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Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from          to          

 

Commission File Number: 001-33138

 

KBW, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

13-4055775
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number: (212) 887-7777

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x   No  o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of July 31, 2010 was 35,444,383, which number includes 3,995,865 shares representing unvested restricted stock awards and excludes 1,046,448 shares underlying vested restricted stock units.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

Number

 

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

1

 

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

2

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition—June 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009

2

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Three and Six Months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

3

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity—Six Months ended June 30, 2010 (unaudited)

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Six Months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)

5

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

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

22

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

36

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

37

 

 

PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

39

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

39

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

39

 

 

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

41

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

41

 

 

Item 4. Other Information

42

 

 

Item 5. Exhibits

42

 

 

SIGNATURES

43

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

44

 

 

EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION

 

 

 

EX-101 INTERACTIVE DATA

 

 



Table of Contents

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

KBW, Inc. is required to file current, annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access our SEC filings.

 

We will make available free of charge through our website http://www.kbw.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by or on behalf of directors, executive officers and certain large stockholders, and any amendments to those documents filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act. These filings will become available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

 

We also make available, on the Investor Relations page of our website, our (i) Corporate Governance Guidelines, (ii) Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, (iii) Supplement to Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers, and (iv) charters of each of the Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominations Committees of our Board of Directors. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer to view these documents, which are in the PDF format. These documents are also available in print free of charge to any person who requests them by writing or telephoning: KBW, Inc., Office of the Corporate Secretary, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York, 10019, U.S.A., telephone number (212) 887-7777. These documents, as well as the information on our website, are not a part of this report.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements.

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

2009

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

177,255

 

$

203,180

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

107,124

 

56,720

 

Corporate and other debt

 

81,454

 

75,754

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

34,267

 

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

2,212

 

 

Other investments

 

47,942

 

41,917

 

Total financial instruments owned, at fair value:

 

272,999

 

174,391

 

Receivables from clearing brokers

 

129,885

 

161,811

 

Accounts receivable

 

17,653

 

28,703

 

Income taxes receivable

 

613

 

1,129

 

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $28,062 in 2010 and $25,636 in 2009

 

18,273

 

18,800

 

Other assets

 

48,385

 

43,354

 

Total assets

 

$

665,063

 

$

631,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

49,186

 

$

31,288

 

Corporate debt

 

10,439

 

4,723

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

451

 

962

 

Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value:

 

60,076

 

36,973

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

 

105,865

 

134,658

 

Income taxes payable

 

18,659

 

10,668

 

Total liabilities

 

184,600

 

182,299

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

Common stock

 

314

 

307

 

Paid-in capital

 

175,072

 

161,168

 

Retained earnings

 

318,403

 

298,626

 

Notes receivable from stockholders

 

(100

)

(609

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(13,226

)

(10,423

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

480,463

 

449,069

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

665,063

 

$

631,368

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

61,173

 

$

42,313

 

$

131,135

 

$

69,173

 

Commissions

 

36,098

 

35,852

 

71,502

 

71,871

 

Principal transactions, net

 

3,262

 

23,580

 

22,309

 

27,696

 

Interest and dividend income

 

3,670

 

2,037

 

6,554

 

3,775

 

Investment advisory fees

 

497

 

320

 

791

 

633

 

Other

 

1,106

 

994

 

6,825

 

4,224

 

Total revenues

 

105,806

 

105,096

 

239,116

 

177,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

65,059

 

65,479

 

146,937

 

111,146

 

Occupancy and equipment

 

5,503

 

5,442

 

11,115

 

10,601

 

Communications and data processing

 

8,159

 

7,242

 

15,815

 

13,902

 

Brokerage and clearance

 

3,780

 

3,602

 

8,866

 

7,484

 

Business development

 

3,801

 

3,213

 

7,261

 

6,245

 

Interest

 

267

 

57

 

525

 

226

 

Other

 

4,377

 

6,452

 

13,427

 

12,229

 

Total expenses

 

90,946

 

91,487

 

203,946

 

161,833

 

Income before income taxes

 

14,860

 

13,609

 

35,170

 

15,539

 

Income tax expense

 

6,704

 

6,396

 

15,393

 

7,596

 

Net income

 

$

8,156

 

$

7,213

 

$

19,777

 

$

7,943

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.22

 

Diluted

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.22

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

32,481,478

 

31,405,229

 

32,361,823

 

31,380,008

 

Diluted

 

32,481,478

 

31,405,229

 

32,361,823

 

31,380,008

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivable

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

Preferred

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Retained

 

from

 

Comprehensive

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Stock

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Stockholders

 

Loss

 

Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

 

$

 

$

307

 

$

161,168

 

$

298,626

 

$

(609

)

$

(10,423

)

$

449,069

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

19,777

 

 

 

19,777

 

Other comprehensive loss, currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,803

)

(2,803

)

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,974

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

 

 

24,078

 

 

 

 

24,078

 

Cancellation of 444,832 shares of restricted stock in satisfaction of withholding tax requirements

 

 

(4

)

(11,857

)

 

 

 

(11,861

)

Issuance of 1,143,653 shares of common stock

 

 

11

 

26,666

 

 

 

 

26,677

 

Stock-based awards vested

 

 

 

(26,568

)

 

 

 

(26,568

)

Tax benefit related to stock-based awards

 

 

 

1,585

 

 

 

 

1,585

 

Repayment of notes receivable from stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

509

 

 

509

 

Balance at June 30, 2010

 

$

 

$

314

 

$

 175,072

 

$

318,403

 

$

(100

)

$

(13,226

)

$

480,463

 

 

Description of preferred stock and details:

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Authorized

 

Issued

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

$

0.01

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

0.01

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

 

Description of common stock and details:

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 

 

Par Value

 

Authorized

 

Issued(*)

 

Outstanding(*)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

$

0.01

 

140,000,000

 

31,448,518

 

31,448,518

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

0.01

 

140,000,000

 

30,749,697

 

30,749,697

 

 


(*)These share amounts exclude vested restricted stock units.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

19,777

 

$

7,943

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

24,078

 

20,137

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,512

 

2,396

 

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(391

)

(106

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

 

(99,361

)

(23,490

)

Receivables from clearing brokers

 

31,534

 

68,669

 

Accounts receivable

 

10,885

 

124

 

Income taxes receivable

 

465

 

3,418

 

Other assets

 

(4,849

)

(636

)

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

 

23,268

 

8,800

 

Payable to clearing broker

 

 

19,627

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

(31,547

)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(28,121

)

(38,932

)

Income taxes payable

 

7,987

 

400

 

Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities

 

(12,216

)

36,803

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements

 

(1,998

)

(2,597

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(1,998

)

(2,597

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of shares of common stock

 

109

 

106

 

Cancellation of restricted stock in satisfaction of withholding tax requirements

 

(11,861

)

(4,603

)

Excess (shortfall) net tax benefit related to stock-based awards

 

1,585

 

(1,360

)

Repayment of notes receivable from stockholders

 

509

 

1,616

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(9,658

)

(4,241

)

Currency adjustment:

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

(2,053

)

4,958

 

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(25,925

)

34,923

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

 

203,180

 

194,981

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

177,255

 

$

229,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

$

8,427

 

$

6,122

 

Interest

 

$

434

 

$

296

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

(1)              Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KBW, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“Keefe”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBWL”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Asia Limited (“KBWAL”), KBW Asset Management, Inc. and KBW Ventures, Inc. Keefe is a regulatory member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and is principally a broker-dealer in securities and a market-maker in certain financial services stocks and bonds in the United States. KBWL is authorized and regulated by the U.K. Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and a member of the London Stock Exchange, Euronext, SWX Europe and Deutsche Boerse.  KBWAL is a securities firm licensed and regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong.   Keefe’s, KBWL’s and KBWAL’s customers are predominantly institutional investors including other brokers and dealers, commercial banks, asset managers and other financial institutions. Keefe has a clearing arrangement with Pershing LLC on a fully disclosed basis. KBWL has a clearing arrangement with Pershing Securities Limited on a fully disclosed basis and is responsible for clearance and settlement for both KBWL and KBWAL.

 

These consolidated financial statements and these notes are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in annual financial statements. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.

 

(2)              Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a)               Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification

 

In September 2009, the Company adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, The “FASB Accounting Standards Codification™” and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (FASB Accounting Standards Codification 105)SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (“Codification” or “ASC”) as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities.  Rules and interpretive releases of the 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.  All other nongrandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is nonauthoritative.

 

Following the Codification, the Board will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.  Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates, which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.

 

Reference to GAAP requirements, where provided in these financial statements are to the ASC.

 

(b)               Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

The Company consolidates entities for which it has a controlling financial interest as defined in ASC 810, Consolidation.  The usual condition for a controlling financial interest is ownership of a majority voting interest.  As a result, the Company generally consolidates entities when they have ownership, directly or indirectly, of over 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares of another entity.  Since a controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interest, the Company also evaluates entities for consolidation under the “variable interest model” in accordance with ASC 810.  The Company consolidates variable interest entities when it has determined to hold the power that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance or a right to absorb a majority the entity’s expected losses, or expected residual returns, or both.  The Company had no variable interest entities that required consolidation at June 30, 2010.

 

In addition, the Company evaluates its investments in limited partnerships under ASC 810.  Under ASC 810, the general partners in limited partnerships are presumed to have control unless the limited partners have either a substantial ability to dissolve the

 

6



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

limited partnership or otherwise can remove the general partner without cause or have substantial participating rights. There were no limited partnership interests that required consolidation at June 30, 2010.

 

(c)                Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s financial statements and these footnotes including securities valuations, compensation accruals and other matters. Management believes that the estimates used in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

(d)               Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents include investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, carrying value approximates their fair value.

 

(e)                Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.  ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between current market participants at the measurement date”.

 

Fair value is generally based on quoted market prices. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors, including dealer price quotations, price activity for equivalent instruments and valuation pricing methods. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of financial instruments for which there are no current quoted market prices are credit spreads, the terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, assessing the underlying investments, market-based information, such as comparable company transactions, performance multiples and changes in market outlook as well as other measurements.  Financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased are stated at fair value, with related changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in principal transactions, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Financial assets and financial liabilities carried at contract amounts may include receivables from clearing brokers, securities purchased under resale agreements, short-term borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements. See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of ASC 820.

 

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, provides entities the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period.  ASC 825 permits the fair value option election, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, either at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.  Such election must be applied to the entire instrument and not only a portion of the instrument.  The Company applied the fair value option for certain eligible instruments, including all private equity securities and limited partnership interests, as these financial instruments had been accounted for at fair value by the Company prior to the fair value option election in accordance with the ASC 940, Financial Services — Broker and Dealers. Generally, the fair values of these financial instruments have been determined based on company performance and, in those instances where market values are readily ascertainable, by reference to recent significant events occurring in the marketplace or quoted market prices. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company elected to adopt the measurement amendments included in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (ASC 820).  ASU No. 2009-12 permits, as a practical expedient, the use of the net asset value per share, or its equivalent, of an entity to estimate its fair value. The Company’s partnership interests are recorded at fair value, determined by using net asset values or capital statements provided by the general partner, updated for capital contributions and distributions and changes in market conditions up to the reporting date.

