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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-32_1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-31_1.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-23_1.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-32_2.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-21_1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORP	a2197640zex-31_2.htm

Portfolio Purchases by Region

        Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company was involved in acquiring $14.1 million of Portfolio Assets with a Face Value of approximately $22.3 million—of which FirstCity's investment share was $12.6 million.

Sources of Portfolio Assets

        FirstCity develops its Portfolio Asset opportunities through a variety of sources. Since the activities or contemplated activities of expected sellers are generally publicized in industry publications and through other similar sources, FirstCity monitors such publications and similar sources. FirstCity also maintains relationships with a variety of parties involved as sellers or as brokers or agents for sellers. Many of the brokers and agents concentrate by asset type and have become familiar with FirstCity's acquisition criteria and periodically approach FirstCity with identified opportunities. In addition, business referrals from other investors in Acquisition Partnerships, repeat business from previous sellers, focused marketing by FirstCity and the nationwide presence of FirstCity are important sources of business.

        FirstCity identifies investment opportunities in foreign markets in much the same manner as in the United States. In varying degrees of volume and efficiency, the markets of Europe and Latin America all include sellers of non-performing assets. In some countries, such as Mexico, the government has taken a very active role in the management and orderly disposition of these types of assets. FirstCity's established presence in Latin America and Europe provides a strong base for the identification, valuation, and acquisition of assets in those countries, as well as in adjacent markets. FirstCity continues to identify partners who have contacts within various foreign markets and/or can assist in locating Portfolio Asset investment opportunities with FirstCity.

Asset Analysis and Underwriting

        Prior to making an offer to acquire any Portfolio, FirstCity performs an extensive evaluation of the assets that comprise the Portfolio. If, as is often the case, the Portfolio Assets are non-homogeneous, FirstCity evaluates all individual assets determined to be significant to the total of the proposed purchase. If the Portfolio Assets are homogenous in nature, a sample of the assets comprising the Portfolio may be selected for evaluation. The evaluation of individual assets generally includes analyzing the credit and collateral file or other due diligence information supplied by the seller. Based upon such seller-provided information, FirstCity undertakes additional evaluations of the asset, that, to the extent permitted by the seller, include site visits to, and environmental reviews of the property

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securing the loan or the asset proposed to be purchased. FirstCity also analyzes relevant local economic and market conditions based on information obtained from its prior experience in the market or from other sources, such as local appraisers, real estate principals, realtors and brokers.

        The evaluation includes an analysis of an asset's projected cash flow and sources of repayment, including the availability of third party guarantees. FirstCity values loans (and other assets included in a portfolio) on the basis of its estimate of the present value of estimated cash flow to be derived in the resolution process. Once the cash flow estimates for a proposed purchase and the financing and partnership structure, if any, are finalized, FirstCity can complete the determination of its proposed purchase price for the targeted Portfolio Assets. Purchases are subject to purchase and sale agreements between the seller and the purchasing affiliate of FirstCity.

        The analysis and underwriting procedure in foreign markets follows the same extensive diligence philosophy as that employed by the Company domestically. Additional risks are evaluated in foreign markets, including economic factors (inflation or deflation), currency strength, short and long-term market stability and political concerns. These risks are evaluated and priced into the cost of the acquisition.

Servicing

Portfolio Assets

        After a Portfolio is acquired, FirstCity assigns the Portfolio Assets to account servicing officers who are independent of the personnel that performed the due diligence evaluation in connection with the purchase of the Portfolio. Portfolio Assets are serviced either at the Company's headquarters or in one of FirstCity's other offices. FirstCity may establish servicing operations in locations in close proximity to significant concentrations of Portfolio Assets. Such offices are reviewed for closing after the assets in the geographic region surrounding the office are substantially resolved. The assigned account servicing officer develops a business plan and budget for each asset based upon an independent review of the cash flow projections developed during the investment evaluation, physical inspections of assets or collateral underlying the related loans, evaluation of local market conditions and discussions with the relevant borrower. Budgets are periodically reviewed and revised as necessary. FirstCity employs loan-tracking software and other operational systems that are generally similar to systems used by commercial banks, but which have been enhanced to track both the collected and the projected cash flows from Portfolio Assets.

        The Company does not recognize capitalized servicing rights related to its Portfolio Assets because servicing is not contractually separated from the underlying assets by sale or securitization of the assets with servicing retained or separate purchase or assumption of the servicing, and FirstCity does not have the risks and rewards of ownership of the servicing rights. FirstCity services, in all material respects, the Portfolio Assets owned for its own account, the Portfolio Assets owned by the Acquisition Partnerships and, to a very limited extent, certain Portfolio Assets owned by third parties. In connection with the Acquisition Partnerships in the United States, FirstCity generally earns a servicing fee, which is a percentage of gross cash collections generated rather than a management fee based on the Face Value of the asset being serviced. The rate of servicing fee charged is generally a function of the average Face Value of the assets within each pool being serviced (the larger the average Face Value of the assets in a Portfolio, the lower the fee percentage within the prescribed range), the type of assets and the level of servicing required on each asset. For the Mexican Acquisition Partnerships, FirstCity earns a servicing fee based on costs of servicing plus a profit margin. The Company also has certain consulting contracts with its Mexican investment entities pursuant to which the Company is entitled to additional compensation for servicing once a specified return to the investors has been achieved. The Acquisition Partnerships in Europe and South America are serviced by various entities in which the Company maintains an equity interest in the servicing entities. In all cases, service fees are recognized as they are earned in accordance with the servicing agreements.

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Small Business Administration Loans

        In connection with the Company's lending activities relative to U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") loan programs, the Company recognizes servicing assets through the sale of originated or purchased loans when servicing rights are retained. The Company generally recognizes and measures at fair value purchased servicing rights and servicing rights obtained from the sale of SBA loans previously originated or purchased. The Company subsequently measures the servicing assets by using the amortization method, which amortizes servicing assets in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. The amortization of the servicing assets is analyzed periodically and is adjusted to reflect changes in prepayment rates and other estimates.

Structure and Financing of Portfolio Asset Purchases

        Portfolio Assets are either acquired for the account of a FirstCity subsidiary or through the Acquisition Partnerships. Portfolio Assets acquired directly by a FirstCity subsidiary may be funded with equity financing provided by a third party lender, loans made by FirstCity to its subsidiaries, and/or other secured debt that is recourse only to the FirstCity subsidiary acquiring the Portfolio Assets. Portfolio Assets owned directly by an Acquisition Partnership may be funded with equity contributions, loans made by a co-investor and/or FirstCity or one of its subsidiaries, financing provided by third parties, and/or other secured debt that is recourse only to the Acquisition Partnership.

        Each domestic Acquisition Partnership is a separate legal entity, (generally a limited partnership, but may also take the form of a limited liability company, trust, corporation or other type of legal business structure). FirstCity and an investor typically form a new special-purpose entity that owns the Acquisition Partnership. Generally, for a majority of the domestic Acquisition Partnerships, FirstCity and another investor each have an effective 50% ownership interest in the domestic Acquisition Partnership.

        In foreign markets, FirstCity evaluates the establishment of the Acquisition Partnership ownership structures and in conjunction with its co-investors, performs significant due diligence and planning on the tax, licensing, and other ownership issues of the particular country. As in the United States, each foreign Acquisition Partnership is a separate legal entity, generally formed as the equivalent of a limited liability company or a liquidating trust. For the European and Latin American Acquisition Partnerships, FirstCity generally has an effective ownership interest in the underlying entities ranging from 10%-50%.

        When Acquisition Partnerships are funded with acquisition financing, the debt is usually secured only by the assets of the individual entity, and are nonrecourse to the Company, its co-investors and the other Acquisition Partnerships. FirstCity believes that this legal structure insulates the Company and the other Acquisition Partnerships from certain potential risks, while permitting FirstCity to share in the economic benefits of each Acquisition Partnership.

        Senior secured acquisition financing by Bank of Scotland plc provides all of the financing for funding of purchase of Portfolio Assets by FH Partners LLC ("FH Partners"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity (see "Relationship with Bank of Scotland" below). Purchases of Portfolio Assets by other FirstCity subsidiaries may be financed by senior secured acquisition financing provided by FirstCity or other lenders. Purchases of Portfolio Assets by Acquisition Partnerships may be financed by senior secured acquisition financing provided by FirstCity and/or other investors or secured financing provided by other third party lenders. Senior acquisition financing is obtained at variable interest rates with negotiated spreads to the base rates. The terms of the senior acquisition debt of the Acquisition Partnerships often allow, under certain conditions, distributions to equity partners before the debt is repaid in full.

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        Prior to maturity of any senior acquisition debt, the Acquisition Partnerships typically refinance the senior acquisition debt with long-term debt secured by the assets of the partnership. Such long-term debt generally accrues interest at a lower rate than the senior acquisition debt, has collateral terms similar to the senior acquisition debt, and permits distributions of excess cash flow generated by the Acquisition Partnership to the equity partners so long as the partnership is in compliance with applicable financial covenants.

Relationships with Other Investors in Acquisition Partnerships

        Cargill, Inc., an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services, and certain of its affiliates, are investors in a majority of our domestic and European Acquisition Partnerships. Cargill, Inc. is generally regarded as one of the world's largest privately-held corporations. Although management believes that our relationship with Cargill is excellent, there can be no assurance that such relationship will continue in the future. FirstCity is not dependent on Cargill or its affiliates for future liquidity or funding.

        American International Group, Inc. ("AIG"), an international insurance organization, and certain of its affiliates are investors in a substantial majority of our Latin American Acquisition Partnerships. Although management believes that our relationship with AIG is excellent, there can be no assurance that such relationship will continue in the future. The Company is not dependent on AIG for future liquidity or funding.

Relationship with Bank of Scotland plc

        FirstCity has a significant relationship with Bank of Scotland plc ("Bank of Scotland") and its subsidiaries. Since 1997, Bank of Scotland and certain of its affiliates have provided credit facilities to FirstCity and its subsidiaries.

        Bank of Scotland provides FirstCity and its subsidiaries a loan facility under a revolving credit agreement to finance the senior debt and equity portion of portfolio and asset purchases, provide for the issuance of letters of credit, and for working capital loans. The maximum available commitment under this revolving credit facility was $225.0 million at December 31, 2009. This facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and certain of its subsidiaries, and guaranteed by substantially all of FirstCity's wholly-owned subsidiaries.

        FH Partners has a $100.0 million revolving credit facility with Bank of Scotland to finance portfolio and asset purchases consummated by FH Partners. This facility is secured by all assets of FH Partners and guaranteed by FirstCity and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

        In addition, FirstCity has a $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement with BoS(USA), Inc. ("BoS(USA)"), a subsidiary of Bank of Scotland, which may be used to finance equity investments in new ventures, equity investments made in connection with portfolio and asset purchases and loans made by FirstCity and its subsidiaries to acquisition entities, provide for the issuance of letters of credit, and for working capital loans. This credit agreement is guaranteed by substantially all of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity and secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

        In connection with a previous financing arrangement, FirstCity issued a warrant to BoS(USA) to purchase 425,000 shares of the Company's voting common stock at $2.3125 per share. This warrant also entitled BoS(USA) to additional warrants under certain specific situations to retain its ability to own approximately 4.86% of the Company's voting common stock. The warrant expired on December 31, 2009 without being exercised.

        Refer to Notes 2 and 8 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional details and terms underlying the Company's loan facilities with the Bank of Scotland and BoS(USA).

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Business Strategy of Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution Business

        Historically, FirstCity has leveraged its expertise in asset resolution and servicing by investing in a wide variety of asset types across a broad geographic scope. FirstCity continues to follow this investment strategy and seeks expansion opportunities into new asset classes and geographic areas when it believes it can achieve attractive risk adjusted returns. The following items are significant elements of FirstCity's business strategy in the portfolio acquisition and resolution business:

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Traditional markets.  FirstCity believes it will continue to invest in Portfolio Assets acquired from financial institutions, governmental agencies and other sellers, either for its own account or through investment entities formed with one or more co-investors.



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Niche markets.  FirstCity believes it will continue to pursue investment opportunities in profitable private market niches. The niche investment opportunities that FirstCity has pursued to date include (i) the acquisition of improved or unimproved real estate, including excess retail sites, and (ii) periodic purchases of single financial or real estate assets from banks and other financial institutions with which FirstCity has established relationships, and from a variety of other sellers that are familiar with the Company's reputation for acting quickly and efficiently.



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Foreign markets.  FirstCity believes that the foreign markets for Portfolio Assets are less developed than the U.S. market, and therefore provide an opportunity to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. FirstCity has purchased Portfolio Assets in countries in Europe and Latin America, and expects to continue to seek investment opportunities outside of the United States.



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SBA lending.  The Company believes that the ability to acquire and originate SBA loans through its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Business Lending, Inc. (a small business lending company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration), provides diversity that creates an attractive growth opportunity within the U.S. market.

Special Situations Platform Business Segment

        FirstCity's entry into its Special Situations Platform business began in 2007 with the formation of FirstCity Denver—a majority-owned subsidiary which was designed to provide the Company with another investment platform to leverage the skills and expertise of management and other business partners by seeking out additional investment opportunities that align with the Company's overall business strategy. In the Special Situations Platform business, FirstCity Denver provides investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies through flexible capital structuring arrangements. FirstCity Denver's primary investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments, and to generally structure the investments to be repaid or exited in 12 to 36 months. We invest primarily in U.S. middle-market companies, where we believe the supply of primary capital is limited and the investment opportunities are most attractive.

        Our investment opportunities in middle-market companies target restructurings, turnarounds, businesses with robust market positions, and other special situations. The nature of our capital investments primarily take the form of senior and junior financing arrangements, but also include direct equity investments, common equity warrants, distressed debt transactions, and leveraged buyouts. The composition of our investments will change over time given our views on, among other factors, the economic and credit environments that impact our operations.

        To date, FirstCity Denver has been involved in middle-market transactions with total investment values approximating $71.1 million. In connection with these investments, FirstCity Denver provided $43.9 million of investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies—$34.3 million in the form of debt investments and $9.6 million as equity investments. Subsequent to December 31, 2009, FirstCity Denver invested an additional $4.6 million in the form of debt investments.

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Market Opportunity

        We believe the environment for investing in middle-market companies is attractive for the following reasons:

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We believe middle-market companies have faced increasing difficulty in accessing the capital markets due to the severe dislocation in the credit markets, and capital-constraints and underwriting limitations experienced by commercial banks.



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We believe recent disruptions within the credit markets generally have resulted in a reduction in competition and a more lender-friendly environment due to a decline in the scope and availability of middle-market financing arrangements.



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We believe consolidation among commercial banks has reduced their service and product offerings to middle-market business.



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We believe the current economic downturn has resulted in defaults and covenant breaches by middle-market companies, which will require new capital to shore-up liquidity or provide new capital through restructuring.

Sources of Investments

        FirstCity Denver has established an extensive referral network comprised of investment bankers, private equity firms, trade organizations, commercial bankers, attorneys, businesses and financial brokers. Our origination efforts include calling on and visiting these contacts and other middle-market intermediaries to generate deal flow. In addition, we maintain an extensive database of middle-market professionals and participants, which enables us to monitor and evaluate the middle-market investing environment. This database is used to help us assess whether we are penetrating our target markets and to accurately track terms and pricing. We expect that our ability to leverage these relationships and transaction information will continue to result in the referral of investment opportunities to us.

Investment Selection

        FirstCity Denver chooses investments based on the investment experience of its professionals and a detailed investment analysis for each investment opportunity. We selectively narrow prospective investment opportunities through a process designed to identify the most attractive opportunities. We follow a rigorous process based on:

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a comprehensive analysis of the company's creditworthiness, including a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the company's business;



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an evaluation of management and their economic incentives;



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an analysis of business strategy and industry trends; and



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an in-depth examination of capital structure, financial results and projections.

        We seek to identify companies that exhibit superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong defensible business franchises while focusing on the relative value of the security in the company's capital structure.

Due Diligence

        If an investment opportunity merits pursuit, FirstCity Denver engages in an intensive due diligence process that involves extensive research into the target company, its management, its industry, its

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growth prospects, and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. Though each transaction involves a somewhat different approach, the due diligence steps that we generally undertake include:

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meeting with the target company's management to get an insider's view of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects;



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checking management's backgrounds and references;



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performing a detailed review of historical financial performance and the quality of earnings;



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visiting headquarters and company operations and meeting with top and middle-level executives;



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contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices;



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conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the company to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis;



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researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives (including Wall Street research, industry association and general news);



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assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth; and



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investigating legal risks and financial and accounting systems.

        After completion of the due diligence process, the investment team involved in the transaction prepares a written investment analysis. Senior management involved in the transaction reviews the analysis, and if they are in favor of making the potential investment, the analysis is then presented to the investment committee for consideration. After an investment has been approved by the investment committee, a more-extensive due diligence process is employed by the transaction team. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third-party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Investment Structure

        FirstCity Denver's investments in middle-market companies primarily take the form of first- and second-lien loans and mezzanine debt. We tailor the terms of our debt investments to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective company, negotiating a structure that aims to protect our rights and manage our risk while creating incentives for the company to achieve its business plan and improve its profitability.

        For first- and second-lien senior loans, we generally obtain security interests in the company's assets that will serve as collateral in support of repayment of loans. This collateral may take the form of first- or second-priority liens on the assets of the company.

        We generally structure our mezzanine investments as subordinated loans that provide for relatively high, fixed interest rates that provide us with significant current income. These loans typically have interest-only payments in the early months, with amortization of principal deferred to the later term of the loans. In addition, our mezzanine investments will generally be collateralized by a subordinate lien on some or all of the assets of the company.

        In some cases, our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest payable to be payment-in-kind interest. To the extent interest is payment-in-kind, it will be payable through the increase of the principal amount of the loan by the amount of interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of the loan.

        In general, our debt investments include financial covenants and terms that require the company to reduce leverage over time, thereby enhancing credit quality. These methods may include, among other

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things: (i) maintenance leverage covenants; (ii) maintenance cash flow covenants; and (iii) indebtedness incurrence prohibitions. In addition, limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures prevent a company from changing the nature of its business or capitalization without our consent.

