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EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION - Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII, LPcigf7_ex31z1.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


T 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


Commission File Number: 333-156357


COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND VII, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania

26-3733264

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


17755 US Highway 19 North

Suite 400

Clearwater, FL 33764

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

 

(877) 654-1500

 (Registrants telephone number including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (i) 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, and (ii) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

YES T 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 T 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 ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Smaller reporting company T

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company.)



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).


YES ¨ NO T








1



FORM 10-Q

MARCH 31, 2015


TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

Item 2.

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

15

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

18

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

18

PART II

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

19

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

19

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

19

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

19

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

19

Item 5.

Other Information

19

Item 6.

Exhibits

19












2



Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements


Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII

Condensed Balance Sheets

(unaudited)







 

March 31,


December 31,

 

2015


2014

 

(unaudited)



 




ASSETS




Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,291,538   


$

3,177,323   

Lease income receivable


340,935   



407,374   

Accounts receivable, Commonwealth Capital Corp., net


1,206,347   



1,075,679   

Other receivables


553,176   



1,867   

Prepaid expenses

 

6,984   



6,152   

 

 

5,398,980   



4,668,395   

 

 





Net investment in finance leases

 

504,452   



508,871   

 






Equipment, at cost


22,378,399   



25,296,684   

Accumulated depreciation

 

(13,392,173)  



(14,102,115)  

 

 

8,986,226   



11,194,569   

 






Equipment acquisition costs and deferred expenses, net of accumulated amortization of approximately $462,000 and $445,000 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively


332,026   



398,270   

Prepaid acquisition fees

 

159,770   



162,085   

 

 

491,796   



560,355   

 






Total Assets

$

15,381,454   


$

16,932,190   

 






LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL












LIABILITIES






Accounts payable

$

98,561   


$

116,404   

Accounts payable, CIGF, Inc.


46,217   



30,504   

Other accrued expenses


17,463   



3,477   

Unearned lease income


251,576   



224,687   

Notes payable

 

3,115,000   



3,606,341   

Total Liabilities

 

3,528,817   



3,981,413   

 






PARTNERS' CAPITAL






General Partner


1,050   



1,050   

Limited Partners

 

11,851,587   



12,949,727   

Total Partners' Capital

 

11,852,637   



12,950,777   

 






Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital

$

15,381,454   


$

16,932,190   













see accompanying notes to condensed financial statements






 



3




Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII

Condensed Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 







Three Months Ended March 31,

 


2015


2014

Revenue






Lease


$

1,354,173   


$

1,859,143   

Interest and other



6,655   



15,707   

Gain on sale of equipment



59,330   



-   

Total revenue



1,420,158   



1,874,850   

 







Expenses







Operating, excluding depreciation



375,137   



374,284   

Equipment management fee, General Partner



68,453   



93,170   

Interest



30,870   



15,084   

Depreciation



1,291,070   



1,464,505   

Amortization of equipment acquisition costs and

deferred expenses



69,102   



70,674   

Loss on sale of equipment



-   



201,147   

Total expenses



1,834,632   



2,218,864   

 







Net loss


$

(414,474)  


$

(344,014)  

 







Net loss allocated to Limited Partners


$

(421,155)  


$

(350,699)  

 







Net loss per equivalent Limited Partnership unit


$

(0.27)  


$

(0.22)  








Weighted average number of equivalent limited partnership units outstanding during the period



1,571,303   



1,572,900   















see accompanying notes to condensed financial statements







 



4




Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII

Condensed Statement of Partners' Capital

For the three months ended March 31, 2015

(unaudited)













 

General

Limited

 

 

 

 

Partner

Partner

General

Limited

 

 

Units

Units

Partner

Partners

Total

Balance, January 1, 2015

50   

1,571,700   

$ 1,050   

$ 12,949,727   

$ 12,950,777   

Net income (loss)

-   

-   

6,681   

(421,155)  

(414,474)  

Redemption

-   

(1,750)  

-   

(15,532)  

(15,532)  

Distributions

-   

-   

(6,681)  

(661,453)  

(668,134)  

Balance, March 31, 2015

50   

1,569,950   

$ 1,050   

$ 11,851,587   

$ 11,852,637   













see accompanying notes to condensed financial statements








 



5




Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII

Condensed Statements of Cash Flow

(unaudited)

 





 


Three Months Ended


Three Months Ended

 


March 31,


March 31,

 


2015


2014

 





Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities


$

(224,281)  


$

232,862   

 







Cash flows from investing activities







Capital Expenditures



(39,322)  



