Table of Contents

 

 

 

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 September 30, 2012

 

- or -

 

o

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 014140

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

22-2655804

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

 

 

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York

 

10104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 273-7100

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer o

 

Accelerated Filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated Filer o

 

Smaller Reporting Company o

(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 o  No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

124,466,040 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of the close of business on November 6, 2012

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Part I

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

Part II

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

74

 



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Part I – Financial Information

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars, except for per share amounts)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

15,652

 

$

9,791

 

$

44,863

 

$

71,593

 

Commissions

 

17,830

 

15,968

 

53,178

 

50,766

 

Investment banking

 

1,996

 

9,359

 

17,788

 

29,723

 

Investment gains, net

 

163

 

2,857

 

156

 

2,539

 

Interest income

 

6,879

 

16,249

 

37,632

 

46,201

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition (Refer to Note 11)

 

 

 

 

2,330

 

Fees and other

 

2,959

 

2,612

 

9,362

 

5,075

 

Total revenues

 

45,479

 

56,836

 

162,979

 

208,227

 

Interest expense

 

2,149

 

2,672

 

10,261

 

8,295

 

Net revenues

 

43,330

 

54,164

 

152,718

 

199,932

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

25,534

 

32,684

 

101,859

 

129,058

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (Refer to Note 12)

 

 

80,244

 

21,096

 

80,244

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage

 

9,461

 

8,946

 

31,152

 

19,017

 

Professional fees

 

4,282

 

1,944

 

12,827

 

6,229

 

Communications and data processing

 

3,224

 

3,614

 

9,699

 

10,108

 

Occupancy, depreciation and amortization

 

2,277

 

2,041

 

6,647

 

6,112

 

Business development

 

823

 

1,139

 

2,822

 

3,483

 

Other

 

2,753

 

2,337

 

8,673

 

7,321

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

48,354

 

132,949

 

194,775

 

261,572

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(5,024

)

(78,785

)

(42,057

)

(61,640

)

Income tax (benefit)/expense

 

(2,223

)

(3,085

)

26,269

 

4,208

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

(2,801

)

(75,700

)

(68,326

)

(65,848

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (Refer to Note 24)

 

33

 

(5,357

)

41

 

(18,425

)

Net loss

 

$

(2,768

)

$

(81,057

)

$

(68,285

)

$

(84,273

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic (loss)/income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.61

)

(0.57

)

$

(0.53

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

(0.04

)

 

(0.15

)

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.65

)

$

(0.57

)

$

(0.68

)

Diluted (loss)/income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.61

)

(0.57

)

$

(0.53

)

Discontinued operations

 

 

(0.04

)

 

(0.15

)

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.65

)

$

(0.57

)

$

(0.68

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

118,699

 

123,993

 

118,969

 

123,598

 

Diluted

 

118,699

 

123,993

 

118,969

 

123,598

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars, except for share and per share amounts)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

28,482

 

$

36,672

 

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes

 

4,000

 

9,612

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

132,608

 

1,523,227

 

Receivables from:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

125,008

 

58,776

 

Related parties

 

1,372

 

1,337

 

Others

 

10,029

 

16,161

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value (includes financial instruments pledged of $1,099,916 and $1,553,610 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)

 

1,100,731

 

1,554,660

 

Investments

 

19,253

 

18,310

 

Office equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

5,726

 

6,735

 

Goodwill

 

 

21,096

 

Intangible assets

 

3,940

 

4,311

 

Income taxes receivable

 

4,807

 

12,102

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

2,654

 

30,766

 

Other assets

 

9,106

 

9,791

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,447,716

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Payables to:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

$

791,172

 

$

1,108,664

 

Related parties

 

594

 

4,939

 

Others

 

2,804

 

3,243

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

103,562

 

1,478,081

 

Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

 

262,274

 

184,996

 

Secured borrowings

 

66,575

 

213,611

 

Accrued compensation

 

17,203

 

26,274

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

10,750

 

18,223

 

Income taxes payable

 

3,804

 

3,979

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

1,622

 

Subordinated debt

 

595

 

801

 

Total Liabilities

 

1,259,333

 

3,044,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Refer to Note 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock; $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 133,769,219 and 133,714,786 shares; and outstanding 124,570,033 and 120,883,601 shares, at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

 

1,337

 

1,337

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

451,850

 

463,497

 

Deferred compensation

 

124

 

161

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(254,172

)

(185,887

)

Treasury stock, at cost (9,199,186 shares and 12,831,185 shares, at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)

 

(10,756

)

(19,985

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

188,383

 

259,123

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,447,716

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(68,285

)

$

(84,273

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes (Refer to Note 18)

 

26,490

 

1,913

 

Impairment of goodwill — Investment Banking (Refer to Note 12)

 

3,732

 

80,244

 

Impairment of goodwill — MBS & Rates (Refer to Note 12)

 

17,364

 

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets — Equities (Refer to Note 24)

 

 

14,311

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

4,538

 

13,418

 

Clawback of stock-based compensation awards subject to non-competition provisions

 

(2,497

)

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition

 

 

(2,330

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,455

 

1,433

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

371

 

1,976

 

Investment losses/(gains), net

 

(156

)

(2,539

)

Loss on disposal of office equipment and leasehold improvements

 

 

316

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes

 

5,612

 

(3,900

)

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

1,390,619

 

(404,379

)

Net receivable/payable from/to related parties

 

(4,397

)

1,028

 

Net receivable from others

 

5,693

 

3,746

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

 

453,929

 

(388,930

)

Income taxes receivable/payable, net

 

6,734

 

(3,262

)

Other assets

 

749

 

1,452

 

Net payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

(383,724

)

298,523

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

(1,374,519

)

402,535

 

Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

 

77,278

 

75,445

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(3,530

)

2,805

 

Accrued compensation

 

(9,071

)

(40,445

)

Drafts payable

 

318

 

(726

)

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

 

148,703

 

(31,639

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payment to former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc. (Refer to Note 26)

 

(4,373

)

 

Purchase of investments

 

(800

)

(1,367

)

Purchases of office equipment and leasehold improvements

 

(447

)

(1,916

)

Return of capital — investments

 

 

2,967

 

ClearPoint acquisition — net cash acquired (Refer to Note 11)

 

 

626

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

 

(5,620

)

310

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from secured borrowings

 

1,170,547

 

731,676

 

Repayments of secured borrowings

 

(1,317,583

)

(682,811

)

Purchases of treasury stock

 

(1,151

)

(10,333

)

Payment for employee tax withholdings on stock-based compensation

 

(2,888

)

(6,143

)

Repayment of subordinated debt

 

(206

)

(108

)

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation

 

8

 

238

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

 

(151,273

)

32,519

 

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(8,190

)

1,190

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

36,672

 

40,009

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

28,482

 

$

41,199

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued approximately 5.8 million and 0.6 million shares out of treasury stock, net of forfeitures, respectively, for stock-based compensation exercises and vesting and distributions of deferred compensation related to the employee stock trust.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued approximately 0.1 million and 2.3 million shares of common stock, respectively, for settlement of stock-based compensation awards.

 

The fair value of non-cash assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition on January 3, 2011 were $51.6 million and $49.9 million, respectively (Refer to Note 11).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.                  Basis of Presentation

 

Gleacher & Company, Inc. (the “Parent” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an independent investment bank that provides corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services, including merger and acquisition, restructuring, recapitalization, and strategic alternative analysis.  The Company also provides capital raising, research-based investment analysis, and securities brokerage services, and, through its subsidiary ClearPoint Funding, Inc. (“ClearPoint”), engages in residential mortgage lending.  The Company offers a diverse range of products through its Investment Banking, Mortgage Backed Securities & Rates (“MBS & Rates,” formerly known as MBS/ABS & Rates), Credit Products (formerly known as Corporate Credit) and ClearPoint divisions.  The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “GLCH.”

 

Policies and Presentation

 

The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  The consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could be different from these estimates.  In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of this interim financial information are contained in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and are unaudited.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted.  Reference should be made to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for additional information, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact to previously reported net loss or stockholders’ equity.  This includes the prior period results of the Equities division, which is now being reported as discontinued operations.  Refer to Note 24 herein for additional information.  In addition, revenues earned on a riskless principal basis in the amount of $15.7 million and $49.9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 have been reclassified from principal transactions to commission income in order to distinguish such revenues (commission equivalents) from revenues earned on financial instruments held in inventory.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”), which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements.  For derivative financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to offsetting requirements but not offset in the balance sheet.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and is to be applied retrospectively.  This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset, and since these amended principles require only additional disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2011-11 will not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), in order to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The amendments in this ASU include the requirement that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of

 

5



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, except for new presentation requirements about reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which are currently deferred indefinitely.  ASU 2011-05 is not applicable to the Company as it has no items reported as other comprehensive income.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurements:  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS” (“ASU 2011-04”), in order to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments in this ASU include clarification of (i) the application of the highest and best use valuation premise concepts and specifies that such concepts are relevant only when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets, (ii) the requirement to measure certain instruments classified in stockholders’ equity at fair value, such as equity interests issued as consideration in a business combination and (iii) disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement that is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including (a) measuring the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio by permitting entities to measure such financial instruments on a net basis if such entities manage such financial instruments on the basis of their net exposure, (b) clarifying that premiums or discounts related to size as a characteristic of the reporting entity’s holding (specifically, a blockage factor) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (for example, a control premium) are not permitted in a fair value measurement and (c) the expansion of disclosures about fair value measurements, including the valuation processes of financial instruments categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, if any.  ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 8 herein which includes the disclosures as required by this ASU.

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Transfers and Servicing:  Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” (“ASU 2011-03”), in order to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (i) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion.  ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”), in order to address questions about entities with reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts as some entities concluded that Step 1 of the test is passed in those circumstances because the fair value of their reporting unit will generally be greater than zero.  For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, taking into consideration any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist.  ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2.                  (Loss)/Earnings Per Common Share

 

The Company calculates basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.”  Basic (loss)/earnings per share is computed based upon weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.  Dilutive (loss)/earnings per share is computed consistently with the basic computation while giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares and common share equivalents that were outstanding during the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of unvested stock awards, warrants, and unexercised options.  The weighted average shares outstanding were calculated as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Weighted average shares for basic (loss)/earnings per share

 

118,699

 

123,993

 

118,969

 

123,598

 

Effect of dilutive common share equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares and dilutive common share equivalents for dilutive (loss)/earnings per share

 

118,699

 

123,993

 

118,969

 

123,598

 

 

The Company was in a net loss position for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 and therefore excluded approximately 9.2 million and 10.1 million, respectively, shares underlying stock options and warrants, 7.5 million and 6.7 million, respectively, shares of restricted stock, and 3.3 million and 6.6 million, respectively, shares underlying restricted stock units (“RSUs”) from its computation of dilutive loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.

 

3.                  Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company has defined cash equivalents as highly liquid investments, with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not segregated for regulatory purposes or held for sale in the ordinary course of business.  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash equivalents were approximately $3.0 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

 

4.                  Cash and Securities Segregated for Regulatory and Other Purposes

 

In November 2010, Gleacher & Company Securities, Inc. (“Gleacher Securities”) began self-clearing its trading activities in U.S. government securities (the “Rates business”) and is therefore subject to the Customer Protection rules under Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company segregated cash of $1.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in a special reserve bank account for the exclusive benefit of customers pertaining to the results of the activities of the Company’s Rates business and outstanding checks issued to customers and vendors when the Company was previously conducting self-clearing in prior years.

 

Cash segregated also includes $3.0 million and $1.0 million of cash on deposit in connection with ClearPoint’s secured borrowings at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2011, cash segregated also included approximately $4.6 million of cash received in connection with a working capital loan agreement between an unaffiliated borrower and certain lenders.  In connection with this agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acting as agent, had a commitment to pay funding advances on behalf of the lenders with respect to any unfunded commitments drawn upon by the borrower under the working capital loan agreement.  An equal and offsetting liability was recorded within Accounts payable and accrued expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

5.                  Resale and Repurchase Agreements

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for a detailed discussion of accounting policies related to the Company’s resale and repurchase agreements.

 

At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the fair value of financial instruments received as collateral by the Company that it was permitted to deliver or repledge in connection with resale agreements was approximately $0.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, substantially all of which was repledged in the form of repurchase agreements at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

The following tables provide detail on the composition of the outstanding repurchase agreements at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Overnight

 

< 30 days

 

30-90 days

 

> 90 days

 

On
Demand

 

Total

 

Collateral Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

 

$

 

$

100,000

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,562

 

$

103,562

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Overnight

 

< 30 days

 

30-90 days

 

> 90 days

 

On
Demand

 

Total

 

Collateral Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

 

$

1,204,641

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

273,440

 

$

1,478,081

 

 

6.                  Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers, and Clearing Organizations

 

Amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Deposits with clearing organizations

 

$

10,826

 

$

16,467

 

Receivable for unsettled trading activities

 

110,832

 

14,705

 

Receivable from clearing organizations

 

2,288

 

2,950

 

Fails to deliver

 

 

24,654

 

Underwriting and syndicate fees receivable

 

1,062

 

 

Total receivables

 

$

125,008

 

$

58,776

 

Payable to clearing organizations

 

744,950

 

1,093,518

 

Fails to receive

 

46,222

 

15,146

 

Total payables

 

$

791,172

 

$

1,108,664

 

 

Included within deposits with clearing organizations at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is a deposit with the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”) of approximately $8.5 million and $15.2 million, respectively, related to the Company’s self clearing activities associated with the Rates business.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Securities transactions are recorded on their trade date as if they had settled.  The related amounts receivable and payable for unsettled securities transactions are recorded net, by clearing organization, in Receivables from or Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

The clearing organizations may re-hypothecate all securities held on behalf of the Company.

 

7.                  Receivables from and Payables to Others

 

Amounts Receivable from and Payable to Others consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Investment banking and advisory fees receivable

 

$

2,733

 

$

1,713

 

Interest receivable

 

2,890

 

7,250

 

Fails to deliver

 

1,914

 

 

Principal paydowns — Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

255

 

4,468

 

Loans and advances

 

182

 

280

 

Management fees receivable

 

180

 

140

 

Others

 

1,875

 

2,310

 

Total receivables from others

 

$

10,029

 

$

16,161

 

Payable to employees for the Employee Investment Funds (Refer to Note 10)

 

$

961

 

$

972

 

Customer deposits held in escrow — ClearPoint

 

429

 

849

 

Draft payables

 

452

 

135

 

Others

 

962

 

1,287

 

Total payables to others

 

$

2,804

 

$

3,243

 

 

The Company maintains a group of “zero balance” bank accounts which are included in Payable to others on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  Drafts payable represent the balance in these accounts related to outstanding checks that have not yet been presented for payment at the bank.  The Company has sufficient funds on deposit to clear these checks, and these funds will be transferred to the “zero-balance” accounts upon presentment.

 

8.                  Financial Instruments

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of accounting policies related to the Company’s financial instruments & investments, loans and derivative financial instruments.

 

The Company’s financial instruments are recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value.  ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the reporting date, for identical assets or liabilities.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, volatilities); or “market corroborated inputs.”

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would make.

 


** Prices are not adjusted for the effects, if any, of the Company holding a large block relative to the overall trading volume (referred to as a “blockage factor”).

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

ASC 820 also provides (i) general guidance on determining fair value when markets are inactive including the use of judgment in determining whether a transaction in a dislocated market represents fair value, the inclusion of market participant risk adjustments when an entity significantly adjusts observable market data based on unobservable inputs, and the degree of reliance to be placed on broker quotes or pricing services as well as (ii) additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly declined and guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.

 

Fair Valuation Methodology

 

Cash Equivalents — These financial assets represent cash in banks or cash invested in highly liquid investments with original maturities less than 90 days that are not segregated for regulatory purposes or held for sale in the ordinary course of business.  These investments are valued at par, which represent fair value, and are considered Level 1.  Refer to Note 3 herein for additional information.

 

Financial Instruments Owned/Securities Sold But Not Yet Purchased — These financial instruments primarily consist of investments in fixed income securities, as well as holdings in equity securities.  The Company has no direct exposure to European sovereign debt.

 

Level 1 Cash Instruments

 

Level 1 cash instruments include U.S. government obligations and actively traded listed preferred stock and equity securities (if not subject to legal restriction on transfer).  These instruments are generally traded in active, quoted and highly liquid markets.

 

Level 2 Cash Instruments

 

Level 2 cash instruments generally include agency mortgage-backed securities, federal agency obligations, corporate debt, mortgage loans originated by ClearPoint for which the fair value option (“FVO”) has been elected and certain preferred stock, asset-backed and non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and certain other debt obligations.

 

In determining fair value for Level 2 financial instruments, management considers recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, benchmark securities and yields, discounted cash flow techniques, recently executed market transactions of comparable size, issuer spreads and bids/offers.  Fair value for ClearPoint’s loans is determined utilizing observable market factors and is principally based upon the fair value of the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) forward securities market (refer to “Derivatives” below).