        Our debt investments may include equity features, such as carried interests and warrants to obtain or buy a minority interest in the company. Carried equity interests and warrants that we receive in connection with our debt investments may require only a nominal cost to obtain or exercise, and thus, as the middle-market company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment returns from these equity interests. In addition, our equity investments occasionally take the form of direct control-oriented investments in connection with buyout transactions.

Leverage

        FirstCity Denver's investment activities are funded primarily by borrowings made on the Company's $225.0 million revolving credit facility with Bank of Scotland and the $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement with BoS(USA). We intend to continue borrowing under these facilities to finance future capital investments consummated by FirstCity Denver. Refer to Notes 2 and 8 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional details and terms underlying the Company's loan facilities with the Bank of Scotland and BoS(USA).

Government Regulation

        Certain aspects of the Company's business are subject to regulation under various domestic federal, state and local statutes and regulations and various foreign laws and regulations that impose requirements and restrictions affecting, among other things, disclosures to obligors, the terms of secured transactions, collection, repossession and claims handling procedures, multiple qualification and licensing requirements for conducting business in various jurisdictions, and other trade practices. Additional laws and regulations, or amendment to existing laws and regulations, may be enacted that could impose additional restrictions on the servicing and collection of Portfolio Assets and other receivables—which in turn could adversely impact our ability to realize the carrying value of these assets.

Competition

Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution Business Segment

        The Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business is highly competitive. Some of the Company's principal competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial resources than the Company. As such, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some competitors may be better-suited than the Company to acquire Portfolio Assets, to pursue new business opportunities, or to survive periods of industry consolidation. Generally, there are three aspects of the distressed asset acquisition and resolution business: due diligence, Portfolio management, and servicing. The Company is a major participant in all three arenas. In comparison, certain of our competitors have historically competed primarily as portfolio purchasers and have customarily engaged other parties to conduct due diligence on potential purchases and to service acquired assets, and certain other competitors have historically competed primarily as servicing companies.

        The Company believes that its ability to acquire, service and resolve Portfolio Assets for its own account and through Acquisition Partnerships will be a significant component of the Company's overall future growth. Portfolio Asset acquisitions are often based on competitive bidding—which involves the risks of bidding too low (which generates no business) or bidding too high (which could result in the purchase of a Portfolio at an economically unattractive price).

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Special Situations Platform Business Segment

        The Company's primary competition to provide financing to middle-market companies includes public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, insurance companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Many of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. We use industry information available to our investment management team to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in middle-market companies. Furthermore, we believe the relationships of our professionals enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, investment opportunities with attractive middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest.

Employees

        The Company had 365 employees as of December 31, 2009, including 97 employees attributable to a radio broadcast equipment manufacturing company that FirstCity Denver acquired on December 11, 2009 (refer to Note 3 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information on this transaction). The Company had 265 employees at December 31, 2008. FirstCity believes that it has been successful in attracting quality employees and that employee relations are good.

Foreign Operations

        We have investments in various Acquisition Partnerships and servicing entities in Europe and Latin America. Revenues outside of the U.S. are a material part of our business, as they accounted for more than 16% of our consolidated revenues and equity in earnings of subsidiaries for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. See Note 18 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for summarized information relating to the Company's foreign revenues.

        The Company has determined that the local currency is the functional currency for its operations outside the United States (primarily Europe and Latin America). We translate the results for our foreign subsidiaries and affiliates from the designated functional currency to the U.S. dollar using average exchange rates during the relevant period, while we translate assets and liabilities at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Since our revenues in foreign operations are denominated in non-U.S. currencies, fluctuations in exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and assets. In addition, changes in exchange rates associated with U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities result in foreign currency transaction gains and losses.

        Since we report our results of operations in U.S. dollars, changes in relative foreign currency valuations from our foreign operations may result in reductions in our reported revenues, operating income and earnings, as well as a reduction in the carrying value of our foreign-related assets. Accordingly, if the values of local currencies in foreign countries in which certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates conduct business depreciate relative to the U.S. dollar, we would expect our operating results in future periods, and the value of our assets held in local currencies, to be adversely impacted.

        Refer to Note 18 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for financial information on our revenues and assets by geographic area.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

        As a "smaller reporting company" as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide information required by this Item.

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Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

        None.

Item 2.    Properties.

        The Company occupies approximately 65,000 square feet of office space and 89,000 square feet of manufacturing plant facilities, all of which is leased. The following is a list as of December 31, 2009 of the principal physical properties that are used by our significant business segments.

        The Company leases its principal executive offices and primary domestic servicing offices under a non-cancellable operating lease, which expires December 31, 2011. All other office and facility leases of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries expire in various years through 2016. We believe that these facilities are suitable and adequate for the business that we currently conduct. However, we periodically review our space requirements and may acquire new space to meet the needs of our business, or consolidate and dispose of facilities that are no longer required.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        FirstCity and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates (including Acquisition Partnerships) are involved in various claims and legal proceedings which are incidental to the ordinary course of our business. We initiate lawsuits against borrowers and are occasionally countersued by them in such actions. From time to time, other types of lawsuits are brought against us. In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of pending legal actions and proceedings, the Company cannot state with certainty the eventual outcome of any such proceedings. Based on current knowledge, management does not believe that liabilities, if any, arising from any ordinary course proceeding will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, operations, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

FCLT Litigation

        On January 19, 2005, Prudential Financial, Inc. ("Prudential") filed a petition in interpleader seeking to interplead 321,211 shares of Prudential common stock and any associated dividends arising from the demutualization of Prudential in December 2000. The shares of Prudential common stock related to group annuity contracts purchased by First-City National Bank of Houston, as trustee of the First City Bancorporation Employee Retirement Trust (the "Trust") to fund obligations to participants in the First City Bancorporation Employee Retirement Plan (the "Plan") in connection with termination of the Plan and the Trust in 1987. FirstCity, FCLT Loans Asset Corp. ("FCLT"), an alleged assignee of the FirstCity Liquidating Trust, JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association ("JP Morgan"), and First-City National Bank of Houston as trustee of the Trust were made defendants in the suit as claimants to the Prudential common stock and dividends. An agreed order dated January 27, 2005, was entered by the Court providing that the Prudential common stock be transferred to JP Morgan as record owner and that JP Morgan sell the stock. The January 27, 2005 order also provided that the proceeds from the sale be held by JP Morgan pending resolution, by agreement or court order, of all conflicting claims to the proceeds. JP Morgan advised that the Prudential common

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stock was sold on January 28, 2005 for total proceeds of approximately $17.5 million. JP Morgan also received funds in the amount of approximately $489,000, which were dividend payments related to the Prudential common stock. JP Morgan filed a third party action naming Timothy J. Blair as a third party defendant with an alleged interest in the demutualization proceeds. On October 1, 2005, the court certified a class represented by Mr. Blair.

        Following various court rulings and mediation proceedings, on September 25, 2009, FirstCity, FCLT and Mr. Blair, individually and as representative of a class of former employee beneficiaries, entered into an Agreement and Stipulation of Settlement, subject to court approval, which provided for the settlement of the pending lawsuit related to the ownership of demutualization proceeds from the sale of Prudential stock and dividends interpled by Prudential. The settlement provided for each party to receive one-third of the demutualization proceeds, which totaled approximately $18.6 million at the time of settlement, net of approximately $0.3 million that JP Morgan will retain to pay fees, expenses and tax payments. On December 22, 2009, the parties reached final settlement and FirstCity received approximately $6.1 million as its share of the settlement proceeds. The final settlement is non-appealable, and each party released the other parties from all claims related to the lawsuit.

Wave Tec Pools, Inc. Litigation

        On March 20, 2007, Superior Funding, Inc., Wave Tec Pools, Inc. and Nations Pool Supply, Inc. (collectively "Plaintiffs") filed a First Amended Petition adding FH Partners (formerly FH Partners, L.P.) and FirstCity Servicing Corporation, each a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, and FirstCity Financial Corporation as defendants in a suit filed by Plaintiffs against State Bank and Cole Harmonson. FirstCity Financial Corporation was served with Plaintiff's Notice of Nonsuit Without Prejudice in the suit on April 25, 2007. Grandview Homes, Inc. was subsequently added as an additional plaintiff. The Plaintiffs' claims relate to alleged breaches by FH Partners and FirstCity Servicing Corporation in connection with a loan agreement related to a loan from State Bank to Plaintiffs that was purchased by FH Partners from State Bank on December 22, 2006. The Plaintiffs allege that they entered into a loan or line of credit with State Bank and that due to an error by State Bank the Plaintiffs borrowed more on the line of credit than was allowed under the borrowing base which State Bank agreed would be cured if the Plaintiffs pledged additional property to secure the loans. Plaintiffs allege that State Bank, and subsequently FH Partners, have refused to honor the agreement by State Bank concerning the pledge of the additional property. Plaintiffs allege that they have sustained actual damages of $165 million as a result of the joint actions of State Bank, Cole Harmonson, FH Partners and FirstCity Servicing Corporation. The Plaintiffs additionally seek recovery of statutory penalties and attorney's fees. Plaintiffs additionally assert that FH Partners and FirstCity were aware of State Bank's wrongful conduct and continued to engage in it and that the Plaintiffs were obligated to mitigate their damages. On October 9, 2007, FH Partners filed a collection suit against the Plaintiffs and guarantors to recover the balance of the debt owed under the loans and to realize upon the security interests securing the loans. On September 25, 2009, the Plaintiffs filed a non-suit without prejudice of FH Partners and FirstCity Servicing Corporation in the original suit filed against State Bank and other parties. The claims in the original suit have been raised as counterclaims in the collection suit initiated by FH Partners. Trial has been set in the collection suit for August 2, 2010. FirstCity does not have sufficient information to estimate any potential liability or probability of liability, but is unaware of any factual or legal basis for liability. Given the magnitude of the Plaintiffs' wrongdoing and the lack of any evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of FirstCity or FH Partners, management believes that an unfavorable outcome in the lender liability suit seems remote.

Item 4.    Reserved.

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

        The Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FCFC. The number of holders of record of common stock on March 25, 2010 was approximately 694, as provided by American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the Company's transfer agent. The following table displays the high and low sales prices for the Company's common stock for the periods indicated:

        The Company has never declared or paid a dividend on the common stock. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings to finance its growth and development and therefore does not anticipate that it will declare or pay any dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to payment of dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company and will depend upon the Company's operating results, financial condition, capital requirements, general business conditions and such other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant. Certain loan facilities to which the Company and its subsidiaries are parties contain restrictions relating to the payment of dividends and other distributions.

        The following table presents information about our purchases of our common shares during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009:

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        The following table provides information as of December 31, 2009 with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Company's equity compensation plans:

        At the 2009 annual meeting of FirstCity stockholders held on November 13, 2009, the stockholders approved the 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan. This plan will enable the Company to make stock awards up to a total of 300,000 common shares (net of shares cancelled and forfeited) in various forms and combinations including stock options, performance shares and restricted stock. The 2010 Stock Option and Award Plan will become effective on April 1, 2010 (i.e. the shares were not available for issuance at December 31, 2009).

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

        As a "smaller reporting company" as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide information required by this Item.

Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

        The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company (including the Notes thereto) included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

        FirstCity is a financial services company that engages in two major business segments—Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution and Special Situations Platform. The Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business has been the Company's core business segment since it commenced operations in 1986. In the Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business, the Company acquires portfolios of performing and non-performing loans and other assets (collectively, "Portfolio Assets" or "Portfolios"), generally at a discount to their legal principal balances or appraised values, and services and resolves such Portfolio Assets in an effort to maximize the present value of the ultimate cash recoveries. Through its Special Situations Platform, the Company provides investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies through flexible capital structuring arrangements to generate an attractive risk-adjusted return. These capital investments primarily take the form of senior and junior financing arrangements, but also include direct equity investments, common equity warrants, distressed debt transactions, and leveraged buyouts.

        The declines in global economic conditions that began in 2008 continued through 2009. Despite the challenging economic environment, FirstCity recorded net income of $18.7 million, or $1.83 per diluted share, in 2009 (compared to a net loss of $46.7 million, or ($4.55) per diluted share, in 2008). Revenue streams generated by the Company's earning assets and servicing platform positively impacted

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earnings in 2009—as revenues increased to $79.8 million in 2009 compared to $45.2 million in 2008. The Company's revenues in 2009 included $53.8 million of gains and income from Portfolio Assets; $7.1 million of interest income and gains from loans receivable; and $3.1 million of revenue attributable to our majority-owned railroad operations. The Company's net earnings increase for the fiscal year ended 2009 compared to the fiscal year ended 2008 was also positively impacted by a $15.1 million decrease in net impairment provisions; a $2.3 million increase in foreign currency transaction gains; an $18.0 million decrease in income tax expense; and $6.1 million of other income recorded by FirstCity in the fourth quarter of 2009 in connection with the settlement of a lawsuit (refer to Note 21 of our 2009 consolidated financial statements).

        Components of FirstCity's results of operations for the fiscal years ended 2009 and 2008 are detailed below (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

        In 2009, the Company was involved in acquiring $200.6 million of Portfolio Assets with a Face Value of approximately $410.1 million—of which FirstCity's investment share was $147.7 million (all in the United States). In addition to its Portfolio Asset acquisitions in 2009, FirstCity invested $21.6 million in the form of SBA loan originations and advances; $11.2 million the form of equity investments (European Acquisition Partnerships); and $1.1 million of other investments. FirstCity was also involved in $20.0 million of debt and equity investments in 2009 under its Special Situations Platform ("FirstCity Denver")—of which FirstCity's investment share was $12.4 million. FirstCity's total investment level in 2009 was $193.9 million compared to $125.2 million in 2008. Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company was involved in acquiring $14.1 million of Portfolio Assets with a face value of approximately $22.3 million (of which FirstCity's investment share was $12.6 million) and invested $10.9 million in the form of debt and equity investments.

        At December 31, 2009, the carrying value of FirstCity's earning assets (primarily Portfolio Assets, equity investments, loans receivable, and entity-level earning assets) approximated $366.2 million—compared to $296.3 million a year ago. The global distribution of FirstCity's earning assets (at carrying value) at December 31, 2009 included $267.1 million in the United States; $57.9 million in Europe; and $41.2 million in Latin America.

Net Impairment Provisions

        The Company incurred $10.8 million of net impairment provisions in 2009 (including $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009)—comprised of $5.3 million of net provisions recorded to our consolidated loans and portfolios, and $5.5 million as our share of net impairment provisions recorded to loans and portfolios held in our unconsolidated Acquisition Partnerships. The global distribution of the $10.8 million net impairment provisions recorded by the Company in 2009 includes $9.3 million in the United States, $1.0 million in Latin America, and $0.5 million in Europe. These impairment provisions were attributed primarily to declines in values of loan collateral and real estate assets in our domestic loans and portfolios. The impairment provisions were identified in connection with

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management's quarterly evaluation of the collectability of the Company's Portfolio Assets and loans receivable. The process for evaluating and measuring impairment is critical to our financial results, as it requires subjective and complex judgments due to the need to make estimates about the impact of matters that are uncertain. This process also requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. It remains unclear what impact the illiquid markets, real estate value declines and the overall economic slowdown will ultimately have on our financial results. These conditions could adversely impact our business if borrowers cannot refinance their loans and/or continue to make payments—which in turn could lead to rising loan defaults and foreclosures on loan collateral. Therefore, we cannot provide assurance that, in any particular period, we will not incur additional impairment provisions in the future.

Foreign Currency Transaction Gains

        The combined impact of foreign currency transactions from the Company's consolidated and unconsolidated foreign operations resulted in a $47,000 foreign currency transaction gain in 2009 (compared to a combined impact of a $2.2 million foreign currency transaction loss in 2008). It remains unclear what impact that weakened global economic conditions will have on our financial holdings and investments from our European and Latin American operations. As such, we cannot provide assurance that, in any particular period, we will not incur foreign currency transaction losses in the future.

Management's Outlook

        Despite substantial losses reported in the financial services sector over the past two years and continued weaknesses in U.S. and global economies and financial markets, management remains positive on the outlook of the Company. Management believes that current market conditions should not hinder FirstCity's ability to expand its business, and that distressed asset acquisition and middle-market transaction opportunities at attractive prices and returns are available. As mentioned above, FirstCity's investment level increased to $193.9 million in 2009 from $125.2 million in 2008—comprising a $68.7 million increase. In addition, subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company has been involved in acquiring $14.1 million of Portfolio Assets with a Face Value of approximately $22.3 million (of which FirstCity's investment share was $12.6 million) and invested $10.9 million in the form of debt and equity investments.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity entered into amendments to its existing loan facilities with Bank of Scotland and BoS(USA) (collectively, "Bank of Scotland") that extended the maturity dates of the debt outstanding under these loan agreements to April 1, 2011. The credit amendments did not change the other primary terms and covenants of these loan facilities.

        FirstCity is very cognizant of the current terms of its primary credit facilities, as amended, with Bank of Scotland and the distressed condition of the U.S. financial markets that currently presents challenges for businesses in accessing liquidity. As such, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland continue negotiations relating to a long-term restructuring agreement that would, among other things, extend the maturity date of this debt beyond April 1, 2011. The Company is in the process of negotiating a 3-year term loan that allows for repayment to Bank of Scotland over time as cash flows from the underlying assets securing the loan facilities are realized. It is anticipated that the term loan would allow the Company to use its current liquidity and certain levels of cash flow to fund its overhead expenses and future investments. FirstCity will continue to actively pursue alternative funding sources with other parties to provide equity and/or debt financing to support the Company's future investment activities. There can be no assurances that FirstCity will close on a long-term restructuring agreement with Bank of Scotland for its loan facilities on terms that are acceptable to the Company, or that FirstCity will be able to obtain alternative sources of funding on acceptable terms, if at all.

