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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - MMA Capital Holdings, LLCv408977_ex31-1.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from __________________ to __________________

 

Commission File Number 001-11981

MMA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

52-1449733

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

621 East Pratt Street, Suite 600

Baltimore, Maryland

(Address of principal executive offices)

21202

(Zip Code)

 

(443) 263-2900

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Common Shares, no par value

Name of each exchange on which registered

NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                  

Yes þ No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files)

Yes þ No ¨

 

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 “accelerated filer,” “large 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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No þ

 

There were 6,892,414 shares of common shares outstanding at May 7, 2015.

 

 
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 1
   
Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2
   
Item 1. Financial Statements 2
     
  (a) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 2
     
  (b) Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 3
     
  (c) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 5
     
  (d) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 6
     
  (e) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 7
     
  (f) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 9
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 34
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 47
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 47
     
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 47
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 47
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 48
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 48
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 48
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 48
     
Item 5. Other Information 48
     
Item 6. Exhibits 48
     
SIGNATURES S-1
   
EXHIBITS E-1

 

i
 

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015 (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the safe harbor contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “would,” “could,” and similar words or expressions and are made in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance.

 

Forward-looking statements reflect our management’s expectations at the date of this Report regarding future conditions, events or results. They are not guarantees of future performance. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from what is anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are many factors that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report. They include the factors discussed in Part 1, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).

 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this Report or that we make from time to time, and to consider carefully the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the 2014 Form 10-K in evaluating these forward-looking statements. We have not undertaken to update any forward-looking statements.

 

1
 

 

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

   March 31, 2015
(Unaudited)
   December 31,
2014
 
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $30,283   $29,619 
Restricted cash (includes $23,876 and $24,186 related to CFVs)   53,093    50,189 
Bonds available-for-sale (includes $168,274 and $144,611 pledged as collateral and/or restricted)   220,129    222,899 
Investments in Lower Tier Property Partnerships related to CFVs   219,007    231,204 
Real estate held-for-use, net   2,619    18,417 
Real estate held-for-sale, net   25,954    10,145 
Investment in preferred stock (includes $25,000 and $31,371 pledged as collateral)   31,371    31,371 
Other assets (includes $126 and $161 pledged as collateral and $10,577 and $11,128 related to CFVs)   74,705    74,902 
Total assets  $657,161   $668,746 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Debt (includes $6,712 and $6,712 related to CFVs)  $293,308   $290,543 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   3,416    5,538 
Unfunded equity commitments to Lower Tier Property Partnerships related to CFVs   9,597    9,597 
Other liabilities (includes $32,747 and $31,831 related to CFVs)   42,927    41,870 
Total liabilities  $349,248   $347,548 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Equity          
Noncontrolling interests in CFVs and IHS (net of $575 and $575 of subscriptions receivable)  $215,410   $229,714 
Common shareholders’ equity:          
Common shares, no par value (7,117,518 and 7,162,221 shares issued and outstanding and 66,784 and 66,106 non-employee directors’ and employee deferred shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)   34,125    35,032 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”)   58,378    56,452 
Total common shareholders’ equity   92,503    91,484 
Total equity   307,913    321,198 
Total liabilities and equity  $657,161   $668,746 

 

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

 

2
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

    For the three months ended
March 31,
 
    2015     2014  
Interest income                
Interest on bonds   $ 3,332     $ 5,160  
Interest on loans and short-term investments     741       145  
Total interest income     4,073       5,305  
                 
Interest expense (1)                
Bond related debt     326       1,005  
Non-bond related debt     148       198  
Total interest expense     474       1,203  
Net interest income     3,599       4,102  
                 
Non-interest revenue                
Income on preferred stock investment     1,297       1,297  
Other income     2,144       853  
Revenue from CFVs     67       5,050  
Total non-interest revenue     3,508       7,200  
Total revenues, net of interest expense     7,107       11,302  
                 
Operating and other expenses                
Interest expense (2)     3,196       3,573  
Salaries and benefits     3,272       3,329  
General and administrative     863       963  
Professional fees     1,144       1,382  
Other expenses     107       801  
Expenses from CFVs     9,316       11,649  
Total operating and other expenses     17,898       21,697  
                 
Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives     1,568       (365 )
Net gains transferred into net income from AOCI due to real estate foreclosure           2,003  
Equity in income (losses) from unconsolidated funds and ventures     73       (110 )
Net gains related to CFVs           4,809  
Equity in losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships of CFVs     (5,693 )     (7,428 )
Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (14,843 )     (11,486 )
Income tax benefit     146       554  
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax     72       14,479  
Net (loss) income     (14,625 )     3,547  
Loss allocable to noncontrolling interests:                
Net losses allocable to noncontrolling interests in CFVs and IHS:                
Related to continuing operations     14,304       9,909  
Related to discontinued operations     -       150  
Net (loss) income to common shareholders   $ (321 )   $ 13,606  

 

(1)Represents interest expense related to debt which finances interest-bearing assets. See Note 6, “Debt.”
   
(2)Represents interest expense related to debt which does not finance interest-bearing assets. See Note 6, “Debt.”

 

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

 

3
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS – (continued)

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
   2015   2014 
Basic (loss) income per common share:          
Loss from continuing operations  $(0.05)  $(0.13)
Income from discontinued operations   0.01    1.82 
(Loss) income per common share  $(0.04)  $1.69 
           
Diluted (loss) income per common share:          
Loss from continuing operations  $(0.05)  $(0.13)
Income from discontinued operations   0.01    1.82 
(Loss) income per common share  $(0.04)  $1.69 
           
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:          
Basic   7,213    8,041 
Diluted   7,213    8,041 

 

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

 

4
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
   2015   2014 
         
Net (loss) income to common shareholders  $(321)  $13,606 
Net loss allocable to noncontrolling interests   (14,304)   (10,059)
Net (loss) income  $(14,625)  $3,547 
           
Other comprehensive income allocable to common shareholders:          
Bond related changes:          
Unrealized net gains  $2,740   $4,906 
Reversal of net unrealized gains on sold bonds   (471)    
Reversal of unrealized gains from AOCI to Net Income due to foreclosure       (2,003)
Net change in other comprehensive income due to bonds   2,269    2,903 
Income tax expense   (211)   (129)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (132)   2 
Other comprehensive income allocable to common shareholders  $1,926   $2,776 
           
Other comprehensive loss allocable to noncontrolling interests:          
Foreign currency translation adjustment  $   $(988)
           
Comprehensive income to common shareholders  $1,605   $16,382 
Comprehensive loss to noncontrolling interests   (14,304)   (11,047)
Comprehensive (loss) income  $(12,699)  $5,335 

 

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

 

5
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   Common Equity Before
AOCI
   AOCI   Total Common
Shareholders’
Equity
   Noncontrolling
Interest in CFVs
and IHS
   Total
Equity
 
   Number   Amount                 
Balance, January 1, 2015   7,228   $35,032   $56,452   $91,484   $229,714   $321,198 
Net loss       (321)       (321)   (14,304)   (14,625)
Other comprehensive income           1,926    1,926        1,926 
Purchases of shares in a subsidiary (including price adjustments on prior purchases)       (159)       (159)       (159)
Common shares (restricted and deferred) issued under employee and non-employee director share plans   14    141        141        141 
Common share repurchases   (58)   (568)       (568)       (568)
Balance, March 31, 2015   7,184   $34,125   $58,378   $92,503   $215,410   $307,913 

 

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

 

6
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
   2015   2014 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net (loss) income  $(14,625)  $3,547 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Provisions for credit losses and impairment (1)   7,536    5,164 
Net equity in losses from equity investments in partnerships (1)   5,620    7,539 
Net losses (gains) on assets and derivatives   (635)   9 
Net gains on real estate   (3)   (15,037)
Net gains related to CFVs       (4,813)
Net gains due to initial real estate consolidation and foreclosure       (2,003)
Subordinate debt effective yield amortization and interest accruals   1,868    1,743 
Depreciation and other amortization (1)   585    2,465 
Foreign currency loss   75    439 
Stock-based compensation expense   336    979 
Other   (2,402)   (3,161)
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,645)   (3,129)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Principal payments and sales proceeds received on bonds and loans held for investment   1,369    774 
Advances on and originations of loans held for investment   (105)    
Investments in property partnerships and real estate (1)   (436)   (4,856)
Proceeds from the sale of real estate and other investments   3    37,705 
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash of CFVs   (2,682)   673 
Capital distributions received from investments in partnerships of CFVs   54    4,199 
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities   (1,797)   38,495 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from borrowing activity   17,475     
Repayment of borrowings   (12,714)   (3,740)
Payment of debt issuance costs   (87)    
Distributions paid to holders of noncontrolling interests       (22)
Purchase of treasury stock   (568)   (809)
Net cash provided by/(used in) by financing activities   4,106    (4,571)
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   664    30,795 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   29,619    66,794 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $30,283   $97,589 

 

(1)Majority of the activity was related to CFVs.

 

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

 

7
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS– (continued)

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

  For the three months ended
March 31,
 
   2015   2014 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION          
Interest paid  $1,933   $3,923 
Income taxes paid   75    165 
           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income   1,926    2,903 
Debt and liabilities extinguished through sales and collections on bonds and loans   3,421    2,804 
Increase in real estate assets and decrease in bond assets due to foreclosure or initial consolidation of funds and ventures       11,058 
Decrease in common equity and increase in liabilities due to adjusted purchase price of noncontrolling interest   159     

 

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

 

8
 

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1—description of the business and BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

MMA Capital Management, LLC, the registrant, was organized in 1996 as a Delaware limited liability company.  When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015 (the “Report”), the “Company,” “MMA,” “we,” “our,” or “us” may refer to the registrant, the registrant and its subsidiaries, or one or more of the registrant’s subsidiaries depending on the context of the disclosure.

 

Description of the Business

 

The Company uses its experience and expertise to partner with institutional capital to create attractive and impactful alternative investment opportunities, to manage them well and to report on them effectively. Beginning in 2015, the Company operates through three reportable segments – United States (“U.S.”) Operations, International Operations and Corporate Operations.

 

U.S. Operations

 

Our U.S. Operations consists of three business lines: Leveraged Bonds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (“LIHTCs”) and Other Investments and Obligations.

 

The Leveraged Bonds business line finances affordable housing and infrastructure in the U.S. This business line manages the vast majority of the Company’s bonds and bond related investments (“bonds”) and associated financings. The bond portfolio is comprised primarily of multifamily tax-exempt bonds, but also includes community development district (“CDD”) bonds and other real estate related bond investments.

 

Our LIHTC business consists primarily of secured loan receivables from Morrison Grove Management, LLC (“MGM”) and an option to purchase MGM beginning in 2019.

 

The Other Investments and Obligations business line includes legacy assets and serves as our research and development unit for new business opportunities in the U.S., which has resulted in the creation of a renewable energy capital business that operates as MMA Energy Capital, LLC.

 

International Operations

 

We manage our International Operations through International Housing Solutions S.à r.l. (“IHS”). IHS’s strategy is to raise, invest in, and manage private real estate funds.  IHS currently manages three funds: the South Africa Workforce Housing Fund (“SAWHF”), which is a multi-investor fund and is fully invested; IHS Residential Partners I, which is a single-investor fund targeted at the emerging middle class in South Africa; and IHS Fund II, which is a multi-investor fund targeting investments in affordable housing including green housing projects within South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. At March 31, 2015, the Company had a 96% interest in IHS and on May 1, 2015, increased its ownership interest to 100%.

 

Corporate Operations

 

Our Corporate Operations segment is responsible for accounting, reporting, compliance and planning which are fundamental to our success as a global fund manager and publicly traded company in the U.S.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, commitments and contingencies, and revenues and expenses. Management has made significant estimates in certain areas, including the determination of fair values for bonds, derivative financial instruments, guarantee obligations, and certain assets and liabilities of consolidated funds and ventures (“CFVs”). Management has also made significant estimates in the determination of impairment on bonds and real estate investments. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

 

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and of entities that are considered to be variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary, as well as those entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, including wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Equity investments in unconsolidated entities where the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operations of the entity, but is not considered the primary beneficiary, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

 

Reclassification

 

The Company made reclassifications to other assets and debt on its previously issued 2014 consolidated balance sheet as a result of early adopting ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” on April 7, 2015, which changes the balance sheet presentation. Consequently, certain footnotes have been revised to reflect this change.

 

9
 

 

New Accounting Guidance

 

Accounting for Debt Issuance Costs

 

On April 7, 2015, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This guidance provides an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption allowed. This guidance is applied retrospectively to all prior periods. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs are to be presented as a direct reduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. As a result of adopting this guidance, the Company reclassified $2.9 million of debt issuance costs at December 31, 2014, from “Other Assets” to “Debt” on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Note 2—BONDs available-for-sale

 

Bonds Available-for-Sale

 

The Company has two types of bonds in its portfolio, Mortgage revenue bonds and Other bonds.