 

10



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Level 3 Cash Instruments

 

Level 3 cash instruments primarily include non-agency commercial and residential mortgage backed securities positions and certain other debt obligations.  In determining fair value for Level 3 financial instruments, management maximizes the use of market observable information when available.  Management considers factors such as recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, discounted cash flow techniques, bids that were received, and various benchmarking techniques, including spread comparisons to other similar financial assets recently traded, or spreads to observable factors such as yield curves.  Management considers its valuation methodologies consistent with assumptions in how other market participants value certain financial assets.

 

Level 3 cash instruments also includes the Company’s investment in FA Technology Ventures, L.P. (“FATV” or “the Partnership”), further described below.

 

Derivatives — These financial instruments primarily consist of TBAs, forward sales and interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”).

 

TBAs and forward sales:  The Company utilizes derivatives for trading strategies and economic hedging strategies.  The Company economically hedges certain of its mortgage-backed and U.S. government securities trading, and the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint, through the use of TBAs and forward sale agreements.  A TBA is a forward mortgage-backed security whose collateral remains “to-be-announced” until just prior to the trade settlement.  Forward sale agreements are entered into by ClearPoint and are valued based upon the TBA.  TBAs are traded in an active quoted market and therefore generally classified as Level 1.

 

IRLCs:  The Company enters into mortgage loan IRLCs in connection with its mortgage lending activities.  The fair value of the IRLCs are determined on an individual loan basis and are based on investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term and considers the servicing release premium, expected loan origination fees and costs and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan.  The Company also applies an estimated rate of closure based on historical experience in determining the notional amount of the loans expected to be funded.  All of these factors combined results in the classification of the IRLCs as Level 3.

 

Investments — These financial assets primarily represent the Company’s investment in FATV, a venture capital limited partnership which provides early stage growth capital to companies in the information and new energy technology sectors.  Valuation techniques applied by FATV GP LLC (the “General Partner”) to the underlying portfolio companies predominantly include consideration of comparable market transactions and the use of valuation models to determine the discounted value of estimated future cash flows, adjusted as appropriate for market and/or other risk factors.  In addition, from time to time, FATV holds equity securities in public companies which are valued based upon quoted market prices.  This investment is classified as Level 3 as the majority of the valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.

 

Valuation Processes and Controls

 

Our sales and trading professionals in our revenue producing units are responsible for pricing our financial instruments.  The Company employs an independent control process in order to validate these prices.  This control process, which involves both the Company’s risk management and finance personnel, is designed to ensure that the values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible.  In the event that observable inputs are not available, the control processes are designed to assure that the valuation approach utilized is appropriate and consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable.

 

Fair value is generally determined through a variety of factors, such as recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, bids that were received, and various benchmarking techniques, including spread comparisons to other similar assets recently traded or spreads to other observable factors such as yield curves.  The Company’s independent control process includes leveraging pricing information obtained from external data providers to assess the reasonableness of its marks, generally for the Company’s most highly liquid financial instruments, as this data tends to be generally reliable for positions that are actively traded.  For the Company’s less liquid

 

11



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

financial instruments, the Company’s independent control process includes comparing month-end marks to recent trading activity, benchmarking price changes to observable market indices, reviewing benchmarking techniques and analyzing external pricing data for trends.  These independent procedures are critical to ensuring our financial instruments are properly valued.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The following tables summarize the categorization of the financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy including those for which the Company accounts for under the FVO, at September 30, 2012:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

863,143

 

$

8

 

$

863,151

 

Loans

 

 

80,961

 

 

80,961

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

69,973

 

 

69,973

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

22,725

 

 

22,725

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

11,053

 

11,281

 

22,334

 

U.S. government obligations

 

21,758

 

99

 

 

21,857

 

Other debt obligations

 

 

377

 

10,487

 

10,864

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

97

 

3,819

 

3,916

 

Equity securities

 

664

 

 

98

 

762

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 

 

551

 

551

 

Derivatives

 

684

 

 

2,953

 

3,637

 

Investments

 

 

 

19,253

 

19,253

 

Total financial assets at fair value

 

$

23,106

 

$

1,048,428

 

$

48,450

 

$

1,119,984

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Securities sold but not yet purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

249,516

 

$

 

$

 

$

249,516

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

5,673

 

 

5,673

 

Preferred stock

 

1,864

 

 

 

1,864

 

Derivatives

 

5,221

 

 

 

5,221

 

Total financial liabilities at fair value

 

$

256,601

 

$

5,673

 

$

 

$

262,274

 

 

Included below is a discussion of the characteristics of the Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 holdings at September 30, 2012.  Unless otherwise stated, fair value of Level 2 assets are determined based upon observable third party information including recent trading activity, broker quotes and other relevant market data as noted above.  Fair value for Level 3 assets are based predominantly on management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would make.

 

Financial Instruments Classified as Level 2

 

The Company’s agency mortgage-backed securities positions classified as Level 2, of approximately $863.1 million, have a weighted average loan size of approximately $0.2 million paying interest of 4.7%, with a weighted average FICO score of 743.  This portfolio has a weighted average coupon remitting payment of 4.0% and has a weighted average annualized constant prepayment rate of approximately 22.9%.  Fair value is determined through a combination of matrix pricing as well as the information noted in the preceding paragraph.

 

The Company’s Level 2 federal agency obligations of approximately $70.0 million have a weighted average coupon of 1.8% and a weighted average maturity of 2019.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s Level 2 loans of approximately $81.0 million (unpaid principal of approximately $77.6 million), which are related to the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint and for which the FVO has been elected, have a weighted average loan size of approximately $0.2 million and has a weighted average coupon remitting payment of 3.7%.  Unrealized losses arising from fair value changes of approximately $0.4 million have been recorded within Principal transactions within the Consolidated Statements of Operations as of September 30, 2012.  There are no loans 90 days or more past due and no loans are in non-accrual status.  The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

 

The Company’s net holdings of corporate debt securities classified as Level 2 of approximately $17.1 million have a weighted average credit rating of BBB, have a weighted average issuance year of 2007 and a weighted average maturity of 2027.

 

The Company’s Level 2 non-agency residential mortgage backed securities of approximately $11.1 million are primarily senior tranches, have a weighted average credit rating of DDD and a weighted average issuance year of 2005.

 

Financial Instruments Classified as Level 3

 

Non-Agency Residential Mortgage Backed Securities – Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Valuation Technique

 

Fair Value at
September 30,
2012

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Discounted cash flow

 

$

11,281

 

Default rate(1)

 

6.0%-18.0% (9.8%)

 

 

 

 

 

Prepayment rate(2)

 

0.5%-15% (6.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss severity(1)

 

50%-65% (55.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate(1)

 

5.4%-8.6% (6.8%)

 

 


(1)         Increases in this assumption would result in a lower fair value, whereas decreases in this assumption would result in a higher fair value.

 

(2)         Increases in this assumption would result in a higher fair value, whereas decreases in this assumption would result in a lower fair value.

 

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities – Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

Valuation Technique

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Fair Value at
September 30,
2012

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Comparable market data

 

$

3,819

 

Spread over benchmark(1)

 

+3.0 to +13.0 (+9.0%)

 

 


(1)         Increases in this assumption would result in a higher fair value, whereas decreases in this assumption would result in a lower fair value.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Other Debt Obligations – Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

Valuation Technique

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Fair Value at
September 30,
2012

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Discounted cash flow

 

$

10,487

 

Default rate(1)

 

0.0%-0.5% (0.4%)

 

 

 

 

 

Prepayment rate(2)

 

1.2%-15.0% (2.9%)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss severity(1)

 

0.0%-25.0% (22.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate(1)

 

0.6%-1.9% (0.6%)

 

 


(1)         Increases in this assumption would result in a lower fair value, whereas decreases in this assumption would result in a higher fair value.

 

(2)         Increases in this assumption would result in a higher fair value, whereas decreases in this assumption would result in a lower fair value.

 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments – Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

IRLCs are reported as derivatives and are classified Level 3.  The significant unobservable input is ClearPoint’s estimated rate of closure of 71.0%, representing the percentage of ClearPoint’s loan commitments expected to fund, which is based on historical experience.  A reduction in this unobservable input would result in a lower fair value for these financial instruments.

 

Refer to Note 9 herein for additional information.

 

Investments – Quantitative Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s investments of approximately $19.3 million classified as Level 3, includes the Company’s investment in FATV of approximately $16.0 million.  Refer to Note 10 herein for additional information.

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Market comparable companies

 

Enterprise value/Revenue multiple

 

1.5x – 7.2x (5.9x)

 

 

 

Discount applied to multiples

 

0.0% - 45.0% (23.0%)

 

 

An increase in the enterprise value/revenue multiple would result in a higher fair value for these investments, whereas, an increase in the discounts applied to these multiples would reduce fair value.

 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements – Quantitative Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis solely relate to Goodwill arising from various business combinations which would be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.  Refer to Note 12 herein for additional information.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the categorization of the financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy including those for which the Company accounts for under the FVO at December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

1,084,254

 

$

1,367

 

$

1,085,621

 

Loans

 

 

228,226

 

 

228,226

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

158,774

 

 

158,774

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

38,154

 

38,154

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

18,419

 

18,419

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

14,524

 

 

14,524

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

5,789

 

 

 

5,789

 

Preferred stock

 

316

 

 

1,301

 

1,617

 

Equity securities

 

889

 

 

112

 

1,001

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 

 

647

 

647

 

Other debt obligations

 

 

 

192

 

192

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

1,696

 

1,696

 

Investments

 

 

 

18,310

 

18,310

 

Total financial assets at fair value

 

$

6,994

 

$

1,485,778

 

$

80,198

 

$

1,572,970

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Securities sold but not yet purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

158,059

 

$

 

$

 

$

158,059

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

12,254

 

 

12,254

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

11,796

 

 

11,796

 

Preferred stock

 

184

 

 

730

 

914

 

Equity securities

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Derivatives

 

1,971

 

 

 

1,971

 

Total financial liabilities at fair value

 

$

160,216

 

$

24,050

 

$

730

 

$

184,996

 

 

The Company reviews its financial instrument classification on a quarterly basis.  As the observability and strength of valuation attributes change, reclassifications of certain financial assets or liabilities may occur between levels.  The Company’s policy is to utilize an end-of-period convention for determining transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2 and 3.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended September 30, 2012:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Balance at June
30, 2012

 

Total gains or
(losses) (realized
and unrealized)
(1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in
and/or out of
Level 3 

 

Balance at
September
30, 2012

 

Changes in
unrealized
gains/(losses)
on Level 3
assets still held
at the reporting
date (1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

5,682

 

$

(424

)

$

133

 

$

(1,568

)

$

(4

)

$

 

$

3,819

 

$

(380

)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

10,355

 

331

 

12,700

 

(11,482

)

(623

)

 

11,281

 

37

 

Other debt obligations

 

2,553

 

20

 

11,362

 

(3,420

)

(28

)

 

10,487

 

3

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

1,486

 

(80

)

3

 

(1,401

)

 

 

8

 

35

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

554

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

551

 

234

 

Equities

 

112

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

98

 

(14

)

Investments

 

19,090

 

163

 

 

 

 

 

19,253

 

32

 

Derivatives

 

1,737

 

2,953

 

 

 

(1,737

)

 

2,953

 

2,953

 

Total

 

$

41,569

 

$

2,946

 

$

24,198

 

$

(17,871

)

$

(2,392

)

$

 

$

48,450

 

$

2,900

 

 


(1)             Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Balance at June
30, 2011

 

Total gains or
(losses) (realized
and unrealized)
(1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in
and/or out of
Level 3 (2)

 

Balance at
September
30, 2011

 

Changes in
unrealized
gains/(losses)
on Level 3
assets still held
at the reporting
date (1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

56,359

 

$

(6,258

)

$

 

$

(22,353

)

$

(32

)

$

 

$

27,716

 

$

(4,355

)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

27,193

 

75

 

28,568

 

(21,289

)

(1,652

)

 

32,895

 

(379

)

Other debt obligations

 

15,998

 

(94

)

27,464

 

(23,299

)

(1,160

)

 

18,909

 

(3

)

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

8,013

 

(95

)

2,839

 

(9,709

)

 

 

1,048

 

(124

)

Collateralized debt obligations

 

1,424

 

99

 

 

(877

)

 

 

646

 

136

 

Equities

 

60

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

(55

)

Investments

 

16,098

 

2,857

 

1,264

 

 

(1,196

)

 

19,023

 

2,872

 

Derivatives

 

574

 

3,349

 

 

 

(574

)

 

3,349

 

3,349

 

Total

 

$

125,719

 

$

98

 

$

60,135

 

$

(77,527

)

$

(4,614

)

$

 

$

103,811

 

$

1,441

 

 


(1)             Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(2)             During the three months ended September 30, 2011, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Balance at
December 31,
2011

 

Total gains or
(losses)
(realized and
unrealized) (1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in
and/or out of
Level 3(2)

 

Balance at
September
30, 2012

 

Changes in
unrealized
gains/(losses) on
Level 3 assets
still held at the
reporting date (1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

38,154

 

$

(6,497

)

$

7,383

 

$

(33,058

)

$

(62

)

$

(2,101

)

$

3,819

 

$

(1,322

)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

18,419

 

(555

)

11,680

 

(17,329

)

(934

)

 

11,281

 

12

 

Other debt obligations

 

192

 

10

 

16,153

 

(5,848

)

(20

)

 

10,487

 

(1

)

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

1,367

 

(140

)

15

 

(1,232

)

(2

)

 

8

 

4

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

647

 

(96

)

60

 

(60

)

 

 

551

 

(93

)

Equities

 

112

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

98

 

(14

)

Preferred stock

 

571

 

188

 

5,624

 

(6,383

)

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

18,310

 

156

 

800

 

 

(13

)

 

19,253

 

210

 

Derivatives

 

1,696

 

5,575

 

 

 

(4,318

)

 

2,953

 

2,953

 

Total

 

$

79,468

 

$

(1,373

)

$

41,715

 

$

(63,910

)

$

(5,349

)

$

(2,101

)

$

48,450

 

$

1,749

 

 


(1)             Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(2)             During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company transferred approximately $2.1 million of commercial mortgage backed securities from Level 3 to Level 2 due to price discovery resulting from Company trading activity occurring in close proximity to the respective quarter-end.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Balance at
December 31,
2010

 

Total gains or
(losses)
(realized and
unrealized) (1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in
and/or out of
Level 3(2)

 

Balance at
September
30, 2011

 

Changes in
unrealized
gains/(losses) on
Level 3 assets
still held at the
reporting date (1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

46,571

 

$

8,828

 

$

67,742

 

$

(91,668

)

$

(107

)

$

(3,650

)

$

27,716

 

$

(6,889

)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

33,604

 

(79

)

32,923

 

(30,564

)

(2,989

)

 

32,895

 

(379

)

Other debt obligations

 

5,843

 

(14

)

32,005

 

(18,765

)

(160

)

 

18,909

 

54

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

806

 

(147

)

1,111

 

(722

)

 

 

1,048

 

(187

)

Collateralized debt obligations

 

23,235

 

11,570

 

9,056

 

(39,122

)

(525

)

(3,568

)

646

 

61

 

Equities

 

60

 

165

 

 

 

 

 

225

 

(55

)

Investments

 

18,084

 

2,539

 

1,367

 

 

(2,967

)

 

19,023

 

2,446

 

Derivatives

 

 

4,608

 

 

 

(1,259

)

 

3,349

 

3,349

 

Total

 

$

128,203

 

$

27,470

 

$

144,204

 

$

(180,841

)

$

(8,007

)

$

(7,218

)

$

103,811

 

$

(1,600

)

 


(1)             Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(2)             During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company transferred approximately $3.7 million of commercial mortgage backed securities and approximately $3.6 million of collateralized debt obligations from Level 3 to Level 2 due to price discovery resulting from Company trading activity occurring in close proximity to the respective quarter-end.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

9.                  Derivatives

 

The Company utilizes derivatives for trading strategies and economic hedging strategies to actively manage its market and liquidity exposures.  In addition, the Company enters into mortgage loan IRLCs in connection with its mortgage lending activities.  The following table summarizes the Company’s derivative instruments as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Number
of
Contracts

 

Notional

 

Fair Value

 

Number
of
Contracts

 

Notional

 

Fair
Value

 

Purchase Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBA purchase agreements

 

15

 

$

201,579

 

$

561

 

1

 

$

589

 

$

 

Eurodollar futures contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRLCs

 

901

 

157,008

 

2,953

 

708

 

127,227

 

1,696

 

Total

 

916

 

358,587

 

$

3,514

 

709

 

$

127,816

 

$

1,696

 

Sale Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBA sale agreements

 

31

 

$

785,423

 

$

(4,957

)

17

 

$

371,000

 

$

(1,183

)

Forward sale agreements

 

3

 

25,000

 

(141

)

11

 

120,900

 

(788

)

Eurodollar futures contracts

 

80

 

80,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

114

 

$

890,423

 

$

(5,098

)

28

 

$

491,900

 

$

(1,971

)

 

Total gains/(losses) associated with these activities, which are recorded within Principal transactions within the Consolidated Statements of Operations were ($6.3) million and ($4.4) million, for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and ($12.8) million and ($17.4) million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

10.           Investments

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policies related to the Company’s investments included within the policy titled “Financial Instruments and Investments” and Note 8 herein for additional information regarding valuation techniques and inputs related to the Company’s investment in FATV.  The Company’s investment portfolio includes interests in publicly and privately held companies and private equity securities.  Information regarding these investments has been aggregated and is presented below.