 

(f)                  Securities Purchased Under Resale Agreements and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements

 

Securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions. The assets and liabilities that result from these agreements are recorded in the consolidated

 

7



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

statements of financial condition at the amounts at which the securities were sold or purchased (contract value), respectively. It is the policy of the Company to obtain possession of collateral or deliver collateral, as the case may be, with a market value equal to or in excess of the principal amount of the transactions.  Collateral is valued daily, and the Company may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged when appropriate. Interest on securities purchased under resale agreements and securities sold under repurchase agreements is recognized in interest and dividend income and interest expense, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations over the life of the transaction.

 

There were no resale or repurchase agreements outstanding as of June 30, 2010.

 

(g)               Receivables From Clearing Brokers

 

Receivables from clearing brokers include proceeds from securities sold, including financial instruments sold not yet purchased, commissions related to securities transactions, margin loans and related interest and deposits with clearing brokers. Proceeds related to financial instruments sold, not yet purchased may be restricted until the securities are purchased.  Balances are provided net when the right of set-off exists.

 

(h)               Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

Furniture and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of the related assets, generally two to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the economic useful life of the improvement or the term of the respective leases.

 

(i)                  Revenue Recognition

 

Investment Banking

 

The Company earns fees for providing strategic advisory services in mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other transactions which are predominantly composed of fees based on a successful completion of a transaction, and from capital markets, which is comprised of underwriting securities’ offerings and arranging private placements, including securitized debt offerings.

 

Strategic advisory revenues are recorded when earned, the fees are determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Non-refundable upfront fees are generally deferred and recognized as revenue ratably over the expected period in which the related services are rendered.  Upon successful completion of a transaction or termination of an engagement, the recognition of revenue would be accelerated.

 

Capital markets revenue consists of:

 

·        Underwriting revenues, which are recognized on trade date, net of related syndicate expenses, at the time the underwriting is completed. In syndicated underwritten transactions, management estimates the Company’s share of transaction-related expenses incurred by the syndicate, and the Company recognizes revenue net of such expense. On final settlement, the Company adjusts these amounts to reflect the actual transaction-related expenses and resulting underwriting fee.

 

·        Private placement revenues, which are recorded when the services related to the underlying transaction are completed under the terms of the engagement.  This is generally the closing date of the transaction.

 

Since the Company’s investment banking revenues are generally recognized at the time of completion of each transaction or when the services are performed, these revenues typically vary between periods and may be considerably affected by the timing of the closing of significant transactions.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

Commissions

 

The Company’s sales and trading business generates revenue from equity securities’ trading commissions paid by institutional investor customers.  Commissions are recognized on a trade date basis.

 

Principal transactions

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value are recorded on a trade-date basis with realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected in principal transactions, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Interest and dividend income

 

The Company recognizes contractual interest on financial instruments owned at fair value on an accrual basis as a component of interest and dividend income.  Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

 

Investment advisory fees

 

The Company recognizes management fees from managed funds over the period that the related service is provided based upon a percentage of account balances, capital invested, capital commitments or some combination thereof.  The Company also may be entitled to receive incentive fees based on a percentage of a fund’s return or when the return on assets under management exceeds certain performance targets. Some incentive fees are based on investment performance over a 12-month period and are subject to adjustment prior to the end of the measurement period. Accordingly, these incentive fees are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the measurement period ends.

 

(j)      Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation is measured at fair value on the date of grant and amortized to compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures. Stock-based awards that do not require future service (i.e., vested awards and awards granted to retirement eligible employees) are expensed immediately on the date of grant.  Withholding tax obligations may be satisfied by the repurchase of shares by the Company.  Such shares are cancelled upon repurchase.

 

(k)               Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax effect of differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.  In the event it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.

 

The Company applies ASC 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a single, comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on its tax returns.  Income tax expense is based on pre-tax accounting income, including adjustments made for the recognition or derecognition related to uncertain tax positions.

 

(l)                  Earnings Per Common Share (“EPS”)

 

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders, which represents net income reduced by the allocation of earnings to participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares.  Losses are not allocated to participating securities.  The weighted average number of common shares outstanding include restricted stock units for which no future service is required as a condition to the delivery of the underlying common stock.  Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, give effect to potentially dilutive common shares related to Company stock compensation plans.

 

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Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating EPS under the two-class method. Accordingly, the Company treats unvested share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable rights to dividend or dividend equivalents as a separate class of securities in calculating EPS.

 

(m)            Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company translates the statements of financial condition of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries at the exchange rates in effect as of the end of each reporting period.  The consolidated statements of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period. The resulting translation adjustments of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are recorded directly to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.

 

(n)               Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

(3)               Financial Instruments

 

The Company accounts for financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis in accordance with ASC 820.  This includes those items currently reported in financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

As defined in ASC 820, fair value is 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. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods, primarily market and income approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company utilizes assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable firm inputs. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide the information set forth below according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.   Financial instrument assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

Level  1                                                       Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level  2                                                       Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level  3                                                       Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

 

Level 1 primarily consists of listed financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices, such as listed equities, options, warrants and preferred stock.  This category also may include U.S. Government and agency securities for which the Company typically receives independent external valuation information.  There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

 

Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using multiple valuation techniques, primarily the market approach.   The valuation methodologies utilized are calibrated to observable market inputs.  The Company considers recently executed transactions, market price quotations and various assumptions, including credit spreads, the terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, as well as other measurements. In order to be classified as Level 2, substantially all of these assumptions would need to be observable in the marketplace or can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category include certain corporate debt, collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) primarily collateralized by banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities, certain convertible preferred stock, convertible debt and residential mortgage-backed securities.  There were no transfers in or out of Level 2 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

Fair value of corporate debt, certain convertible preferred stock, convertible debt and residential mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 2 was determined by using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotes, or alternate pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.  Fair value of CDOs primarily collateralized by banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities was determined primarily by considering recently executed transactions of similar securities and certain assumptions, including the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying companies.

 

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on multiple valuation techniques, primarily market and income approaches. The valuation methodologies utilized may include significant inputs that are unobservable from objective sources. The Company considers various market inputs and assumptions, such as recently executed transactions, market price quotations, discount margins, market spreads applied, the terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, default rates, as well as other measurements.  Included in this category are certain corporate and other debt, including banking and insurance company trust preferred, private equity securities and other investments including limited and general partnership interests.

 

Fair value of banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities classified as Level 3 was determined by primarily utilizing a market spread method for each of the individual trust preferred and capital securities utilizing credit spreads for secondary market trades for trust preferred and capital securities for issues which were substantially similar to such positions based on certain assumptions. The key market inputs in this method are the discount margins, market spreads applied, the yield expectations for similar instruments and the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company.

 

Fair value of private equity securities classified as Level 3 was determined by assessing market-based information, such as performance multiples, comparable company transactions and changes in market outlook. Fair value of limited and general partnership interests classified as Level 3 was determined by using net asset values or capital statements provided by the general partner, updated for capital contributions and distributions and changes in market conditions up to the reporting date.  Private equity securities and limited and general partnership interests generally trade infrequently.

 

The following table provides information related to financial instruments where a practical expedient was used as the basis to measure the fair value of certain entities that calculate a net asset value per share (or equivalent) as of June 30, 2010:

 

Type of Investment

 

Fair Value

 

Unfunded
Commitments

 

Redemption
Frequency

 

Redemption
Notice Period

 

Long/short hedge funds (a)

 

$

13,088

 

$

 

Monthly

 

30 Days

 

Public/private equity funds (b)

 

34,854

 

18,700

 

n/a

 

n/a

 

 

 

$

47,942

 

$

18,700

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a)          This category includes investments in hedge funds that invest primarily in domestic long/short positions in equity securities and various derivatives, including options on securities and stock index options with respect to companies in the financial services sector. Management of these funds also has the ability to invest in foreign equities and fixed income securities. The fair values of investments in this category have been estimated using the net asset value per share, or equivalent, of the investments.  Investments in this category can be redeemed monthly; however, the general partner may impose a “gate” for any withdrawal over 20% of the total fund net asset value.

 

(b)         This category includes several funds that invest primarily in domestic public and private companies operating in the financial services sector. Management of these funds also have the ability to invest in foreign public and private equities, debt financial instruments, warrants, hybrid securities and membership interests in the financial services sector. The fair values of investments in this category have been estimated using asset values based on capital statements provided by the general partner, updated, as necessary, for capital contributions and distributions and changes in market conditions up to the reporting date. These investments generally cannot be redeemed, unless approved by the general partners.  Upon liquidation of the underlying investments prior to the life expectancy / maturity of the funds, management of the funds can elect to make distributions to the limited partners. The time horizon for such distributions is at the discretion of the general partners but should not exceed the time horizon of the fund’s life expectancy. It is estimated that these investments would be liquidated approximately ten years following the initial investment date, some with options to extend for up to a two year period,

 

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Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

ranging from 2010 — 2020.  Additional expenses, such as legal and administrative associated with the final liquidation can be incurred. Therefore, it is possible that upon final liquidation of the investments, the final funds distributed could be different from the estimated value of the investment.  However, these differences are not expected to be material.

 

In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performed a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.

 

Assets at Fair Value as of June 30, 2010

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

82,703

 

$

17

 

$

18,425

 

$

101,145

 

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

4,464

 

49,868

 

9,501

 

63,833

 

CDOs

 

 

5,234

 

1

 

5,235

 

Other debt obligations(1)

 

 

 

12,386

 

12,386

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

4,464

 

55,102

 

21,888

 

81,454

 

Mortgage-backed securities - residential

 

 

34,267

 

 

34,267

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

2,212

 

 

 

2,212

 

Other investments(2)

 

 

 

47,942

 

47,942

 

Total non-derivative trading assets

 

89,379

 

89,386

 

88,255

 

267,020

 

Equity options/warrants

 

5,979

 

 

 

5,979

 

Total financial instruments owned

 

$

95,358

 

$

89,386

 

$

88,255

 

$

272,999

 

 


(1) Consists of bank and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities.

(2) Consists of limited and general partnership interests.

 

Liabilities at Fair Value as of June 30, 2010

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

46,587

 

$

 

$

 

$

46,587

 

Corporate debt

 

977

 

9,462

 

 

10,439

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

451

 

 

 

451

 

Total non-derivative trading liabilities

 

48,015

 

9,462

 

 

57,477

 

Equity options/warrants

 

2,599

 

 

 

2,599

 

Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased

 

$

50,614

 

$

9,462

 

$

 

$

60,076

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

40,197

 

$

22

 

$

15,873

 

$

56,092

 

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

9,354

 

38,604

 

10,000

 

57,958

 

CDOs

 

 

5,448

 

1

 

5,449

 

Other debt obligations(1)

 

 

 

12,347

 

12,347

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

9,354

 

44,052

 

22,348

 

75,754

 

Other investments(2)

 

 

 

41,917

 

41,917

 

Total non-derivative trading assets

 

49,551

 

44,074

 

80,138

 

173,763

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

628

 

 

 

628

 

Total financial instruments owned

 

$

50,179

 

$

44,074

 

$

80,138

 

$

174,391

 

 


(1) Consists of bank and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities.

(2) Consists of limited and general partnership interests.