 

Mortgage revenue bonds are issued by state and local governments or their agencies or authorities to finance multifamily rental housing; typically however, the only source of recourse on these bonds is the collateral, which is either a first mortgage or a subordinate mortgage on the underlying properties. The Company’s rights under the mortgage revenue bonds are defined by the contractual terms of the underlying mortgage loans, which are pledged to the bond issuer and assigned to a trustee for the benefit of bondholders to secure the payment of debt service (any combination of interest and/or principal as set forth in the trust indenture) on the bonds.

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company’s subordinate bonds had an aggregate unpaid principal balance (“UPB”) of $39.9 million ($29.9 million fair value). The payment of debt service on our subordinate bonds occurs only after payment of senior obligations that have priority to the cash flow of the underlying collateral.

 

Other bonds consists primarily of municipal bonds issued by community development districts or other municipal issuers to finance the development of community infrastructure supporting single-family housing and mixed-use and commercial developments such as storm water management systems, roads and utilities. In some cases these bonds are secured by specific payments or assessments pledged by the issuers or incremental tax revenue generated by the underlying properties.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s bonds and related unrealized losses and unrealized gains at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

   March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)  UPB   Amortized
Cost (1)
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses (2), (3)
   Fair
Value   
 
Mortgage revenue bonds  $191,203   $125,683   $43,328   $(782)  $168,229 
Other bonds   53,165    34,943    16,957        51,900 
Total  $244,368   $160,626   $60,285   $(782)  $220,129 

 

   December 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  UPB   Amortized
Cost (1)
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses (4), (5)
   Fair
Value   
 
Mortgage revenue bonds  $192,068   $126,897   $41,145   $(858)  $167,184 
Other bonds   57,056    38,768    16,947        55,715 
Total  $249,124   $165,665   $58,092   $(858)  $222,899 

 

(1)Represents the UPB, net of discounts, deferred costs and fees as well as impairments recognized in earnings.

 

(2)At March 31, 2015, $0.6 million represents the non-credit loss component for certain unrealized losses deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired and $0.2 million represents unrealized losses that were not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

(3)Represents bonds in a gross unrealized loss position for less than 12 consecutive months that had a fair value of $1.8 million at March 31, 2015, as well as bonds in a gross unrealized loss position for more than 12 consecutive months that had a fair value of $6.1 million at March 31, 2015.

 

10
 

 

(4)At December 31, 2014, $0.6 million represents the non-credit loss component for certain unrealized losses deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired and $0.3 million represents unrealized losses that were not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

(5)Represents bonds in a gross unrealized loss position for less than 12 consecutive months that had a fair value of $1.8 million at December 31, 2014, as well as bonds in a gross unrealized loss position for more than 12 consecutive months that had a fair value of $6.0 million at December 31, 2014.

 

See Note 9, “Fair Value Measurements” which describes the factors contributing to the $2.8 million decrease in the Company’s reported bond fair value.

 

Maturity

 

Principal payments on bonds are based on amortization tables set forth in the bond documents. If no principal amortization is required during the bond term, the outstanding principal balance is required to be paid in a lump sum payment at maturity or at such earlier time as may be provided under the bond documents. At March 31, 2015, seven bonds (amortized cost of $16.5 million and fair value of $24.4 million) were non-amortizing with principal due in full between February 2030 and August 2048. The remaining bonds are amortizing with stated maturity dates between September 2017 and June 2056.

 

Bonds with Lockouts, Prepayment Premiums or Penalties

 

Substantially all of the Company’s bonds include provisions that allow the borrowers to prepay the bonds at a premium or at par after a specified date that is prior to the stated maturity date.  The following table provides the amount of bonds that were prepayable without restriction, premium or penalty at March 31, 2015, as well as the year in which the remaining portfolio becomes prepayable without restriction, premium or penalty at each period presented.

 

(in thousands)  Amortized Cost   Fair Value 
March 31, 2015  $24,789   $41,058 
April 1 through December 31, 2015        
2016   10,154    13,548 
2017        
2018   7,335    8,384 
2019        
Thereafter   118,050    156,832 
Bonds that may not be prepaid   298    307 
Total  $160,626   $220,129 

 

Non-Accrual Bonds

 

The carrying value of bonds on non-accrual was $43.8 million and $43.6 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  During the period in which these bonds were on non-accrual, the Company recognized interest income on a cash basis of $0.5 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest income not recognized during the period in which these bonds were on non-accrual was $1.1 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Bond Aging Analysis

 

The following table provides the fair value of bonds available-for-sale that were current with respect to principal and interest payments, as well as those that were past due with respect to either principal or interest payments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Total current  $176,361   $179,315 
30-59 days past due        
60-89 days past due        
90 days or greater   43,768    43,584 
Total  $220,129   $222,899 

 

Bond Sales and Redemptions

 

The Company recorded cash proceeds of $0.6 million on the sale of a bond participation for the three months ended March 31, 2015. There were no sales or redemptions of bonds for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

11
 

 

Provided in the table below are realized gains recognized on bonds at the time of sale or redemption reported through “Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives.”

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Gains recognized at time of sale  $583   $ 

 

Note 3—INVESTMENTS IN PREFERRED STOCK

 

These investments are prepayable at any time and are comprised of preferred stock investments in a private national mortgage lender and servicer specializing in affordable and market rate multifamily housing, senior housing and healthcare. At March 31, 2015, the carrying value of the preferred stock investments was $31.4 million and the UPB and estimated fair value was $36.6 million with a weighted average pay rate of 14.4%. The Company accounts for the preferred stock using the historical cost approach and tests for impairment at each balance sheet date. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of the preferred stock is not deemed recoverable. The Company did not have impairments on the preferred stock for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

As of March 31, 2015, $25.0 million (principal) of the preferred stock investment was the referenced asset for two total return swap (“TRS”) agreements with a maturity date of March 31, 2016. See Note 6, “Debt” for more information.

 

Note 4—REAL ESTATE

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s real estate at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Real estate held-for-use  $2,619   $18,417 
Real estate held-for-sale   25,954    10,145 

 

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company transferred an affordable multifamily property with a carrying basis of $12.2 million as of December 31, 2014 from real estate held-for-use to real estate held-for-sale. This property was sold during the second quarter of 2015 for $12.3 million in net proceeds, resulting in a gain on sale of $0.5 million that will be recognized within continuing operations during the second quarter of 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company also transferred an investment in undeveloped land with a carrying basis of $3.6 million from real estate held-for-investment to real estate held-for-sale.

 

Note 5—OTHER ASSETS

 

The following table summarizes other assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Other assets:          
Investments in real estate partnerships  $22,554   $22,529 
Investments in IHS-managed funds and ventures   5,352    5,689 
Loan receivable held-for-investment   22,415    22,392 
Solar facilities (includes other assets such as cash and other receivables)   3,086    3,093 
Derivative assets   3,384    2,726 
Accrued interest and dividends receivable   2,421    2,672 
Asset management fees receivable   2,909    2,454 
Other assets   2,007    2,219 
Other assets held by CFVs (1)   10,577    11,128 
Total other assets  $74,705   $74,902 

 

(1)For more information see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures.”

 

12
 

 

Investments in Real Estate Partnerships

 

At March 31, 2015, $16.2 million of the reported balance represents the Company’s interest in a real estate venture that was formed during the fourth quarter of 2014. The Company accounts for this investment as an equity investment and does not consolidate the real estate venture because it is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The Company made an initial contribution of $8.8 million (representing 80% of the real estate venture’s initial capital). The Company has rights to a preferred return on its capital contribution, as well as rights to share in excess cash flows of the real estate venture.

 

At March 31, 2015, the majority of the remaining balance ($6.4 million) represents a 33% interest in a partnership that was formed to take a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure on land that was collateral for a loan held by the Company. The Company accounts for its interest as an equity investment and does not consolidate the partnership because the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary.

 

The following table displays the total assets and liabilities held by the real estate partnerships in which the Company held an equity investment at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Investment in real estate partnerships:          
Total assets (primarily real estate)  $83,326   $83,021 
Total liabilities   35,469    34,856 

 

The following table displays the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, for the real estate partnerships:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Net loss  $(302)  $(186)

 

Investments in IHS-managed Funds and Ventures

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company held equity co-investments ranging from 2% to 5% in three IHS-managed funds and ventures (SAWHF, IHS Residential Partners I and IHS Fund II). IHS provides asset management services to each of these investment vehicles in return for asset management fees. For each investment vehicle, IHS also has rights to investment returns on its equity co-investment as well as carried interest which is contingent upon the residual values of the assets held by each investment vehicle.

 

The Company accounts for its interest in SAWHF, IHS Residential Partners I and IHS Fund II as equity investments because the Company is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary. At March 31, 2015, the carrying basis of the Company’s investment in SAWHF and IHS Residential Partners I was $3.6 and $1.8 million, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the Company had no equity investment basis in IHS Fund II because no capital had been called.

 

The following table displays the total assets and liabilities held by the three IHS-managed funds and ventures in which the Company held an equity investment at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Total assets  $277,708   $276,007 
Total liabilities   111,082    104,863 

 

The following table displays the net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 for the three IHS-managed funds and ventures. The net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was related only to IHS Residential Partners I because at that time the Company consolidated SAWHF and thus its equity investment in SAWHF was eliminated in consolidation.

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Net income  $1,747   $100 

 

13
 

 

Loans Held for Investment

 

The following table summarizes loans held for investment at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Cost basis  $40,186   $40,163 
Allowance for loan losses   (17,771)   (17,771)
Loans held for investment, net  $22,415   $22,392 

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loans held for investment had an UPB of $40.8 million and $40.9 million, respectively, as well as deferred fees and other basis adjustments of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, loans that were specifically impaired had an UPB of $18.4 and were not accruing interest.

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 there were no loans still accruing interest that were 90 days or more past due in either principal or interest.

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company’s two loans to MGM consisted of a $17.3 million (legal principal balance) bridge loan (“Bridge Loan”) and a $13.2 million (legal principal balance) term loan (“Term Loan”).

 

At March 31, 2015, the Bridge Loan and the Term Loan had a reported basis of $14.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. These loans resulted in the recognition of $0.5 million of interest income during the three months ended March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2015, the Company had off-balance sheet loans receivable related to the seller financing it provided to MGM of $15.9 million. Interest collected during the three months ended March 31, 2015 on the seller financing was $0.3 million and was recorded as a deferred gain through “Other liabilities.”

 

The Bridge Loan, designated as held for investment, has an interest rate of 10% and amortizes based on MGM’s excess cash flow. The Bridge Loan matured on December 31, 2014, but was extended to March 31, 2015 for a 1% ($0.2 million) extension fee that was recognized as income during the first quarter of 2015 and was capitalized into the balance of the Term Loan. Currently, the Bridge Loan remains outstanding. The Company is actively engaged in discussions with MGM and based on those discussions expects the Bridge Loan to be repaid in the near future.

 

The Term Loan, designated held for sale, is non-amortizing, has a maturity date of September 30, 2024 and has an annual interest rate of 12%, of which 8% is to be paid quarterly and 4% is payable at the loan’s maturity.

 

Unfunded Loan Commitments

 

Unfunded loan commitments are agreements to fund construction or renovation of properties securing certain loans. There were no unfunded loan commitments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

Solar Facilities

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company owned five solar facilities that were designated as held for investment. These facilities generate energy that is sold under long-term power contracts to the owner or lessee of the properties on which the projects are built. The useful life of these solar facilities is generally 20 years.

 

14
 

 

Note 6—DEBT

 

As previously discussed in Note 1, “Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation,” we have revised the presentation for December 31, 2014 due to the Company’s early adoption of ASU No. 2015-03.

 

The table below summarizes outstanding debt balances and the associated weighted-average interest rate based on amounts due within one year or after one year at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

  March 31,
 2015
    Weighted-Average
Effective Interest
Rate at
March 31, 2015
    December 31,
2014
    Weighted-Average
Effective Interest
Rate at
December 31, 2014
 
Asset Related Debt (1)                                
Notes payable and other debt – bond related (2)                                
Due within one year   $ 1,301          1.5%   $ 776          1.4%
Due after one year     99,944       1.4       86,499       1.4  
Notes payable and other debt – non-bond related                                
Due within one year     1,383       9.8       1,753       9.8  
Due after one year     4,074       10.0         4,374       10.0    
                                 
Total asset related debt   $ 106,702       1.8     $ 93,402       2.0  
                                 
Other Debt (1)                                
Subordinate debentures (3)                                
Due within one year   $ 16,032       7.0     $ 14,088       7.0  
Due after one year     133,621       7.2       133,893       7.2  
Notes payable and other debt                                
Due within one year     26,074       4.5       37,811       4.4  
Due after one year     4,167       2.7       4,637       2.8  
                                 
Total other debt   $ 179,894       6.7     $ 190,429       6.5  
                                 
Total asset related debt and other debt   $ 286,596       4.9     $ 283,831       5.0  
                                 
Debt related to CFVs (4)                                
Due within one year   $ 6,712       5.3     $ 6,712       5.3  
Due after one year                        
Total debt related to CFVs   $ 6,712       5.3     $ 6,712       5.3  
                                 
Total debt   $ 293,308       4.9     $ 290,543       5.0  

 

(1)Asset related debt is debt which finances interest-bearing assets and the interest expense from this debt is included in “Net interest income” on the consolidated statements of operations. Other debt is debt which does not finance interest-bearing assets and the interest expense from this debt is included in “Interest expense” under “Operating and other expenses” on the consolidated statements of operations.
   