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in FATV

 

$

16,015

 

$

15,863

 

Employee Investment Funds, net of Company’s ownership interest

 

1,238

 

1,247

 

Other investment

 

2,000

 

1,200

 

Total Investments

 

$

19,253

 

$

18,310

 

 

Investment gains and losses are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Investments (realized and unrealized gains/(losses))

 

$

163

 

$

2,857

 

$

156

 

$

2,539

 

 

18



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company has an investment in FATV of approximately $16.0 million at September 30, 2012 and $15.9 million at December 31, 2011.  FATV’s primary purpose is to provide investment returns consistent with the risk of investing in venture capital.  FA Technology Ventures Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is the investment advisor to FATV.  There are no material open commitments to fund this portfolio at September 30, 2012.  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, total Partnership capital for all investors in FATV equaled $63.3 million and $63.7 million, respectively.  The Partnership was scheduled to end in July 2011, subject to extension by the vote of a majority of the limited partners, as provided in the limited partnership agreement applicable to the Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”).  The term of the Partnership was extended pursuant to such provision and is now scheduled to terminate on July 19, 2013.  The Partnership is considered a variable interest entity. The Company is not the primary beneficiary, due to other investors’ level of investment in the Partnership.  Accordingly, the Company has not consolidated the Partnership in these consolidated financial statements, but has only recorded the fair value of its investment, which also represented the Company’s maximum exposure to loss in the Partnership at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The Company’s share of management fee income derived from the Partnership for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and were $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

The Employee Investment Funds (“EIF”) are limited liability companies, established by the Company for the purpose of having select employees invest in private equity securities.  The EIF is managed by Broadpoint Management Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which has contracted with FATV to act as an investment advisor with respect to funds invested in parallel with the Partnership.  The Company has consolidated EIF resulting in approximately $1.2 million and $1.2 million of Investments and a corresponding Payable to others being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Management fees are not material to the Company.

 

The other investment is an investment in a privately held company.

 

11.           Business Combinations

 

ClearPoint Funding, Inc. Acquisition

 

On January 3, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of ClearPoint.  Pursuant to the related Stock Purchase Agreement, a subsidiary of the Company, Descap Mortgage Funding, LLC (“Descap LLC”), paid approximately $0.3 million of cash as transaction consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of ClearPoint.  Descap LLC is also obligated to pay the former stockholder of ClearPoint no more than approximately $2.0 million payable in installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, contingent upon the continued employment of the former stockholder and certain indemnification matters.  The Company recorded a bargain purchase gain of approximately $2.3 million, and no goodwill was recognized as the majority of the consideration payable to the former stockholder will be recognized as compensation expense for future services.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The ClearPoint acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations.”  The following condensed statement of net assets acquired reflects the value assigned to ClearPoint’s net assets as of the acquisition date:

 

Condensed Statement of Net Asset Acquired

 

 

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

January 3, 2011

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

876

 

Loans

 

45,726

 

Derivative assets

 

1,117

 

Intangible assets*

 

803

 

Other assets

 

3,994

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

52,516

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Secured borrowings

 

$

44,339

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

5,597

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

$

49,936

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

2,580

 

 


*Consists primarily of customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 8 years.

 

Pro forma information for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 has not been provided given the proximity of the acquisition date to the beginning of the year.  Refer to Note 25 herein for additional information regarding ClearPoint’s financial information.

 

12.           Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to goodwill and intangible assets.

 

Goodwill

 

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test which was triggered as a result of the Company’s market capitalization trading at levels significantly below book value during the three months ended June 30, 2012.  The Company determined that all of its remaining goodwill of approximately $21.1 million had been impaired, due to the duration and severity of the decline in the Company’s stock price in relation to its book value.

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Reporting Unit
MBS & Rates

 

Reporting Unit
Investment Banking

 

Total

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

17,364

 

$

3,732

 

$

21,096

 

Increases/(decreases)

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

17,364

 

3,732

 

21,096

 

Impairment — June 30, 2012

 

(17,364

)

(3,732

)

(21,096

)

Balance at September 30, 2012

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an impairment of $75.7 million of goodwill allocated to the Investment Banking reporting unit.  This was a result of the implementation of the Company’s strategic plan that resulted in a realignment of the core investment banking practice and the termination of 32 investment banking employees and certain administrative positions.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2011, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test related to its former Equities reporting unit as a result of the impact of the market environment on the segment’s net revenues coupled with the higher operating costs associated with the expansion of our equities trading and sales trading capabilities announced in the third quarter of 2010.  These factors resulted in a shortfall of actual revenues and operating results in relation to current year projections and as a result, all of the goodwill of the former Equities reporting unit (now classified as part of discontinued operations) was written off during the year ended December 31, 2011.  Refer to Note 24 herein for additional information.

 

Intangible Assets

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Intangible assets (amortizable):

 

 

 

 

 

MBS & Rates — Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

$

641

 

$

641

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(449

)

(410

)

Net carrying amount

 

192

 

231

 

Credit Products - Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

795

 

795

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(729

)

(610

)

Net carrying amount

 

66

 

185

 

Investment Banking — Trade name

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

4,066

 

7,300

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(1,011

)

(874

)

Impairment of intangible asset — September 1, 2011

 

 

(3,234

)

Net carrying amount

 

3,055

 

3,192

 

ClearPoint — Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

803

 

803

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(176

)

(100

)

Net carrying amount

 

627

 

703

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

3,940

 

$

4,311

 

 

In connection with the previously mentioned goodwill impairment charge taken during the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded an impairment of intangible assets allocated to the Investment Banking reporting unit of approximately $4.6 million, including an impairment of the trade name of $3.2 million and other miscellaneous intangible assets that were fully written-off.

 

Customer-related intangible assets are being amortized from 3 to 12 years and trademark assets are being amortized over 20 years (with approximately 16 years remaining).  Total amortization expense recorded within Other in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

 

Future amortization expense as of September 30, 2012 is estimated as follows:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

2012 (remaining)

 

$

124

 

2013

 

364

 

2014

 

337

 

2015

 

337

 

2016

 

301

 

Thereafter

 

2,477

 

Total

 

$

3,940

 

 

21



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

13.          Office Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to office equipment and leasehold improvements.

 

Office equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Communications and data processing equipment

 

$

5,046

 

$

4,968

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

3,334

 

3,251

 

Leasehold improvements

 

1,793

 

1,766

 

Software

 

850

 

692

 

Total

 

11,023

 

10,677

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(5,297

)

(3,942

)

Total office equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

$

5,726

 

$

6,735

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million and $0.5 million, and $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

 

14.          Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Collateral deposits

 

$

5,142

 

$

5,180

 

Prepaid expenses

 

2,346

 

2,959

 

Other

 

1,618

 

1,652

 

Total other assets

 

$

9,106

 

$

9,791

 

 

22



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

15.          Secured Borrowings

 

Pursuant to certain master repurchase agreements, ClearPoint was extended secured mortgage warehouse lines of credit in order to fund mortgage originations.  These lines of credit carry floating rates of interest and are collateralized by ClearPoint’s mortgage loans. Further information on these lines of credit is set forth below:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

Description

 

Current Year
Expiration Date

 

Facility Limit

 

Outstanding
Balance

 

Facility
Limit

 

Outstanding
Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Facility No. 1

 

March 10, 2012

 

$

 

$

 

$

75,000

 

$

68,756

 

Credit Facility No. 2

 

November 14, 2012

 

45,000

 

33,054

 

75,000

 

49,704

 

Credit Facility No. 3

 

November 14, 2012

 

45,000

 

33,521

 

100,000

 

92,802

 

 

 

 

 

$

90,000

(1)

$

66,575

 

$

250,000

(1)

$

211,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accelerated Purchase Facility

 

March 10, 2012

 

 

 

50,000

 

2,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

90,000

 

$

66,575

 

$

300,000

 

$

213,611

 

 


(1)         Committed capacity under the facilities was $0 million and $100 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

Although originally scheduled to expire in September 2012, the lenders under Credit Facilities No. 2 and No. 3 have provided multiple short-term extensions.  The warehouse lines currently expire on November 14, 2012.  On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to Note 27 herein for additional information.  ClearPoint intends to continue negotiating extension terms in order for these credit facilities to be available through completion of any potential sale transaction.

 

The lender to Credit Facility No. 1 and the Accelerated Purchase Facility elected not to renew it and instead agreed to a 120-day extension.  The advances under these lines were paid in full as of April 24, 2012, and pursuant to an amendment to the master repurchase agreement, those warehouse covenants are no longer in force, and ClearPoint has no further continuing reporting or notice obligations to this lender.

 

If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loan.

 

ClearPoint is required, among other things, to comply with certain financial covenants, including maintaining (i) a minimum tangible net worth ratio, (ii) a maximum leverage ratio, (iii) certain levels of profits/losses, and (iv) a minimum level of liquid assets.  If ClearPoint fails to comply with these covenants, the lenders could declare the credit lines to be in default and require the payment of all amounts then outstanding under the lines.  Also, the applicable agreements contain “cross default” provisions, so that a default under one agreement triggers a default under the others.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

16.          Commitments and Contingencies

 

Guarantees Relating to Certain Contractual Obligations of ClearPoint

 

The Company previously disclosed in Note 29 within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, separate limited guaranties entered into by the Parent on February 29, 2012, relating to certain contractual obligations of ClearPoint.  The guaranties were entered into with certain of ClearPoint’s lenders (the “Curtailment Guaranties”) and with Citibank (the “Citibank Guaranty”).

 

The Parent’s obligations under the Citibank Guaranty were terminated during the second quarter of 2012.

 

The Parent’s maximum potential liability under the Curtailment Guaranties has been substantially reduced resulting from the loan origination limits implemented by ClearPoint.  The Company believes its remaining exposure under the Curtailment Guaranties, under the most likely scenarios, will not have a material adverse impact on the Parent and/or its subsidiaries.  This belief is based in large part on recent past experience, as well as the expectation of ClearPoint (or the Parent) ultimately receiving the proceeds from the sale of these loans to finance, or offset, any payments made to the parties to which the guaranties were provided.

 

ClearPoint — Acquisition

 

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint on January 3, 2011 the former stockholder of ClearPoint is entitled to receive payments consisting of no more than approximately $2.0 million payable in installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, contingent upon the continued employment of the former stockholder.  These payments are to be reduced for certain matters for which the Company is indemnified, including losses resulting from any loan losses with respect to loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company has accrued approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in relation to this obligation which is recorded within Accrued compensation in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Leases

 

The Company’s headquarters and sales offices, and certain office and communication equipment, are leased under non-cancelable operating leases, certain of which contain renewal options, free rent periods, and escalation clauses.  These leases expire at various times through 2025. To the extent the Company is provided tenant improvement allowances funded by the lessor, they are amortized over the initial lease period and serve to reduce rent expense.  The Company recognizes the rent expense over the entire lease term on a straight-line basis.

 

Future minimum annual lease payments, and sublease rental income as of September 30, 2012, are as follows:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Future
Minimum
Lease
Payments

 

Sublease
Rental
Income

 

Net Lease
Payments

 

2012 (remaining)

 

$

2,295

 

$

488

 

$

1,807

 

2013

 

8,539

 

1,737

 

6,802

 

2014

 

6,867

 

860

 

6,007

 

2015

 

6,293

 

502

 

5,791

 

2016

 

5,340

 

 

5,340

 

Thereafter

 

44,383

 

 

44,383

 

Total

 

$

73,717

 

$

3,587

 

$

70,130

 

 

Rental expense, net of sublease rental income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 approximated $1.3 million and $1.3 million, and $3.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Litigation and Other Claims

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to contingencies.

 

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, the Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to risks associated with a variety of legal proceedings and claims.  These include litigations, arbitrations and other proceedings initiated by private parties and arising from underwriting, financial advisory, securities trading or other transactional activities, client account activities, mortgage lending and employment matters.  Third parties who assert claims may do so for monetary damages that are substantial, particularly relative to the Company’s financial position.  These proceedings and claims typically involve associated legal costs incurred by the Company in connection with defending against these matters, which could be significant.  The Company has been in the past, and currently is, subject to a variety of claims and litigations arising from its business, most of which it considers to be routine.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to both routine and unscheduled regulatory examinations of their respective businesses and investigations of securities industry practices by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations.  In recent years, securities and mortgage lending firms have been subject to increased scrutiny and regulatory enforcement activity.  Regulatory investigations can result in substantial fines being imposed on the Company and/or its subsidiaries.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries receive inquiries and subpoenas from the SEC, FINRA, state regulators and other regulatory organizations.  The Company does not always know the purpose behind these communications or the status or target of any related investigation.  Some of these communications have, in the past, resulted in disciplinary actions which have sometimes included monetary sanctions, and in the Company and/or its subsidiaries being cited for regulatory deficiencies.  To date, none of these communications have had a material adverse effect on the Company’s business nor does the Company believe that any pending communications are likely to have such an effect.  Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that any pending or future communications will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.  In addition, the Company is also subject to claims being made by employees alleging discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge, among other things, and seeking recoupment of compensation claimed to be owed (whether for cash or forfeited equity awards), and other damages.

 

The Company recognizes a liability in its financial statements with respect to legal proceedings or claims when incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable.  However, accurately predicting the timing and outcome of legal proceedings and claims, including the amounts of any settlements, judgments or fines, is inherently difficult insofar as it depends on obtaining all of the relevant facts (which is sometimes not feasible) and applying to them often-complex legal principles.  It is reasonably possible that the Company incurs losses pertaining to these matters in the form of settlements and/or adverse judgments and incurs legal and other expenses in defending against these matters.  In either case, losses and/or expenses could be different in character or amount than anticipated by management when preparing the accompanying financial statements.  Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding, claim or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved, including any associated defense costs will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, or cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material to the Company’s results of operations in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

Letters of Credit

 

The Company is contingently liable under bank stand-by letter of credit agreements, executed primarily in connection with office leases totaling $4.9 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  These agreements were all collateralized by cash which is included within Other assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Other

 

The Company, in the normal course of business, provides guarantees to third parties with respect to the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries.

 

In the normal course of business, Gleacher Securities guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees, and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates.  Gleacher Securities also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event of non-performance by specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that Gleacher Securities could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, Gleacher Securities has historically made no material payments under these arrangements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future.  Therefore, the Company has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

 

The Company provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of transactions and occasionally agrees to indemnify them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties and occasionally other liabilities.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, the Company has historically made no material payments under these agreements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future; therefore it has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

 

The Company is required to maintain a deposit at the FICC in connection with the self-clearing activities associated with the Rates business, which began in November 2010.  The size of the deposit is subject to change from time to time and is dependent upon the volume of business transacted.  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a deposit with the FICC of approximately $8.5 million and $15.2 million, respectively, which is recorded within Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

In the ordinary course of business, ClearPoint indemnifies counterparties, including under its loan sale and warehouse line agreements, against potential losses incurred by such parties in connection with particular arrangements.  ClearPoint reserves for its exposures to these obligations which is included within Accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  This amount is not material to the Company.  In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint, the Company is indemnified for any such losses with respect to any loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company has made arrangements with certain of its business leaders whereby if equity incentives with respective to 6.0 million shares of Company common stock are not granted to these business leaders, then the Company intends to pay them minimum cash bonuses of $4.4 million, in the aggregate, for the 2012 service period.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

17.           Stockholders’ Equity

 

Stock Repurchase (10b-18 Plan)

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has renewed the Company’s share repurchase program and has authorized up to $25 million in repurchases of Company common stock through the date on which the Company publicly releases its results of operations for fiscal 2012.  Stock purchases by the Company may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, if and when management determines to effect purchases and is consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  All stock repurchases by the Company shall be subject to the requirements of Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  Purchases made during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, totaled approximately 1.3 million shares of common stock for approximately $1.1 million.  There were no repurchases made during the third quarter of 2012.

 

18.           Income Taxes

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to income taxes.  During interim periods, the Company calculates and reports an estimated annual effective income tax rate pursuant to ASC 740-270, “Income Taxes — Interim Reporting.”

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was 44.2%, resulting in an income tax benefit of approximately $2.2 million.  The income tax benefit is primarily attributable to a $2.2 million increase in the net value of the deferred tax assets.  Such increase is due to the Company’s ability to carry-back realizable net operating losses to prior years.