(977,525)  

Purchase of finance leases



(26,714)  



(90,912)  

Payments received from finance leases



37,250   



10,630   

Equipment acquisition fees, General Partner



(1,355)  



(49,939)  

Net proceeds from the sale of equipment



1,041,623   



179,901   

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities



1,011,482   



(927,845)  

 







Cash flows from financing activities







Distributions paid to partners



(668,134)  



(668,853)  

Redemption



(4,595)  



-   

Debt placement fee paid to the General Partner



(257)  



(19,094)  

Net cash used in financing activities



(672,986)  



(687,947)  

 







Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents



114,215   



(1,382,930)  








Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period



3,177,323   



5,287,349   

 







Cash and cash equivalents end of period


$

3,291,538   


$

3,904,419   















see accompanying notes to condensed financial statements







6



NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. Business


Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII, LP (the Partnership) is a limited partnership organized in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on November 14, 2008. The Partnership offered for sale up to 2,500,000 units of limited partnership interest at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the offering). The Partnership reached the minimum amount in escrow and commenced operations on March 31, 2010. The offering terminated on November 22, 2011 with 1,572,900 units sold for a total of approximately $31,432,000 in limited partner contributions.


The Partnership uses the proceeds of the offering to acquire, own and lease various types of computer information technology, medical technology, telecommunications technology, inventory management and other similar capital equipment, which is leased primarily to U.S. corporations and institutions. Commonwealth Capital Corp. (CCC), on behalf of the Partnership and other affiliated partnerships, acquires computer equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors.


The Partnerships General Partner is Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. (the General Partner), a Pennsylvania corporation which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CCC. CCC is a member of the Investment Program Association (IPA), REISA, Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA). Approximately ten years after the commencement of operations, the Partnership intends to sell or otherwise dispose of all of its equipment, make final distributions to partners, and to dissolve. Unless sooner terminated or extended pursuant to the terms of its Limited Partnership Agreement, the Partnership will continue until December 31, 2021.


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


Basis of Presentation


The financial information presented as of any date other than December 31, 2014 has been prepared from the books and records without audit. Financial information as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements of the Partnership, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles to be included in audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of financial results that may be expected for the full year ended December 31, 2015.


Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments


Estimated fair value was determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, judgment was necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.


The Partnerships long-term debt consists of notes payable, which are secured by specific equipment and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. The estimated fair value of this debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 approximates the carrying value of these instruments, due to the interest rates on the debt approximating current market interest rates. The Partnership classifies the fair value of its notes payable within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy based on the observable inputs used to estimate fair value.


Cash and cash equivalents


We consider cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments with the original maturity dates of 90 days or less.


At March 31, 2015, cash was held in two bank accounts maintained at one financial institution with an aggregate balance of approximately $3,298,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. At March 31, 2015, the total cash bank balance was as follows:


At March 31, 2015


Amount


Total bank balance


$

3,298,000


FDIC insured



(250,000

)

Uninsured amount


$

3,048,000



The Partnership believes it mitigates the risk of holding uninsured deposits by only depositing funds with major financial institutions. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in our accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amounts in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2015 due to many factors, including cash receipts, equipment acquisitions, interest rates and distributions to limited partners.






7



Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis- Effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period.  A reporting entity may apply the amendments in this Update using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.


In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-01, Income StatementExtraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.  Effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.


In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 (ASU Updated 2014-08), Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU provides guidance on the change in criteria established to enhance the presentation of reporting discontinued operations. The guidance is effective for annual financial statements beginning on or after December 15, 2014 that report discontinued operations or disposals of components of an entity. The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.  This was adopted January 1, 2015, however there were no discontinued operations in first quarter 2015.


3. Information Technology, Medical Technology, Telecommunications Technology, Inventory Management and Other Business-Essential Capital Equipment (Equipment)


The Partnership is the lessor of equipment under operating leases with periods that generally will range from 12 to 48 months. In general, associated costs such as repairs and maintenance, insurance and property taxes are paid by the lessee.


Remarketing fees will be paid to the leasing companies from which the Partnership purchases leases. These are fees that are earned by the leasing companies when the initial terms of the lease have been met. The General Partner believes that this strategy adds value since it entices the leasing company to remain actively involved with lessee and encourages potential extensions, remarketing or sale of equipment. This strategy is designed to minimize any conflicts the leasing company may have with a new lessee and may assist in maximizing overall portfolio performance. The remarketing fee is tied into lease performance thresholds and is a factor in the negotiation of the fee.  For the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no remarketing fees incurred, paid with cash or netted against receivables due from such parties.  