(2)Included in notes payable and other debt – bond related are unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
   
(3)The subordinate debt balances include a net adjustment of $9.2 million and $7.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These adjustments are comprised of net premiums due to effective interest adjustments of $12.0 million and $10.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, offset by debt issuance costs of $2.8 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
   
(4)This debt is related to one of the consolidated LIHTC Funds that was reinstated during the fourth quarter of 2014 because the related mortgage note receivable was assigned from MMA to a third party. 

 

15
 

 

Covenant Compliance and Debt Maturities

 

The following table summarizes principal payment commitments across all debt agreements at March 31, 2015:

 

(in thousands)  Asset Related Debt
and Other Debt
   CFVs
Related Debt
   Total Debt 
2015  $18,879   $6,712   $25,591 
2016   41,099        41,099 
2017   14,438        14,438 
2018   67,081        67,081 
2019   11,509        11,509 
Thereafter   124,554        124,554 
Net premium and debt issue costs   9,036        9,036 
Total  $286,596   $6,712   $293,308 

 

Included in the 2015 principal payments for asset related debt and other debt is $1.1 million of debt that has come due and remains payable; however, the Company has a forbearance agreement with the lender such that it is not pursuing any remedies. The forbearance agreement expires June 30, 2016. The Company is not in default under any of its other debt arrangements.

 

Included in the 2015 principal payments are $15.4 million of subordinate debt interim principal payments that the Company expects to pay just before or as part of a restructuring that remains in negotiations. See Subordinate Debt below for more information.

 

Asset Related Debt

 

Notes Payable and Other Debt – Bond Related

 

At March 31, 2015, this debt was comprised of TRS financing agreements on bonds available-for-sale.

 

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company entered into a TRS financing agreement with a notional amount of $17.5 million using an existing bond as the referenced asset. Under the terms of the TRS agreement, the counterparty is required to pay the Company an amount equal to the interest payments received on the underlying bonds (notional amount of $17.5 million with a pay rate of 6.75% at March 31, 2015) and the Company is required to pay the counterparty a rate of Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) 7-day municipal swap index plus a spread. As of March 31, 2015, the spread was 150 basis points (“bps”) resulting in a pay rate of 152 bps.

 

Interest expense on notes payable and other debt – bond related totaled $0.3 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

16
 

 

Other Debt

 

Subordinate Debt

 

The table below provides a summary of the key terms of the subordinate debt issued by MMA Financial Inc. (“MFI”) and MMA Financial Holdings, Inc. (“MFH”) and held by third parties at March 31, 2015:

 

(dollars in thousands)                 
Issuer  Principal   Net Premium
and Debt
Issuance Costs
   Carrying
Value
   Interim
Principal
Payments
  Maturity Date  Coupon Interest Rate
MFI  $28,515   $(171)  $28,344   Amortizing  December 2027 and December 2033  8.0%
                         
MFH   33,286    3,031    36,317   $4,689 due March 2015  March 30, 2035  0.75% to March 2015, then 3-month LIBOR plus 3.3%
                         
MFH   30,116    2,545    32,661   $4,242 due May 2015  April 30, 2035  0.75% to April 2015, then 3-month LIBOR plus 3.3%
                         
MFH   17,219    1,350    18,569   $2,305 due May 2015  July 30, 2035  0.75% to April 2015, then 3-month LIBOR plus 3.3%
                         
MFH   31,308    2,454    33,762   $4,191 due May 2015  July 30, 2035  0.75% to April 2015, then 3-month LIBOR plus 3.3%
   $140,444   $9,209   $149,653          

 

The Company continues to be actively engaged in discussions with the lenders to restructure MFH’s subordinate debt to include a reduction to the annual interest rate of 3-month London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 330 bps and to require on-going principal amortization. It is expected that the interim principal amortization payments for all of the MFH tranches as reflected in the table above will be paid just before or as part of the restructuring.

 

Interest expense on the subordinate debt totaled $2.7 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Notes Payable and Other Debt

 

This debt is mainly comprised of TRS financing arrangements on the Company’s preferred stock investments. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company repaid $11.6 million of this debt and $25.0 million was extended and now matures on March 31, 2016. The debt is non-amortizing and bears an interest rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 400 bps (4.3% at March 31, 2015), which resets quarterly.

 

Letters of Credit

 

The Company had no letters of credit outstanding at March 31, 2015.

 

17
 

 

Note 7—DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities fair value balances at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

   Fair Value 
   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  Assets   Liabilities   Assets   Liabilities 
Total return swaps  $3,276   $592   $2,539   $35 
Interest rate cap   108        187     
Interest rate swap       767        718 
Total derivative financial instruments  $3,384   $1,359   $2,726   $753 

 

The following table summarizes the derivative notional amounts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

   Notional 
(in thousands)  March 31,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Total return swaps  $86,401   $90,184 
Interest rate cap   45,000    45,000 
Interest rate swap   7,231    7,749 
Total derivative financial instruments  $139,132   $142,933 

 

The following table summarizes derivative activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

   Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) for
the three months ended March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Total return swaps (1)  $1,191   $ 
Interest rate cap   (79)   (251)
Interest rate swap (2)   (127)   (105)
Total  $985   $(356)

 

(1)The cash paid and received on TRSs designated as derivatives is settled on a net basis and recorded through “Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives.” Net cash received was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

(2)The cash paid and received on the interest rate swap is settled on a net basis and recorded through “Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives.” Net cash paid was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

TRSs

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had 10 bond related TRS agreements. Under the terms of the TRS agreements, the counterparty is required to pay the Company an amount equal to the interest payments received on the underlying bonds (notional amount of $85.1 million with a weighted average pay rate of 6.0% at March 31, 2015). The Company is required to pay the counterparty a rate of SIFMA 7-day municipal swap index plus a spread on the TRS (notional amount of $86.4 million with a weighted average pay rate of 1.4% at March 31, 2015).

 

Interest rate cap

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had one interest rate cap contract that terminates on January 2, 2019 to protect the Company against rising interest rates associated with certain TRS agreements. The notional amount on the interest rate cap was $45.0 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and protects us on $45.0 million of our floating rate debt in the event SIFMA 7-day municipal swap index rises to 250 bps or higher.

 

Interest rate swap

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had one interest rate swap contract. Under the terms of the agreement, the counterparty is required to pay the Company SIFMA 7-day municipal swap index plus 250 bps (pay rate of 252 bps at March 31, 2015) and the Company is required to pay the counterparty a fixed interest rate of 6.5%.

 

18
 

 

Note 8—Financial Instruments

 

The following table provides information about financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. This table excludes non-financial assets and liabilities.

 

The fair value estimates are made at a discrete point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. A description of how the Company estimates fair values is provided below. These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

As required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), assets and liabilities are classified into levels based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The determination of which level an asset or liability gets classified into is based on the following fair value hierarchy:

 

·Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
·Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs or significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
·Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

   March 31, 2015 
  Carrying   Fair Value 
(in thousands)  Amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Investments in preferred stock  $31,371   $   $   $36,613 
Loans receivable   22,587            21,779 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Notes payable and other debt, bond related   101,245            101,377 
Notes payable and other debt, non-bond related   35,698            31,572 
Notes payable and other debt related to CFVs   6,712             
Subordinate debt issued by MFH   121,309            45,035 
Subordinate debt issued by MFI   28,344            28,515 

 

   December 31, 2014 
  Carrying   Fair Value 
(in thousands)  Amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Investments in preferred stock  $31,371   $   $   $36,613 
Loans receivable   22,564            21,689 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Notes payable and other debt, bond related   87,275            87,325 
Notes payable and other debt, non-bond related   48,575            44,085 
Notes payable and other debt related to CFVs   6,712             
Subordinate debt issued by MFH   119,441            44,718 
Subordinate debt issued by MFI   28,540            28,714 

 

Investment in preferred stockThe Company estimates fair value by using the terms and conditions of the preferred stock as compared to other, best available market benchmarks.

 

Loans receivable –The Company estimates fair value by discounting the expected cash flows using current market yields for similar loans. Loans receivable are recorded through “Other assets.”

 

Notes payable and other debt – The Company estimates fair value by discounting contractual cash flows using a market rate of interest or by estimating the fair value of the collateral supporting the debt arrangement, taking into account credit risk.

 

19
 

 

Subordinate debt – The Company estimates the fair value of the subordinate debt issued by MFI by using best available market benchmarks, taking into account credit risk. The fair value of the subordinate debt issued by MFH was estimated using an internal valuation model, taking into consideration credit risk. There can be no assurance that the Company could repurchase the remaining subordinated debt issued by MFH at the estimated fair value reflected in the table above or that the debt would trade at that price.

 

Note 9—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Recurring Valuations

 

The following tables present assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

   March 31,   Fair Value Measurement Levels 
(in thousands)  2015   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Bonds available-for-sale  $220,129   $   $   $220,129 
Derivative assets   3,384        108    3,276 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Derivative liabilities  $1,359   $   $   $1,359 

 

   December 31,   Fair Value Measurement Levels 
(in thousands)  2014   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Bonds available-for-sale  $222,899   $   $   $222,899 
Derivative assets   2,726        187    2,539 
                     
Liabilities:                    
Derivative liabilities  $753   $   $   $753 

 

The following table presents activity for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

(in thousands)  Bonds
Available-
for-sale
   Derivative
Assets
   Derivative
Liabilities
 
Balance, January 1, 2015  $222,899   $2,539   $(753)
Net (losses) gains included in earnings   (969)   737    (606)
Net change in other comprehensive income (1)   2,269         
Impact from settlements   (4,070)        
Balance, March 31, 2015  $220,129   $3,276   $(1,359)

 

(1)This amount includes $2.8 million of unrealized net holding gains arising during the period, offset by the reversal of $0.5 million of unrealized gains related to bonds that were redeemed.

 

20
 

 

The following table provides the amount included in earnings related to the activity presented in the table above, as well as additional realized losses recognized at derivative settlement for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

 

(in thousands)

  Net gains on
bonds (1)
   Equity in Losses
from Lower Tier
Property
Partnerships
(“LTPP”)
   Net gains on
derivatives (1)
 
Change in unrealized (losses) gains related to assets and liabilities still held at March 31 2015  $   $(969)  $131 
Additional realized gains recognized   583        933 
Total gains (losses) reported in earnings  $583   $(969)  $1,064 

 

(1)Amounts are reflected through “Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives” on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The following table presents activity for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  Bonds
Available-for-
sale
   Derivative
Liabilities
 
Balance, January 1, 2014  $195,332   $(626)
Net losses included in earnings   (948)   (27)
Net change in other comprehensive income (1)   4,906     
Bonds eliminated due to real estate consolidation and foreclosure   (11,058)    
Impact from settlements   (3,349)    
Balance, March 31, 2014  $184,883   $(653)

 

(1)This amount represents $4.9 million of unrealized net holding gains arising during the period.

 

The following table provides the amount included in earnings related to the activity presented in the table above, as well as additional realized losses recognized at derivative settlement for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

 

(in thousands)

  Equity in losses
from LTPPs
   Net losses on
derivatives (1)
 
Change in unrealized losses related to assets and liabilities still held at March 31, 2014  $(948)  $(27)
Additional realized losses recognized       (78)
Total losses reported in earnings  $(948)  $(105)

 

(1)Amounts are reflected through “Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives” on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The following methods or assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of these recurring financial instruments:

 

Bonds Available-for-sale If a bond is performing and payment of full principal and interest is not deemed at risk, then the Company estimates fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology; specifically, the Company discounts contractual principal and interest payments, adjusted for expected prepayments. The discount rate is based on expected investor yield requirements adjusted for bond attributes such as the expected term of the bond, debt service coverage ratio, geographic location and bond size.  The weighted average discount rate for the performing bond portfolio was 6.1% and 6.3% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for performing bonds still held in the portfolio at March 31, 2015. If observable market quotes are available, the Company will estimate the fair value based on such quoted prices.

 

For non-performing bonds and certain performing bonds where payment of full principal and interest is deemed at risk, the Company estimates fair value by discounting the property’s expected cash flows and residual proceeds using estimated market discount and capitalization rates, less estimated selling costs. The weighted average discount rate was 7.8% and 7.9% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for the bonds remaining in our portfolio at March 31, 2015. The weighted average capitalization rate was 6.7% and 6.8% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for the bonds remaining in our portfolio at March 31, 2015. However, to the extent available, the Company may estimate fair value based on a sale agreement, a letter of intent to purchase, an appraisal or other third-party indications of fair value.

 

The discount rates and capitalization rates discussed above are significant inputs to bond valuations and are unobservable in the market. To the extent discount rates and capitalization rates were to increase (decrease) in isolation the corresponding estimated bond values would decrease (increase).

 

21
 

 

The lack of liquidity in the bond markets in which the Company transacts, coupled with the significant judgments that are inherent in our valuation methodologies, results in a risk that if the Company needed to sell bonds, the price it is able to realize may be lower than the carrying value (i.e., the fair value) of such bonds.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company estimates fair value, taking into consideration credit risk, based on internal models and based on third party models using either a Level 2 or a Level 3 approach depending on the nature of the derivative contract.

