in estimated residual value is as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Estimated residual value, beginning
  $ 15,257     $ 9,814     $ 3,859  
Lease originations
    8,747       8,221       7,145  
Terminations
    (4,990 )     (2,778 )     (1,190 )
                         
Estimated residual value, ending
  $ 19,014     $ 15,257     $ 9,814  
                         
 
Originations represent the residual value capitalized upon origination of leases and terminations represent the residual value deducted upon the termination of a lease that (i) is bought out during or at the end of the lease term, (ii) has completed its original lease term and converted to an extended rental contract, (iii) has been charged off by us, or (iv) has been returned to us and recorded as inventory.


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
D.   Property and Equipment
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Computer equipment
  $ 4,136     $ 4,911  
Office equipment
    742       732  
Leasehold improvements
    263       263  
                 
Total
    5,141       5,906  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (4,442 )     (5,147 )
                 
Net
  $ 699     $ 759  
                 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment totaled $429,000, $383,000 and $280,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment, service contracts and rental contracts was $1,628,000, $976,000 and $1,344,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
E.   Notes Payable
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our notes payable consisted of the following:
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Revolving line of credit-Sovereign
  $ 51,906     $ 33,325  
                 
 
On August 2, 2007, we entered into a three-year $30 million revolving line of credit with Sovereign based on qualified TimePayment lease receivables. On July 9, 2008 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $60 million. On February 10, 2009 we entered into an amended agreement to increase our revolving line of credit with Sovereign to $85 million. The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010. Outstanding borrowings are collateralized by eligible lease contracts and a security interest in all of our other assets. Until the February 2009, amendment, outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime or at a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.75%. Following the amendment, outstanding borrowings bear interest at Prime plus 1.75% or LIBOR plus 3.75%, in each case subject to a minimum interest rate of 5%. Under the terms of the facility, loans are Prime Rate Loans, unless we elect LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically converts to a Prime Rate Loan.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008 all of our loans were Prime Rate Loans. The Prime Rate at December 31, 2009 was 3.25%. The amount available on our revolving line of credit at December 31, 2009 was $33,094,000. The revolving line of credit has financial covenants that we must comply with to obtain funding and avoid an event of default. As of December 31, 2009, we were in compliance with all covenants under the revolving line of credit.
 
The maturity date of the amended agreement is August 2, 2010, at which time the outstanding loan balance plus interest becomes due and payable. It is our intention to renew the current credit facility or replace it with a new facility from another financing source under similar terms and conditions prior to the scheduled maturity date. A failure to renew or replace the revolving credit facility under similar terms and conditions would significantly impact our ability to originate new lease transactions and manage our operations. We can provide no assurance in our ability to renew or to replace this line under similar terms and conditions, if at all.
 
Prior to obtaining the Sovereign revolving line of credit, on September 29, 2004, we entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT under which we could borrow a maximum of $30 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings bore interest at Prime plus 1.5% or at the 90-day LIBOR


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
plus 4.0%. On July 20, 2007, by mutual agreement between CIT and us, we paid off and terminated the CIT line of credit without penalty.
 
F.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
Warrants
 
On April 14, 2003, we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 268,199 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.825 per share. The warrants were issued to the lenders in connection with the waiver of the covenant defaults and the extension of our loan. The warrant holders have certain rights and privileges that provide them with anti-dilution protection in the event that the Company issues stock at a price below the warrants’ exercise price. During the year ended December 31, 2009 the Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (formerly: EITF 07-05, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock). The Company has determined that these warrants are considered indexed to the Company’s own stock and in accordance with ASC Topic 815 the warrants continue to be accounted for as a component of equity. Due to the anti-dilutive rights contained in the warrant agreement, on June 10, 2004, an additional 2,207 warrants were issued to the lenders and all of the warrants were re-priced to $0.815 per share. The warrants held by the lenders became 50% exercisable on June 30, 2004. Since all of our obligations to the lenders were paid in full prior to September 30, 2004, the remaining 50% of the warrants were automatically canceled. In September 2004 we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 490 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.815 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the cashless exercise of 24,736 warrants resulted in the issuance of 20,596 shares. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the cashless exercise of 17,668 warrants resulted in the issuance of 13,983 shares. The remaining 93,289 warrants expire on September 30, 2014. The $77,000 fair market value of the warrants as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was accounted for as additional paid in capital and was being amortized to interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2004, because the debt had been repaid in full, the entire $77,000 had been amortized to interest expense. The resulting effective interest rate on the senior credit facility was Prime plus 2.09%.
 