 

Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2009

 

 

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

31,191

 

$

 

$

 

$

31,191

 

Corporate debt

 

 

4,723

 

 

4,723

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

962

 

 

 

962

 

Total non-derivative trading liabilities

 

32,153

 

4,723

 

 

36,876

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

97

 

 

 

97

 

Total financial instruments sold, not yet purchased

 

$

32,250

 

$

4,723

 

$

 

$

36,973

 

 

The non-derivative trading assets/liabilities categories were reported in financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

The derivative financial instruments were reported on a gross basis by level. The Company’s derivative activities included in financial instruments owned and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased consist of writing and purchasing listed equity options and warrants.

 

13



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the non-derivative trading assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

Level 3 Financial Assets

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Balance as of
March 31, 2010

 

Total gains
and (losses)
(realized and
unrealized)

 

Purchases/
(sales/other
settlements), net

 

Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3

 

Balance as of
June 30, 2010

 

Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date

 

Equities

 

$

23,265

 

$

(525

)

$

(4,315

)

$

 

$

18,425

 

$

159

 

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

9,651

 

(150

)

 

 

9,501

 

(150

)

CDOs

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Other debt obligations

 

11,895

 

491

 

 

 

12,386

 

491

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

21,547

 

341

 

 

 

21,888

 

341

 

Other investments

 

45,092

 

791

 

2,059

 

 

47,942

 

778

 

Total Level 3 financial assets

 

$

89,904

 

$

607

 

$

(2,256

)

$

 

$

88,255

 

$

1,278

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30, 2009

 

Balance as of
March 31, 2009

 

Total gains
and (losses)
(realized and
unrealized)

 

Purchases/
(sales/other
settlements), net

 

Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3

 

Balance as of
June 30, 2009

 

Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date

 

Equities

 

$

15,128

 

$

119

 

$

 

$

 

$

15,247

 

$

119

 

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

500

 

1

 

 

 

501

 

 

CDOs

 

1

 

19

 

(19

)

 

1

 

 

Other debt obligations

 

27,295

 

3,708

 

(5,644

)

 

25,359

 

8,208

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

27,796

 

3,728

 

(5,663

)

 

25,861

 

8,208

 

Other investments

 

36,252

 

946

 

(164

)

 

37,034

 

1,032

 

Total Level 3 Financial Assets

 

$

79,176

 

$

4,793

 

$

(5,827

)

$

 

$

78,142

 

$

9,359

 

 

14



Table of Contents

 

KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Balance as of
December 31, 2009

 

Total gains and
(losses)
(realized and
unrealized)

 

Purchases/
(sales/other
settlements), net

 

Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3

 

Balance as of
June 30, 2010

 

Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date

 

Equities

 

$

15,873

 

$

(498

)

$

3,050

 

$

 

$

18,425

 

$

186

 

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

10,000

 

(499

)

 

 

9,501

 

(499

)

CDOs

 

1

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Other debt obligations

 

12,347

 

39

 

 

 

12,386

 

39

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

22,348

 

(460

)

 

 

21,888

 

(460

)

Other investments

 

41,917

 

2,619

 

3,406

 

 

47,942

 

2,606

 

Total Level 3 financial assets

 

$

80,138

 

$

1,661

 

$

6,456

 

$

 

$

88,255

 

$

2,332

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2009

 

Balance as of
December 31, 2008

 

Total gains and
(losses)
(realized and
unrealized)

 

Purchases/
(sales/other
settlements), net

 

Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3

 

Balance as of
June 30, 2009

 

Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date

 

Equities

 

$

14,722

 

$

(239

)

$

 

$

764

 

$

15,247

 

$

(239

)

Corporate and other debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

1,581

 

(1,080

)

 

 

501

 

(1,080

)

CDOs

 

44

 

21

 

(64

)

 

1

 

(26

)

Other debt obligations

 

31,063

 

(60

)

(5,644

)

 

25,359

 

4,440

 

Total corporate and other debt

 

32,688

 

(1,119

)

(5,708

)

 

25,861

 

3,334

 

Other investments

 

34,893

 

1,121

 

1,020

 

 

37,034

 

1,033

 

Total Level 3 financial assets

 

$

82,303

 

$

(237

)

$

(4,688

)

$

764

 

$

78,142

 

$

4,128

 

 

Total gains and losses represent the total gains and/or losses (realized and unrealized) recorded for the Level 3 financial assets and were reported in principal transactions, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the change in the unrealized gains and losses may be offset by realized gains and losses during the period.

 

Purchases/(sales/other settlements) represent the net amount of purchases, sales and other settlements of Level 3 financial assets during the period. The amounts were recorded on the transaction dates at the transaction amounts.

 

Transfers in/(out) of Level 3 represent existing financial assets that were previously categorized at a lower level.  Transfers in or out of Level 3 result from changes in the observability of inputs used in determining fair values for different types of financial assets.  Transfers were reported at their fair value as of the actual date in which such changes in the fair value inputs occurs.

 

The amount of unrealized gains and losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains and losses relating to Level 3 assets still held at the end of the period were reported in principal transactions, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.  The change in unrealized gains and losses may be offset by realized gains and losses during the period.

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

(4)     Short-Term Borrowings

 

From time to time, the Company obtains secured short-term borrowings primarily through bank loans.  At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were no short-term borrowing obligations outstanding.

 

(5)    Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a)               Leases

 

As of June 30, 2010, there were no significant changes in the Company’s lease agreements since December 31, 2009.

 

(b)               Litigation

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may be a defendant or codefendant in legal proceedings.  At June 30, 2010, the Company believes, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. The results of such proceedings could be material to the Company’s operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon additional developments affecting such matters and the operating results for such period. Legal reserves have been established in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. Once established, reserves are adjusted when there is more information available or when an event occurs requiring a change.

 

Sentinel Management Group Litigation

 

On January 12, 2009, Frederick J. Grede, as Liquidation Trustee and Representative of the Estate of Sentinel Management Group, Inc. (“Sentinel”), filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Keefe and against Delores E. Rodriguez; Barry C. Mohr, Jr.; and Jacques De Saint Phalle (all former employees of Keefe) and Cohen & Company Securities, LLC.  Ms. Rodriguez and Mr. Mohr were employed by Cohen & Company subsequent to being employed by Keefe and the complaint relates to activities by them at both Keefe and their subsequent employer.

 

The complaint alleges that Keefe recommended and sold to Sentinel Management Group structured finance products that were unsuitable for purchase.  The complaint alleges the following causes of action against Keefe, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty by an officer and director of Sentinel; commercial bribery; violations of federal and state securities laws; violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act; negligence; unjust enrichment; and avoidance and recovery of fraudulent transfers.  The complaint specifies that Sentinel sustained a loss associated with the sale of securities sold by Keefe of $4,920, and interrogatory responses from the Trustee in discovery now contend that Sentinel lost $5,629; however various causes of action in the complaint seek to recover amounts substantially in excess of that amount up to an amount in excess of $130,000, representing amounts paid for all securities purchased from Keefe regardless of suitability or whether there were losses on these securities.  Keefe believes the claims are without merit and will defend these claims vigorously. On April 1, 2009, Keefe filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint.  On July 29, 2009, the court denied most of the relief sought in Keefe’s Motion to Dismiss, though it dismissed the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act claim and granted Keefe’s motion to sever the Trustee’s case against Keefe from the case against Cohen.  Discovery is ongoing.  On August 26, 2009, Keefe filed a Third-Party Complaint against Eric A. Bloom, the former President and CEO of Sentinel, and Charles K. Mosley, the former Senior Vice President and head trader of Sentinel, alleging fraud and seeking contribution for any damages for which Keefe is held liable to the Trustee.  The court stayed and severed this Third-Party Complaint on October, 7, 2009.

 

On May 21, 2009 the Trustee filed an additional complaint in the same court and against the same parties (the “Second Complaint”).  The Trustee claimed to be acting in the Second Complaint in his capacity as liquidation trustee and as an assignee of claims of Sentinel’s customers.  The Second Complaint makes substantially the same allegations as the complaint described above.  Keefe believes the claims in the Second Complaint are also without merit and will defend these claims vigorously.  On July 28, 2009, in Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon et al filed in the same court, in which the Trustee alleged similar customer claims as an assignee, the court dismissed the Trustee’s claims due to lack of standing.  The Trustee has appealed the court’s dismissal of Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon and, on August 19, 2009, the court stayed the Second Complaint while the Trustee’s appeal in Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon is pending.   On March 18, 2010, the Seventh Circuit reversed the district court, holding that the Trustee had standing to pursue the assigned customer claims against Bank of New York Mellon.  Currently, the Second Complaint remains stayed.

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

MidFirst Bank Litigation

 

On December 6, 2007, MidFirst Bank (“MidFirst”) filed a lawsuit against Keefe in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, in an action captioned MidFirst Bank v. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Case No. 07-CV-1384-R (W.D. Oklahoma.).  The complaint arises out of MidFirst’s investment in subordinated trust certificates, which Keefe solicited MidFirst to acquire in early 2007.  MidFirst acquired the securities for approximately $5,000.  During the fall of 2007, in connection with the failure of the global markets, MidFirst’s investment declined in value.  MidFirst sued Keefe, claiming that Keefe misrepresented the terms of the securities.  MidFirst initially alleged that Keefe violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, the Oklahoma Uniform Securities Act, committed common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation.   Keefe moved to dismiss and the Court granted the motion to dismiss the Section 10(b) claim which was not repleaded.  Based on its state law claims, MidFirst is seeking a rescission of approximately $5,100 in compensatory damages and an unspecified sum for punitive damages and attorney’s fees or in the alternative damages of approximately $2,400.

 

Keefe answered the complaint and brought a third-party complaint against Wachovia Capital Markets LLC (“Wachovia”), which solicited Keefe to sell these securities and which knew Keefe was purchasing them for resale to a customer.  Keefe’s claims against Wachovia are for contribution and indemnity, common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation.  Wachovia has answered the third-party complaint, denying all material allegations.

 

During the course of discovery, the parties reached a confidential settlement of this matter and pursuant to the terms of settlement, MidFirst’s lawsuit against Keefe and Keefe’s lawsuit against Wachovia were dismissed with prejudice by the Court on June 29, 2010.

 

(c)                Investment Commitments

 

As of  June 30, 2010, the Company had approximately $18,700, including $8,748 to an affiliated fund, in outstanding commitments for additional funding to limited partnership investments.

 

(6)     Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

 

In the normal course of its principal trading activities, the Company enters into transactions in financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk. These financial instruments, such as options, warrants, futures and mortgage-backed to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities, contain off-balance-sheet risk inasmuch as ultimate settlement of these transactions may have market and/or credit risk in excess of amounts which are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Transactions in listed options and warrants are conducted through regulated exchanges, which clear and guarantee performance of counterparties.

 

Also, in connection with its principal trading activities, the Company has sold securities that it does not currently own and will, therefore, be obligated to purchase such securities at a future date. The Company has recorded this obligation in the financial statements at market values of the related securities and will record a trading loss if the market value of the securities increases subsequent to the purchase date.