 

Non-recurring Valuations

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

 

Note 10—GUARANTEES AND COLLATERAL

 

Guarantees

 

Guarantee obligations are recorded through “Other liabilities.”

 

The following table summarizes guarantees at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  Maximum
Exposure
   Carrying
Amount
   Maximum
Exposure
   Carrying
Amount
 
Indemnification contracts  $13,209   $781   $13,209   $864 

 

Through the indemnification contracts outlined in the table above, the Company guarantees the investor yields on certain third party LIHTC Funds and property performance on certain third party LTPPs. The Company made no cash payments related to these indemnification agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The carrying amount represents the amount of unamortized fees received related to these guarantees with no additional amounts recognized as management does not believe it is probable that the Company will have to make payments under these indemnifications.

 

The Company’s maximum exposure under its indemnification contracts represents the maximum loss the Company could incur under its guarantee agreements and is not indicative of the likelihood of the expected loss under the guarantee.  The Company also has guarantees associated with certain consolidated LIHTC Funds. See Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures” for information on these guarantees.

 

Collateral and restricted assets

 

The following table summarizes assets that are either pledged or restricted for the Company’s use at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. This table also reflects certain assets held by CFVs in order to reconcile to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

   March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)  Restricted
Cash
   Bonds
Available-
for-sale
   Investment in
Preferred
stock
   Other
Assets
   Total
Assets
Pledged
 
Debt and derivatives – total return swaps  $14,224   $168,274   $25,000   $   $207,498 
Other (1)   14,993            126    15,119 
CFVs (2)   23,876            10,577    34,453 
Total  $53,093   $168,274   $25,000   $10,703   $257,070 

 

22
 

 

   December 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  Restricted
Cash
   Bonds
Available-
for-sale
   Investment
in Preferred
stock
   Other
Assets
   Total
Assets
Pledged
 
Debt and derivatives – total return swaps  $11,010   $144,611   $31,371   $   $186,992 
Other (1)   14,993            161    15,154 
CFVs (2)   24,186            11,128    35,314 
Total  $50,189    144,611    31,371    11,289    237,460 

 

(1)The Company pledges collateral in connection with various guarantees that it has provided.  

 

(2)These are assets held by consolidated LIHTC Funds.

 

Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had three non-cancelable operating leases that expire between 2016 and 2018. These leases require the Company to pay property taxes, maintenance and other costs. The Company recognized net rental expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the future minimum rental commitments on the three non-cancelable operating leases at
March 31, 2015:

 

(in thousands)     
2015  $325 
2016   107 
2017   75 
2018   34 
2019    
Total minimum future rental commitments  $541 

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These proceedings may include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive or declaratory relief.

 

The Company establishes reserves for litigation matters when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Once established, reserves may be adjusted when new information is obtained.

 

It is the opinion of the Company’s management that adequate provisions have been made for losses with respect to litigation matters and other claims that existed at March 31, 2015. Management believes the ultimate resolution of these matters is not likely to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Assessment of the potential outcomes of these matters involves significant judgment and is subject to change, based on future developments, which could result in significant changes.

 

Shareholder Matters

 

The Company is a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit and two derivative suits originally filed in 2008.  The plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit claim to represent a class of investors in the Company’s shares who allegedly were injured by misstatements in press releases and SEC filings between May 3, 2004 and January 28, 2008.  The plaintiffs sought unspecified damages for themselves and the shareholders of the class they purported to represent.  In the derivative suits, the plaintiffs claimed, among other things, that the Company was injured because its directors and certain named officers did not fulfill duties regarding the accuracy of its financial disclosures.  Both the class action and the derivative cases were brought in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the class action, and in June 2012, the Court issued a ruling dismissing all of the counts alleging any knowing or intentional wrongdoing by the Company or its affiliates, directors and officers. The plaintiffs appealed the Court’s ruling and on March 7, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed the lower Court’s ruling. As a result of these rulings, the only counts remaining in the class action relate to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan and the plaintiffs in the derivative cases have voluntarily dismissed their case outright.

 

23
 

 

The parties have engaged in settlement discussions leading to a settlement agreement. On April 20, 2015, the parties submitted the agreement and related documents to the United States District Court for the Districted of Maryland for approval. The agreement provides for payments to the class of up to $676,820 and attorneys’ fees of up to $150,000 for the plaintiffs’ counsel. The settlement is a claims-made settlement, in which payments will be made only to those plaintiffs who submit a claim and whose claim is approved, thus the final settlement amount to the class could be less than the amount stated above. Similarly, the court must approve the plaintiffs’ counsel’s attorneys’ fees, thus the final amount could be less than stated.

 

The Company does not expect to directly incur any settlement costs, as all costs, including both class payments and plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, will be paid directly by the insurance company. As a result, the Company released the litigation reserve of $0.5 million during the first quarter of 2015.

 

Note 12—EQUITY

 

Common Share Information

 

The following table provides a summary of net income to common shareholders as well as information pertaining to weighted average shares used in the per share calculations as presented on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Net loss from continuing operations  $(393)  $(1,023)
Net income from discontinued operations   72    14,629 
Net (loss) income to common shareholders  $(321)  $13,606 
           
Basic weighted-average shares (1)   7,213    8,041 
Common stock equivalents (2) (3) (4)        
Diluted weighted-average shares   7,213    8,041 

 

(1)Includes common shares issued and outstanding, as well as non-employee directors’ and employee deferred shares that have vested, but are not issued and outstanding.

 

(2)At March 31, 2015, 410,000 stock options were in the money and had a potential dilutive share impact of 297,780.  In addition, 31,250 unvested employee deferred shares had a potential dilutive share impact of 10,417 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company had a net loss from continuing operations and thus, any incremental shares would be anti-dilutive.

 

(3)At March 31, 2014, 410,000 stock options were in the money and had a potential dilutive share impact of 270,626 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. In addition, 41,667 unvested employee deferred shares had a potential dilutive share impact of 20,833 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company had a net loss from continuing operations and thus, any incremental shares would be anti-dilutive.

 

(4)For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the average number of options excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share was 60,211, because of their anti-dilutive effect (i.e. these stock options were not in the money). For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the average number of options excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share was 60,211 because of their anti-dilutive effect (i.e. these stock options were not in the money).  

 

Common Shares

 

Effective September 29, 2014, the Company executed a one-for-five reverse stock split. All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

 

As of March 31, 2015, our Board had authorized total stock repurchases of up to 2.05 million shares. Between April 1, 2015 and May 7, 2015, the Company repurchased 225,104 shares at an average price of $10.00. As of May 7, 2015, the Company had repurchased 1.6 million shares at an average price of $8.42 since the plan’s inception. At its May 7, 2015 meeting, the Board amended the maximum price at which management is authorized to purchase shares based on an assessment of the economic benefit of such purchases to the Company. Effective at the filing of this Report and until modified by further action by the Board, that price is $12.76 per share.

 

24
 

 

Effective May 5, 2015, the Company adopted a Tax Benefits Rights Agreement (“Rights Plan”).  In connection with adopting the Rights Plan, the Company declared a distribution of one right per common share to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2015.  The rights will not trade apart from the current common shares until the distribution date, as defined in the Rights Plan. Under the Rights Plan, should a new investor acquire greater than a 4.9% stake in the Company, all existing shareholders other than the new 4.9% holder will be provided the opportunity to acquire new shares for a nominal cost, thereby significantly diluting the ownership interest of the acquiring person. The Rights Plan will run for a period of five years, or until the Board determines the plan is no longer required, whichever comes first.

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

The following table summarizes the noncontrolling interests at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
CFVs (LIHTC Funds)  $215,807   $230,111 
IHS   (397)   (397)
Total  $215,410   $229,714 

 

LIHTC Funds

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the noncontrolling interest holders were comprised of the limited partners as well as the GP in 11 guaranteed LIHTC Funds. The decline in the noncontrolling interest balance was primarily a result of a $12.2 million reduction in the LIHTC Funds’ investment balance due to net operating losses and impairment charges that were recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  

 

IHS

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 3.7% of IHS was held by a third party.

 

AOCI Allocable to Common Shareholders

 

The following table summarizes the net change in AOCI allocable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

(in thousands)  Bonds
Available-for-
Sale
   Income Tax
Expense
   Foreign
Currency
Translation
   AOCI 
Balance, January 1, 2015  $57,234   $(150)  $(632)  $56,452 
Unrealized net gains (losses)   2,740        (132)   2,608 
Reversal of unrealized gains on redeemed bonds   (471)           (471)
Income tax expense       (211)       (211)
Net change in other comprehensive income   2,269    (211)   (132)   1,926 
Balance, March 31, 2015  $59,503   $(361)  $(764)  $58,378 

 

The following table summarizes the net change in AOCI allocable to common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  Bonds
Available-for-
Sale
   Income Tax
Expense
   Foreign
Currency
Translation
   AOCI 
Balance, January 1, 2014  $36,868   $   $(209)  $36,659 
Unrealized net gains   4,906        2    4,908 
Reversal of unrealized gains from AOCI to Net Income due to foreclosure   (2,003)           (2,003)
Income tax expense       (129)       (129)
Net change in other comprehensive income   2,903    (129)   2    2,776 
Balance, March 31, 2014  $39,771   $(129)  $(207)  $39,435 

 

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Note 13—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has stock-based compensation plans (“Plans”) for Non-employee Directors (“Non-employee Directors’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans”) and stock-based incentive compensation plans for employees (“Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans”). All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the one-for-five reverse stock split to shareholders on September 29, 2014.

 

Total compensation expense recorded for these Plans was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans  $299   $942 
Non-employee Directors’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans   74    75 
Total  $373   $1,017 

 

Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

As of March 31, 2015, there were 374,187 share awards available to be issued under Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans. While each existing Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plan has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, not all of the Plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders. The non-shareholder approved Plans are currently restricted to the issuance of only stock options. As a result, of the 374,187 shares available under the plans, only 10,047 are available to be issued in the form of either stock options or shares; all remaining share awards must be issued in the form of stock options.

 

Employee Common Stock Options

 

The Company measures the fair value of unvested options with time-based vesting and all vested options (both time-based and performance based), using a lattice model for purposes of recognizing compensation expense.  The Company believes the lattice model provides a better estimate of the fair value of these options as, according to Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “the design of a lattice model more fully reflects the substantive characteristics of a particular employee share option.” Because options granted with stock price targets contain a “market condition” under FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, a Monte Carlo simulation is used to simulate future stock price movements for the Company.  The Company believes a Monte Carlo simulation provides a better estimate of the fair value for unvested options granted with specific stock price targets as the model’s flexibility allows for the fair value to account for the vesting provisions as well as the different probabilities of stock price outcomes.

 

The following table summarizes option activity under the Employees’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans:

 

 

(in thousands, except per option data)

  Number of
Options
   Weighted-
average
Exercise
Price per
Option
   Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual Life
per Option
(in years)
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
   Period End
 Liability (2)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2014   416   $3.52    7.3   $1,644   $1,785 
Forfeited/Expired in 2014                        
Outstanding at December 31, 2014   416    3.52    6.3    3,196    3,281 
Forfeited/Expired in 2015                        
Outstanding at March 31, 2015   416    3.52    6.1    3,458    3,536 
                          
Number of options that were exercisable at:                         
December 31, 2014   325    4.00    6.1           
March 31, 2015   362    3.77    6.0           

 

(1)Intrinsic value is based on outstanding options.

 

(2)Only options that were amortized based on a vesting schedule have a liability balance. These options were 415,615; 412,100; and 378,173; at March 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and January 1, 2014, respectively.

 

The value of employee options increased by $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and was recognized as additional compensation expense.

 

26
 

 

Employee Deferred Shares

 

The following table summarizes the deferred shares granted to employees. The grants outstanding at March 31, 2015 have both time and price vesting requirements, with a portion of the shares vesting over the next 12 months. Also, a portion of the shares vest if over a 30-day period, the average share price is at least $10.00. The remaining shares vest if that average share price is at least $12.50.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)  Deferred Share
Grants
   Weighted-
average Grant
Date Share
Price
   Period End
Liability
 
Balance, January 1, 2015   42   $4.40   $336 
Granted in 2015              
Issued in 2015   11    4.40      
Balance, March 31, 2015   31    4.40    276 

 

The Company recognized $44,630 of additional compensation expense related to employee deferred shares during the three months ended March 31, 2015, mainly driven by the increase in MMA’s share price and amortization of existing grants.

 

Non-employee Directors’ Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

The Non-employee Directors’ Stock-based Compensation Plans authorize a total of 1,130,000 shares for issuance, of which 434,123 were available to be issued at March 31, 2015. The Non-employee Directors’ Stock-based Compensation Plans provide for grants of non-qualified common stock options, common shares, restricted shares and deferred shares.

 

On March 12, 2015, the Board adopted the amendment to the Non-employee Director’s Stock-based Compensation Plans providing directors to be paid $60,000 per year, an increase from $50,000 per year for their services; 50% of their compensation is paid in cash and 50% is paid in share based grants. In addition, the Chairman now receives an additional $20,000 per year, the Audit Committee Chair receives an additional $15,000 per year and the other committee chairs receive an additional $10,000 per year.