In connection with an $8 million line of credit, we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share which expired on June 10, 2007.
 
In connection with a $30 million line of credit on September 29, 2004, we issued warrants to CIT to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.825 per share which were exercised. The fair market value of the warrants, as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was accounted for as additional paid-in capital and debt issue costs. The resulting debt issue cost of $139,000 was being amortized to interest expense under the effective interest method. Non-cash interest expense was $37,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, these warrants were exercised by the warrant holder.
 
We also issued warrants to our financial advisor, in connection with the CIT line of credit, to purchase 75,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.704 per share which were exercised. The fair market value of the warrants, as determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, was accounted for as additional paid in capital and debt issue costs. The resulting debt issue cost of $131,000 was being amortized over the life of the CIT line of credit. Debt issue cost expense related to these warrants was $43,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, these warrants were exercised by the warrant holder and the shares were subsequently repurchased and retired by the Company.
 
Stock Options and Restricted Stock
 
The Microfinancial 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) permits the Compensation and Benefits Committee of our Board of Directors to grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, shares of common stock without restrictions, and any other right to receive payment from the corporation based in whole or in


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Table of Contents

 
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
part on the value of common stock. We reserved 1,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to the 2008 Plan. All employees and directors of the Corporation or any of its affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2008 Plan. For purposes of calculating the shares remaining for grant under the 2008 Plan, grants of stock options or stock appreciation rights to any participant will reduce that reserve by one share for each share subject to the option or the settled portion of the stock appreciation right. Grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and any other “full share” award will reduce the reserve by three shares for each share of common stock subject to the award, in the case of awards to employees, or by one share for each share of common stock subject to the award, in the case of awards to non-employee directors. Stock options under the 2008 Plan may be incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock options. The maximum cumulative number of shares available for grants of incentive stock options under the Plan is 1,000,000 shares. The committee determines the term of the option, including the amount, exercise price, vesting schedule and term, which may not exceed ten years. The per share exercise price of the option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date. No stock option granted to an employee under the 2008 Plan shall become fully vested within one year of grant date and no restricted stock or other awards made to an employee without any performance-based criteria other than the employee’s continued service will have a restricted period of less than one year. We may not in any fiscal year grant to any participant options or other awards covering more than 200,000 shares.
 
The 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) permits the Compensation and Benefits Committee of our Board of Directors to make various long-term incentive awards, generally equity-based, to eligible persons. We reserved 4,120,380 shares of our common stock for issuance pursuant to the 1998 Plan. Qualified stock options, which are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under the Internal Revenue Code, may be issued to employees at an exercise price per share not less than the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. Nonqualified stock options may be issued to our officers, employees and directors, as well as our consultants and agents, at an exercise price per share not less than fifty percent of the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting periods and expiration dates of the grants are determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. The option period term may not exceed ten years. The 1998 Plan expired in 2008 and was replaced by the 2008 Plan.
 
On February 4, 2004, a new non-employee director was granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $3.17 per share. On August 15, 2006, a second new non-employee director was granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $3.35 per share. In each case, the restricted stock vested 20% upon grant, and vests 5% on the first day of each quarter after the grant date. As vesting occurs, compensation expense is recognized. The following table summarizes non-employee directors’ restricted stock activity:
 
                 
    Number
    Amortized
 
    of
    Compensation
 
    Shares     Expense  
 
Non-vested at December 31, 2006
    25,000          
Granted
             
Vested
    (10,000 )   $ 32,000  
                 
Non-vested at December 31, 2007
    15,000          
Granted
             
Vested
    (6,250 )   $ 19,000  
                 
Non-vested at December 31, 2008
    8,750          
Granted
             
Vested
    (5,000 )   $ 14,000  
                 
Non-vested at December 31, 2009
    3,750          
                 


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
At December 31, 2009 there was approximately $10,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to directors’ non-vested restricted stock activity. That cost is expected to be recognized over the next year.
 
In February 2007, executive officers and directors were granted a total of 77,654 shares of stock with a fair value of $3.96 per share for services rendered during the year ended December 31, 2006. The total 2007 expense related to the grant of theses shares was $309,000 and these shares were fully vested on the date of issuance.
 
In February 2007, we granted ten year options to our executive officers to purchase 40,188 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.77 per share. The options vest on the fifth anniversary of their grant. The total 2007 expense related to these options was $12,000. The total 2008 expense related to these options was $16,000 while the total 2009 expense related to these options was $7,000
 
In July 2007, we granted our non-employee directors a total of 11,682 shares of stock with a fair value of $6.18 per share in accordance with our directors’ compensation policy. The total 2007 expense related to the grant of these shares was $72,000.
 