In December 2014, a significant lessee, ALSC, breached its Master Lease Agreement (MLA) scheduled to terminate in December 2015 and defaulted on its lease payments for equipment shared by the Partnership and other affiliated Funds.  On December 4, 2014, ALSC filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.   On April 2, 2015, CCC, on behalf of the Funds, entered into a settlement agreement with the parent company of ALSC for $3,500,000.  The Partnerships share of this settlement is approximately $1,051,000 of which $848,000 is expected to be recorded as a gain on termination of leases in the second quarter of 2015.   In addition, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the release of all equipment leased to ALSC under the MLA to the Partnerships.  In January 2015, CCC, on behalf of the Funds, entered into a Purchase Agreement (Purchase Agreement) for the sale of the equipment to Medshare Technologies for approximately $3,400,000.  The Partnerships share of the proceeds was $1,031,000.


CCC, on behalf of the Partnership and on behalf of other affiliated companies and partnerships (partnerships), acquires equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various companies based on certain risk factors. 






8



The Partnerships share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at March 31, 2015 was approximately $9,003,000 and is included in the Partnerships equipment on its balance sheet. The Partnerships share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at March 31, 2015 was approximately $1,584,000 and is included in the Partnerships notes payable on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at March 31, 2015 was approximately $21,421,000. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at March 31, 2015 was approximately $3,453,000.


The Partnerships share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $9,003,000 and is included in the Partnerships equipment on its balance sheet. The Partnerships share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2014 was approximately $1,798,000 and is included in the Partnerships notes payable on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $21,421,000. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2014 was approximately $3,927,000.


As the Partnership and the other programs managed by the General Partner increase their overall portfolio size, opportunities for shared participation are expected to continue. Sharing in the acquisition of a lease portfolio gives the fund an opportunity to acquire additional assets and revenue streams, while allowing the fund to remain diversified and reducing its overall risk with respect to one portfolio. Thus, total shared equipment and related debt should continue to trend higher for the remainder of 2015 as the Partnership builds its portfolio.


The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals on non-cancellable operating leases at March 31, 2015:




Amount


Nine Months ended December 31, 2015


$

3,247,000


Year ended December 31, 2016



2,353,000


Year ended December 31, 2017



595,000


Year ended December 31, 2018



4,000




$

6,199,000



During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, due to an early buyout, the Partnership sold equipment held under operating leases. The lessee that purchased the equipment, as a part of the terms of the sale agreement, paid the Partnership the future rentals due at the time of the sale. The lessee paid approximately $245,000 in future rentals due. The net book value of the equipment sold was approximately $335,000. The net loss on the sale of equipment was approximately $207,000.






9



Finance Leases:


The following lists the components of the net investment in direct financing leases at March 31, 2015:




Amount


Total minimum lease payments to be received


$

475,000


Initial Direct Costs



16,000


Estimated residual value of leased equipment (unguaranteed)



64,000


Less: unearned income



(51,000

)

Net investment in direct finance leases


$

504,000



Our finance lease customers operate in various industries, and we have no significant customer concentration in any one industry. We assess credit risk for all of our customers, including those that lease under finance leases. This credit risk is assessed using an internally developed model which incorporates credits scores from third party providers and our own customer risk ratings and is periodically reviewed. Our internal ratings are weighted based on the industry that the customer operates in. Factors taken into consideration when assessing risk includes both general and industry specific qualitative and quantitative metrics. We separately take in to consideration payment history, open lawsuits, liens and judgments. Typically, we will not extend credit to a company that has been in business for less than 5 years or that has filed for bankruptcy within the same period. Our internally based model may classify a company as high risk based on our analysis of their audited financial statements and their payment history. Additional considerations of high risk may include history of late payments, open lawsuits and liens or judgments. In an effort to mitigate risk, we typically require deposits from those in this category. The following table presents the credit risk profile, by creditworthiness category, of our finance lease receivables at March 31, 2015:


Risk Level


Percent of Total


Low



-

%

Moderate-Low



38

%

Moderate



-

%

Moderate-High



62

%

High



-

%

Net finance lease receivable



100

%


CCC, on behalf of the Partnership and on behalf of other affiliated companies and partnerships (partnerships), acquires equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various companies based on certain risk factors. 


The Partnerships share of the net investment in finance leases in which it participates with other partnerships at March 31, 2015 was approximately $215,000 and is included on its balance sheet. The total net investment in finance leases shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at March 31, 2014 was approximately $430,000.