 

The table below summarizes director compensation, including cash, vested options and common and deferred shares, for services rendered for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The directors are fully vested in the deferred shares at the grant date.

 

   Cash   Common
Shares
Granted
   Deferred
Shares
Granted
   Weighted-
average Grant
Date Share Price
   Options
Vested
   Directors’ Fees
Expense
 
March 31, 2015  $36,875    1,912    1,978   $9.48       $73,750 
March 31, 2014   37,500    3,776    1,888    6.62        75,000 

 

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Note 14—discontinued operations

 

The table below reflects the activity related to the Company’s discontinued operations.  During the first quarter of 2014, the Company completed two real estate sales that were treated as discontinued operations prior to the Company’s early adoption of ASU 2014-08 during April 2014. The discontinued operations activity reported during the first quarter of 2015 relates to operations that were disposed of prior to the Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-08.

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Income from CFVs (primarily rental income)  $   $279 
Income from REO operations       302 
Expenses from CFVs (primarily operating expenses)       (244)
Expenses from REO operations       (451)
Other income   83    83 
Other expense   (5)   (28)
Income tax expense   (6)   (504)
Net income (loss) before disposal activity   72    (563)
Disposal:          
Net gains related to REO       15,037 
Net gains related to CFVs       5 
Net income from discontinued operations   72    14,479 
Loss from discontinued operations allocable to noncontrolling interests       150 
Net income to common shareholders from discontinued operations  $72   $14,629 

 

Note 15—CONSOLIDATED FUNDS AND VENTURES

 

As previously discussed in our 2014 Form 10-K, the Company no longer consolidates SAWHF or the non-profit entity and its LTPPs as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, CFVs was comprised of only LIHTC Funds.

 

LIHTC Funds

 

The Company guarantees the investor yield for each of these 11 LIHTC Funds. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s maximum exposure under these guarantees was estimated to be approximately $558.9 million; however, the Company does not anticipate any losses under these guarantees.

 

The LIHTC Funds’ primary assets are their investments in LTPPs, which are the owners of the affordable housing properties (see Investments in LTPPs in the Asset Summary below). The LIHTC Funds account for these investments using the equity method of accounting.

 

Asset Summary:

 

The following section provides more information related to the assets of the consolidated LIHTC Funds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  $23,876   $24,186 
Investments in Lower Tier Property Partnerships   219,007    231,204 
Other assets   10,577    11,128 
Total assets of consolidated LIHTC Funds  $253,460   $266,518 

 

All of the assets of the consolidated LIHTC Funds are restricted for use by the specific owner entity and are not available for the Company’s general use.

 

28
 

 

LIHTC Funds’ Investments in Lower Tier Property Partnerships

 

The LIHTC Funds’ limited partner investments in LTPPs are accounted for under the equity method because the third party GPs in the LTPPs are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The following table provides the assets and liabilities of the LTPPs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
LIHTC Funds’ investment in Lower Tier Property Partnerships  $219,007   $231,204 
Total assets of Lower Tier Property Partnerships (1)  $1,261,665   $1,273,903 
Total liabilities of Lower Tier Property Partnerships (1)   1,039,414    1,035,695 

 

(1)The assets of the LTPPs are primarily real estate and the liabilities are predominantly mortgage debt.

 

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss from the LIHTC Funds and the underlying LTPPs relate to the guarantee exposure associated with the LIHTC Funds discussed above and the Company’s bonds that represent the primary mortgage debt obligation owed by certain LTPPs of the LIHTC Funds. The fair value of the Company’s reported bonds secured by properties owned by the LTPPs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, was $120.4 million and $118.9 million, respectively.

 

Liability Summary:

 

The following section provides more information related to the liabilities of the consolidated LIHTC Funds at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   December 31,
2014
 
Debt (1)  $6,712   $6,712 
Unfunded equity commitments to unconsolidated Lower Tier Property Partnerships   9,597    9,597 
Other liabilities (2)   32,747    31,831 
Total liabilities of consolidated LIHTC Funds  $49,056   $48,140 

 

(1)At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2014, this debt had a face amount equal to its carrying value, a weighted average effective interest rate of 5.3%, and was due on demand.

 

(2)Represents asset management fee obligations of the LIHTC Funds.

 

29
 

 

Income Statement Summary:

 

The following section provides more information related to the income statement of the CFVs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Revenue:          
Rental and other income from real estate  $   $3,624 
Interest and other income   67    1,426 
Total revenue from CFVs   67    5,050 
           
Expenses:          
Depreciation and amortization   552    2,218 
Interest expense   88    1,069 
Other operating expenses   1,139    2,952 
Foreign currency loss       410 
Asset impairments   7,537    5,000 
Total expenses from CFVs   9,316    11,649 
           
Net gains (losses) related to CFVs:          
Investment gains       4,867 
Derivative losses       (58)
Equity in losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships of CFVs   (5,693)   (7,428)
Net loss   (14,942)   (9,218)
Net losses allocable to noncontrolling interests in CFVs (1)   14,304    9,853 
Net (loss) income allocable to the common shareholders related to CFVs  $(638)  $635 

 

(1)Excludes $56,322 of net loss allocable to the minority interest holder in IHS for the three months ended March 31, 2014. These amounts are excluded from this presentation because IHS related activity is not included within CFV income statement activity above. There were no losses allocable to the minority interest holder in IHS for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

The details of Net (loss) income allocable to the common shareholders related to CFVs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(in thousands)  2015   2014 
Asset management fees  $   $841 
Interest income       343 
Guarantee fees   331    331 
Equity in losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships   (969)   (949)
Equity in income from SAWHF       128 
Other expense       (59)
Net (loss) income allocable to the common shareholders related to CFVs  $(638)  $635 

 

30
 

 

Note 16—segment Information

 

Beginning in 2015, the Company operated through three reportable segments: U.S. Operations, International Operations and Corporate Operations. We have revised the presentation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 based on these segments, which had no impact on Net income (loss) to common shareholders.

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)  U.S.
Operations
   International
Operations
   Corporate   CFVs   Income
Allocation
Reclasses
   MMA
Consolidated
 
Total interest income  $4,041   $19   $13   $   $   $4,073 
Total interest expense   (329)       (145)           (474)
Net interest income   3,712    19    (132)           3,599 
                               
Total fee and other income   2,054    1,230    488        (331) (1)   3,441 
Revenue from CFVs               67        67 
Total non-interest revenue   2,054    1,230    488    67    (331)   3,508 
Total revenues, net of interest expense   5,766    1,249    356    67    (331)   7,107 
                               
Operating and other expenses:                              
Interest expense   (515)   (29)   (2,652)           (3,196)
Operating expenses   (1,612)   (2,082)   (1,585)           (5,279)
Other expenses, net   (258)   254    (103)           (107)
Expenses from CFVs               (9,647)   331 (1)   (9,316)
Total operating and other expenses   (2,385)   (1,857)   (4,340)   (9,647)   331    (17,898)
Net gains on assets, derivatives and extinguishment of liabilities   1,568                    1,568 
Equity in (losses) income from unconsolidated funds and ventures   (9)   82                73 
Equity in (losses) gains from Lower Tier Property Partnerships of CFVs   (969) (2)           (4,724) (2)       (5,693)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   3,971    (526)   (3,984)   (14,304)       (14,843)
Income tax benefit           146            146 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   78        (6)           72 
Net income (loss)   4,049    (526)   (3,844)   (14,304)       (14,625)
Income allocable to noncontrolling interests:                              
Net losses allocable to noncontrolling interests in CFVs:                              
Related to continuing operations               14,304        14,304 
Net income (loss) to common shareholders  $4,049   $(526)  $(3,844)  $   $   $(321)

 

(1)Represents guarantee fees related to the Company’s LIHTC Funds, which were recognized during the first quarter of 2015 through an allocation of income (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, are included in total fee and other income for U.S. Operations.

 

(2)Represents equity in losses from the Lower Tier Property Partnerships that the Company recognized as an allocation (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) because of bonds held by the Company associated with the LTTPs in situations where the carrying amount of the limited partnership investment had reached zero. For purposes of the table above, the Company recognized $1.0 million of losses in U.S. Operations and reduced the CFVs losses by the same amount.

 

31
 

 

   For the three months ended March 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  U.S.
Operations
   International
Operations
   Corporate   CFVs   Income
Allocation
Reclasses
   MMA
Consolidated
 
Total interest income  $5,638   $10   $   $   $(343) (1)  $5,305 
Total interest expense   (1,016)       (187)           (1,203)
Net interest income   4,622    10    (187)       (343)   4,102 
                               
Total fee and other income   2,246    1,046    30        (1,172) (2)   2,150 
Revenue from CFVs               5,050        5,050 
Total non-interest revenue   2,246    1,046    30    5,050    (1,172)   7,200 
Total revenues, net of interest expense   6,868    1,056    (157)   5,050    (1,515)   11,302 
                               
Operating and other expenses:                              
Interest expense   (805)   (37)   (2,731)           (3,573)
Operating expenses   (1,891)   (1,705)   (2,078)           (5,674)
Other expenses   (732)   (33)   (95)       59  (3)   (801)
Expenses from CFVs               (13,233)   1,584 (5)   (11,649)
Total operating and other expenses   (3,428)   (1,775)   (4,904)   (13,233)   1,643    (21,697)
Net losses on assets, derivatives and extinguishment of liabilities   (365)                   (365)
Net gains transferred into net income from AOCI due to real estate foreclosure   2,003                    2,003 
Equity in losses from unconsolidated funds and ventures   (62)   (48)               (110)
Net gains related to CFVs               4,809        4,809 
Equity in (losses) gains from Lower Tier Property Partnerships of CFVs   (949) (6)   128        (6,479) (6)   (128) (4)   (7,428)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   4,067    (639)   (5,061)   (9,853)       (11,486)
Income tax benefit           554            554 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   15,133        (504)   (150)       14,479 
Net income (loss)   19,200    (639)   (5,011)   (10,003)       3,547 
Loss allocable to noncontrolling interests:                              
Net losses allocable to noncontrolling interests in CFVs:                              
Related to continuing operations        56        9,853        9,909 
Related to discontinued operations                150        150 
Net income (loss) to common shareholders   $19,200   $(583)  $(5,011)  $   $   $13,606 

 

(1)Represents interest on bonds that the Company recognized through an allocation of income (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, the $0.3 million is reflected in total interest income for the U.S. Operations.

 

(2)This amount includes $0.7 million of asset management fees recognized by IHS through an income allocation (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, the $0.7 million is reflected in total fee and other income for International Operations. This amount also includes $0.2 million of asset management fees and $0.3 million of guarantee fees both related to the Company’s LIHTC Funds and both recognized during the first quarter of 2014 through an allocation of income (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, both are included in total fee and other income for U.S. Operations.

 

(3)Represents net expenses recognized by the Company through an allocation of income (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, these expenses are reflected as additional other expenses for U.S. Operations.

 

32
 

 

(4)Represents the Company’s share of its equity interest in the SAWHF (i.e., 2.7% of the SAWHF’s first quarter of 2014 net income) which is recognized through an allocation of income (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) and for purposes of the table above, the $0.1 million is reflected as equity in income of unconsolidated ventures for International Operations.

 

(5)Represents net expenses of CFVs that were eliminated in consolidation because they were payments or income allocations to MMA.

 

(6)Represents equity in losses from the Lower Tier Property Partnerships that the Company recognized as an allocation (see Note 15, “Consolidated Funds and Ventures”) because of bonds held by the Company associated with the LTPPs in situations where the carrying amount of the limited partnership investment had reached zero. For purposes of the table above, the Company recognized $0.9 million of losses in U.S. Operations and reduced the CFVs losses by the same amount.

 

The total assets by segment at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in the table below:

 

(in thousands)  March 31,
2015
   December 31,
2014
 
ASSETS          
U.S. Operations  $363,641   $362,991 
Corporate Operations   30,066    28,981 
International Operations   10,383    10,645 
Total segment assets   404,090    402,617 
Other adjustments   (389)   (389)
Assets of CFVs   253,460    266,518 
Total MMA consolidated assets  $657,161   $668,746 

 

33
 

 

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

 

General Overview

 

The Company uses its experience and expertise to partner with institutional capital to create attractive and impactful alternative investment opportunities, to manage them well and to report on them effectively. Beginning in 2015, the Company operated through three reportable segments – United States (“U.S.”) Operations, International Operations and Corporate Operations.

 

U.S. Operations

 

Our U.S. Operations consists of three business lines: Leveraged Bonds, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (“LIHTC”) and Other Investments and Obligations.

 

The Leveraged Bonds business line finances affordable housing and infrastructure in the U.S. This business line manages the vast majority of the Company’s bonds and associated financings. The bond portfolio is comprised primarily of multifamily tax-exempt bonds, but also includes community development district (“CDD”) bonds and other real estate related bond investments.

 

Our LIHTC business consists primarily of secured loan receivables from Morrison Grove Management, LLC (“MGM”) and an option to purchase MGM in 2019.