 

(a)               Broker-Dealer Activities

 

The Company clears securities transactions on behalf of customers through its clearing brokers. In connection with these activities, customers’ unsettled trades may expose the Company to off-balance-sheet credit risk in the event customers are unable to fulfill their contracted obligations. The Company seeks to control the risk associated with its customer activities by monitoring the creditworthiness of its customers.

 

(b)               Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company’s derivative activities consist of writing and purchasing listed equity options and/or warrants and, from time to time, futures on interest rate, currency and equity products and mortgage-backed TBA securities for trading for our own account.  Options and warrants are included in financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

fair value in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition. See also Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details. As a writer of options, the Company receives a cash premium at the beginning of the contract period and bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the fair value of the financial instruments underlying the options. Options written do not expose the Company to credit risk since they obligate the Company (not its counterparty) to perform.

 

In order to measure derivative activity, notional or contract amounts are frequently utilized. Notional contract amounts, which are not included on the consolidated statements of financial condition, are used as a basis to calculate contractual cash flows to be exchanged and generally are not actually paid or received.

 

A summary of the Company’s listed options, warrants, futures contracts and TBA securities is as follows:

 

 

 

Current

 

Average

 

End of

 

 

 

Notional

 

Fair

 

Period

 

 

 

Value

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

June 30, 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased options/warrants

 

$

24,481

 

$

6,976

 

$

5,979

 

Written options

 

$

14,911

 

$

2,537

 

$

2,599

 

Short futures contracts

 

$

3,731

 

$

 

$

 

Short agency mortgage-backed TBA securities

 

$

12,480

 

$

(9

)

$

(96

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased options/warrants

 

$

8,285

 

$

380

 

$

628

 

Written options

 

$

630

 

$

511

 

$

97

 

Short futures contracts

 

$

6,136

 

$

 

$

 

 

The following table summarizes the net gains from trading activities included in principal transactions, net with respect to the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

 

 

Principal Transactions, Net

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

Type of Instrument

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Equities

 

$

(4,406

)

$

7,071

 

$

645

 

$

5,573

 

Corporate and other debt

 

2,013

 

9,217

 

10,844

 

9,951

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

4,864

 

6,347

 

8,201

 

11,154

 

Other investments

 

791

 

945

 

2,619

 

1,018

 

Total

 

$

3,262

 

$

23,580

 

$

22,309

 

$

27,696

 

 

The revenue related to the equities and mortgage-backed securities categories included realized and unrealized gains and losses on both derivative instruments and non-derivative instruments. Corporate and other debt and other investments included realized and unrealized gains and losses on non-derivative instruments.

 

(7)     Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

The Company is engaged in various securities trading and brokerage activities servicing primarily domestic and foreign institutional investors. Nearly all of the Company’s transactions are executed with and on behalf of institutional investors, including other brokers and dealers, commercial banks, mutual funds, and other financial institutions. The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance of these customers in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile securities markets.

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

A substantial portion of the Company’s marketable securities are common stock and debt of financial institutions. The credit and/or market risk associated with these holdings can be directly impacted by factors that affect this industry such as volatile equity and credit markets and actions of regulatory authorities.

 

(8)     Notes Receivable from Stockholders

 

Notes receivable from stockholders represent full recourse notes issued to employees for the purchase of stock acquired pursuant to the Company’s terminated book value stock purchase plan. The loans are payable in annual installments and bear interest of 5.0% per annum.

 

(9)               Stock-Based and Other Incentive Compensation

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

At June 30, 2010, the Company had one effective stock-based compensation arrangement under the 2009 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).  As part of the 2009 year-end performance award process (“2009 Bonus Awards”), the Company granted 1,344,042 restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) under the Plan to certain employees in February 2010. The aggregate fair value of the RSAs granted in connection with the 2009 Bonus Awards in February 2010 was $35,321.  This value was based upon the grant date share price of $26.28. RSAs are actual shares of common stock issued to the participant that are restricted.   The stock granted in connection with the 2009 Bonus Awards generally vests over a three year period. Vesting would accelerate on a change in control, death or permanent disability. Unvested RSAs are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment and in certain circumstances failing to meet performance criteria.

 

For 2009 Bonus Awards that were granted to retirement-eligible employees, the Company recognized the grant date fair value as compensation expense for such awards on the date of grant instead of over the service period specified in the award terms. For employees who will be retirement-eligible prior to vesting of the 2009 Bonus Awards, the Company recognizes compensation expense ratably from the grant date to the retirement eligibility date. The Company recorded accelerated non-cash incremental compensation expense of $4,824 in the first quarter of 2010 related to 2009 Bonus Awards granted to retirement-eligible employees (including employees who will be retirement-eligible prior to vesting).

 

Long Term Incentive Program

 

In February 2010, the Company adopted a Long Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”) under the Plan.  The LTIP allows the Company to make awards under the Plan to selected employees, which awards will provide for payments of such amounts pursuant to such terms and conditions as the Company shall determine.  The LTIP provides that amounts specified or calculated pursuant to awards may be earned during a performance cycle established for such an award upon the achievement of specified performance goals.

 

During the first quarter of 2010, the Company approved awards under the Plan to three employees.  The LTIP awards have established performance cycles and amounts payable based on achieving specific performance criteria during the performance cycle.

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

(10)        Earnings Per Share

 

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net income

 

$

8,156

 

$

 7,213

 

$

 19,777

 

$

 7,943

 

Less: Allocation of earnings to participating securities

 

897

 

929

 

2,159

 

973

 

Net income applicable to common shareholders

 

7,259

 

6,284

 

17,618

 

6,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding(1)(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

32,481,478

 

31,405,229

 

32,361,823

 

31,380,008

 

Effect of dilutive securities - restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

32,481,478

 

31,405,229

 

32,361,823

 

31,380,008

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.22

 

$

 0.20

 

$

 0.54

 

$

 0.22

 

Diluted

 

$

0.22

 

$

 0.20

 

$

 0.54

 

$

 0.22

 

 


(1)

Participating securities in the form of unvested share based payment awards amounted to weighted average shares of 4,015,440 and 4,644,344 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively and 3,965,285 and 4,378,110 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

 

(2)

Basic and diluted common shares outstanding were equal for the periods presented under the two-class method.

 

(11)        Income Taxes

 

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740, which prescribes the recognition and measurement criteria related to tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.  In addition, the following information required by ASC 740 is provided:

 

·                  The Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest, have not changed significantly since December 31, 2009.

 

·                  The Company classifies interest and penalties, if any, related to tax uncertainties as income tax expenses.   As of June 30, 2010, this amount had not changed significantly since December 31, 2009.

 

·                  The Company and its subsidiaries file consolidated federal and various state, local and foreign tax returns.  The federal income tax returns have been audited and/or closed through 2005.  Various state, local and foreign returns are subject to audits by tax authorities beginning with the 2002 tax year.  The settlement of any outstanding audits within the next 12 months, if any, is not anticipated to have a significant impact on the Company’s results or financial position.

 

(12)        Industry Segment Data

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 280, Segment Reporting, in disclosing its business segments. Pursuant to that statement, an entity is required to determine its business segments based on the way management organizes the segments within the enterprise for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Based upon these criteria, the Company has determined that its entire business should be considered a single segment.

 

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KBW, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

(unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

(13)        Net Capital Requirement

 

Keefe is a registered U.S. broker-dealer that is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (SEC Rule 15c3-1 or the Net Capital Rule) administered by the SEC and FINRA, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Keefe has elected to use the basic method to compute net capital as permitted by the Net Capital Rule, which requires Keefe to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, of $4,902 as of June 30, 2010. These rules also require Keefe to notify and sometimes obtain approval from FINRA for significant withdrawals of capital.

 

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

Net Capital

 

$

142,585

 

Excess

 

$

137,683

 

 

KBWL is an investment firm authorized and regulated by the FSA in the United Kingdom and is subject to the capital requirements of the FSA. As of June 30, 2010, KBWL was in compliance with its local capital adequacy requirements.  At June 30, 2010, KBWL’s capital resources of approximately $33,432 exceeded the capital resources requirement by approximately $24,245.

 

(14)        Recent Accounting Developments

 

In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.  ASU No. 2010-06 requires additional fair value measurement disclosure requirements and clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements. The additional disclosures include significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and reasons for the transfers, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures on the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. In January 2010, the Company adopted ASU No. 2010-06, except for the disclosure requirements related to the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.

 

(15)        Subsequent Events

 

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

 

On July 28, 2010, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share on its outstanding common stock.  The dividend is payable on September 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 3, 2010.

 

Authorization of Stock Repurchase Program

 

On July 28, 2010, the Company’s board of directors approved a stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $70,000 of its outstanding common stock. Purchases by the Company under this program may be made from time to time at prevailing market prices in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block purchase techniques or otherwise, as determined by the Company’s management

 

This program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock.  The timing, frequency and amount of repurchase activity will depend on a variety of factors such as levels of cash generation from operations, cash requirements for investments in the Company’s business, current stock price, market conditions and other factors.  The stock repurchase program may be suspended, modified or discounted at any time and has no set expiration date.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

We have made statements in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in other sections of this report that are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are or may be important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the historical or future results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part II—Item 1A of this report.

 

Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of filing of this report to conform such statements to actual results or revised expectations.

 

Overview

 

We are a full service investment bank specializing in the financial services industry. Our principal activities are:  (i) investment banking, including mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) and other strategic advisory services, equity and fixed income securities offerings, and mutual thrift conversions, (ii) equity and fixed income sales and trading, (iii) research that provides fundamental, objective analysis that identifies investment opportunities and helps our investor customers make better investment decisions, and (iv) asset management, including investment management and other advisory services to institutional clients and private high net worth clients and various investment vehicles.

 

Within our full service business model, our focus includes bank and thrift holding companies, banking companies, thrift institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, mortgage banks, asset management companies, mortgage and equity real estate investment trusts, consumer and specialty finance firms, financial processing companies and securities exchanges.  We emphasize serving investment banking clients in the small and mid cap segments of the financial services industry although our clients also include many large-cap companies.  Our sales customers are primarily institutional investors.

 

Most revenues with respect to our services provided are primarily determined as a result of active competition in the marketplace. Our revenues are primarily generated through advisory, underwriting and private placement fees earned through our investment banking activities, commissions earned on equity sales and trading activities, interest and dividends earned on our securities’ inventories and profit and losses from trading activities related to the securities’ inventories.

 

Our largest expense is compensation and benefits.  Our performance is dependant on our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated to provide quality service and guidance to our clients.

 

Many external factors affect our revenues and profitability. Such factors include equity and fixed income trading prices and volumes, the volatility of these markets, the level and shape of the yield curve, political events and regulatory developments, and competition. These factors influence our investment banking operations in that such factors affect the number and timing of equity and fixed income securities issuances and M&A activity within the financial services industry. These same factors also affect our sales and trading business by impacting equity and fixed income trading prices and volumes and valuations in secondary financial markets. Commission rates, market volatility and other factors also affect our sales and trading revenues. These market forces may cause our revenues and earnings to fluctuate significantly from period to period and the results of any one period should not be considered indicative of future results.  See “—Business Environment.”

 

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Table of Contents

 

A significant portion of our expense base is variable, including employee compensation and benefits, brokerage and clearance, communication and data processing and business development expenses. Our remaining costs generally do not directly relate to the service revenues earned.