The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals on non-cancelable direct financing leases at March 31, 2015:



Amount


Nine Months ended December 31, 2015


$

112,000


Year ended December 31, 2016



151,000


Year ended December 31, 2017



146,000


Year ended December 31, 2018



65,000


Year ended December 31, 2019



1,000




$

475,000







10



4. Related Party Transactions


Receivables/Payables


As of March 31, 2015, the Partnerships related party payables are short term, unsecured, and non-interest bearing.


Reimbursable Expenses


For the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2015



For the Three Months Ended

March 31, 2014


The General Partner and its affiliates are entitled to reimbursement by the Partnership for the cost of goods, supplies or services obtained and used by the General Partner in connection with the administration and operation of the Partnership from third parties unaffiliated with the General Partner. In addition, the General Partner and its affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the General Partner and its affiliates in connection with the administration and operation of the Partnership. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Partnership was charged approximately $206,000 and $141,000 in Other LP expense, respectively.


$

361,000



$

339,000











Equipment acquisition fee









The General Partner earned an equipment acquisition fee of 4% of the purchase price of each item of equipment purchased as compensation for the negotiation of the acquisition of the equipment and lease thereof or sale under a conditional sales contract.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the General Partner earned acquisition fees from operating and finance leases of approximately $3,000 and $1,000, respectively.  At March 31, 2015, the remaining balance of prepaid acquisition fees was approximately $160,000, which is expected to be earned in future periods.


$

4,000



$

82,000



Debt placement fee







As compensation for arranging term debt to finance our acquisition of equipment, we will pay the general partner a fee equal to one percent of such indebtedness; provided, however, that such fee shall be reduced to the extent we incur such fees to third parties unaffiliated with the general partner or the lender with respect to such indebtedness. No such fee will be paid with respect to borrowings from the general partner or its affiliates. We intend to initially acquire leases on an all cash basis with the proceeds of this offering, but may borrow funds after the offering proceeds have been invested. The amount we borrow, and therefore the amount of the fee, will depend upon interest rates at the time of a loan, and the amount of leverage we determine is appropriate at the time. We do not intend to use more than 30% leverage overall in our portfolio. Fees will increase as the amount of leverage we use increases, and as turnover in the portfolio increases and additional equipment is purchased using leverage.


$

1,000



$

19,000



Equipment management fee







We pay our general partner a monthly fee equal to the lesser of (a) the fees which would be charged by an independent third party in the same geographic market for similar services and equipment or (b) the sum of (i) two percent of gross lease revenues attributable to equipment subject to full payout net leases which contain net lease provisions and (ii) five percent of the gross lease revenues attributable to equipment subject to operating leases. Our general partner, based on its experience in the equipment leasing industry and current dealings with others in the industry, will use its business judgment to determine if a given fee is competitive, reasonable and customary. The amount of the fee will depend upon the amount of equipment we manage, which in turn will depend upon the amount we raise in this offering. Reductions in market rates for similar services would also reduce the amount of this fee we will receive.


$

68,000



$

93,000




11



 

Equipment liquidation fee







Also referred to as a "resale fee." With respect to each item of equipment sold by the general partner, we will pay a fee equal to the lesser of (i) 50% of the competitive equipment sale commission or (ii) three percent of the sales price of the equipment. The payment of this fee is subordinated to the receipt by the limited partners of (i) a return of their capital contributions and a 10% per annum cumulative return, compounded daily, on adjusted capital contributions and (ii) the net disposition proceeds from such sale in accordance with the partnership agreement. Our general partner, based on its experience in the equipment leasing industry and current dealings with others in the industry, uses its business judgment to determine if a given sales commission is competitive, reasonable and customary. Such fee will be reduced to the extent any liquidation or resale fees are paid to unaffiliated parties. The amount of such fees will depend upon the sale price of equipment sold. Sale prices will vary depending upon the type, age and condition of equipment sold. The shorter the terms of our leases, the more often we may sell equipment, which will increase liquidation fees we receive.


