(1)      Organization

ICON ECI Fund Fifteen, L.P. (the “Partnership”) was formed on September 23, 2010 as a Delaware limited partnership. When used in these notes to consolidated financial statements, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms refer to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our offering period commenced on June 6, 2011 and ended on June 6, 2013, at which time we entered our operating period.

We are a direct financing fund that primarily makes investments in domestic and international companies, which investments are primarily structured as debt and debt-like financings (such as loans and leases) that are collateralized by business-essential equipment and corporate infrastructure (collectively, “Capital Assets”) utilized by such companies to operate their businesses, as well as other strategic investments in or collateralized by Capital Assets that ICON GP 15, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and our general partner (the “General Partner”), believes will provide us with a satisfactory, risk-adjusted rate of return.  Our General Partner makes investment decisions on our behalf and manages our business.

(2)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

Our accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. In the opinion of our General Partner, all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  These consolidated financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  The results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

Credit Quality of Notes Receivable and Finance Leases and Credit Loss Reserve

ICON Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formerly known as ICON Capital Corp. (the “Investment Manager”), weighs all credit decisions based on a combination of external credit ratings as well as internal credit evaluations of all borrowers.  A borrower’s credit is analyzed using those credit ratings as well as the borrower’s financial statements and other financial data deemed relevant. 

As our financing receivables, generally notes receivable and finance leases, are limited in number, our Investment Manager is able to estimate the credit loss reserve based on a detailed analysis of each financing receivable as opposed to using portfolio-based metrics.  Financing receivables are analyzed quarterly and categorized as either performing or non-performing based on payment history.  If a financing receivable becomes non-performing due to a borrower’s missed scheduled payments or failed financial covenants, our Investment Manager analyzes whether a credit loss reserve should be established or whether the financing receivable should be restructured.  Material events would be specifically disclosed in the discussion of each financing receivable held.

Financing receivables are generally placed in a non-accrual status when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, our Investment Manager periodically reviews the creditworthiness of companies with payments outstanding less than 90 days and based upon our Investment Manager’s judgment, these accounts may be placed in a non-accrual status.

In accordance with the cost recovery method, payments received on non-accrual financing receivables are applied to principal if there is doubt regarding the ultimate collectability of principal. If collection of the principal of non-accrual financing receivables is not in doubt, interest income is recognized on a cash basis. Financing receivables in non-accrual status may not be restored to accrual status until all delinquent payments have been received, and we believe recovery of the remaining unpaid receivable is probable.

When our Investment Manager deems it is probable that we will not be able to collect all contractual principal and interest on a non-performing financing receivable, we perform an analysis to determine if a credit loss reserve is necessary. This analysis considers the estimated cash flows from the financing receivable, or the collateral value of the asset underlying the financing receivable when financing receivable repayment is collateral dependent. If it is determined that the impaired value of the non-performing financing receivable is less than the net carrying value, we will recognize a credit loss reserve or adjust the existing credit loss reserve with a corresponding charge to earnings. We then charge off a financing receivable in the period that it is deemed uncollectible by reducing the credit loss reserve and the balance of the financing receivable.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), requiring revenue to be recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for goods and services. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 becomes effective for us on January 1, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted.  We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

(3)       Net Investment in Notes Receivable

Net investment in notes receivable consisted of the following:

On March 9, 2012, we made a term loan in the amount of $5,000,000 to Kanza Construction, Inc. The loan bore interest at 13% per year and was for a period of 60 months. The loan was secured by a first priority security interest in all of Kanza’s assets. As a result of Kanza’s unexpected financial hardship and failure to meet certain payment obligations, the loan was placed on a non-accrual status and we recorded a total credit loss reserve of approximately $1,973,000 for the shortfall of the loan balance not covered by cash proceeds from the sale of the collateral in 2013.  As of June 30, 2014, we fully reserved the remaining balance of the loan of $1,972,530. We continue to pursue all legal remedies to obtain payment.

On March 18, 2014, Green Field Energy Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Green Field”) satisfied its obligation in connection with a superpriority, secured term loan scheduled to mature on August 26, 2014 by making a prepayment of approximately $7,458,000, comprised of all outstanding principal and accrued interest. No material gain or loss was recorded as a result of this transaction.