 

Certain data processing systems that support equity and fixed income trading, research, payroll, human resources and employee benefits are service bureau based and are operated in the vendors’ data centers. We believe that this stabilizes our fixed costs associated with data processing. We also license vendor information databases to support investment banking, sales and trading and research. Vendors may, at the end of contractual terms, terminate our rights or modify or significantly alter product and service offerings or related fees, which may affect our ongoing business activities or related costs.

 

Business Environment

 

Our business activities focus on the financial services sector, the landscape of which, in the U.S. and globally, has continued to evolve since the global financial crisis began in 2007.  During the second quarter of 2010, there was some erosion of the signs of market confidence that had developed in earlier quarters, although there continues to be strong activity in capital markets’ transactions, as selected companies have recapitalized.  Many institutions have positioned themselves to take advantage of acquisition opportunities that may develop, in some cases with government assistance.  We continued to be very active in these capital markets transactions, participating as lead or co-manager in 14 announced equity capital raises for the second quarter in 2010.  However, the sector remains under stress and the market stability and continuation of current trends is not certain.  The valuation of certain classes of assets remains uncertain and there are continuing concerns in the credit quality of multiple asset classes particularly commercial mortgages.  Securitization markets have not broadly reopened and despite the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) providing for substantial financial regulatory reform in the U.S., the government has yet to address reform in the mortgage sector, particularly as it relates to FNMA and Freddie Mac.  U.S. lenders generally continue to lend only to the most credit worthy borrowers, making credit tight across the broad economy given continued labor market weakness.

 

In the U.S., the financial services sector remains highly fragmented.  There are approximately 1,000 publicly traded banks and thrifts and approximately 7,800 different banking entities in the U.S.  Because of our focus, we are particularly impacted by economic and market conditions affecting this sector.  Although many larger financial institutions have succeeded in recapitalizing and have repaid government assistance, bank failures among smaller institutions have continued.  In the second quarter of 2010,  there were 45 failed U.S. banks with assets totaling $50 billion compared to 41 banks with assets totaling $23 billion in the prior quarter and 24 failed banks in the U.S. with assets totaling $27 billion in the second quarter of 2009.  Trends in the global economy and domestic and international financial markets have a significant impact on the outlook for financial services, including the market prices for our stock and the securities of other companies in the sector.

 

Globally, there continues to be stress in Europe where market valuations for financial stocks have continued to be low.  The recently released generally positive data on uniform stress testing for European banks and anticipated adoption of new capital standards under Basel III should help add some stability to this sector.

 

It is difficult to predict how long these conditions will continue or whether additional deteriorations in asset quality, further credit market dislocations or sustained market downturns may exacerbate the impact of these factors on our overall revenues.   To date, there has not been a significant return of M&A activity.  The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act providing for substantial changes in the regulation of the banking sector will require substantial rulemaking prior to implementation, and the impact on our industry and on many of our clients and customers cannot currently be predicted.  We believe that we are well capitalized and remain well positioned to assist in capital markets and M&A transactions for the financial services industry in both the U.S. and Europe.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2009

 

Overview

 

Total revenues were $105.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $105.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009, an increase of $0.7 million, or 0.7%. This increase was primarily due to higher investment banking revenues of $61.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, an increase of $18.9 million, offset by a $20.3 million decrease in principal transactions, net compared with the three months ended June 30, 2009.

 

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Total expenses were $90.9 for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $91.5 for the three months ended June 30, 2009.  The decrease was due to a $0.4 million decrease in compensation and benefits expense and a $0.1 million decrease in non-compensation expenses.

 

We recorded net income of $8.2 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $7.2 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009. After adjusting for the 2006 one-time restricted stock awards granted to employees in connection with our initial public offering (“IPO”), our non-GAAP operating net income was $9.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $8.8 million, or $0.25 per diluted share for the same period in 2009. See “-Three Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to their corresponding GAAP amounts.

 

The following table provides a comparison of our revenues and expenses for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

Period-to-Period

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

61,173

 

$

42,313

 

$

18,860

 

44.6

%

Commissions

 

36,098

 

35,852

 

246

 

0.7

 

Principal transactions, net

 

3,262

 

23,580

 

(20,318

)

(86.2

)

Interest and dividend income

 

3,670

 

2,037

 

1,633

 

80.2

 

Investment advisory fees

 

497

 

320

 

177

 

55.3

 

Other

 

1,106

 

994

 

112

 

11.3

 

Total revenues

 

105,806

 

105,096

 

710

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

65,059

 

65,479

 

(420

)

(0.6

)

Non-compensation expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupancy and equipment

 

5,503

 

5,442

 

61

 

1.1

 

Communications and data processing

 

8,159

 

7,242

 

917

 

12.7

 

Brokerage and clearance

 

3,780

 

3,602

 

178

 

4.9

 

Business development

 

3,801

 

3,213

 

588

 

18.3

 

Interest

 

267

 

57

 

210

 

368.4

 

Other

 

4,377

 

6,452

 

(2,075

)

(32.2

)

Non-compensation expenses

 

25,887

 

26,008

 

(121

)

(0.5

)

Total expenses

 

90,946

 

91,487

 

(541

)

(0.6

)

Income before income taxes

 

14,860

 

13,609

 

1,251

 

9.2

 

Income tax expense

 

6,704

 

6,396

 

308

 

4.8

 

Net income

 

$

8,156

 

$

7,213

 

$

943

 

13.1

%

 

Three Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Compensation cost for stock-based awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

We reported our compensation and benefits expense, compensation ratio, net income and diluted diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis (“Non-GAAP Financial Measures”) for the three months ended June 30, 2010 in our July 29, 2010 press release. Each of the Non-GAAP Financial Measures exclude compensation expense related to the amortization of IPO restricted stock awards granted in November 2006. While we have granted restricted stock awards and other share-based compensation in connection with our regular compensation of employees and new hires, we do not expect to make any such substantial grants to employees as we did when we granted IPO restricted stock awards.

 

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Our management has utilized such non-GAAP calculations as an additional device to aid in understanding and analyzing our financial results for the periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Specifically, our management believes that these Non-GAAP Financial Measures provide useful information by excluding the amortization expense of the IPO awards, which may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook. Our management believes that these Non-GAAP Financial Measures will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of our business and facilitate meaningful comparison of our results in the current period to those in prior and future periods. Such periods did not and likely will not include substantial grants of restricted stock awards to employees such as the Company-wide IPO restricted stock awards. Our reference to these Non-GAAP Financial Measures should not be considered as a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. These Non-GAAP Financial Measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance.

 

A limitation of utilizing these Non-GAAP Financial Measures is that the GAAP accounting effects of these events do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of our business and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing our financial results. Therefore, management believes that our GAAP measures of compensation and benefits expense, compensation ratio, net income and diluted earnings per share and the same respective non-GAAP financial measures of our financial performance should be considered together.

 

The following table provides details with respect to reconciling compensation and benefits expense, compensation ratio, net income and diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expense - GAAP basis

 

$

65,059

 

$

65,479

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards (a)

 

(2,105

)

(2,421

)

Non-GAAP operating compensation and benefits expense (b)

 

$

62,954

 

$

63,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation ratio (c):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation ratio - GAAP basis

 

61.5

%

62.3

%

Non-GAAP operating compensation ratio (b)

 

59.5

%

60.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income - GAAP basis

 

$

8,156

 

$

7,213

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards, net of tax benefit (a)

 

1,158

 

1,543

 

Non-GAAP operating net income (b)

 

9,314

 

$

8,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share - GAAP basis

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.20

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards, net of tax benefit (a)

 

0.04

 

0.05

 

Non-GAAP operating diluted earnings per share (b)

 

$

0.26

 

$

0.25

 

 

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(a)          The adjustment represents the exclusion of the expense related to the amortization of the IPO restricted stock awards granted to employees in November 2006.

(b)         A non-GAAP measure that management believes provides the most meaningful comparison between historical, present and future periods.

(c)          The compensation ratio was calculated by dividing compensation and benefits expense by total revenues for each respective period.

 

Revenues

 

Investment Banking

 

Investment banking revenue increased $18.9 million, or 44.6%, to $61.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $42.3 million for the same period in 2009. Capital markets revenue increased $10.3 million, or 28.3%, to $46.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $36.4 million for the same period in 2009. The increase reflects the completion of a larger than average equity capital markets transaction and a larger than average private equity transaction in the second quarter of 2010.  M&A and advisory revenue increased $8.6 million to $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $5.9 million for the same period in 2009.  This increase was primarily due to the greater number of advisory engagements that closed during the second quarter of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Commissions

 

Commissions revenue was $36.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $35.9 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $0.2 million, or 0.7%. U.S. equity commissions were $28.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $26.9 million for the same 2009 period, an increase of $1.6 million, or 5.9%, reflecting higher trading volume.  Non-U.S. equity commissions were $7.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $8.9 million for the same period in 2009, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 14.6%, reflecting the lower value of most European financial services stocks on which our European commissions are based.

 

Principal Transactions, Net

 

Principal transactions, net resulted in revenue of $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $23.6 million for the same period in 2009.  Our fixed income revenue was $6.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $12.3 million for the same period in 2009, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 43.9%, primarily due to lower customer activity in the second quarter of 2010. Our equity market making activity resulted in a loss of $1.1 million for three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a loss of $0.9 million for the same period in 2009,  Trading for our own account, including firm investments, resulted in a net loss of $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a net gain of $8.7 million for the same period in 2009, reflecting the adverse market conditions in the second quarter of 2010.  The realized gain/loss and change in the fair value of our trust preferred backed collateralized debt obligations and related securities owned resulted in revenue of $0.2 million for 2010 compared with $3.5 million for the same period in 2009.

 

Interest and Dividend Income

 

Interest and dividend income increased $1.6 million, or 80.2%, to $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $2.0 million for the same period in 2009.  The increase was primarily due to higher average holdings of interest bearing assets and a special dividend of $0.5 million in 2010.

 

Expenses

 

Compensation and Benefits

 

Compensation and benefits expense was $65.1 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 0.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $65.5 million for the same period in 2009.  Non-GAAP operating compensation and benefits as a percentage of total revenue, after adjusting for expenses associated with the IPO restricted stock awards, was 59.5% for the second quarter of 2010 compared with 60.0% for the same period in 2009. See “-Three Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to their corresponding GAAP amounts.

 

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Communications and Data Processing

 

Communications and data processing expense was $8.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $7.2 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $0.9 million, or 12.7%.  The increase was primarily due to higher market data costs in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Business Development

 

Business development expense was $3.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $3.2 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $0.6 million, or 18.3%.  The increase was primarily due to higher travel and entertainment expenses in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Other

 

Other expenses decreased $2.1 million, or 32.1%, to $4.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $6.5 million for the same period in 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to lower legal costs in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense was $6.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 45.1%, compared to $6.4 million for the same period in 2009, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 47.0%.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2009

 

Overview

 

Total revenues increased $61.7 million, or 34.8%, to $239.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $177.4 million for the same period in 2009.  This increase was primarily due to higher investment banking revenues of $131.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, an increase of $62.0 million, partially offset by a $5.4 million decrease in principal transactions, net compared with the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 

Total expenses were $203.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $161.8 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $42.1 million, or 26.0%.  This increase was due to higher compensation and benefits expense and non-compensation expenses of $35.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively.