$

32,000



$

6,000



5. Notes Payable


Notes payable consisted of the following approximate amounts:




March 31, 2015



December 31, 2014


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $10,311, including interest, with final payment in September 2015



$   20,000




$    30,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 3.68% due in monthly installments of $17,828, including interest, with final payment in November 2015



141,000




192,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 3.68% due in monthly installments of $16,526, including interest; with final payment in February 2016



178,000




226,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $24,780, including interest, with final payment in May 2016



120,000




143,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $11,329, including interest, with final payment in June 2016



55,000




65,000


Installment notes payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly instalments ranging from $14,427 to $19,170, including interest, with final payment in July 2016



194,000




226,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $25,798, including interest, with final payment in August 2016



149,000




173,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.85% due in quarterly installments of $47,859, including interest, with final payment in August 2016



275,000




319,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $26,817, including interest, with final payment in September 2016



155,000




180,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.65% due in monthly installments of $598, including interest, with final payment in October 2016



11,000




-


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $22,434, including interest; with final payment due in December 2016



151,000




171,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.85% due in monthly installments of $6,284, including interest; with final payment due in December 2016



126,000




143,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $5,376, including interest; with final payment in February 2017



41,000




46,000


Installment notes payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments









ranging from $320 to $958, including interest, with final payment in May 2017



14,000




15,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 1.60% due in monthly installments of $8,154, including interest; with final payment in June 2017



216,000




240,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 1.60% due in monthly installments of $4,340, including interest, with final payment in July 2017



119,000




132,000


Installment notes payable to bank; interest at 4.85% due in quarterly installments ranging from $23,447 to $25,788, including interest, with final payment in July 2017



461,000




558,000


Installment notes payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments









ranging from $284 to $55,093, including interest, with final payment in July 2017



494,000




548,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $610, including interest, with final payment in August 2017



6,000




7,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.85% due in monthly installments of $3,790, including interest, with final payment in August 2017



104,000




114,000


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $672, including interest, with final payment in October 2017



8,000




-


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.23% due in quarterly installments of $476, including interest, with final payment in November 2017



5,000




-


Installment note payable to bank; interest at 4.85% due in monthly installments of $2,318, including interest; with final payment in December 2017



72,000




78,000




$

3,115,000



$

3,606,000



The notes are secured by specific equipment with a carrying value of approximately $4,633,000 and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. As such, the notes do not contain any financial debt covenants with which we must



12



comply on either an annual or quarterly basis. Aggregate maturities of notes payable for each of the periods subsequent to March 31, 2015 are as follows:




Amount


Nine months ended December 31, 2015


$

1,387,000


Year ended December 31, 2016



1,318,000


Year ended December 31, 2017



409,000


Year ended December 31, 2018



1,000




$

3,115,000







13



6. Supplemental Cash Flow Information


Other noncash activities included in the determination of net loss are as follows:


Three months ended March 31,


2015



2014


Lease revenue net of interest expense on notes payable realized as a result of direct payment of principal by lessee to bank


$

517,000



$

482,000



No interest or principal on notes payable was paid by the Partnership because direct payment was made by lessee to the bank in lieu of collection of lease income and payment of interest and principal by the Partnership.


Noncash investing and financing activities include the following:


Three months ended March 31,


2015



2014


Equipment acquisition fees earned by General Partner upon purchase of equipment from prepaid acquisition fees


$

2,000



$

31,000


Debt assumed in connection with purchase of equipment


$

26,000



$

950,000


Debt assumed and satisfaction of liability in 2014 in connection with acquisition of equipment in 2013


$

-



$

959,000


Accrued expenses incurred in connection with the purchase of technology equipment


$

-



$

12,000


Accrual for redemptions to partners paid in April 2015


$

11,000



$

-



During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Partnership wrote-off fully amortized acquisition and finance fees of approximately $51,000 and $92,000, respectively.


During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Partnership wrote off fully depreciated equipment of approximately $0 and $24,000, respectively.


7. Commitments and Contingencies


FINRA


On May 3, 2013, the FINRA Department of Enforcement filed a complaint naming Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. (CCSC) and the owner of the firm, Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, as respondents; however on October 22, 2013, FINRA filed an amended complaint that dropped the allegations against CCSC and reduced the scope of the allegations against Ms. Springsteen-Abbott.  The sole remaining charge was that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott had approved the misallocation of some expenses to certain Funds.  Management believes that the expenses at issue include amounts that were proper and that were properly allocated to Funds, and also identified a smaller number of expenses that had been allocated in error, but were adjusted and repaid to the affected Funds when they were identified in 2012. During the period in question, Commonwealth Capital Corp. and Ms. Springsteen-Abbott provided important financial support to the Funds, voluntarily absorbed expenses and voluntarily waived fees in amounts aggregating in excess of any questioned allocations.  That Panel ruled on March 30, 2015, that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott should be barred from the securities industry because the Panel concluded that she allegedly misallocated $208,000 of expenses involving certain Funds over the course of three years.  Ms. Springsteen-Abbott intends to vigorously challenge the Panels decision on appeal.  Decisions issued by FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers may be appealed to FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) pursuant to FINRA Rule 9311. Under NASD Rule 1015, an applicant may file a written request for review of the membership decision with the NAC within 25 days after service of the decision. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the individual.   No adjustments were made to the 2015 or 2014 financial statements with respect to the Funds share of the allegedly misallocated expenses, pending the appeal.  Management believes that resolution of the charge will not result in any material adverse financial impact on the Funds, but no assurance can be provided until the FINRA matter is resolved.  