On June 6, 2014, NTS Communications, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “NTS”) satisfied their obligations in connection with three term loans scheduled to mature on July 1, 2017 by making a prepayment of approximately $9,522,000, comprised of all outstanding principal, accrued interest and a prepayment fee of approximately $362,000. The prepayment fee was recognized as additional finance income.

During the three months ended June 30, 2014, substantially all material conditions to closing were satisfied with respect to a commitment to provide a senior secured term loan credit facility to two affiliates of Técnicas Maritimas Avanzadas, S.A. de C.V. (collectively “TMA”) of up to $29,000,000, of which our portion is expected to be $3,625,000. On July 14, 2014, we, ICON Leasing Fund Twelve, LLC (“Fund Twelve”), ICON Equipment and Corporate Infrastructure Fund Fourteen, L.P. (“Fund Fourteen”), each an entity also managed by our Investment Manager, and TMA executed the credit facility agreement. The facility will be used by TMA to acquire and refinance two platform supply vessels. The loan will bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin of between 13% and 17% and will be for a period of five years. The loan will be secured by, among other things, a first priority security interest in and earnings from each of the vessels.

(4)       Leased Equipment at Cost

Leased equipment at cost consisted of the following:

Depreciation expense was $2,764,417 and $2,758,791 for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Depreciation expense was $5,528,833 and $5,312,968 for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(5)       Net Investment in Finance Leases

Net investment in finance leases consisted of the following:

On May 30, 2014, Global Crossing Telecommunications, Inc. (“Global Crossing”) exercised its option to purchase certain telecommunications equipment prior to lease expiration at the purchase option price of approximately $328,000.  In accordance with the terms of the lease, Global Crossing was required to pay the final monthly lease payment of approximately $60,000.

(6)     Investment in Joint Ventures

On March 4, 2014, a joint venture owned 15% by us, 60% by Fund Twelve, 15% by Fund Fourteen and 10% by ICON ECI Fund Sixteen (“Fund Sixteen”), an entity also managed by our Investment Manager, purchased mining equipment from an affiliate of Blackhawk Mining, LLC (“Blackhawk”). Simultaneously, the mining equipment was leased to Blackhawk and its affiliates for four years. The aggregate purchase price for the mining equipment of approximately $25,359,000 was funded by approximately $17,859,000 in cash and $7,500,000 of non-recourse long-term debt.  Our contribution to the joint venture was $2,693,395.

On March 21, 2014, a joint venture (“ICON Siva”) owned 12.5% by us, 12.5% by Fund Fourteen and 75% by Fund Twelve, through two indirect subsidiaries, entered into memoranda of agreement to purchase two LPG tanker vessels, the SIVA Coral and the SIVA Pearl (collectively, the “SIVA Vessels”), from Siva Global Ships Limited (“Siva Global”) for an aggregate purchase price of $41,600,000. The SIVA Coral and the SIVA Pearl were delivered on March 28, 2014 and April 8, 2014, respectively. The SIVA Vessels were bareboat chartered to an affiliate of Siva Global for a period of eight years upon the delivery of each respective vessel. The SIVA Vessels were each acquired for approximately $3,550,000 in cash, $12,400,000 of financing through a senior secured loan (the “Loan”) from DVB Group Merchant Bank (Asia) Ltd. (“DVB”) and $4,750,000 of financing through a subordinated, non-interest-bearing seller’s credit. Our contribution to ICON Siva was $1,022,225.

On March 28, 2014, a joint venture owned 27.5% by us, 60% by Fund Twelve and 12.5% by Fund Sixteen purchased trucks, trailers and other equipment from subsidiaries of D&T Holdings, LLC (“D&T”) for $12,200,000. Simultaneously, the trucks, trailers and other equipment were leased to D&T and its subsidiaries for 57 months. Our contribution to the joint venture was $3,266,352.

On June 12, 2014, a joint venture owned 12.5% by us, 75% by Fund Twelve and 12.5% by Fund Fourteen purchased an offshore supply vessel from Pacific Crest Pte. Ltd. (“Pacific Crest”) for $40,000,000. Simultaneously, the vessel was bareboat chartered to Pacific Crest for ten years. The vessel was acquired for approximately $12,000,000 in cash, $26,000,000 of financing through a senior secured loan from DVB and $2,000,000 of financing through a subordinated, non-interest-bearing seller’s credit. Our contribution to the joint venture was $1,617,158.