 

The Other Investments and Obligations business line includes legacy assets and serves as our research and development unit for new business opportunities in the U.S., which has resulted in the creation of a renewable energy capital business that operates as MMA Energy Capital, LLC.

 

International Operations

 

We manage our International Operations through International Housing Solutions S.à r.l. (“IHS”). IHS’s strategy is to raise, invest in and manage private real estate funds.  IHS currently manages three funds: the South Africa Workforce Housing Fund (“SAWHF”), which is a multi-investor fund and is fully invested; IHS Residential Partners I, which is a single-investor fund targeted at the emerging middle class in South Africa; and IHS Fund II, which is a multi-investor fund targeting investments in affordable housing including green housing projects within South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. At March 31, 2015, we had a 96% interest in IHS and on May 1, 2015, increased our ownership interest to 100%.

 

Corporate Operations

 

Our Corporate Operations segment is responsible for accounting, reporting, compliance and planning which are fundamental to our success as a global fund manager and publicly traded company in the U.S.

 

Financial Results

 

As outlined on the balance sheet summary (Table 1) below, common shareholders’ equity increased $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2015 to $92.5 million, representing a diluted equity per share of $12.76. As outlined on Table 2, the change in common shareholders’ equity for the first quarter of 2015 included $1.9 million of other comprehensive income largely due to unrealized gains recognized on the bond portfolio, partially offset by a $0.3 million net loss (reported through the income statement) as well as $0.6 million of declines in equity largely due to common share repurchases during the quarter.

 

34
 

 

Balance Sheet Summary – Table 1

 

The table below summarizes the change in our balance sheet at March 31, 2015 from December 31, 2014.

 

    (in thousands)   March 31, 2015
(Unaudited)
    December 31, 2014     Change  
    Assets                  
  1   Cash and cash equivalents   $ 30,283     $ 29,619     $ 664  
  2   Restricted cash (without CFVs) (1)     29,217       26,003       3,214  
  3   Bonds available-for-sale     220,129       222,899       (2,770 )
  4   Real estate related investments (2)     51,127       51,091       36  
  5   Investment in preferred stock     31,371       31,371       -  
  6   Other assets (without CFVs) (3)     41,574       41,245       329  
  7   Assets of CFVs (4)     253,460       266,518       (13,058 )
  8   Total assets   $ 657,161     $ 668,746     $ (11,585 )
                               
      Liabilities and Noncontrolling Equity                        
  9   Debt (without CFVs)   $ 286,596     $ 283,831     $ 2,765  
  10   Accounts payable and accrued expenses     3,416       5,538       (2,122 )
  11   Other liabilities (without CFVs) (4)     10,180       10,039       141  
  12   Liabilities of CFVs     49,056       48,140       916  
  13   Non-controlling equity related to CFVs (5)     215,807       230,111       (14,304 )
  14   Non-controlling equity related to IHS (6)     (397 )     (397 )     -  
  15   Total liabilities and non-controlling equity   $ 564,658     $ 577,262       (12,604 )
                               
  16   Common Shareholders’ Equity   $ 92,503     $ 91,484     $ 1,019  
                               
                               
  17   Common shares outstanding     7,184       7,228       (44 )
  18   Common shareholders’ equity per common share   $ 12.88     $ 12.66     $ 0.22  
                               
  19   Diluted common shareholders’ equity   $ 95,624     $ 94,448     $ 1,176  
  20   Diluted common share outstanding     7,496       7,547       (51 )
  21   Diluted common shareholders’ equity per common share   $ 12.76     $ 12.51     $ 0.25  

 

(1)Consolidated Funds and Ventures (“CFVs”).
   
(2)Includes real estate held-for use and real estate held-for-sale reported on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. This also includes $22.6 million and $22.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of investments in real estate partnerships reported in Other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
   
(3)Excludes $22.6 million and $22.5 million of investments in real estate partnerships reported through Other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
   
(4)Assets of CFVs exclude $11.4 million and $11.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of net assets; and other liabilities of MMA excludes $11.4 million and $11.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of net liabilities. These assets and liabilities were eliminated in consolidation and primarily represent prepaid guarantee fees (CFVs) and deferred guarantee fees (MMA).
   
(5)Represents the amount of equity attributable to noncontrolling interest holders in the CFVs and reported through Noncontrolling interests in CFVs and IHS on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
   
(6)Represents the deficit equity balance attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder in IHS reported through Noncontrolling interests in CFVs and IHS on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

35
 

 

Common Shareholders’ Equity – Table 2

 

The table below summarizes the changes in common shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Net (loss) income to common shareholders (see Table 3)  $(321)  $13,606   $(13,927)
 2  Other comprehensive income allocable to common shareholders (see Table 4)   1,926    2,776    (850)
 3  Other changes in common shareholders’ equity (see Table 5)   (586)   (990)   404 
 4  Net increase to common shareholders’ equity  $1,019   $15,392   $(14,373)

 

Net Income to Common Shareholders – Table 3

 

The table below summarizes the common shareholders’ net (loss) income performance for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

     For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Net interest income (see Table 6)  $3,599   $4,102   $(503)
 2  Fee and other income (see Table 7)   3,441    2,150    1,291 
    Operating and other expenses:               
 3  Other interest expense (see Table 8)   (3,196)   (3,573)   377 
 4  Operating expenses (see Table 9)   (5,386)   (6,475)   1,089 
 5  Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives (see Table 10)   1,568    (365)   1,933 
 6 

Net gains transferred into net income from accumulated other comprehensive income

(“AOCI”) due to real estate foreclosure (see Table 4)

   -    2,003    (2,003)
 7  Equity in income (losses) from unconsolidated funds and ventures   73    (110)   183 
 8  Net (loss) income allocated to common shareholders related to CFVs (see Table 11)   (638)   635    (1,273)
 9  Net expenses allocated to IHS minority interest holder (see Table 11)   -    56    (56)
 10  Net loss to common shareholders from continuing operations before income taxes   (539)   (1,577)   1,038 
 11  Income tax benefit   146    554    (408)
 12  Net income to common shareholders from discontinued operations, net of tax   72    14,629    (14,557)
 13  Net (loss) income to common shareholders  $(321)  $13,606   $(13,927)

 

Other Comprehensive Income Allocable to Common Shareholders – Table 4

 

The table below summarizes the common shareholders’ other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
  

(in thousands)

  2015   2014     
   Bond related activity:            
 1  Increase in bond values due to market conditions  $1,771   $3,957   $(2,186)
 2 

Increase in bond values due to equity in losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships (“LTPP”) (see Table 11)

   969    949    20 
 3  Reversal of net unrealized gains on sold bonds   (471)   -    (471)
 4  Reversal of unrealized gains from AOCI to Net Income due to foreclosure (see Table 3)   -    (2,003)   2,003 
 5  Other comprehensive income related to bond related activity   2,269    2,903    (634)
 6  Income tax expense   (211)   (129)   (82)
 7  Foreign currency translation adjustment   (132)   2    (134)
 8  Other comprehensive income allocable to common shareholders  $1,926   $2,776   $(850)

 

36
 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded net unrealized gains of $1.8 million on our bond portfolio (line 1 above). The majority of the unrealized gains recorded during the first quarter of 2015 were due to declines in market yields on our performing bonds and declines in the discount and capitalization rates on certain non-performing and collateral dependent performing bonds.  We also recognized unrealized gains as a result of improvements in the underlying credit and improvements in property operations that increased future expected cash flows in certain non-performing and collateral dependent performing bonds. 

 

The bonds that were financed through total return swaps (“TRS”) and accounted for as derivatives had net unrealized gains of $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  These unrealized gains were driven by a decline in market yields and were reported as unrealized gains on derivatives and are reported through Table 3, line 5.

 

Other Changes in Common Shareholders’ Equity – Table 5

 

The table below summarizes other changes in common shareholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
  

(in thousands)

  2015   2014     
 1  Common share repurchases  $(568)  $(869)  $301 
 2  Purchases of shares in a subsidiary (including price adjustments on prior purchases)   (159)   (270)   111 
 3  Director and employee share awards   141    149    (8)
 4  Other changes in common shareholders’ equity  $(586)  $(990)  $404 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 58,332 shares at an average price of $9.73 resulting in a reduction to common shareholders’ equity of $0.6 million, but causing our equity per common share outstanding to increase by $0.03 during the first quarter.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion of our consolidated results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, including the accompanying notes. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” for more information concerning the most significant accounting policies and estimates applied in determining our results of operations.

 

Net interest income – Table 6

 

The following table summarizes our net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
  

(in thousands)

  2015   2014     
   Interest income:            
 1  Interest on bonds  $3,332   $5,160   $(1,828)
 2  Interest on loans and short-term investments   741    145    596 
 3  Total interest income   4,073    5,305    (1,232)
    Asset related interest expense:               
 4  Total return swaps, bond related   (326)   (1,005)   679 
 5  Notes payable and other debt, non-bond related   (148)   (198)   50 
 6  Total interest expense   (474)   (1,203)   729 
 7  Net interest income  $3,599   $4,102   $(503)

 

Interest income on bonds decreased $1.8 million. During the first quarter of 2014, as a result of a bond restructuring, we collected $1.2 million of delinquent interest which was not repeated during the first quarter of 2015. Also, because this restructured bond was on non-accrual during the first quarter of 2014 and it is a bond that pays semi-annually, we recorded six months of interest collections; however, this bond was on accrual during the first quarter of 2015 and therefore recognized only three months of interest earnings causing interest income to decline by $0.6 million quarter over quarter.

 

Interest on loans and short-term investments increased by $0.6 million mainly due to interest recognized on loans we made to MGM during the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

37
 

 

Asset related interest expense decreased by $0.7 million primarily due to $30.3 million of bond financings, with a 7.8% weighted average effective interest rate, that were terminated during the second quarter of 2014.

 

Fee and Other Income – Table 7

 

The following table summarizes our fee and other income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Income on preferred stock investment  $1,297   $1,297   $- 
 2  Asset management fees from IHS funds and ventures   1,230    401    829 
 3  Other income   914    452    462 
 4  Fee and other income  $3,441   $2,150   $1,291 

 

Fee and other income increased by $1.3 million mainly due to a $0.8 million increase in asset management fees from IHS funds and ventures. The majority of this increase was due to $0.6 million of SAWHF asset management fees that were reported through Fee and other income during the first quarter of 2015; however, because SAWHF was previously consolidated, asset management fees of $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2014 were reported as an allocation of income (see Table 11, line 8).

 

Other income on Table 7, line 3 above, increased mainly due to the $0.5 million of litigation reserve that was released during the first quarter of 2015. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies” for more information.

 

Other interest expense – Table 8

 

The following table summarizes our other interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Subordinate debentures  $(2,652)  $(2,542)  $(110)
 2  Notes payable and other debt   (544)   (1,031)   487 
 3  Other interest expense  $(3,196)  $(3,573)  $377 

 

The $0.4 million decline of other interest expense (which represents interest expense associated with debt which does not finance interest-bearing assets) was mainly driven by the payoff of certain notes payable and other debt in the third and fourth quarters of 2014.

 

Operating Expenses – Table 9

 

The following table summarizes our operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended March 31,   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Salaries and benefits  $(3,272)  $(3,329)  $57 
 2  General and administrative   (863)   (963)   100 
 3  Professional fees   (1,144)   (1,382)   238 
 4  Other expenses   (107)   (801)   694 
 5  Operating expenses  $(5,386)  $(6,475)  $1,089 

 

Other expenses primarily include asset management costs, asset workout expenses, depreciation and amortization and costs related to our ownership of real estate. Other expenses decreased $0.7 million mainly due to a decline in asset management costs as well as foreign currency gains recognized in the first quarter of 2015.

 

38
 

 

Net Gains (Losses) on Assets and Derivatives – Table 10

 

The following table summarizes our net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Net gains on bonds  $583   $-   $583 
 2  Net losses on loans   -    (9)   9 
 3  Net gains (losses) on derivatives   985    (356)   1,341 
 4  Net gains (losses) on assets and derivatives  $1,568   $(365)  $1,933 

 

Net gains on bonds were $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, we sold a bond interest for $0.6 million that resulted in a corresponding gain on sale of which $0.5 million was due to unrealized gains previously recognized in AOCI that were transferred into net income at the time of sale.

 

Net gains (losses) on derivatives increased by $1.3 million. The details of Net gains (losses) on derivatives (line 3 above) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 5  Interest income on bond related TRS  $1,326   $-   $1,326 
 6  Interest expense on bond related TRS   (315)   -    (315)
 7  Other (primarily represents change in derivative values)   (26)   (356)   330 
 8  Net gains (losses) on derivatives  $985   $(356)  $1,341 

 

Net gains on derivatives were $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to net losses of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, largely due to net interest received on bond related TRSs entered into during the second quarter of 2014 that are treated as derivatives for accounting purposes.