14



Item 2: Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS


This section, as well as other portions of this document, includes certain forward-looking statements about our business and our prospects, tax treatment of certain transactions and accounting matters, sales of securities, expenses, cash flows, distributions, investments and operating and capital requirements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: acquisition policies of our general partner; the nature of present and future leases; provisions for uncollectible accounts; the strength and sustainability of the U.S. economy; the continued difficulties in the credit markets and their impact on the economy in general; and the level of future cash flow, debt levels, revenues, operating expenses, amortization and depreciation expenses. You can identify those statements by the use of words such as could, should, would, may, will, project, believe, anticipate, expect, plan, estimate, forecast, potential, intend, continue and contemplate, as well as similar words and expressions.


Actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements because any such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based upon various important factors, including, but not limited to, nationwide economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions; the health of debt and equity markets, including interest rates and credit quality; the level and nature of spending in the information, medical and telecommunications technologies markets; and the effect of competitive financing alternatives and lease pricing.


Readers are also directed to other risks and uncertainties discussed in other documents we file with the SEC, including, without limitation, those discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.


INDUSTRY OVERVIEW


The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index, which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $903 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for March was $8.9 billion, up 25% from new business volume in March 2014. Volume was up 46% from $6.1 billion in February. Year to date, cumulative new business volume increased 17% compared to 2014. Receivables over 30 days were 1.2%, up from 1.1% the previous month and from 1.0% the same period in 2014. Charge-offs were at an all-time low of 0.2% for the 13th consecutive month. Credit approvals totaled 78.7% in March, up from 78.1% in February. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 3.9% year over year.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.


We believe that our critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.


See Note 2 to our condensed financial statements included herein for a discussion related to recent accounting pronouncements.


LEASE INCOME RECEIVABLE


Lease income receivable includes current lease income receivable net of allowances for uncollectible amounts, if any. The Partnership monitors lease income receivable to ensure timely and accurate payment by lessees. The Partnerships Lease Relations department is responsible for monitoring lease income receivable and, as necessary, resolving outstanding invoices.


The Partnership reviews a customers credit history before extending credit. When the analysis indicates that the probability of full collection is unlikely, the Partnership may establish an allowance for uncollectible lease income receivable based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Partnership writes off its lease income receivable when it determines that it is uncollectible and all economically sensible means of recovery have been exhausted.





15



REVENUE RECOGNITION


Through March 31, 2015, the Partnerships lease portfolio consisted of operating leases and finance leases. For operating leases, lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.


Finance lease interest income is recorded over the term of the lease using the effective interest method. For finance leases, we record, at lease inception, unearned finance lease income which is calculated as follows: total lease payments, plus any residual value and initial direct costs, less the cost of the leased equipment.


Upon the end of the lease term, if the lessee has not met the return conditions as set out in the lease, the Partnership is entitled in certain cases to additional compensation from the lessee. The Partnerships accounting policy for recording such payments is to treat them as revenue.


Gains or losses from sales of leased and off-lease equipment are recorded on a net basis in the Partnerships Statement of Operations


Our leases do not contain any step-rent provisions or escalation clauses nor are lease revenues adjusted based on any index.


Gains from the termination of leases are recognized when the lease is modified and terminated concurrently. Gains from lease termination included in lease revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $0 and $181,000, respectively.


LONG-LIVED ASSETS


Depreciation on technology and inventory management equipment for financial statement purposes is based on the straight-line method estimated generally over useful lives of two to five years. Once an asset comes off lease or is released, the Partnership reassesses the useful life of an asset.


The Partnership evaluates its long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines whether impairment exists by estimating the undiscounted cash flows to be generated by each asset. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset then impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is determined based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted cash flows to be generated by the asset, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets, as applicable, based on asset type.