(7)      Non-Recourse Long-Term Debt

As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had non-recourse long-term debt obligations of $89,399,518 and $96,310,220, respectively. As of June 30, 2014, our non-recourse debt obligations had maturity dates ranging from October 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020 and interest rates ranging from 4.0% to 6.0% per year.

At June 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants related to our non-recourse long-term debt.

(8)      Revolving Line of Credit, Recourse

We entered into an agreement with California Bank & Trust (“CB&T”) for a revolving line of credit through March 31, 2015 of up to $10,000,000 (the “Facility”), which is secured by all of our assets not subject to a first priority lien. Amounts available under the Facility are subject to a borrowing base that is determined, subject to certain limitations, by the present value of the future receivables under certain loans and lease agreements in which we have a beneficial interest.

The interest rate for general advances under the Facility is CB&T’s prime rate. We may elect to designate up to five advances on the outstanding principal balance of the Facility to bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.5% per year. In all instances, borrowings under the Facility are subject to an interest rate floor of 4.0% per year. In addition, we are obligated to pay an annualized 0.5% fee on unused commitments under the Facility. At June 30, 2014, there were no obligations outstanding under the Facility and we were in compliance with all covenants related to the Facility.

At June 30, 2014, we had $10,000,000 available under the Facility pursuant to the borrowing base.

(9)    Transactions with Related Parties

We paid distributions to our General Partner of $40,225 and $79,576 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. We paid distributions to our General Partner of $36,369 and $67,158 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. Additionally, our General Partner’s interest in the net income attributable to us was $29,060 and $56,463 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Our General Partner’s interest in the net income attributable to us was $17,727 and $27,830 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

Fees and other expenses incurred by us to our General Partner or its affiliates were as follows:

 At June 30, 2014, we had a net payable of $2,511,683 due to our General Partner and its affiliates that primarily consisted of a note payable of approximately $2,603,000 and accrued interest of $29,000 due to Fund Fourteen related to its noncontrolling interest in a vessel, the Lewek Ambassador. At December 31, 2013, we had a net payable of $2,940,943 due to our General Partner and its affiliates that primarily consisted of a note payable of approximately $2,575,000 and accrued interest of $30,000 due to Fund Fourteen related to its noncontrolling interest in the Lewek Ambassador, and administrative expense reimbursements of approximately $494,000 due to our Investment Manager.

(10)    Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

·         Level 1: Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

·         Level 2: Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

·         Level 3: Pricing inputs that are generally unobservable and are supported by little or no market data.

Assets and Liabilities for which Fair Value is Disclosed

Certain of our financial assets and liabilities, which include fixed-rate notes receivable, fixed-rate non-recourse long-term debt and seller’s credits, for which fair value is required to be disclosed, were valued using inputs that are generally unobservable and are supported by little or no market data and are therefore classified within Level 3. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use projected cash flows for fair value measurements of these financial assets and liabilities. Fair value information with respect to certain of our other assets and liabilities is not separately provided since (i) U.S. GAAP does not require fair value disclosures of lease arrangements and (ii) the carrying value of financial assets, other than lease-related investments, approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities and variable interest rates.

The estimated fair value of our fixed-rate notes receivable, fixed-rate non-recourse long-term debt and seller’s credits was based on the discounted value of future cash flows related to the loans based on recent transactions of this type. Principal outstanding on fixed-rate notes receivable was discounted at rates ranging between 12% and 17% per year. Principal outstanding on fixed-rate non-recourse long-term debt and the seller’s credits was discounted at a rate of 5.04% per year.

(11)   Commitments and Contingencies

At the time we acquire or divest of our interest in Capital Assets, we may, under very limited circumstances, agree to indemnify the seller or buyer for specific contingent liabilities.  Our General Partner believes that any liability of ours that may arise as a result of any such indemnification obligations will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations taken as a whole.

At June 30, 2014, we had non-recourse and other debt obligations. The lender has a security interest in the majority of the assets collateralizing each non-recourse debt instrument and an assignment of the rental payments under the lease associated with the assets. If the lessee defaults on the lease, the assets could be returned to the lender in extinguishment of the non-recourse debt. At June 30, 2014, our outstanding non-recourse long-term indebtedness was $89,399,518.