 

Net (Loss) Income Allocated to Common Shareholders Related to CFVs – Table 11

 

The table below summarizes the allocable net (loss) income related to funds and ventures that were consolidated for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 1  Revenue from CFVs  $67   $5,050   $(4,983)
 2  Expense from CFVs   (9,316)   (11,649)   2,333 
 3  Net gains from CFVs   -    4,809    (4,809)
 4  Equity in losses from LTTP of CFVs   (5,693)   (7,428)   1,735 
 5  Net loss from CFVs   (14,942)   (9,218)   (5,724)
 6 

Net losses from CFVs allocable to noncontrolling interests in CFVs and IHS (1)

   14,304    9,853    4,451 
 7  Net (loss) income from CFVs allocated to the common shareholders  $(638)  $635   $(1,273)

 

(1)Excludes $56,322 of net loss allocable to the minority interest holder in IHS for the three months ended March 31, 2014. These amounts are excluded from this presentation because IHS related activity is not included within lines 1 through 5 above. There were no losses allocable to the minority interest holder in IHS for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

The majority of the change quarter over quarter is due to the Company no longer consolidating SAWHF and the non-profit entity and its Consolidated LTPPs as of December 31, 2014.

 

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The details of Net (loss) income from CFVs allocated to the common shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

      For the three months ended
March 31,
   Change 
   (in thousands)  2015   2014     
 8  Guarantee fees  $331   $331   $- 
 9  Equity losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships   (969)   (949)   (20)
 10  Asset management fees   -    841    (841)
 11  Interest income   -    343    (343)
 12  Equity in income from SAWHF   -    128    (128)
 13  Other expenses   -    (59)   59 
 14  Net (loss) income from CFVs allocable to common shareholders  $(638)  $635   $(1,273)

 

Guarantee fees associated with the guaranteed LIHTC Funds that we continue to consolidate represent revenue recognized from fees collected at fund formation. As of March 31, 2015, we had $11.8 million of deferred guarantee fees.

 

Equity in losses from Lower Tier Property Partnerships are losses from certain LTTPs that are allocated to MMA’s bond interest in the Lower Tier Property Partnerships. To the extent MMA has a bond interest in the Lower Tier Property Partnership and the consolidated LIHTC Funds’ equity interest in the Lower Tier Property Partnership has no remaining book basis, MMA is required to pick up the limited partners’ share of losses from the Lower Tier Property Partnership. Because we carry our bonds at fair value, these losses are equally offset by an increase to unrealized bond value recorded through AOCI having no impact on overall common shareholders’ equity (see Table 4, line 2).

 

Asset management fees recognized during the first quarter of 2014 are primarily related to IHS’s management of SAWHF ($0.6 million). The fees earned from SAWHF for the first quarter of 2015 of $0.6 million are reported through asset management fees on Table 7, line 5, and are not recognized as an allocation of income because SAWHF is no longer consolidated as of December 31, 2014. The remaining asset management fees recognized during the first quarter of 2014 related to the management of certain LIHTC funds and those asset management rights were sold during the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from financing activities. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $30.3 million and $29.6 million, respectively and we believe we have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations as they become due.

 

For the periods presented, we consolidated certain funds and ventures even though we had no or nominal equity interest in these entities, and we therefore reflected the cash flow activities for those funds and ventures as part of our consolidated statements of cash flow. As reflected on our consolidated balance sheets, the cash held by these CFVs was reported in “Restricted cash,” rather than as cash and cash equivalents because the Company does not have legal title to this cash. Therefore, the net increase to cash and cash equivalents is representative of the change only to MMA’s cash (i.e., without the cash of CFVs); however, the individual operating, investing and financing categories include cash flow activity for MMA and the CFVs. The tables below provide the cash activity related to both MMA and the CFVs.

  

   For the three months ended March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)  MMA   CFVs   Total 
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  $29,619   $   $29,619 
Net cash (used in) provided by:               
Operating activities   (2,088)   443    (1,645)
Investing activities   (1,354)   (443)   (1,797)
Financing activities   4,106        4,106 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   664        664 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $30,283   $   $30,283 

 

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   For the three months ended March 31, 2014 
(in thousands)  MMA   CFVs   Total 
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  $66,794   $   $66,794 
Net cash (used in) provided by:               
Operating activities   (4,070)   941    (3,129)
Investing activities   39,340    (845)   38,495 
Financing activities   (4,475)   (96)   (4,571)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   30,795        30,795 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $97,589   $   $97,589 

 

Operating activities

 

Cash flows used in operations for MMA were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
    
(in thousands)  2015   2014   Change 
Interest income  $5,052   $4,252   $800 
Preferred stock dividends received   1,326    1,326     
IHS asset management fees received   206    718    (512)
Other income   168    418    (250)
Interest paid   (1,844)   (3,256)   1,412 
Salaries and benefits   (4,979)   (3,299)   (1,680)
General and administrative   (774)   (1,219)   445 
Professional fees   (1,062)   (1,510)   448 
Other expenses   (404)   (1,542)   1,138 
Other   223    42    181 
Net cash used in operating activities  $(2,088)  $(4,070)  $1,982 

 

Cash flows used in operating activities were $2.0 million lower during the first quarter 2015 as compared to first quarter 2014.

 

Interest paid decreased by $1.4 million as a result of significant debt pay downs during 2014. Other expenses declined by $1.1 million, mainly due to premiums paid in 2014 to purchase an interest rate cap which was not repeated in 2015. Interest income increased by $0.8 million primarily from bond related TRS agreements entered into during the second quarter of 2014. Additionally, we generated more cash from miscellaneous other income and we spent less on general and administrative expenses and less on professional fees. These positive impacts to operating cash flows were partially offset by a $1.7 million increase in salaries and benefits. In addition, we had a $0.5 million reduction in IHS asset management fees received primarily due to timing of payments.

 

Investing activities

 

Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities for MMA were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
     
(in thousands)  2015   2014   Change 
Principal payments and sales proceeds received on bonds and loans  $1,369   $907   $462 
Investments in property partnerships and real estate   (436)   (170)   (266)
Proceeds from the sale of real estate and other investments   3    37,700    (37,697)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash   (2,303)   903    (3,206)
Capital distributions received from investments in partnerships   13        13 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  $(1,354)  $39,340   $40,694 

 

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During the first quarter of 2015, we used $1.4 million of cash in investing activities whereas during the first quarter of 2014 we generated cash of $39.3 million.

 

The decrease in cash provided by investing activities was primarily the result of proceeds that were received during the first quarter of 2014 from the sale of real estate in the amount of $37.7 million and an increase in restricted cash of $3.2 million during the first quarter of 2015. Restricted cash increased by $3.2 million during first quarter of 2015, primarily due to cash pledged as collateral related to a new TRS arrangement, partially offset by the release of cash pledged as collateral related to the termination of a $11.6 million TRS financing arrangement associated with our preferred stock investments.

 

Financing activities

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities for MMA were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

   For the three months ended
March 31,
     
(in thousands)  2015   2014   Change 
Proceeds from borrowing activity  $17,475   $   $17,475 
Repayment of borrowings   (12,714)   (3,666)   (9,048)
Purchase of treasury stock   (568)   (809)   241 
Payment of debt issuance costs   (87)       (87)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  $4,106   $(4,475)  $8,581 

 

During the first quarter of 2015, we generated $4.1 million from financing activities whereas during the first quarter of 2014 we used cash of $4.5 million in financing activities.

 

The increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to proceeds of $17.5 million generated from a TRS financing arrangement that was entered into during the first quarter of 2015, partially offset by a $9.0 million increase in repayment of borrowings (primarily a result of $11.6 million of cash used to terminate one of the TRS financings associated with our preferred stock investments during the first quarter of 2015).

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we made two loans to MGM, one of which provided financing for the sale of substantially all of our LIHTC asset management operations to MGM for $15.9 million and the other of which provided cash of $14.4 million to MGM. At the transaction date, we recorded a loan receivable for $14.4 million for the amount of cash provided to MGM. We did not record a loan receivable for the sales price of $15.9 million. We have a legal loan receivable for the sales price; however, because we retained the yield guarantee to the investors in the 11 guaranteed LIHTC funds, we were unable to achieve sale accounting.

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company had off-balance sheet loans receivable related to the seller financing of $15.9 million. Interest collected during the three months ended March 31, 2015 on the seller financing was $0.3 million and recorded as deferred gain.

 

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Debt

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding balances and weighted-average interest rates at March 31, 2015. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 6, Debt” for more information on our debt.

 

(dollars in thousands)  March 31,
 2015
   Weighted-Average
Interest Rate at
March 31, 2015
 
Asset Related Debt (1)          
Notes payable and other debt – bond related  $101,245    1.4%
Notes payable and other debt – non-bond related:   5,457    9.9 
Total asset related debt   106,702    1.8 
           
Other Debt (1)          
Subordinate debentures   149,653    7.2 
Notes payable and other debt   30,241    4.3 
Total other debt   179,894    6.7 
           
Total asset related debt and other debt   286,596    4.9 
           
Debt related to CFVs   6,712    5.3 
           
Total debt  $293,308    4.9 

 

(1)Asset related debt is debt which finances interest-bearing assets. The interest expense from this debt is included in “Net interest income” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other debt is debt which does not finance interest-bearing assets. The interest expense from this debt is included in “Interest expense” under” Operating and other expenses” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Asset Related Debt

 

Notes Payable and Other Debt – Bond Related

 

At March 31, 2015, this debt was comprised of TRS financing agreements on bonds available-for-sale. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 6, Debt” for more information.

 

Other Debt

 

Subordinate debt

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company had $140.4 million of subordinate debt (principal) with a carrying value of $149.6 million and a weighted average effective interest rate of 7.2%. The carrying value includes $12.0 million of net premiums as a result of effective interest rate adjustments that will amortize as a reduction to debt expense over the life of the debt, offset by $2.8 million of unamortized debt issuance costs that will amortize as an increase to debt expense over the remaining life of the debt.

 

A significant portion of this debt ($111.9 million of principal) was issued by MMA Financial Housing, Inc (“MFH”) through four tranches. The interest rate on one of MFH’s subordinated debt tranches reset from 75 bps to 3-month London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 330 bps on March 31, 2015 and the rates on the remaining three tranches reset from 75 bps to 3-month LIBOR plus 330 bps on May 1, 2015.

 

The Company continues to be actively engaged in discussions with the lenders to restructure this debt to include a reduction to the annual interest rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 330 bps and to require on-going principal amortization. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements − Note 6, Debt” for more information.

 

Notes payable and other debt

 

This debt is mainly comprised of TRS financing arrangements on the Company’s preferred stock investments. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company repaid $11.6 million of this debt and $25.0 million was extended and now matures on March 31, 2016. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 3, Investment in Preferred Stock” for more information. This debt is non-amortizing and bears an interest rate of 3-month LIBOR plus 400 bps (4.3% at March 31, 2015) which resets quarterly.

 

See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements − Note 6, Debt” for more information.

 

Covenant Compliance and Debt Maturities

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company had $1.1 million of debt that had come due and remains payable; however, the Company has a forbearance agreement with the lender such that the lender is not pursuing any remedies. The forbearance agreement expires June 30, 2016. The Company is not in default under any of its other debt arrangements.

 

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Guarantees

 

The following table summarizes guarantees at March 31, 2015:

 

   March 31, 2015 
(in thousands)  Maximum
Exposure
   Carrying
Amount
 
Indemnification contracts  $13,209   $781 

 

Through the indemnification contracts, we guaranty the investor yield on certain third party LIHTC Funds and property performance of certain LTTPs. We made no cash payments related to these indemnification agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The carrying amount represents the amount of unamortized fees received related to these guarantees with no additional amounts recognized as management does not believe it is probable that the Company will have to make payments under these indemnifications.

 

Our maximum exposure under the indemnification contracts represents the maximum loss we could incur under the guarantee agreements and is not indicative of the likelihood of the expected loss under the guarantees. We also have guarantees associated with certain consolidated LIHTC Funds. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 15, Consolidated Funds and Ventures.”

 

Debt Related to CFVs

 

At March 31, 2015, debt related to CFVs included a $6.7 million debt obligation of one of the consolidated LIHTC Funds. At March 31, 2015, this debt had a face amount equal to its carrying value, a weighted average effective interest rate of 5.3%, and was due on demand.

 

Company Capital

 

Common Shares

 

Effective September 29, 2014, the Company executed a one-for-five reverse stock split to shareholders. 

 

As of March 31, 2015, our Board had authorized total stock repurchases of up to 2.05 million shares.  Between April 1, 2015 and May 7, 2015, we repurchased 225,104 shares at an average price of $10.00. As of May 7, 2015, the Company had repurchased 1.6 million shares at an average price of $8.42 since the plan’s inception. At its May 7, 2015 meeting, the Board amended the maximum price at which management is authorized to purchase shares based on an assessment of the economic benefit of such purchases to the Company.  Effective at the filing of this Report and until modified by further action by the Board, that price is $12.76 per share. 

 

Dividend Policy

 

Our Board makes determinations regarding dividends based on management’s recommendation, which is based on an evaluation of a number of factors, including our common shareholders’ equity, business prospects and available cash. Our Board has not declared a dividend since the fourth quarter of 2007. In the future our Board will determine whether and in what amounts to declare dividends based on our earnings and cash flows, cash needs and any other factors our Board deems appropriate. It is unlikely that we will pay a dividend for the foreseeable future.