 

There were no significant changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 of 3.9% resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $3.1 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete items primarily associated with the write-off of goodwill related to the Investment Banking division.  The effective rate also differs from the statutory rate due to state and local taxes.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

In the second quarter of 2012, the Company established a valuation allowance against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.  The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence can be objectively verified.  GAAP states that a cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is difficult to overcome in determining that a valuation allowance is not needed against deferred tax assets.  As such, it is generally difficult for positive evidence regarding projected future taxable income exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences to outweigh objective negative evidence of recent financial reporting losses.

 

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company entered into a three-year cumulative loss position.  This cumulative loss position, along with other evidence, merited the establishment of a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was negative 62.5%, resulting in income tax expense of approximately $26.3 million.  The abnormal tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the establishment of the previously mentioned valuation allowance against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets (negative 75%), as well as the non-deductible discrete item attributable to the write-off of goodwill (negative 20%) and tax expense associated with stock-based compensation shortfalls (negative 8%).

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of negative 6.8% resulted in income tax expense of approximately $4.2 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete items primarily associated with the write-off of goodwill related to the Investment Banking division. The effective rate also differs from the statutory rate due to state and local taxes.

 

19.           Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to stock-based compensation.

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to its various employee and non-employee director stock-based incentive plans of approximately $0.0 million and $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and approximately $4.5 million and $13.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 includes the reversal of accrued severance expense of $1.0 million, which was previously recognized during the first quarter of 2012.  The unvested stock grants offered in connection with a severance agreement have now been forfeited.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was reduced by approximately $1.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as a result of forfeitures.

 

No stock-based compensation awards were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

20.           Net Capital Requirements

 

Gleacher Securities is subject to the net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (the “Net Capital Rule”), as well as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s net capital requirements (“Regulation 1.16”), which require the maintenance of a minimum net capital.  Gleacher Securities has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the Net Capital Rule, which requires it to maintain a minimum net capital amount equal to the greater of 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions (as defined) or $0.25 million, subject to certain adjustments related to market making activities in certain securities.  Based upon the activities of Gleacher Securities, its minimum requirement under Regulation 1.16 is the same as under the Net Capital Rule.  As of September 30, 2012, Gleacher Securities had net capital, as defined by both the Net Capital Rule and Regulation 1.16, of $61.3 million, which was $61.0 million in excess of the $0.25 million required minimum net capital.

 

Gleacher Partners, LLC is also subject to the Net Capital Rule.  Gleacher Partners, LLC has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the rule, which requires it to maintain a minimum net capital amount of 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions as defined or $0.25 million, whichever is greater.  As of September 30, 2012, Gleacher Partners, LLC had net capital, as defined by the Net Capital Rule, of $0.8 million, which was $0.6 million in excess of the $0.25 million required minimum net capital.

 

ClearPoint is subject to net worth requirements, as required by the HUD.  At September 30, 2012, ClearPoint’s net worth was $12.9 million, which was $11.9 million in excess of the $1.0 million required minimum net worth.

 

21.           Concentrations of Credit and Liquidity Risk

 

Risks Related to ClearPoint and Other Related Matters

 

On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to Notes 15 and 27, herein, for additional information.

 

ClearPoint is subject to liquidity risk concentrations, as ClearPoint currently relies on a limited number of investors to purchase its originated mortgage loans and only two lenders to finance these activities.  If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loans.  Failure of ClearPoint’s investors to continue purchasing its loans and/or a slowdown in such purchases could result in additional curtailments as the loans persist on the warehouse lines.

 

Risks Related to the Company’s Broker-Dealer Operations

 

Concentrations of credit risk can be affected by changes in political, industry, or economic factors. The Company’s most significant industry credit concentration is with financial institutions. Financial institutions include other brokers and dealers, commercial banks, finance companies, insurance companies and investment companies. This concentration arises in the normal course of the Company’s brokerage, trading, financing, and underwriting activities. To reduce the potential for concentration of risk, credit exposures are monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.

 

The Company may also purchase securities that are individually significant positions within its inventory.  Should the Company find it necessary to sell such a security, it may not be able to realize the full carrying value of the security due to the significance of the position sold.

 

The majority of securities transactions of counterparties of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, Gleacher Securities, are cleared primarily through a third party under a clearing agreement.  Under this agreement, transactions are deemed to be either receive versus payment, delivery versus payment or cash transactions.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Refer to Note 16 within the section labeled “Other” for additional information regarding credit risks of the Company.

 

22.           Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Substantially all of the financial instruments of the Company are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at market or fair value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their short-term nature, with the exception of subordinated debt.  Financial instruments recorded at carrying amounts approximating fair value consist largely of Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealer and clearing organizations, related parties and others, Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.  The carrying value of the subordinated debt at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 approximated fair value based on current rates available.

 

23.           Restructuring

 

On August 22, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a plan to exit the Equities business, effective immediately.  The principal reasons for this decision were that the Equities division was an underperforming non-core asset, and that its closure would allow the Company to improve focus and invest in its core competencies.  Exiting the Equities business impacted 62 employees.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s liability related to this restructuring for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

Balance — January 1, 2012

 

$

1,427

 

Restructuring expense

 

(322

)

-    Less: Non-cash charges

 

85

 

Payments for severance

 

 

Payments for real estate

 

(217

)

Payments for third party vendor contracts

 

(682

)

Payments for legal and other related costs

 

 

Restructuring reserve — September 30, 2012

 

$

291

 

 

The restructuring reserve of $0.3 million as of September 30, 2012 is included within Accrued expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  The majority of this remaining reserve pertains to third party vendor contracts.  Payments are expected to be substantially completed by December 31, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

24.           Discontinued Operations

 

The Company has classified the results of the Equities division as discontinued operations due to its exiting this business on August 22, 2011.

 

Amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 related to the Equities division are presented in the following table.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011*

 

2012

 

2011*

 

Net revenues

 

$

11

 

$

2,595

 

$

54

 

$

12,794

 

Total expenses

 

(22

)

11,395

 

(125

)

38,802

 

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

33

 

(8,800

)

179

 

(26,008

)

Income tax (benefit)/expense

 

 

(3,443

)

138

 

(7,583

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

$

33

 

$

(5,357

)

$

41

 

$

(18,425

)

 


* Included within the table above for the three months ended September 30, 2011 is a restructuring charge of $7.3 million.  In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes a goodwill and intangible impairment charge of approximately $14.3 million.

 

25.           Segment Analysis

 

Currently, our business model operates through the following four business segments:

 

 

 

 

·

 

Investment Banking — This division provides financial advisory and capital raising services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other strategic matters. The division is being realigned around existing M&A expertise, expanded capital markets capabilities and key industry verticals, including real estate, financial services, aerospace and defense, technology, media and telecom, general industrial and financial sponsor coverage.

 

 

 

·

 

MBS & Rates — This division provides sales, trading, research and advisory services on a wide range of mortgage and asset-backed securities, U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, structured products such as CLOs and CDOs, whole loans, and other securities. Revenues are generated from spreads on principal transactions executed to facilitate trades for clients. Revenues are also generated from changes in fair value and interest income on securities held in inventory.

 

 

 

·

 

Credit Products — This division provides analysis, sales and trading on a wide range of debt securities including bank debt and loans, investment grade debt, high-yield debt, treasuries, convertibles, distressed debt, preferred debt, emerging market debt and reorganization equities to corporate and institutional investor clients. The division also provides trade execution services, liability management, corporate debt repurchase programs and new issue distributions. Revenues are generated primarily from spreads on riskless principal transactions, and to a lesser extent, principal trading and commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients. In addition, revenues are also generated on a smaller scale from interest income on securities held in inventory.

 

 

 

·

 

ClearPoint — This division originates, processes and underwrites single and multi-family residential mortgage loans within 43 states across the country. The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of the residential mortgage loans with servicing released. On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business. Refer to Note 27, herein, for additional information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s sales and trading revenues consist of revenues derived from commissions and principal transactions revenues.  Investment banking consists of revenues derived from financial advisory services and capital raising.  Investment gains/(losses) primarily reflect gains and losses on the Company’s FATV investment.  Other revenue includes fee related revenue and other miscellaneous activity.

 

Prior period results have been revised to reclassify investment banking revenues and related expenses into the segments within which they are generated, as this is how the segments are currently evaluated.  Such revenues were all previously presented within the Investment Banking reportable segment.

 

The Equities segment results have been reclassified as discontinued operations and are no longer reported below.  In connection with this development, any previously reported intangible asset amortization related to the Equities reporting unit which was previously included within “Other” has also been reclassified within discontinued operations.

 

Items of revenues and expenses not allocated to one of the reportable segments are aggregated under the caption “Other” in the table below.  Included within “Other” are investment gains/(losses) and fees related to the Company’s investment in and management of FATV.  In addition, “Other” reflects expenses not directly associated with specific reportable segments, including goodwill impairment charges, costs related to corporate overhead and support, such as various fees associated with financing, legal and settlement expenses and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions not reported within discontinued operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Information concerning operations in these reportable segments are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Banking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

1,499

 

$

7,075

 

$

14,762

 

$

23,674

 

Other revenue

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Banking

 

1,499

 

7,075

 

14,762

 

23,674

 

MBS & Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

4,162

 

(190

)

9,023

 

52,791

 

Investment banking

 

10

 

2,257

 

632

 

3,558

 

Interest income

 

5,953

 

15,178

 

32,720

 

43,374

 

Interest expense

 

(1,924

)

(3,531

)

(10,051

)

(10,549

)

Other revenue

 

742

 

 

2,232

 

15

 

Total MBS & Rates

 

8,943

 

13,714

 

34,556

 

89,189

 

Credit Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

17,776

 

15,345

 

54,982

 

47,502

 

Investment banking

 

487

 

27

 

2,394

 

2,491

 

Interest income

 

266

 

321

 

622

 

1,169

 

Interest expense

 

(122

)

(140

)

(341

)

(456

)

Other revenue

 

397

 

169

 

736

 

332

 

Total Credit Products

 

18,804

 

15,722

 

58,393

 

51,038

 

ClearPoint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

11,553

 

10,660

 

34,045

 

22,116

 

Interest income

 

711

 

746

 

4,148

 

1,648

 

Interest expense

 

(952

)

(714

)

(4,107

)

(1,572

)

Other revenue

 

1,587

 

2,050

 

5,674

 

3,917

 

Total ClearPoint

 

12,899

 

12,742

 

39,760

 

26,109

 

Total net revenues — Reportable segments

 

42,145

 

49,253

 

147,471

 

190,010

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment (losses)/gains, net

 

163

 

2,857

 

156

 

2,539

 

Sales and trading

 

(9

)

(56

)

(9

)

(50

)

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint acquisition

 

 

 

 

2,330

 

Interest income

 

(51

)

4

 

142

 

10

 

Interest expense

 

(21

)

(27

)

(86

)

(1,447

)

Interest expense — Intersegment allocations

 

870

 

1,740

 

4,324

 

5,729

 

Other revenue

 

233

 

393

 

720

 

811

 

Total Other

 

1,185

 

4,911

 

5,247

 

9,922

 

Total net revenues

 

$

43,330

 

$

54,164

 

$

152,718

 

$

199,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss)/income before income taxes from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Banking

 

$

(257

)

$

(1,452

)

$

2,517

 

$

3,539

 

MBS & Rates

 

1,814

 

4,247

 

5,556

 

29,655

 

Credit Products

 

3,939

 

3,495

 

4,536

 

6,338

 

ClearPoint

 

(524

)

(335

)

(5,878

)

(2,907

)

Income/(loss) before income taxes from continuing operations — Reportable segments

 

$

4,972

 

$

5,955

 

$

6,731

 

$

36,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

(9,996

)

(84,740

)

(48,788

)

(98,265

)

Loss before income taxes from continuing operations

 

$

(5,024

)

$

(78,785

)

$

(42,057

)

$

(61,640

)

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Information concerning the assets of these segments is as follows:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

 

 

MBS & Rates

 

$

1,260,724

 

$

2,929,879

 

Credit Products

 

34,719

 

29,930

 

Investment Banking

 

8,597

 

10,916

 

ClearPoint

 

105,888

 

242,350

 

Total assets — Reportable segments

 

1,409,928

 

3,213,075

 

Other

 

69,880

 

126,358

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(32,092

)

(35,877

)

Total assets

 

$

1,447,716

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

Substantially all assets and operations are located in the United States.

 

The Company’s segments’ financial policies are the same as those described in Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

26.

Related Party Transactions

 

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company received a Notice of Proposed Tax Adjustments from the New York City Department of Finance for underpayment by Gleacher Partners, LLC of Unincorporated Business Tax.  The Company has an off-setting claim against former pre-acquisition Gleacher stockholders for any pre-acquisition tax liabilities.  This is substantially collateralized by shares of its common stock held in an escrow account that was established at the closing of the Company’s acquisition of Gleacher Partners, Inc. to satisfy any indemnification obligations, and cash payable to certain of the former pre-acquisition Gleacher stockholders.  The Company does not believe, in any event, that the open tax years or other pre-acquisition tax matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.  The Company’s receivable for this indemnification claim was $1.4 million and $1.3 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

In connection with the acquisition of Gleacher Partners, Inc., in June 2009, the Company agreed to pay $10 million to the selling parties over five years after closing the Transaction, subject to acceleration under certain circumstances.  During the second quarter of 2012, the Company paid $4.4 million of this obligation ($4.9 million was paid during the year ended December 31, 2010).  The Company’s remaining obligation is recorded as a liability within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Details on the amounts receivable from or payable to related parties are below:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Receivables from related parties

 

 

 

 

 

Former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc.

 

$

1,372

 

$

1,337

 

Payables to related parties

 

 

 

 

 

Former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc.

 

$

594

*

$

4,939

*

 


*Represents the present value of the Company’s remaining obligation.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

27.

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  There were no events requiring disclosure, other than the matters below.

 

ClearPoint — Pursuing Sale of the Business

 

On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  The Company currently estimates incurring a range of loss between approximately $1.5 million to $6.0 million in connection with any disposition of this business.  Amounts reflected within this estimate include the Company’s remaining payment obligations to the former stockholder of ClearPoint associated with the ClearPoint acquisition on January 3, 2011, the write-off of certain assets, including intangible assets, and the termination of certain other contractual obligations.  This currently estimated range of loss assumes that ClearPoint’s funded and locked loans are ultimately sold without a loss.  Refer to Note 15, herein, for additional information regarding the status of ClearPoint’s credit facilities.

 

Asset Purchase — RangeMark Financial Services

 

On November 7, 2012, a subsidiary of the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities from RangeMark Financial Services, Inc. and certain of its affiliates and other parties (“RangeMark”).  RangeMark specialized in providing quantitative research, advanced analytics and customizing solutions for its clients.  These business activities will be reported within the Company’s MBS & Rates segment.  The aggregate purchase consideration was $2.5 million, payable in four installments commencing September 30, 2013 through March 31, 2015.  In addition, 14 employees of RangeMark were either hired or are expected to be hired by the Company.

 

This transaction is being accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations.”  Preliminary goodwill of $1.2 million (all of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes) is calculated as the purchase premium after adjusting for the fair value of net assets acquired and primarily represents the value attributable to the assembled workforce which is subsumed into the reported goodwill.  The following condensed statement of net assets acquired reflects the preliminary value assigned to RangeMarks’s net assets as of the acquisition date:

 

Preliminary Condensed Statement of Net Assets Acquired

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

November 7,
2012

 

Assets

 

 

 

Receivables

 

$

106

 

Intangible assets*

 

1,490

 

Other assets

 

40

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

1,636

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

$

538

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

$

538

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

1,098

 

Purchase price (present value)

 

2,335

 

Goodwill resulting from transaction

 

$

1,237

 

 


*Consists primarily of intellectual property and the trade name with estimated useful lives of 5 years and 10 years, respectively.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

This document contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements.” These statements are not historical facts but instead represent the Company’s belief or plans regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control.  The Company often, but not always, identifies forward-looking statements by using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “expect,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “believe” and “intend.”  These statements may contain projections relating to revenues, earnings, operations, other financial measures, economic conditions, trends and known uncertainties, and may include statements regarding the Company’s future performance, strategies and objectives.  The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on facts as the Company understands them at the time the Company makes any such statement as well as estimates and judgments based on these facts.  The Company’s forward-looking statements are not intended to be guarantees and may turn out to be inaccurate for a variety of reasons, many of which are outside of its control.  Factors that could render the Company’s forward-looking statements subsequently inaccurate include the conditions of the securities markets, generally, and demand for the Company’s services within those markets, the risk of further credit rating downgrades of the U.S. government by major credit rating agencies, the impact of international and domestic sovereign debt uncertainties, the possibilities of localized or global economic recession, ClearPoint’s ability to obtain continued financing under its warehouse lines of credit, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, the Company’s previously announced review of strategic alternatives may not culminate in a transaction or change in its current operations, on the timelines anticipated or at all.  The Company’s previously disclosed strategic plan is also still being implemented, which is designed to improve its operating results, and this plan may not be successful.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any of its forward-looking statements.