Residual values are determined by management and are calculated using information from both internal and external sources, as well as other economic indicators.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


Sources and Uses of Cash


Our primary sources of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were net proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $1,042,000 and payments received from finance leases of approximately $37,000, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014 where our primary sources of cash were provided by operating activities of approximately $233,000, net proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $180,000 and payments received from finance leases of approximately $11,000.


Our primary uses of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were net cash used in operating activities of approximately $224,000, the purchase of new equipment of approximately $39,000, distributions to partners of approximately $668,000 and purchase of finance leases of approximately $27,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, our primary uses of cash were for the purchase of new equipment of approximately $978,000, distributions to partners of approximately $669,000, equipment acquisition fees paid to the General Partner of approximately $50,000, purchase of finance leases of approximately $91,000 and debt placement fees paid to the General Partner of approximately $19,000.


Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was approximately $224,000, including a net loss of approximately $414,000 and depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $1,360,000.  Other noncash activities included in the determination of net loss include direct payments to banks by lessees of approximately $517,000. This compares to the three months ended March 31, 2014 where cash was provided by operating activities of approximately $233,000, and includes a net loss of approximately $344,000 and depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $1,535,000. Other noncash activities included in the determination of net loss include direct payments to banks by lessees of approximately $482,000.






16



As we continue to increase the size of our equipment portfolio, operating expenses will increase, which reflects the administrative costs of servicing the portfolio, but because of our investment strategy of leasing equipment primarily through triple-net leases, we avoid operating expenses related to equipment maintenance or taxes. Depreciation expenses will likely increase more rapidly than operating expenses as we add equipment to our portfolio.


CCC, on our behalf and on behalf of other affiliated partnerships, acquires equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease revenue and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors.


Capital expenditures and distributions are expected to continue to increase overall during the remainder of 2015 as management focuses on additional equipment acquisitions and funding limited partner distributions. We intend to invest approximately $8,000,000 or more during the remainder of 2015, depending on the availability of investment opportunities.


We consider equivalents to be highly liquid investments with the original maturity dates of 90 days or less.

At March 31, 2015, cash was held in two bank accounts maintained at one financial institution with an aggregate balance of approximately $3,298,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. At March 31, 2015, the total cash bank balance was as follows:


At March 31, 2015


Amount


Total bank balance


$

3,298,000


FDIC insured



(250,000)


Uninsured amount


$

3,048,000



The Partnership believes it mitigates the risk of holding uninsured deposits by only depositing funds with major financial institutions. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in our accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amounts in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2015 due to many factors, including the pace of cash receipts, equipment acquisitions and distributions to limited partners.


As of March 31, 2015, we had future minimum rentals on non-cancelable operating leases of approximately $3,247,000 for the balance of the year ending December 31, 2015 and approximately $2,952,000 thereafter.


As of March 31, 2015, we had future minimum rentals on non-cancelable finance leases of approximately $112,000 for the balance of the year ending December 31, 2015 and approximately $363,000 thereafter.


As of March 31, 2015, our non-recourse debt was approximately $3,115,000 with interest rates ranging from 1.60% through 4.85% and is payable through December 2017.


In December 2014 a significant lessee, ALSC, breached its Master Lease Agreement (MLA) scheduled to terminate in December 2015 and defaulted on its lease payments for equipment shared by the Partnership and other affiliated Funds.  The MLA had an original equipment purchase price of approximately $10,000,000 and was scheduled to terminate in January 2016.  The Funds had received approximately $6,300,000 in scheduled lease payments prior to the December 2014 default.  Additionally, in January 2015, Commonwealth, on behalf of the Funds, entered into a Purchase Agreement (Purchase Agreement) for the sale of the equipment to Medshare Technologies for approximately $3,400,000.  The Partnerships share of the proceeds was $1,031,000.  On April 2, 2015, Commonwealth reached a settlement agreement with the parent company of ALSC for $3,500,000. The Partnerships share is approximately $1,051,000 of which $848,000 is expected to be recorded as a gain on termination of leases in the second quarter of 2015.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Partnership received approximately $1,031,000 from Medshare Technologies for the purchase of equipment.  





17



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to three months ended March 31, 2014


Lease Revenue


Our lease revenue decreased to approximately $1,354,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from approximately $1,859,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The Partnership had 132 active operating leases that generated lease revenue of approximately $1,354,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  The Partnership had 113 active operating leases that generated lease revenue of approximately $1,859,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  Overall active leases increased while overall revenue decreased. This decrease is primarily due to a default of a significant lessee (note 3 ALSC disclosure) and the extension of lease agreements at reduced rental rates.  Management expects to continue to add new leases to the Partnerships portfolio throughout 2015. We expect increases in portfolio size to increase aggregate lease revenue.