 

Effective May 5, 2015, the Company adopted a Tax Benefits Rights Agreement (“Rights Plan”).  In connection with adopting the Rights Plan, the Company declared a distribution of one right per common share to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2015.  The rights will not trade apart from the current common shares until the distribution date, as defined in the Rights Plan. Under the Rights Plan, should a new investor acquire greater than a 4.9% stake in the Company, all existing shareholders other than the new 4.9% holder will be provided the opportunity to acquire new shares for a nominal cost, thereby significantly diluting the ownership interest of the acquiring person. The Rights Plan will run for a period of five years, or until the Board determines the plan is no longer required, whichever comes first. See Income Taxes section below for more information.

 

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Bond Portfolio

 

The table below provides key metrics related to all of our bonds, including those bonds that are financed through TRSs that the Company accounted for as derivatives as of March 31, 2015. Because as an economic matter we have the same exposure across all bonds financed by TRSs regardless of whether those financings are accounted by the Company as secured borrowings or derivatives, the asset management of our bond portfolio includes the asset management of all of these bonds. The table below reflects the portfolio from an asset management perspective. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 7, Derivatives Financial Instruments.”

 

(dollars in thousands)  Unpaid Principal
Balance (“UPB”)
   Fair Value   Wtd. Avg.
Coupon
   Wtd. Avg. Pay
Rate (4)
   Debt Service
Coverage (5)
   Number of
Bonds
   Number of
Multifamily
Properties
 
Multifamily tax-exempt bonds                                   
Performing  $176,605   $184,618    6.44%   6.44%   0.99x   23    21 
Non-performing (1), (2)   66,955    43,769    6.68%   3.01%   0.50x   9    7 
Subordinate cash flow (3)   10,761    6,281    6.82%   0.00%   N/A    4     
Total Multifamily tax-exempt bonds  $254,321   $234,668    6.51% (6)   5.50% (6)   0.85x   36    28 
                                    
CDD bonds  $42,045   $40,557    6.75%   6.75%   N/A    3    N/A 
                                    
Other bonds  $33,077   $33,989    4.34%   4.34%   N/A    4    N/A 
Total Bond Portfolio  $329,443  (7)  $309,214  (7)   6.31% (6)   5.54% (6)   0.85x   43    28 

 

(1)Non-performing is defined as bonds that are 30+ days past due in either principal or interest.

 

(2)This amount included subordinate bonds with must-pay coupons with a UPB of $7.6 million and a fair value of $2.7 million.

 

(3)Subordinate cash flow bonds do not have must-pay coupons and are payable out of available cash flow only. No debt service has been collected on these bonds over the preceding 12 months and debt service is not calculated on these bonds as non-payment of debt service is not a default.

 

(4)The weighted average pay rate represents the cash interest payments collected on the bonds as a percentage of the bonds’ average UPB for the preceding 12 months weighted by the bonds’ average UPB over the period for the population of bonds at March 31, 2015.

 

(5)Debt service coverage is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis using property level information as of the prior quarter-end for those bonds with must pay coupons.

 

(6)The weighted average coupon and pay rate of the multifamily tax-exempt bonds and total bond portfolio excludes the population of subordinate cash flow bonds where non-payment of debt service is not a default.

 

(7)Includes 10 bonds financed by TRSs and accounted for as derivatives. These 10 bonds had a UPB of $85.1 million and a fair value of $89.1 million and were subject to TRSs with a notional amount of $86.4 million, for a net derivative asset value of $2.7 million. This amount also includes an additional 11 bonds financed by TRSs accounted for as a secured borrowing. These bonds had an UPB of $101.2 million and a fair value of $103.9 million and were subject to TRSs with a notional amount of $101.4 million.

 

Real Estate Investments

 

The table below provides key metrics related to all of our real estate investments as of March 31, 2015.

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Type  GAAP
Carrying
Amount
   Estimated
Fair Value
 
Affordable Multifamily Rental Properties  $22,478   $27,551 
Land Investments and mixed use   28,649    35,069 
Total real estate investments  $51,127  (1)  $62,620 

 

(1)Includes $2.6 million reported through real estate held-for-use, $26.0 million reported through real estate held-for-sale and $22.5 million reported through other assets. 

 

The Company estimates the fair value of its affordable multifamily rental properties by discounting the property’s expected cash flows and residual proceeds using estimated market discount and capitalization rates, less estimated selling costs. To the extent available, the Company also estimates fair value based on a sale agreement, a letter of intent to purchase, an appraisal or other third-party indications of fair value. The Company uses appraisals and other indications of fair value, including sale agreements and letters of intent to purchase if available, to estimate the fair value of its land investments.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements is based on the selection and application of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and classification of the amounts in our consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions require us to make difficult, complex and subjective judgments involving matters that are inherently uncertain. We base our accounting estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on judgments that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances known to us at the time. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. We applied our critical accounting policies and estimation methods consistently in all material respects and for all periods presented, and have discussed those policies with our Audit Committee.

 

We believe the following accounting policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity and represent the critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Valuation of Bonds

 

Our bond portfolio includes mortgage revenue bonds and other municipal bonds. We account for investments in bonds as available-for-sale debt securities under the provisions of ASC No. 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities.” Accordingly, these investments in bonds are carried at fair value with changes in fair value (excluding other-than-temporary impairments) recognized in other comprehensive income. For most of our performing bonds, we estimate fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology; specifically, the Company discounts contractual principal and interest payments, adjusted for expected prepayments. The discount rate for each bond is based on expected investor yield requirements adjusted for bond attributes such as the expected term of the bond, debt service coverage ratio, geographic location and bond size.  If observable market quotes are available, we will estimate the fair value based on such quoted prices. For non-performing bonds (i.e., defaulted bonds as well as certain non-defaulted bonds that we deem at risk of default in the near term), we estimate the fair value by discounting the property’s expected cash flows and residual proceeds using estimated discount and capitalization rates, less estimated selling costs. However, to the extent available, the Company may estimate fair value based on a sale agreement, a letter of intent to purchase, an appraisal or other third-party indications of fair value. There are significant judgments and estimates associated with forecasting the estimated cash flows related to the bonds or the underlying collateral for non-performing bonds, including macroeconomic conditions, interest rates, local and regional real estate market conditions and individual property performance. In addition, the determination of the discount rates applied to these cash flow forecasts involves significant judgments as to current credit spreads and investor return expectations. The bonds reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 were priced on average at approximately 90% of the portfolio’s UPB.

 

Consolidated Funds and Ventures

 

We have equity investments in partnerships and other entities that primarily hold or develop real estate. In most cases our legal interest in these entities is minimal; however, we apply ASC No. 810, “Consolidation” in order to determine if we need to consolidate any of these entities. There is considerable judgment in assessing whether to consolidate an entity under these accounting principles. Some of the criteria we are required to consider include:

 

·The determination as to whether an entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”).

 

·If the entity is considered a VIE, then the determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of the VIE is needed and requires us to make judgments regarding: (1) our power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (2) our obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or our right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. These assessments require a significant analysis of all of the variable interests in an entity, any related party considerations and other features that make such an analysis difficult and highly judgmental.

 

If the entity is required to be consolidated, then upon initial consolidation, we record the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests at fair value. As of March 31, 2015, all of our CFVs were investment entities that own real estate or real estate related investments and, as such, we make judgments related to the forecasted cash flows to be generated from the investments such as rental revenue and operating expenses, vacancy, replacement reserves and tax benefits (if any). In addition, we must make judgments about discount rates and capitalization rates.

 

Income Taxes

 

We are a limited liability company that elected to be taxed as a corporation for income tax purposes. All of our business activities, with the exception of our foreign investments and managing member interests in two remaining LIHTC Funds, are conducted by entities included in our consolidated corporate federal income tax return.

 

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ASC No. 740, “Income Taxes,” establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effect of income taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period and deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity's financial statements or tax returns. Significant judgment is required in determining and evaluating income tax positions, including assessing the relative merits and risks of various tax treatments considering statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance available regarding the tax position. We establish additional provisions for income taxes when there are certain tax positions that could be challenged and it is more likely than not these positions will not be sustained upon review by taxing authorities. Judgment is also required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns as well as the recoverability of our deferred tax assets. In assessing our ability to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets and thereby measuring the required valuation allowance, we consider information such as forecasted earnings, future taxable income and tax planning strategies, all of which entail significant judgment.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had an estimated $418.2 million of federal net operating losses representing a significant potential asset of the Company, subject to a full valuation allowance as of that measurement date as discussed above. As discussed in our 2014 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K, there are a number of risks associated with the potential ability of the Company to use the net operating losses, including: 1) change of control for the Company; 2) lack of taxable income generated before expiration of the carryforward period beginning in 2027; and 3) potential challenges from tax authorities. On May 5, 2015, the Board adopted a Rights Plan to potentially mitigate the risk of a change of control event. Although the Rights Plan is generally an effective deterrent against, it does not absolutely prevent, a change of control and it could be subject to challenge following a trigger event. The Rights Plan will run for a period of five years, or until the Board determines the plan is no longer required, whichever comes first.

 

Item 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our filings and submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Such controls include those designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

An evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and CFO, on the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting During the Quarter Ended March 31, 2015

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

Except as described below, we are not, nor are any of our subsidiaries, a party to any material pending litigation or other legal proceedings. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, we are not party to any threatened litigation or legal proceedings, which, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, would be likely to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

The Company is a defendant in a purported class action lawsuit and two derivative suits originally filed in 2008.  The plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit claim to represent a class of investors in the Company’s shares who allegedly were injured by misstatements in press releases and SEC filings between May 3, 2004 and January 28, 2008.  The plaintiffs sought unspecified damages for themselves and the shareholders of the class they purported to represent.  In the derivative suits, the plaintiffs claimed, among other things, that the Company was injured because its directors and certain named officers did not fulfill duties regarding the accuracy of its financial disclosures.  Both the class action and the derivative cases were brought in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the class action, and in June 2012, the Court issued a ruling dismissing all of the counts alleging any knowing or intentional wrongdoing by the Company or its affiliates, directors and officers. The plaintiffs appealed the Court’s ruling and on March 7, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit unanimously affirmed the lower Court’s ruling. As a result of these rulings, the only counts remaining in the class action relate to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan and the plaintiffs in the derivative cases have voluntarily dismissed their case outright.

 

47
 

 

The parties have engaged in settlement discussions leading to a settlement agreement. On April 20, 2015, the parties submitted the agreement and related documents to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland for approval. The agreement provides for payments to the class of up to $676,820 and attorneys’ fees of up to $150,000 for the plaintiffs’ counsel. The settlement is a claims-made settlement, in which payments will be made only to those plaintiffs who submit a claim and whose claim is approved, so the final settlement amount to the class could be less than the amount stated above. Similarly, the court must approve the plaintiffs’ counsel’s attorneys’ fees, so the final amount could be less than stated.

 

The settlement will have to go through the procedural processes required for class action settlements, including notice to all class members who will have an option to exclude themselves from the settlement and pursue their own claims individually. No such claims are expected.

 

The Company does not expect to directly incur any settlement costs, as all costs, including both class payments and plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees, will be paid directly by the insurance company. As a result, the Company released the litigation reserve of $0.5 million during the first quarter of 2015.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.

 

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

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

 

None for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides information on the Company’s common share repurchases during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average
Price Paid
per Share
   Number of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under Plans
or Programs (1)
 
1/1/2015 – 1/31/2015   8,986   $9.40    8,986    407,997 
2/1/2015 – 2/28/2015   7,183    9.24    7,183    400,814 
3/1/2015 – 3/31/2015   42,163    9.88    42,163    658,651 
Total   58,332   $9.73    58,332    658,651 

 

(1)At its March 12, 2015 meeting, the Board authorized the repurchase of an additional 300,000 shares. As of March 31, 2015, our Board had authorized total stock repurchases of up to 2.05 million shares. Between April 1, 2015 and May 7, 2015, we repurchased 225,104 shares at an average price of $10.00. As of May 7, 2015, the Company had repurchased 1.6 million shares at an average price of $8.42 since the plan’s inception. At its May 7, 2015 meeting, the Board amended the maximum price at which management is authorized to purchase shares based on an assessment of the economic benefit of such purchases to the Company. Effective at the filing of this Report and until modified by further action by the Board, that price is $12.76 per share. Unless amended, the plan will terminate once the Company has repurchased the total authorized number of shares.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

The Company had debt agreements totaling $1.1 million at March 31, 2015 that had payment defaults at maturity, but were subject to a forbearance agreement that expires on June 30, 2016.

 

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.  Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

48
 

 

Signatures

 

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

 

  MMA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
       
  By:   /s/ Michael L. Falcone
Dated: May 13, 2015   Name: Michael L. Falcone
    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

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 date indicated.

 

         
         
By:   /s/ Michael L. Falcone   May 13, 2015
  Name: Michael L. Falcone    
  Title: Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
         
         
         
By:   /s/ Lisa M. Roberts   May 13, 2015
  Name: Lisa M. Roberts    
  Title: Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
   

 

S-1
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.
  Description   Incorporation by Reference
31 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
         
31 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
         
32 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
         
32 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.    
         
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document    
         
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema    
         
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation    
         
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels    
         
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation    
         
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition    

 

E-1