 

Any forward-looking statement should be read and interpreted together with the information included under Part II, “Risk Factors” herein and with the Company’s filed document and other statements, including the following:

 

·                  the description of our business contained under Item 1 “Business,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,

 

·                  the risk factors contained under Item 1A “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,

 

·                  the discussion of our legal proceedings contained in this report under Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings,”

 

·                  the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contained in this report under Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”

 

·                  the discussion of market, credit, operational and other risks impacting our business contained in this report under Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,”

 

·                  the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in this report under Item 1 “Financial Statements,” and

 

·                  cautionary statements we make in our public documents, reports and announcements.

 

As used herein, the terms “Company,” “Gleacher,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” refer to Gleacher & Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

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Business Overview

 

The Company is an independent investment bank that provides corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services, including merger and acquisition, restructuring, recapitalization, and strategic alternative analysis.  The Company also provides capital raising, research-based investment analysis, and securities brokerage services, and, through its subsidiary ClearPoint Funding, Inc. (“ClearPoint”), engages in residential mortgage lending.  The Company offers a diverse range of products through its Investment Banking, Mortgage Backed Securities & Rates (“MBS & Rates,” formerly known as MBS/ABS & Rates), Credit Products (formerly known as Corporate Credit) and ClearPoint divisions.

 

Currently, we operate through the following four business segments:

 

 

·

Investment Banking — This division provides financial advisory and capital raising services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other strategic matters.  The division is being realigned around existing M&A expertise, expanded capital markets capabilities and key industry verticals, including real estate, financial services, aerospace and defense, technology, media and telecom, general industrial and financial sponsor coverage. 

 

 

 

 

·

MBS & Rates - This division provides sales, trading, research and advisory services on a wide range of mortgage and asset-backed securities, U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, structured products such as CLOs and CDOs, whole loans, and other securities.  Revenues are generated from spreads on principal transactions executed to facilitate trades for clients.  Revenues are also generated from interest income on securities held in inventory.

 

 

 

 

·

Credit Products — This division provides analysis, sales and trading on a wide range of debt securities including bank debt and loans, investment grade debt, high-yield debt, treasuries, convertibles, distressed debt, preferred debt, emerging market debt and reorganization equities to corporate and institutional investor clients.  The division also provides trade execution services, liability management, corporate debt repurchase programs and new issue distributions.  Revenues are generated primarily from spreads on riskless principal transactions, and to a lesser extent, principal trading and commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients.  In addition, revenues are also generated on a smaller scale from interest income on securities held in inventory. 

 

 

 

 

·

ClearPoint — This division originates, processes and underwrites single and multi-family residential mortgage loans within 43 states across the country.  The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.  Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of the residential mortgage loans with servicing released.  On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint”, herein, for additional information.

 

The Company also recognizes investment gains/(losses) and earns fees related to the Company’s investment in and management of FA Technology Ventures L.P. (“FATV” or “the Partnership”) which includes interests in publicly and privately held companies.  The Company’s results also include expenses not directly associated with specific reportable segments, including amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions and costs related to corporate overhead and support, including financing, legal and settlement expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

On August 30, 2012, the Company announced that it was exploring and evaluating strategic alternatives which included consideration of a range of available options, including a merger with a strategic counterparty, a strategic acquisition, divestiture of business units, investment in our company by a third party, or a stay the course outcome.  We continue to evaluate identified opportunities.  Market dynamics continue to develop in the Company’s favor and we believe that we are stronger and better positioned today than we were a year ago.

 

Our business is dependent on our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated and committed to providing the highest quality service and guidance to our clients.  We continue to focus on unifying our brand, integrating our operations and, expanding our business.  The Company is well capitalized, with no significant long-term debt, positioning us well for continued growth both organically or through other strategic alternatives.

 

Refer to Item 7 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for additional information regarding material opportunities, challenges and risks related to our business.

 

Business Environment in the Third Quarter 2012

 

The financial markets experienced gains during the three months ended September 30, 2012, with the Dow Jones Industrial Index and S&P 500 Index rising approximately 4% and 6%, respectively.

 

The financial markets benefitted from the renewed quantitative easing program implemented by the Federal Reserve with the intention of keeping interest rates low and thereby driving investment toward riskier asset classes.  However, market sentiment remains skeptical, stemming from key fiscal issues both domestically and abroad, including the uncertainties resulting from the recent presidential election and its related effects on fiscal policy, as well as broader issues related to the European debt crisis, which remain largely unresolved.

 

Fixed income trading volumes declined by 5% compared to the second quarter, but this was primarily due to the seasonally slow summer months of July and August.  Trading volumes as reported by TRACE were meaningfully higher in the month of September.  In addition, announced M&A volumes remained weak and were 15% lower compared to the last quarter.

 

Given the continued uncertainties both domestically and abroad, the results of our operations, which are largely dependent on the environment in which our businesses operates, may not necessarily be indicative of what may be recognized in the future.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Recent Developments — Hurricane Sandy

 

The massive hurricane (“Hurricane Sandy”) that swept through New York City and the greater New York-New Jersey-Connecticut financial and commercial zone on October 28-30 has had and is expected to have an short-term adverse impact on us and other business concerns.  The long-term ramifications, if any, cannot be predicted at this time.  The high winds and flooding that accompanied this storm left behind power outages and dislocations in communications and local and long-distance transportation of historic proportions.  The loss of life and housing for some, and the loss of power, heat and internet access for many, greatly disrupted normal business operations for the entire area.  This dislocation will continue for some inestimable period, although presumably diminishing over time.

 

Hurricane Sandy had an immediate and direct impact on our Credit Products and MBS & Rates trading operations.  Our Roseland, New Jersey office, which houses a substantial portion of our Credit Products trading business, was without power for four business days.  A small minority of traders both within our Credit Products and MBS & Rates businesses were able to continue trading, either from our Manhattan headquarters (which was operational), our Stamford office, from home or some other remote location.  Suspension of mass transit in and around New York City, and the far-reaching power and internet outages, prevented others from doing the same.  Moreover, many of the Company’s usual trading counterparties were similarly affected, aggrevating the disruption.

 

The impact of the storm on the economy as a whole and on the financial markets in particular cannot be predicted at this time.  The economy was characterized prior to the storm as “weak,” and the property loss and disruption in commerce brought about by the storm might have exacerbated the threat of recession.  At the same time, however, some have conjectured that the massive rebuilding effort required to repair critical infrastructure and commercial and residential properties and systems could provide a dramatic lift to the economy.  While the Company is currently evaluating any recoveries it may achieve through business interruption insurance, at this stage, it is premature to predict the ultimate impact of the storm on the Company, both operationally and financially.  In the short term, we expect that the storm will adversely affect our results of operations, but at this time we cannot predict the magnitude of this impact.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Recent Developments - ClearPoint

 

The Company acquired ClearPoint on January 3, 2011 with the intent to add an element of competitive differentiation for the Company’s MBS Business. That differentiation was to have been achieved by offering customers of the Company’s MBS Business, institutional investors, the ability to purchase mortgage backed securities backed by loans that conformed to customized specified pool characteristics. ClearPoint intended to originate loans according to customers’ desired specifications, deliver those loans to a Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE, or FNMA, FHLMC, or GNMA) in exchange for a security backed by those loans, and sell that security to the Company’s MBS unit — for onward sale to the MBS unit’s customers. The strategy required ClearPoint to have GSE seller servicer approvals, the application for which required the development of adequate infrastructure, and sustained profitability in the ClearPoint subsidiary as a standalone business unit.

 

ClearPoint is a “wholesale third party originator” of conforming residential loans. The original business strategy included three options for the sale of loans that ClearPoint originates, namely: 1. sell to “aggregators” (who may retain the loans for their balance sheets, or deliver them to a “GSE window”); 2. sell to a GSE “window” for cash; 3. sell to a GSE window and receive a GSE security in return — for onward sale, as described above, through the Company or other broker dealers, to MBS buyers. Since inception, without GSE approvals, ClearPoint has been forced to sell all the loans it originates to aggregators.

 

Since implementing our mortgage origination strategy, beginning with the acquisition of ClearPoint, market dynamics have changed dramatically.  As the effects of the mortgage crisis have rippled through the market, representation and warranty risk remains an intense focus.  Moreover, as mentioned above, without GSE approvals, ClearPoint is confined to selling loans to a limited universe of aggregators, thus providing no benefit to the Company’s MBS customers. These factors have led the Company to conclude that the commercial prospects for its mortgage origination activity have greatly diminished.  The Company has decided it will therefore pursue a sale of the ClearPoint business.

 

The Company currently estimates incurring a range of loss of between approximately $1.5 million to $6.0 million in connection with any disposition of this business.  Amounts reflected within this estimate include the Company’s remaining payment obligations to the former stockholder of ClearPoint associated with the ClearPoint acquisition on January 3, 2011, the write-off of certain assets, including intangible assets, and the termination of certain other contractual obligations.  This currently estimated range of loss assumes that ClearPoint’s funded and locked loans are ultimately sold without a loss.  The Company ultimately would expect to recapture a substantial portion of the approximately $30 million of cash currently held in the ClearPoint business.

 

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Table of Contents

 

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

 

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  These consolidated financial statements are contained within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions*

 

$

 15,652

 

$

 9,791

 

Commissions*

 

17,830

 

15,968

 

Investment banking

 

1,996

 

9,359

 

Investment gains, net

 

163

 

2,857

 

Interest income

 

6,879

 

16,249

 

Fees and other

 

2,959

 

2,612

 

Total revenues

 

45,479

 

56,836

 

Interest expense

 

2,149

 

2,672

 

Net revenues

 

43,330

 

54,164

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

25,534

 

32,684

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (Refer to Note 12 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q)

 

 

80,244

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage

 

9,461

 

8,946

 

Professional fees

 

4,282

 

1,944

 

Communications and data processing

 

3,224

 

3,614

 

Occupancy, depreciation and amortization

 

2,277

 

2,041

 

Business development

 

823

 

1,139

 

Other

 

2,753

 

2,337

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

48,354

 

132,949

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(5,024

)

(78,785

)

Income tax benefit

 

(2,223

)

(3,085

)

Loss from continuing operations

 

(2,801

)

(75,700

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (Refer to Note 24 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q)

 

33

 

(5,357

)

Net loss

 

$

 (2,768

)

$

 (81,057

)

 


* Revenues earned on a riskless principal basis in the amount of $15.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 have been reclassified from principal transactions to commission income in order to distinguish such revenues (commission equivalents) from revenues earned on financial instruments held in inventory, in order to conform to current year presentation.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations were $43.3 million, compared to $54.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The 20.0% decrease in net revenues was due to decreases in net revenues in the Investment Banking and MBS & Rates segments and lower investment gains resulting from the change in value of the Company’s FATV investment, partially offset by increased net revenues in the Credit Products segment.  Non-interest expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 of $48.4 million decreased $84.6 million, or 63.6%, compared to $132.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  This was primarily due to a goodwill impairment charge of $80.2 million associated with the Investment Banking division realignment which took place during the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

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The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of ($2.8) million and ($75.7) million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Net loss per diluted share from continuing operations was ($0.02) and ($0.61) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.0 million and ($5.4) million, respectively.

 

Net Revenues

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations was $43.3 million, compared to $54.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Commissions and principal transactions revenues increased $7.7 million, or 29.8%, to $33.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 from $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 due to increases of $4.4 million in the MBS & Rates segment, $2.4 million in the Credit Products segment and $0.9 million in ClearPoint.  Investment banking revenues decreased $7.4 million, or 78.7%, to $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Investment gains, which represent the change in the value of the Company’s investment in FATV, were $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to investment gains of $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Net interest income of $4.7 million as of September 30, 2012 decreased $8.9 million compared to $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  This was primarily due to lower average inventory levels.  Fees and other revenues of $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased $0.3 million, and includes $0.9 million related to the clawback of certain stock-based compensation grants subject to non-competition provisions.  This was partially offset by lower fees and other revenue related to fees earned in connection with the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Non-interest expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 of $48.4 million decreased $84.6 million, or 63.6%, compared to $132.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Compensation and benefits expense was $25.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $7.2 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decline was attributable to lower net revenues in the Investment Banking and MBS & Rates divisions, partially offset by higher net revenues in the Credit Products division.  Compensation and benefits expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was reduced by $1.3 million (of which $1.0 million was non-cash compensation) as a result of the reversal of accrued severance expense which was previously recorded in the first quarter of 2012.  In addition, compensation and benefits expense for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was also reduced by $1.2 million for stock-based compensation forfeitures.  Compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues was 58.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 60.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Compensation and benefits expense for the prior-year quarter included $5.6 million of compensation reductions.  These reductions, which were previously disclosed, included $3.8 million of reduced cash compensation accruals under the expectation that annual compensation for leaders of the Company’s business segments and members of senior management would be more heavily weighted toward stock-based compensation.  In addition, compensation expense in the prior-year quarter decreased by approximately $1.8 million due changes in the vesting and forfeiture provisions of stock-based compensation to be granted in connection with annual bonus compensation of the prior year.  The changes resulted in compensation expense being recognized over a future vesting period, which was initially being fully recognized in that current year.  Partially offsetting these reductions in the prior-year quarter was severance and stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million related to the termination of 32 investment banking employees and certain administrative positions in connection with the Investment Banking division realignment.

 

The Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $80.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 in connection with the Investment Banking division realignment (Refer to Note 12 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information).

 

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Clearing, settlement and brokerage costs of $9.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $0.5 million, or 5.8%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to ClearPoint broker fees, partially offset by lower clearing fees of the MBS & Rates division on lower volumes.

 

Professional fees of $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $2.3 million or 120.2% primarily due to higher legal, consulting and advisory fees incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process, as well as costs incurred in connection with the Company’s asset management initiative.

 

Communications and data processing expense of $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $0.4 million or 10.8% primarily due to decreased headcount resulting from the realignment of the Investment Banking division which took place in the third quarter of 2011.

 

Occupancy and depreciation expense of $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 remained relatively unchanged compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Business development expense of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $0.3 million, or 27.7%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to the decreased headcount that resulted from the previously mentioned realignment of the Investment Banking division.

 

Other expenses of $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased $0.4 million, or 17.8% compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to ClearPoint loan processing fees from increased loan commitment volumes.

 

Income Taxes

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was 44.2%, resulting in an income tax benefit of approximately $2.2 million.  The income tax benefit is primarily attributable to a $2.2 million increase in the net value of the deferred tax assets.  Such increase is due to the Company’s ability to carry-back realizable net operating losses to prior years.  The Company has now fully utilized its available net operating loss carry-back capacity.  As such, the Company will not record a tax benefit for additional tax losses in the near term.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2011 of 3.9% resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $3.1 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete items primarily associated with the write-off of goodwill related to the Investment Banking division.  The effective rate also differs from the statutory rate due to state and local taxes.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The Company has classified the results of its former Equities division as discontinued operations as a result of its decision to exit the business on August 22, 2011.  Refer to Notes 23 and 24 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Segment Highlights

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

 

For presentation purposes, net revenues within each of the businesses are classified, as applicable, into commissions and principal transactions, investment banking, investment gains/(losses), net interest, and other.  Commissions and principal transactions include commissions on agency trades and gains and losses from sales and trading activities.  Investment banking includes revenues generated from capital raising through underwritings and private placements of equity and debt securities, and financial advisory service fees in regards to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and corporate finance related matters.  Investment gains/(losses) reflect gains and losses on the Company’s FATV investment.  Other revenues reflect management fees received from FATV, research fees and fees earned related to residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.  Net interest includes interest income net of interest expense and reflects the effect of funding rates on the Company’s inventory levels.

 

Prior period results have been revised to reclassify investment banking revenues and related expenses into the segments within which they are generated, as this is how the segments are currently evaluated.  Such revenues were all previously presented within the Investment Banking reportable segment.

 

The results of our former Equities division results have been reclassified as discontinued operations and are therefore no longer reported below.  In connection with this development, any previously reported intangible asset amortization related to the Equities reporting unit which was previously included within “Other” has also been reclassified within discontinued operations.

 

Refer to Note 25 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information on assets by segment.