 

We recorded net income of $19.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $7.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2009. After adjusting for the 2006 one-time restricted stock awards granted to employees in connection with our IPO, our non-GAAP operating net income was $22.4 million, or $0.62 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared with $10.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted share for the same period in 2009. See “—Six Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to their corresponding GAAP amounts.

 

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The following table provides a comparison of our revenues and expenses for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

 

Period-to-Period

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

131,135

 

$

69,173

 

$

61,962

 

89.6

%

Commissions

 

71,502

 

71,871

 

(369

)

(0.5

)

Principal transactions, net

 

22,309

 

27,696

 

(5,387

)

(19.5

)

Interest and dividend income

 

6,554

 

3,775

 

2,779

 

73.6

 

Investment advisory fees

 

791

 

633

 

158

 

25.0

 

Other

 

6,825

 

4,224

 

2,601

 

61.6

 

Total revenues

 

239,116

 

177,372

 

61,744

 

34.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

146,937

 

111,146

 

35,791

 

32.2

 

Non-compensation expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupancy and equipment

 

11,115

 

10,601

 

514

 

4.8

 

Communications and data processing

 

15,815

 

13,902

 

1,913

 

13.8

 

Brokerage and clearance

 

8,866

 

7,484

 

1,382

 

18.5

 

Business development

 

7,261

 

6,245

 

1,016

 

16.3

 

Interest

 

525

 

226

 

299

 

132.3

 

Other

 

13,427

 

12,229

 

1,198

 

9.8

 

Total non-compensation expenses

 

57,009

 

50,687

 

6,322

 

12.5

 

Total expenses

 

203,946

 

161,833

 

42,113

 

26.0

 

Income before income taxes

 

35,170

 

15,539

 

19,631

 

126.3

 

Income tax expense

 

15,393

 

7,596

 

7,797

 

102.6

 

Net income

 

$

19,777

 

$

7,943

 

$

11,834

 

149.0

%

 

Six Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The following table reconciles GAAP compensation and benefits expense, compensation ratio, net income and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 to these items on a non-GAAP basis for the same respective periods.

 

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Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30, 2010

 

June 30, 2009

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits expense - GAAP basis

 

$

146,937

 

$

111,146

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards (a)

 

(4,663

)

(4,723

)

Non-GAAP operating compensation and benefits expense (b)

 

$

142,274

 

$

106,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation ratio (c):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation ratio - GAAP basis

 

61.5

%

62.7

%

Non-GAAP operating compensation ratio (b)

 

59.5

%

60.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income - GAAP basis

 

$

19,777

 

$

7,943

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards, net of tax benefit (a)

 

2,622

 

2,414

 

Non-GAAP operating net income (b)

 

$

22,399

 

$

10,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share - GAAP basis

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.22

 

Adjustment to exclude amortization expense of the IPO awards, net of tax benefit (a)

 

0.08

 

0.08

 

Non-GAAP operating diluted earnings per share (b)

 

$

0.62

 

$

0.30

 

 


(a)

The adjustment represents the exclusion of the compensation expense related to the amortization of the IPO restricted stock awards granted to employees in November 2006.

(b)

A non-GAAP financial measure that management believes provides the most meaningful comparison between historical, present and future periods.

(c)

The compensation ratio was calculated by dividing compensation and benefits expense by total revenues for each respective period.

 

See the section entitled “-Three Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a discussion regarding the reasons why management believes a presentation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures provides useful information for investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Revenues

 

Investment Banking

 

Investment banking revenue increased $62.0 million, or 89.6%, to $131.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $69.2 million for the same period in 2009.  Capital markets revenue increased $46.3 million, or 85.9%, to $100.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $53.9 million for the same period in 2009. The increase reflects the completion of a significantly higher number of equity capital market transactions, in particular during the first quarter of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009.  The majority of such transactions related to raising common equity capital for U.S. banking companies continuing the trend that began in the second quarter of 2009 following the completion by federal bank regulators of the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program which provided the market with an approach to estimating loan losses in valuing U.S. bank stocks.  M&A and advisory revenue increased $15.6 million to $30.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $15.3 million for the same period in 2009.  This increase was primarily due to the greater number of advisory engagements that closed in first six months of 2010.

 

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Commissions

 

Commissions revenue was $71.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $71.9 million for the same period in 2009, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 0.5%. Non-U.S. equity commissions were $18.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $17.5 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $0.5 million, or 2.9%, reflecting higher trading volume. U.S. equity commissions remained relatively unchanged at $53.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $54.4 million for the same 2009 period.

 

Principal Transactions, Net

 

Principal transactions, net resulted in revenue of $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $27.7 million for the same period in 2009.  The decrease was primarily due to lower fixed income revenue and adverse market conditions in the second quarter of 2010.  Our fixed income revenue was $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $22.5 million for the same period in 2009. Our equity market making activity resulted in a loss of $2.0 million for six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a loss of $2.5 million for the same period in 2009. Trading for our own account, including firm investments, resulted in a net gain of $4.6 million for 2010 compared to a net gain of $7.7 million for the same period in 2009. The realized gain/loss and change in the fair value of our trust preferred backed collateralized debt obligations and related securities owned resulted in a loss of $0.2 million for 2010 compared to a slight gain for the same period in 2009.

 

Interest and Dividend Income

 

Interest and dividend income increased $2.8 million, or 73.6%, to $6.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $3.8 million for the same period in 2009.  The increase was primarily due to higher average holdings of interest bearing assets and a special dividend received of $0.5 million in 2010.

 

Other

 

Other revenues increased $2.6 million, or 61.6%, to $6.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $4.2 million for the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily due to higher fees earned by the loan portfolio sales group compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Expenses

 

Compensation and Benefits

 

Compensation and benefits expense was $146.9 million, an increase of $35.8 million, or 32.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $111.1 million for the same period in 2009, reflecting higher revenues.  Non-GAAP operating compensation and benefits as a percentage of total revenue, after adjusting for expenses associated with the IPO restricted stock awards, was 59.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with 60.0% for the same period in 2009. See “-Six Month Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of our non-GAAP measures to their corresponding GAAP amounts.

 

Communications and Data Processing

 

Communications and data processing expense was $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $13.9 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $1.9 million, or 13.8%.  The increase was primarily due to higher market data costs in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Brokerage and Clearance

 

Brokerage and clearance expense was $8.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $7.5 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $1.4 million, or 18.5%.  The increase was primarily a result of higher transaction volumes in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

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Business Development

 

Business development expense was $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $6.2 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $1.0 million, or 16.3%.  The increase was primarily due to higher travel and entertainment expenses in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Other

 

Other expenses were $13.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared with $12.2 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of $1.2 million, or 9.8%.  The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees in 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense was $15.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 43.8%, compared to $7.6 million for the same period in 2009, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 48.9%.  The change in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the impact of permanent differences relative to increased pre-tax income.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The use of different estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results. For example, if factors such as those described in Item 1A under “Risk Factors” cause actual events to differ from the assumptions we used in applying the accounting policies, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.

 

 Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, particularly as they relate to accounting policies that we believe are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. We regard an accounting estimate or assumption to be most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations where the nature of the estimate or assumption is material due to the level of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, as well as the impact of the estimate or assumption on our financial condition or operating performance is material.

 

Based on these criteria, we believe the following to be our critical accounting policies:

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

We account for financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset and paid to transfer a liability in an ordinary transaction between current market participants at the measurement date.”  See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed discussion of fair value of financial instruments.

 

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, provides entities the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period.  ASC 825 permits the fair value option election, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, either at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.  Such election must be applied to the entire instrument and not only a portion of the instrument. We applied the fair value option for certain eligible instruments, including all private equity securities and limited partnership interests, as these financial instruments had been accounted for at fair value prior to the fair value option election in accordance with the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide — Brokers And Dealers In Securities (ASC 940).

 

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Financial instruments are valued at quoted market prices, if available. For financial instruments that do not have readily determinable fair values through quoted market prices, the determination of fair value is based upon consideration of available information, including types of financial instruments, current financial information, restrictions on dispositions, fair values of underlying financial instruments and quotations for similar instruments.

 

The valuation process for financial instruments may include the use of valuation models and other techniques. Adjustments to valuations derived from valuations models may be made when, in management’s judgment, either the size of the position in the financial instrument in a nonactive market or other features of the financial instrument such as its complexity, or the market in which the financial instrument is traded (such as counterparty, credit, concentration or liquidity) require that an adjustment be made to the value derived from the models. An adjustment may be made if a financial instrument is subject to sales restrictions that would result in a price less than the quoted market price. Adjustments from the price derived from a valuation model reflects management’s judgment that other participants in the market for the financial instrument being measured at fair value would also consider in valuing that same financial instrument and are adjusted for assumptions about risk uncertainties and market conditions. Results from valuation models and valuation techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurements.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

In determining fair value, we utilize various methods including the market and income approaches. Based on these approaches, we utilize assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable firm inputs. We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, we are required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.   Financial instrument assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

Level  1                                                       Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level  2                                                       Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level  3                                                       Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

 

Level 1 primarily consists of listed financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices, such as listed equities, options, warrants and preferred stock. This category may also include U.S. Government and agency securities for which we typically receive independent external valuation information.

 

Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using multiple valuation techniques, primarily a market approach.  The valuation methodologies utilized are calibrated to observable market inputs. We consider recently executed transactions, market price quotations and various assumptions, such as credit spreads, the terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, as well as other measurements. In order to be classified as Level 2, substantially all of these assumptions would need to be observable in the marketplace or can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category include certain corporate debt, residential mortgage-backed securities, CDOs primarily collateralized by banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities, certain convertible preferred stock, convertible debt and residential mortgage-backed securities.

 

Fair value of corporate debt, certain convertible preferred stock, convertible debt and residential mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 2 was determined by using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotes, or alternate pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.  Fair value of CDOs primarily collateralized by banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities was determined primarily by considering recently executed transactions of similar securities and certain assumptions, including the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying companies.

 

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on multiple valuation techniques, primarily market and income approaches. The valuation methodologies utilized may include significant inputs that are unobservable from objective sources. We consider various market inputs and assumptions, such as recently executed transactions, market price quotations, discount margins, market spreads applied, the terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, default rates, as well as other measurements.  Included in this category are certain

 

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corporate and other debt, including banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities, private equity securities and other investments including limited and general partnership interests.

 

Fair value of banking and insurance company trust preferred and capital securities was determined by utilizing a market spread method for each of the individual trust preferred and capital securities utilizing credit spreads for secondary market trades for trust preferred and capital securities for issues which were substantially similar to such positions based on certain assumptions. The key market inputs in this method are the discount margins, market spreads applied, the yield expectations for similar instruments and the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company.

 

Fair value of private equity securities was determined by assessing market-based information, such as performance multiples, comparable company transactions and changes in market outlook. Fair value of limited and general partnership interests was determined by using net asset values or capital statements provided by the general partner, updated for changes in market conditions up to the reporting date.  Private equity securities and limited and general partnership interests generally trade infrequently.

 

The variables affecting fair value estimates of these financial instruments can change rapidly and unexpectedly, which could have a significant impact on the fair value estimates of these financial instruments. Results from valuation techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurements.

 

Our Level 3 assets were $88.3 million as of June 30, 2010, which represented approximately 13% of total assets and approximately 32% of total assets measured at fair value.

 

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

 

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. When market assumptions are not readily available, management’s assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. We use prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2, or from Level 2 to Level 3.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Control Process

 

We employ a variety of control processes to validate the fair value of our financial instruments, including those derived from utilizing valuation techniques. Individuals outside of the trading departments obtain independent prices, as appropriate. Where a valuation technique is used to determine fair value, recently executed comparable transactions and other observable market data are considered for purposes of validating assumptions underlying the valuation technique. These control processes are designed to assure that the values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible. In the event that observable inputs are not available, the control processes are designed to assure that the valuation approach utilized is appropriate and consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable. These control processes include reviews by personnel with relevant expertise who are independent from the trading desks, including involvement by senior management.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.   In the event it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance will be recorded.

 

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We apply ASC 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a single, comprehensive model for how a company should recognize, measure, present and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on its tax returns.  Income tax expense is based on pre-tax accounting income, including adjustments made for the recognition or derecognition related to uncertain tax positions.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of June 30, 2010, our contractual obligations with respect to operating leases and partnership commitments have not significantly changed since December 31, 2009.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In the normal course of our principal trading activities, we may enter into transactions in financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk. These financial instruments, such as options, warrants, futures contracts and mortgage-backed to-be-announced securities, contain off-balance-sheet risk inasmuch as ultimate settlement of these transactions may have market and/or credit risk in excess of amounts which are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Transactions in listed options and warrants are conducted through regulated exchanges, which clear and guarantee performance of counterparties. As described in Item 3 — “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Credit Risk,” through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreements with our clearing brokers, customer activities may expose us to off-balance sheet credit risk, which we seek to mitigate through customer screening and collateral requirements.

 

We are a member of various exchanges that trade and clear securities, options, warrants and or futures contracts. As a member of these exchanges, we may be required to pay a proportionate share of the financial obligations of another member who may default on its obligations to the exchange. To mitigate these performance risks, the exchanges often require members to post collateral as well as meet minimum financial standards. While the rules governing different exchange memberships vary, our guarantee obligations generally would arise only if the exchange had previously exhausted its resources. In addition, any such guarantee obligation would be apportioned among the other non-defaulting members of the exchange. Any potential contingent liability under these membership agreements cannot be estimated. We have not recorded any contingent liability in our consolidated financial statements for these agreements and currently believe that any potential requirement to make payments under these agreements is remote.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards, Not Yet Adopted

 

In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.  ASU No. 2010-06 requires additional fair value measurement disclosure requirements and clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements. The additional disclosures include significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and reasons for the transfers, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures on the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. In January 2010, we adopted ASU No. 2010-06, except for the disclosure requirements related to the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We are the parent of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (“Keefe”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited (“KBWL”), Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Asia Limited (“KBWAL”), KBW Asset Management, Inc. (“KBWAM”) and KBW Ventures, Inc.  Dividends and other transfers from our subsidiaries are our primary source of funds to satisfy our capital and liquidity requirements. Applicable laws and regulations, primarily the net capital rules discussed below, restrict dividends and transfers from Keefe, KBWL and KBWAL to us. Our rights to participate in the assets of any subsidiary are also subject to prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, including customers and trade creditors of Keefe, KBWL, KBWAL and KBWAM.

 

We monitor and evaluate the composition and size of our assets and operating liabilities. As a result of our market making, customer and principal activities, the overall size of total assets and operating liabilities fluctuate from period to period. Our assets generally consist of cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments, resale agreement balances and receivables.

 

Our operating activities in the period generate and use cash resulting from net income or loss and fluctuations in our current assets and liabilities. The most significant fluctuations in current assets and liabilities have resulted from changes in the level of

 

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customer activity, changes in the types of and value of the financial instruments owned on a principal basis and shifts in our investment positions in response to changes in our trading strategies or prevailing market conditions. We have not relied significantly on leverage. Our moderate use of leverage does not expose us to potential requirements to sell assets as a result of margin calls due to decreases in the fair value of financial instruments.

 

We have historically satisfied our capital and liquidity requirements through capital from our stockholders and internally generated cash from operations. As of June 30, 2010, we had liquid assets of $307.1 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and receivables from clearing brokers.  From time to time, we may obtain a short term subordinated loan from our U.S. clearing broker to support underwriting activity over a very short time. We may also finance fixed income positions with securities sold under repurchase agreements as well as utilizing margin borrowing from the clearing brokers.

 

Although we believe such sources remain available, we do not currently plan to obtain such short-term subordinated financing from any outside source. We do not currently have any long term debt obligations and therefore, are not exposed to the breach of any debt covenants.

 

We have an effective “universal” shelf registration statement on form S-3 on file with the SEC.  This shelf registration statement enables us to sell, from time to time, the securities covered by the registration statement in one or more public offerings. The securities covered by the registration statement include common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, senior debt securities, subordinated debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts, and stock purchase units. We may offer any of these securities independently or together in any combination with other securities. In addition, selling shareholders may use the shelf registration statement to offer, from time to time, shares of our common stock.  Our status as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” as such term is defined in the federal securities laws, enables us, among other things, to enter the public markets and consummate sales off the shelf registration statement in rapid fashion and with little or no notice.

 

The timing of cash bonus payments to our employees may significantly affect our cash position and liquidity from period to period. While our employees are generally paid salaries semi-monthly during the year, cash bonus payments, which make up a larger portion of total compensation, are generally paid once a year. Cash bonus payments for a given year are generally paid in February of the following year. We continually monitor our liquidity position and believe our available liquidity will be sufficient to fund our operations over the next twelve months.

 

On July 28, 2010, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock (equaling an aggregate payment of approximately $1.8 million based on approximately 36.5 million total shares outstanding on July 31, 2010, including shares underlying vested restricted stock units), which cash dividend will be paid on September 15, 2010 to holders of record as of the close of business on September 3, 2010. Our dividend policy currently contemplates the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.05 per share of outstanding common stock.

 

In addition, on July 28, 2010 our board of directors authorized management to repurchase in the aggregate up to $70.0 million worth of shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices in open market purchases, in private negotiated transactions, in block purchases or otherwise, as may be determined by management.  The dividend and share repurchase are expected to be funded from available cash resources.  Our board of directors may, in its sole discretion, amend or repeal our dividend policy at any time and decrease or eliminate dividend payments and our management may terminate the share repurchase program at any time.  If we had insufficient cash to pay dividends in the amounts set forth in our dividend policy or to buy back shares, we would need either to reduce or eliminate such programs or fund a portion of them with borrowings or financings from other sources. Shares of common stock repurchased will be cancelled immediately and will reduce common stock and paid in capital.

 

As a registered broker-dealer and member firm of the NYSE, Keefe is subject to the uniform net capital rule of the SEC. We use the basic method permitted by the uniform net capital rule, which generally requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital cannot exceed 15 to 1. The NYSE may prohibit a member firm from expanding its business or paying dividends if resulting net capital would be below the regulatory limit. We do not expect that these limits will materially impact our ability to meet our current and future obligations.

 

At June 30, 2010, Keefe’s net capital under the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule was $142.6 million, or $137.7 million in excess of the minimum required net capital.

 

KBWL is subject to the capital requirements of the U.K. Financial Services Authority. KBWL’s total capital resources of $33.4 million exceeded the capital resources requirement by approximately $24.2 million at June 30, 2010.

 

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Cash Flows

 

Six months ended June 30, 2010.   Cash decreased $25.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010, primarily due to cash used in operating and financing activities of $12.2 million and $9.7 million, respectively.

 

Net income, after adjusting for non-cash expense and revenue items of $26.2 million, provided cash of $46.0 million.  The non-cash items consisted of expenses of $24.1 million resulting from the amortization of stock-based compensation and $2.5 million related to depreciation and amortization, partially offset by a $0.4 million deferred income tax benefit. Cash of $61.3 million was used as a result of an increase in operating assets, primarily attributable to an increase in financial instruments owned, at fair value of $99.4 million, partially offset by decreases in receivables from clearing brokers and accounts receivable of $31.5 million and $10.9 million, respectively.  Cash of $3.1 million was provided as a result of an increase in operating liabilities, primarily attributable to increases in financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value and income taxes payable of $23.3 million and $8.0 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities of $28.1 million.

 

We used $2.0 million in our investing activities for the purchase of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities was $9.7 million, primarily as a result of the cancellation of restricted stock in satisfaction of withholding tax requirements.

 

Six months ended June 30, 2009. Cash increased $34.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009, primarily due to cash generated from operating activities.

 

Net income, after adjusting for non-cash expense and revenue items of $22.4 million, provided cash of $30.4 million.  The non-cash items consisted of non-cash expenses of $20.1 million resulting from the amortization of stock based compensation expense, $2.4 million related to depreciation and amortization expense and $0.1 million related to deferred income tax benefits. Cash of $48.1 million was provided through declines in operating assets, primarily attributable to decreases in receivables from clearing brokers and accounts receivable of $68.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in financial instruments owned, at fair value of $23.5 million. Cash of $41.7 million was used through declines in operating liabilities, primarily attributable to decreases in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities and short-term borrowings of $38.9 million and $31.5 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in payable to clearing broker of $19.6 million.

 

We used $2.6 million in our investing activities, in the purchase of fixed assets. Cash used in financing activities was $4.2 million primarily as a result of the cancellation of restricted stock in satisfaction of withholding tax requirements.

 

Item 3.            Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from the change in value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in its market price. Market risk may be exacerbated in times of trading illiquidity when market participants refrain from transacting in normal quantities and/or at normal bid-offer spreads. Our exposure to market risk is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary in customer trading and to our market making and investment activities. Market risk is inherent in financial instruments.

 

We trade in equity and debt securities as an active participant in both listed and over the counter markets. We typically maintain securities in inventory to facilitate our market making activities and customer order flow. We may use a variety of risk management techniques and hedging strategies in the ordinary course of our trading business to manage our exposures.

 

In connection with our sales and trading business, management also reviews reports appropriate to the risk profile of specific trading activities. Management monitors risks in its trading activities by establishing and periodically reviewing limits for each trading desk and reviewing daily trading results, inventory aging, securities concentrations and ratings. Typically, market conditions are evaluated and transaction details and securities positions are reviewed. These activities seek to ensure that trading strategies are within acceptable risk tolerance parameters. Activities include price verification procedures, position reconciliations and reviews of transaction bookings. We believe these procedures, which stress timely communications between traders, trading management and senior management, are important elements of the risk management process.

 

The following table sets forth our monthly high, low and average long/short financial instruments owned for the six months ended June 30, 2010:

 

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High

 

Low

 

Average

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Long Value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

107,124

 

$

56,720

 

$

87,844

 

Corporate and other debt

 

$

97,668

 

$

47,656

 

$

74,988

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

$

34,267

 

$

 

$

18,639

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

$

2,212

 

$

 

$

490

 

Other investments

 

$

47,942

 

$

41,917

 

$

45,000

 

Short Value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

$

56,006

 

$

31,289

 

$

43,528

 

Corporate and other debt

 

$

11,775

 

$

2,408

 

$

7,300

 

U.S. Government and agency securities

 

$

16,744

 

$

451

 

$

5,959

 

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk represents the potential loss from adverse changes in market interest rates. As we may hold debt securities from time to time, we are exposed to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level and volatility of interest rates and in the shape of the yield curve. Interest rate risk is primarily managed through the use of short positions in U.S. Government and agency securities.

 

Credit Risk

 

We engage in various securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities servicing a diverse group of domestic and foreign corporations and institutional investor clients. Our exposure to credit risk associated with the nonperformance of these clients in fulfilling their contractual obligations pursuant to securities transactions can be directly impacted by volatile trading markets which may impair the client’s ability to satisfy its obligations to us. Our principal activities are also subject to the risk of counterparty nonperformance. Pursuant to our Clearing Agreements with Pershing LLC and Pershing Securities Limited, we are required to reimburse our clearing broker without limit for any losses incurred due to a counterparty’s failure to satisfy its contractual obligations. In these situations, we may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at unfavorable market prices to satisfy obligations to other customers or counterparties. We seek to mitigate the risks associated with sales and trading services through active customer screening and selection procedures and through requirements that clients maintain collateral in appropriate amounts where required or deemed necessary.

 

Inflation Risk

 

Because a significant portion of our assets are relatively liquid in nature, they are not significantly affected by inflation. However, the rate of inflation affects such expenses as employee compensation and communications charges, which may not be readily recoverable in the prices of services we offer. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse effects on the securities markets, it may adversely affect our combined financial condition and results of operations in certain businesses.

 

Operational Risk

 

Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events. We are focused on maintaining our overall operational risk management framework and minimizing or mitigating these risks through continual assessment, reporting and monitoring of potential operational risks.

 

Item 4.            Controls and Procedures.

 

Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act, is

 

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recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.          Legal Proceedings.

 

Our businesses, as well as the financial services industry generally, are subject to extensive regulation. From time to time, in the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings and inquiries concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our businesses.

 

Sentinel Management Group Litigation

 

A lawsuit was filed on January 12, 2009 by Frederick J. Grede, as Liquidation Trustee and Representative of the Estate of Sentinel Management Group, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Keefe and against Delores E. Rodriguez; Barry C. Mohr, Jr.; and Jacques De Saint Phalle (all former employees of Keefe) and Cohen & Company Securities, LLC, as described in the “Legal Proceedings” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

On May 21, 2009 the Trustee filed an additional complaint in the same court and against the same parties (the “Second Complaint”).  The Trustee claimed to be acting in the Second Complaint in his capacity as liquidation trustee and as an assignee of claims of Sentinel’s customers.  The Second Complaint makes substantially the same allegations as the complaint described above.  Keefe believes the claims in the Second Complaint are also without merit and will defend these claims vigorously.  On July 28, 2009, in Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon et al filed in the same court, in which the Trustee alleged similar customer claims as an assignee, the court dismissed the Trustee’s claims due to lack of standing.  The Trustee has appealed the court’s dismissal of Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon and, on August 19, 2009, the court stayed the Second Complaint while the Trustee’s appeal in Grede v. Bank of New York Mellon is pending.  On March 18, 2010, the Seventh Circuit reversed the district court, holding that the Trustee had standing to pursue the assigned customer claims against Bank of New York Mellon.  Currently, the Second Complaint remains stayed.

 

MidFirst Bank Litigation

 

On December 6, 2007, MidFirst Bank (“MidFirst”) filed a lawsuit against Keefe in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, in an action captioned MidFirst Bank v. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Case No. 07-CV-1384-R (W.D. Oklahoma.).  The complaint arose out of MidFirst’s investment in subordinated trust certificates, which Keefe solicited MidFirst to acquire in early 2007.  MidFirst acquired the securities for approximately $5.0 million.  During the fall of 2007, in connection with the failure of the global markets, MidFirst’s investment declined in value.  MidFirst sued Keefe, claiming that Keefe misrepresented the terms of the securities.  MidFirst initially alleged that Keefe violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, the Oklahoma Uniform Securities Act, committed common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation.   Keefe moved to dismiss and the Court granted the motion to dismiss the Section 10(b) claim which was not repleaded.  Based on its state law claims, MidFirst continued to seek a rescission of approximately $5.1 million in compensatory damages and an unspecified sum for punitive damages and attorney’s fees or in the alternative damages of approximately $2.4 million.

 

Keefe answered the complaint and brought a third-party complaint against Wachovia Capital Markets LLC (“Wachovia”), which solicited Keefe to sell these securities and which knew Keefe was purchasing them for resale to a customer.  Keefe’s claims against Wachovia was for contribution and indemnity, common law fraud and negligent misrepresentation.  Wachovia answered the third-party complaint, denying all material allegations.

 

During the course of discovery, the parties reached a confidential settlement of this matter and pursuant to the terms of settlement, MidFirst’s lawsuit against Keefe and Keefe’s lawsuit against Wachovia were dismissed with prejudice by the Court on June 29, 2010.

 

Item 1A.         Risk Factors.

 

Set forth below are certain material changes from our risk factors as previously disclosed in Part I-Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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The following three risk factors supplement the risks set forth in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Our stockholders may not receive the level of dividends provided for in the dividend policy that our board of directors adopted or any dividends at all.

 

Our dividend policy contemplates the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.05 per share of outstanding common stock. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends on our common stock at the rate set forth in our current dividend policy. However, our board of directors may, in its discretion, amend or repeal our dividend policy. Our board of directors may increase or decrease the level of dividends provided for in the dividend policy or entirely discontinue the payment of dividends. Dividend payments are not required or guaranteed, and holders of our common stock do not have any legal right to receive or require the payment of dividends. Future dividends, if any, with respect to shares of our capital stock will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition and contractual restrictions, and our ability to generate cash from our operations and service our capital expenditures requirements.  Other factors, including the pursuit of new business strategies or opportunities, increased regulatory compliance costs and changes in our competitive environment may also reduce cash available for dividends. Any reduction or elimination of dividends may cause our stock price to decline, and therefore the value of your investment would suffer.

 

Our dividend policy and stock repurchase program may negatively impact our ability to finance our working capital requirements, capital expenditures or operations.

 

Our dividend policy contemplates the payment of a dividend on all then-outstanding shares of common stock.  Since our initial public offering, restricted stock grants to employees have formed a component of our compensation procedures, and have therefore steadily increased our total number of shares outstanding. Any future issuances of common stock, including but not limited to issuances pursuant to our existing benefit plans, will increase the number of outstanding shares of common stock (which may be reduced to the extent we retire shares acquired under our stock repurchase program) and consequently require more cash to pay dividends at the dividend rate set forth in our dividend policy. In addition, our stock repurchase program contemplates the use of up to $70.0 million of our cash to buy back shares of our common stock.

 

While we believe these uses of capital will not impede our ability to implement or pursue growth strategies, it is possible, if we maintain our dividend policy and rate of cash dividend payments and use the entire amount of capital approved for stock repurchases, that we may not retain a sufficient amount of cash to finance unanticipated capital expenditures or growth opportunities that may arise or be able to fund our operations in the event of a significant business downturn.  The cash resources used to fund dividends or stock repurchases would result in less cash available for future dividends and other purposes, which could negatively impact our future liquidity, our ability to adapt to changes in our industry and our ability to expand our business. We may have to forego growth opportunities or capital expenditures that would otherwise be necessary or desirable if we do not find alternative sources of financing. If we do not have sufficient cash for these purposes, our financial condition and our business will suffer.

 

There are contractual, legal and other restrictions that may prevent us from paying cash dividends on our common stock and, as a result, you may not receive any return on your investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than the price for which you paid.

 

We are a holding company that does not conduct any business operations of our own, and therefore, we are dependent upon cash dividends and other transfers from our subsidiaries to make dividend payments on our common stock. See the risk factor contained in Part I-Item 1A of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption We are a holding company and depend on our subsidiaries for dividends, distributions and other payments” for further information.

 

Various regulations applicable to certain operating subsidiaries, including Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Limited, and Keefe, Bruyette and Woods Asia Limited, may limit or delay their ability to pay cash dividends to us if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met or if regulatory approval for payment of such dividends is required. The net capital rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which specify minimum net capital requirements for registered brokers and dealers, is designed to measure the general financial integrity and liquidity of a broker-dealer and requires that at least a minimum part of its assets be kept in relatively liquid form. Similar rules exist in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong.  See the risk factor contained in Part I-Item 1A of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to regulatory net capital requirements” for further information.

 

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We do not currently have any permanent or long-term third party financing or borrowing arrangements. Any future arrangements may contain restrictive covenants or other contractual limitations on payment of dividends. If we were not able to satisfy the financial and other covenants in any debt agreements or if existing sources of liquidity did not otherwise satisfy our needs, we may have to engage in capital raising transactions, seek additional outside financing or scale back or curtail our operations, including limiting our efforts to recruit additional employees, selling assets at prices that may be less favorable to us, cutting or eliminating dividends and reducing our operating expenses. The availability of outside financing, including access to the capital markets and bank lending, depends on a variety of factors, such as market conditions, the general availability of credit, the volume of trading activities, the overall availability of credit to the financial services sector and our credit worthiness. We may not be able to successfully obtain additional outside financing to fund our operations on favorable terms, or at all.

 

Delaware law permits the declaration of dividends only to the extent of our surplus (which is defined as total assets at fair market value minus total liabilities, minus statutory capital), or if there is no surplus, out of our net profits for the then current and/or immediately preceding fiscal years.

 

In the event we do not pay cash dividends on our common stock as a result of any of these restrictions, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than the price for which you paid.

 

The following risk factor, which was included in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, is no longer a risk related to our shares or applicable to our Company:

 

We have not historically paid any cash dividends.

 

We have historically retained any earnings to fund the operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, we have not paid any cash dividends since becoming a public company. There can be no assurance that we will pay any dividends in the future. Accordingly, you should only rely on sales of your shares of common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the way to realize any future gains in your investment. Unless the Company changes this policy, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock.

 

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

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

 

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of KBW, Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act), of our common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2010:

 

Period

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased (1)(2)

 

Average Price
Paid Per Share

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs

 

April 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010

 

2,966

 

$

29.95

 

 

 

May 1, 2010 to May 31, 2010

 

1,465

 

$

26.04

 

 

 

June 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010

 

6,522

 

$

22.90

 

 

 

 

 

10,953

 

$

25.23

 

 

 

 


(1)

All shares purchased were other than as part of a publicly announced plan or program. The shares repurchased are equal to the number of shares that were withheld from certain employees to fund applicable taxes owed by them as a result of the vesting of restricted stock awards.

 

 

(2)

All shares were immediately retired upon purchase by us.

 

Item 3.          Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

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Item 4.          Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 5.          Exhibits.

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: August 6, 2010

 

 

KBW, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JOHN G. DUFFY

 

 

Name:

John G. Duffy

 

 

Title:

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ROBERT GIAMBRONE

 

 

Name:

Robert Giambrone

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

 

Description

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101

 

Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.*

 


* This information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

44