In connection with certain investments, we are required to maintain restricted cash balances with certain banks. Restricted cash of approximately $1,194,000 and $1,202,000 is presented within other assets on our consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

We have entered into a remarketing agreement with a third party. Residual proceeds received in excess of specific amounts will be shared with this third party in accordance with the terms of the remarketing agreement. The present value of the obligation related to this agreement was approximately $135,000 at June 30, 2014 and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

Item 2. General Partner's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of our current financial position and results of operations. This discussion should be read together with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. This discussion should also be read in conjunction with the disclosures below regarding “Forward-Looking Statements.”

As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, references to “we,” “us,” “our” or similar terms include ICON ECI Fund Fifteen, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). These statements are being made pursuant to the PSLRA, with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of the PSLRA, and, other than as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or supplement such statements. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “would,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “further,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” “predict” or “project” and variations of these words or comparable words or phrases of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events. They are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors outside of our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Overview

We are a direct financing fund that primarily makes investments in domestic and international companies, which investments are primarily structured as debt and debt-like financings (such as loans and leases) that are collateralized by Capital Assets utilized by such companies to operate their businesses, as well as other strategic investments in or collateralized by Capital Assets that our General Partner believes will provide us with a satisfactory, risk-adjusted rate of return. We were formed as a Delaware limited partnership and have elected to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. As of July 28, 2011 (the “Initial Closing Date”), we raised a minimum of $1,200,000 from the sale of our limited partnership interests (“Interests”), at which time we commenced operations. Subsequent to the Initial Closing Date, we returned the initial capital contribution of $1,000 to our Investment Manager. From the commencement of our offering on June 6, 2011 through the completion of our offering on June 6, 2013, we sold 197,597 Interests to 4,644 limited partners, representing $196,688,918 of capital contributions. Investors from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Tennessee were not admitted until we raised total equity in the amount of $20,000,000, which we achieved on November 17, 2011. Our operating period commenced on June 7, 2013.

After the net offering proceeds have been invested, it is anticipated that additional investments will be made with the cash generated from our initial investments to the extent that cash is not used for our expenses, reserves and distributions to our partners.  The investment in additional Capital Assets in this manner is called “reinvestment.”  We anticipate investing and reinvesting in Capital Assets from time to time for five years from June 6, 2013, the date we completed our offering.  This time frame is called the “operating period” and may be extended, at our General Partner’s discretion, for up to an additional three years.  After the operating period, we will then sell our assets and/or let our investments mature in the ordinary course of business, during a time frame called the “liquidation period.”

We seek to generate returns in three ways. We seek to:

·         generate current cash flow from payments of principal and/or interest (in the case of secured loans and other financing transactions) and rental payments (in the case of leases);

·         generate deferred cash flow by realizing the value of certain Capital Assets or interests therein at the maturity of the investment; and

·         generate a combination of both current and deferred cash flow from other structured investments.

In the case of secured loans and other financing transactions, the principal and interest payments due under the loan are expected to provide a return of and a return on the amount we lend to borrowers. In the case of leases where there is significant current cash flow generated during the primary term of the lease and the value of the Capital Assets at the end of the term will be minimal or is not considered a primary reason for making the investment, the rental payments due under the lease are expected to be, in the aggregate, sufficient to provide a return of and a return on the purchase of the leased Capital Assets.

In the case of investments in leased Capital Assets that decline in value at a slow rate due to the long economic life of such Capital Assets, we expect that we will generate sufficient net proceeds at the end of the investment from the sale or re-lease of such Capital Assets. In the case of operating leases, we expect most, if not all, of the return of and the return on such investments to be realized upon the sale or re-lease of the Capital Assets. For leveraged leases, we expect the rental income we receive to be less than the purchase price of the Capital Assets because we will structure these transactions to utilize some or all of the lease rental payments to reduce the amount of non-recourse indebtedness used to acquire such assets.

In some cases with respect to the above investments, we may acquire equity interests, as well as warrants or other rights to acquire equity interests, in the borrower or lessee that may increase the expected return on our investments.

Our General Partner manages and controls our business affairs, including, but not limited to, our investments in Capital Assets, under the terms of our limited partnership agreement.  Our Investment Manager, an affiliate of our General Partner, originates and services our investments.  Our Investment Manager manages or is the investment manager or managing trustee for seven other public equipment funds.