 

Investment Banking

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

1,499

 

$

7,075

 

(78.8

)%

Other

 

 

 

n/a

 

Total net revenues

 

$

1,499

 

$

7,075

 

(78.8

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

1,756

 

8,527

 

(79.4

)%

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(257

)

$

(1,452

)

82.3

%

 

Investment Banking Q3 2012 vs. Q3 2011

 

Net revenues were $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $5.6 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Net revenues were comprised of $0.9 million and $0.6 million of advisory revenues and capital markets revenues, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $6.2 million and $0.9 million of advisory and capital market revenues, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Operating expenses were $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $6.8 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense due to the lower revenues as well as lower non-compensation expenses as a result of the realignment which took place in the third quarter of 2011.  The three months ended September 30, 2011 included compensation and other charges of $2.5 million incurred in connection with the realignment of our Investment Banking division.  Pre-tax loss for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $0.3 million, compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

MBS & Rates

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

2,151

 

$

(1,158

)

n/a

 

Commissions

 

2,011

 

968

 

107.8

%

Investment banking

 

10

 

2,257

 

n/a

 

Net interest

 

4,029

 

11,647

 

(65.4

)%

Other

 

742

 

 

n/a

 

Total net revenues

 

$

8,943

 

$

13,714

 

(34.8

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

7,129

 

9,467

 

(24.7

)%

Pre-tax contribution

 

$

1,814

 

$

4,247

 

(57.3

)%

 

MBS & Rates Q3 2012 vs. Q3 2011

 

Net revenues were $8.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $4.8 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease in net revenues was primarily attributable to a decline in net interest income of approximately $7.6 million due primarily to lower inventory levels.  The lower inventory levels were a result of the significant turnover experienced since the previously announced leadership transition which occurred in the second quarter of 2012.  This turnover lead to a disruption in sales and trading activities and a re-positioning of inventory, resulting in the lower net interest income.  The division experienced approximately 60 personnel departures since April 2012 (including 25 in the current quarter), which were subsequently replaced by the hiring of approximately 40 professionals.  Headcount stood at approximately 60 professionals at September 30, 2012, and the division is now substantially rebuilt.  Revenues for the third quarter of 2012 were adversely affected as a result of the turnover as it generally takes time for new hires to ramp up to full productivity.  In addition, results for the prior-year quarter include approximately $2.3 million of investment banking revenue earned by this division.  Partially offsetting these declines were approximately $0.7 million of other revenue recorded in the third quarter of 2012, related to the clawback of certain stock-based compensation grants subject to non-competition and/or other forfeiture provisions and losses on non-agency asset-backed securities of approximately $5.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

 

Operating expenses were $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $2.3 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense due to the lower revenues as well as lower clearing, settlement and brokerage expenses on lower trading volumes.  Pre-tax contribution for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.8 million, compared to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Credit Products

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

1,957

 

$

345

 

467.2

%

Commissions

 

15,819

 

15,000

 

5.5

%

Investment banking

 

487

 

27

 

n/a

 

Net interest

 

144

 

181

 

(20.4

)%

Other

 

397

 

169

 

134.9

%

Total net revenues

 

$

18,804

 

$

15,722

 

19.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

14,865

 

12,227

 

21.6

%

Pre-tax contribution

 

$

3,939

 

$

3,495

 

12.7

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Credit Products Q3 2012 vs. Q3 2011

 

Net revenues were $18.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $3.1 million compared the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to higher commissions and principal transaction revenues due to higher volumes, including an expanded product profile, partially offset by lower spreads.

 

Operating expenses were $14.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $2.6 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to higher compensation expense due to the higher revenues, partially offset by the previously mentioned reversal of severance expense of $1.3 million which was accrued in the first quarter, as well as a reduction in compensation expense of $1.1 million related to stock-based compensation forfeitures.  In addition, operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011 benefitted from a reduction compensation expense from the previously discussed compensation methodology changes that occurred in the prior-year quarter.

 

ClearPoint

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

11,553

 

$

10,660

 

8.4

%

Net interest

 

(241

)

32

 

n/a

 

Other

 

1,587

 

2,050

 

(22.6

)%

Total net revenues

 

$

12,899

 

$

12,742

 

1.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

13,423

 

13,077

 

2.6

%

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(524

)

$

(335

)

(56.4

)%

 

ClearPoint Q3 2012 vs. Q3 2011

 

Net revenues of $12.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were relatively flat compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Net revenues for the current quarter reflect limits placed on ClearPoint’s daily average loan commitments to a level aligned with its distribution capabilities.  Revenues resulting from prior loan commitment levels were not commercially sustainable and resulted in previously reported liquidity constraints.

 

Operating expenses were $13.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $0.4 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Operating expenses include $9.4 million and $8.2 million of broker and loan processing fees for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which are variable expenses directly related to the level of loan commitments for each particular period.  The division reported a pre-tax loss for the three months ended September 30, 2012 of $0.5 million, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

The Company has announced that is pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint” for additional information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

(9

)

$

(56

)

n/a

 

Investment gains

 

163

 

2,857

 

(94.3

)%

Net interest

 

798

 

1,717

 

(53.5

)%

Other

 

233

 

393

 

(40.7

)%

Total net revenues

 

$

1,185

 

$

4,911

 

(75.9

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

11,181

 

89,651

 

(87.5

)%

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(9,996

)

$

(84,740

)

88.2

%

 

Other Q3 2012 vs. Q3 2011

 

Net revenues were $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $3.7 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decline in net revenue was primarily a result of changes in value of the Company’s FATV investment.

 

Operating expenses were $11.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $78.5 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to the previously mentioned $80.2 million impairment of goodwill and intangible assets related to the realignment of the Investment Banking division which occurred in the prior-year quarter.  Operating expenses were also impacted by higher legal, consulting and advisory fees, including costs incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process.  Operating expenses also increased as a result of costs incurred in connection with the Company’s asset management initiative.  Pre-tax loss was $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $84.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions*

 

$

44,863

 

$

71,593

 

Commissions*

 

53,178

 

50,766

 

Investment banking

 

17,788

 

29,723

 

Investment gains, net

 

156

 

2,539

 

Interest income

 

37,632

 

46,201

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint acquisition (Refer to Note 11 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q)

 

 

2,330

 

Fees and other

 

9,362

 

5,075

 

Total revenues

 

162,979

 

208,227

 

Interest expense

 

10,261

 

8,295

 

Net revenues

 

152,718

 

199,932

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

101,859

 

129,058

 

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (Refer to Note 12 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q)

 

21,096

 

80,244

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage

 

31,152

 

19,017

 

Professional fees

 

12,827

 

6,229

 

Communications and data processing

 

9,699

 

10,108

 

Occupancy, depreciation and amortization

 

6,647

 

6,112

 

Business development

 

2,822

 

3,483

 

Other

 

8,673

 

7,321

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

194,775

 

261,572

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(42,057

)

(61,640

)

Income tax expense

 

26,269

 

4,208

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

(68,326

)

(65,848

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (Refer to Note 24 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q)

 

41

 

(18,425

)

Net loss

 

$

(68,285

)

$

(84,273

)

 


*  Revenues earned on a riskless principal basis in the amount of $49.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 have been reclassified from principal transactions to commission income in order to distinguish such revenues (commission equivalents) from revenues earned on financial instruments held in inventory, in conformity with current year presentation.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations were $152.7 million, compared to $199.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The 23.6% decrease in net revenues was due to decreases in net revenues in the MBS & Rates and Investment Banking segments, partially offset by increased net revenues in ClearPoint and the Credit Products segment.  Non-interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of $194.8 million decreased $66.8 million, or 25.5%, compared to $261.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, principally due to the previously discussed goodwill and intangible impairment charge of $80.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2011.

 

The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of ($68.3) million and ($65.8) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Net loss per diluted share from continuing operations was ($0.57) and ($0.53) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were $0.0 million and ($18.4) million, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net Revenues

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations were $152.7 million, compared to $199.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Commissions and principal transactions revenues decreased $24.3 million, or 19.9%, to $98.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $122.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to decreases of $43.8 million in the MBS & Rates segment, partially offset by increases in ClearPoint of $11.9 million and the Credit Products segment of $7.5 million.  Investment banking revenues decreased $11.9 million, or 40.2%, to $17.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Investment gains/(losses), which represent the change in the value of the Company’s investment in FATV, were flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to investment gains of $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Net interest income of $27.4 million as of September 30, 2012, decreased $10.5 million compared to $37.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  This was primarily due to lower average inventory levels.  Fees and other revenues of $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased $4.3, million primarily due to fees earned in connection with the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint and $2.4 million related to the clawback of certain stock-based compensation grants subject to non-competition provisions, partially offset by the ClearPoint bargain purchase gain of $2.3 million recorded in the prior-year period.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Non-interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of $194.8 million decreased $66.8 million, or 25.5%, compared to $261.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Compensation and benefits expense was $101.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $27.2 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The decline was primarily attributable to lower net revenues in the MBS & Rates and Investment Banking divisions, partially offset by higher net revenues in the Credit Products division.  Compensation and benefits expense related to ClearPoint was also higher compared to the prior-year period resulting from the expansion of the workforce since its acquisition date on January 3, 2011.  However, ClearPoint implemented a plan to right-size its workforce during the second quarter of 2012 in order to better align origination with its distribution capabilities.  While reducing compensation expense, this action resulted in approximately $0.4 million of severance expense.  Compensation and benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was also reduced by $4.0 million related to stock-based compensation forfeitures, which included $2.9 million related to employees within the MBS & Rates division recognized during the second quarter of 2012 (Refer to “Segment Highlights — MBS & Rates”).

 

Compensation and benefits expense for the prior-year period included the previously mentioned compensation reductions of $5.6 million recorded during the third quarter of 2011, which was partially offset by the previously mentioned severance and stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million recognized in connection with the Investment Banking division realignment, as well as compensation expense of $1.7 million recognized in the second quarter of 2011 due to the resignation of the former interim CEO.

 

The Company recorded a goodwill and intangible impairment charge of $21.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (recognized in the second quarter) due to the duration and severity of the decline in the Company’s stock price in relation to its book value.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 the Company recorded an impairment charge of $80.2 million as a result of the previously mentioned Investment Banking realignment (Refer to Note 12 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information).

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage costs of $31.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $12.1 million, or 63.8%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to ClearPoint broker fees resulting from higher loan commitment volumes.

 

Professional fees of $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $6.6 million or 105.9% primarily due to higher legal, consulting and advisory fees incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process, as well as costs incurred in connection with the Company’s asset management initiative.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Communications and data processing expense of $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 remained relatively unchanged compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Occupancy and depreciation expense of $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased by $0.5 million primarily due to expense allocated to the Company’s former Equities division (now classified as discontinued operations) in the prior year which is now being incurred by the Company’s remaining continuing operations.

 

Business development expense of $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased by $0.7 million, or 19.0%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to the realignment of the Investment Banking division which took place in the third quarter of 2011 and resulting decreased headcount.

 

Other expenses of $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased $1.4 million, or 18.5% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to ClearPoint loan processing fees from increased loan commitment volumes.

 

Income Taxes

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was negative 62.5%, resulting in income tax expense of approximately $26.3 million.  The abnormal tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets (negative 75%), as well as the non-deductible discrete item attributable to the write-off of goodwill (negative 20%) and tax expense associated with stock-based compensation shortfalls (negative 8%).

 

In the second quarter of 2012, the Company established a valuation allowance against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.  The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence can be objectively verified.  GAAP states that a cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is difficult to overcome in determining that a valuation allowance is not needed against deferred tax assets.  As such, it is generally difficult for positive evidence regarding projected future taxable income exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences to outweigh objective negative evidence of recent financial reporting losses.

 

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company entered into a three-year cumulative loss position.  This cumulative loss position, along with other evidence, merited the establishment of a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 of negative 6.8% resulted in income tax expense of approximately $4.2 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete items primarily associated with the write-off of goodwill related to the Investment Banking division. The effective rate also differs from the statutory rate due to state and local taxes.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The Company has classified the results of its former Equities division as discontinued operations as a result of its decision to exit the business on August 22, 2011.  Refer to Notes 23 and 24 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Segment Highlights

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

 

For presentation purposes, net revenues within each of the businesses are classified, as applicable, into commissions and principal transactions, investment banking, investment gains/(losses), net interest, and other.  Commissions and principal transactions include commissions on agency trades and gains and losses from sales and trading activities.  Investment banking includes revenues generated from capital raising through underwritings and private placements of equity and debt securities, and financial advisory service fees in regards to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and corporate finance related matters.  Investment gains/(losses) reflect gains and losses on the Company’s FATV investment.  Other revenues reflect management fees received from FATV, research fees and fees earned related to residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.  Net interest includes interest income net of interest expense and reflects the effect of funding rates on the Company’s inventory levels.

 

Prior period results have been revised to reclassify investment banking revenues and related expenses into the segments within which they are generated, as this is how the segments are currently evaluated.  Such revenues were all previously presented within the Investment Banking reportable segment.

 

The Equities segment results have been reclassified as a discontinued operation and are therefore no longer reported below.  In connection with this development, any previously reported intangible asset amortization related to the Equities reporting unit which was previously included within “Other” has also been reclassified within discontinued operations.

 

Refer to Note 25 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information on assets by segment.

 

Investment Banking

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

14,762

 

$

23,674

 

(37.6

)%

Other

 

 

 

n/a

 

Total net revenues

 

$

14,762

 

$

23,674

 

(37.6

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

12,245

 

20,135

 

(39.2

)%

Pre-tax contribution

 

$

2,517

 

$

3,539

 

(28.9

)%

 

Investment Banking - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues were $14.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $8.9 million compared to the prior-year period.  Net revenues were comprised of $11.7 million and $3.1 million of advisory revenues and capital markets revenues, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $18.0 million and $5.7 million of advisory and capital market revenues, respectively, for the prior-year period.

 

Operating expenses were $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $7.9 million compared to the prior-year period.  The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expenses due to the lower revenues, as well as lower non-compensation expenses as a result of the realignment which took place in the third quarter of 2011.  In addition, the results of the prior-year period include compensation and other charges of $2.5 million incurred in connection with the realignment.  Pre-tax contribution for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.5 million, compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

MBS & Rates

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

6,256

 

$

48,542

 

(87.1

)%

Commissions

 

2,767

 

4,249

 

(34.9

)%

Investment banking

 

632

 

3,558

 

(82.2

)%

Net interest

 

22,669

 

32,825

 

(30.9

)%

Other

 

2,232

 

15

 

n/a

 

Total net revenues

 

$

34,556

 

$

89,189

 

(61.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

29,000

 

59,534

 

(51.3

)%

Pre-tax contribution

 

$

5,556

 

$

29,655

 

(81.3

)%

 

MBS & Rates - Nine Months Ended September 30 2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues were $34.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $54.6 million compared to the prior-year period.  The decrease in net revenues was largely attributable to non-agency asset-backed securities gains of $34.8 million in the prior-year period.   The decrease in net revenues was also attributable to the significant turnover, previously mentioned, in connection with the leadership changes in April and May 2012, as well as lower net interest income and lower investment banking revenues.  Partially offsetting these declines were approximately $2.2 million of other revenue recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, related to the clawback of certain stock-based compensation grants subject to non-competition and/or other forfeiture provisions.

 

Operating expenses were $29.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $30.5 million compared to the prior-year period.  The decrease was primarily due to lower compensation expense due to the lower revenues, as well as a reduction in compensation expense of $2.6 million related to stock-based compensation forfeitures recorded during the second quarter of 2012 due to the previously mentioned leadership transition and voluntary terminations experienced during that quarter.  Pre-tax contribution for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $5.6 million, compared to $29.7 million for the prior-year period.

 

Credit Products

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

4,571

 

$

985

 

364.1

%

Commissions

 

50,411

 

46,517

 

8.4

%

Investment banking

 

2,394

 

2,491

 

(3.9

)%

Net interest

 

281

 

713

 

(60.6

)%

Other

 

736

 

332

 

121.7

%

Total net revenues

 

$

58,393

 

$

51,038

 

14.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

53,857

 

44,700

 

20.5

%

Pre-tax contribution

 

$

4,536

 

$

6,338

 

(28.4

)%

 

Credit Products - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues were $58.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $7.4 million compared to the prior-year period.  The increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to higher commissions and principal transaction revenues due to higher volumes, including an expanded product profile, partially offset by lower spreads.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Operating expenses were $53.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $9.2 million compared to the prior-year period.  The increase was primarily due to higher compensation expense due to the higher revenues, partially offset by a reduction in compensation expense of $1.1 million related to stock-based compensation forfeitures.  Pre-tax contribution for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $4.5 million, compared to $6.3 million for the prior-year period.

 

ClearPoint

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

34,045

 

$

22,116

 

53.9

%

Net interest

 

41

 

76

 

(46.1

)%

Other

 

5,674

 

3,917

 

44.9

%

Total net revenues

 

$

39,760

 

$

26,109

 

52.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

45,638

 

29,016

 

57.3

%

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(5,878

)

$

(2,907

)

64.0

%

 

ClearPoint - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues were $39.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $13.7 million compared to the prior-year period.  The increase was due to higher daily loan commitments primarily arising in the first quarter of 2012, prior to the previously mentioned limits, coupled with lower daily average loan commitments in the prior-year period, as the division’s operations had commenced on January 3, 2011.