In February 2008, we granted 10 year options to our executive officers to purchase 176,879 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.85 per share. The options vest over five years beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. The total 2008 expense related to the grant was $58,000. The total 2009 expense related to these options was $39,000.
 
In February 2008, we granted our non-employee directors a total of 23,000 shares of stock with a fair value of $5.55 per share in accordance with our directors’ compensation policy. The total 2008 expense related to the grant of these shares was $127,000. These shares were fully vested on the date of issuance.
 
In July 2008, we granted our non-employee directors a total of 30,729 shares of stock with a fair value of $3.71 per share in accordance with our directors’ compensation policy. The total 2008 expense related to the grant of these shares was $114,000. These shares were fully vested on the date of issuance.
 
In February 2009, under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, we granted 10 year options to our executive officers to purchase 321,058 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $2.30 per share. The options vest over five years beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. The total 2009 expense related to these options was $27,000
 
In February 2009, we granted our non-employee directors a total of 100,435 shares of stock with a fair value of $2.30 per share in accordance with our directors’ compensation policy. The total 2009 expense related to the grant of these shares was $231,000. These shares were fully vested on the date of issuance.
 
In July 2009, we granted our non-employee directors a total of 30,634 shares of stock with a fair value of $3.46 per share in accordance with our directors’ compensation policy. The total 2009 expense related to the grant of these shares was $107,000. These shares were fully vested on the date of issuance.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, 400,000 options originally granted to members of the Board of Directors in February 1999 expired. In addition, 105,097 options granted to the former VP of Sales were forfeited upon his last date of employment in May 2009.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following summarizes stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
 
                     
              Weighted-
 
              Average
 
    Shares     Price Per Share   Exercise Price  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    1,242,500     $1.585 to $13.544   $ 9.189  
Granted
    40,188     $5.77   $ 5.77  
                     
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    1,282,688     $1.585 to $13.544   $ 9.08  
Granted
    176,879     $5.85   $ 5.85  
Exercised
    (17,500 )   $1.585   $ 1.585  
                     
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    1,442,067     $1.585 to $13.544   $ 8.78  
Granted
    321,058     $2.30   $ 2.30  
Expired
    (400,000 )   $12.31 to $13.544   $ 12.34  
Forfeited
    (105,097 )   $2.30 to $5.85   $ 3.74  
                     
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    1,258,028     $1.585 to 13.10   $ 6.38  
                     
 
The options granted prior to and including 2007 vest over five years based solely on service and are exercisable only after they become vested. At December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, 825,000, 1,225,000 and 1,242,000, respectively, of the outstanding options were fully vested. The total intrinsic value of all options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2008 was $8,000.
 
Information relating to our outstanding stock options at December 31, 2009 is as follows:
 
                                                 
    Outstanding     Exercisable  
          Weighted-
          Weighted-
             
          Average
    Intrinsic
    Average
          Intrinsic
 
Exercise Price
  Shares     Life (Years)     Value     Exercise Price     Shares     Value  
 
$9.78
    350,000       0.15           $ 9.78       350,000        
13.10
    90,000       1.14             13.10       90,000        
 6.70
    235,000       2.16             6.70       235,000        
 1.59
    150,000       2.91       227,000       1.59       150,000       227,000  
 5.77
    31,923       7.17             5.77              
 5.85
    142,382       8.08             5.85              
 2.30
    258,723       9.17       207,000       2.30              
                                                 
      1,258,028       3.86     $ 434,000       6.38       825,000     $ 227,000  
                                                 
 
Our Board of Directors elected to allow the cashless exercise of options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2005. As a result of the circumstances of the exercises, all awards made under the 1998 Plan were classified as share-based liability awards. During the year ended December 31, 2007 the total share-based employee compensation cost recognized for stock options was $517,000. We did not recognize a related income tax benefit during the year as no options were exercised.
 
In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (formerly SFAS 123(R) — Share Based Payments), for share-based liability awards, we recognize compensation cost equal to the greater of (a) the grant date fair value or (b) the fair value of the modified liability when it is settled. In addition, we will recognize any incremental compensation cost as it is incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we recognized an additional $503,000, in compensation expense due to the change in the fair value of the share-based liability awards outstanding.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In April 2007, we modified the exercise terms of all our outstanding share-based liability awards by restricting the settlement methods available to the option holders and converted these awards to equity awards. As a result of the modifications, our cumulative share-based compensation liability of $932,000 was reclassified to additional paid-in capital.
 