Sale of Equipment


For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Partnership sold equipment with a net book value of approximately $982,000 for a net gain of approximately $59,000.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Partnership sold equipment with a net book value of approximately $381,000 for a net loss of approximately $201,000. This gain is primarily a result of the sale of fully depreciated equipment to a lessee and equipment sales to a third party as a result of an asset purchase agreement (see Note 3) .


Operating Expenses


Our operating expenses, excluding depreciation, primarily consist of accounting and legal fees, outside service fees and reimbursement of expenses to CCC for administration and operation of the Partnership. These expenses increased to approximately $375,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from approximately $374,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. As a result of a lessee default as described above, revenue decreased while operating expenses remained flat due to consistent operating coditions.  


Equipment Management Fee


We pay an equipment management fee to our general partner for managing our equipment portfolio. The equipment management fee is approximately 5% of the gross lease revenue attributable to equipment that is subject to operating leases and 2% of the gross lease revenue attributable to equipment that is subject to finance leases. The total equipment management fee decreased to approximately $68,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from approximately $93,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. This decrease is consistent with the decrease in lease revenue. As more equipment is acquired to the Partnerships equipment portfolio, management fees are expected to increase throughout the remainder of 2015 as our equipment and lease portfolio grows.


Depreciation and Amortization Expense


Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of depreciation on equipment and amortization of equipment acquisition fees. These expenses decreased to approximately $1,360,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from approximately $1,535,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  This decrease was due to the higher frequency in the termination of leases and equipment being fully depreciated as compared to the acquisition of new leases for the three months ended March 31, 2015.


Net Loss


For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized revenue of approximately $1,420,000 and expenses of approximately $1,834,000, resulting in a net loss of approximately $414,000. This net loss is attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses as discussed above.  For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we recognized revenue of approximately $1,875,000 and expenses of approximately $2,219,000, resulting in a net loss of approximately $344,000.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk


N/A


Item 4. Controls and Procedures


Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the General Partners Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures related to our reporting and disclosure obligations as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, the General Partners Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information relating to us which is required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms, and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the General Partners Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There were no changes in the Partnerships



18



internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2015 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting.


Part II: OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. Legal Proceedings


FINRA

 

On May 3, 2013, the FINRA Department of Enforcement filed a complaint naming Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. (CCSC) and the owner of the firm, Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, as respondents; however on October 22, 2013, FINRA filed an amended complaint that dropped the allegations against CCSC and reduced the scope of the allegations against Ms. Springsteen-Abbott.  The sole remaining charge was that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott had approved the misallocation of some expenses to certain Funds.  Management believes that the expenses at issue include amounts that were proper and that were properly allocated to Funds, and also identified a smaller number of expenses that had been allocated in error, but were adjusted and repaid to the affected Funds when they were identified in 2012. During the period in question, Commonwealth Capital Corp. and Ms. Springsteen-Abbott provided important financial support to the Funds, voluntarily absorbed expenses and voluntarily waived fees in amounts aggregating in excess of any questioned allocations.  That Panel ruled on March 30, 2015, that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott should be barred from the securities industry because the Panel concluded that she allegedly misallocated $208,000 of expenses involving certain Funds over the course of three years.  Ms. Springsteen-Abbott intends to vigorously challenge the Panels decision on appeal.  Decisions issued by FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers may be appealed to FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) pursuant to FINRA Rule 9311. Under NASD Rule 1015, an applicant may file a written request for review of the membership decision with the NAC within 25 days after service of the decision. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the individual.   No adjustments were made to the 2015 or 2014 financial statements with respect to the Funds share of the allegedly misallocated expenses, pending the appeal.  Management believes that resolution of the charge will not result in any material adverse financial impact on the Funds, but no assurance can be provided until the FINRA matter is resolved.  


Item 1A. Risk Factors

N/A


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

N/A


Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

N/A


Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

N/A


Item 5. Other Information

NONE


Item 6. Exhibits


31.1 RULE 15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

31.2 RULE 15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

32.1 SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

32.2 SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER












19



SIGNATURES


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



COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND VII, LP


BY: COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND, INC., General Partner


May 15, 2015

By: /s/ Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott

Date

Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott


Chief Executive Officer

Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc.





May 15, 2015

By: /s/ Theodore Cavaliere

Date

Theodore Cavaliere


Financial Operating Officer









20