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Results of Operations

        As a result of significant period-to-period fluctuations in our revenues and earnings, period-to-period comparisons of the results of our operations may not be meaningful. The Company's financial results are impacted by many factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions; fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates; fluctuations in the underlying values of real estate and other assets; the timing and ability to collect and liquidate assets; increased competition from other market players in the industries in which we operate; and the availability, prices and terms for Portfolio Assets, middle-market transactions and other investments in all of the Company's businesses. The Company's business and results of operations are also impacted by the availability of financing with terms acceptable to the Company, and our access to capital markets. Such factors, individually or combined with other factors, may result in significant fluctuations in our reported operations and in the trading price of our common stock.

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008

        Net earnings to common stockholders totaled $18.7 million in 2009 compared to net losses of $46.7 million in 2008. On a per share basis, diluted net earnings to common stockholders were $1.83 in 2009 compared to diluted net losses per common share of ($4.55) in 2008.

Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution Business Segment

        The operating contribution from the Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution segment resulted in $18.3 million of operating income in 2009 compared to $21.8 million of operating losses in 2008. FirstCity was involved in acquiring $200.6 million of Portfolio Assets in 2009 with an approximate Face Value of $410.1 million, compared to its involvement in acquiring $89.3 million of Portfolio Assets in 2008 with an approximate Face Value of $798.1 million. In 2009, FirstCity's investment share in Portfolio Asset acquisitions was $147.7 million—with $144.7 million of investment acquired through consolidated Portfolios and $3.0 million of investment acquired through Acquisition Partnerships. In 2008, FirstCity's investment share in Portfolio Asset acquisitions was $72.3 million—which was comprised of $70.2 million of investment acquired through consolidated Portfolios and $2.1 million of investment acquired through Acquisition Partnerships. In 2009, FirstCity invested an additional $33.9 million in the form of SBA loan originations and advances, direct equity investments, and other loan investments—compared to $33.0 million of such additional investments in 2008.

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        The following is a summary of the results of operations for the Company's Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business segment for 2009 and 2008:

        Servicing fee revenues.    Servicing fee revenues decreased to $9.1 million in 2009 from $10.8 million in 2008. Servicing fees from domestic Acquisition Partnerships totaled $2.3 million in 2009 compared to $2.4 million in 2008, while servicing fees from Latin American Acquisition Partnerships totaled $6.9 million in 2009 compared to $8.4 million in 2008. Servicing fees from domestic Acquisition Partnerships are generally based on a percentage of the collections received from Portfolio Assets held by these unconsolidated partnerships; whereas servicing fees from Latin American Acquisition Partnerships are generally based on the cost of servicing plus a profit margin. The slight decline in servicing fees from domestic Acquisition Partnerships for 2009 in comparison to 2008 is attributable to a modest decline in domestic Portfolio Asset collections to $30.1 million from $33.6 million for the respective periods. The decline in servicing fees from Latin American Acquisition Partnerships for 2009 in comparison to 2008 is attributable primarily to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations during the respective periods that the fees were recorded.

        Income from Portfolio Assets.    Income from Portfolio Assets increased significantly to $53.8 million in 2009 compared to $20.8 million in 2008. FirstCity's average investment in consolidated Portfolio Assets increased significantly to $202.3 million for 2009 from $127.1 million for 2008. The large increase in income from Portfolio Assets is attributed primarily to an increase in consolidated collections to $177.6 million in 2009 compared to $62.9 million in 2008 (due to FirstCity's increased holdings in consolidated Portfolio Assets); and additional interest accretion recorded by the Company

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in 2009 as a result of its increased investment level in loan Portfolio Assets. Refer to Note 4 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for a summary of income from Portfolio Assets.

        Gain on sale of SBA loans held for sale.    The Company recorded $1.3 million of gains on the sales of SBA loans in 2009 with a $22.5 million net basis in the loans sold, compared to $0.2 million of gains recorded in 2008 with a $5.1 million net basis in the loans sold. Gains on SBA loan sales reflect the Company's participation in the SBA guaranteed loan program. Under the SBA 7(a) program, the SBA guarantees up to 90 percent of the principal on a qualifying loan. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portions of originated loans into the secondary market and retains the unguaranteed portion for investment. The increased activity in 2009 is attributable to the return of investor demand for SBA loans as a result of certain federal government programs and initiatives that were implemented during the past year.

        Interest income from SBA loans.    Interest income from SBA loans decreased slightly to $1.3 million in 2009 compared to $1.6 million in 2008. Even though FirstCity's average investment in SBA loans increased to $20.2 million for 2009 from $16.4 million for 2008, the decline in interest income is attributable to a steady decline in market interest rates over the past two years (the Company's SBA loans are priced at variable market interest rates).

        Interest income from loans receivable—affiliates.    Interest income from loans receivable—affiliates increased to $2.1 million for 2009 compared to $1.3 million for 2008. The increased income is attributed to FirstCity's average investment in loans receivable—affiliates growing to $13.9 million for 2009 from $8.5 million for 2008.

        Interest income from loans receivable—other.    Interest income from loans receivable—other decreased to $0.4 million for 2009 from $0.7 million for 2008. The decline in interest income in 2009 compared to 2008 is attributable to FirstCity's increased holdings in 2009 of such loans accounted for under the cost recovery method of accounting (i.e. non-accrual method). FirstCity's average investment in loans receivable—other was $6.7 million in 2009, including $3.1 million of such loans accounted for under the cost recovery method. FirstCity's average investment in loans receivable—other was $5.6 million in 2008.

        Other income.    Other income for 2009 increased by $0.7 million in comparison to 2008 primarily due to $0.3 million of additional interest income recorded in 2009 on the Company's investment security (purchased in October 2008), and $0.6 million of additional due diligence income recorded in 2009 compared to 2008 (attributable to increased bidding and investment activity in 2009 compared to 2008).

        Expenses.    Operating expenses approximated $46.0 million in 2009 compared to $59.8 million in 2008. The following is a discussion of the major components of operating expenses:

        Interest and fees on notes payable totaled $13.6 million and $15.8 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. FirstCity's average outstanding debt increased to $284.6 million for 2009 from $201.9 million for 2008—primarily to finance its increased investment activity and to provide working capital to support future growth. However, the Company's average cost of borrowings decreased to 4.8% in 2009 compared to 7.8% in 2008 due to a decline in market interest rates.

        Salaries and benefits remained relatively constant at $14.8 million in 2009 compared to $14.9 million in 2008. The total number of personnel within the Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business segment was 210 and 214 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

        Net provisions for loan and impairment losses on our consolidated Portfolio Assets and loans receivable totaled $4.2 million in 2009 (including $3.0 million of net impairment provisions in the fourth quarter of 2009) compared to $17.2 million in 2008. The significant provisions recorded in 2008

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derived from the then-developing adverse effects of the global economic crisis, resulting in net impairment provisions of $14.1 million recorded to the Company's consolidated domestic loans; and $3.0 million of provisions recorded to domestic real estate properties. The $4.2 million of net impairment provisions in 2009 were attributed primarily to declines in values of loan collateral and real estate assets in our domestic loans and Portfolios, which were comprised of $2.3 million recorded to our consolidated loans; and $1.9 million recorded to real estate properties. The global distribution of the $4.2 million of net impairment provisions in 2009 includes $7.3 million in the United States; $0.1 million in Latin America; and $3.2 million of net provision reversals in Europe. The impairment provisions were identified in connection with management's quarterly evaluation of the collectability of the Company's Portfolio Assets and loans receivable. The process for evaluating and measuring impairment is critical to our financial results, as it requires subjective and complex judgments due to the need to make estimates about the impact of matters that are uncertain. This process also requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. It remains unclear what impact the illiquid markets, real estate value declines and the overall economic slowdown will ultimately have on our financial results. Therefore, we cannot provide assurance that, in any particular period, we will not incur additional impairment provisions in the future.

        Asset-level expenses, which generally represent costs incurred by FirstCity to manage consolidated Portfolio Assets, support foreclosed properties and to protect its security interests in loan collateral, increased to $5.9 million in 2009 from $5.4 million in 2008. The increase is attributed primarily to the Company's increased holdings in consolidated Portfolio Assets (the Company's average investment in consolidated Portfolio Assets totaled $202.3 million for 2009 compared to $127.1 million for 2008).

        Occupancy, data processing and other expenses increased to $7.4 million for 2009 from $6.5 million in 2008. The increase is attributable primarily to additional amounts of foreign currency exchange losses and third-party sub-servicing costs incurred on certain of our consolidated Portfolio Assets in 2009 compared to 2008.

        Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries.    Equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiaries (Acquisition Partnership and servicing entities) increased to $1.2 million in losses for 2009 compared to $0.7 million in losses for 2008. Equity in losses of unconsolidated Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $0.2 million in losses for 2009 from $1.0 million in earnings for 2008, and equity in losses of unconsolidated servicing entities decreased to $1.0 million in losses for 2009 compared to $1.7 million in losses for 2008. The following is a discussion of equity in earnings (loss) from FirstCity's Acquisition Partnerships by geographic region. Refer to Note 6 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for a summary of revenues, earnings and equity in earnings (loss) of FirstCity's equity investments by region.

•

Domestic—Total revenues reported by domestic Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $9.6 million in 2009 from $10.9 million in 2008. However, total net earnings reported by domestic partnerships increased to $2.8 million in earnings for 2009 compared to a $3.5 million loss in 2008. The decline in total revenues in 2009 compared to 2008 is attributable primarily to a decline in Portfolio Assets (i.e. earning assets) held by domestic Acquisition Partnerships to $51.9 million at December 31, 2009 from $58.7 million at December 31, 2008 (which resulted in a decline in collections to $30.1 million in 2009 from $33.6 million in 2008). However, the negative impact to net earnings as a result of these factors was more-than offset by a $4.3 million decline in net provisions and a $1.3 million decline in property protection expenses in 2009 compared to 2008. The collective activity described above translated to an increase in FirstCity's share of domestic partnership earnings to $1.2 million in earnings for 2009 (including $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009) compared to $1.9 million in losses for 2008.

FirstCity's average investment in domestic Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $13.8 million in 2009 from $20.7 million in 2008. As a result, FirstCity's share of domestic partnership revenues

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experienced a corresponding decrease as discussed above. Since a majority of FirstCity's domestic portfolio acquisitions over the past two years were acquired through consolidated Portfolios instead of equity-method investments in Acquisition Partnerships, the Company expects income from consolidated Portfolios to offset the decline in equity in earnings from the domestic partnerships.

•

Latin America—Total revenues reported by Latin American Acquisition Partnerships significantly decreased to $11.9 million in 2009 from $36.1 million in 2008. However, Latin American partnerships reported a smaller net loss of $6.2 million in 2009 compared to a net loss of $19.5 million in 2008. Total collections from Latin American partnerships significantly decreased to $26.3 million in 2009 from $65.1 million in 2008—which contributed to the decline in total partnership revenues in 2009 compared to 2008; and the drop in collections in 2009 contributed to the net loss reported by the partnerships in 2009. The negative impact of these factors to the total net losses reported by the Latin American Acquisition Partnerships was offset partially by the following: (1) decrease in net impairment provisions to $4.8 million in 2009 compared to $8.0 million in 2008; (2) foreign currency exchange gains of $3.2 million in 2009 compared to foreign currency exchange losses of $14.5 million in 2008—a $17.7 million positive impact; (3) decrease in servicing fees expense to $8.1 million in 2009 compared to $14.9 million in 2008; and (4) decrease in interest expense to $2.4 million in 2009 from $5.3 million in 2008. The collective activity described above translated to a favorable decline in FirstCity's share of losses in Latin American partnerships to $0.8 million in losses for 2009 (including $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2009) compared to $2.2 million in losses for 2008.

FirstCity's average investment in Latin American Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $17.8 million for 2009 from $22.8 million for 2008—which contributed to a decline in FirstCity's share of Latin American partnership revenues as discussed above. Since a majority of FirstCity's portfolio acquisitions over the past two years were acquired through consolidated Portfolios instead of equity-method investments in Acquisition Partnerships, the Company expects income from consolidated Portfolios to offset the decline in Latin American partnerships revenues.

•

Europe—Total revenues reported by European Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $16.5 million in 2009 from $41.2 million in 2008. In addition, total net earnings reported by European partnerships decreased to a $1.6 million loss for 2009 compared to $18.6 million in earnings for 2008. The decrease in total partnership net earnings reported by European partnerships was attributed primarily to (1) decrease in collections to $30.7 million in 2009 compared to $62.1 million in 2008; and (2) increase in net impairment provisions to $11.0 million in 2009 (including $5.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009) compared to $6.6 million in 2008. The negative impact of these factors to the total net earnings reported by the European Acquisition Partnerships was offset partially by the following: (1) decrease in interest expense to $1.6 million in 2009 from $3.4 million in 2008; (2) decrease in servicing fees expense to $2.2 million in 2009 from $6.8 million in 2008; and (3) a $1.4 million decrease in property protection costs and a $1.7 million decrease in legal and accounting costs in 2009 compared to 2008. The collective activity described above translated to a decrease in FirstCity's share of European partnership earnings to $0.6 million in losses for 2009 (including $1.3 million of losses in the fourth quarter of 2009) from $5.1 million in earnings for 2008.

FirstCity's average investment in European Acquisition Partnerships decreased to $12.3 million for 2009 from $26.3 million for 2008—which contributed to a decline in FirstCity's share of European partnership revenues as discussed above. Since a majority of FirstCity's portfolio acquisitions over the past two years were acquired through consolidated Portfolios instead of equity investments in Acquisition Partnerships, and in light of FirstCity's step-acquisition transactions and resulting consolidations of UBN (former unconsolidated European Acquisition Partnership) in September 2008 and sixteen French entities (former unconsolidated European

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Acquisition Partnerships) in May 2009, the Company expects income from consolidated Portfolios to offset the decline in European partnerships revenues.

        Gain on business combinations.    In 2009, the Company recorded a $1.5 million gain attributable to a step acquisition transaction in which the Company acquired a controlling financial interest in certain French Acquisition Partnerships. The Company owned a noncontrolling equity interest in these entities prior to the transaction. Pursuant to business combination accounting standards, the Company's previously-held noncontrolling interests in the French entities were remeasured to fair value on the acquisition date (May 2009)—which resulted in the Company's recognition of the $1.5 million gain. Refer to Note 3 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information on this transaction.

        Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.    The amount of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests increased to $5.2 million for 2009 from a net loss of $0.4 million for 2008. The increase is attributed primarily to a rise in net earnings from co-investments in portfolio purchases with other investors through consolidated subsidiaries in 2009 compared to 2008. The Company's carrying value of noncontrolling interests on its consolidated balance sheets, which represents the equity in consolidated subsidiaries not attributable to FirstCity, increased to $47.6 million at December 31, 2009 from $15.6 million at December 31, 2008.

Special Situations Platform Business Segment

        The operating contribution from the Special Situations Platform business segment ("FirstCity Denver") totaled $1.8 million in 2009 compared to $1.9 million in 2008. In 2009, FirstCity Denver was involved in domestic middle-market transactions with total investment values approximating $20.1 million. In connection with these 2009 investments, FirstCity Denver provided $12.4 million of investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies—comprised of $12.0 million in the form of debt and $0.4 million as equity. In 2008, FirstCity Denver was involved in middle-market transactions with total investment values approximating $28.8 million. In connection with these 2008 investments, FirstCity Denver provided $19.9 million of investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies—comprised of $16.6 million in the form of debt and $3.3 million as equity.

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        The following is summary of the results of operations for the Company's Special Situations Platform business segment for 2009 and 2008:

        Interest income from loans receivable.    Interest income from loans receivable decreased to $2.1 million in 2009 from $2.3 million in 2008. The slight decline in interest income in 2009 compared to 2008 is attributable to FirstCity Denver's increased holdings in 2009 of such loans accounted for under the cost recovery method of accounting (i.e. non-accrual method). FirstCity Denver's average investment in loans receivable was $20.0 million for 2009, including $2.5 million of such loans accounted for under the cost recovery method. For 2008, FirstCity Denver's average investment in loans receivable was $15.1 million.

        Revenue from railroad operations.    Revenue from railroad operations represents revenue generated by FirstCity Denver's majority-owned domestic railroad company that was acquired in August 2007.

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Revenue from railroad operations of $3.1 million for 2009 remained relatively constant in comparison to $3.3 million for 2008.

        Revenue from manufacturing operations, net.    Revenue from manufacturing operations in 2009 represents the net revenues generated by FirstCity Denver's majority-owned radio broadcast equipment manufacturing company that it acquired on December 11, 2009. This business's results of operations are recognized in FirstCity's consolidated results of operations for the period December 11, 2009 (acquisition date) to December 31, 2009. Refer to Note 3 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information on this transaction.

        Other income.    Other income for 2009 increased by $1.1 million in comparison to 2008 primarily due to $1.2 million of gains recognized by FirstCity Denver's majority-owned railroad operation in 2009 in connection with a property and equipment sales.

        Expenses—Railroad Operations.    Total 2009 expenses attributable to FirstCity Denver's majority-owned railroad operations remained relatively constant in comparison to 2008.

        Expenses—Other.    Expenses—Other in 2009 increased by $1.7 million in comparison to 2008 primarily due to $0.5 million of additional net impairment provisions recorded in 2009 on a middle-market company debt investment. The impairment provision was identified in connection with management's regular evaluation of the collectibility of the FirstCity Denver's loan investments. The process for evaluating and measuring impairment is critical to our financial results, as it requires subjective and complex judgments due to the need to make estimates about the impact of matters that are uncertain; and estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Other expenses for 2009 increased by $0.8 million in comparison to 2008 primarily due to additional operating expenses incurred in 2009 in connection with FirstCity Denver's consolidated investments in a real estate property (acquired in June 2008) and a radio broadcast equipment manufacturing company (acquired in December 2009; see discussion above).

        Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries.    Equity in net earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries totaled $0.9 million in 2009 and $1.0 million in 2008—which is comprised primarily of FirstCity Denver's equity earnings in its equity-method investments in a coal mine operation (for 2008 and 2009) and ceramic-ware manufacturing entity (for 2009 only). In 2009, FirstCity Denver's equity in earnings attributable to the coal mine's operating income approximated $2.4 million; however, FirstCity Denver's share of net earnings in the coal mine was offset partially by its share ($1.1 million) of a one-time charge incurred by the coal mine company in 2009 to relinquish its future reclamation liability. FirstCity Denver's share of net earnings in the ceramic-ware manufacturing entity was $0.2 million in 2009. Equity in net earnings for 2008 is attributable to FirstCity Denver's share of net earnings from its equity-method investment in the coal mine operation.