We estimate the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of topic ASC Topic 718 and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 Share Based Payments. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected option term, volatility of the stock, the risk-free interest rate and the dividend yield.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, 321,059 options were granted with an exercise price of $2.30 per share. The fair value of these awards was $0.55 per share. The options were valued at the date of grant using the following assumptions: expected life in years of 6.50, annualized volatility of 55.54%, expected dividend yield of 8.70%, and a risk — free interest rate of 2.28%. The options vest over five years beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. During the year ended December 31, 2009 we have recognized $27,000 of costs related to these options. As of December 31, 2009 we had approximately $117,000 of total unrecognized costs related to these options. The remaining cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 4 years.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2008, 176,879 options were granted with an exercise price of $5.85 per share. The fair value of these awards was $1.78 per share. The options were valued at the date of grant using the following assumptions: expected life in years of 6.25, annualized volatility of 41.30%, expected dividend yield of 3.70%, and a risk — free interest rate of 2.66%. The options vest over five years beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. During the year ended December 31, 2009 we have recognized $39,000 of costs related to these options. As of December 31, 2009 we had approximately $156,000 of total unrecognized costs related to these options. The remaining cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 3 years.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2007, 40,188 options were granted with an exercise price of $5.77. The fair value of these awards was $2.08 per share. The options were valued at the date of grant using the following assumptions; expected life in years of 7, annualized volatility of 43.62%, expected dividend yield of 3.47%, and a risk free interest rate of 4.62%. During the year ended December 31, 2009 we have recognized $7,000 of costs related to theses options. As of December 31, 2009 we had approximately $29,000 of total unrecognized costs related to these options. The remaining cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 2 years.
 
The expected life represents the average period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding given consideration to vesting schedules; annualized volatility is based on historical volatilities of our common stock; dividend yield represents the current dividend yield expressed as a constant percentage of our stock price and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the measurement date for periods corresponding to the expected life of the option.
 
Common Stock Reserved
 
At December 31, 2009 1,258,028 shares of common stock were reserved for common stock option exercises. At December 31, 2008, 1,442,067 shares of common stock were reserved for common stock option exercises. At December 31, 2007, 1,282,688 shares of common stock were reserved for common stock option exercises. At December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, 579,479, 969,271 and 1,537,118 shares of common stock were reserved for future grants, respectively.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
We reserved shares of common stock at December 31, 2009 as follows:
 
         
Warrants
    93,289  
Stock options
    1,258,028  
Restricted stock grants
    3,750  
Reserved for future grants [under 2008 Equity Incentive Plan]
    579,479  
         
Total
    1,934,546  
         
 
G.   Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $     $     $ 67  
State
    764       358       188  
                         
      764       358       255  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    1,699       2,988       3,269  
State
    (232 )     (140 )     (221 )
                         
      1,467       2,848       3,048  
                         
Total
  $ 2,231     $ 3,206     $ 3,303  
                         
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the components of the net deferred tax liability were as follows:
 
                 
    2009     2008  
 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Allowance for credit losses
  $ 5,542     $ 4,713  
Depreciation and amortization
    18,318       17,640  
Federal alternative minimum tax credit
    808       808  
Federal NOL carryforward
    5,877       4,146  
State NOL and other state attributes
    3,792       3,440  
State valuation allowance
    (948 )     (1,289 )
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    33,389       29,458  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Lease receivable and unearned income
    (30,248 )     (26,109 )
Residual value
    (7,605 )     (6,131 )
Initial direct costs
    (399 )     (325 )
Reserve for contingencies
          (289 )
                 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (38,252 )     (32,854 )
                 
Net deferred tax liability
  $ (4,863 )   $ (3,396 )
                 
 
At December 31, 2009, we had federal loss carry-forwards of $16.8 million which may be used to offset future income. At December 31, 2009, we had state net operating loss carry-forwards of $15.7 million which may be


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
used to offset future income. The state NOL’s have restrictions and expire in approximately one to twenty years. We recorded a valuation allowance against some of our state deferred tax assets as it is unlikely that these deferred tax assets will be fully realized.
 