 

Operating expenses were $45.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $16.6 million compared to the prior-year period.  Operating expenses include $29.9 million and $17.1 million of broker and loan processing fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the prior-year period, respectively, which are variable expenses directly related to the level of loan commitments for each particular period.  Pre-tax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of $5.9 million increased $3.0 million compared to the prior-year period and was primarily due to the limits placed on loan origination activities as a result of the liquidity constraints experienced in the first quarter of 2012.  In late May 2012, the division implemented a rightsizing plan in order to better align origination with distribution capabilities.  In connection with this plan, the division incurred approximately $0.4 million of severance expense during the second quarter of 2012.

 

The Company has announced that it is pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint” for additional information.

 

Other

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

(9

)

$

(50

)

82.0

%

Investment gains

 

156

 

2,539

 

(93.9

)%

Net interest

 

4,380

 

4,292

 

2.1

%

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition

 

 

2,330

 

n/a

 

Other

 

720

 

811

 

(11.2

)%

Total net revenues

 

$

5,247

 

$

9,922

 

(47.1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

54,035

 

108,187

 

(50.1

)%

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(48,788

)

$

(98,265

)

50.4

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Other - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues were $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decline of $4.7 million compared to the prior-year period.  The decline in net revenue was primarily attributable to the ClearPoint bargain purchase gain of $2.3 million recorded during the prior-year period, as well as lower revenues resulting from the changes in value of the Company’s FATV investment.

 

Operating expenses were $54.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $54.2 million compared to the prior-year period.  The decrease was primarily a result of the previously mentioned $80.2 million goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge related to the Investment Banking division realignment which occurred in the third quarter of 2011, partially offset by the previously mentioned goodwill impairment charge of $21.1 million recognized in the second quarter of 2012.  Operating expenses were also impacted by higher legal, consulting and advisory fees, including costs incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process.  Operating expenses also increased as a result of costs incurred in connection with the Company’s asset management initiative.  Pre-tax loss was $48.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $98.3 million for the prior-year period.

 

Explanation and Reconciliation of the Company’s Use of Non-GAAP Financial Results

 

The Company has included in this Quarterly Report certain financial metrics that were not prepared in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial results, which include presentations of net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation expenses, income before income taxes from continuing operations, provision for income taxes, net income from continuing operations, compensation expense ratios, pre-tax margin, return on average tangible equity and diluted earnings per share, are presented as an additional aid in understanding and analyzing the Company’s financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP results provide useful information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company’s core operating results or business outlook and also to emphasize information that is critical to understanding the Company’s performance.  These non-GAAP amounts exclude items reflected as adjustments within the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP (Loss)/Income from Continuing Operations” table below.  The Company believes these non-GAAP results will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of the Company’s business and facilitate a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results in the current period to those in prior periods and future periods.  References to these non-GAAP results should not be considered a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP.

 

A limitation of utilizing these non-GAAP financial results is that the GAAP accounting effects of these excluded items do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of the Company’s business, and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing its financial results.  Therefore, the Company believes that non-GAAP results should always be considered together with their corresponding GAAP results.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP (Loss)/Income from Continuing Operations (2012 - Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

share amounts)

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

43,330

 

$

 

$

43,330

 

$

152,718

 

$

 

$

152,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

25,534

 

1,320

(1)

26,854

 

101,859

 

(330

)(2)

101,529

 

Non-compensation expenses

 

22,820

 

(1,285

)(3)

21,535

 

92,916

 

(23,381

)(4)

69,535

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

48,354

 

35

 

48,389

 

194,775

 

(23,711

)

171,064

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(5,024

)

(35

)

(5,059

)

(42,057

)

23,711

 

(18,346

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(2,223

)

(15

)(5)

(2,238

)

26,269

 

(30,934

)(6)

(4,665

)

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

(2,801

)

$

(20

)

$

(2,821

)

$

(68,326

)

$

54,645

 

$

(13,681

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted — continuing operations

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

$

(0.02

)(7)

$

(0.57

)

$

 

$

(0.11

)(7)

As a percentage of net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

58.9

%

 

 

62.0

%

66.7

%

 

 

66.5

%

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(11.6

)%

 

 

(11.7

)%

(27.5

)%

 

 

(12.0

)%

 


(1)  Represents the reversal of previously accrued severance expense (of which $1.0 million is non-cash stock-based compensation).

 

(2)  Represents severance expense recognized during the first quarter of 2012.

 

(3)  Represents legal, consulting and advisory fees incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process.

 

(4)  Represents the goodwill impairment charge recognized during the three months ended June 30, 2012 of $21.1 million, as well as $2.3 million of legal, consulting and advisory fees incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process.

 

(5)  The statutory income tax rate of 43.6% differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% due to state and local taxes.

 

(6)  Represents legal, consulting and advisory expenses incurred in connection with our strategic alternatives process of $2.3 million, plus the compensation and benefits adjustment of $0.3 million multiplied by the Company’s statutory tax rate of 43.6%, plus the removal of the effects of the valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets recorded during the second quarter of 2012 (note:  the goodwill impairment charge is non-deductible for tax purposes).

 

(7)  Non-GAAP net loss from continuing operations divided by 118.7 million and 119.0 million dilutive shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP (Loss)/Income from Continuing Operations (2011 - Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

share amounts)

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

54,164

 

$

 

$

54,164

 

$

199,932

 

$

(2,330

)(1)

$

197,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

32,684

 

(1,946

)(2)

30,738

 

129,058

 

(3,632

)(3)

125,426

 

Non-compensation expenses

 

100,265

 

(80,842

)(4)

19,423

 

132,514

 

(80,842

)(4)

51,672

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

132,949

 

(82,788

)

50,161

 

261,572

 

(84,474

)

177,098

 

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(78,785

)

82,788

 

4,003

 

(61,640

)

82,144

 

20,504

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(3,085

)

4,911

(5)

1,826

 

4,208

 

5,928

(6)

10,136

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations

 

$

(75,700

)

$

77,877

 

$

2,177

 

$

(65,848

)

$

76,216

 

$

10,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted — continuing operations

 

$

(0.61

)

 

 

$

0.02

(7)

$

(0.53

)

$

 

 

$

0.08

(7)

As a percentage of net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

60.3

%

 

 

56.8

%

64.6

%

 

 

63.5

%

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(145.5

)%

 

 

7.4

%

(30.8

)%

 

 

10.4

%

 


(1)  Represents the bargain purchase gain related to the ClearPoint acquisition on January 3, 2011.

 

(2)  Represents severance and stock-based compensation expense related to the Investment Banking division realignment, which resulted in the termination of 32 investment banking employees and certain administrative positions.

 

(3)  Includes the previously mentioned $1.9 million noted in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and also includes $1.7 million due to the resignation of the former interim CEO in the second quarter of 2011.

 

(4)  Includes goodwill and intangible impairment charges of $80.2 million and other non-compensation expenses of $0.6 million as a result of the Investment Banking division realignment.

 

(5)  The effective income tax rate of 5.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2011differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-tax deductible goodwill and state and local taxes.

 

(6)  The effective income tax rate of 7.2% differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to non-tax deductible goodwill, the non-taxable bargain purchase gain and state and local taxes.

 

(7) Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations divided by 129.6 million and 130.0 million dilutive shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Return on Average Tangible Stockholders’ Equity - Annualized (Non-GAAP)

 

Presented below is information on the Company’s annualized return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (Non-GAAP):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations (non-GAAP)

 

$

(2,821

)(1)

$

2,177

(1)

$

(13,681

)(1)

$

10,368

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of tax

 

71

 

255

 

211

 

1,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations, adjusted (non-GAAP)

 

(2,750

)

2,432

 

(13,470

)

11,494

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations, adjusted (non-GAAP) - annualized

 

$

(11,000

)

$

9,728

 

$

(17,960

)

$

15,325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average total stockholders’ equity (GAAP)

 

$

190,333

 

$

304,642

 

$

223,947

 

328,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Average intangible assets

 

(4,002

)

(63,660

)

(14,674

)

(92,462

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)

 

$

186,331

 

$

240,982

 

$

209,273

 

$

235,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized return on tangible equity (non-GAAP)

 

(5.9

)%

4.0

%

(8.6

)%

6.5

%

 

Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity - Annualized (GAAP)

 

Presented below is information on the Company’s annualized return on average stockholders’ equity, which is the most directly comparable GAAP metric to the Non-GAAP metric above:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

(2,801

)

$

(75,700

)

$

(68,326

)

$

(65,848

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss from continuing operations - annualized

 

$

(11,204

)

$

NM

(2)

$

NM

(2)

$

NM

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average total stockholders’ equity

 

$

190,333

 

$

304,642

 

$

223,947

 

$

328,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized return on stockholders’ equity

 

(5.9

)%

NM

(2)

NM

(2)

NM

(2)

 


(1)  Designates non-GAAP financial results.  A reconciliation of the Company’s GAAP results to non-GAAP financial results is set forth above under the caption “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations.”

 

(2) Not meaningful.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financial Condition

 

The Company’s matched book repurchase activities were wound down during the three months ended September 30, 2012 (and comprised approximately 47.1% of the Company’s total assets at December 31, 2011).  The unwinding of these activities did not have a material impact to the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company’s financial instruments owned were $1.1 billion at September 30, 2012, a decline of $455 million, or 29.3%, since December 31, 2011.  Contributing to this decline were reduced loan balances in connection with the previously mentioned loan origination limits implemented by ClearPoint.

 

Financial instruments owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased consisted of the following:

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Owned

 

Sold, but
not yet
Purchased

 

Owned

 

Sold, but
not yet
Purchased

 

Financial Instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

863,151

 

$

 

$

1,085,621

 

$

 

Loans

 

80,961

 

 

228,226

 

 

Federal agency obligations

 

69,973

 

 

158,774

 

11,796

 

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

 

26,250

 

 

56,573

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

22,725

 

5,673

 

14,524

 

12,254

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

21,857

 

249,516

 

5,789

 

158,059

 

Other debt obligations

 

11,415

 

 

839

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

1,864

 

1,617

 

914

 

Equities

 

762

 

 

1,001

 

2

 

Derivatives

 

3,637

 

5,221

 

1,696

 

1,971

 

Total

 

$

1,100,731

 

$

262,274

 

$

1,554,660

 

$

184,996

 

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Note 8 within the footnotes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding the Company’s accounting policy over valuation of these financial instruments and classification of such financial instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”).

 

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Table of Contents

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The following discussion of the Company’s liquidity and capital resources highlights conditions which have changed since December 31, 2011 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s discussion on Liquidity and Capital Resources within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Liquidity is of paramount importance to our success of operations.  The Company manages its liquidity by monitoring its funding and cash flow needs daily and measuring them against available cash levels in order to maintain available cash at its clearing agents so there is liquidity available for operations and for meeting financing obligations even under stressful market conditions.  The Company also maintains conservative leverage ratios and generally holds inventory that is readily convertible to cash.  The majority of the Company’s inventory is financed by our clearing agents and, to a lesser extent, through repurchase agreements.  We use these financing sources, and periodically consider others in order to reduce funding/liquidity risk.

 

The Company had Cash and cash equivalents of $28.5 million and $36.7 million, at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  In addition, the Company’s financial instruments that are readily marketable and actively traded were approximately $0.8 billion at September 30, 2012 compared to approximately $1.3 billion at December 31, 2011.  The decline in financial instruments owned was substantially offset by a corresponding decrease in the Company’s payable to clearing broker and secured borrowings.  The level of assets and liabilities will fluctuate due to changing market conditions and customer demand.

 

The majority of the Company’s cash and readily marketable securities are assets of Gleacher Securities, a regulated broker-dealer subsidiary, which is subject to various laws and regulations including those that authorize regulatory bodies to monitor and/or restrict the flow of funds, in certain circumstances, to the parent holding company or any other affiliates.  Such regulations may prevent the Company from accessing liquidity from within the broker-dealer in order to conduct business activities or satisfy the obligations of the parent holding company and/or any other subsidiaries affiliated with the broker-dealer.

 

ClearPoint and Related Matters

 

Although originally scheduled to expire in September 2012, the lenders under Credit Facilities No. 2 and No. 3 have provided multiple short-term extensions.The warehouse lines currently expire on November 14, 2012.  On November 8, 2012, the Company announced that it was pursuing a sale of the ClearPoint business.  Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint,” herein, for additional information. ClearPoint intends to continue negotiating extension terms in order for these credit facilities to be available through completion of any potential sale transaction.

 

Refer to Note 15 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding these warehouse lines of credit.

 

ClearPoint currently relies on a limited number of investors to purchase its originated mortgage loans and a limited number of lenders to finance these activities.  If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loans to investors.  Failure of ClearPoint’s investors to continue purchasing its loans and/or a slowdown in such purchases could result in additional curtailments as the loans persist on the warehouse lines.

 

In addition, refer to Note 16 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding separate limited guaranties entered into by the Parent on February 29, 2012, related to certain contractual obligations of ClearPoint.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Stock Repurchase (10b-18 Plan)

 

In January 2012, the Board of Directors renewed the Company’s share repurchase program, authorizing up to $25 million in additional repurchases of Company common stock through the date on which the Company publicly releases its results of operations for fiscal 2012.  Stock purchases by the Company may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, if and when management determines to effect purchases and is consistent with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.  All stock repurchases by the Company shall be subject to the requirements of Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  During the period from July 1, 2012 through November 9, 2012, the Company made no repurchases.

 

Regulatory

 

As of September 30, 2012, each of the Company’s registered broker-dealer subsidiaries, Gleacher Securities and Gleacher Partners, were in compliance with the net capital requirements of FINRA and, in the case of Gleacher Securities, the NFA.  The net capital rules restrict the amount of a broker-dealer’s net assets that may be distributed. Also, a significant operating loss or extraordinary charge against net capital could compel the Company to make additional contributions to one or more of these subsidiaries or adversely affect the ability of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries to expand or maintain their present levels of business and the ability to support the obligations or requirements of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, Gleacher Securities had net capital of $61.3 million, which exceeded minimum net capital requirements of FINRA and the NFA by $61.0 million and Gleacher Partners had net capital of $0.8 million, which exceeded net capital requirements of FINRA by $0.6 million.

 

In addition, ClearPoint is subject to net worth requirements, as required by the HUD.  At September 30, 2012, ClearPoint’s net worth was $12.9 million, which was $11.9 million in excess of the $1.0 million required minimum net worth.

 

Derivatives

 

The Company utilizes derivatives for trading strategies and economic hedging strategies to actively manage its market and liquidity exposures.  In addition, the Company enters into mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) in connection with its mortgage lending activities, which could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity to the extent there is insufficient capacity available on ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit and/or ClearPoint’s lenders fail to provide financing on the portions of the lines which are uncommitted.  Refer to Note 9 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings or disputes. (Refer to Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.)

 

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, the Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to risks associated with a variety of legal proceedings and claims.  These include litigations, arbitrations and other proceedings initiated by private parties and arising from underwriting, financial advisory, securities trading or other transactional activities, client account activities, mortgage lending and employment matters.  Third parties who assert claims may do so for monetary damages that are substantial, particularly relative to the Company’s financial position.  These proceedings and claims typically involve associated legal costs incurred by the Company in connection with defending against these matters, which could be significant.  The Company has been in the past, and currently is, subject to a variety of claims and litigations arising from its business, most of which it considers to be routine.

 

Expenses associated with investigating and defending against legal proceedings can put a strain on our cash resources.  In addition, any fines, penalties, or damages assessed against us, could also impact materially our liquidity. The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to both routine and unscheduled regulatory examinations of their respective businesses and investigations of securities industry practices by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations.  In recent years, securities and mortgage lending firms have been subject to increased scrutiny and regulatory enforcement activity.  Regulatory investigations can result in substantial fines being imposed on the Company and/or its subsidiaries.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries receive inquiries and subpoenas from the SEC, FINRA, state regulators and other regulatory organizations.  The Company does not always know the purpose behind these communications or the status or target of any related investigation.  Some of these communications have, in the past, resulted in disciplinary actions which have sometimes included monetary sanctions, and in the Company and/or its subsidiaries being cited for regulatory deficiencies.  To date, none of these communications have had a material adverse effect on the Company’s business nor does the Company believe that any pending communications are likely to have such an effect.  Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that any pending or future communications will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.  In addition, the Company is also subject to claims by employees alleging discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge, among other things, and seeking recoupment of compensation claimed (whether for cash or forfeited equity awards), and other damages.

 

Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding, claim or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved, including any associated defense costs will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, or cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material to the Company’s results of operations in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Certain liabilities or commitments of the Company that are not recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2012 are identified or described in the “Contractual Obligations” section which follows and within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

In addition, refer to Note 16 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding separate limited guaranties entered into by the Parent on February 29, 2012, related to certain contractual obligations of ClearPoint.

 

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

ClearPoint’s loan commitments increased $37.1 million to $221.2 million as of September 30, 2012 (of which $157.0 million are expected to fund), compared to $184.1 million as of June 30, 2012.  Amounts borrowed by ClearPoint on its secured mortgage warehouse lines of credit increased by $19.9 million to $66.6 million as of September 30, 2012, compared to $46.7 million as of June 30, 2012.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company has made arrangements with certain of its business leaders whereby if equity incentives with respect to 6.0 million shares of Company common stock are not granted to these business leaders, then the Company intends to pay these individuals aggregate cash bonuses of $4.4 million for the 2012 service period.

 

In addition, on November 7, 2012, a subsidiary of the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities from RangeMark Financial Services and certain of its affiliates (“RangeMark”).  The aggregate purchase consideration was $2.5 million, payable in four installments commencing September 30, 2013 through March 31, 2015.  Refer to Note 27 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations at September 30, 2012 since what was previously reported within Item 2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

There were no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies from what was previously reported as of December 31, 2011.  For a full description of the Company’s critical accounting policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” included within Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”), which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements.  For derivative financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to offsetting requirements but not offset in the balance sheet.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and is to be applied retrospectively.  This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset, and since these amended principles require only additional disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2011-11 will not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), in order to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The amendments in this ASU include the requirement that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, except for new presentation requirements about reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which are currently deferred indefinitely.  ASU 2011-05 is not applicable to the Company as it has no items reported as other comprehensive income.

 

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In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurements:  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS” (“ASU 2011-04”), in order to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments in this ASU include clarification of (i) the application of the highest and best use valuation premise concepts and specifies that such concepts are relevant only when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets, (ii) the requirement to measure certain instruments classified in stockholders’ equity at fair value, such as equity interests issued as consideration in a business combination and (iii) disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement that is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including (a) measuring the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio by permitting entities to measure such financial instruments on a net basis if such entities manage such financial instruments on the basis of their net exposure, (b) clarifying that premiums or discounts related to size as a characteristic of the reporting entity’s holding (specifically, a blockage factor) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (for example, a control premium) are not permitted in a fair value measurement and (c) the expansion of disclosures about fair value measurements, including the valuation processes of financial instruments categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, if any.  ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 8 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which includes the disclosures as required by this ASU.

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Transfers and Servicing:  Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” (“ASU 2011-03”), in order to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (i) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion.  ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”), in order to address questions about entities with reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts as some entities concluded that Step 1 of the test is passed in those circumstances because the fair value of their reporting unit will generally be greater than zero.  For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, taking into consideration any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist.  ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

(Unaudited)

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Given the amount of capital we deploy, the financial products we trade and the large number of counterparties we deal with in our daily transactions, management believes that comprehensive and effective risk management is a key component for our success.

 

For a full discussion of the Company’s market risk management processes and procedures, refer to Item 9 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of our trading or investment positions, or loans held for sale as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit spreads and equity prices, as well as changes in the implied volatility of interest rates and equity prices.  The Company’s exposure to market risk is primarily related to securities transactions in its MBS & Rates division, and to a lesser extent, loans related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.

 

The Company maintains inventory in agency mortgage-backed securities, debt securities issued by U.S. Government and federal agency obligations, non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt, listed equities, preferred stock and certain other debt obligations.  In addition, the Company originates residential mortgage loans for resale through ClearPoint.  In order to mitigate exposure to market risk, the Company enters into derivatives including the sale of TBAs and exchange traded treasury futures contracts, or by selling short U.S. Government securities.

 

The following table categorizes the Company’s market risk sensitive financial instruments.

 

 

 

Market Value (net)

 

(In thousands)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Trading risk

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

837,515

 

$

1,368,484

 

Equity

 

 

 

Foreign exchange

 

 

 

Commodity

 

 

 

Total trading risk

 

$

837,515

 

$

1,368,484

 

Other than trading risk

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

20,015

 

$

19,910

 

Interest rate

 

180

 

180

 

Foreign exchange

 

 

 

Commodity

 

 

 

Total other than trading risk

 

20,195

 

20,090

 

Total market value, net

 

$

857,710

 

$

1,388,574

 

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and Note 8 within the footnotes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding the Company’s accounting policy over valuation of these financial instruments and classification of such financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820.

 

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The following is a discussion of the Company’s primary market risk exposures as of September 30, 2012:

 

Interest Rate Risk and Related Prepayment Risk

 

In connection with trading and residential mortgage lending activities, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates or the shape and slope of the yield curve.  Interest rate risk exposure is a result of maintaining inventory positions (including originated residential mortgage loans) and trading in interest-rate-sensitive financial instruments.  These financial instruments include agency mortgage-backed securities, debt securities issued by U.S. Government and federal agency obligations, non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt, preferred stock, certain other debt obligations and residential mortgage loans.

 

Prepayment risk arises from the possibility that the rate of principal repayment on mortgages will fluctuate, affecting the value of mortgage-backed securities.  Prepayments are the full or partial repayment of principal prior to the original term to maturity of a mortgage loan and typically occur due to refinancing of mortgage loans and turnover in housing ownership.  Prepayment rates on mortgage-related securities vary from time to time and may cause changes in the amount of the Company’s net interest income, the valuations of mortgage-backed securities in inventory and the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging. Prepayments of mortgage loans usually can be expected to increase when mortgage interest rates fall below the then-current interest rates on such loans and decrease when mortgage interest rates exceed the then-current interest rate on such loans, although such effects are uncertain. Prepayment experience also may be affected by the conditions in the housing and financial markets, including the Government Sponsored Entities buying back delinquent loans at par value, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans underlying mortgage-backed securities. The purchase prices of mortgage-backed securities are generally based in part upon assumptions regarding the expected rates of prepayments.  The Company’s mortgage loans related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint are subject to prepayment risk; however, these loans tend to be sold within a short period of time subsequent to origination, which mitigates this risk to the Company.

 

The Company economically hedges its exposure to interest rate risk by shorting mortgage pass-through TBAs, government securities and exchange traded treasury futures contracts.  Hedging using government securities and exchange traded treasury futures contracts protects the Company from movements in the yield curve and changes in general levels of interest rates.  Hedging using TBAs reduces the basis risk between the mortgage-backed securities market and government securities market.

 

A large portion of the Company’s inventory consists of specified mortgage-backed securities pass-through pools, whose prices are linked to TBAs, which also, however, display their own idiosyncratic pricing behavior based on their underlying mortgage loan characteristics.  The Company believes that TBAs are the best hedging tool for these pools, but as with most hedges they cannot completely eliminate risk.

 

The fair market value of securities exposed to interest rate and related prepayment risk included in the Company’s inventory at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $838 million and $1.4 billion, respectively. Interest rate risk is measured as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one-half percent increase in interest rates across the yield curve, including its related effect on prepayment speeds. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the potential change in fair value under this stress scenario was a loss of $2.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively.  Interest rates may increase more than the amount assumed above and consequently, the actual change in fair value may exceed the change computed above.

 

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The following table shows a breakdown of our interest rate exposure on September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

Market value change per one hundredth of one percent interest
rate increase (In thousands of dollars)

 

September 30,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

 

$

62

 

$

17

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

(78

)

(85

)

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

 

(10

)

(12

)

Corporate debt securities

 

(14

)

(1

)

Preferred stock

 

 

(1

)

Total

 

$

(40

)

$

(82

)

Average duration (years)

 

1.15

 

0.82

 

 

Credit Spread and Credit Rating Risk

 

The Company actively makes markets in various credit instruments, including corporate bonds (both high yield and investment grade), emerging market debt and structured securities (MBS/ABS/CMBS/CDO/CLO). As a consequence, the Company is exposed to credit spread and credit rating changes in these markets.  Credit spread and credit rating risk results from changes in the level or volatility of credit spreads, either as a result of macro market conditions (e.g., risk aversion sentiment) or from idiosyncratic development of certain debt issuers or their sectors.  The Company is generally not exposed to significant credit risk related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint as the loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

 

The Company believes the optimum strategy to manage credit spread and credit rating risk is high inventory turnover, thereby minimizing the amount of time during which we hold these types of securities, in some cases by arranging the sale before committing to the purchase.  Given this strategy, the Company maintains a low inventory level in these securities relative to the Company’s total securities owned.

 

The following tables show a breakdown of our exposure in these markets on September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

Credit Sensitive Holdings Market Value as of September 30, 2012

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Non-agency
mortgage-
backed
securities

 

Corporate
debt
securities

 

Preferred
stock

 

Other debt
obligations

 

Total

 

Investment grade

 

$

296

 

$

11,011

 

$

(1,864

)

$

10,613

 

$

20,056

 

Non-investment grade

 

25,954

 

6,041

 

 

802

 

32,797

 

Total

 

$

26,250

 

$

17,052

 

$

(1,864

)

$

11,415

 

$

52,853

 

 

Credit Sensitive Holdings Market Value as of December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

 

Non-agency
mortgage-
backed
securities

 

Corporate
debt
securities, net

 

Preferred
stock

 

Other debt
obligations

 

Total

 

Investment grade

 

$

19,250

 

$

224

 

$

871

 

$

192

 

$

20,537

 

Non-investment grade

 

37,323

 

2,046

 

(168

)

647

 

39,848

 

Total

 

$

56,573

 

$

2,270

 

$

703

 

$

839

 

$

60,385

 

 

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Equity Price Risk

 

The Company is exposed to equity price risk to the extent it holds equity securities in inventory.  Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect the value of equity securities or instruments that derive their value from equity securities.  The Company attempts to reduce the risk of loss inherent in its inventory of equity securities by monitoring those security positions throughout each day.

 

The Company had no significant net long or short positions in marketable equity securities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The Company’s investment in FATV at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 had a fair market value of $16.0 million and $15.9 million, respectively. Equity price risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in equity security prices or valuations of the underlying portfolio companies.  This risk measure, for the Company’s investment in FATV amounted to $1.6 million at September 30, 2012 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2011.  Equity prices may increase more than the amount assumed above, and consequently, the actual change in fair value may exceed the change computed above.

 

Counterparty Credit Risk

 

Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of our counterparty to meet its obligations. The Company is engaged in various trading and brokerage activities whose counterparties primarily include broker-dealers, banks, and other financial institutions.  In the event counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to risk.  The risk of default depends on the credit worthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the instrument.  In order to mitigate this risk, credit exposures are monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.

 

Agency and principal securities transactions with customers of the Company’s subsidiaries, other than the Rates business, are cleared primarily through a third party clearing agreement on a fully disclosed basis.  Under this agreement, transactions are deemed to be either receive versus payment, delivery versus payment or cash transactions.

 

In the normal course of business, Gleacher Securities guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees, and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates.  Gleacher Securities also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event of non-performance by specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Gleacher Securities could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, Gleacher Securities has historically made no material payments under these arrangements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future.  Therefore, the Company has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements, contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for these indemnifications.

 

In the ordinary course of business, ClearPoint indemnifies counterparties, including under its loan sale and warehouse line agreements, against potential losses incurred by such parties in connection with particular arrangements.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that ClearPoint could be required to make under these indemnification obligations cannot be estimated.  In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint, the Company is indemnified for any such losses with respect to any loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.

 

The Company is required to maintain a deposit at the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (the “FICC”) in connection with the self-clearing activities associated with the Rates business which began in November 2010.  The size of the deposit is subject to change from time to time and is dependent upon the volume of business transacted.  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a deposit with the FICC of approximately $8.5 million and $15.2 million, respectively, which is recorded within Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Liquidity and Funding Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that it takes longer or it is more costly than anticipated to sell inventory to raise cash due to adverse market conditions.  Funding liquidity risk is the risk that we are unable to meet margin calls or cash flow needs due to lack of cash or are unable to maintain leveraged positions due to margin calls or reduction in credit lines from lending counterparties.

 

Liquidity is of paramount importance to our success and operations.  Lack of liquidity tends to be the biggest contributor to the rapid failure of financial institutions.

 

Refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Part I, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information about our liquidity as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

Leverage Ratios

 

Leverage increases the risks (and potential rewards) we take.  To balance this risk/reward equation, we maintain adjusted target leverage ratios well below 10x, so that the risk from leveraging would still be manageable even in the event of market crisis.  This target excludes securities purchased under agreements to resell, as they are generally self-financed through matched book repurchase transactions and are therefore considered lower risk.  We view the resulting measure of adjusted leverage, also a non-GAAP financial measure, as a more relevant measure of financial risk when comparing financial services companies.

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

1,447,716

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

(132,608

)

(1,523,227

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted assets (non-GAAP)

 

1,315,108

 

1,780,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

188,383

 

$

259,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio(1) 

 

7.7

 

12.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio - adjusted (non-GAAP)(2)

 

7.0

 

6.9

 

 


(1)  Leverage ratio equals total assets divided by total Stockholders’ equity.

 

(2)  Adjusted leverage ratio equals adjusted assets divided by total Stockholders’ equity.

 

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.  In addition, no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II-Other Information

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is not a party to any legal proceeding required to be disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q per applicable SEC regulations.  Moreover, based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, or cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material to the Company’s results of operations in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The risk factors below are intended to supplement and should be considered in addition to the risk factors contained under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Our common stock may be delisted from The NASDAQ Global Market, which could have an adverse impact on the liquidity and market price of our common stock.

 

Our common stock currently is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy certain requirements. On June 19, 2012, we received a letter from the listing qualifications department staff of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC notifying the Company that for the last 30 consecutive business days the bid price of the Company’s common stock had closed below the $1.00 minimum closing bid price per share required by the continued listing requirements set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) (the “Rule”). The notification has no immediate effect on the listing of our common stock.

 

In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have 180 calendar days from the date of the notice, or until December 17, 2012, to regain compliance with the Rule. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days during the stated 180-day period.

 

If we do not regain compliance by December 17, 2012, NASDAQ will provide written notification to the Company that its common stock may be delisted.  We may submit an application to transfer our securities to The NASDAQ Capital Market.  Following submission of the application, we may be eligible for an additional 180-day period to regain compliance if we meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards, with the exception of the bid price requirement for the NASDAQ Capital Market, and provide written notice to NASDAQ of our intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period.  Alternatively, we may appeal a decision to delist our common stock to a Hearings Panel, which will stay the delisting until a decision is rendered subsequent to the appeal hearing, though there can be no assurance that any such appeal would be successful.

 

While we are actively monitoring the bid price of our common stock between now and December 17, 2012, and will consider all available options to regain compliance with the Rule, there can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance during the applicable time periods set forth above or keep our listing on The NASDAQ Global Market or transfer our listing to The NASDAQ Capital Market.

 

If our stock were to be transferred to The NASDAQ Capital Market, our stock could experience greater volatility and less liquidity, as trading volumes are generally significantly lower on The NASDAQ Capital Market than on The NASDAQ Global Market. In addition, if our common stock were to be delisted from The NASDAQ Global Market and our trading price remained below $5.00 per share, trading in our common stock also might become subject to the requirements of certain rules promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which require broker-dealers to disclose additional information in connection with any trade involving a stock defined as a “penny stock.”  The delisting of our common stock could adversely affect the trading activity, liquidity and price of our common stock, decrease analyst coverage and investor demand and information available concerning trading prices and volume of our common stock and make it more difficult for investors to buy or sell shares of our common stock.

 

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Our plan to sell ClearPoint may entail greater costs and be less beneficial to us than we anticipate.

 

We have announced that we are pursuing a sale of our ClearPoint mortgage banking subsidiary.  We may not be able to sell ClearPoint or its assets and business on advantageous terms, during the timeframe we envision, or at all.  Since early September, ClearPoint’s warehouse line lenders have renewed these credit lines for short time periods as we considered our options regarding our mortgage banking business.  The current extension expires on November 14, 2012.  If the lenders do not continue to extend the credit lines while we pursue a sale, we may need to engage in a sale on less favorable terms than otherwise, or we may need to abandon the sale strategy and consider other options which, may entail greater costs and/or yield fewer benefits to us.

 

We have estimated that the costs associated with any disposition of ClearPoint could range from $1.5 million to $6.0 million, assuming that ClearPoint’s funded and locked loans are ultimately sold without a loss.  We have also estimated that we would be able to recapture a substantial portion of the approximately $30 million of cash currently held in ClearPoint’s business.  We may ultimately incur greater costs, and/or recapture less of the cash embedded in ClearPoint’s business, than we anticipate.

 

For more information, see Notes 15 and 27 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Development - ClearPoint,” in each case included in this Quarterly Report.

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

 

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in the third quarter of 2012.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a)         Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act.

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act.

 

 

 

32*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

 

 

101*

 

The following financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Gleacher & Company, Inc. are attached to this report formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 


*              Filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

Gleacher & Company, Inc.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 9, 2012

 

/s/ Thomas J. Hughes

 

 

 

Thomas J. Hughes

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 9, 2012

 

/s/ Bryan J. Edmiston

 

 

 

Bryan J. Edmiston

 

 

 

Controller

 

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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