        Gain on business combinations.    In December 2009, the Company acquired an 87.45% equity interest in a business involved in the radio broadcast equipment industry. The fair value of the acquired net assets of the business exceeded FirstCity Denver's purchase price by $0.8 million—which was recognized as a bargain purchase gain under business combination accounting standards. Refer to Note 3 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information on this transaction.

Other Significant Items Affecting Operations

        The following items affect the Company's overall results of operations and are not directly allocated to the Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution or the Special Situations Platform business segments discussed above.

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        Income from lawsuit settlement.    In December 2009, FirstCity recorded $6.1 million of other income in connection with the settlement of a lawsuit. Refer to Note 21 of our 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information.

        Corporate interest and overhead.    Net corporate overhead expenses (excluding income tax expense) increased to $7.9 million in 2009 from $6.7 million in 2008, primarily due to $1.1 million of additional salaries and benefits expense in 2009 compared to 2008.

        Income taxes.    Provision for income taxes was $2.2 million in 2009 compared to $20.2 million in 2008. Income tax expense in 2009 included $1.9 million of foreign income tax expense from the Company's investments and operations in Europe (attributable primarily to an increase in consolidated income in 2009 compared to 2008 from consolidated European entities as a result of the Company's equity acquisitions in such entities—see Note 3 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements). Income tax expense in 2008 includes a $20.1 million deferred tax expense recorded in connection with a full valuation allowance established by the Company for its deferred tax asset. The valuation allowance was established due to the lack of objectively verifiable evidence regarding the realization of our deferred tax asset in the foreseeable future. Refer to Note 13 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information on income taxes.

Portfolio Asset Acquisitions—Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution Business Segment

        Revenues with respect to the Company's Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business segment consist primarily of (i) income from Portfolio Assets and loans receivable; (ii) gains on the disposition and settlement of Portfolio Assets and other assets; and (iii) servicing fees from Acquisition Partnerships for the performance of servicing activities related to the assets held in the Acquisition Partnerships. The Company also records equity in earnings of non-consolidated Acquisition Partnerships and servicing entities accounted for under the equity-method of accounting.

        In 2009, the Company invested $147.7 million in consolidated and unconsolidated Portfolio Assets acquired through Acquisition Partnerships and subsidiaries. Portfolio Asset acquisitions by the Company over the last five years are summarized as follows:

        Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company was involved in acquiring $14.1 million of Portfolio Assets with a Face Value of approximately $22.3 million—of which FirstCity's investment share was $12.6 million.

        The table below provides a summary of our loan Portfolio Assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans are categorized based on the common risk

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characteristics that management generally uses for pooling purposes (when management elects to pool groups of purchased loans).

        The following table provides a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses related to our loan Portfolio Assets:

        Due to uncertainties related primarily to estimating the timing and/or amount of collections on Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans as a result of the current economic environment, the Company's levels of such loans and loan pools accounted for on a non-accrual method of accounting (cost-recovery or cash basis) increased to $138.4 million at December 31, 2009 from $28.9 million at December 31, 2008. Under U.S. GAAP, the interest method (i.e. accrual method) of accounting is not appropriate if management does not have the ability to develop a reasonable expectation of both the timing and amount of future cash flows to be collected. Refer to Note 1 of the Company's 2009 consolidated financial statements for additional information and accounting policies related to our Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. The

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following tables provide a summary of the Company's Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans by income-recognition method as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

Middle-Market Company Capital Investments—Special Situations Platform Business Segment

        Revenues with respect to the Company's Special Situations Platform business segment consist primarily of (i) interest and fee income from loan investments; (ii) revenues from majority-owned operating entities; and (iii) equity in earnings of non-consolidated investments accounted for under the equity-method of accounting.

        In 2009, FirstCity Denver was involved in middle-market capital transactions with total investment values approximating $20.1 million. Investments by FirstCity Denver since its inception in April 2007 are summarized below:

        Subsequent to December 31, 2009, FirstCity Denver has invested $4.6 million in the form of a debt investment to a domestic middle-market privately-held business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Company requires liquidity to fund its operations, Portfolio Asset acquisitions, investments in and advances to entities formed to acquire Portfolios ("Acquisition Partnerships"), capital investments

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in privately-held middle-market companies, other investments, repayments of bank borrowings and other debt, and working capital to support our growth. Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been funds generated from operations (primarily loan collections and service fees), equity distributions from the Acquisition Partnerships and other subsidiaries, interest and principal payments on subordinated intercompany debt, dividends from the Company's subsidiaries, borrowings from credit facilities with external lenders, and other special-purpose short-term borrowings.

        Cash generated from our operations and investments is dependent primarily upon our ability to collect on our consolidated Portfolio Assets (and Portfolio Assets in our Acquisition Partnerships) and loan investments. Many factors, including general economic conditions, are essential to our ability to generate cash flows. Fluctuations in our collections, investment income, credit availability, and adverse changes in other factors, could have a negative impact on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to support our business. Despite recent credit market conditions, we have continued to have access to liquidity in both our Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution and Special Situations Platform business segments through our credit facility commitments with our external lenders.

        We believe that funds generated from collections from consolidated loan and real estate portfolios, loans receivable and other investments; fees generated from servicing assets; equity distributions from existing Acquisition Partnerships and other equity investments; and sales of guaranteed portions of existing and originated SBA loans—together with existing cash and available borrowings under our existing credit agreements—will be sufficient to finance our current operations and support our growth during the next 12 months.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity entered into amendments to its existing loan facilities with Bank of Scotland and BoS(USA) (collectively, "Bank of Scotland") that extended the maturity dates of the debt outstanding under these loan agreements to April 1, 2011. The credit amendments did not change the other primary terms and covenants of these loan facilities.

        FirstCity is very cognizant of the current terms of its primary credit facilities, as amended, with Bank of Scotland and the distressed condition of the U.S. financial markets that currently presents challenges for businesses in accessing liquidity. As such, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland continue negotiations relating to a long-term restructuring agreement that would, among other things, extend the maturity date of this debt beyond April 1, 2011. The Company is in the process of negotiating a 3-year term loan that allows for repayment to Bank of Scotland over time as cash flows from the underlying assets securing the loan facilities are realized. It is anticipated that the term loan would allow the Company to use its current liquidity and certain levels of cash flow to fund its overhead expenses and future investments. FirstCity will continue to actively pursue alternative funding sources with other parties to provide equity and/or debt financing to support the Company's future investment activities. There can be no assurances that FirstCity will close on a long-term restructuring agreement with Bank of Scotland for its loan facilities on terms that are acceptable to the Company, or that FirstCity will be able to obtain alternative sources of funding on acceptable terms, if at all.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

        Our operating activities provided cash of $2.8 million and used cash of $21.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Net cash provided by operations in 2009 was attributable primarily to $24.3 million of net earnings; $23.8 million of proceeds from sales of SBA loans held for sale; $16.8 million of proceeds applied to income from Portfolio Assets; $7.4 million increase in other liabilities; and $9.4 million of non-cash add-backs related to depreciation, amortization, and provisions for loan and impairment losses—offset partially by $17.8 million of net principal advances on SBA loans held for sale; $53.8 million of income accretion and gains on Portfolio Assets; and $4.5 million of gains attributable to SBA loan sales, property sales and business combination transactions. In 2008, net cash used in operations was attributable primarily to a net loss

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of $46.9 million; $20.8 million of income accretion and gains on Portfolio Assets; and $9.6 million of net principal advances on SBA loans held for sale—offset partially by $5.3 million of proceeds from sales of SBA loans held for sale; $14.0 million of proceeds applied to income from Portfolio Assets; and $41.5 million of non-cash add-backs related to provisions for loan and impairment losses ($17.8 million), deferred income tax expense ($20.1 million), an depreciation and amortization ($3.6 million). The remaining changes in the periods were due primarily to net changes in other accounts related to our operating activities.

        Our investing activities used cash of $21.9 million in 2009 and $47.9 million in 2008. Net cash used in 2009 for investing activities was attributable primarily to Portfolio Asset purchases of $25.6 million (net of principal collections); $8.6 million paid for business combinations; $2.6 million of property and equipment purchases; and $5.7 million of contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries—offset partially by $1.9 million of net principal collections on loan investments; $12.9 million of distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries; $4.5 million of principal payments on an investment security; and $1.4 million of proceeds from sales of property. Net cash used in 2008 for investing activities was attributable primarily to Portfolio Asset purchases of $29.5 million (net of principal collections); $29.8 million of net principal advances on loan investments; $3.1 million of contributions to unconsolidated subsidiaries; $6.5 million disbursed to purchase an investment security; and $1.6 million of property and equipment purchases—offset partially by $21.6 million of distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries and $1.3 million of principal payments on an investment security. The remaining changes in all periods were due primarily to net changes in other accounts related to our investing activities.

        Our financing activities provided cash of $80.1 million in 2009 and $68.5 million in 2008. In 2009, net cash provided by financing activities was attributable primarily to $59.3 million of net borrowings to finance our Portfolio Asset acquisitions and other investments and to provide working capital to support future growth; and $42.6 million of contributions from noncontrolling interests primarily to acquire Portfolio Assets through consolidated subsidiaries—offset partially by $19.3 million of cash distributions to noncontrolling interests and $2.8 million of cash paid to acquire additional equity in noncontrolling interests. In 2008, net cash provided by financing activities was attributable primarily to $69.7 million of net borrowings to finance our Portfolio Asset acquisitions and other investments; and $4.8 million of contributions from noncontrolling interests primarily to acquire Portfolio Assets through consolidated subsidiaries—offset partially by $4.9 million of common stock repurchases and $1.1 million of cash distributions to noncontrolling interests. The remaining changes in all periods were due primarily to net changes in other accounts related to our financing activities.

        Cash paid for interest expense approximated $9.8 million and $12.9 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Substantially all of our interest expense was paid on our credit facilities and other borrowings. FirstCity's average outstanding debt increased to $295.6 million for 2009 from $208.8 million for 2008, while the average cost of borrowings decreased to 4.8% in 2009 compared to 7.8% in 2008. The increase in the Company's debt level since 2008 is a result of increased net borrowings to finance the Company's investment transactions and to provide working capital to accommodate its future growth and investment activities.

Railroad Operation Statements of Cash Flows

        The following is an analysis of the cash flows related to FirstCity's majority-owned railroad operation for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

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        The operating activities of the railroad subsidiary provided cash of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009—attributable primarily to $1.9 million of net earnings and a $1.7 million increase in other liabilities; offset partially by $1.2 million of gains on sales of property and equipment. The railroad subsidiary's investing activities used cash of $0.8 million for 2009. Net cash used by investing activities included $2.0 million of property and equipment purchases; offset by $1.6 million of proceeds from property and equipment sales. The railroad subsidiary's financing activities used cash of $1.6 million for 2009—attributable primarily to providing $1.6 million of capital distributions to the equity owners and FirstCity (parent company) through principal repayments on a capital note (eliminated in consolidation).

        The railroad subsidiary's operating activities provided cash of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008—attributable primarily to $0.7 million of net earnings and a $0.2 million increase in other liabilities. The railroad subsidiary's investing activities used cash of $0.8 million for 2008 to purchase property and equipment. In 2008, the railroad subsidiary's financing activities included $3.5 million of net borrowings under a bank note payable; offset by $3.9 million of capital distributions to the equity owners and FirstCity (parent company) through principal repayments on a capital note (eliminated in consolidation).

Credit Facilities

        The following is a summary of FirstCity's primary external lending facilities that it uses to provide liquidity for equity and loan investments, Portfolio Asset acquisitions, Acquisition Partnership investments, capital investments, and working capital:

$225.0 Million Revolving Loan Facility—Bank of Scotland plc

        FirstCity has a $225.0 million revolving acquisition facility with Bank of Scotland plc ("Bank of Scotland") that matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended). The revolving loan facility is used to finance the senior debt and equity portion of Portfolio Asset purchases made by FirstCity and to provide for the issuance of letters of credit and working capital loans. The obligations of FirstCity under this facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its consolidated subsidiaries and guaranteed by substantially all of FirstCity's consolidated subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this revolving credit facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

The maximum outstanding amount of loans and letters of credit issued under the loan facility that may be outstanding under the loan facility is $225.0 million;



•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") plus 2.5%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Limits loans that can be borrowed in Euros under the loan facility to $50.0 million;



•

The maximum amount of letters of credit that can be issued under the loan facility is $40.0 million;



•

The maximum amount of working capital loans that can be outstanding under the loan facility is $35.0 million;



•

Allows loans to be made based upon a borrowing base of (a) 70% of the net present equity value of certain affiliates of FirstCity engaged in the asset and portfolio investment business, and (b) 40% of the equity investment of FirstCity and its subsidiaries in certain new ventures;



•

The maximum value for assets that can be included in the borrowing base from the acquisition of portfolio assets in certain countries are as follows: Mexico—$40.0 million, Brazil—$10.0 million, Chile—$25.0 million, and Argentina or Uruguay—$6.0 million;

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•

Provides for a ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth (as defined) not to exceed 5.25 to 1.00 for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth (as defined) of $50.0 million for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum ratio of cumulative current recovered and projected collections to cumulative original projected collections of 0.90 to 1.00;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 5.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 25% for the four fiscal quarters then ended.

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with Bank of Scotland.

        FirstCity has $24.8 million in Euro-denominated debt on the $225.0 million revolving loan facility with Bank of Scotland described above for the purpose of hedging a portion of the net equity investments in Europe. In general, the type of risk hedged relates to the foreign currency exposure of net investments in Europe caused by movements in Euro exchange rates. The Company entered into the hedging relationship such that changes in the net investments being hedged are expected to be offset by corresponding changes in the values of the Euro-denominated debt. Effectiveness of the hedging relationship is measured and designated at the beginning of each month by comparing the outstanding balance of the Euro-denominated debt to the carrying value of the designated net equity investments. Net foreign currency translation gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to the Euro-denominated debt was $4,000 for 2009 and $2.6 million for 2008.

        On March 30, 2009, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $225.0 million revolving loan facility to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008. These amended definitions are included in the primary terms and key covenants outlined above.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $225.0 million revolving loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. See the discussion above for additional information on this amendment.

$100.0 Million Revolving Loan Facility—Bank of Scotland

        FH Partners LLC ("FH Partners"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, has a $100.0 million revolving loan facility with Bank of Scotland that provides financing for Portfolio Asset purchases by FH Partners. This revolving loan facility matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended), and is secured by all assets of FH Partners and a guaranty by FirstCity and certain of its consolidated subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this $100.0 million revolving loan facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

The maximum outstanding amount of loans that may be outstanding under the loan facility is $100.0 million;

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•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) LIBOR plus 2.0%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Allows loans to be made for the acquisition of Portfolio Assets in the United States, and provides for loans to be used for other purposes with advance approval from Bank of Scotland;



•

Provides that each loan may be in an amount of up to 70% of the net present value of the assets being acquired with the proceeds of the loan;



•

Provides that the aggregate outstanding balances of all loans will not exceed 65% of the net present value of the assets securing the loan facility;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 7.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended;



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 35% for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides other financial covenants that generally mirror the key covenants of the $225.0 million revolving loan facility that FirstCity has with Bank of Scotland (as described above).

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with Bank of Scotland.

        On March 30, 2009, FH Partners and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $100.0 million revolving loan facility to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FH Partners and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $100.0 million revolving loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. See the discussion above for additional information on this amendment.

$25.0 Million Subordinated Credit Agreement—BoS(USA)

        FirstCity has a $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement with BoS(USA), a subsidiary of Bank of Scotland, which may be used to finance equity investments in new ventures, equity investments made in connection with Portfolio Asset purchases and loans made by FirstCity and its subsidiaries to acquisition entities, provide for the issuance of letters of credit, and for working capital loans. This credit facility matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended), and is secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its consolidated subsidiaries and guaranteed by substantially all of FirstCity's consolidated subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this $25.0 million loan facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

Allows loans to be made in maximum aggregate amount of $25.0 million during the term of the loan facility;



•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) LIBOR plus 5.0%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Allows loans to be made based upon a borrowing base of (a) 80% of the net present equity value of certain affiliates of FirstCity engaged in the asset and portfolio investment business, and (b) 90% of the equity investment of FirstCity and its subsidiaries in certain new ventures;

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•

Limits that the maximum value for assets that can be included in the borrowing base from the acquisition of portfolio assets in certain countries as follows (a) Mexico up to $40.0 million, (b) Brazil up to $10.0 million, (c) Chile up to $25.0 million and (d) Argentina and Uruguay up to $6.0 million;



•

Provides for inclusion in the borrowing base of loans made to the FirstCity Denver (majority-owned subsidiary of FirstCity) to be advanced for the purpose of investing in distressed debt, special loan originations, leveraged buyouts and other special opportunities and revised other terms and provisions of the facility to allow acquisition loans under the facility;



•

Provides for inclusion in the borrowing base of certain loans made by FirstCity subsidiaries to non-affiliated entities that are secured by real estate;



•

Provides for a ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth (as defined) not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00 for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth (as defined) of $55.9 million for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum ratio of cumulative current recovered and projected collections to cumulative original projected collections of 0.90 to 1.00;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 5.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 25% for the four fiscal quarters then ended.

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with BoS(USA).

        In connection with a previous financing arrangement, FirstCity issued a warrant to BoS(USA) to purchase 425,000 shares of the Company's voting common stock at $2.3125 per share. This warrant also entitled BoS(USA) with additional warrants under certain specific situations to retain its ability to own approximately 4.86% of the Company's voting common stock. The warrant expired on December 31, 2009 without being exercised.

        On March 30, 2009, FirstCity and BoS(USA) entered into an amendment to this $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008. These amended definitions are included in the primary terms and key covenants outlined above.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $25.0 million loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. See the discussion above for additional information on this amendment.

Banco Santander, S.A.