Recent Significant Transactions

We engaged in the following significant transactions since December 31, 2013:

Notes Receivable

·          On March 18, 2014, Green Field satisfied its obligation in connection with a superpriority, secured term loan scheduled to mature on August 26, 2014 by making a prepayment of approximately $7,458,000, comprised of all outstanding principal and accrued interest. No material gain or loss was recorded as a result of this transaction.

·          On June 6, 2014, NTS satisfied their obligations in connection with three term loans scheduled to mature on July 1, 2017 by making a prepayment of approximately $9,522,000, comprised of all outstanding principal, accrued interest and a prepayment fee of approximately $362,000. The prepayment fee was recognized as additional finance income.

·          During the three months ended June 30, 2014, substantially all material conditions to closing were satisfied with respect to a commitment to provide a senior secured term loan credit facility to TMA of up to $29,000,000, of which our portion is expected to be $3,625,000. On July 14, 2014, we, Fund Twelve, Fund Fourteen and TMA executed the credit facility agreement.  The facility will be used by TMA to acquire and refinance two platform supply vessels. The loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of between 13% and 17% and will be for a period of five years. The loan will be secured by, among other things, a first priority security interest in and earnings from each of the vessels. We expect to fund our commitment under the facility during the three month period ending September 30, 2014.

Mining Equipment

·          On March 4, 2014, a joint venture owned 15% by us, 60% by Fund Twelve, 15% by Fund Fourteen and 10% by Fund Sixteen purchased mining equipment from an affiliate of Blackhawk. Simultaneously, the mining equipment was leased to Blackhawk and its affiliates for four years. The aggregate purchase price for the mining equipment of approximately $25,359,000 was funded by approximately $17,859,000 in cash and $7,500,000 of non-recourse long-term debt.  Our contribution to the joint venture was $2,693,395.

Marine Vessels

·          On March 21, 2014, ICON Siva, through two indirect subsidiaries, entered into memoranda of agreement to purchase the SIVA Vessels from Siva Global for an aggregate purchase price of $41,600,000. The SIVA Coral and the SIVA Pearl were delivered on March 28, 2014 and April 8, 2014, respectively. The SIVA Vessels were bareboat chartered to an affiliate of Siva Global for a period of eight years upon the delivery of each respective vessel. The SIVA Vessels were each acquired for approximately $3,550,000 in cash, $12,400,000 of financing through the Loan from DVB and $4,750,000 of financing through a subordinated, non-interest-bearing seller’s credit. Our contribution to ICON Siva was $1,022,225.

·          On June 12, 2014, a joint venture owned 12.5% by us, 75% by Fund Twelve and 12.5% by Fund Fourteen purchased an offshore supply vessel from Pacific Crest for $40,000,000. Simultaneously, the vessel was bareboat chartered to Pacific Crest for ten years. The vessel was acquired for approximately $12,000,000 in cash, $26,000,000 of financing through a senior secured loan from DVB and $2,000,000 of financing through a subordinated, non-interest-bearing seller’s credit. Our contribution to the joint venture was $1,617,158.

Trucks and Trailers

·          On March 28, 2014, a joint venture owned 27.5% by us, 60% by Fund Twelve and 12.5% by Fund Sixteen purchased trucks, trailers and other equipment from subsidiaries of D&T for $12,200,000. Simultaneously, the trucks, trailers and other equipment were leased to D&T and its subsidiaries for 57 months. Our contribution to the joint venture was $3,266,352.

Telecommunications Equipment

·          On May 30, 2014, Global Crossing exercised its option to purchase certain telecommunications equipment prior to lease expiration at the purchase option price of approximately $328,000.  In accordance with the terms of the lease, Global Crossing was required to pay the final monthly lease payment of approximately $60,000.

Acquisition Fees

·          We paid total acquisition fees to our Investment Manager of $315,625 and $624,598 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will become effective for us on January 1, 2017. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements. We do not believe any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 (the “2014 Quarter”) and 2013 (the “2013 Quarter”)

We entered into our operating period on June 7, 2013, during which we will continue to make investments with the cash generated from our initial investments to the extent that the cash is not used for expenses, reserves and distributions to limited partners. As our investments mature, we may reinvest the proceeds in additional investments in Capital Assets.

Financing Transactions

The following tables set forth the types of assets securing the financing transactions in our portfolio: