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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPexhibit_31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPexhibit_31-1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPexhibit_32-1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPexhibit_32-2.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
OR
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from ________ to ­­________
 
Commission file number:  001-31666
 
 
FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 Incorporated in Delaware        61-1437565
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)  (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 
 
12395 First American Way
Poway, California 92064
 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(727) 214-3411
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [ ] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer     [ ]         Accelerated filer       [X]        Non-accelerated filer    [ ]
 
Smaller reporting company [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12-b).    Yes [ ] No [X]

There were 12,098,680 shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock of the registrant as of October 26, 2009.
There were 47,726,521 shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock of the registrant as of October 26, 2009.
 
 
Part I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
                 3
                     
       4
 
 
               
       5
                     
     6
                     
       7
 
 
                 
       8
                     
           10
                     
    26
                     
        42
 
                 
                42

Part II:  OTHER INFORMATION
 
      42
             
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
       42
             
 43
             
     43
             
 43
             
      43
             
Item 6.  Exhibits
         43
           
 Signatures          44


 
 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
First Advantage Corporation
Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008



3

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)




(in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
2009
   
2008
 
    Current assets:
           
       Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 57,784     $ 52,361  
       Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts
               
        of $11,520 and $8,345, respectively)
    115,870       121,531  
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    8,929       9,032  
       Income tax receivable
    11,968       -  
       Due from affiliates
    3,180       -  
       Deferred income tax asset
    18,929       16,695  
          Total current assets
    216,660       199,619  
       Property and equipment, net
    76,638       81,807  
       Goodwill
    753,547       731,369  
       Customer lists, net
    45,820       53,813  
       Other intangible assets, net
    14,375       17,245  
       Database development costs, net
    12,406       11,837  
       Marketable equity securities
    48,293       30,365  
       Other assets
    5,994       3,684  
          Total assets
  $ 1,173,733     $ 1,129,739  
Liabilities and Equity
               
    Current liabilities:
               
       Accounts payable
  $ 35,382     $ 38,404  
       Accrued compensation
    27,605       32,423  
       Accrued liabilities
    14,462       11,379  
       Deferred income
    5,704       7,381  
       Income tax payable
    -       2,609  
       Due to affiliates
    -       714  
       Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases
    20,446       9,891  
          Total current liabilities
    103,599       102,801  
       Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portion
    1,028       22,938  
       Deferred income tax liability
    76,826       61,652  
       Other liabilities
    4,897       5,300  
          Total liabilities
    186,350       192,691  
    Equity:
               
       First Advantage Corporation's stockholders' equity:
               
          Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized,
               
              no shares issued or outstanding
    -       -  
          Class A common stock, $.001 par value; 125,000 shares
               
             authorized; 12,095 and 11,772 shares issued and outstanding
               
             as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    12       12  
          Class B common stock, $.001 par value; 75,000 shares
               
             authorized; 47,727 shares issued and outstanding
               
             as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
    48       48  
          Additional paid-in capital
    502,411       502,600  
          Retained earnings
    425,637       390,602  
          Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    14,414       (412 )
       Total First Advantage Corporation's stockholders' equity
    942,522       892,850  
          Noncontrolling interests
    44,861       44,198  
       Total equity
    987,383       937,048  
       Total liabilities and equity
  $ 1,173,733     $ 1,129,739  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)



(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service revenue
  $ 155,980     $ 174,664     $ 510,688     $ 545,341  
Reimbursed government fee revenue
    13,586       13,633       39,905       40,780  
Total revenue
    169,566       188,297       550,593       586,121  
Cost of service revenue
    51,429       53,520       191,030       160,723  
Government fees paid
    13,586       13,633       39,905       40,780  
Total cost of service
    65,015       67,153       230,935       201,503  
Gross margin
    104,551       121,144       319,658       384,618  
Salaries and benefits
    49,920       59,113       151,217       188,489  
Facilities and telecommunications
    6,741       7,789       20,265       24,073  
Other operating expenses
    18,453       19,899       56,397       65,642  
Depreciation and amortization
    10,993       10,898       32,574       31,520  
Impairment loss
    -       1,720       -       2,017  
Total operating expenses
    86,107       99,419       260,453       311,741  
Income from operations
    18,444       21,725       59,205       72,877  
Other (expense) income:
                               
Interest expense
    (234 )     (640 )     (903 )     (2,140 )
Interest income
    103       155       387       746  
Total other (expense), net
    (131 )     (485 )     (516 )     (1,394 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    18,313       21,240       58,689       71,483  
Provision for income taxes
    6,898       8,932       23,856       29,582  
Income from continuing operations
    11,415       12,308       34,833       41,901  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       -       -       (4,241 )
Net income
    11,415       12,308       34,833       37,660  
Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (35 )     (323 )     (202 )     (648 )
Net income attributable to First Advantage Corporation ("FADV")
  $ 11,450     $ 12,631     $ 35,035     $ 38,308  
Basic income per share:
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.72  
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax
    -       -       -       (0.07 )
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.65  
Diluted income per share:
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.72  
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax
    -       -       -       (0.08 )
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.64  
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    59,803       59,478       59,722       59,358  
Diluted
    60,086       59,529       59,867       59,446  
Amounts attributable to FADV shareholders:
                               
Income from continuing operations
  $ 11,450     $ 12,631     $ 35,035     $ 42,549  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       -       -       (4,241 )
     Net income
  $ 11,450     $ 12,631     $ 35,035     $ 38,308  



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)




   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
  $ 11,415     $ 12,308     $ 34,833     $ 37,660  
Other comprehensive income (loss) , net of tax:
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    1,495       (4,515 )     4,298       (2,435 )
  Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of tax
    2,795       4,174       10,528       (25,483 )
Total other comprehensive income (loss) , net of tax
    4,290       (341 )     14,826       (27,918 )
Comprehensive income
    15,705       11,967       49,659       9,742  
 Less:  Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest
    (35 )     (323 )     (202 )     (648 )
Comprehensive income attributable to FADV
  $ 15,740     $ 12,290     $ 49,861     $ 10,390  







The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6

First Advantage Corporation

 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 (Unaudited)





                           
Accumulated
             
(in thousands)
 
Common
   
Common
   
Additional
         
Other
             
   
Stock
   
Stock
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
(Loss) Income
   
Interests
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    59,499     $ 60     $ 502,600     $ 390,602     $ (412 )   $ 44,198     $ 937,048  
Net income
    -       -       -       35,035       -       (202 )     34,833  
Purchase of subsidiary shares from
                                                       
noncontrolling interest
    -       -       (6,779 )     -       -       865       (5,914 )
Class A Shares issued in connection
                                                       
with share based compensation
    323       -       830       -       -       -       830  
Share based compensation
    -       -       5,760       -       -       -       5,760  
Foreign currency translation
    -       -       -       -       4,298       -       4,298  
Unrealized gain on investment, net of tax
    -       -       -       -       10,528       -       10,528  
Balance at September 30, 2009
    59,822     $ 60     $ 502,411     $ 425,637     $ 14,414     $ 44,861     $ 987,383  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
7

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)



(in thousands)
 
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 34,833     $ 37,660  
Loss from discontinued operations
    -       (4,241 )
Income from continuing operations
  $ 34,833     $ 41,901  
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net
               
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    32,574       31,520  
Impairment loss
    -       2,017  
Bad debt expense
    7,013       5,867  
Share based compensation
    5,760       7,344  
Deferred income tax
    3,132       4,288  
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    (2,220 )     13,206  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    9       541  
Other assets
    (2,597 )     (790 )
Accounts payable
    (2,908 )     (5,433 )
Accrued liabilities
    4,069       (1,478 )
Deferred income
    (1,630 )     (938 )
Due from affiliates
    (3,894 )     (5,825 )
Income tax accounts
    (12,072 )     (52,452 )
Accrued compensation and other liabilities
    (5,050 )     (6,739 )
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations
    57,019       33,029  
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations
    -       754  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Database development costs
    (2,955 )     (3,203 )
Purchases of property and equipment
    (14,517 )     (24,337 )
Cash paid for acquisitions
    (19,465 )     (51,191 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    900       -  
Cash balance of companies acquired
    -       331  
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations
    (36,037 )     (78,400 )
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations
    -       1,721  
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from long-term debt
    50,860       100,260  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (62,260 )     (85,455 )
Cash contributions from First American to LeadClick Holdings, LLC
    -       2,402  
Proceeds from class A shares issued in connection with stock option
               
plan and employee stock purchase plan
    830       4,566  
Cash paid for acquisition of noncontrolling interests
    (5,914 )     (8,008 )
Distribution to noncontrolling interests
    -       (1,127 )
Tax expense related to stock options
    -       (204 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (16,484 )     12,434  
Effect of exchange rates on cash
    925       (648 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    5,423       (31,110 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    52,361       76,060  
Change in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations
    -       540  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 57,784     $ 45,490  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
8

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)




   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid for interest
  $ 684     $ 2,106  
Cash received for income tax refunds
  $ 1,081     $ 1,248  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 33,996     $ 75,661  
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Notes issued in connection with acquisitions
  $ -     $ 3,026  
Class A shares issued for compensation
  $ 4,997     $ 2,788  
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of tax
  $ 10,528     $ (25,483 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
9

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


1. Organization and Nature of Business
 
First Advantage Corporation (the “Company” or “First Advantage” or “FADV”) is a global risk mitigation and business solutions provider and operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative and Litigation Support Services.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.
 
The First American Corporation and its affiliates (“First American”) currently own or control, directly or indirectly, all of the Company's Class B shares of common stock, which represents approximately 80% of equity interests of the Company and approximately 98% of the voting power of the Company as of September 30, 2009.  The Class B common stock owned by First American is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters presented to the stockholders for vote.
 
On October 8, 2009, First American issued a press release announcing the commencement of an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share (See Note 11 – Subsequent Event).  On October 9, 2009, First American filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which contains the Offer to Exchange and related materials.  On that same day, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation on Schedule 14D-9 pursuant to which the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company recommended on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, that the stockholders of the Company accept the Offer and tender their shares pursuant to the Offer.  The Offer is described in further detail in Note 11 – Subsequent Event.    
 
In the event that the Offer is accepted and consummated in the fourth quarter, operating results for the fourth quarter will be negatively impacted due to related costs.  As further described in Note 11 – Subsequent Event, upon meeting certain conditions, First American has announced that it intends to merge the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American.  This merger will constitute a  “Change in Control” under the FADV 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan (“the Plan”).  Upon a Change in Control, the unvested awards of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock issued under the Plan will vest and the unamortized costs of those awards will be expensed.  At September 30, 2009, the unamortized compensation expense was approximately $8.5 million and approximately $0.9 million related to the unvested restricted stock and unvested options, respectively.  In addition, Morgan Stanley is acting as the Company’s financial advisor related to the Offer.  Pursuant to the terms of Morgan Stanley’s engagement, in the event that the Offer is accepted, the Company has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a transaction fee which is currently estimated to be approximately $3.0 million.


 
10

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million in legal expenses related to the Offer and related litigation and expects additional professional fees in the fourth quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.
 
As part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, First Advantage sold First Advantage Investigative Services (“FAIS”), which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (“CMSI”), which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.


2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature and are considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period.  The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  This report should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and as amended on the Current Form 8-K filed on October 8, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Certain amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and at December 31, 2008 have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation.
 
Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.
 
Subsequent events have been evaluated through October 29, 2009, the date these financial statements were issued.
 
As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates, which are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, have not changed from December 31, 2008, except for the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) GAAP updates related to business combinations, noncontrolling interest in consolidated financial statements, subsequent events,

 
11

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments, and FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
 
Purchase Accounting
 
In December 2007, the FASB updated GAAP related to business combinations.  This update retains the fundamental requirements in previous statements that the acquisition method of accounting (which is called the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. In general, the update 1) broadens the guidance, extending its applicability to all events where one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses, 2) broadens the use of fair value measurements used to recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, 3) changes the accounting for acquisition related fees and restructuring costs incurred in connection with an acquisition, and 4) increases required disclosures. The Company will apply the provisions of this update prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.  
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
In December 2007, the FASB updated GAAP related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements.  This update requires that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary be reported as equity and the amount of consolidated net income specifically attributable to the noncontrolling interest be identified in the consolidated financial statements. It also requires consistency in the manner of reporting changes in the parent’s ownership interest and requires fair value measurement of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The Company has applied the provisions of this update effective beginning on January 1, 2009 and the adoption did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
In April 2009, the FASB updated GAAP related to interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. This amends previous statements, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This also requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The update does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial


 
12

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


adoption. In periods after initial adoption, this update requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption. The Company adopted this new standard effective April 1, 2009.
 
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, which includes cash and cash equivalents, marketable equity securities and accounts receivable, approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.  The Company’s marketable equity securities are classified as available for sale securities.  Unrealized holding gains and losses for available for sale securities are excluded from earnings and reported, net of taxes, as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.  The Company considers its variable rate debt to be representative of current market rates and, accordingly, estimates that the recorded amounts approximate fair market value.  Fair value estimates of its fixed rate debt were determined using discounted cash flow methods with a discount rate of 3.25%, which are the estimated rates that similar instruments could be negotiated at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes, are summarized as follows:



   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
(in thousands)
 
Carrying
   
Estimated
   
Carrying
   
Estimated
 
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 57,784     $ 57,784     $ 52,361     $ 52,361  
Accounts receivable
    115,870       115,870       121,531       121,531  
Marketable equity securities
    48,293       48,293       30,365       30,365  
Long-term debt and capital leases
    (21,474 )     (21,508 )     (32,829 )     (32,699 )

Subsequent Events
 
In May 2009, the FASB updated GAAP related to subsequent events.  The update establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  It is effective for reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this update effective April 1, 2009.
 
Accounting Standards Codification
 
The FASB has adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the single authoritative source for GAAP, replacing the mix of accounting standards that have evolved over the last 50 plus years. The Codification is effective for financial statements that cover interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. While not intended to change GAAP, the Codification significantly changes the way in which accounting literature is organized. It's now organized by accounting topic, which should enable users to more quickly identify the guidance that applies to a specific accounting issue.  The Company adopted this new standard effective September 15, 2009.
 
3. Acquisitions
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid consideration of approximately $19.5 million in cash related to earnout provisions from prior year acquisitions, approximately $5.1 million for the final purchase of a portion of noncontrolling interests in LeadClick Media, Inc, and $0.8 million for an additional portion of noncontrolling interest in PrideRock Holding Company.  The additional


 
13

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


consideration related to earnout provisions was recorded to goodwill and the purchase of noncontrolling interests was recorded to additional paid in capital when paid.
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment, are as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:


         
Acquisitions,
   
Adjustments
       
   
Balance at
   
(Disposals)
   
to net assets
   
Balance at
 
(in thousands)
 
December 31, 2008
   
and Earnouts
   
acquired
      September 30, 2009  
Credit Services
  $ 107,578     $ -     $ -     $ 107,578  
Data Services
    218,505       (611     -       217,894  
Employer Services
    272,461       2,266       3,308       278,035  
Multifamily Services
    49,174       -       -       49,174  
Investigative and Litigation Support Services
    83,651       17,199       16       100,866  
Consolidated
  $ 731,369     $ 18,854     $ 3,324     $ 753,547  

The adjustments to net assets acquired represent post acquisition adjustments for those companies acquired in the past periods.

4. Discontinued Operations
 
As discussed in Note 1, as part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, the Company sold FAIS, which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and CMSI, which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
The following amounts have been segregated from continuing operations and are reflected as discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


 
14

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



 
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2008
 
Total revenue
  $ 7,671  
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes
  $ (7,155 )
Income tax benefit
    (2,914 )
    Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ (4,241 )
Loss per share:
       
Basic
  $ (0.07 )
Diluted
  $ (0.08 )
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
       
Basic
    59,358  
Diluted
    59,446  

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
In accordance with GAAP, the Company will perform the goodwill impairment test for all reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2009.   There have been no impairments of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing during the year ended December 31, 2008 will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If the Company’s assumptions regarding forecasted revenue or margin growth rates of certain reporting units are not achieved, the Company may be required to record additional goodwill impairment losses in connection with the Company’s next annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2009 or in future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.
 
 


 
15

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Goodwill
  $ 753,547     $ 731,369  
Customer lists
  $ 93,757     $ 95,446  
Less accumulated amortization
    (47,937 )     (41,633 )
Customer lists, net
  $ 45,820     $ 53,813  
Other identifiable intangible assets:
               
   Noncompete agreements
  $ 9,097     $ 11,783  
   Trade names
    20,468       21,631  
      29,565       33,414  
Less accumulated amortization
    (15,190 )     (16,169 )
Other identifiable intangible assets, net
  $ 14,375     $ 17,245  

Amortization of customer lists and other identifiable intangible assets totaled approximately $3.6 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $11.0 million and $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
An impairment loss of $1.3 million was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 in the Credit Services segment.  The charge is related to the write-off of the net book value of the automotive lead generation business’ identifiable intangible assets and customer list.  The impairment loss was incurred due to the challenging credit market and the negative impact to the automotive lead generation business.
 
Estimated amortization expense relating to intangible asset balances as of September 30, 2009, is expected to be as follows over the next five years:


(in thousands)
     
Remainder of 2009
  $ 3,609  
2010
    13,956  
2011
    11,323  
2012
    10,231  
2013
    8,831  
Thereafter
    12,245  
    $ 60,195  


 



 
 
16

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The changes in the carrying amount of identifiable intangible assets are as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:
 
   
Other
       
   
Identifiable
       
   
Intangible
   
Customer
 
(in thousands)
 
Assets
   
Lists
 
Balance, at December 31, 2008
  $ 17,245     $ 53,813  
Adjustments
    37       57  
Amortization
    (2,907 )     (8,050 )
Balance, at September 30, 2009
  $ 14,375     $ 45,820  



6. Debt
 
Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2009:


(in thousands, except percentages)
     
 
     
Acquisition notes:  Weighted average interest rate of 3.64% with maturities
     
    through 2011
  $ 9,657  
Bank notes:  $225 million Secured Credit Facility, interest at 30-day LIBOR
       
    plus 1.13% (1.37% at September 30, 2009) matures September 2010
    10,000  
Capital leases and other debt:  Various interest rates with maturities through 2011
     1,817  
    Total long-term debt and capital leases
  $ 21,474  
    Less current portion of long-term debt and capital leases
    20,446  
    Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portion
  $ 1,028  

At September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of its loan agreement.  In the event that the First American Offer is accepted and consummated with a merger, this may be determined to be an “Event of Default,” under the terms of the Credit Agreement.


7. Earnings Per Share
 
A reconciliation of earnings per share and weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 11,450     $ 12,631     $ 35,035     $ 42,549  
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax
    -       -       -       (4,241 )
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 11,450     $ 12,631     $ 35,035     $ 38,308  
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average shares for basic earnings per share
    59,803       59,478       59,722       59,358  
Effect of restricted stock
    255       42       135       72  
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options and warrants
    28       9       10       16  
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
    60,086       59,529       59,867       59,446  
Earnings per share:
                               
 Basic
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.72  
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax
    -       -       -       (0.07 )
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.65  
 Diluted
                               
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.72  
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax
    -       -       -       (0.08 )
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
  $ 0.19     $ 0.21     $ 0.59     $ 0.64  

For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, options and warrants totaling 2,962,431 and 3,999,719, respectively, were excluded from the weighted average diluted shares outstanding, as they were antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, options and warrants totaling 3,162,930 and 3,895,234, respectively, were excluded from the weighted average diluted shares outstanding, as they were antidilutive.

8. Share-Based Compensation
 
In the first quarter of 2008, the Company changed from granting stock options as the primary means of share-based compensation to granting restricted stock units (“RSU”). The fair value of any RSU grant is based on the market value of the Company’s shares on the date of the grant and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period.  RSUs generally vest over three years at a rate of 33.3% for the first two years and 33.4% for last year.
 
Restricted stock activity since December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows:


         
Weighted
 
(in thousands, except weighted average fair value prices)
       
Average
 
   
Number of
   
Grant-Date
 
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2008
    632     $ 21.93  
    Restricted stock granted
    423     $ 10.89  
    Restricted stock forfeited
    (30 )   $ 17.99  
    Restricted stock vested
    (253 )   $ 23.06  
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2009
    772     $ 15.66  


 


 
18

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table illustrates the share-based compensation expense recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Stock options
  $ 457     $ 1,165     $ 1,578     $ 3,875  
Restricted stock
    1,363       1,169       4,109       3,357  
Employee stock purchase plan
    20       26       73       112  
    $ 1,840     $ 2,360     $ 5,760     $ 7,344  


Stock option activity under the Company’s stock plan since December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows:


         
Weighted
   
Aggregate
 
(in thousands, except exercise prices)
 
Number of
   
Average
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Exercise Price
   
Value
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2008
    3,492     $ 23.06     $ 863  
    Options exercised
    (26 )   $ 15.51          
    Options forfeited
    (294 )   $ 24.66          
Options outstanding at September 30, 2009
    3,172     $ 22.98     $ 697  
Options exercisable, end of the quarter
    2,956     $ 22.83     $ 692  


The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2009:


                                 
(in thousands, except for exercise prices, years and weighted average amounts)
             
                                 
     
Options Outstanding
   
Options Exercisable
 
           
Weighted Avg
   
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
           
Remaining Contractual
   
Average
         
Average
 
Range of Exercise Prices
   
Shares
   
Life in Years
   
Exercise Price
   
Shares
   
Exercise Price
 
$ 7.00 - $ 12.50       9       1.9     $ 11.13       9     $ 11.13  
$ 12.51 - $ 25.00       2,075       4.6     $ 20.90       2,018     $ 20.91  
$ 25.01 - $ 50.00       1,084       6.1     $ 26.97       925     $ 27.01  
$ 50.01 - $242.25       4       1.8     $ 50.25       4     $ 50.25  
          3,172                       2,956          

The Company had outstanding warrants to purchase up to 41,462 shares of its common stock at exercise prices of $12.05 per share as of September 30, 2009.  The weighted average remaining contractual life in years for the warrants outstanding is 1.68.

9. Income Taxes
 
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions, and foreign jurisdictions.  


 
 
19

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2005, and state and local, and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities before 2003.  In April 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) concluded an examination of First Advantage’s consolidated 2005 federal income tax return without any material adjustments. In March 2009, the IRS initiated an examination of First Advantage’s consolidated 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns, which the Company does not anticipate will result in material adjustments.
 
As of September 30, 2009, the Company has a $4.9 million total liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits as well as a $0.5 million total liability for income tax related interest.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is $3.3 million.  The majority of the unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate and associated interest relates to foreign operations.  The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.  The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease by the end of 2009.

10.  Segment Information
 
The Company operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative and Litigation Support Services. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.
 
The Credit Services segment include business lines that offer lenders credit reporting solutions for mortgage and home equity needs, that provide consumer credit reporting services and serve the automotive dealer marketplace by delivering consolidated consumer credit reports.

The Data Services segment includes business lines that provide transportation credit reporting, motor vehicle record reporting, fleet management, criminal records reselling, specialty finance credit reporting, and lead generation services.  Revenue for the Data Services segment includes $0.9 million and $1.2 million of inter-segment sales for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $2.8 million and $4.0 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Employer Services segment includes employment background screening, occupational health services, tax incentive services and hiring solutions.  Products and services relating to employment background screening include criminal records searches, employment and education verification, social security number verification


 
20

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


and credit reporting.  Occupational health services include drug-free workplace programs, physical examinations and employee assistance programs.  Hiring solutions include applicant tracking software, recruiting services and outsourced management of payroll and human resource functions.  Tax incentive services include services related to the administration of employment-based and location-based tax credit and incentive programs, sales and use tax programs and fleet asset management programs.  Revenue for the Employer Services segment includes $0.6 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The Multifamily Services segment includes resident screening and software services.  Resident screening services include criminal background and eviction searches, credit reporting, employment verification and lease performance and payment histories.  Revenue for the Multifamily Services segment includes $0.2 million of inter-segment sales for each of the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $0.5 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment includes all investigative services.  Products and services offered by the Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment includes computer forensics, electronic discovery, due diligence reports and other high level investigations.

The elimination of intra-segment revenue and cost of service revenue is included in Corporate.  These transactions are recorded at cost.

Service revenue for international operations included in the Employer Services segment was $8.0 million and $11.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $21.4 million and $35.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Service revenue for international operations included in the Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment was $0.4 million and $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.3 million and $32.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 


 
21

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
The following table sets forth segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 
(in thousands)
 
Service
   
Depreciation
   
Income (Loss)
       
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
Revenue
   
and Amortization
   
From Operations
   
Assets
 
Credit Services
  $ 59,443     $ 1,533     $ 12,489     $ 202,380  
Data Services
    25,514       2,435       3,590       298,524  
Employer Services
    41,731       3,771       3,929       388,095  
Multifamily Services
    19,879       1,542       7,268       84,458  
Investigative and Litigation Support Services
    9,804       724       1,337       120,971  
Corporate and Eliminations
    (391 )     988       (10,169 )     79,305  
Consolidated
  $ 155,980     $ 10,993     $ 18,444     $ 1,173,733  
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
                               
Credit Services
  $ 60,837     $ 1,728     $ 7,063     $ 196,406  
Data Services
    21,922       2,570       3,680       312,606  
Employer Services
    54,199       3,255       6,644       408,139  
Multifamily Services
    19,702       1,444       6,654       87,782  
Investigative and Litigation Support Services
    18,600       837       6,347       111,259  
Corporate and Eliminations
    (596 )     1,064       (8,663 )     64,606  
Consolidated
  $ 174,664     $ 10,898     $ 21,725     $ 1,180,798  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
                               
Credit Services
  $ 191,567     $ 4,470     $ 44,820     $ 202,380  
Data Services
    113,456       7,367       11,389       298,524  
Employer Services
    119,350       11,058       6,110       388,095  
Multifamily Services
    57,467       4,553       20,521       84,458  
Investigative and Litigation Support Services
    30,224       2,176       2,753       120,971  
Corporate and Eliminations
    (1,376 )     2,950       (26,388 )     79,305  
Consolidated
  $ 510,688     $ 32,574     $ 59,205     $ 1,173,733  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
                               
Credit Services
  $ 202,723     $ 4,480     $ 35,371     $ 196,406  
Data Services
    60,422       7,601       11,214       312,606  
Employer Services
    163,397       9,629       13,119       408,139  
Multifamily Services
    58,037       4,242       17,995       87,782  
Investigative and Litigation Support Services
    63,281       2,460       23,407       111,259  
Corporate and Eliminations
    (2,519 )     3,108       (28,229 )     64,606  
Consolidated
  $ 545,341     $ 31,520     $ 72,877     $ 1,180,798  


 








 
22

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


11. Subsequent Event
 
    Proposed Offer to Exchange by First American
 
On October 8, 2009, First American commenced an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share.  The offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (the “Expiration Time”).
 
First American has stated that the offer is conditioned upon, among other things, satisfaction of the “Minimum Condition”, which means that there must be validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Time, at least a majority of the Class A Shares owned by stockholders other than certain parties described in the Offer as the “Excluded Parties.” As of October 26, 2009, there were 12,098,680 Class A Shares outstanding, of which we believe 632,544 Class A Shares are held by Excluded Parties. Accordingly, we believe that at least 5,733,069 Class A Shares not owned by the Excluded Parties would have to be validly tendered into the Offer, and not have been properly withdrawn, as of the Expiration Time, in order to satisfy this condition.  In addition, among others, the following conditions must also be satisfied or waived (except as noted below):
 
 
 
the Merger Condition — which means there must be sufficient Class A Shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn as of the Expiration Time, such that once such tendered Class A Shares are purchased by First American in the Offer, First American will own or control at least 90% of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of the Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis). We calculate that, based on the number of outstanding Class A Shares as of October 26, 2009, approximately 6,112,774 Class A Shares would have to be tendered in order to satisfy this condition;
 
 
 
the Registration Statement Effectiveness Condition — which means the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by First American shall have been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);
 
 
 
the Listing Condition — which means the First American common shares to be issued in the Offer and the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange; and
 
 
 
the absence of legal impediments to the Offer or the Merger and other General Conditions.
 
The Minimum Condition, the Registration Statement Effectiveness Condition and the Listing Condition will not be waived in the Offer. The Merger Condition is waivable in First American’s sole discretion. In the event that all of the conditions to the Offer have


 
23

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


not been satisfied or waived at the then scheduled Expiration Time, First American may, in its discretion, extend the Expiration Time in such increments as it may determine. However, First American is under no obligation to extend the Offer if the conditions have not been satisfied, or waived if permitted, as of the Expiration Time. If the Offer is not consummated the market price of the Class A Shares may decline. The conditions to the Offer are for the sole benefit of First American and may be asserted by it in its sole discretion, regardless of the circumstances giving rise to such conditions, or, except as set forth above, may be waived by First American, in whole or in part, in its sole discretion, whether or not any other condition of the Offer also is waived.
 
First American has also announced that if the Merger Condition is satisfied and First American consummates the Offer, First American will convert (or cause to be converted) all of the Class B Shares that it owns or controls into Class A Shares and cause all such Class A Shares and the Class A Shares acquired by First American in the Offer to be contributed to Algonquin Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American (“Merger Sub”). If First American consummates the Offer, and thereafter owns or controls 90% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American has stated that it shall promptly thereafter effect a short form merger with Merger Sub merging into First Advantage (the “Merger”) unless prohibited by court order or other applicable legal requirement. As provided by Delaware law, the Merger may be effected without the approval of First Advantage’s board of directors or any remaining public stockholders. If First American consummates the Offer and does not own or control 90% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American will use commercially reasonable efforts to acquire additional Class A Shares such that after such acquisition, Merger Sub owns or controls at least 90% of each class of the issued and outstanding capital stock of First Advantage (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis); provided, however, that such use of commercially reasonable efforts to acquire additional Class A Shares shall not require First American to exchange more than 0.58 of a First American share (or equivalent value) for any Class A Share. In such event, once First American owns or controls 90% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American shall effect the Merger promptly thereafter unless prohibited by court order or other applicable legal requirement. As a result of the Merger, any Class A Shares not previously purchased by First American in the Offer (and in subsequent purchases, if any) would be converted into First American common shares at the Exchange Ratio, other than the Class A Shares in respect of which appraisal rights have been properly perfected under Delaware law.
 
On October 8, 2009, First American filed the Offer to Exchange and related materials with the SEC on a Registration Statement on Form S-4.  In addition, on October 8, 2009, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9.  Stockholders are urged to read the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and any amendments thereto

 
24

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


filed from time to time, because they will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .  In addition, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as well as the Company’s other public SEC filings, can be obtained at www.fadv.com.  Stockholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by First American or the Company with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.





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

Notice to stockholders of Exchange Offer by First American
 
    On October 8, 2009, The First American Corporation (“First American”) commenced an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share, and First American filed an Offer to Exchange and related materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on a Registration Statement on Form S-4.  On October 8, 2009, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. Stockholders are urged to read the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and any amendments thereto filed from time to time, because they will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .  In addition, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as well as the Company’s other public SEC filings, can be obtained at www.fadv.com.  Stockholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by First American or the Company with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.


Note of Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q relate to future results of the Company and are considered “forward-looking statements”.  These statements, which may be expressed in a variety of ways, including the use of future or present tense language, relate to among other things, sufficiency and availability of cash flows and other sources of liquidity, current levels of operations, anticipated growth, future market positions, synergies from integration, ability to execute its growth strategy, levels of capital expenditures and ability to satisfy current debt.  These forward-looking statements, and others forward-looking statements contained in other public disclosures of the Company are based on assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, and that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control).  Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock; the Company’s ability to successfully raise capital; the Company’s ability to identify and complete acquisitions and to successfully integrate businesses it acquires; changes in applicable government regulations; the degree and nature of the Company’s competition; increases in the Company’s expenses; continued consolidation among the Company’s competitors and customers; unanticipated technological changes and requirements; the Company’s ability to identify suppliers of quality and cost-effective data; statements with respect to First American's proposed exchange offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share; and other factors described in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.   In addition to the risk factors set forth above and in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, stockholders should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by the Form 8-K filed October 8, 2009, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as the other information contained the Company’s Annual Report, as updated or modified in subsequent filings.  The Company faces risks other than those listed in the Annual Report, as updated, including those that are unknown and others of which the Company may be aware but, at present, considers immaterial.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.


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

 
Overview

First Advantage Corporation (Nasdaq: FADV) (“First Advantage” or the “Company”) provides global risk mitigation, screening services and credit reporting to enterprise and consumer customers.  The Company operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative & Litigation Support Services.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.  First Advantage is headquartered in Poway, California and has approximately 3,800 employees in offices throughout the United States and abroad.

The current economic downturn has caused decreased service revenue in the Credit Services segment related to the mortgage and auto industries and the Data Services segment related to the transportation and specialty finance businesses.  Management expects continued weakness in the real estate and mortgage markets to continue impacting the Company’s Credit Services segment and the transportation and specialty credit businesses in the Data Services segment.  In addition, the effect of the issues in the real estate and related credit markets together with the other macroeconomic matters has resulted in higher unemployment rates negatively impacting the volumes in the Employer Services segment.  Given this outlook, management is focusing on expense reductions, operating efficiencies, and increasing market share throughout the Company.

Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing during the year ended December 31, 2008 will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If the Company’s assumptions regarding forecasted revenue or margin growth rates of certain reporting units are not achieved, the Company may be required to record additional goodwill impairment losses in connection with the Company’s next annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2009 or in  future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2009 included total service revenue of $156.0 million, this represents a decrease of 10.7% over the same period in 2008.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included total service revenue of $510.7 million, this represents a decrease of 6.4% over the same period in 2008.  Operating income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $18.4 million and $59.2 million, respectively.  Operating income decreased $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008.  Operating income decreased $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008.

   On October 8, 2009, First American issued a press release announcing its intention to commence an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share (See Note 11 – Subsequent Event).  On October 9, 2009, First American filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which contains the Offer to Exchange and related materials.  On that same day, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation on Schedule 14D-9 pursuant to which the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company recommended on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, that the stockholders of the Company accept the Offer and tender their shares pursuant to the Offer.  The Offer is described in further detail in Note 11 – Subsequent Event. 
 
    In the event that the Offer is accepted and consummated in the fourth quarter, operating results for the fourth quarter will be negatively impacted due to related costs.  As further described in Note 11 – Subsequent Event, upon meeting certain conditions, First American has announced that it intends to merge the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American.  This merger will constitute a “Change in Control” under the FADV 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan (“the Plan”).  Upon a Change in Control, the unvested awards of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock issued under the Plan will vest and the unamortized costs of those awards will be expensed.  At September 30, 2009, the unamortized compensation expense was approximately $8.5 million and approximately $0.9 million related to the unvested restricted stock and unvested options, respectively.  In addition, Morgan Stanley is acting as the Company’s financial advisor related to the Offer.  Pursuant to the terms of Morgan Stanley’s engagement, in the event that the Offer is accepted, the Company has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a transaction fee which is currently estimated to be approximately $3.0 million.


    For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million in legal expenses related to the Offer and related litigation and expects additional professional fees in the fourth quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.

As part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, First Advantage sold First Advantage Investigative Services (“FAIS”), which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (“CMSI”), which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following is a summary of the operating results by the Company’s business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 

(in thousands, except percentages)
                                         
   
Credit
   
Data
   
Employer
   
Multifamily
   
Invest/Litigation
   
Corporate
       
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Support Services
   
and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                                           
Service revenue
  $ 59,443     $ 25,514     $ 41,731     $ 19,879     $ 9,804     $ (391 )   $ 155,980  
Reimbursed government fee revenue
    223       11,987       2,138       -       -       (762 )     13,586  
  Total revenue
    59,666       37,501       43,869       19,879       9,804       (1,153 )     169,566  
                                                         
Cost of service revenue
    26,691       12,419       10,651       1,790       495       (617 )     51,429  
Government fees paid
    223       11,987       2,138       -       -       (762 )     13,586  
  Total cost of service
    26,914       24,406       12,789       1,790       495       (1,379 )     65,015  
                                                         
Gross margin
    32,752       13,095       31,080       18,089       9,309       226       104,551  
                                                         
Salaries and benefits
    12,238       4,839       16,142       6,110       5,303       5,288       49,920  
Facilities and telecommunications
    1,771       551       2,036       754       675       954       6,741  
Other operating expenses
    4,721       1,680       5,202       2,415       1,270       3,165       18,453  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,533       2,435       3,771       1,542       724       988       10,993  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 12,489     $ 3,590     $ 3,929     $ 7,268     $ 1,337     $ (10,169 )   $ 18,444  
Operating margin percentage
    21.0 %     14.1 %     9.4 %     36.6 %     13.6 %     N/A       11.8 %
                                                         
   
Credit
   
Data
   
Employer
   
Multifamily
   
Invest/Litigation
   
Corporate
         
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Support Services
   
and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                                                         
Service revenue
  $ 60,837     $ 21,922     $ 54,199     $ 19,702     $ 18,600     $ (596 )   $ 174,664  
Reimbursed government fee revenue
    -       11,743       2,828       -       -       (938 )     13,633  
  Total revenue
    60,837       33,665       57,027       19,702       18,600       (1,534 )     188,297  
                                                         
Cost of service revenue
    28,985       8,628       14,234       1,915       503       (745 )     53,520  
Government fees paid
    -       11,743       2,828       -       -       (938 )     13,633  
  Total cost of service
    28,985       20,371       17,062       1,915       503       (1,683 )     67,153  
                                                         
Gross margin
    31,852       13,294       39,965       17,787       18,097       149       121,144  
                                                         
Salaries and benefits
    14,294       4,755       18,511       6,320       7,622       7,611       59,113  
Facilities and telecommunications
    2,203       643       2,280       836       722       1,105       7,789  
Other operating expenses
    4,844       1,646       9,275       2,533       2,569       (968 )     19,899  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,728       2,570       3,255       1,444       837       1,064       10,898  
Impairment loss
    1,720       -       -       -       -       -       1,720  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 7,063     $ 3,680     $ 6,644     $ 6,654     $ 6,347     $ (8,663 )   $ 21,725  
Operating margin percentage
    11.6 %     16.8 %     12.3 %     33.8 %     34.1 %     N/A       12.4 %

 
   
Credit
   
Data
   
Employer
   
Multifamily
   
Invest/Litigation
   
Corporate
       
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Support Services
   
and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                                           
Service revenue
  $ 191,567     $ 113,456     $ 119,350     $ 57,467     $ 30,224     $ (1,376 )   $ 510,688  
Reimbursed government fee revenue
    614       35,305       6,483       -       -       (2,497 )     39,905  
  Total revenue
    192,181       148,761       125,833       57,467       30,224       (3,873 )     550,593  
                                                         
Cost of service revenue
    86,292       68,806       31,367       5,029       1,366       (1,830 )     191,030  
Government fees paid
    614       35,305       6,483       -       -       (2,497 )     39,905  
  Total cost of service
    86,906       104,111       37,850       5,029       1,366       (4,327 )     230,935  
                                                         
Gross margin
    105,275       44,650       87,983       52,438       28,858       454       319,658  
                                                         
Salaries and benefits
    36,477       14,584       48,875       18,218       17,008       16,055       151,217  
Facilities and telecommunications
    5,153       1,758       6,248       2,247       1,985       2,874       20,265  
Other operating expenses
    14,355       9,552       15,692       6,899       4,936       4,963       56,397  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,470       7,367       11,058       4,553       2,176       2,950       32,574  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 44,820     $ 11,389     $ 6,110     $ 20,521     $ 2,753     $ (26,388 )   $ 59,205  
Operating margin percentage
    23.4 %     10.0 %     5.1 %     35.7 %     9.1 %     N/A       11.6 %
                                                         
   
Credit
   
Data
   
Employer
   
Multifamily
   
Invest/Litigation
   
Corporate
         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Services
   
Support Services
   
and Eliminations
   
Total
 
                                                         
Service revenue
  $ 202,723     $ 60,422     $ 163,397     $ 58,037     $ 63,281     $ (2,519 )   $ 545,341  
Reimbursed government fee revenue
    -       35,958       7,859       -       -       (3,037 )     40,780  
  Total revenue
    202,723       96,380       171,256       58,037       63,281       (5,556 )     586,121  
                                                         
Cost of service revenue
    92,135       19,458       45,041       5,229       1,524       (2,664 )     160,723  
Government fees paid
    -       35,958       7,859       -       -       (3,037 )     40,780  
  Total cost of service
    92,135       55,416       52,900       5,229       1,524       (5,701 )     201,503  
                                                         
Gross margin
    110,588       40,964       118,356       52,808       61,757       145       384,618  
                                                         
Salaries and benefits
    45,004       14,874       59,082       19,958       25,317       24,254       188,489  
Facilities and telecommunications
    6,544       1,922       7,330       2,666       2,217       3,394       24,073  
Other operating expenses
    17,469       5,353       28,899       7,947       8,356       (2,382 )     65,642  
Depreciation and amortization
    4,480       7,601       9,629       4,242       2,460       3,108       31,520  
Impairment loss
    1,720       -       297       -       -       -       2,017  
Income (loss) from operations
  $ 35,371     $ 11,214     $ 13,119     $ 17,995     $ 23,407     $ (28,229 )   $ 72,877  
Operating margin percentage
    17.4 %     18.6 %     8.0 %     31.0 %     37.0 %     N/A       13.4 %

 
 
Credit Services Segment

 

Service revenue was $59.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to service revenue of $60.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease is due to a $6.9 million decrease in revenue related to vehicle financing, reflecting an overall decline in auto and truck sales.  This is partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in revenue related to our direct to consumer credit business and a $1.1 million increase in mortgage related credit revenue reflecting increased lending volumes as compared to the same period in 2008.  
 
Gross margin was $32.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.9 million compared to gross margin of $31.9 million in the same period of 2008.  The impact of the increase in transactions resulted in an overall increase in gross margin. Gross margin was 55.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 52.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.1 million.  Salaries and benefits were 20.6% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 23.5% during the same period in 2008.  Salaries and benefits expense decreased due to operational efficiencies and reduced staffing.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.4 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expense were 3.0% in and 3.6% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease is due to the consolidation of operations.

Other operating expenses were flat compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. Other operating expenses were 7.9% and 8.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. 
 

Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 2.6% of service revenue during the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.8% in the same period in 2008.

    Income from operations was $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $7.1 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 11.6% to 21.0% primarily due operational efficiencies gained related to the segment’s cost reduction measures in the prior year and the $1.7 million impairment loss recorded in 2008. 


Data Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $25.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $3.6 million compared to service revenue of $21.9 million in the same period of 2008.  This segment has experienced an increase in service revenue primarily due to the lead generation business, offset by reduced volumes in the specialty credit and transportation businesses as a result of the overall economic downturn.

Gross margin was $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to gross margin of $13.3 million in the same period of 2008.  Gross margin as a percentage of service revenue was 51.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 60.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in the gross margin as a percentage of service revenue is primarily due to the revenue mix.  The lead generation’s eAdvertising business has lower margins.

Salaries and benefits were flat when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Salaries and benefits were 19.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 21.7% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2008.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were comparable to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 2.2% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.9% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2008.

Other operating expenses were flat when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. Other operating expenses were 6.6% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 7.5% in the third quarter of 2008.

Depreciation and amortization for the third quarter of 2009 was comparable to the same period in 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 9.5% of service revenue during the third quarter of 2009 compared to 11.7% in the same period in 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 16.8% to 14.1% in comparing the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease in the operating margin is primarily due to the change in the revenue mix of the businesses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Income from operations was $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $0.1 million compared to $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2008.   The decrease is primarily driven by the lead generation business where cost of service and operating expenses have increased related to the increase in service revenue.

 
Employer Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $41.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $12.5 million compared to service revenue of $54.2 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease was a result of a decrease in hiring in the United States and abroad.  The recession has caused increased unemployment, which directly affects this segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.4 million.  Salaries and benefits were 38.7% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 34.2% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations and the reduction in staffing, offset by an increase in salary and benefit expense related to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased by $0.2 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.9% and 4.2% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $4.1 million. Other operating expenses were 12.5% and 17.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services which were previously allocated from Corporate to other expenses, a decrease in professional fees, bad debt expense and decreased foreign currency losses.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.5 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 9.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 6.0% in the same period of 2008.  The increase is primarily due to accelerated depreciation on software related to outsourcing certain services in our drug screening division in 2009.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 12.3% to 9.4% primarily due to the decline in revenue.

Income from operations was $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $2.7 million compared to income from operations of $6.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to the decline in service revenue, offset by a 18.5% decrease in operating expenses.


Multifamily Services Segment

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $19.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.2 million compared to service revenue of $19.7 million in the same period of 2008.

Salaries and benefits cost decreased $0.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 30.7% of service revenue for the third quarter of 2009 compared to 32.1% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is primarily due to a reduction in employees.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses were flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 3.8% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 4.2% in the third quarter of 2008.


Other operating expenses were flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Other operating expenses were 12.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 12.9% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to reduced leased equipment, marketing and travel expenses.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Depreciation and amortization was 7.8% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 7.3% in the same period of 2008.

Income from operations was $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to income from operations of $6.7 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 33.8% to 36.6% primarily due to management’s cost containment initiatives.


Investigative and Litigation Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
Total service revenue was $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $8.8 million compared to service revenue of $18.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to the diminished case activity level in the Litigation Support Services division.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 54.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 41.0% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is mainly due to the decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses were flat compared to the same period in 2008.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 6.9% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 3.9% in the third quarter of 2008.

Other operating expenses decreased by $1.3 million. Other operating expenses were 13.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 13.8% for the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is primarily due to a reduction in bad debt expense, travel expenses and professional fees.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.4% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 4.5% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 34.1% to 13.6%.  The decrease in margin is primarily due to the revenue decline on the higher margin electronic discovery business.

Income from operations was $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $6.3 million for the same period of 2008.   The decrease is primarily due to the revenue decrease on the higher margin electronic discovery business.


Corporate

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Corporate costs and expenses represent primarily compensation and benefits for senior management, administrative staff, and their related expenses in addition to an administrative fee paid to First American.  The corporate expenses were $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to expenses of $8.7 million in the same period of 2008.  The expense increase is primarily due to $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded related to the Offer and related litigation.  This increase is offset by expense decreases due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services, decreases in compensation and benefit expenses, and travel expenses.


Consolidated Results

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Consolidated service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $156.0 million, a decrease of $18.7 million compared to service revenue of $174.7 million in the same period in 2008. The decrease in service revenue compared to the third quarter of 2008 is directly related to the downturn in domestic and international hiring, weakness in the credit markets, and overall economic slowdown, offset by the increase in the Data Services segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased $9.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 32.0% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 33.8% for the same period in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to strategic reductions in employees, a decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability, and the elimination of the 401(k) match in 2009.

 Facilities and telecommunication decreased by $1.0 million compared to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.3% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 4.5% in the third quarter of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to savings related to office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $1.4 million compared to the same period in 2008.  Other operating expenses were 11.8% and 11.4% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease in expense is due to office consolidations and cost reduction measures offset by an increase in legal fees.  
 
Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 6.2% in the same period of 2008.

    The consolidated operating margin was 11.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 12.4% for the same period in 2008.  Income from operations was $18.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $21.7 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease of $3.3 million is comprised of an increase in Corporate expenses of $1.5 million, a decrease in operating income of $5.0 million in Investigative and Litigation Support Services, $0.1 million in Data Services, and $2.7 million at Employer Services offset by increases in operating income of $5.4 million in Credit Services, and $0.6 million in Multifamily Services.


Credit Services Segment
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Service revenue was $191.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $11.1 million compared to service revenue of $202.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  A decrease in revenue at the dealer services division resulted in an overall decrease in service revenue, which is partially offset by an increase in revenue from the mortgage credit and consumer credit divisions.  The challenging credit markets and overall economy continues to affect our credit reporting businesses compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Gross margin was $105.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $5.3 million compared to gross margin of $110.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decline in gross margin is primarily due to the overall decrease in revenue and revenue mix compared to prior year. Gross margin was 55.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 54.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $8.5 million.  Salaries and benefits were 19.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 22.2% during the same period in 2008.  Salaries and benefits expense decreased due to operational efficiencies and reduced staffing.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $1.4 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expense were 2.7% and 3.2% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease is due to the office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $3.1 million. Other operating expenses were 7.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 8.6% for the same period of 2008. The decrease is due to a decline in lease expense, marketing expense, bad debt expense, office expenses and travel expense, offset by an increase in temporary labor and professional service fees.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the nine months ended 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 2.3% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.2% in the same period of 2008.

    Income from operations was $44.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $35.4 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 17.4% to 23.4% primarily due operational efficiencies gained related to the segment’s cost reduction measures in 2008 the $1.7 million impairment loss recorded in 2008. 


Data Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $113.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $53.1 million compared to service revenue of $60.4 million in the same period of 2008.  This segment has experienced a significant increase in service revenue primarily due to the lead generation business, offset by reduced volumes in the specialty credit and transportation businesses as a result of the overall economic downturn.

Gross margin was $44.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $3.7 million compared to gross margin of $41.0 million in the same period of 2008.  Gross margin as a percentage of service revenue was 39.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 67.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in the gross margin as a percentage of service revenue is primarily due to the revenue mix.  The lead generation’s eAdvertising business has lower margins.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $0.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 12.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 24.6% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is related to the reduction in staffing as compared to the same period in 2008.

 
Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.2 million. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 1.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.2% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.

Other operating expenses increased by $4.2 million. Other operating expenses were 8.4% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 8.9% in the same period of 2008. The expense increase is primarily due to the increase in bad debt expense at the lead generation business.

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $0.2 million. Depreciation and amortization was 6.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 12.6% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 18.6% to 10.0% primarily due to the revenue mix of the businesses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Income from operations was $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.2 million compared to $11.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   The increase is primarily driven by the lead generation business where revenue has increased, offset by increased cost of service and operating expenses.


Employer Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $119.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $44.0 million compared to service revenue of $163.4 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease was a result of the decline in hiring in the United States and abroad.  The recession has caused increased unemployment, which directly affects this segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $10.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 41.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 36.2% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is a direct effect of office consolidations and the reduction in staffing, offset by an increase in expense related to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased by $1.1 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 5.2% and 4.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $13.2 million. Other operating expenses were 13.1% and 17.7% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services which increased costs allocated out of Employer services, a decrease in temporary labor, a decrease in bad debt expense and decreased foreign currency losses.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.4 million. Depreciation and amortization was 9.3% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 5.9% in the same period of 2008.  The increase is primarily due to the rollout of internally developed software and the accelerated depreciation on software related to outsourcing certain services in our drug screening division.



The operating margin percentage decreased from 8.0% to 5.1% primarily due to the decline in service revenue.

Income from operations was $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $7.0 million compared to income from operations of $13.1 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to the decline in service revenue, offset by a 22.2% decrease in operating expenses.


Multifamily Services Segment
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $57.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $0.5 million compared to service revenue of $58.0 million in the same period of 2009.  The decrease is primarily due to a decline in revenue related to the current economic conditions.

Salaries and benefits cost decreased $1.7 million.  Salaries and benefits were 31.7% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 34.4% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is primarily due to a reduction in employees.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.4 million.   Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 3.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 4.6% in the same period of 2008.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased $1.0 million.   Other operating expenses were 12.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 13.7% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to reduced leased equipment, marketing and travel expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased $0.3 million.   Depreciation and amortization was 7.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 7.3% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage increased from 31.0% to 35.7% primarily due to management’s cost containment initiatives.  Income from operations was $20.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to income from operations of $18.0 million in the same period of 2008.


Investigative and Litigation Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
Total service revenue was $30.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $33.1 million compared to service revenue of $63.3 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to the diminished case activity level in the Litigation Support Services division.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $8.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 56.3% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 40.0% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is mainly due to the decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.2 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 6.6% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 3.5% in the first quarter of 2008.


Other operating expenses decreased by $3.4 million. Other operating expenses were 16.3% of service revenue in the nine months September 30, 2009 and 13.2% for the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is primarily due to a reduction in bad debt expense, travel expenses and professional fees.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.3 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.2% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.9% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 37.0% to 9.1%.  Income from operations was $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $23.4 million for the same period of 2008.   The decrease in margin is primarily due to the revenue decrease on the higher margin electronic discovery business.


Corporate

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Corporate costs and expenses represent primarily compensation and benefits for senior management, administrative staff, and their related expenses in addition to an administrative fee paid to First American.  The Corporate expenses were $26.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to expenses of $28.2 million in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services, decreases in compensation and benefit expenses, and travel expenses.  The decrease is offset by $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded  in the current quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.

Consolidated Results

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Consolidated service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $510.7 million, a decrease of $34.6 million compared to service revenue of $545.3 million in the same period in 2008. The decrease in service revenue is directly related to the downturn in domestic and international hiring, the decline in the mortgage industry, weakness in the credit markets, and overall economic slowdown, partially offset by an increase in the Data Services segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased $37.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 29.6% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 34.6% for the same period in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to strategic reductions in employees, office consolidations, a decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability, and a reduction in the 401(k) match expense.

 Facilities and telecommunication decreased by $3.8 million compared to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 4.4% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to savings related to office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $9.2 million compared to the same period in 2008.  Other operating expenses were 11.0% and 12.0% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease in expense is due to office consolidations and cost reduction measures.  This is offset by an increase in bad debt expense at the Data Services segment and $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded related to the Offer and related litigation.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.1 million due to fixed asset additions and the roll out of internally developed software, offset by certain fixed assets and intangibles becoming fully depreciated.


The consolidated operating margin was 11.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 13.4% for the same period in 2008.  Income from operations was $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $72.9 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease of $13.7 million is comprised of a decrease in operating income of $20.6 million in Investigative and Litigation Support Services, and $7.0 million at Employer Services offset by increases in operating income of $9.4 million in Credit Services, $0.2 million in Data Services, $2.5 million in Multifamily Services and a decrease of Corporate expenses of $1.8 million.


Critical Accounting Estimates

         Critical accounting policies are those policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingencies. A summary of these policies can be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2008.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

The Company’s principal sources of capital include, but are not limited to, existing cash balances, operating cash flows and borrowing under its Secured Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  The Company’s short-term and long-term liquidity depends primarily upon its level of net income, working capital management (accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses), capital expenditures and bank borrowings.  The Company believes that, based on current forecasts and anticipated market conditions, sufficient operating cash flow will be generated to meet all operating needs, to make planned capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, and tax obligations for the next twelve months.  Any material variance of operating results could require us to seek other funding alternatives including raising additional capital, which may be difficult in the current economic conditions.

In previous years, First Advantage sought to acquire other businesses as part of its growth strategy. The Company will continue to evaluate acquisitions in order to achieve economies of scale, expand market share and enter new markets.

While uncertainties within the Company’s industry exist, management is not aware of any trends or events likely to have a material adverse effect on liquidity or the accompanying financial statements. Management expects continued weakness in the real estate and mortgage markets to continue impacting the Company’s Credit Services segment and the transportation and specialty credit businesses in the Data Services segment.  In addition, the effect of the issues in the real estate and related credit markets and other macroeconomic matters has resulted in higher unemployment rates negatively impacting the volumes in the Employer Services segment.  Given this outlook, management is focusing on expense reductions, operating efficiencies, and increasing market share throughout the Company.


Statements of Cash Flows

The Company’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations and amounts available under credit lines the Company has established with a bank.  As of September 30, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were $57.8 million.



Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $57.0 million and $33.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations increased by $24.0 million when comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the same period in 2008.  Income from continuing operations was $34.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $41.9 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the first quarter 2008 income tax payments of $56.9 million related to the sale of DealerTrack shares.

Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations was $36.1 million and $78.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net cash in the amount of $19.5 million was used for earnout provisions from prior year acquisitions, compared to $51.2 million in the same period of 2008. Purchases of property and equipment were $14.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $24.3 million in the same period of 2008.

Cash used in financing activities of continuing operations was $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations of $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, proceeds from existing credit facilities were $50.9 million compared to $100.3 million in the same period of 2008. Repayment of debt was $62.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and $85.5 million in the same period of 2008.  Cash used to acquire noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary was $5.9 million and $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  In addition, $1.1 million was distributed to noncontrolling interests in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Debt and Capital

In 2005, the Company executed a revolving credit agreement with a bank syndication (the “Credit Agreement”).  Borrowings available under the Credit Agreement total up to $225 million.  The Credit Agreement includes a $10 million sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit and up to a $5 million swing loan facility.  The credit facility maturity date is September 28, 2010. The Credit Agreement is collateralized by the stock and accounts receivable of the Company’s subsidiaries.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had available lines of credit of $209.7 million, and was in compliance with the financial covenants of its loan agreements. In the event that the First American Offer is accepted and consummated with a merger, this may be determined to be an "Event of Default," under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

First Advantage filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of up to 5.0 million shares of our Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share, from time to time as full or partial consideration for the acquisition of businesses, assets or securities of other business entities.  The Registration Statement was declared effective on January 9, 2006.  A total of 1,338,631 shares were issued for acquisitions as of September 30, 2009.


Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following is a schedule of long-term contractual commitments, as of September 30, 2009, over the periods in which they are expected to be paid.


(In thousands)
 
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
Thereafter
   
Total
 
 Minimum contract purchase commitments
  $ 1,019     $ 2,653     $ 897     $ 41     $ 41     $ 26     $ 4,677  
 Advertising commitments
    105       -       -       -       -       -       105  
 Operating leases
    3,670       12,576       8,931       7,024       6,958       14,907       54,066  
 Debt and capital leases
    2,359       18,420       492       72       78       53       21,474  
 Interest payments related to debt (1)
    197       231       4       -       -       -       432  
 Total (2)
  $ 7,350     $ 33,880     $ 10,324     $ 7,137     $ 7,077     $ 14,986     $ 80,754  
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
(1) Estimated interest payments are calculated assuming current interest rates over minimum maturity periods specified in debt agreements.
(2) Excludes tax liability of $4.9 million due to uncertainty of payment period.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 
    There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk since filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 
    The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, have concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under such Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.

    There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
 
Legal Proceedings
 
    On July 2, 2009, Norfolk County Retirement System filed a Verified Class Action Complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against First American, First Advantage and Parker S. Kennedy. Norfolk County Retirement System contends that as a result of the June 26, 2009 offer, the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the minority public stockholders of First Advantage. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, to enjoin the consummation or closing of the Offer.
 
In addition, First Advantage’s subsidiaries are involved in litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of their businesses. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation involving these entities will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2008.

 
 
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 
 Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders


    None

 
 Item 5.
Other Information

None

  
Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.




 



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.

FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORATION
(Registrant)
     
       
Date:  October 29, 2009
By:
/s/ ANAND NALLATHAMBI        
    Name:  Anand Nallathambi  
    Title:  Chief Executive Officer  
       
     
       
Date:  October 29, 2009
By:
/s/ JOHN LAMSON  
    Name:  John Lamson  
    Title: Chief Financial Officer  
       





EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                                Description


 
10.1
Third Amended and Restated Services Agreement between The First American Corporation and First Advantage Corporation, effective January 1, 2009.

 
31.1
Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
31.2
Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
32.1
Certifications pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
32.2
Certifications pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002















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