The following is reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the applicable statutory federal income tax rate:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Federal statutory rate
    35.00 %     35.00 %     35.00 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    7.43       4.33       7.10  
State valuation allowance
    (3.48 )     (3.33 )     (6.35 )
Reversal of state income tax reserve
    (4.33 )     (1.17 )     (2.02 )
Nondeductible expenses and other
    0.47       0.18       1.02  
                         
Effective income tax rate
    35.09 %     35.01 %     34.75 %
                         
 
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with estimates in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. We record liabilities for estimated tax obligations for federal and state purposes. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the nondeductible expenses and other rate of 0.47%, 0.18% and 1.02% respectively, includes certain non-deductible stock-based compensation.
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had a liability of $32,000 and a liability of $8,000 for accrued interest and penalties related to various state income tax matters. Of these amounts, approximately $26,000 would impact our effective tax rate after a $14,000 federal tax benefit for state income taxes. As of December 31, 2008 we had a liability of $289,000 for unrecognized tax benefits and a liability of $156,000 for accrued interest and penalties related to various state income tax matters. As of December 31, 2007, we had a liability of $450,000 for unrecognized tax benefits and a liability of $170,000 for accrued interest and penalties related to various state income tax matters. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits may change significantly within the next 12 months; however at this time we are unable to estimate the change. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
         
Balance at January 1, 2008
  $ 620,000  
Additions for tax positions related to current year
    32,000  
Reductions for tax positions as a result of:
       
Settlements
    (44,000 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (163,000 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    445,000  
Additions for tax positions related to current year
    39,550  
Reductions for tax positions as a result of:
       
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (445,000 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 39,550  
         
 
Our federal income tax returns are subject to examination for tax years ended on or after December 31, 2006 and our state income tax returns are subject to examination for tax years ended on or after December 31, 2005.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
H.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Operating Leases
 
The lease for our facility in Woburn, Massachusetts expires in 2010. At December 31, 2009, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases are $237,000 in 2010. Rental expense under operating leases totaled $303,000, $296,000 and $280,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Capital Leases
 
At December 31, 2008 future minimum lease payments under our capital leases were as follows:
 
         
For the years ended December 31,
       
2010
  $ 70,000  
2011
    25,000  
2012
    1,000  
         
Total minimum payments
    96,000  
Less amounts representing interest
    (3,000 )
         
Total
    93,000  
         
 
Dividends
 
On January 22, 2010 we declared a dividend of $0.05 per share payable on February 15, 2010 to shareholders of record of MicroFinancial Incorporated stock on February 1, 2010.
 
Legal Matters
 
We are involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. Although we do not expect that the outcome of any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect our operating results or cash flows in a particular period. We routinely assess all of our litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and record our best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where we assess the likelihood of loss as probable.
 
Lease Commitments
 
We accept lease applications on a daily basis and, as a result, we have a pipeline of applications that have been approved, where a lease has not been originated. Our commitment to lend does not become binding until all of the steps in the origination process have been completed, including the receipt of the lease, supporting documentation and verification with the lessee. Since we fund on the same day a lease is verified, we have no outstanding commitments to lend.
 
I.   Employee Benefit Plan
 
We have a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide retirement and profit sharing benefits covering substantially all full-time employees. Employees are eligible to contribute up to 100% of their gross salary until they reach the maximum annual contribution amount allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. We match $0.50 for every $1.00 contributed by an employee up to 6% of the employee’s salary; the maximum match is 3%. Vesting of our contributions is over a five-year period at 20% per year. Our payments on behalf of the defined contribution plan were $100,000, $83,000 and $75,000 in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 respectively.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
J.   Concentration of Credit Risk
 
Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of lease and rental receivables and cash and cash equivalent balances. To reduce our risk, credit policies are in place for approving leases and lease pools are monitored by us. In addition, cash and cash equivalents are maintained at high-quality financial institutions.
 
Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash equivalents and deposits in bank accounts. We deposit our cash and invest in short-term investments primarily through a national commercial bank. Deposits in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by the institution. The Company has had cash deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance coverage.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, our top dealer accounted for 3.6% of all leases originated. No dealer accounted for more than 5% of all leases originated in 2009. During the years ended December 31, 2008 our top dealers accounted for 4.5% of all leases originated. During the year ended December 31, 2007 our top two dealers accounted for 10.0% and 8.4%, respectively, of all leases originated. No other dealer accounted for more than 5% of leases originated in 2007.
 
We service leases and rental contracts in all 50 states of the United States and its territories. As of December 31, 2009, leases in California, Florida, Texas and New York accounted for approximately 12%, 13%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, of the total portfolio. As of December 31, 2008, California, Florida, Texas, and New York accounted for approximately 12%, 13%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, of the total portfolio. As of December 31, 2007, California, Florida, Texas, and New York accounted for approximately 13%, 13%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, of the total portfolio. No other states accounted for more than 5% of the total portfolio as of the end of any of the years 2009, 2008 or 2007.


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