        FirstCity Mexico SA de CV, a wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary of FirstCity, has a term note with Banco Santander, S.A. with an unpaid principal balance of 142,240,000 Mexican pesos at December 31, 2009, which was equivalent to $11.0 million U.S. dollars on that date. The loan proceeds are used to pay down the acquisition facility with the Bank of Scotland. Pursuant to the terms of the credit facility,

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FirstCity Mexico SA de CV was required to provide a stand-by letter of credit from Bank of Scotland that would satisfy the loan balance upon demand. At December 31, 2009, FirstCity had a letter of credit in the amount of $12.6 million from Bank of Scotland under the terms of FirstCity's revolving acquisition facility with Bank of Scotland. In the event that a demand is made under the $12.6 million letter of credit, FirstCity is required to reimburse Bank of Scotland by making payment to Bank of Scotland for all amounts disbursed or to be disbursed by Bank of Scotland under the letter of credit.

Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC

        At December 31, 2009, American Business Lending, Inc. ("ABL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, had a $25.0 million revolving loan facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC ("WFCF"), for the purpose of financing and acquiring SBA loans. This credit facility matures in January 2012 and is secured by substantially all of ABL's assets. In connection with this loan facility, FirstCity provides WFCF with an unconditional guaranty for all of ABL's obligations up to maximum of $5.0 million plus enforcement costs. The primary terms and key covenants of the $25.0 million revolving loan facility, as amended, are as follows.

•

Provides for a borrowing base for originating loans by which (a) the sum of (1) up to 100% of the net eligible SBA guaranteed loans originated by ABL, plus (2) up to 80% of the net eligible non-guaranteed real estate loans originated by ABL, plus (3) up to 70% of the net eligible non-guaranteed mixed collateral loans, exceeds (b) the sum of (1) any reserves for obligations of ABL related to the bank products, plus (2) the aggregate amount, if any, of loan reserves then established and outstanding, plus (3) the aggregate amount of any other reserves established by WFCF;



•

Provides for alternate interest rates as follows: (i) in the event of a LIBOR rate loan, interest shall accrue at a per annum rate equal to the sum of (a) the LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period plus (b) the LIBOR rate margin of 4.25%; (ii) in the case of a base rate loan, interest shall accrue at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Wells Fargo base rate plus the base rate margin of 4.25%, or (b) seven and one-half percent (7.50%) per annum; and (iii) otherwise, at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Wells Fargo base rate plus the base rate margin of 4.25%, or (B) seven and one-half percent (7.5%) per annum;



•

Provides in the event of the termination of the facility by ABL for a prepayment fee of 3.0% of the maximum credit line if paid prior to January 31, 2011, and 2.0% of the maximum credit line if paid during the period beginning February 1, 2011 and ending January 30, 2012;



•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth requirement of $5.5 million plus 100% of the positive amounts (less negative amounts) of ABL's net income in 2009 and thereafter;



•

Provides for a maximum delinquent and defaulted loan ratio of (a) the sum of delinquent non-guaranteed notes receivable and defaulted non-guaranteed notes receivable to (b) non-guaranteed notes receivable, not to exceed 8.0%; and



•

Provides for a maximum loan loss ratio of (a) loan losses for the twelve-month period being measured to (b) the average amount of all non-guaranteed notes receivable outstanding during such twelve-month period, not to exceed 3.0%.

        At December 31, 2009, ABL was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with WFCF, except for the covenant related to delinquent and defaulted loans. At the end of each month, ABL's ratio of delinquent and defaulted non-guaranteed loans should not exceed 8.0% (ABL's measure under this condition was 9.5% at December 31, 2009). WFCF waived this covenant requirement of the agreement as of December 31, 2009.

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Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies

        In the ordinary course of business, the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial position in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that the following discussion addresses the Company's most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company's consolidated financial position and results and require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Loan Portfolio Assets—Revenue and Impairment Recognition

        A substantial majority of the Company's Portfolio Assets include loans and loan portfolios with evidence of credit deterioration that were acquired after 2004 ("Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans"). FirstCity accounts for these loans under FASB's accounting guidance (issued in December 2003) related to Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. This guidance addresses accounting differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor's initial investment in acquired loans if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. The guidance also requires acquired loans with credit deterioration to be initially recorded at fair value and prohibits "carrying over" or the creation of valuation allowances in the initial accounting of acquired loans that are within its scope. The excess cash flows expected at acquisition over the loan portfolio's purchase price is recorded as interest income over the life of the portfolio.

        The amounts paid for Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans reflect the Company's determination that the loans have experienced deterioration in credit quality since origination and that it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the underlying loans. At acquisition, the Company reviews the individual loans to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms. If both conditions exist, the Company determines whether each such loan is to be accounted for individually or whether such loans will be assembled into static pools based on common risk characteristics (primarily loan type and collateral). Static pools of individual loan accounts may be established and accounted for as a single economic unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Once a static loan pool is established, individual accounts are generally not added to or removed from the pool (unless the Company sells, forecloses or writes-off the loan). At acquisition, the Company determines the excess of the scheduled contractual payments over all cash flows expected to be collected for the loan or loan pool as an amount that should not be accreted ("nonaccretable difference"). The excess of the cash flows from the loan or loan pool expected to be collected at acquisition over the initial investment ("accretable difference") is recognized as interest income over the remaining life of the loan or loan pool on a level-yield basis ("accretable yield"). The discount (i.e. the difference between the cost of each loan or static pool and the related aggregate contractual receivable balance) is not recorded because the Company does not expect to fully collect each contractual receivable balance for the loan or loan pool. As a result, these loans and loan pools are recorded at cost (which approximates fair value) at the time of acquisition.

        The Company accounts for Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans using either the interest method or a non-accrual method (through application of the cost-recovery or cash basis method of accounting). Application of the interest method is dependent on management's ability to develop a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected. In the event the Company cannot develop or establish a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of

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cash flows expected to be collected, the Company uses the cost-recovery or cash basis method of accounting.

        Interest method of accounting.    Under the interest method, an effective interest rate, or IRR, is applied to the cost basis of the loan or loan pool. The excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows cannot be recognized as an adjustment of income or expense or on the balance sheet. The IRR that is calculated when the loan is purchased remains constant as the basis for subsequent impairment testing (performed at least quarterly) and income recognition. Significant increases in actual, or expected future cash flows, are used first to reverse any existing valuation allowance for that loan or loan pool; and any remaining increase may be recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the IRR over the remaining life of the loan or loan pool. Any increase to the IRR then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing and income recognition. Subsequent decreases in projected cash flows do not change the IRR, but are recognized as an impairment of the cost basis of the loan or loan pool (to maintain the then-current IRR), and are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations through provisions charged to operations, with a corresponding valuation allowance offsetting the loan or loan pool in the consolidated balance sheets. FirstCity establishes valuation allowances for loans and loan pools acquired with credit deterioration to reflect only those losses incurred after acquisition—that is, the cash flows expected at acquisition that are no longer expected to be collected. Income from loans and loan pools accounted for under the interest method is accrued based on the IRR of each loan or loan pool applied to their respective adjusted cost basis. Gross collections in excess of the interest accrual and impairments will reduce the carrying value of the loan or loan pool, while gross collections less than the interest accrual will increase the carrying value. The IRR is calculated based on the timing and amount of anticipated cash flows using the Company's proprietary collection models.

        Cost-recovery method of accounting.    If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a loan are not reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such asset on the cost-recovery method. Under the cost-recovery method, no income is recognized until the Company has fully collected the cost of the loan, or until such time as the Company considers the timing and amount of collections to be reasonably estimable and begins to recognize income based on the interest method as described above. At least quarterly, the Company performs an evaluation to determine if the remaining amount that is probable of collection is less than the carrying value of the loan or loan pool, and if so, recognizes impairment through provisions charged to operations. The cost-recovery accounting model is permitted by FASB's accounting guidance applicable to Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans.

        Cash basis method of accounting.    If only the amount of future cash collections on a loan is reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such asset on an individual loan basis under the cash basis method of accounting. Under the cash basis method, no income is recognized unless collections are received during the period, or until such time as the Company considers the timing of collections to be reasonably estimable and begins to recognize income based on the interest method as described above. Income is recognized for the difference between the collections and a pro-rata portion of cost on a loan. Cost allocation is based on a proration of actual collections divided by total projected collections on the loan. Significant increases in future cash flows may be recognized prospectively as income over the remaining life of the loan through increased amounts allocated to income when collections are subsequently received. Subsequent decreases in projected cash flows will be recognized as impairment of the loan's cost basis to maintain a constant cost allocation based on initial projections. The cash basis method accounting model is permitted by FASB's accounting guidance applicable to Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans.

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Loans Receivable—Valuation and Impairment Recognition

        Loans receivable—SBA held for sale represent the portion of U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans acquired and originated by the Company that are guaranteed by the SBA. These loans are recorded at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. The fair value of SBA loans held for sale is based primarily on what secondary markets are currently offering for loans with similar characteristics. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance through a charge to income. The carrying value of SBA loans held for sale is net of premiums as well as deferred origination fees and costs. Premiums and net origination fees and costs are deferred and included in the basis of the loans in calculating gains and losses upon sale. SBA loans are generally secured by the borrowing entities' assets such as accounts receivable, property and equipment, and other business assets. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of each loan to a third party and retains the servicing rights. The difference between the proceeds received and the allocated carrying value of the loans sold are recognized as net gains on sales of loans. The non-guaranteed portion of SBA loans is generally classified as held for investment.

        Loans receivable consisting of loans made to affiliated entities (including Acquisition Partnerships and other equity-method investees) and non-affiliated entities, and the non-guaranteed portion of SBA loans, are classified by management as held for investment. These loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income, charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Loan origination fees and costs, as well as purchase premiums and discounts, are amortized as level-yield adjustments over the respective loan terms. Unamortized net fees, costs, premiums or discounts are recognized upon early repayment or sale of the loan. Repayment of the loans is generally dependent upon future cash flows of the borrowers, future cash flows of the underlying collateral, and distributions made from affiliated entities. Interest is accrued when earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loans. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis at the applicable interest rate on the principal amount outstanding.

        The Company evaluates the need for impairment on loans receivable on an individual-loan basis at least quarterly by reviewing the collectibility of the loans in light of various factors, as applicable, such as estimated future cash receipts of the borrower or underlying collateral, historical experience, estimated value of underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions, and industry concentrations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, we determine it is probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms (including scheduled interest payments). When management identifies a loan as impaired, we measure the impairment based on discounted future cash flows, except when the source of repayment is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, we use the current fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the Company generally ceases to accrue interest on the note and unpaid interest is reversed against interest income to the extent deemed by management to be uncollectible. When ultimate collectibility of the impaired note is in doubt, all collections are generally applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered, and collections thereafter are recognized as interest income. Impairment losses are charged against an allowance account through provisions charged to operations in the period impairment is identified. Loans are written-off against the allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Deferred Tax Assets—Valuation

        The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing

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assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Company based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In the assessment, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other factors, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, excess of appreciated asset value over the tax basis of net assets, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company's experience with utilizing available operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and tax planning strategies. This process involves significant management judgment about assumptions that are subject to change from period to period based on changes in tax laws between our projected operating performance, our actual results and other factors.

        For purposes of evaluating the need for a deferred tax valuation allowance, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company established a full valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets due to the lack of sufficient objective evidence regarding the realization of these assets in the foreseeable future. Regardless of the deferred tax valuation allowance established at December 31, 2009, the Company continues to retain net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $124.3 million available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, through the year 2027 (includes $68.8 million of net operating loss carryforwards that expire in 2010). To the extent that the Company generates taxable income in the future to utilize the tax benefits of the related deferred tax assets, subject to certain potential limitations, it may be able to reduce its effective tax rate by reducing the valuation allowance.

        We believe that the accounting estimate for the valuation of deferred tax assets is a critical accounting estimate because judgment is required in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We base our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws and rates and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. Changes in existing tax laws or rates could affect actual tax results and future business results, including further market deterioration, may affect the amount of deferred tax liabilities or the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. Changes that are not anticipated in our current estimates could have a material period-to-period impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Estimates of Cash Receipts on Portfolio Assets

        The Company uses estimates to determine future cash receipts from Portfolio Assets. These estimates of future cash receipts from Portfolio Assets are utilized in four primary ways:

(i)

to calculate the allocation of cost of certain non-performing Portfolios Assets;



(ii)

to determine the effective yield of performing Portfolios Assets;



(iii)

to determine the reasonableness of settlement offers received in the liquidation of the Portfolio Assets; and



(iv)

to determine whether or not there is impairment in our Portfolio Assets.

        The Company uses proprietary programs and collection models to manage the Portfolio Assets it owns and services. Each asset within a pool is analyzed by an account manager who is responsible for analyzing the characteristics of each asset within a pool. The account manager projects future cash receipts and expenses related to each asset, the sum of which provides the total estimated future cash

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receipts related to a particular purchased asset pool. These estimates are routinely monitored by the Company to determine reasonableness of the estimates provided.

Consolidation Policy

        The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FirstCity, its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and certain variable interest entities. If we determine that we have a controlling financial interest in an entity, then we must consolidate the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the entity in our consolidated financial statements. A controlling financial interest typically arises as a result of ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. We may also have a controlling financial interest in an entity through an arrangement that does not involve voting interests, such as a variable interest entity ("VIE"). In general, a VIE is an entity that has one or more of the following characteristics (1) the entity has total equity at risk that is not sufficient to finance its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support from other entities; (2) the group of equity owners does not have the ability to make significant decisions about the entity's activities; (3) the group of equity owners does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive residual returns generated by its operations, or both; or (4) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the losses or the right to receive residual returns of the entity, or both, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. If any of these characteristics is present, the entity is subject to a variable interests consolidation analysis, and consolidation is based on variable interests, and not solely on ownership of the entity's outstanding voting stock. Variable interests are generally defined as contractual, ownership or other economic interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the entity's net asset value. The Company consolidates any VIE of which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the enterprise that absorbs a majority of expected losses or receives a majority of residual returns (if the losses or returns occur), or both. We are required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE when we first become involved and upon subsequent reconsideration events (e.g., a purchase of additional equity interests). Generally, if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, then we initially record the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements at fair value.

        The Company does not consolidate equity investments in 20%- to 50%-owned entities that are not VIEs where the Company does not have an effective controlling interest, or equity investments in 20%-to 50%-owned entities that are VIEs where the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Rather, such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting since the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investees' operating and financial policies. The Company also accounts for its unconsolidated equity investments in less than 20%-owned entities under the equity method of accounting. FirstCity has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these entities, despite its comparatively smaller ownership percentage, due primarily to its active participation in the policy-making process as well as its involvement in the daily management activities. These entities are formed generally to share in the risks and rewards in developing new markets as well as to pool resources. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company's investment in these unconsolidated entities is carried at the cost of acquisition, plus the Company's share of equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition.

Effects of Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests

        In December 2007, the FASB issued accounting and reporting guidance on business combinations in consolidated financial statements. The guidance on business combinations establishes principal requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree.

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This guidance also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination, recognizing assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, and determining what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial impact of the business combination. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009 and prospectively applied this guidance to business combinations completed on or after January 1, 2009.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance that amends the accounting requirements for assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This guidance amends the applicable business combination accounting guidance that the FASB issued in December 2007. This amended guidance requires that pre-acquisition contingencies be recognized at fair value, if fair value can be reasonably determined. If fair value cannot be reasonably determined, the guidance requires measurement based on the best estimate in accordance with contingency accounting guidance. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 in connection with the adoption of the FASB's business combination guidance issued in December 2007 as discussed above.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued accounting and reporting guidance on noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance defines noncontrolling interest as the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent. The new guidance requires the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent (previously referred to as minority interest) to be clearly presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, but separate from the parent's equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to any noncontrolling interest must be clearly presented on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the parent's ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest (greater than 50 percent ownership) are to be accounted for as equity transactions with no remeasurement to fair value. Upon a loss of control, any gain or loss on the interest sold will be recognized in earnings. Additionally, any ownership interest retained will be re-measured at fair value on the date control is lost, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. The new guidance also requires companies to report a consolidated net income (loss) measure that includes the amount attributable to such noncontrolling interests. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 and prospectively applied this guidance to all noncontrolling interests including those that arose prior to the adoption. However, as required, the presentation and disclosure requirements of this guidance were applied retrospectively for all periods presented and impacted our consolidated financial statements as follows:

•

Noncontrolling interests of $15.6 million were reclassified from total liabilities to equity as of December 31, 2008 in our consolidated balance sheet and statement of stockholders' equity;



•

Noncontrolling interests of $3.2 million were reclassified from total liabilities to equity as of December 31, 2007 in our consolidated statement of stockholders' equity; and



•

Net contributions from noncontrolling interests of $3.8 million were reclassified from operating activities to financing activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Fair Value

        In 2006, the FASB issued accounting guidance on fair value measurements that provides a common definition of fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2008, the FASB issued additional guidance that (1) deferred the effective date of the original guidance for one year for certain non-financial assets and liabilities; and (2) removed certain leasing transactions from the scope of the original guidance. We adopted this new guidance for financial assets

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and liabilities on January 1, 2008, and for non-financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that provides additional application guidance regarding fair value measurements. This guidance relates to determining fair value when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. This new guidance reaffirms the need to use judgment to ascertain if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes enhanced disclosures regarding fair value measurements. This guidance relates to fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value. Prior to issuing this guidance, fair values for these assets and liabilities were disclosed only once a year. The new guidance requires these disclosures on a quarterly basis, providing qualitative and quantitative information about fair value estimates for all those financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In August 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that clarifies existing guidance for the fair value measurement of liabilities. The new guidance provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques: a valuation technique that uses the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or a quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset, or another valuation method that is consistent with existing accounting guidance for fair value measurement principles. This new guidance also provides clarification that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustments to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. We adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Other

        In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that is intended to bring consistency to the timing of impairment recognition, and provide improved disclosures about the credit and non-credit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold. The measure of impairment that is credit-related is recognized in earnings with the remaining amount recognized in comprehensive income. This guidance also requires increased and more-timely disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In March 2008, the FASB issued accounting guidance that expands disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009 and applied the new requirements on a prospective basis. Accordingly, disclosures related to interim periods prior to the date of adoption have not been presented. As this guidance relates to disclosures only, it had no impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

        In November 2008, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity-method investments. This guidance clarifies the following: (1) the cost basis of a new equity-method investment should be determined using a cost-accumulation mode, which would continue the practice of including transaction costs in the cost of investment and would exclude the value of contingent consideration; and (2) equity-method investments

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should continue to be subject to other-than-temporary impairment analysis pursuant to existing accounting guidance. This guidance also provides guidance on gain recognition when a portion of the investor's ownership is sold, how changes in classification from equity-method to cost-method should be treated, and certain other issues. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009 and applied the new requirements on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Effect of Newly Issued Accounting Standards

        In January 2010, the FASB issued accounting guidance that amends existing guidance for fair value disclosures. This guidance requires disclosures about items transferring into and out of Levels 1 and 2 in the fair value hierarchy; adding separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relative to Level 3 measurements; and clarifying, among other things, the existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation. The Company will adopt this guidance for the first quarter of 2010, except for the requirement to provide Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis, which is effective beginning the first quarter of 2011. Since this guidance is disclosure-only in nature, our adoption of the guidance will not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets. This guidance amends previous guidance by including: the elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity ("QSPE") concept; a new participating interest definition that must be met for transfers of portions of financial assets to be eligible for sale accounting; clarifications and changes to the de-recognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale; and a change to the amount of recognized gain or loss on a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale when beneficial interests are received by the transferor. Additionally, the guidance requires extensive new disclosures regarding an entity's involvement in a transfer of financial assets. Finally, existing QSPEs (prior to the effective date of this new guidance) must be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance upon the elimination of this concept. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new guidance effective January 1, 2010. Among other things, the Company is currently evaluating the effect adopting this new guidance may have on the recognition of the sale of guaranteed portions of SBA loans. If the new guidance requires the Company to delay sale accounting treatment for a period of time expected to be an accounting quarter in length, it may reduce loan sales gains recognized by the Company for the first quarter of 2010, as well as require the Company to initially account for the transfer as a secured borrowing and establish a new asset and liability related to contractually-sold guaranteed loan portions.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. This new guidance eliminates the exemption for QSPEs; revises previous guidance by replacing the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a VIE with a qualitative approach focused on identifying which enterprise has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the entity's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entity; requires reconsideration of whether an entity is a VIE when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and additional disclosures about an enterprise's involvement in VIEs. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new guidance effective January 1, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

        As a "smaller reporting company" as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, the Company is not required to provide information required by this Item.

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Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2009 and 2008

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Description of Business

        FirstCity Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is a financial services company headquartered in Waco, Texas with offices throughout the United States and Mexico and a presence in Europe and South America. When we refer to "FirstCity," "the Company," "we," "our" or "us" in this Form 10-K, we mean FirstCity Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (consolidated).

        The Company engages in two major business segments—Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution and Special Situations Platform. The Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business has been the Company's core business segment since it commenced operations in 1986. In the Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business, the Company acquires portfolios of performing and non-performing loans and other assets (collectively, "Portfolio Assets" or "Portfolios"), generally at a discount to their legal principal balances or appraised values, and services and resolves such Portfolio Assets in an effort to maximize the present value of the ultimate cash recoveries. FirstCity acquires the Portfolio Assets for its own account or through investment entities formed with one or more other co-investors (each such entity, an "Acquisition Partnership"). The Company engages in its Special Situations Platform business through its majority ownership in a subsidiary that was formed in April 2007. Through its Special Situations Platform, the Company provides investment capital to privately-held middle-market companies through flexible capital structuring arrangements to generate an attractive risk-adjusted return. These capital investments primarily take the form of senior and junior financing arrangements, but also include direct equity investments, common equity warrants, distressed debt transactions, and leveraged buyouts. Refer to Note 18 for additional information on the Company's major business segments.

(b) Use of Estimates

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the estimation of future collections on Portfolio Assets used in the calculation of income from Portfolio Assets; valuation of the deferred tax asset and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes; valuation of servicing assets, investment securities, real estate properties and loans receivable (including loans receivable held in securitization trusts); guarantee obligations and indemnifications; and legal contingencies. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets; volatile financial, real estate and foreign currency markets; and declines in business and consumer spending have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

December 31, 2009 and 2008

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

(c) Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

        The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FirstCity, its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and certain variable interest entities. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior-year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not significant and have no impact on FirstCity's net earnings (loss), total assets or stockholders' equity. On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standard Board's ("FASB") guidance (issued in December 2007) that established new accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling (minority) interests in a subsidiary. Refer to Note 1(r) for more information.

        If we determine that we have a controlling financial interest in an entity, then we must consolidate the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the entity in our consolidated financial statements. A controlling financial interest typically arises as a result of ownership of a majority of the voting interests of an entity. We may also have a controlling financial interest in an entity through an arrangement that does not involve voting interests, such as a variable interest entity ("VIE"). In general, a VIE is an entity that has one or more of the following characteristics (1) the entity has total equity at risk that is not sufficient to finance its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support from other entities; (2) the group of equity owners does not have the ability to make significant decisions about the entity's activities; (3) the group of equity owners does not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive residual returns generated by its operations, or both; or (4) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the losses or the right to receive residual returns of the entity, or both, and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. If any of these characteristics is present, the entity is subject to a variable interests consolidation analysis, and consolidation is based on variable interests, and not solely on ownership of the entity's outstanding voting stock. Variable interests are generally defined as contractual, ownership or other economic interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the entity's net asset value. The Company consolidates any VIE of which it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the enterprise that absorbs a majority of expected losses or receives a majority of residual returns (if the losses or returns occur), or both. We are required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE when we first become involved and upon subsequent reconsideration events (e.g., a purchase of additional equity interests). Generally, if we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, then we initially record the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the VIE in our consolidated financial statements at fair value. Refer to Note 19 for further information regarding the Company's investments in VIEs.

        The Company does not consolidate equity investments in 20%- to 50%-owned entities that are not VIEs where the Company does not have an effective controlling interest, or equity investments in 20%-to 50%-owned entities that are VIEs where the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Rather, such investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting since the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investees' operating and financial policies. The Company also accounts for its unconsolidated equity investments in less than 20%-owned entities under the equity method of accounting. FirstCity has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these entities, despite its comparatively smaller ownership percentage, due primarily to its active participation in the policy-making process as well as its

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involvement in the daily management activities. These entities are formed generally to share in the risks and rewards in developing new markets as well as to pool resources. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company's investment in these unconsolidated entities is carried at the cost of acquisition, plus the Company's share of equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition.

        The Company's ownership of unconsolidated equity investments at December 31, 2009 is summarized below:

        The Company's equity in earnings and losses from its unconsolidated foreign equity investments, except for certain of its unconsolidated European equity investments, are recorded on a one-month delay due to the timing of FirstCity's receipt of those financial statements.

        The Company has loans receivable from certain Acquisition Partnerships and other unconsolidated equity investments—see Note 5. In situations where the Company is not required to advance additional funds to the Acquisition Partnership and previous losses have reduced the equity investment to zero, the Company continues to report its share of equity method losses in its consolidated statements of operations to the extent of and as an adjustment to the adjusted basis of the related loan receivable.

(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents

        For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances in various depository institutions that periodically exceed federally insured limits. Management periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of such institutions.

(e) Restricted Cash

        Restricted cash includes monies due on loan-related remittances received by the Company and due to third parties.

(f) Portfolio Assets

        The Company invests in performing and non-performing commercial and consumer loans, real estate and certain other assets ("Portfolio Assets" or "Portfolios"), and services and resolves such Portfolio Assets in an effort to maximize the present value of the ultimate cash recoveries. The Portfolio Assets are generally non-homogeneous assets, including loans of varying qualities that are

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secured by diverse collateral types and real estate. Some Portfolio Assets are loans for which resolution is tied primarily to the real estate securing the loan, while others may be collateralized business loans, the resolution of which may be based on the cash flows of the business or the underlying collateral.

        The following is a description of the classifications and related accounting policies for the Company's significant classes of Portfolio Assets:

Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans

        Commencing January 1, 2005, FirstCity adopted the FASB's accounting guidance (issued in December 2003) related to acquisitions of loans and loan portfolios with evidence of credit deterioration ("Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans"). This guidance addresses accounting differences between contractual cash flows and cash flows expected to be collected from an investor's initial investment in acquired loans if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to deterioration in credit quality. The guidance also requires acquired loans with credit deterioration to be initially recorded at fair value and prohibits "carrying over" or the creation of valuation allowances in the initial accounting of acquired loans that are within its scope. The excess cash flows expected at acquisition over the loan portfolio's purchase price is recorded as interest income over the life of the portfolio.

        The amounts paid for Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans reflect the Company's determination that the loans have experienced deterioration in credit quality since origination and that it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the underlying loans. At acquisition, the Company reviews the individual loans to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms. If both conditions exist, the Company determines whether each such loan is to be accounted for individually or whether such loans will be assembled into static pools based on common risk characteristics (primarily loan type and collateral). Static pools of individual loan accounts may be established and accounted for as a single economic unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Once a static loan pool is established, individual accounts are generally not added to or removed from the pool (unless the Company sells, forecloses or writes-off the loan). At acquisition, the Company determines the excess of the scheduled contractual payments over all cash flows expected to be collected for the loan or loan pool as an amount that should not be accreted ("nonaccretable difference"). The excess of the cash flows from the loan or loan pool expected to be collected at acquisition over the initial investment ("accretable difference") is recognized as interest income over the remaining life of the loan or loan pool on a level-yield basis ("accretable yield"). The discount (i.e. the difference between the cost of each loan or static pool and the related aggregate contractual receivable balance) is not recorded because the Company does not expect to fully collect each contractual receivable balance for the loan or loan pool. As a result, these loans and loan pools are recorded at cost (which approximates fair value) at the time of acquisition.

        The Company accounts for Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans using either the interest method or a non-accrual method (through application of the cost-recovery or cash basis method of accounting). Application of the interest method is dependent on management's ability to develop a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected. In the event the

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Company cannot develop or establish a reasonable expectation as to both the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected, the Company uses the cost-recovery or cash basis method of accounting.

        Interest method of accounting.    Under the interest method, an effective interest rate, or IRR, is applied to the cost basis of the loan or loan pool. The excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows cannot be recognized as an adjustment of income or expense or on the balance sheet. The IRR that is calculated when the loan is purchased remains constant as the basis for subsequent impairment testing (performed at least quarterly) and income recognition. Significant increases in actual, or expected future cash flows, are used first to reverse any existing valuation allowance for that loan or loan pool; and any remaining increase may be recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the IRR over the remaining life of the loan or loan pool. Any increase to the IRR then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing and income recognition. Subsequent decreases in projected cash flows do not change the IRR, but are recognized as an impairment of the cost basis of the loan or loan pool (to maintain the then-current IRR), and are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations through provisions charged to operations, with a corresponding valuation allowance offsetting the loan or loan pool in the consolidated balance sheets. FirstCity establishes valuation allowances for loans and loan pools acquired with credit deterioration to reflect only those losses incurred after acquisition—that is, the cash flows expected at acquisition that are no longer expected to be collected. Income from loans and loan pools accounted for under the interest method is accrued based on the IRR of each loan or loan pool applied to their respective adjusted cost basis. Gross collections in excess of the interest accrual and impairments will reduce the carrying value of the loan or loan pool, while gross collections less than the interest accrual will increase the carrying value. The IRR is calculated based on the timing and amount of anticipated cash flows using the Company's proprietary collection models.

        Cost-recovery method of accounting.    If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a loan are not reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such asset on the cost-recovery method. Under the cost-recovery method, no income is recognized until the Company has fully collected the cost of the loan, or until such time as the Company considers the timing and amount of collections to be reasonably estimable and begins to recognize income based on the interest method as described above. At least quarterly, the Company performs an evaluation to determine if the remaining amount that is probable of collection is less than the carrying value of the loan or loan pool, and if so, recognizes impairment through provisions charged to operations. The cost-recovery accounting model is permitted by FASB's accounting guidance applicable to Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. The carrying value of Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans accounted for under the cost-recovery method approximated $96.3 million (including $12.7 million of loans pending management's post-purchase evaluation) at December 31, 2009, and $20.7 million (including $4.2 million of loans pending management's post-purchase evaluation) at December 31, 2008.

        Cash basis method of accounting.    If only the amount of future cash collections on a loan is reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such asset on an individual loan basis under the cash basis method of accounting. Under the cash basis method, no income is recognized unless collections are received during the period, or until such time as the Company considers the timing of collections to be reasonably estimable and begins to recognize income based on the interest method as described

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above. Income is recognized for the difference between the collections and a pro-rata portion of cost on a loan. Cost allocation is based on a proration of actual collections divided by total projected collections on the loan. Significant increases in future cash flows may be recognized prospectively as income over the remaining life of the loan through increased amounts allocated to income when collections are subsequently received. Subsequent decreases in projected cash flows will be recognized as impairment of the loan's cost basis to maintain a constant cost allocation based on initial projections. The cash basis method accounting model is permitted by FASB's accounting guidance applicable to Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. Management implemented the cash basis method of accounting for such eligible loans in 2009 as a result of increased uncertainty in the timing of future collections on recently-acquired loans (attributable primarily to the borrowers' inability to obtain financing to refinance the loan). The carrying value of Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans accounted for under the cash basis method approximated $42.1 million at December 31, 2009.

UBN Loan Portfolio

        In September 2008, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired an additional ownership interest in UBN, SA ("UBN") in a transaction that was accounted for as a step-acquisition under FASB's business combination accounting guidance. As a result of the transaction, UBN became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. As such, FirstCity added UBN's loan portfolio to its consolidated balance sheet in September 2008. On the date of the acquisition, the amount of the loans and allowance for loan losses related to UBN's loan portfolio approximated $69.1 million (including $67.3 million of non-performing loans) and $66.6 million, respectively.

        The allowance for loan losses on the UBN loan portfolio represents management's estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. Management establishes an allowance for loan losses through a provision charged to operations when a loan is determined to be impaired. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans are charged-off against the allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted and the remaining balance due is deemed uncollectible. At least quarterly, management evaluates the need for an allowance on an individual-loan basis for the UBN loan portfolio by considering information about specific borrower situations, legal collection proceedings, estimated collateral values, general economic conditions, and other factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.

Purchased Performing Loans

        Loans acquired without evidence of credit deterioration at acquisition for which FirstCity has the positive intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and reported at their unpaid principal balance net of unamortized purchase discounts or premiums. Differences between the initial investment and the related loan's principal amount at the purchase date are recognized as an adjustment of interest income over the life of the loan. Income on the loans is recognized under the interest method. Interest accrual generally ceases when payments become 90 days contractually past due. A loan is impaired when based on current information and events it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan

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agreement. When a loan is determined to be impaired, management establishes an allowance for loan losses through a provision charged to operations. At least quarterly, management evaluates the need for an allowance on an individual-loan basis by considering information about specific borrower situations, estimated collateral values, general economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management's judgment, should be charged-off. Loans are written-off against the allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Real Estate

        Real estate Portfolio Assets consist of real estate properties purchased from a variety of sellers or acquired through loan foreclosure. Rental income, net of expenses, is generally recognized when received. The Company accounts for its real estate properties on an individual-asset basis as opposed to a pool basis. The following is a description of the classifications and related accounting policies for the Company's various classes of real estate Portfolio Assets:

Classification and Impairment Evaluation

        Real estate held for sale primarily includes real estate acquired through loan foreclosure. The Company classifies a property as held for sale if (1) management commits to a plan to sell the property; (2) the Company actively markets the property in its current condition for a price that is reasonable in comparison to its fair value; and (3) management considers the sale of such property within one year of the balance sheet date to be probable. Real estate held for sale is stated at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated disposition costs. Real estate is not depreciated while it is classified as held for sale. Impairment losses are recorded if a property's fair value less estimated disposition costs is less than its carrying amount, and charged to operations in the period the impairment is identified.

        Real estate held for investment generally includes acquired properties and is carried at cost less depreciation and amortization, as applicable. The Company classifies a property as held for investment if the property is still under development and/or management does not expect the property to be sold within one year of the balance sheet date. The Company periodically reviews its property held for investment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of property held for investment is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the property. If the property is considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the property exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined by discounted cash flows or market comparisons.

Cost Capitalization and Allocation

        Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of cost (i.e. the underlying loan's carrying value) or estimated fair value less disposition costs at the date of foreclosure—establishing a new cost basis. The amount, if any, by which the carrying value of the underlying loan exceeds the property's fair value less estimated disposition costs at the foreclosure date is charged as a loss against operations. Expenditures for repairs, maintenance, and other holding costs are charged to operations as incurred.

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        Real estate properties acquired through a purchase transaction are initially recorded at the cost of the acquisition. The cost of acquired property includes the purchase price of the property, legal fees, and certain other acquisition costs. Subsequent to acquisition, the Company capitalizes capital improvements and expenditures related to significant betterments and replacements, including costs related to the development and improvement of the property for its intended use. Expenditures for repairs, maintenance, and other holding costs are charged to operations as incurred.

        When acquiring real estate with an existing building through a purchase transaction, the Company generally allocates the purchase price between land, land improvements, building, tenant improvements, and intangible assets related to in-place leases based on their relative fair values. The fair values of acquired land and buildings are generally determined based on an estimated discounted future cash flow model with lease-up assumptions as if the building was vacant upon acquisition, third-party valuations, and other relevant data. The fair value of in-place leases includes the value of net lease intangibles for above- and below-market rents and tenant origination costs, determined on a lease-by-lease basis. Amounts allocated to building and improvements are depreciated over their estimated remaining lives. Amounts allocated to tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles are amortized over the remaining life of the underlying leases. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, accumulated depreciation and amortization was not significant.

Disposition of Real Estate

        Gains on disposition of real estate are recognized upon the sale of the underlying property if the transaction qualifies for gain recognition under the full accrual method, as prescribed by the FASB's accounting guidance on real estate sales transactions. If the transaction does not meet the criteria for the full accrual method of profit recognition based on our assessment, we account for the sale based on an appropriate deferral method determined by the nature and extent of the buyer's investment and our continuing involvement.

(g) Loans Receivable

        Loans receivable—SBA held for sale represent the portion of U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans acquired and originated by the Company that are guaranteed by the SBA. These loans are recorded at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value. The fair value of SBA loans held for sale is based primarily on what secondary markets are currently offering for loans with similar characteristics. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance through a charge to income. The carrying value of SBA loans held for sale is net of premiums as well as deferred origination fees and costs. Premiums and net origination fees and costs are deferred and included in the basis of the loans in calculating gains and losses upon sale. SBA loans are generally secured by the borrowing entities' assets such as accounts receivable, property and equipment, and other business assets. The Company generally sells the guaranteed portion of each loan to a third party and retains the servicing rights. The difference between the proceeds received and the allocated carrying value of the loans sold are recognized as net gains on sales of loans. The non-guaranteed portion of SBA loans is generally classified as held for investment.

        Loans receivable consisting of loans made to affiliated entities (including Acquisition Partnerships and other equity-method investees) and non-affiliated entities, and the non-guaranteed portion of SBA

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loans, are classified by management as held for investment. These loans are reported at their outstanding principal balances net of any unearned income, charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Loan origination fees and costs, as well as purchase premiums and discounts, are amortized as level-yield adjustments over the respective loan terms. Unamortized net fees, costs, premiums or discounts are recognized upon early repayment or sale of the loan. Repayment of the loans is generally dependent upon future cash flows of the borrowers, future cash flows of the underlying collateral, and distributions made from affiliated entities. Interest is accrued when earned in accordance with the contractual terms of the loans. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis at the applicable interest rate on the principal amount outstanding.

        The Company evaluates the need for impairment on loans receivable on an individual-loan basis at least quarterly by reviewing the collectibility of the loans in light of various factors, as applicable, such as estimated future cash receipts of the borrower or underlying collateral, historical experience, estimated value of underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions, and industry concentrations. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. We consider a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, we determine it is probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan's contractual terms (including scheduled interest payments). When management identifies a loan as impaired, we measure the impairment based on discounted future cash flows, except when the source of repayment is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, we use the current fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows. When a loan is determined to be impaired, the Company generally ceases to accrue interest on the note and unpaid interest is reversed against interest income to the extent deemed by management to be uncollectible. When ultimate collectibility of the impaired note is in doubt, all collections are generally applied to reduce the principal amount of such notes until the principal has been recovered, and collections thereafter are recognized as interest income. Impairment losses are charged against an allowance account through provisions charged to operations in the period impairment is identified. Loans are written-off against the allowance when all possible means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

(h) Investment Security Available-for-Sale

        The Company has an investment security that consists of a purchased beneficial interest attributable to loans sold through a securitization transaction. We classify and account for this security as available-for-sale and, accordingly, we measure the security at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, with unrealized gains and losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income." Fair value of the purchased residual interest is estimated based on the present value of expected collections on the underlying receivables using an internal valuation model, incorporating market-based assumptions when such information is available. Additional information on the fair value measurement is included in Note 17.

        The excess of all cash flows attributable to the beneficial interest estimated at the acquisition date over the initial investment amount (i.e. the accretable yield) is recognized as interest income over the life of the beneficial interest using the interest method. The Company continues to estimate the

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projected cash flows over the life of the beneficial interest for the purposes of both recognizing interest income and evaluating impairment. Other-than-temporary is considered to have occurred when the fair value of the security has declined below its amortized cost basis and if (1) we have the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security.

(i) Property and Equipment

        Property, equipment and leasehold improvements (reported in "Other assets" in the consolidated balance sheets) are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method of depreciation. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements (or the terms of the underlying leases, if shorter). Generally, buildings and building improvements are depreciated over 25 to 30 years; office equipment is depreciated over 3 to 10 years; depreciable rail property is depreciated over 25 years; machinery and equipment are depreciated over 10 to 15 years; and leasehold improvements are amortized over 4 to 10 years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense in the period incurred. Expenditures for improvements and significant betterments that increase productive capacity or extend useful life are capitalized and depreciated over the useful lives of such assets. When property or equipment is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any gain or loss is included in income.

(j) Servicing Assets and Revenue Recognition on Service Fees

        The Company generally services Portfolio Assets acquired through its investment in an Acquisition Partnership. The Company does not recognize capitalized servicing rights related to its Portfolio Assets owned by the Acquisition Partnerships because (1) servicing is not contractually separated from the underlying assets by sale or securitization of the assets with servicing retained or separate purchase or assumption of the servicing; (2) consideration is not exchanged between the Company and the Acquisition Partnerships for the servicing rights of the acquired Portfolio Assets; (3) the Company has ownership interests in the Acquisition Partnerships that own the Portfolio Assets it services; and (4) the Company does not have the risks and rewards of ownership of servicing rights. The Company services, in all material respects, the Portfolio Assets owned for its own account, the Portfolio Assets owned by the Acquisition Partnerships and, to a very limited extent, certain Portfolio Assets owned by third parties. In connection with the Acquisition Partnerships in the United States, the Company generally earns a servicing fee, which is based on a percentage of gross cash collections generated from the Portfolio Assets. The rate of servicing fee charged is generally a function of the average face value of the assets within each pool being serviced (the larger the average face value of the assets in a Portfolio, the lower the fee percentage within the prescribed range), the type of assets and the level of servicing required for each asset. For the Mexican Acquisition Partnerships, the Company earns a servicing fee based on costs of servicing plus a profit margin. The Acquisition Partnerships in Europe and South America are serviced by various entities in which the Company maintains an equity interest. In all cases, service fees are recognized when they are earned in accordance with the servicing agreements.

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        In connection with the Company's SBA lending activities, the Company recognizes servicing assets through the sale of originated or purchased loans when servicing rights are retained. The Company initially recognizes and measures at fair value purchased servicing rights and servicing rights obtained from the sale of SBA loans. The Company subsequently measures the servicing assets by using the amortization method, which amortizes servicing assets in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. The amortization of the servicing assets is analyzed periodically and is adjusted to reflect changes in prepayment rates and other estimates. See Note 7 for more information on servicing rights related to SBA loans.

(k) Revenue Recognition on Contingent Service Fees

        The Company has servicing contracts with certain of its Acquisition Partnerships that entitle the Company to receive additional compensation for servicing after a specified return to the investors has been achieved. The Company recognizes revenue related to these contracts when the investors receive the required level of returns specified in the contracts and the Acquisition Partnerships receive cash in an amount greater than the required returns. There is no guarantee that the required level of returns to the investors will be achieved or that any additional compensation to the Company related to the contracts will be realized. The Acquisition Partnerships record an accrued expense for these contingent fees provided that these fees are probable and reasonably estimable.

(l) Translation Adjustments

        The Company has determined that the local currency is the functional currency for its operations outside the United States (primarily Europe and Latin America). We translate the results for our foreign subsidiaries and affiliates from the designated functional currency to the U.S. dollar using average exchange rates during the relevant period, while we translate assets and liabilities at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. We report the resulting gains or losses from translating foreign currency financial statements as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. An analysis of the changes in the cumulative adjustments for 2009 and 2008 follows (dollars in thousands):

        Increases or decreases in expected functional currency cash flows upon settlement of a foreign currency transaction are recorded as foreign currency transaction gains or losses and included in the Company's operations in the period in which the transaction is settled. Aggregate foreign currency transaction gains (losses) included in the consolidated statements of operations for 2009 and 2008 were ($112,000) and $46,000, respectively.

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        In general, monetary assets and liabilities designated in U.S. dollars give rise to foreign currency realized and unrealized transaction gains and losses, which we record in the consolidated statement of operations as foreign currency transaction gains, net. However, we report the effects of changes in exchange rates associated with certain U.S. dollar-denominated intercompany loans and advances to certain of our Latin American subsidiaries that are of a long-term investment nature (that is, settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future) as other comprehensive income or loss in our consolidated financial statements. We have determined that certain U.S. dollar-denominated intercompany loans and advances to our Latin American subsidiaries are of a long-term investment nature.

        The net foreign currency translation gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to the Company's Euro-denominated debt (see Note 2) was $4,000 for 2009 and $2.6 million for 2008.

(m) Income Taxes

        The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its 80% or greater owned subsidiaries. The Company records all of the allocated federal income tax provision of the consolidated group in the parent corporation.

        The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates, if any, would be recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets through a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Company based on the more-likely-than-not realization threshold criterion. In this assessment, appropriate consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other factors, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, excess of appreciated asset value over the tax basis of net assets, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company's experience with utilizing available operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and tax planning strategies. In making such assessments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.

        The Company accounts for income tax uncertainty using a two-step approach whereby we recognize an income tax benefit if, based on the technical merits of a tax position, it is more likely than not (a probability of greater than 50%) that the tax position would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authority. We then recognize a tax benefit equal to the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the taxing authority, considering all information available at the reporting date. Once a financial statement benefit for a tax position is

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recorded, we adjust it only when there is more information available or when an event occurs necessitating a change. Interest and penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

(n) Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

        Earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") is presented for both basic EPS and diluted EPS. We compute basic EPS by dividing net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year, plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents such as stock options and warrants. We exclude these common stock equivalents from the computation of diluted EPS when the effect of inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

        Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share were computed as follows:

(o) Long-Lived Assets

        The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the

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carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market prices and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

(p) Stock-Based Compensation

        The Company measures the compensation cost of share-based awards using the estimated fair value of those awards on the grant date. We recognize the compensation cost as expense over the vesting period of the awards. See Note 12 for additional disclosure of the Company's share-based compensation.

(q) Fair Value Measurements

        The Company applies the provisions of FASB's accounting guidance for fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring or non-recurring basis, as applicable. This guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also referred to as an exit price). This guidance also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. See Note 17 for additional information.

(r) Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Codification

        On July 1, 2009, the FASB issued The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification") as the sole authoritative source of U.S. GAAP for non-governmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. The Codification was effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company adopted the Codification for the quarter ending September 30, 2009. There was no impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements as this change is disclosure-only in nature.

Business Combinations and Noncontrolling Interests

        In December 2007, the FASB issued accounting and reporting guidance on business combinations in consolidated financial statements. The guidance on business combinations establishes principal requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. This guidance also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination, recognizing assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, and determining what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial impact of the business combination. We adopted this new guidance on January 1,

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2009 and prospectively applied this guidance to business combinations completed on or after January 1, 2009.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance that amends the accounting requirements for assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This guidance amends the applicable business combination accounting guidance that the FASB issued in December 2007. This amended guidance requires that pre-acquisition contingencies be recognized at fair value, if fair value can be reasonably determined. If fair value cannot be reasonably determined, the guidance requires measurement based on the best estimate in accordance with contingency accounting guidance. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 in connection with the adoption of the FASB's business combination guidance issued in December 2007 as discussed above.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued accounting and reporting guidance on noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance defines noncontrolling interest as the portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent. The new guidance requires the ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent (previously referred to as minority interest) to be clearly presented in the consolidated balance sheet within equity, but separate from the parent's equity. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to any noncontrolling interest must be clearly presented on the face of the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the parent's ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest (greater than 50 percent ownership) are to be accounted for as equity transactions with no remeasurement to fair value. Upon a loss of control, any gain or loss on the interest sold will be recognized in earnings. Additionally, any ownership interest retained will be re-measured at fair value on the date control is lost, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. The new guidance also requires companies to report a consolidated net income (loss) measure that includes the amount attributable to such noncontrolling interests. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 and prospectively applied this guidance to all noncontrolling interests including those that arose prior to the adoption. However, as required, the presentation and disclosure requirements of this guidance were applied retrospectively for all periods presented and impacted our consolidated financial statements as follows:

•

Noncontrolling interests of $15.6 million were reclassified from total liabilities to equity as of December 31, 2008 in the consolidated balance sheet and statement of stockholders' equity;



•

Noncontrolling interests of $3.2 million were reclassified from total liabilities to equity as of December 31, 2007 in the consolidated statement of stockholders' equity; and



•

Net contributions from noncontrolling interests of $3.8 million were reclassified from operating activities to financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Fair Value

        In 2006, the FASB issued accounting guidance on fair value measurements that provides a common definition of fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. In February 2008, the FASB issued additional guidance that (1) deferred the effective date of the original

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guidance for one year for certain non-financial assets and liabilities; and (2) removed certain leasing transactions from the scope of the original guidance. We adopted this new guidance for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008, and for non-financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 for additional information.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that provides additional application guidance regarding fair value measurements. This guidance relates to determining fair value when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. This new guidance reaffirms the need to use judgment to ascertain if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets have become inactive. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 for additional information.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes enhanced disclosures regarding fair value measurements. This guidance relates to fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not currently reflected on the balance sheet at fair value. Prior to issuing this guidance, fair values for these assets and liabilities were disclosed only once a year. The new guidance requires these disclosures on a quarterly basis, providing qualitative and quantitative information about fair value estimates for all those financial instruments not measured on the balance sheet at fair value. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note 17 for additional information.

        In August 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that clarifies existing guidance for the fair value measurement of liabilities. The new guidance provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques: a valuation technique that uses the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset or a quoted price for a similar liability when traded as an asset, or another valuation method that is consistent with existing accounting guidance for fair value measurement principles. This new guidance also provides clarification that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting entity is not required to include a separate input or adjustments to other inputs relating to the existence of a restriction that prevents the transfer of the liability. We adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Other

        In March 2010, the FASB issued guidance that amends existing guidance (issued in May 2009) that established the general standards of accounting and disclosure for subsequent events. Among other things, the new guidance eliminates the requirement for SEC filers, as defined in the guidance, to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. That change is effective immediately. SEC filers continue to be required to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. Although the new guidance eliminates the requirement for SEC filers to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated, it does not prohibit SEC filers from disclosing such date. The new guidance also clarifies the requirement to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in reissued financial statements to apply only to

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such statements that have been restated to correct an error or to apply U.S. GAAP retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In April 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance that is intended to bring consistency to the timing of impairment recognition, and provide improved disclosures about the credit and non-credit components of impaired debt securities that are not expected to be sold. The measure of impairment that is credit-related is recognized in earnings with the remaining amount recognized in comprehensive income. This guidance also requires increased and more-timely disclosures regarding expected cash flows, credit losses, and an aging of securities with unrealized losses. We adopted this guidance effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of the provisions of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

        In March 2008, the FASB issued accounting guidance that expands disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009 and applied the new requirements on a prospective basis. Accordingly, disclosures related to interim periods prior to the date of adoption have not been presented. As this guidance relates to disclosures only, it had no impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. See Note 11 for additional information.

        In November 2008, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity-method investments. This guidance clarifies the following: (1) the cost basis of a new equity-method investment should be determined using a cost-accumulation mode, which would continue the practice of including transaction costs in the cost of investment and would exclude the value of contingent consideration; and (2) equity-method investments should continue to be subject to other-than-temporary impairment analysis pursuant to existing accounting guidance. This guidance also provides guidance on gain recognition when a portion of the investor's ownership is sold, how changes in classification from equity-method to cost-method should be treated, and certain other issues. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2009 and applied the new requirements on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

(s) Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In January 2010, the FASB issued accounting guidance that amends existing guidance for fair value disclosures. This guidance requires disclosures about items transferring into and out of Levels 1 and 2 in the fair value hierarchy; adding separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relative to Level 3 measurements; and clarifying, among other things, the existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation. The Company will adopt this guidance for the first quarter of 2010, except for the requirement to provide Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis, which is effective beginning the first quarter of 2011. Since this guidance is disclosure-only in nature, our adoption of the guidance will not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets. This guidance amends previous guidance by including: the elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity ("QSPE") concept; a new participating interest definition that must be met for transfers of

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portions of financial assets to be eligible for sale accounting; clarifications and changes to the de-recognition criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale; and a change to the amount of recognized gain or loss on a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale when beneficial interests are received by the transferor. Additionally, the guidance requires extensive new disclosures regarding an entity's involvement in a transfer of financial assets. Finally, existing QSPEs (prior to the effective date of this new guidance) must be evaluated for consolidation by reporting entities in accordance with the applicable consolidation guidance upon the elimination of this concept. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new guidance effective January 1, 2010. Among other things, the Company is currently evaluating the effect adopting this new guidance may have on the recognition of the sale of guaranteed portions of SBA loans. If the new guidance requires the Company to delay sale accounting treatment for a period of time expected to be an accounting quarter in length, it may reduce loan sales gains recognized by the Company for the first quarter of 2010, as well as require the Company to initially account for the transfer as a secured borrowing and establish a new asset and liability related to contractually-sold guaranteed loan portions.

        In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the consolidation of VIEs. This new guidance eliminates the exemption for QSPEs; revises previous guidance by replacing the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a VIE with a qualitative approach focused on identifying which enterprise has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the entity's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entity; requires reconsideration of whether an entity is a VIE when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; and requires ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and additional disclosures about an enterprise's involvement in VIEs. The Company will adopt the provisions of this new guidance effective January 1, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

(t) Correction of an Error in Previously Issued Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

        The Company determined that it has incorrectly reported certain amounts related to Portfolio Asset activities as "Cash flows from operating activities" in our consolidated statements of cash flows for all reporting periods prior to September 30, 2009. Upon subsequent review, the Company determined that applicable Portfolio Asset transactions, primarily purchases and principal collections, should be reported as "Cash flows from investing activities." In this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, for reasons described below, the Company is revising its consolidated statements of cash flows so that applicable Portfolio Asset transactions are reported as "Cash flows from investing activities" instead of "Cash flows from operating activities" for the current and prior reporting period. All financial information contained in this Form 10-K gives effect to these revisions. The revisions did not result in a change to the Company's previously-reported revenues, expenses, net earnings (loss), cash and cash equivalents, or stockholders' equity.

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        Company management considered all of the relevant quantitative and qualitative factors related to the correction of the error under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 1N, Financial Statements—Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements ("SAB 108"), and determined that the impact on previously-issued and current period consolidated financial statements was not material. Therefore, the Company is revising the prior period consolidated statement of cash flows for the immaterial error in this Form 10-K and is not amending previously-filed reports.

        The following tables reconcile the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows from the previously-reported results to the revised results for the year ended December 31, 2008—which includes, as applicable, the impact of reclassification on the change in reporting noncontrolling interests attributable to the Company's adoption of the FASB guidance that established new accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests—see Note 1(r):

2. Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The Company requires liquidity to fund its operations, Portfolio Asset acquisitions, investments in and advances to Acquisition Partnerships, capital investments in privately-held middle-market companies, other investments, repayments of bank borrowings and other debt, and working capital to support our growth. Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been funds generated from operations (Portfolio Asset collections, loan sales and service fees), equity distributions from Acquisition Partnerships and other subsidiaries, interest and principal payments on subordinated intercompany debt, dividends from the Company's subsidiaries, borrowings from credit facilities with external lenders, and other special-purpose short-term borrowings.

        Cash generated from our operations and investments is dependent primarily upon our ability to collect on our consolidated Portfolio Assets (and Portfolio Assets in our Acquisition Partnerships) and

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loan investments. Many factors, including general economic conditions, are essential to our ability to generate cash flows. Fluctuations in our collections, investment income, credit availability, and adverse changes in other factors could have a negative impact on our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to support our business. Despite the deterioration in general economic and credit market conditions over the past two years, we continue to have access to liquidity to fund our Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution business segment and Special Situations Platform business segment through our credit facility commitments with external lenders. We believe that funds generated from our operations and investments (as described above)—together with existing cash and available borrowings under our existing credit agreements—will be sufficient to finance our current operations and support our growth at least through the next twelve months.

        The following is a summary of FirstCity's primary external lending facilities that it uses to provide liquidity for equity and loan investments, Portfolio Asset acquisitions, Acquisition Partnership investments, capital investments, and working capital:

$225.0 Million Revolving Loan Facility—Bank of Scotland plc

        FirstCity has a $225.0 million revolving acquisition facility with Bank of Scotland plc ("Bank of Scotland") that matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended—see discussion below). The revolving loan facility is used to finance the senior debt and equity portion of Portfolio Asset purchases made by FirstCity and to provide for the issuance of letters of credit and working capital loans. The obligations of FirstCity under this facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its consolidated subsidiaries and guaranteed by substantially all of FirstCity's consolidated subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this revolving credit facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

The maximum outstanding amount of loans and letters of credit issued under the loan facility that may be outstanding under the loan facility is $225.0 million;



•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") plus 2.5%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Limits loans that can be borrowed in Euros under the loan facility to $50.0 million;



•

The maximum amount of letters of credit that can be issued under the loan facility is $40.0 million;



•

The maximum amount of working capital loans that can be outstanding under the loan facility is $35.0 million;



•

Allows loans to be made based upon a borrowing base of (a) 70% of the net present equity value of certain affiliates of FirstCity engaged in the asset and portfolio investment business, and (b) 40% of the equity investment of FirstCity and its subsidiaries in certain new ventures;



•

The maximum value for assets that can be included in the borrowing base from the acquisition of portfolio assets in certain countries are as follows: Mexico—$40.0 million, Brazil—$10.0 million, Chile—$25.0 million, and Argentina or Uruguay—$6.0 million;



•

Provides for a ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth (as defined) not to exceed 5.25 to 1.00 for the last day of each fiscal quarter;

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•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth (as defined) of $50.0 million for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum ratio of cumulative current recovered and projected collections to cumulative original projected collections of 0.90 to 1.00;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 5.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 25% for the four fiscal quarters then ended.

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with Bank of Scotland.

        FirstCity has $24.8 million in Euro-denominated debt on the $225.0 million revolving loan facility with Bank of Scotland described above for the purpose of hedging a portion of the net equity investments in Europe. In general, the type of risk hedged relates to the foreign currency exposure of net investments in Europe caused by movements in Euro exchange rates. The Company entered into the hedging relationship such that changes in the net investments being hedged are expected to be offset by corresponding changes in the values of the Euro-denominated debt. Effectiveness of the hedging relationship is measured and designated at the beginning of each month by comparing the outstanding balance of the Euro-denominated debt to the carrying value of the designated net equity investments. Net foreign currency translation gains included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to the Euro-denominated debt was $4,000 for 2009 and $2.6 million for 2008.

        On March 30, 2009, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $225.0 million revolving loan facility to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008. These amended definitions are included in the primary terms and key covenants outlined above.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $225.0 million revolving loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. The credit amendment did not change the other primary terms and covenants of this loan facility. In connection with this amendment, FirstCity paid a $0.5 million amendment fee to Bank of Scotland.

$100.0 Million Revolving Loan Facility—Bank of Scotland

        FH Partners LLC ("FH Partners"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, has a $100.0 million revolving loan facility with Bank of Scotland that provides financing for Portfolio Asset purchases by FH Partners. This revolving loan facility matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended—see discussion below), and is secured by all assets of FH Partners and a guaranty by FirstCity and certain of its consolidated

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subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this revolving loan facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

The maximum outstanding amount of loans that may be outstanding under the loan facility is $100.0 million;



•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) LIBOR plus 2.0%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Allows loans to be made for the acquisition of Portfolio Assets in the United States, and provides for loans to be used for other purposes with advance approval from Bank of Scotland;



•

Provides that each loan may be in an amount of up to 70% of the net present value of the assets being acquired with the proceeds of the loan;



•

Provides that the aggregate outstanding balances of all loans will not exceed 65% of the net present value of the assets securing the loan facility;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 7.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended;



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 35% for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides other financial covenants that generally mirror the key covenants of the $225.0 million revolving loan facility that FirstCity has with Bank of Scotland (as described above).

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with Bank of Scotland.

        On March 30, 2009, FH Partners and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $100.0 million revolving loan facility to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FH Partners and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $100.0 million revolving loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. The credit amendment did not change the other primary terms and covenants of this loan facility.

$25.0 Million Subordinated Credit Agreement—BoS(USA), Inc.

        FirstCity has a $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement with BoS(USA), Inc. ("BoS(USA)"), a subsidiary of Bank of Scotland, which may be used to finance equity investments in new ventures, equity investments made in connection with Portfolio Asset purchases and loans made by FirstCity and its subsidiaries to acquisition entities, provide for the issuance of letters of credit, and for working capital loans. This credit facility matures on April 1, 2011 (as amended—see discussion below), and is

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secured by substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its consolidated subsidiaries and guaranteed by substantially all of FirstCity's consolidated subsidiaries. The primary terms and key covenants of this loan facility, as amended, are as follows:

•

Allows loans to be made in maximum aggregate amount of $25.0 million during the term of the loan facility;



•

Provides for a fluctuating interest rate equal to the highest of (i) LIBOR plus 5.0%; (ii) federal funds rate plus 0.5%; or (iii) Bank of Scotland's prime rate;



•

Allows loans to be made based upon a borrowing base of (a) 80% of the net present equity value of certain affiliates of FirstCity engaged in the asset and portfolio investment business, and (b) 90% of the equity investment of FirstCity and its subsidiaries in certain new ventures;



•

Limits that the maximum value for assets that can be included in the borrowing base from the acquisition of portfolio assets in certain countries as follows (a) Mexico up to $40.0 million, (b) Brazil up to $10.0 million, (c) Chile up to $25.0 million and (d) Argentina and Uruguay up to $6.0 million;



•

Provides for inclusion in the borrowing base of loans made to the FirstCity Denver (majority-owned subsidiary of FirstCity) to be advanced for the purpose of investing in distressed debt, special loan originations, leveraged buyouts and other special opportunities and revised other terms and provisions of the facility to allow acquisition loans under the facility;



•

Provides for inclusion in the borrowing base of certain loans made by FirstCity subsidiaries to non-affiliated entities that are secured by real estate;



•

Provides for a ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth (as defined) not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00 for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth (as defined) of $55.9 million for the last day of each fiscal quarter;



•

Provides for a minimum ratio of cumulative current recovered and projected collections to cumulative original projected collections of 0.90 to 1.00;



•

Provides for a ratio of net cash flows (as defined) to total interest and fee expense of not less than 5.00 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters then ended; and



•

Provides for a cash conversion rate (as defined) of not less than 25% for the four fiscal quarters then ended.

        At December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with BoS(USA).

        In connection with a previous financing arrangement, FirstCity issued a warrant to BoS(USA) to purchase 425,000 shares of the Company's voting common stock at $2.3125 per share. This warrant also entitled BoS(USA) with additional warrants under certain specific situations to retain its ability to own approximately 4.86% of the Company's voting common stock. The warrant expired on December 31, 2009 without being exercised.

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2. Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

        On March 30, 2009, FirstCity and BoS(USA) entered into an amendment to this $25.0 million subordinated credit agreement to amend the definitions of "indebtedness" and "tangible net worth" such that in the determination of "tangible net worth" and the computation of the ratio of "indebtedness to tangible net worth" for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2008 and thereafter, "tangible net worth" and "indebtedness" would be adjusted by deducting non-controlling interests in subsidiaries from liabilities and adding non-controlling interests in subsidiaries to equity (as provided by FASB's accounting and reporting guidance on non-controlling interests issued in December 2007) for fiscal quarters ending after December 31, 2008. These amended definitions are included in the primary terms and key covenants outlined above.

        On and effective March 26, 2010, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland entered into an amendment to this $100.0 million revolving loan facility to extend the maturity date to April 1, 2011. The credit amendment did not change the other primary terms and covenants of this loan facility.

Banco Santander, S.A.

        FirstCity Mexico SA de CV, a wholly-owned Mexican subsidiary of FirstCity, has a term note with Banco Santander, S.A. with an unpaid principal balance of 142,240,000 Mexican pesos at December 31, 2009, which was equivalent to $11.0 million U.S. dollars on that date. The loan proceeds are used to pay down the acquisition facility with the Bank of Scotland. Pursuant to the terms of the credit facility, FirstCity Mexico SA de CV was required to provide a stand-by letter of credit from Bank of Scotland that would satisfy the loan balance upon demand. At December 31, 2009, FirstCity had a letter of credit in the amount of $12.6 million from Bank of Scotland under the terms of FirstCity's revolving acquisition facility with Bank of Scotland. In the event that a demand is made under the $12.6 million letter of credit, FirstCity is required to reimburse Bank of Scotland by making payment to Bank of Scotland for all amounts disbursed or to be disbursed by Bank of Scotland under the letter of credit.

Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC

        At December 31, 2009, American Business Lending, Inc. ("ABL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, had a $25.0 million revolving loan facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC ("WFCF"), for the purpose of financing and acquiring SBA loans. This credit facility matures in January 2012 and is secured by substantially all of ABL's assets. In connection with this loan facility, FirstCity provides WFCF with an unconditional guaranty for all of ABL's obligations up to maximum of $5.0 million plus enforcement costs. The primary terms and key covenants of the $25.0 million revolving loan facility, as amended, are as follows.

•

Provides for a borrowing base for originating loans by which (a) the sum of (1) up to 100% of the net eligible SBA guaranteed loans originated by ABL, plus (2) up to 80% of the net eligible non-guaranteed real estate loans originated by ABL, plus (3) up to 70% of the net eligible non-guaranteed mixed collateral loans, exceeds (b) the sum of (1) any reserves for obligations of ABL related to the bank products, plus (2) the aggregate amount, if any, of loan reserves then established and outstanding, plus (3) the aggregate amount of any other reserves established by WFCF;



•

Provides for alternate interest rates as follows: (i) in the event of a LIBOR rate loan, interest shall accrue at a per annum rate equal to the sum of (a) the LIBOR rate for the applicable

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interest period plus (b) the LIBOR rate margin of 4.25%; (ii) in the case of a base rate loan, interest shall accrue at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Wells Fargo base rate plus the base rate margin of 4.25%, or (b) seven and one-half percent (7.50%) per annum; and (iii) otherwise, at a floating per annum rate equal to the greater of (a) the Wells Fargo base rate plus the base rate margin of 4.25%, or (B) seven and one-half percent (7.5%) per annum;

•

Provides in the event of the termination of the facility by ABL for a prepayment fee of 3.0% of the maximum credit line if paid prior to January 31, 2011, and 2.0% of the maximum credit line if paid during the period beginning February 1, 2011 and ending January 30, 2012;



•

Provides for a minimum tangible net worth requirement of $5.5 million plus 100% of the positive amounts (less negative amounts) of ABL's net income in 2009 and thereafter;



•

Provides for a maximum delinquent and defaulted loan ratio of (a) the sum of delinquent non-guaranteed notes receivable and defaulted non-guaranteed notes receivable to (b) non-guaranteed notes receivable, not to exceed 8.0%; and



•

Provides for a maximum loan loss ratio of (a) loan losses for the twelve-month period being measured to (b) the average amount of all non-guaranteed notes receivable outstanding during such twelve-month period, not to exceed 3.0%.

        At December 31, 2009, ABL was in compliance with all covenants or other requirements set forth in the credit agreement or other agreements with WFCF, except for the covenant related to delinquent and defaulted loans. At the end of each month, ABL's ratio of delinquent and defaulted non-guaranteed loans should not exceed 8.0% (ABL's measure under this condition was 9.5% at December 31, 2009). WFCF waived this covenant requirement of the agreement as of December 31, 2009.

3. Business Acquisitions

        The following is a summary of acquisitions completed by the Company in 2009 and 2008 that were accounted for as business combination transactions or noncontrolling interest purchases:

U.S. Manufacturing Company

        On December 11, 2009, the Company, through its majority-owned Special Situations Platform subsidiary, acquired 87.45% of the common stock of BEI Holding Corporation ("BEI"). BEI engages principally in the design, production and sale of radio broadcasting equipment and software solutions. BEI is headquartered in Illinois and has sales throughout North America, as well as Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The results of BEI's operations have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since December 11, 2009, and are included in our Special Situations Platform business segment (see Note 18). The acquisition compliments the investment strategies of our Special Situations Platform business segment and provides the Company with a majority ownership interest in a leading provider of mission-critical solutions for over-the-air and Internet radio.

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3. Business Acquisitions (Continued)

        The following table summarizes the consideration transferred to acquire BEI and the amounts of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values (amounts in thousands):

        The excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable assets was recognized as a bargain purchase gain and is included in "Gain on business combinations" on the Company's statement of operations for 2009. The gain was largely driven by depressed market conditions in the radio broadcast industry, which allowed for an attractive acquisition price. BEI contributed net revenues of $560,000 and earnings from operations of $71,000 to the Company for the period December 11, 2009 to December 31, 2009.

        The following table provides unaudited pro forma information of the Company as if the acquisition of BEI had occurred at the beginning of each period presented. This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative either of the combined results of operations that actually would have been realized had the acquisition been consummated during the periods for which the pro forma information is presented, or of future results.

French Acquisition Partnerships

        In September 2008, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired an additional 7.75% ownership interest in UBN (a French Acquisition Partnership) for $1.5 million. As a result of

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3. Business Acquisitions (Continued)

the additional equity purchase, the Company's ownership interest in UBN increased to 53.5%, resulting in UBN becoming a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The transaction was accounted for as a step acquisition, and accordingly, UBN's assets of $23.8 million (including $1.2 million in cash) and liabilities of $1.6 million were included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet at the date of the step acquisition. The Company previously accounted for its investment in UBN under the equity method of accounting, and the carrying amount of the Company's 45.75% equity interest in UBN at the time of the step acquisition approximated $10.2 million. UBN's results of operations since the step acquisition date have been included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

        In May 2009, the Company, through a majority-owned subsidiary (UBN), acquired additional ownership interests (ranging from 55.0% to 95.0%) in sixteen French Acquisition Partnerships for $7.8 million in cash. As a result of the transaction, the Company acquired a majority ownership interest (i.e. controlling financial interest) in each of the sixteen French entities—resulting in the entities becoming consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Prior to this transaction, the Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owned a direct equity-method investment in nine of the French entities (the aggregate carrying value of the Company's equity-method investments in these nine French entities approximated $0.5 million at the time of the transaction). In addition, prior to this transaction, the Company, through an equity-method investee, owned an indirect equity-method investment in all of the French entities.

        The transaction was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, the French entities' assets (primarily non-performing loans) and liabilities and the noncontrolling interests were measured at fair value on the acquisition date and included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of the Portfolio Assets was measured using a discounted cash flow model, employing a 20% market discount rate, based on the projected future cash flows of the underlying loan portfolios. In management's opinion, the market discount rate used in the cash flow model reflects the rate of return a market participant would consider for this type of loan investment. The amounts attributable to the French entities that were included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet on the acquisition date are as follows (in thousands):

        In addition, pursuant to accounting provisions applicable to business combinations, the Company's previously-held direct equity-method investments in nine of the French entities were remeasured to fair value at the acquisition date. The fair value of the Company's previously-held equity interests exceeded the aggregate carrying value of $0.5 million by approximately $1.5 million. As such, the Company recognized a $1.5 million gain attributable to the remeasurement of its previously-held equity interests on the acquisition date (included in "Business combination gains" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations for 2009).

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3. Business Acquisitions (Continued)

Property Acquisition

        In June 2008, the Company, through its majority-owned Special Situations Platform subsidiary, acquired an 80% interest in 122-132 West Pierpont Avenue in Salt Lake City, Utah for approximately $2.2 million in cash. The property consists of office and retail buildings. The estimated fair value of the primary assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition included $1.4 million for land; $6.1 million for buildings; $2.1 million for tenant improvements and lease-related intangible assets; and $7.6 million for a note payable. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase business combination. The results of the property's operations since the acquisition date have been included in the consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions of Noncontrolling Interests

        In May 2009, the Company purchased noncontrolling interests in two majority-owned subsidiaries (UBN and WAMCO 80) already included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company paid $2.8 million in cash for the purchased noncontrolling interests. On the respective acquisition dates, the Company's carrying values of the purchased noncontrolling interests approximated $3.6 million. Under accounting provisions applicable to noncontrolling interest transactions, the Company accounted for the purchased noncontrolling interests as equity transactions, and recognized the $0.8 million difference between the purchase prices and the carrying values of the noncontrolling interests acquired as an increase to the Company's consolidated paid-in capital.

4. Portfolio Assets

        Portfolio Assets are summarized as follows:

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